Age of Sigmar: Spearhead Battle Tactics, Commands, & More
Games Workshop really wants you to try Spearhead games of Warhammer: Age of Sigmar. This game mode is sounding rock solid.
We already got an introduction into what Spearhead games are. The short version is they are smaller sized games with armies you’ll use based on the various Spearhead/Vanguard boxes. Today we’re getting a look at how Battle Tactics and Commands will work in this mode. We’re also going to get to explore a few more “Twists and Turns”that are going to be used in this faster-paced game mode.
Spearhead Battle Tactics And Command Cards
“Scoring in Spearhead is simple. At the end of their turn, a player scores one victory point for holding an objective, one for holding two or more objectives, one for holding more objectives than their opponent, and one for each battle tactic scored. Because Spearhead doesn’t use any Advanced Rules modules – including the Battle Tactics or Commands modules – you’ll instead use a unique deck of battle tactic cards.”
The new Battle Tactic Deck is a 12 card deck. The first round you’ll draw three cards and in the following rounds you can opt to discard cards and draw back up to three cards. Here’s the kicker: the Battle Tactic Deck are actually both Battle Tactics and Commands. You’ll have to make a tactical choice on how you play them.
“Every card gives you the choice between scoring a battle tactic or using a powerful command. This turns each card into a delectable tactical choice – will you use a command that can help you score objectives, enhance your forces, and put your opponent to the sword? Or will you attempt to secure victory by completing a battle tactic instead? “
Keep in mind that you can score all those Battle Tactics in a single round — so if you can score three Battle Tactics and you complete them you score 3 victory points. But when you score a Battle Tactic or use them as a Command those cards are spent.
Personally, I’m liking the sound of these cards. One of the things I didn’t like about Battle Tactics card-style games previous was the dreaded “dead draw.” That’s when you can’t actually use any of the cards and you were just stuck with them. Now, not only can you discard and redraw up to three cards every round, each card is also a Command you can issue. I like this change as the odds of getting a dead draw are much lower now. I’d still like to see all the cards in the deck though!
Spearhead Twists
“The priority roll and underdog mechanics are both alive and well in Spearhead, adding more tactical layers to the game. Because Spearhead is a game of hard-fought, nail-biting battles with tense finishes, Seizing the Initiative from a priority roll comes with a sting in the tail – you won’t be able to draw any battle tactic cards unless you are the underdog, and the difference in victory points is five points or greater. “
With the changes to getting a double this is another rebalancing factor specific to Spearhead games. I do wonder if this is needed change or not considering Spearhead games only last for 4 full battle rounds. That said, I’m still willing to give this one a shot just to see how it plays out. Additionally, there’s also the twist to contend with, too.
“At the start of every battle round, you will also determine which player is the underdog – the person who is behind on victory points. Then, you’ll draw a twist card that will impact the battle in some way, providing a bonus for the underdog. There are two decks of six twist cards each, themed around the Aqshy and Ghyran sides of the Spearhead battlefield board.”
Obviously the themes of Ghyran and Aqshy will play into the impact of these twists cards. Both Mortal Realms have very distinct natures. This is could also be a bit of foreshadowing from GW as they could very simply create more of these Mortal Realm twist decks to add to Spearhead down the road.
Looking Forward To Spearhead?
Personally, I’m curious as to what else will be different in Spearhead. I think it might be time to check out some of those boxes and see about throwing together a Spearhead army for the new edition. If you’ve already got the models in your collection, great! And if you don’t well, there’s going to be convenient boxes for you to pick up later one down the road.
I don’t know if Spearhead will take off or not in the long run. The Spearhead format could be an entire tournament scene by itself when you think about it. Lists are more static and choices are more limited. The armies are also a lot smaller and much easier to collect, build, paint, and play. Will that be a big enough draw away from the Matched Play scene? That’s the part where I start to doubt the tournament scene will happen for Spearhead.
Still, I think this will be a great way to ease into a new edition and a much lower barrier to entry for new players, too. Or heck, veterans just looking to try a different army — this is how they get ya!
I collect a few of these armies…I’m pretty sure I could toss together a spearhead army or four…
