What is the Future for Age of Sigmar Spearhead?
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- We've been enjoying Spearhead quite a bit recently so we wanted to take a look at what we think its future could and should hold!
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I really hope they don’t change the current Spearhead format by introducing list or deck building. The key element is the simplicity and all players have the same cards.
What I think the are going to do with Spearhead is the following
1. A new Spearhead box with each new battletome with sadly less models but at the same price (the forces of skaventide is probably a sign of what to expect).
2. A yearly pack with themed around two of the realms with new cards and terrain
3. New Spearhead forces in White Dwarf
I totally agree! The current Spearhead format is perfect for busy working adults!
We had a 3 hours, 8pax tournament at my place just last weekend and everyone agreed that it is so much better than a full day of 3 hours games at our LFGS.
Most of the Spearhead boxes should only take less than a month to fix and paint if we go at the rate of 1 model a day.
That's 45 mins of hobbying for me. Some like Gloomspite and Nighthaunt might be bigger in number but the models are simple and easy to paint.
I am making Lumineth and Kharadron Overlords right now.
We are having monthly meet up with new armies, planned all the way to Christmas. Painted or unpainted.
It wouldn’t need to be a central change, they could bring out pre built sets of cards but then give the option to build your own, players can pre agree on which way to play it, a little like rivals and nemesis formats in underworlds
I agree, just assuming same parallels as Combat Patrol (Intro box Leviathan had first 2 new Combat Patrols: Marines & Tyranids), Skaventide has first 2 new Spearheads: Stormcast & Skaven. With the release of each new 40k Codex, it's accompanied by a new Combat Patrol product box. So in the same way, a new Spearhead product box released with each new Battletome. Maybe quarterly (instead of yearly?) release of new "$65" product similar to what is on sale now: new board, new terrain, new Battletactic/Twist cards.
Honestly really been enjoying playing Spearhead. Had one game with new Skaven vs my daughter(Yndrasta Stormcast), played the new Stormcast vs a friend (FEC) and currently building up Sylvaneth ready for the next game. Despite as limited it seems at a glance, it really does feel like with the cards + twists helps to mix it up a lot and honestly would be great if they eventually bring out more realm boards + cards.
Oh Sylvaneth is very deceptive! Yndrasta was brutally scary! Only Kruleboy and Yndrasta gave my 3 Mega-Gargants real trouble.
Yes the twist and battle tactics cards really made my game so difficult!
So far I have never won completely like 2K AoS where you can actually shut down your opponent by turn 2.
I’m so encouraged how well spearhead has been done.
My greatest fear is it will go the way of the 40k combat patrol. Each new codex is a new combat patrol that is objectively worse than the one that came before, and the balance of all the patrols is terrible.
They didnt really seem to do much to balance the combat patrols and it felt much more like a "here's something to play until you get enough models for a "proper" game of 40K" whereas spearhead feels from the get go like its own game made from the ground up to work much better, so here's hoping!🤞
@@AgentsofSigmarif spearhead stays supported, I may well get into it. Especially if skaventide stays available in my area
@@timunderbakke8756even if the main box doesn’t there are the other slightly cut down versions that are still great value
This is a completely different team working on AoS and they seemed to put a lot more effort into making Spearhead work. 'new' Combat Patrol felt far more rushed with no balancing at all.
@@JimCrimminsI think the team working on spearhead/AoS looked at 40k and despite the main games success realised they could do a lot more for the beginner/more casual experience
New boards for whatever realms they match up, with new cards, new book for rebalancing and/or alternate abilities, similar to GHB mixing it up. Also, I see it as the potential for how new/updated/alternate Spearhead forces could be launched, where they are both in the box, which would also open up for the new terrain.
* their best AoS invention since Underworlds! #alwaysreadyforaction
as long as Spearhead doesn't become the flaming garbage bin of Combat Patrol, I think everyone will be happy.
It’s already in so much of a better position I think it’ll take a hefty amount of ignoring by GW to get that bad so here’s hoping it keeps going well 🤞
Whether for 40k's Combat Patrol or AoS Spearhead; I like the idea of some future PDF releases that allow for a unit swap! 40k's Custodes combat patrol already has this. Models in the box build 5 units, but you have to choose 4 of the 5 units to deploy. Introducing deck building could be interesting. Also having faction-specific decks could be interesting too. In the short term I'm enjoying the replayability as-is: 2 boards, 2 twist decks, 2 deployments per board side... I would much rather expand with multiple Factions than expand to a full AoS army of a single faction.
I could get excited about a box every six months with two new opponent armies (different from the Spearhead boxes like the Fire and Jade are different from their Spearheads'). Plus a new board from two new realms. Additional battle tactics cards a definite plus! Over a three year product cycle that would give you a refresh of about half the armies. But I would expect the high quality of new sculpts that Underworlds/Warcry have set
Spearhead is awesome for me!
Spearhead is the only aos I will ever play again!
same for us!
I think its really difficult to look at what to do in the future. Additional cards could be good, but the pull and appeal of Spearhead to people is the simplicity and ease of the game, and adding cards and deck building is adding another layer which makes it less simple. Maybe another card pack and you can choose between the two without deck building may be good to keep it fresh and interesting. I think the key is ensuring it remains fair and balanced as much as possible. So my thoughts are:
- A new 'fire and jade' set in around 6/12 months including new board (two new realms), new terrain and new deck of 12 cards
- Focus on new spearhead boxes and ensuring balance
This allows more options and could allow players to chose which deck they want to use, either fire and jade deck or new set deck in a game
The cards could be could be completely optional though. Come with pre built packs for those of us too busy to deck build and then the other option for those with time on their hands. A bit like rivals and nemesis formats in underworlds.
I think that it then turns into the same as any game with a Core game and Expansions. Back when I was introduced to Magic the Gathering, we could limit ourselves to the 7th Edition card pool and/or expand to the then current Odyssey block. Having the expansion available doesn't mean that you have to play it, or introduce it to new players. I have Zombicide: Black Plague and it is fun with the 6 core character/minis in the game; but it is also fun to introduce some of the expansions and plethora of alternate characters that came with the kickstarter.
So there can always be the core Spearhead game, while the expansions into other realms, other decks, alternate faction lists; are optional. Both GW marketing and us as veteran players just need to be clear about what's Core and what's expansion so new players don't get confused.
I definitely hope they keep coming out with lists if they're going to keep it set or do something like you have two or three options for some of the "roles" where you can just take one leader or infantry or whatever instead of another. Could bring some more expression and ability to run units you like without getting away from the grab and go format. Spearhead is specifically what's getting me to buy into AoS (as soon as I figure out what I want to buy) and there's some factions that have fantastic models but where the Spearhead for them does not interest me at all. Zero interest in going up to the "real" game so I just hope they stick with it when it sounds like it's been super well received, though I'm also trying to hedge my purchase with something I can use in Warcry as well.
It feels like giving new spearhead options is still a great way to make money off those of us who don’t want to get into the full game as we’d all be happy to buy extra characters/units
I would love GeeDubs to make every AoS army box a Spearhead army or contain a Spearhead army (similar to an army in the contents of the Skaventide box). For example the Darkoath army box released a dew months ago is 720 pts while the Slaves to Darkness Spearhead box army is 700 pts.
Yeah ironjaws need love too
I've noticed the similar trap when comparing Combat Patrols. Assuming that GW balanced the data slates/war scrolls for the respective games, the "points cost" refers to the full game unit and not the CP/SH versions. So the "value" of units is different.
My hope (as someone interested in collecting and painting who is just getting into the hobby) is us getting more spearheads per Faction with different focuses (and maybe even more themed around cool characters like the first Stormcast box). These boxes (admittedly some more than others) make for cool Mini armies, which are still reasonably affordable and dont take ages to build and paint.
Yes. That would be a great way to build things.
I consider myself a veteran in the hobby and I'm happy to collect multiple Combat Patrol and Spearhead factions. I had a great Sunday afternoon this past weekend and painted nearly my entire Seraphon force as well as my BofK Reavers. If all goes well, tomorrow evening I'll make good progress with the Carnosaur, Skullcrushers and Blood Warriors. In a matter of speaking, I kind of wish I had my time/energy/money back for all the 2000-3000 point 40k factions I put together over the last 20 years. Rather have played more and built/painted less.
Furthermore, I can get behind the alternate Spearhead lists if they introduce new ways to play the faction; 'aggressive build', 'defensive build', 'shooty build', 'melee build', etc. (probably for the best that most of Spearhead right now is a melee game with limited shooting.)
@@jonmattison3939 I would hope they might start with (official or "unofficial") subfactions. Ironjawz would be my first Spearhead on the Wishlist. Or maybe two Spearheads for each Chaos faction (one Demon one Mortal).
But when it comes to how interesting/different those would be from a Gameplay perspective, I have no idea. ^^
PS: Damn you are a fast painter. I need one to two days for a single mini xD
@@CacneaMain PS: Thank you! To be honest, I hate to paint. I'd much rather collect, build, play. I'm a perfectionist and want everything to be 'box art' perfect, but I'm never going to spend the time and effort to learn or paint like that. So I have to take a step back and settle for 'good enough'
I followed youtuber 'warhipster' 's video on painting kroxigors with contrast paints and shades. The organic freeform painting style went quickly. Picking out the detail work of flesh, pants, armor, weapons, boots, straps, etc on the Blades of Khorne models is taking more time. But progress is progress.
Got my spearhead terrain done but getting two boxes printed up will still take me a while longer... 😅
you've already said almost everything. I'll add that they could collect the two new spearheads that will come out with the two battletomes (if two come out close together like for 40k) in a warcry-style box.
my real fear is that if the game were to take off seriously, so much so as to undermine AoS, they might not support it anymore. I've been playing for more than 35 years and it wouldn't be the first time from GW (I still remember epicarmageddon and the fanatic forum).
In my opinion, while I recognize that while we usually the bundled/discount price, it falls apart when I don't want the whole bundle. Let's say I already have terrain and only like 1 of the 2 factions. I might need another new rulebook either. Buying a 5 part bundle when I only want 1-2 parts of it isn't saving me money. One would hope that the hobby community is large enough to support both an Age of Sigmar community as well as a Spearhead community. If Spearhead gets "too popular" then maybe GW should re-think which is their primary product focus and which is their secondary product focus?
I don't really see them doing deck building in one of their tentpole games. It's a bit too divided on how people feel about it.
Probably not, which is a shame but at least bring out more decks for variation 🙏
My only worry is that they pull a Combat Patrol on it - by making the spearheads smaller and less value when the battletomes come out. We'll see I guess
Value as a bundle/discount for jump starting a full AoS army? Or value in actually playing Spearhead?
@jonmattison3939 I mean the reduction in the number of models as seen in the most recent Combat Patrols.
So, both I guess.
Personally I don’t mind getting less models if the overall spearhead is still competitive. Though we all want more plastic for our money.
@@trevorharvey6928 Yes, and with both positive and negative outcomes. If the modified model count makes for a better more balanced game, faction vs faction, then that's good for us as the players. If it's GW selling you less models for an increased box price, clearly less a discount vs purchasing separately, then that makes GW richer and it's bad for us.
@@AgentsofSigmar Yes and yes!
Spearhead is a min-version of AOS. It's future si tied to AOS I think.
I always preferred Warcry as it is a game made for small forces like this but Spearhead does seem fun if one) have several armies going/started.
It took me far too long to work out what "future si tied" meant 🤣.
I think you're right. I'd never expect to see it fully decoupled but the few tweaks we've mentioned would make it feel a little more like it's own thing.
the perdicatability is a feature
if someone plays more cards you get more information what you need to do to prevent them scoring in later rounds
its an inbuilt rubberband mechanic
more spearheads would be very welcome but the core game and its seasons shouldn't introduce the randomness and knowledge burden ure suggesting
There's no way we're suggesting a "knowledge burden" as we can't cope with can't much beyond a flat set of rules ourselves.
@@AgentsofSigmar I must have misunderstood you deck of cards idea then
Well I'm mostly suggesting you'd draw 12 from 15, for a small variation.
I'm not too sure about the deck building idea myself 😄.
Only thing I hate is the imblanace but then again I'm playing probably one of the worst factions while everybody around me fields stuff like CoS and Sylvaneth
Hopefully GW will start to tweak the spearheads once they get some feedback on the armies and boost a few stragglers and nerf a few more OP selections. They recently gave the sylvaneth a smackdown
@@AgentsofSigmar huh? How did they give sylvaneth a smackdown?
I feel like stormcast is really ridiculous with their reinforcement rule. Just compare that to Disciples of Tzeentch where the tzangors cannot even dent them
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