If you don't have enough time for Warhammer Age of Sigmar, this new game mode is for you
Mar. 21, 2024Spearhead is a quicker, more accessible kind of match
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar is a great wargame, but it’s admittedlya little dense - and publisher Games Workshop seems to recognize that, because it’s launching a more accessible match type this Summer.
Called ‘Spearhead,’ this is a shorter, beginner-friendly version of Warhammer Age of Sigmar that should last hour or less. In addition, you don’t need to worry about balancing armies or fussing with points costs beforehand; Spearhead boxsets come with smaller, pre-balanced armies that are ready to go, meaning you have all the models you need for one of thebest board gamesright away. (Well, more or less - you still need to build and paint those minis.)
While some of these Spearhead sets already exist (you can pre-order ones for Stormcast Eternals, Flesh-eater Courts, and Cities of Sigmar) every faction will apparently get a Spearhead box before too long.
Announced at AdeptiCon alongside thereveal that Skaven will be kicking off the next edition of Age of Sigmar, this new game type is basically the fantasy version of Combat Patrol for Warhammer 40K. Introduced last year, Combat Patrol is a bitesize entry point to the game that aims to make things as easy for newcomers and time-strapped players as possible. Like Spearhead, it also features pre-balanced army boxes that, while not being ‘pick up and go,’ don’t require worrying about army compositions or buying extra models before you can start playing ‘full’ matches.
It makes sense that Age of Sigmar would get this too - it’s a great idea, and not just for beginners who are intimidated by the full game. Those who can’t spare an afternoon to play (or don’t have the capacity to make and paint up a full army, which is wonderful but can be very time-consuming) have the perfect entry-point with Spearhead. Additionally, it allows veterans to get more games in or try something new without committing to a full-on army. According to Games Workshop, “Spearhead is a deep and robust game system with enough depth and twists to provide endless replayability.”
No matter what, it’s good that we finally have an answer to what purpose those previously-announced Spearhead boxsets served - they didn’t offer enough troops for a full army, and we already had Vanguard ‘start collecting’ packs, so wesuspected something like this might be on the way. Case closed on that one, I guess!
If you want to get into the sci-fi equivalent, check out whichWarhammer 40K starter setswe recommend. For ideas on what to play next, meanwhile, check out the topboard games for adults.
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
Now is the best time to try the biggest D&D rival, Pathfinder
Fresh off Arcane season 2, Project K is a League of Legends trading card game, but it’s not just a physical version of Legends of Runeterra
Sonic stars in his own surprise Christmas special, and even Keanu Reeves' Shadow can’t ruin the festive fun
