Age of Sigmar: ‘Spearhead’ Game Mode Coming With The New Edition
In a shock to no one paying attention, Games Workshop introduces Spearhead for Warhammer: Age of Sigmar!
This mode was essentially confirmed by Games Workshop when they announced the new edition. Then it was further revealed with the modular rules for Age of Sigmar. But even before that it’s been teased. But now it’s official and we’ve got a look at exactly what you can expect. And it’s pretty much what you were probably expecting…
Introducing Age of Sigmar: Spearhead
“Spearhead is a new game format for Warhammer Age of Sigmar, where you use self-contained, existing boxes of miniatures to play fast and furious games with streamlined rules and nail-biting finishes.
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Spearhead’s footprint is also dramatically smaller than that of a full game, played on a board measuring 30″ x 22.4″ – that’s a quarter the size of a full battlefield, and the perfect size to play on a kitchen or coffee table. “
What the new Spearhead game mode does is that it takes the Spearhead/Vanguard Boxes (which will be rebranded to Spearhead boxes) and creates “set” lists for these units. You then take those units and play against other Spearhead forces on a smaller-sized battle space than a full-sized Matched Play game. There are some other minor rules tweaks but these games are meant to play fast.
This is essentially Combat Patrol from Warhammer 40,000, but it’s now (basically) the same format for Age of Sigmar.
The Balance of Power
Now, if you’re like me, you’re probably thinking, “wait a minute…there are some really good Vanguard/Spearhead boxes out there and some ones that seem a little light on the units. How are these balanced?” Don’t worry, GW did actually think of that. Plus, I’m pretty sure they took some notes from the 40k side of things to make this an even more well balanced game mode. Hopefully.
One thing they did to balance things out is create some extra abilities units can use — like Call For Reinforcements.
Some units will have the Reinforcement keyword and you can use that to bring the unit back with this ability. That’s a nice boon to those units and those boxes that do contain Reinforcement units for sure. GW is also balancing the boxes using specific Battle Traits, too.
“Each faction gets their own powerful and thematic battle traits, and can choose from one of two different Regiment Abilities and one of four Enhancements at the start of the battle to customise their force once they know who they are facing.”
Warscroll Changes in Spearhead
Units also have a different warscroll in Spearhead vs their Matched Play counterparts. This is something we saw in Combat Patrol for 40k, too. They look slightly different but the best way to tell is the very top center of the warscroll. Note the “Spearhead Warscroll” text — try not to get those mixed up with the Matched Play versions.
The Spearhead game mode also doesn’t use some of the more advanced rules like command models or advanced magic. But those things are still in the game. For example, here’s how magic will function slightly differently:
You don’t get to choose a Spell Lore in Spearhead. So the magic ability is just on the card.
“With no magic module, there’s no need for power levels or casting values, so everything fits into a neat ability that emulates all the foundational rules for casting a spell – rolling 2D6 and blasting foes on a successful roll.”
One more change related to Spearhead is that all Spearhead games only last 4 rounds. So keep that in mind with the smaller table sizes and smaller model counts.
Spearhead is coming and sounds like a fast and easy way to jump right into the action.
