Well we certainly put our money where our mouths are, didn’t we? Let’s hear it for PC writer Calvin Rarie who went and took the Gorechosen AOR to a cracking 5-0 last weekend. Calvin had the hardest run imaginable – three of his four opponents went 4-1 themselves – so it’s a fantastic result.

Calvin’s great, Gorechosen is great too and the army needs a nerf. But in the meantime, here’s a whole bunch of cool ideas you all had for tackling the bastards.

You can see the parameters for the challenge here (as well as a summary of what makes Gorechosen tick) and we got loads of entries for this one. Of course we can’t publish them all, but at the same time we do want to showcase some of the best. So I’ll run through our top three selections in detail, and follow that up with Honourable Mentions for some others that we liked. There’s some creative solutions in there that are worth a good look.

On the Podium we have:

1. Trev (Kruleboyz)
2. Nigel (Tzeentch)
3. QLD Thunder (KO)

And our Honourable Mentions are:

• Bingus (Ogor Mawtribes x KO)
• AndyC (Sylvaneth)
• Nate (Cities of Sigmar)
• Xander (Tzeentch)
• OrfeasX (Kruleboyz)

Ready? Let’s go.

Our Winner: Trev, Hobgrot Hobby Killaz

2000/2000 pts
Orruk Warclans | Kruleboyz
Badmouthing Baiterz
Auxiliary Units: 23
Drops: 28
Spell Lore – Lore of the Swamp
Manifestation Lore – Manifestations of Gorkamorka
Battle Tactic Cards: Master The Paths, Intercept and Recover

General’s Regiment
Swampcalla Shaman with Pot-grot (110)
• General
• Mork’s Eye Pebble

Regiment 1
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
• Backstabba

Regiment 2
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)

Regiment 3
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)

Regiment 4
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)

Auxiliary Units
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)

So what does the list do?

It does Toxic Stash. Repeatedly, and with vigour.

You need to note two things here:

1. This is a Combat Phase ability, so it happens before anyone Fights (including Strike First).
2. The limitation is Once per Battle, not Once per Battle (Army), so a whole bunch of your little dudes can try this in the same phase if relevant.

Since you need to beat the enemy model’s Health, you have a 72.2% chance of killing a 5 health guy (by hitting 6+ on 2D6), and a 58.3% chance of killing a 6 health guy (by hitting 7+ on 2D6). And with a lazy 27 Slittabosses, you outnumber the suckers by about two to one. Dice are gonna dice and a string of 5+ “Don’t Die” rolls could screw you, but there’s one side who’s left praying for miracles here and it ain’t the Hobgrots.

Well done mate, it’s an absolute banger of a list. I’ll be in touch about your prize, which will be a choice between some AOS kits or “What’s in the box?”¹

Urgh, who’s gonna buy 27 Hobgrot Slittabosses though?

Lemme tell ya buddy: If you own 27 starter set Hobgrots, you own 27 Hobgrot Slittabosses. All you need is a hobby saw and a can-do attitude². There are three paths you can go down here:

• The Path of the Pilgrim
• The Path of the Rogue
• The Path of the Warrior

The Path of the Pilgrim: I reckon that when I was new to this whole wargaming caper, I’d have thought that the way you put 27 Slittabosses on the table is to go out and buy 27 Slittabosses from GW.  Lol.  I’d have priced it up, realised that it was gonna cost well over a grand and that would be the end of that.

The Path of the Rogue: The quickest and easiest thing to do is just blu-tak your starter set Hobgrots to 32mm bases.  Badda Bing, now they’re Slittabosses.  It might sound lazy and a bit crap ³and yet it’s still way better to play against than the legit models, because at least there’s a bit of variation between the assorted starter set poses, whereas 27 legit models are just identical to one another.  If you’re feeling spicy, you could even paint the rims different colours on the ones that have Enhancements.

The Path of the Warrior: The best and coolest way to do this army would be to make every lil guy into something unique, and base them on 32s.  Starter Set Hobgrots (which would presumably be the starting points for most / all of your models) are still a dime a dozen so it’ll be the cheapest army you’ll ever make.  Choose the Path of the Warrior.

On The Podium

Nigel: Fire solves all problems.

1950/2000 pts Disciples of Tzeentch Wyrdflame Host
Drops: 5
Spell Lore – Lore of Change
Manifestation Lore – Aetherwrought Machineries

General’s Regiment
Kairos Fateweaver (440)
• General
Burning Chariot of Tzeentch (100)
Burning Chariot of Tzeentch (100)

Regiment 1
Fateskimmer, Herald of Tzeentch on Burning Chariot (120)
Burning Chariot of Tzeentch (100) Burning Chariot of Tzeentch (100)

Regiment 2
Fateskimmer, Herald of Tzeentch on Burning Chariot (120)
Burning Chariot of Tzeentch (100)
Burning Chariot of Tzeentch (100)

Regiment 3
Fateskimmer, Herald of Tzeentch on Burning Chariot (120)
Burning Chariot of Tzeentch (100)
Burning Chariot of Tzeentch (100)

Regiment 4
Fateskimmer, Herald of Tzeentch on Burning Chariot (120)
Burning Chariot of Tzeentch (100)
Burning Chariot of Tzeentch (100)

I’ll let Nigel talk you through this one himself:

As per last FAQ, anything that blocks Heal also blocks the standup abilities, so Tzeentch or Nurgle are the obvious choices to slap the Khorne. Each Chariot has a 3+ chance to set Burning via flyover; the ability isn’t Once per Turn (Army) so EACH one can light something up, and you’ve also got another set of Burning via shooting/magic from any unit you want, as they all inflict it via shooting. Once they’re lit, they’ll eventually go down as Khorne can’t rally away the Burning faster than it can be inflicted. Just as planned.

As mentioned above, our guy Calvin Rarie 5-0’d with Gorechosen himself last weekend, and Calvin agrees that this list would give them a lot of problems. Chariots are a great way to dump all the Burning possible into all those heroes, and simultaneously shut down the revive while revving up the D3 mortals.

QLD Thunder: Anti-Gore

Kharadron Overlords | Endrineers Guild Expeditionary Force

1980/2000 pts (Drops: 3)

General’s Regiment
Aetheric Navigator (130)
• General
• Celestium Burst Grenade
Grundstock Gunhauler (140)
Grundstok Thunderers (130)
Grundstok Thunderers (130)

Regiment 1
Drekki Flynt (130)
Arkanaut Frigate (300)
Skywardens (240)
• Reinforced
Vongrim Salvagers (200)
• Reinforced

Regiment 2
Codewright (80)
• Shrewd Opportunist
• Blazebeard and Sons Bamboozling Flakgun
Arkanaut Company (180)
• Reinforced
Arkanaut Company (180)
• Reinforced
Grundstock Gunhauler (140)

A big part of the durability in Gorechosen comes from the 4++ Wards: to give you an idea of how tough it is, Calvin ate 15x Kroak Bombs last weekend and lost about two guys to it. So KO – with their various sources of Ward removal – are in a great position to do something about that.

Over to the big dog QLD himself:

• Multiple ways to strip wards
• Shooting to play keep away and target artefact heroes
• Best-named artefact in the game⁴ to reduce the Strike First guy’s charge
• Our own Strike First in the Frigate
• Extra damage on Frigate Boarding Weapons
• Retreat mortals on Wardens to help finish off wounded units
• Arks to screen and take shots at charging units for chip damage

Also the drones will hurt them, as they want to cluster up. The “Blow Up” one can tag multiple units for chip damage, and the “Stun” one can drop their control scores. Plus the charge mortals on the Frigate will help clean models off. Each Gunhauler can transport one unit of Thunderers around.

KO’s new book is looking the business, and I reckon this list would lead a lot of armies a merry dance – Khorne included.

Honourable Mentions: Lists We Liked

Bingus: GORECHOSEN IS FOR NERDS

Grand Alliance Destruction | Ogor Mawtribes | Beast Handlers
Drops: 4 (1990/2000 points)
Prayer Lore – Everwinter Prayers

General’s Regiment
Frostlord on Stonehorn (350)
• General
• Mage-swallower
• Gruesome Trophies
• Touched by the Everwinter
Huskard on Stonehorn (300)
• 1 Chaintrap
Scourge of Ghyran Ironblaster (170)
Stonehorn Beastriders (280)
• 1 Chaintrap

Regiment 1
Huskard on Stonehorn (300)
• 1 Chaintrap

Regiment 2
Huskard on Stonehorn (300)
• 1 Chaintrap

Regiments of Renown
Sky-Port Profiteers (290)
Codewright
Grundstok Thunderers
Grundstok Thunderers

Faction Terrain
Great Mawpot

You remember what we were saying about KO switching off Wards? Well Ogors have access to that tech too, via the sexy new Sky-Port Profiteers that Ogors can take:

The Mage-Swallower Big Name reduces all enemy Wards within 6″ by one, and Gruesome Trophies gets +1 to Hit for all nearby friendly units into Heroes. So that would be everything, then.

There’s loads of Mortal damage in there and the Ironblaster can keep them honest and punch through some precision damage where needed. I love this list, and it would look so fuggin cool on the table. I’m seriously tempted to give it a go myself. Cross-GA Listbuilding Challenge next, I reckon⁵?

AndyC : Gorechosen Killers

2000/2000 pts Sylvaneth Wargrove of Everdusk
Drops: 3
Spell Lore – Lore of the Deepwood
Manifestation Lore – Aetherwrought Machineries
Battle Tactic Cards: Master The Paths, Scouting Force

General’s Regiment
Scourge of Ghyran Drycha Hamadreth (320)
• General
Kurnoth Hunters with Kurnoth Greatbows (200)
Kurnoth Hunters with Kurnoth Greatbows (200)
Kurnoth Hunters with Kurnoth Greatbows (200)
Kurnoth Hunters with Kurnoth Greatbows (200)

Regiment 1
Warsong Revenant (200)
• Warsinger
• Acorn of the Ages
Gossamid Archers (120)
Gossamid Archers (120)
Kurnoth Hunters with Kurnoth Greatbows (200)

Regiment 2
Treelord Ancient (240)

Faction Terrain
Awakened Wyldwood

Andy’s really put a lot of thought into this list, and it has a very refined feel:

Drycha and Quicksilver Swords ignore wards, while the Warsong reduces them by 1. Lots of bomb-type Mortal damage from the trees/ Treelord Ancient and Warsong bomb. Importantly, there’s a big focus on shooting, which helps a lot with distributing attacks appropriately.

Love your work mate. Smart use of Aetherwrought could potentially fuck their charges too.

Nate: We have Gorechosen at home

Cities of Sigmar: Veteran Cannoneers 1950/2000 pts
Auxiliary Units: 10 Drops: 15
General’s Regiment
Scourge of Ghyran Pontifex Zenestra, Matriarch of the Great Wheel (250)
• General
Fusil-Major on Ogor Warhulk (140)
• Glimmering
• Master of Ballistics
Ironweld Great Cannon (100)
Ironweld Great Cannon (100)
Ironweld Great Cannon (100)
Regiment 1
Assassin (90)
Regiment 2
Assassin (90)
Regiment 3
Assassin (90)
Regiment 4
Assassin (90)
Auxiliary Units
Assassin (90)
Assassin (90)
Assassin (90)
Assassin (90)
Assassin (90)
Assassin (90)
Assassin (90)
Assassin (90)
Assassin (90)
Assassin (90)

Another banging entry in the “We can do Herohammer too” sub-genre. Those Assassins are pretty nasty: they all have Strike First on the charge and 6 attacks at Damage 2 with Crit Mortal. The rule of cool factor is pumped up by the Warhulk, Sigmar’s Pope has a cracking Soggy warscroll and rounding off the package in Nate’s words: “Pay no attention to the artillery and lich behind the curtain”. I always love a meme list that is secretly quite good.

Xander: Anti Gorechosen

Disciples of Tzeentch Wyrdflame Host
1990/2000 pts Drops: 2
Spell Lore – Lore of Change
Manifestation Lore – Morbid Conjuration
Battle Tactic Cards: Wrathful Cycles, Master The Paths

General’s Regiment
Kairos Fateweaver (440)
• General
Blue Horrors and Brimstone Horrors (150)
Flamers of Tzeentch (260)
• Reinforced
Screamers of Tzeentch (80)
Tzaangor Skyfires (180)

Regiment 1
Lord of Change (400)
• Illusionist
• Mutating Blade
• 1x Baleful Sword
Pink Horrors (170)
Pink Horrors (170)
Screamers of Tzeentch (80)

We had two really solid lists seaking to leverage the Burning mechanic against Khorne; you’ll have seen that we picked Nigel’s “Oops All Chariots” build for the podium, while Xander came up with a similar idea from a different angle:

• Burning turns off their heal
• Kairos spell, Wyrdflame and Illusionist to blunt their attacks
• Mortals still get through, but you’re pinging back damage from dying Pinks, and then returning dead Horror units
• No Chaos Spawn because it’ll just die. Instead, some Screamers and Skyfires to go grab objectives. Skyfires to finish off wounded heroes
• Just play defense and flex tactics with Kairos while they chase you around
• You still probably lose 😅

It would actually make a really engaging Batrep – I’d like to see how it plays out.

The Toolbox Approach: OrfeasX

Kruleboyz Swamphorde Bullies
[Master the Paths] [Intercept and Recover]
[Lore of the Swamp] [Forbidden Power (20)]

General’s Regiment
Swampboss Skumdrekk [SoG] (250)
General
1 x Hobgrot Slittaboss (70)
20 x Gutrippaz (300)
20 x Gutrippaz (300)
7 x Monsta-killaz (110)

Regiment 1
Killaboss on Great Gnashtoof [SoG] (160)
Slippery Skumbag
1 x Hobgrot Slittaboss (70),
6 x Man-skewer Boltboyz (180)

Regiment 2
Swampcalla Shaman with Pot-grot (110)
Mork’s Eye Pebble

Regiments of Renown
Da Hurtlin Hogs (420)
1990/2000pts 4 drops

And bringing it home with our final Honourable Mention is Orfeas and this sweet Kruleboyz list. Rather than building a spam list that would fall over in other matchups, Orfeas has gone for a real Toolbox approach here.

I love seeing that Soggy Gnashboss in any list, and he’ll certainly have plenty of opportunities to utilise Drag Em Out – but also to teleport around the board and steal objectives. Kruleboyz can beat you in a lot of ways, and this is a list that leans into that: picking fights on its own terms, but also zipping around the board to avoid unfavourable fights and run up the score.

A splash of Charge denial and Strike First rounds off a really compelling package. You’d never have a boring game with this list – so well done Orfeas on crafting it.

---

So that’s a wrap! I’m honestly feeling pretty energised after reviewing all these submissions. We got a huge spread of interesting armies from across the game and plenty of innovation on show. We’ll give the Listbuilding Challenge a bit of room to breathe now, but maybe come back in a few months to look at that Cross-GA thing I mentioned in the footnotes.

Have a good weekend, nerds – see you on the other side.

If you’d like to help us continue our work, we’d love to have your support. All Patreon Tiers include Discord access, exclusive articles and regular contests. Our Tiers are priced to be within everyone’s reach, so please click here to join us today!

1. You probably won’t want to open this at work, or in the presence of your wife or an officer of the law. Previous Mystery Box winners from Plastic Craic competitions can confirm. ↩︎
2. Or some blu-tak and a complete absence of shame. ↩︎
3. OK it is lazy and a bit crap. ↩︎
4. Couldn’t agree more, that one is a banger. Dwarves do get some sweet tech in this game: my all-time favourite ability name is “Oath-Takers and Skull Breakers” from the ginger ones. ↩︎
5. Off the top of my head: this KO ROR can go into Ogors, the Goroan Scions Theridon wrecking crew can go into most of Destro and pretty much everyone can take the Dankhold Troggoth. Should be something interesting there, I reckon. ↩︎