Age of Sigmar: How to Play Sylvaneth
Today we look at how to play Sylvaneth in Age of Sigmar. Make your opponents fear the forest again!
For anyone who has ever wanted to watch nature get back at all the corporations of the world…I can’t really help you, but this is a good start. The Sylvaneth bring all the angry power of life and the woodlands to the battlefield in terrifying fashion, showing how scary the forest can be when it’s mad. If you like trees, like nature, or really liked watching the Ents wreck Saruman in Lord of the Rings, this is an army to check out.
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Who are the Sylvaneth?
After the fall of the World that Was, powerful elven heroes, were transported to the Realms where they became the gods. One such hero was Alarielle the Everqueen, who manifested as the embodiment of Ghyran, the Realm of Life. When she pulled her share of the aelven souls out of Slaanesh, she bound their spirits to trees and bestowed them with the ancestral memories of the Wood Elves of Athel Loren.
Some took to this well, while others were consumed by bitterness and anger, twisting into horrifying creatures with long claws and screeching voices. She also roused the trees to battle, then retreated into her own realm. If any should stray into a glade protected by these spirits, they are likely never to be seen again.
Why Play Sylvaneth?
Sylvaneth offers a lot of versatility of playstyle, and has some of the best positioning manipulation in the game. Their faction scenery is incredible, limiting enemy LoS while empowering all your troops and giving them paths around the board. Whether you like ranged supremacy, focused melee, or magical onslaughts, you’ll find something in the army for you.
Strengths
- Some of the best teleportation in the game.
- Incredible faction scenery.
- Kurnoth Hunters can be kitted to fit any role.
Weaknesses
- Limited numbers- a highly elite army.
- A finesse army with lots of tricks to be executed.
Sylvaneth Rules
Battle Traits
- Endless Growth – Sylvaneth close to friendly at end of turn Awakened Wyldwoods Heal (D3).
- Strike and Fade – Friendly unit in combat and wholly within 6″ of an Awakened Wyldwood can teleport to a different Wyldwood.
- Walk the Hidden Paths – Teleport between Awakened Wyldwoods in the movement phase.
Battle Formations
- Lords of the Clan– Healing Song improves the Endless Growth Battle Trait.
- Forest Folk– Improve the rend on non-Kurnoth infantry.
- Outcasts– reduce enemy control scores in combat.
- Free Spirits– One unit of cavalry, selected each turn, can Run and Charge.
Heroic Traits
- Radiant Spirit– A powerful spell/prayer ignore bubble.
- Warsinger– Gives a select nearby unit extra movement.
- Spellsinger– Bonus to cast while next to Awakened Wyldwoods.
Artefacts
- Seed of Rebirth– A two thirds chance to not be dead.
- Greenwood Gladius– Throws out some Mortal Wounds in Combat.
- Crown of Fell Bowers– chance at a bonus to wound for all friendly units against a select unit in combat.
Key Sylvaneth Units
While your Battle Formation and Regiments will determine your build somewhat, these are some units you’ll always want to consider.
Alarielle the Everqueen
Alarielle is the centerpiece deity of the faction and a Unique Warmaster, Monster. With her Rite of Life you can keep bringing her (or other units!) back to the table as long as you keep rolling 4+.
Belthanos
Belthanos’ Carnelian Greatspite can create more room for your Battle Traits to operate with Nature Aetheric. In addition, Belthanos is great leading a charge with the Kurnothi War-Horn giving three units Run and Charge.
Arch-Revenant
A strong, fast, and durable support lord, especially alongside Kurnoth Hunters. She will turn a small unit of Greatsword Hunters into a delete button with the Champion of Kurnoth rule.
Kurnoth Hunters (any type)
An incredible and versatile monstrous infantry piece. You can select the high damage/anti-charge of scythes, the range/hero-sniping of Greatbows, or the volley of attacks/mortal wounds from swords. Each are good in their own way and finding the one that fits your army best is just a matter of experimentation.
Warsong Revenant
Two spells a turn plus a ward aura and a decent weight of attacks make this a mixed-combat hero that can easily carry a squad or stand on its own.
Tree-Revenants
Infantry in a Sylvaneth army and a pretty phenomenal one at that. Can teleport anywhere on the battlefield, not limited by Awakened Wyldwoods. Great for capturing lone objectives.
Treelord Ancient
A massive monster hero that is equal parts caster, fighter, and support piece. With Awakening the Wood you can turn an Awakened Wyldwood into a nice Mortal Wound bomb.
Spiterider Lancers
Lancer are pretty awesome Cavalry- with a 2/3 chance to Strike First on the charge and a bucket of D2 attacks (also on the charge) they can mince something nicely. Not only that, but they’ll stick around due to Heal from the fact they are Thrumming with Life.
Gossamid Archers
This unit excels in the Sylvaneth style of play- feinting in and out doing damage while remaining ever just out of reach thanks to their Zephyrsprites.
Sample Sylvaneth Army
Faction: Sylvaneth
– Battle Formation: Outcasts
Regiment 1:
- Alarielle the Everqueen
- Treelord
- –Warsinger
- –Crown of Fell Bowers
- 3 x Kurnoth Hunters with Kurnoth Greatbows
- 6 x Kurnoth Hunters with Kurnoth Scythes
- – Reinforced x 1
- 3 x Kurnoth Hunters with Kurnoth Greatbows
- 3 x Kurnoth Hunters with Kurnoth Greatbows
How to Play Sylvaneth
Keep your enemy’s lanes locked down with your Wyldwoods and pepper them with magic while dancing circles around them. Be conservative and lure the enemy into your clutches.
~The forest is angry
