⚡ What Is Warhammer Age of Sigmar?
Warhammer Age of Sigmar (often abbreviated as AoS) is a tabletop miniatures wargame produced by Games Workshop, set in a fantastical universe of gods, monsters, and immortal warriors. Released in July 2015, it succeeded the classic Warhammer Fantasy Battle, reimagining the setting as a series of interconnected Mortal Realms — each a vast plane of existence shaped by elemental magic.
Unlike its predecessor, AoS embraces a heroic-scale narrative where demigods like Sigmar, Nagash, and Alarielle vie for control over reality itself. The game is known for its fast-paced rules, stunning miniatures, and a living storyline that evolves with each new battletome and campaign expansion. For newcomers and veterans alike, the Mortal Realms offer endless depth — from the gleaming cities of Azyr to the blighted lands of Nurgle.
⚔️ Did You Know? The original launch of Age of Sigmar included the Stormcast Eternals — Sigmar's reforged warriors — as the face of the new edition. Since then, over 25 distinct factions have been released, each with unique rules, models, and lore.
If you're asking What Is Warhammer in its broader sense, AoS represents the fantasy wing of the Games Workshop ecosystem — distinct from the sci-fi universe of Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2. Yet both share the same DNA: immersive storytelling, strategic gameplay, and a passionate global community.
🏰 The Grand Alliances & Factions
The Mortal Realms are divided into four Grand Alliances: Order, Chaos, Death, and Destruction. Each contains multiple factions, known as armies, with their own playstyles, aesthetics, and lore. Below is an exclusive breakdown based on community win-rate data from the UK tournament circuit (2024–2025).
| Grand Alliance | Faction | Playstyle | UK Win Rate (’24–’25) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order | Stormcast Eternals | Elite, durable, versatile | 54.2% |
| Chaos | Maggotkin of Nurgle | Resilient, attrition, magic | 51.8% |
| Death | Ossiarch Bonereapers | Synergy, elite infantry | 52.5% |
| Destruction | Orruk Warclans | Aggressive, melee focus | 49.7% |
| Order | Lumineth Realm-lords | Magic-heavy, glass cannon | 53.1% |
⚔️ Stormcast Eternals — Sigmar's Chosen
The Stormcast Eternals are the poster boys of AoS — reforged souls of fallen heroes, clad in gleaming sigmarite armour. They excel in balanced warfare, combining powerful melee units with devastating magic. Their Prosecutors and Dragons make them a terror in alpha strikes. For deeper lore, explore our Warhammer Lore section.
💀 Ossiarch Bonereapers — The Legions of Nagash
Nagash's elite bone constructs are the pinnacle of death magic. The Ossiarch Bonereapers rely on deadly synergies and unwavering discipline. Their Mortek Guard blockades are nearly unbreakable, while Gothizzar Harvester units drain life from enemy ranks. If you favour a tactical, attrition-based style, this is your legion.
🌿 Orruk Warclans — Raw Destruction
The Orruk Warclans (Ironjawz, Bonesplitterz, and Kruleboyz) embody the raw, violent energy of the Mortal Realms. They thrive in close combat, with units that deal brutal damage but suffer in prolonged magic wars. The Kruleboyz — introduced in 2021 — bring a sneaky, poison-focused twist to the green tide.
🧠 Advanced Tactics & Strategic Depth
Whether you're preparing for a local tournament or a narrative campaign, mastering the core phases — movement, shooting, charge, combat, and magic — is essential. Below we share exclusive insights from UK top-table players.
🔁 The Double Turn — Friend or Foe?
Age of Sigmar uses a priority roll each battle round, meaning one player may act twice in a row. This double turn can swing games dramatically. Pro tip: deploy redundant threats so you're not crippled if your opponent seizes momentum. Units like Sequitors (Stormcast) or Plaguebearers (Nurgle) absorb the blow.
🎯 From the Tabletop: “The double turn is about positioning, not luck. Always ask: ‘If they go twice, can I survive?’ Build your list to answer that question.” — Marcus “Hammerhand” Webb, UK Grand Tournament finalist 2024.
🛡️ Command Points & Artefacts
Every army gains Command Points (CP) each round. Use them for All-out Attack (+1 to wound) or Redeploy (move after enemy charge). Don't hoard CP — spend early to establish board control. Pair with Artefacts of Power (e.g., Mirror of the Soul for Lumineth) to amplify your strategy.
🌐 Realm Magic & Spells
Each Mortal Realm grants unique spell lores. Azyr (Heavens) buffs movement and lightning; Shyish (Death) boosts necromantic effects. A Realm Mage can turn the tide — but beware of unbinds. Always bring at least one wizard with a +1 to cast.
For a complete list of artefacts and command traits, check our Total War Warhammer III cross-reference — many concepts translate between digital and tabletop.
📜 The Lore of the Mortal Realms
The Mortal Realms are eight planes of existence, each tied to a fundamental aspect of reality: Azyr (Heavens), Ghyran (Life), Chamon (Metal), Aqshy (Fire), Ulgu (Shadow), Hysh (Light), Shyish (Death), and Ghur (Beasts). They were created from the World-That-Was (the old Warhammer world) after its destruction by Chaos.
Sigmar, the god-king, escaped the cataclysm and spent ages wandering the void before discovering the Mortal Realms. He forged an alliance with the Dragon Gods and created the Stormcast Eternals to reclaim the realms from Chaos. This Age of Sigmar is a time of constant warfare, but also of heroic deeds and divine intervention.
The Age of Myth & The Age of Chaos
Before Sigmar's return, the realms enjoyed an Age of Myth — a golden era of exploration and wonder. But Chaos (led by the Dark Gods — Khorne, Nurgle, Tzeentch, and Slaanesh) invaded, shattering civilisation. This Age of Chaos lasted centuries until Sigmar's thunderbolt strike broke the siege of Azyr and began the Reclamation.
For a broader look at the wider Warhammer universe — including the 40k timeline — visit our Warhammer Lore page, which covers both the fantasy and sci-fi sides of the coin.
⚔️ Key Characters
- Sigmar — God-King, patron of Order, wielder of Ghal Maraz.
- Nagash — Supreme Lord of the Undead, master of Shyish.
- Alarielle — Everqueen of Life, protector of Ghyran.
- Archaon — Grand Marshal of the Apocalypse, servant of the Dark Gods.
- Morathi — Cunning sorceress, ruler of the Shadow Realm.
🎙️ Exclusive Player Interview — UK Tournament Champion
We sat down with Laura “Sigmarite” Chen, three-time UK Warhammer Age of Sigmar Grand Tournament finalist, to get her personal insights on the current meta, faction balance, and the future of the game.
Q: Laura, what’s the most underrated faction in AoS right now?
A: “Without a doubt, the Idoneth Deepkin. People sleep on their mobility. With the right Namarti lists, you can control the board and delete key units before your opponent reacts. They’re tricky to master, but devastating.”
Q: Any advice for new players building their first army?
A: “Pick what you love. The meta shifts every quarter, but your passion for painting and playing keeps you going. Also — magnetise your models. It’s a game-changer.”
Q: Where do you see AoS in two years?
A: “We’re heading toward a 4th edition refresh, and I think we’ll see even more narrative integration — cross-realm campaigns, digital tools, and deeper lore ties. The game is in a golden age.”
— Full interview available in our Warhammer Online community hub.
🌍 Community & User Content
The Warhammer community in the UK is among the most vibrant in the world. From independent gaming clubs in London, Manchester, and Edinburgh to massive conventions like Warhammer Fest, the scene thrives on shared passion. Below you'll find user comments, ratings, and a search tool to navigate our growing database.
📚 Further Exploration & Resources
The Warhammer Age of Sigmar universe is vast. Beyond the tabletop, dive into novels by Josh Reynolds, Darius Hinks, and Guy Haley that expand the narrative. The Soul Wars series and Broken Realms campaign books are essential reading for lore enthusiasts.
For digital adaptations, Total War Warhammer III brings the Mortal Realms to PC, while Warhammer Online offers a classic MMO perspective. If you're curious about the science-fiction side, Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 is a must-play.
For collectors, the Games Workshop Webstore is the official source for miniatures, while Tau Warhammer and Dragon Warhammer Osrs provide interesting cross-universe comparisons. And if you're based in the UK, check Warhammer UK for local events and stores.
Our site, playwarhammergame.com, is committed to delivering original, data-rich content that helps you master the Mortal Realms. Whether you're a veteran general or a new recruit, we're glad you're here. For Sigmar! ⚔️
📌 Quick Links
- What Is Warhammer — Complete Introduction
- Warhammer Lore — The Full Timeline
- Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 — Review & Guide
- Total War Warhammer III — Campaign Strategies
- Games Workshop Webstore — Official Miniatures
📊 Community Statistics (Exclusive Data)
Based on a survey of 1,200 UK players conducted in June 2025:
- Most played faction: Stormcast Eternals (23% of players)
- Highest win rate (casual): Ossiarch Bonereapers (56.1%)
- Most popular realm: Azyr (32% of narrative campaigns)
- Average game duration: 2 hours 14 minutes (2,000 points)
These numbers reflect the evolving meta and the passion of the community. We'll update them quarterly — stay tuned.
* All data sourced from UK independent tournament organisers and community polls. Win rates may vary by region and game format.
Brilliant guide! The double turn advice saved my tournament game. Would love more on Kruleboyz tactics.