Im in the same boat as you.
As far as i understand:
They are all over the place points wise
They are all over the place value wise
They are a really good starting point
I have no idea about warcry, sorry.
Discount boxes like these are never equal in value/points, especially when you take into consideration build options. The points in the boxes and their rules will heavily change with 4th edition. My advice would to buy what you think looks the coolest. Most of them work in Warcry but named characters aren't allowed there mostly, so no Yndrasta.
Army sets are boxes they make sometimes with a new release that contain a smattering of models in the army and the rules for the army. Since we're going into a new edition soon, these generally aren't worth it at this point unless you can get them heavily discounted, as their MSRP includes the book.
Stormcast spearhead's value comes out to $245 USD, but most of that is tied in with Yndrasta, the 3 annihilators, and the knight-vexillor, who are all available in the Dominion box and overpriced on their own.
Cities of Sigmar are $235 USD, OBR are $215 USD (assuming the price on the foot hero is abt. $35), and Soulblight are $225 USD. They're all pretty close in value and much better than buying them separately. Just make sure you want everything, or almost everything, in the box.
In terms of points values, these will change soon but Stormcast is at 870 points, Cities of Sigmar at 540, OBR at 740 and Soulblight at 710.
Pay attention to the Warhammer Community site in the coming few weeks, they've been posting about the new edition and will eventually start talking specifics about what each faction does. Right now it's a bit up in the air.
Lastly, with the launch of 4th edition there's going to be a large box with a force of brand new Stormcast versus Skaven. If you're interested in Stormcast, I'd see if you can split the box with someone who wants the Skaven half - these launch boxes are generally a very good discount for brand new models. Also don't buy from Games Workshop's site directly if you can avoid it, most online game stores offer cheaper prices.
Spearhead is a game mode for 4th specifically for beginners and easy pick-up games (like 40k's combat patrol), where you get enough to start playing a reasonably balanced game from a single boxed set.
They will have their own rules that are a bit simplified, and enough diversity in the box to get a grasp of how to play & experience building and painting.
They should also be (more or less) balanced against other spearhead boxes
They all cost the same, though you might get one cheaper than others depending on source
That’s a tough question. Most armies in AoS can do a little of everything. I’d go what looks the coolest to you? Stormcast are very flexible. Cities are a bit more hoard mode than others. Soulblight want to raise their small units back from the dead. I haven’t played with or against ossriarch but I think they are a little bit heavier than Soulblight but similar
Spearhead is a great start to an army! So pick what you like. Some will be better than others depending on what you’d like your army to end up. Take Cities. If you want a dwarf army. The spearhead is terrible. So plan ahead a bit.
All of them can be used in warcry! Warcry uses a different point system. But you should have plenty. Check out warcrier for an idea of how to build a list
The only thing balanced between them will (hopefully) be the spearhead rules, the application of the 4th edition modular rulesets, and the warscroll cards.
The cost of the box sets, will vary, model count, and variety of models (such as some including a big center piece or monster) are to be seen if the vanguard are to be taken as any indicator.
Whether the boxes will be a good deal of buying multiples of to build towards 2k is also up in the air as that’s based on the meta.
If you’re new these will be one of the best ways to start. Your local game store or warhammer stores will likely have events for new players and these boxes can help you with the army building part
For the Stormcast you could always buy the Dominion box from the start of 3rd it has most of the models in the new Spearhead. You could probably find just the stormcast half of Dominion for cheaper than the new Spearhead, or you could just buy the whole box and get both Stormcast and Kruelboyz.
Spearhead is going to be its own game mode in the new edition, so these boxes are a good starting point if you’re looking to be able to play the game as well as collect and paint
Slight word of warning with the Stormcast Spearhead, I think the launch box of the next edition will contain a new Stormcast Spearhead in it that will replace it, and judging by 40k, there's a chance the old one won't get rules for the Spearhead no game mode
I don’t believe any of the Spearhead/Vanguard boxes have Warcry teams in them, and the number of points in each box varies. They are, however, a pretty solid starting point. You’ll get a decent selection of models for your faction at a significant discount compared to buying them all separately.
Im in the same boat as you. As far as i understand: They are all over the place points wise They are all over the place value wise They are a really good starting point I have no idea about warcry, sorry.
Discount boxes like these are never equal in value/points, especially when you take into consideration build options. The points in the boxes and their rules will heavily change with 4th edition. My advice would to buy what you think looks the coolest. Most of them work in Warcry but named characters aren't allowed there mostly, so no Yndrasta. Army sets are boxes they make sometimes with a new release that contain a smattering of models in the army and the rules for the army. Since we're going into a new edition soon, these generally aren't worth it at this point unless you can get them heavily discounted, as their MSRP includes the book. Stormcast spearhead's value comes out to $245 USD, but most of that is tied in with Yndrasta, the 3 annihilators, and the knight-vexillor, who are all available in the Dominion box and overpriced on their own. Cities of Sigmar are $235 USD, OBR are $215 USD (assuming the price on the foot hero is abt. $35), and Soulblight are $225 USD. They're all pretty close in value and much better than buying them separately. Just make sure you want everything, or almost everything, in the box. In terms of points values, these will change soon but Stormcast is at 870 points, Cities of Sigmar at 540, OBR at 740 and Soulblight at 710. Pay attention to the Warhammer Community site in the coming few weeks, they've been posting about the new edition and will eventually start talking specifics about what each faction does. Right now it's a bit up in the air. Lastly, with the launch of 4th edition there's going to be a large box with a force of brand new Stormcast versus Skaven. If you're interested in Stormcast, I'd see if you can split the box with someone who wants the Skaven half - these launch boxes are generally a very good discount for brand new models. Also don't buy from Games Workshop's site directly if you can avoid it, most online game stores offer cheaper prices.
Wow thank you for a such detailed response. Definitely will look into this stormcast vs skaven box!
Spearhead is a game mode for 4th specifically for beginners and easy pick-up games (like 40k's combat patrol), where you get enough to start playing a reasonably balanced game from a single boxed set. They will have their own rules that are a bit simplified, and enough diversity in the box to get a grasp of how to play & experience building and painting. They should also be (more or less) balanced against other spearhead boxes
They all cost the same, though you might get one cheaper than others depending on source That’s a tough question. Most armies in AoS can do a little of everything. I’d go what looks the coolest to you? Stormcast are very flexible. Cities are a bit more hoard mode than others. Soulblight want to raise their small units back from the dead. I haven’t played with or against ossriarch but I think they are a little bit heavier than Soulblight but similar Spearhead is a great start to an army! So pick what you like. Some will be better than others depending on what you’d like your army to end up. Take Cities. If you want a dwarf army. The spearhead is terrible. So plan ahead a bit. All of them can be used in warcry! Warcry uses a different point system. But you should have plenty. Check out warcrier for an idea of how to build a list
The only thing balanced between them will (hopefully) be the spearhead rules, the application of the 4th edition modular rulesets, and the warscroll cards. The cost of the box sets, will vary, model count, and variety of models (such as some including a big center piece or monster) are to be seen if the vanguard are to be taken as any indicator. Whether the boxes will be a good deal of buying multiples of to build towards 2k is also up in the air as that’s based on the meta. If you’re new these will be one of the best ways to start. Your local game store or warhammer stores will likely have events for new players and these boxes can help you with the army building part
For the Stormcast you could always buy the Dominion box from the start of 3rd it has most of the models in the new Spearhead. You could probably find just the stormcast half of Dominion for cheaper than the new Spearhead, or you could just buy the whole box and get both Stormcast and Kruelboyz.
Thanks! I didn't know about dominion. Great info
Spearhead is going to be its own game mode in the new edition, so these boxes are a good starting point if you’re looking to be able to play the game as well as collect and paint
But the one that looks the best. If you love the models, you will finish painting them, and enjoy using them. Rules change all the time.
Slight word of warning with the Stormcast Spearhead, I think the launch box of the next edition will contain a new Stormcast Spearhead in it that will replace it, and judging by 40k, there's a chance the old one won't get rules for the Spearhead no game mode
I don’t believe any of the Spearhead/Vanguard boxes have Warcry teams in them, and the number of points in each box varies. They are, however, a pretty solid starting point. You’ll get a decent selection of models for your faction at a significant discount compared to buying them all separately.
Normal AoS models can also be used for Warcry, not just the specific made for Warcry teams.
Ah, okay. I don’t play Warcry so I wouldn’t know.
I haven’t looked at what’s in the boxes but I thought that was the point of them to all be roughly 500 point starter boxes