Age of Sigmar: ‘Hedonites of Slaanesh’ Faction Focus – The Euphoric Killers
The Hedonites of Slaanesh are under the microscope for today’s Faction Focus from Games Workshop. The Euphoric Killers are here!
Slaanesh might still be stuck in his paradoxical prison but that doesn’t mean his followers aren’t out and about looking for ways to break him free. Today we’re going to see how that translates to the tabletop in this Faction Focus. It’s time to head to the pain and pleasure with the Hedonites!
“Where the Hedonites of Slaanesh spill blood and tempt their enemies to join them, the walls of reality erode, and daemons coil out from the Realm of Chaos. Captivating Daemonettes promise an eternity of pleasure and excess even as they slice their prey to ribbons, great chariots scything through whole regiments with their elegantly bladed wheels. Their presence and profligate debauchery transform the field into a phantasmagorical paradise, an agonising prelude to the carnival of ecstasy and violence that Slaanesh will usher in when he finally breaks loose from his impossible prison.”
Hedonites of Slaanesh – Battle Traits
The Hedonites of Slaanesh are still going to use their unique temptation dice mechanic. Although this version is very different than the previous one. It’s still a way for your opponent to get some “Free” 6s on their rolls but they could get mortal wounds as well. Personally, this seems like a less punishing version for your opponent. Euphoric Killers does give your units a nice boost as well — so maybe this is more of a temptation for the Hedonites player instead of their opponent now…
Hedonites of Slaanesh – Battle Formations
Once again we get a look at one of the Battle Formations from the army. This time it’s the Depraved Carnival. It gives a flat +1 to hit rolls for friendly Sybarite Infantry that have damage or have had any slain models in the same turn. Pretty straightforward and plays off the whole pain and power theme of Slaanesh. Additionally, there are more Battle Formations to use, too:
“Other battle formations revolve around Seeker cavalry chasing with reckless devotion at breakneck speeds, slipping in and out of combat without reprise, or work to scrape down the winnowed walls of reality and supplement their daemonic hordes, or focus on egotistical champions whose reverent warriors claim objectives to honour their ever-perfect masters.”
Hedonites of Slaanesh – Lore of Extravagance
We’ve only got one look at a spell today from the Lore of Extravagance. It’s Sadistic Spite and it’s a way to convert your Crit (2 Hits) for Crit (Mortal) instead.
Hedonites of Slaanesh – Warscrolls
Up next we have a few warscrolls to chew on. We’ve got three of the various units you might want to run as well as the faction terrain piece. The Fane of Slaanesh seems like a new way to buff various units — and not just champions either. Toss the buff over to a brick of models and hope you roll low. The extra +1 to wound could really stack up. Or throw it on a caster and let them get a +1 to casting and unbind until the start of your next turn.
Hedonites of Slaanesh – Spearhead
The Spearhead is also showcased here. It’s the Blades of the Lurid Dream:
And once again it’s the same as the current Vanguard box.
Contents:
- 1x Shardspeaker of Slaanesh
- 3x Slaangor Fiendbloods
- 5x Slickblade Seekers, which can alternatively be built as Blissbarb Seekers
- 10x Blissbarb Archers, plus 1x Blissbrew Homonculus
It’s a good start for a Hedonites army. Plus we get a look at the Spearhead Battle Traits where are different that the full rules above. These actually function a lot more like the current edition which is uh…strange. So I don’t know if this is a great way to learn the army in the long run as the mechanics are different enough. You’re still using temptation dice but generating Depravity Points. I’m sure no new players are going to get this confused at all…
Finally, we get a look at the Slickblade Seekers. Enjoy this lightly armored but faster moving cav unit to harass your enemies.
I think the Hedonites are going to be a little easier to play overall. The temptation dice seems like a much easier system to work with overall. The Hedonites players get the benefits and their opponents are slightly less punished for interacting with the system. But what do you think?
Is this the edition that Slaanesh breaks free? Time will tell…
