AoS: A Bone to Pick – Ossiarch Bonereapers in 4.0
Several things are changing in Age of Sigmar, but one thing always remains true: the Bone Tithe must be paid.
Welcome in, Generals of the Realms! The newest edition of Age of Sigmar is almost upon us, and Games Workshop is preparing us for war. Leading up to the new edition, they’ll be showing off how our favorite factions are going to change. 4.0 has been completely changed from the ground up, so every faction is going to fundamentally change how it plays.
When the Ossiarch Bonereapers were first announced as an army, I was all in. I loved the idea that Nagash had created a relentless, well-trained answer to Sigmar’s Stormcast. Of course, it didn’t hurt that they reminded me of the regimental perfection of the Tomb Kings (which I can’t wait to try in Old World, but I digress). These warriors were the Death army I was waiting for, and they aren’t slowing down in the new edition. While a lot has changed, a good deal more has stayed the same, or at least feels familiar.
The Perfect Legion
What I loved most about the OBR was their Relentless Discipline points. Unlike the CP of the inferior mortal races, the Bonereapers could produce a ton of ability points and generally outmaneuver their foes. 4.0 brings back the Relentless Discipline, but in a fun new way that feels just a little less oppressive.
Rather than spending your hard-earned Discipline points, you have a pair of abilities in each phase (except shooting, but you don’t need that). In each phase, you can pick one of the two abilities based on whether you’re playing offensively or a bit more on the back foot. I love this, personally, and think it balances the crazy strength Relentless Discipline used to have without feeling like a nerf.
Bone Daddy
Like with all Death armies, the Ossiarchs are only as good as their leaders. Whether you choose the more militant options like a Kavalos or Katakros himself or one of the mysterious Mortisans, you’ll have a perfect general designed to unmake your enemies. Based only on what we’ve seen so far, I think the Soul Mason will be an auto-include for most lists.
The Soul Mason’s signature spell is a nasty offering, giving all of your deadly warriors the Strike First ability. As amazing as that is on spearmen or sword and board, it’s going to be devastating on some of the bigger creatures. Just to drive the point home, you can also throw out some Empower Nadarite Weapons.
There are a lot more exciting things on the horizon for Age of Sigmar, so keep checking back for more faction spotlights!