AoS - 3rd Legion of Blood - Road to 2000

[MTD]

Hey everyone,

This is my first post here, so before I start I wanna thank you all and The Sun King for being awesome and supporting this forum and creating that incredible SBGL Handbook. I check it weekly and keep on finding interesting bits that I missed before.

So Im new to the game, started this July and Im loving it! It is such a great, balanced and beautiful game. I picked the Legion of Blood as a subfaction, mainly because I dont like the Zombie meta, and the fact that they are ugly and stupid, and Lady Neferata doesnt approve that I got 10-15 games under my belt so far, and I participated in a local tournament at 1000p. and finished 3th (out of 12 players) :O Im very happy and motivated to improve.

Here is the list I used:

- Army Faction: Soulblight Gravelords
- Army Type: Legion of Blood
- Grand Strategy: Lust for Domination
LEADERS
Neferata (365)
- Spells: Fading Vigour, Invigorating Aura
Vampire Lord (140)*
- General
- Command Traits: Aristocracy of Blood
- Arcane
- Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome
- Spells: Invigorating Aura, Soulpike
BATTLELINE
Black Knights (100)*
- Hellknight
- Standard Bearer
- Hornblower
Deathrattle Skeletons (160)**
- Skeleton Champion
- Champion's Mace or Halberd
- 2 x Standard Bearer
Deathrattle Skeletons (80)**
- Skeleton Champion
- Standard Bearer
- Champion's Mace or Halberd
OTHER
Grave Guard (140)*
- Hornblower
- Standard Bearer
- Seneschal
- Great Wight Blade
CORE BATTALIONS
*Vanguard
**Expert Conquerors
TOTAL POINTS: 985/1000

Now Im trying to move my army list to 2000 points. I purchased a VLZD and 5 Blood Knights and added them in at the place of the Grave Guards for a game of 1500 points.
Here Im ask for your guidance. How should I fill the rest of the points:

• 20 more Skeletons? They are great for holding, but week as damage dealers. Do I need Zombies or Dire Wolves for that. I dont like them hence the subfaction pick
• I think I need more dmg dealers. As a whole I like my build and it working wery well at 1k with Nefferata doing the dmg as well as being great support. But I feel Im plying very tanky/grindy as I rarely get the bonus for killed unit for the Endless Legions battle trait. Relying on my enemies to not one shot my summoned units so I can heal them and grind the game
• Should I get more then 2x Cavalry to support my fast moving Monster Vampires? Also I have seen people reinforce Cavalry units, but what is the point, as they have big bases and cant all fight? Isnt it better to have 2x Blood Knights and 2x Black Knights (more charge damage from the lances)
• How to position my Grave Guards? Im very scared to use them, as they are expensive and fragile. Should I use them with Shields to have more survivability and imp their dps with the VL Crimson feast?
• Also I feel like I dont use the The Unquiet Dead faction trait well. I always keep 1-2 units in the graves( as a surprise) only to steal an Objective when the enemy units are away. But the Black knights and GG have Hornblowers that make their min charge 6', and the Grave sights negate that ability, also Skelies should be on the board to hold objectives, no? Any suggestions what units to use/not use in Graves sights and when to summon them?
• What do you tink about the Coven Throne/Bloodseeker Palanquin. They look like a propper addition to the Legion, Lorewise Also, is the model too old a bad for building?

Im just so enthusiastic about the game and have so many questions as I wanna learn and absorb as much knowledge as possible, but I will stop here since the post is long enough already

 

[The Sun King]

Welcome MTD ! You just made my day with your compliments to the handbook. I am so happy to hear that you get a lot out of it! And congrats on the good performance! Sounds like you don't need much help .

I'll start with trying to answer some of your questions and then we can look at lists after that.

1. You should not play models you don't like. However, with that in mind you might not always be able to play the most competetive choices, but that is fine, this game is about having fun with models you think are awesome.
2. So what units to pick? Well, to be fair our battleline units don't really deal damage. Which is something our whole army has issues with. So strap yourself in for playing a tanky and cunning army. If you want to play lists that hit hard then you should be playing Nighthaunt . Soulblight are great at attrition wars and are generally slow starters, so where we often take off points wise is in turn 4 and 5. So to answer your question about what models to pick - I don't really know, we would have to look at the exact list that you want to go for.
3. Reinforced cavalry are indeed awkward, but sometimes it is a good idea - some people do it on their Blood Knights. Most of the time the reason for doing it is a) you can more easily fit into a Battle Regiment Battalion (being one drop is a big thing) and b) you get more out of your buffs and c) it gives your unit staying power. But it really depends on what you want to do. At the moment mounted units are quite good for Battleline because it means that they are not Galletian Veterans, which in turn means that you deny the enemy their Bounty Hunters bonus damage.
4. Shields on GG are not worth it IMO. The difference between 4+ and 5+ is not really big - either way your GG will die when they get hit by something so the trick is to have them hit first and hope that whatever you are hitting dies in the process and doesn't strike back. Regarding how to position them: I dislike having them in Gravesites for the reasons you mention - getting a 9" even with rerolls is around 50% chance, and that is too risky for me. I would rather suggest that you keep your Grave Guard behind a screen and then counter charge when you have the option. But if you are going cavalry heavy then maybe GGs are just not a good fit for your army?
5. Regarding Grave Sites... you don't have to have anything in reserve to benefit from them. In themselves they grant you a 6+ ward save and you can get units back from them with Endless Legion when your stuff starts dying. But it can be pretty nice to have a small unit of Skellies in reserve just to force your opponent to stay back and protect an objective - in which case your 85 pts unit is holding up an enemy unit. Something you have to be aware of when you increase in army points - a 2k army fills up the board way more than a 1k army does, so you will probably find that the opponent will have an easier time screening you out when you go to 2k.
6. Both the Coven Throne and the Bloodseeker are decent units. I think the Coven Throne is better in general because Shudder is such an amazing spell and the Command Ability is also really strong. Regarding the kit - it is fine, it can be a bit fiddly to put the ghosts together. The Vampire Ladies are amazing sculpts and you even get some cool extra bits that are made for the Mortis Engine but that you can use for other things. The blindfolded necromancer can be put on a normal base and the you have a Necromancer on foot .

Hope this helps a bit. And again - awesome to have you on board!

Cheers,
Sunny

 

[Unas the slayer]

This is my first post here, so before I start I wanna thank you all and The Sun King for being awesome and supporting this forum and creating that incredible SBGL Handbook. I check it weekly and keep on finding interesting bits that I missed before.

(snip:

Im just so enthusiastic about the game and have so many questions as I wanna learn and absorb as much knowledge as possible, but I will stop here since the post is long enough already

Welcome aboard MTD .

for any doubt or question you may have, just ask.

 

[MTD]

Tahnk you for you answers Sun King. I see you have focused on Nighthaunt lately and missed that Skeletons are now 80 points

Taking into account your advices, I have crated this list using mainly models I own:


- Army Faction: Soulblight Gravelords
- Army Type: Legion of Blood
- Grand Strategy: Show of Dominance
LEADERS
Neferata (365)***
- Spells: Amaranthine Orb, Fading Vigour, Invigorating Aura
Vampire Lord (140)***
- Arcane
- Spells: Invigorating Aura, Soulpike, Spirit Gale
Vampire Lord on Zombie Dragon (435)***
- Martial
- Vampiric Sword
- Mount Traits: Foetid Miasma
- Spells: Amethystine Pinions, Blades of Shyish, Invigorating Aura
Wight King On Skeletal Steed (130)***
- General
- Command Traits: Sanguine Blur
- Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome
- Spells: Invigorating Aura
BATTLELINE
Black Knights (100)*
Deathrattle Skeletons (160)*
Black Knights (100)*
Deathrattle Skeletons (80)**
Grave Guard (280)**
- Hornblower
- Seneschal
- Great Wight Blade
- 2 x Standard Bearer
OTHER
Blood Knights (195)***
CORE BATTALIONS
*Bounty Hunters
**Expert Conquerors
***Warlord
TOTAL POINTS: 1985/2000

I love playing with spells, so I picked the Warlord Battalion and the WK with Arcane Tome can pick a spell from the faction ones since the last FAQ (the app doesnt show it yet).
Nefferata and the VLZD are quick and can do the dmg and threaten the enemy heroes.
The WK can support the cavalry. I made him a General mainly to get the GG as a battle line and add them as Epert qonquerors.
Picked a 20 Skeletons as they are almost unkillable in one go and I can support them with the VL and eventualy get my Grand Strategy as of the FAQ, if I poition them in the center on the map, i can get all sections with one unit. The other 10 Skelies are for grave sight surprise
20 GG are for some punch power.
I also own a unit of Vargheists. Do you think it can be good to add it in the list somehow?

As a whole I feel this list looks a bit chaotic. Im happy to hear your take on it

 

[Kiba]

Hi MTD,

Nice list, but in my opinion, your battalions are a bit messy and i would change a small bit of the list.

First I would make the VLoD the general (With Soulbound garments and Aura of Dark Majesty) for two reason.
First my experience with the VLoD is that either he kills almost nothing the whole game, or the dice gods are with you and he smash everything. The aftermentioned build will make him very tanky (and even more if buffed with Neferata Warscroll Spell) so at the very least even if you roll poorly he will be an immovable anvil.
Second reason, in this season you DON'T want your grave guard to be Galletean Vet. They are already very fragile, if an ennemy Bounty Hunter unit look at them they will crumble if Vet.

Back to the Battalion.
Biggest mistake is in my eyes, the Blood Knight, the second you take a bounty hunter battalion, you want to put them in it

So I would put one unit of Black Knight in the Warlord.
In the Bounty Hunter, the grave guard, the blood Knight and the second unit of Black Knight
In the Conqueror the two units of skellies

Again, this is just my opinion

 

[The Sun King]

I agree with everything Kiba suggested.

Also, don't expect your 20 Skeletons to survive much

 

[MTD]

Hello spooky skeletons,

I have made 4-5 games and I have tested what you have advised me.
Kiba you were right. In my games the VLoZD was really swingy! Some times he smashed, some times he just whiffs most of his attacks. The Command trait and Artefact combo does make him tanky. Because of that im still debating between his Lance or Sword weapon option (with +1 to attack from the Blood Legion). The lance is good for explosive dmg on charge, but if he misses his attacks(rng is a fickle mistress) and doesnt kill his mark, maybe the Sword will be more consistent, since charging with the lance and retreating and charging again, will take 3 turns. What do you guys think?
Having Grave Guards as Battle line was a big mistake, I totally agree
The Sun King, I bumped my Skeletons to 30, and so far, no one has managed to 1 turn them with 1 unit (reinforced or not and with Bounty Hunters), then I get 50% back from Skeleton Legion ability, later save the rest with Inspiring Presence and next turn I can heal them back up. The opponent just arnt able to surround them with too many models, and I keep my unit in a square, possible flanked my terrain

 

[MTD]

On another list, but the same me and same legion

I will be participating on a local small club tournament. 2 days, 4-5 games. 8-10 players.

Here is my list:

- Army Faction: Soulblight Gravelords
- Army Type: Legion of Blood
- Grand Strategy: Lust for Domination
- Triumph: Indomitable
LEADERS
Vampire Lord on Zombie Dragon (435)**
- General
- Command Traits: Aura of Dark Majesty
- Martial
- Deathlance
- Artefacts of Power: Soulbound Garments
- Mount Traits: Foetid Miasma
- Spells: Amethystine Pinions, Invigorating Aura, Vile Transference
Vampire Lord (140)***
- Arcane
- Spells: Invigorating Aura, Soulpike, Spirit Gale
Necromancer (125)***
- Spells: Fading Vigour, Invigorating Aura, Levitate
Mannfred Von Carstein (380)***
- Spells: Decrepify, Invigorating Aura, Overwhelming Dread
BATTLELINE
Deathrattle Skeletons (240)*
- Skeleton Champion
- Champion's Mace or Halberd
- 3 x Standard Bearer
Deathrattle Skeletons (80)*
- Standard Bearer
- Skeleton Champion
- Champion's Mace or Halberd
Black Knights (100)**
- Hellknight
- Standard Bearer
- Hornblower
OTHER
Blood Knights (195)**
- Kastellan
Grave Guard (280)**
- Seneschal
- Wight Blade and Crypt Shield
- 2 x Standard Bearer
- 2 x Hornblower
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS
1 x The Burning Head (20)
CORE BATTALIONS
*Expert Conquerors
**Battle Regiment
***Command Entourage
- Magnificent

TOTAL POINTS: 1995/2000
Created with Warhammer Age of Sigmar: The App

I know my opponents, as we play often in the weekends. Ther are 2x Sylvaneth, 1 Idoneth, 1 Ossiarch, 1 Nurgle.

Something to consider:
- used Legion of Blood to make Black Knights a Battle line, best option for this GHB2022
- Swapped Neferata for Manfred, as Nefy is too defenside and make my army feel like a holding point and grinding all games to 5 rounds and that is just exhausting. Although I love the healing and resurrection of my faction
- Manfred is justa pice of shit, and that is great on the board! Also, I think this Command Ability is making my list so much more Damage Dealing. Also his Sword abiliy can be of help with the dmg output of all my Summonables
- 30 Skeletons for holding the middle or a choke point. They are just immortal in my hands!
- Picked the GG with Shield intentionally. I wanted to have them on the board and use actively. The musician helps so much. I dont like to be worried so much of incoming dmg or how to raise them from the grave and pray to Nagash for a 9 inch charge. I know that the damage output will be lowered that way, but I can bump it back up with the Necromancer spell, Vampire Lord Crimson Feast or Manfred mentioned buffs. What do you guys think?
- I didnt pick Bounty Hunters to outplay my opponents. I know them and our club meta is such that no one has a Galletian Veterans in their army. (only the Morteck Guards, but they are untouchable in melle anyways)
- The idea is to out drop them every time, and pick being second, to be able to use my Spells from the first turn
- Picked Magnificent Spells, since I love to play with more spell options and I have a ton of mages already
- Picked the Flaming head, mostly because I have a mage focused army, and I had 25 free points anyways
- I have Necro spell, Manfred Spell and Burning head as scarry first spell to pull possible unbinding, and have my opponen always thinking what to stop
- Also possible AOE dmg from Manfed Spell + Burning Head
- Expert Conquerors so thay can forget about outmuscling my Skeletons from an objective

 

[The Sun King]

I really like the list! I disagree with the choice of shields for the GG but other than that I think it will be quite competetive. Let us know how it goes! Some good considerations you've made by the way.

 

[Unas the slayer]

Mannfred is magnificent, he's really hard to take down and his mobility is just awesome. Plus, great support abilities.

i would keep the lance on the VLoZD and, well, not a great fan of GG with shiled but hey.

 

[MTD]

Hi guys,

Been very busy, but I now found some time to give a quick update.

I finished second in the tournament with 3W 1L.. Only lost to the winner, who played Sylvaneth.
Some conclusion I made from that experiance:

• 30 Skeletons with Expert conquerors was way too much. They just ingored them and ran away form them. 2x20 would have been better
• Felt my army would benefit more if I used more then the minimum 3 Battle Line unit. For example gravesite spawning or objective gaining for cheap points
• Manfred Command ability improvesd the DMG output of the army greatly!!!
• Grave Guards (as Unas and Sun King said) didnt perform well enough with Shields! Their dmg output felt considerably lower and the survivability didnt improve much
• Picking second against Sylvaneth was a mistake on my part, as in first turn the enemy Stike and faded me and planted a tree in the middle of my deployment and AOE bombed me. Was too slow to move into his teritory to contest more no the board
• I would love some advice for playing against Sylvaneth. My enemy had 6 kurnoth with Scites (scary!) Treelord (for the tree planting) and Warsong Revenant deep in the end of the map near trees and was casting through them

Im curious to hear what your guys think

 

[The Sun King]

Congrats on the good performance! I don't know if I am the right person to help with beating Sylvaneth as it is the only faction I have a negative score against .

Best thing I can say is probably: get something quick and hardhitting and go straight for the Warsong.