2023 Starter lists for ambush

This morning SFG-Matt posted on Reddit with a question about starter sets for Kings of War. As this is a question which surfaces from time to time, I’ll spend a few minutes writing about this.

First of all, the best starter lists are built by yourself with the miniatures you own using the Mantic companion. The companion is free to use and updated as soon as there’s a force change – which is usually yearly. For instance, the lists below are built using the 2023 rules, in 2024 point allowances may change.

For starters, I’d recommend using the ambush rules. Ambush is a Kings of War variant which focusses on small forces, which lets you play a Kings of War game with 500-1000 points. If you want to play a full 2,300 battle, look elsewhere for guidelines.

Without Further adoo, let’s start with a few starter options:

The Ambush sets

Mantic produces a number of ambush sets which are aimed at the starting player. They are all roughly 350 points and balanced around each other. For instance, the goblin set includes:

• Regiment sharpsticks with a mawpup upgrade
• regiment spitters
• Troop Mincers.

Together 355 points

If you’re starting out with Kings of War, you might want to buy an Ambush set each, and start building from there.

Built from an Ambush set (500 points)

If you’re starting out with an Ambush set and building from there, there’s more possible. For instance, the goblin set includes 40 infantry, 8 mawpups and two mincer/chariot models. If you’re okay with some hobby, this could be built as:

Which is a fun list to play @500 points. 5 units, two infantry, a monster, a chariot and a unit of slow cavalry is a good start. The king shoots, so there’s even something to do in the shooting phase.

As for models, you’ll need to build the 2nd mincer as a king-on-charot. Lacking any crew, you’ll need to dedicate one of your 40 infantry as king. (and keep one of the regiments with 19. No one will care)

Empire of dust can be built from the ambush set as well @500 points:

This list features a very powerful cavalry regiment, two supporting heroes (both with surge) and two infantry units. It’s not as balanced as you’d like (ideally, you’d like at least a full regiment of spear-skeletons plus the troop of skeletons) but this is what can be built from the box.

Several 750 point ambush lists built for fun:

Below several 750 point Ambush lists built to be a) reasonably balanced to be fun to play and play against and b) have a variety of units:

This Basilean list has been piloted by my 7-year old daughter at a test event a few months back and it’s been a blast. This list features two very powerful infantry regiments, a huge flier, a troop of fast cavalry and a character with heal.

Undead

This undead army list is powerful with two strong mummy troops (defense 5+, regen and -/14 nerve) and the even more powerful goreblight backed up by the absolute blender unit, a troop of Soul Reaver infantry. The flanks are guarded by cheap regiments and it’s all led by a simple necromancer.

Balanced human army

This is a balanced human army which has a combination of strong cavalry, a flying hero on monster, some ranged and some infantry. It may not be the strongest list of them all, it’s definately the most versatile.

Ogres

here’s my idea for a 12-model ogre list. It’s easy painting and I think fairly effective.

“power lists”

As Kings of War is balanced around 2,000-2,300 points, the Ambush format can be used to build power armies that perform strong against some and are weak against other armies. I would advice against these kind of armies. Sure, you may win a lot, but the battles are one-dimensional and not fun.

Don’t go the route of 3+ units of gladestalkers or as many strong/tough monsters just below that 200 points thresshold. Just don’t.