Welcome to the Leagues Kinsfolk

In the Lore

Oh Votann of the Lake what is thy wisdom?

The Leagues of Votann are here and it is a big deal! We’re not talking about a new Space Marine chapter, or an expansion of an army that we already know exists. This is a brand new race and a brand new army. Quite the rarity for 40K now a days!

Lore wise they are a fantastic army and I hope that they get some attention from the authors and community team. The Leagues of Votann are clones, the leagues are able to manipulate the cloning banks to a degree that would seem impossible to others. The Kin are bred for the job needed. With augmentation and genetic manipulation that would make a space marine blush.

The leagues also have access to the Votann, sentient AI from the golden age of humanity’s past. The Votann are the ancestors, and the ancestors are becoming senile. Untold millennia have overloaded even these golden age data banks. Answers to even simple questions are now confounding and mysterious, and take generations to return from the ancestors. The lore of the Votann is fantastic and I think it manages to be both EXTREMELY grimdark and also finally a faction that has at least some redeeming qualities? I mean what is more grimdark that Space Dwarfs strip mining inhabited planets until they crack open in an apocalypse because their insane AI Gods demanded the minerals found within? (To be fair they did ask the occupants to leave before the ate their planet)

On the Table

The Imperium tried to kill the metal, but they failed!

Alrighty, Lore is fantastic, but what about how they play on the tabletop? As you would imagine there is a dizzying array of subfactions, stratagems, data sheets, and options. I want to give a quick overview of how they play and three potential lists.

The Leagues of Votann are tanky and deadly. There is no other way to describe them. If they see you, they will kill you. If you see them, they will probably shrug off more than you would expect.

Deadly: The Judgement Mechanic. The space dwarfs are angry and they want EVERYONE to know it. Using a variety of abilities and common game situations they will give enemy units stacking debuff tokens. To a max of 3 these tokens will allow hit rolls to Auto wound on a 6+, 5+, or 4+ depending on the amount of tokens. You have stratagems to give these tokens, you have an HQ that can hand out two a command phase, and then enemies will receive one for killing your models or daring to stand on an objective! In my games, I have found it is quite simple to get the tokens where they need to be. Especially if you are playing the Greater Thaurian League (Hint: You should be playing the Greater Thaurian League)

Tanky: Void Armor. Remember armor of contempt and how great it was that like 60% of the factions in the game just ignored a point of AP? Yeah me too. Now imagine that, plus your enemies can’t reroll wound rolls. Now you have void armor! Void armor makes it so you ignore one of the enemies AP meaning AP -1 is now AP 0, and there is just no rerolling of wound rolls allowed. Long story short, rerolling wound rolls is extremely powerful and many factions rely on rerolling wounds to be able to have consistent damage. The leagues are going to be much tankier than you would expect.

Okay, so what are the downsides? If you’re saying to yourself, “Self this faction looks amazing and I can’t imagine fighting them or using any faction besides them” guess what, you’re not alone. The Leagues were nerfed before they even released. They are easily one of the strongest factions in the game. They do way too much damage and are way too tanky to do anything but be top dog. What this means is there are potentially more nerfs coming. In terms of negatives the Leagues are SLOW, like VERY SLOW. You will be relying a lot on transports, and the few units that have teleportation and deep strike capabilities. The weapons have short range. If you don’t have one of these mitigating factors don’t expect to be shooting things until potentially round 2 or 3. 24″ range would be considered “Long Range”

Call me short one more time. I’ve started interplanetary wars over less.

The Subfactions: There are five major leagues available to a LoV player. The Greater Thaurian League, The Ymyr Conglomerate, The Kronus Hegemony, The Trans-Hyperion Alliance, and Urani-Surtr Regulates. There are 4 solid choices, and one choice that has a really cool color scheme. I think the two most powerful leagues are the GTL and the Ymyr Conglomerate. USRS and Kronus have some niche gameplans that will bring some spice and variety to your life, especially Kronus.

The GTL: The top dogs, the scary boys, the GTL has some terrifying benefits going for it. This subfaction increases how many models your units count as, and if a unit has any judgement tokens you count them as having one more token. Only needing two tokens on a unit to start auto wounding on 4 ups is BONKERS. Fun fact. You can give a unit two tokens every single round with 1 single CP. The other thing that the GTL has going for it besides murdering everything is Uthar the destined. Currently the only named character in the book I truly believe he is off the rails good. Once per round turn die to a 6, hands out judgement tokens, all damage taken is changed to damage 1. Rerolls, and the List goes on.

The Ymyr Conglomerate: These are my personal favorite. The subfaction increases the range of all weapons by 4″ and gives invulnerable saves to your whole army, with more chunky units receiving a better save. I think they really can give the GTL a run for their money as they enable some seriously cool interactions with beam weapons. This is the subfaction I am going to play the most at the beginning while the dust of the LoV release settles. 1: I think there will be more nerfs coming and I think Ymyr may get through pretty unscathed 2: I really like beam weapons and the positioning game it can make you play.

Kronus Hegemony: Khorne but short. Some SERIOUS melee buffs and output. The only real problem and the thing keeping this subfaction out of a higher tier is the fact that getting units into melee can be difficult because they’re slowewwww.

Sample Lists

Greater Thaurian League

League: Greater Thurian League

+ HQ [17 PL, 395pts, -4CP] +

Einhyr Champion [5 PL, 120pts, -2CP]: Autoch-pattern combi-bolter, Exactor, Mass hammer [10pts], Stratagem: In the Right Hands [-1CP], Stratagem: Legend of the League [-1CP], Warrior Lord, Weavefield crest

Lord Grimnyr [5 PL, 115pts, -1CP]: Ancestral ward stave, Fortify, Interface Echo, Lord Grimnyr [1 PL, 25pts], Null Vortex, Smite, Stratagem: In the Right Hands [-1CP], The Murmuring Stave
. 2x CORV: 2x Autoch-pattern bolter

Ûthar the Destined [7 PL, 160pts, -1CP]: Ancestral Bearing, Blade of the Ancestors, Experienced Eye, Stratagem: Warlord Trait [-1CP], Volkanite disintegrator, Warlord

+ Troops [21 PL, 465pts] +

Hearthkyn Warriors w/ bolters [7 PL, 155pts]
. Theyn [12pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Autoch-pattern bolter, Gravitic concussion grenades
. 5x Warrior [60pts]: 5x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, 5x Autoch-pattern bolter, 5x Gravitic concussion grenades
. Warrior w/ comms array [17pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Autoch-pattern bolter, Gravitic concussion grenades, Multiwave comms array [5pts]
. Warrior w/ heavy weapon [17pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Gravitic concussion grenades, HYLas auto rifle [5pts]
. Warrior w/ heavy weapon [32pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Gravitic concussion grenades, Magna-rail rifle [20pts]
. Warrior w/ medipack [17pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Autoch-pattern bolter, Gravitic concussion grenades, Medipack [5pts]

+ Elites [18 PL, 450pts] +

Hearthguard w/ disintegrators and plasma blade gauntlets [9 PL, 225pts]
. Hearthguard [45pts]: Exo-armour grenade launcher, Plasma blade gauntlet, Volkanite disintegrator
. Hearthguard [45pts]: Exo-armour grenade launcher, Plasma blade gauntlet, Volkanite disintegrator
. Hearthguard [45pts]: Exo-armour grenade launcher, Plasma blade gauntlet, Volkanite disintegrator
. Hearthguard [45pts]: Exo-armour grenade launcher, Plasma blade gauntlet, Volkanite disintegrator
. Hesyr [45pts]: Exo-armour grenade launcher, Plasma blade gauntlet, Volkanite disintegrator, Weavefield crest

+ Fast Attack [15 PL, 370pts] +

Hernkyn Pioneers [5 PL, 125pts]
. Pioneer w/ comms array [40pts]: Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Gravitic concussion grenades, Magna-coil autocannon, Multiwave comms array [5pts]
. Pioneer w/ HYLas rotary cannon [45pts]: Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Gravitic concussion grenades, HYLas rotary cannon [10pts], Magna-coil autocannon
. Pioneer w/ searchlight [40pts]: Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Gravitic concussion grenades, Magna-coil autocannon, Rollbar searchlight [5pts]

Hernkyn Pioneers [5 PL, 120pts]
. Pioneer [35pts]: Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Gravitic concussion grenades, Magna-coil autocannon
. Pioneer w/ HYLas rotary cannon [45pts]: Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Gravitic concussion grenades, HYLas rotary cannon [10pts], Magna-coil autocannon
. Pioneer w/ searchlight [40pts]: Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Gravitic concussion grenades, Magna-coil autocannon, Rollbar searchlight [5pts]

+ Heavy Support [13 PL, 320pts] +

Hekaton Land Fortress [13 PL, 320pts]: Heavy magna-rail cannon, MATR autocannon, Pan spectral scanner
. 2x Two ion beamers [20pts]: 4x Ion beamer [20pts]

++ Total: [84 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++

The GTL gameplan is simple, piggy back off your extreme killing potential and increased scenario presence. Load up key targets with judgement tokens and literally watch them melt. Even the tankiest of units start melting quite rapidly when everything is auto wounding them on hit rolls of 4+ (I’m coming for your CSM terminators Chandler)

Ymyr Conglomerate

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Leagues of Votann) [86 PL, 2,000pts, 2CP] ++

+ Configuration [6CP] +

Battle Size [6CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points) [6CP]

Detachment Command Cost

Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim

League: Ymyr Conglomerate

+ HQ [16 PL, 365pts, -4CP] +

Brôkhyr Forge-master [5 PL, 115pts, -1CP]: Brôkhyr Forge-master [1 PL, 25pts], Graviton hammer, Graviton rifle, Stratagem: In the Right Hands [-1CP], Vôlumm’s Master Artifice
. E-COG: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol
. E-COG: Manipulator arms
. E-COG: Plasma torch
. Ironkin Assistant: Las-beam cutter

High Kâhl [6 PL, 130pts, -1CP]: Experienced Eye, Forgewrought plasma axe, High Kâhl [2 PL, 40pts], Rampart crest [10pts], Stratagem: Warlord Trait [-1CP], Volkanite disintegrator, Warlord

+ Troops [28 PL, 570pts] +

Hearthkyn Warriors w/ bolters [14 PL, 280pts]
. Theyn [12pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Autoch-pattern bolter, Gravitic concussion grenades
. 13x Warrior [156pts]: 13x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, 13x Autoch-pattern bolter, 13x Gravitic concussion grenades
. Warrior w/ comms array [17pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Autoch-pattern bolter, Gravitic concussion grenades, Multiwave comms array [5pts]
. Warrior w/ heavy weapon [22pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, EtaCarn plasma beamer [10pts], Gravitic concussion grenades
. Warrior w/ heavy weapon [17pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Gravitic concussion grenades, HYLas auto rifle [5pts]
. Warrior w/ heavy weapon [22pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, EtaCarn plasma beamer [10pts], Gravitic concussion grenades
. Warrior w/ heavy weapon [17pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Gravitic concussion grenades, HYLas auto rifle [5pts]
. Warrior w/ medipack [17pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Autoch-pattern bolter, Gravitic concussion grenades, Medipack [5pts]

Hearthkyn Warriors w/ bolters [7 PL, 145pts]
. Theyn [12pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Autoch-pattern bolter, Gravitic concussion grenades
. 5x Warrior [60pts]: 5x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, 5x Autoch-pattern bolter, 5x Gravitic concussion grenades
. Warrior w/ comms array [17pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Autoch-pattern bolter, Gravitic concussion grenades, Multiwave comms array [5pts]
. Warrior w/ heavy weapon [22pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, EtaCarn plasma beamer [10pts], Gravitic concussion grenades
. Warrior w/ heavy weapon [17pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Gravitic concussion grenades, HYLas auto rifle [5pts]
. Warrior w/ medipack [17pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Autoch-pattern bolter, Gravitic concussion grenades, Medipack [5pts]

+ Elites [9 PL, 225pts] +

+ Fast Attack [10 PL, 250pts] +

Hernkyn Pioneers [5 PL, 125pts]
. Pioneer w/ comms array [40pts]: Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Gravitic concussion grenades, Magna-coil autocannon, Multiwave comms array [5pts]
. Pioneer w/ ion beamer [45pts]: Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Gravitic concussion grenades, Ion beamer [10pts], Magna-coil autocannon
. Pioneer w/ searchlight [40pts]: Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Gravitic concussion grenades, Magna-coil autocannon, Rollbar searchlight [5pts]

+ Heavy Support [23 PL, 590pts] +

Brôkhyr Thunderkyn w/ SP conversion beamers [5 PL, 135pts]
. 3x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn [135pts]: 3x SP conversion beamer [15pts]

Hekaton Land Fortress [13 PL, 320pts]: MATR autocannon, Pan spectral scanner, SP heavy conversion beamer
. 2x Two ion beamers [20pts]: 4x Ion beamer [20pts]

++ Total: [86 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++

This is the list that I am most excited to try and the first one I am going to put onto the table. The Einhyr and Champion go into the Land Fortress and keep everyone honest. The rest of it is what seems to be an extremely interesting positioning game to get the most out of beam weapons. You are going to be playing cat and mouse leveraging your EXTREME durability with the Ymyr Conglomerate. With player placed terrain and some thoughtful movement I think that beam weapons can seriously to do work.

Kronus Hegemony

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Leagues of Votann) [89 PL, 2,000pts, 1CP] ++

+ Configuration [6CP] +

Battle Size [6CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points) [6CP]

Detachment Command Cost

Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim

League: Kronus Hegemony

+ HQ [16 PL, 365pts, -5CP] +

Einhyr Champion [5 PL, 120pts, -2CP]: Autoch-pattern combi-bolter, Exactor, Exemplary Hero, Mass hammer [10pts], Stratagem: In the Right Hands [-1CP], Stratagem: Legend of the League [-1CP], Weavefield crest

High Kâhl [6 PL, 130pts, -2CP]: Autoch-pattern combi-bolter, Experienced Eye, Forgewrought plasma axe, High Kâhl [2 PL, 40pts], Rampart crest [10pts], Stratagem: Relic [-1CP], Stratagem: Warlord Trait [-1CP], The Just Blade, Warlord

+ Troops [21 PL, 375pts] +

Hearthkyn Warriors w/ bolters [7 PL, 125pts]
. Theyn [12pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Autoch-pattern bolter, Gravitic concussion grenades
. 8x Warrior [96pts]: 8x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, 8x Autoch-pattern bolter, 8x Gravitic concussion grenades
. Warrior w/ medipack [17pts]: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Autoch-pattern bolter, Gravitic concussion grenades, Medipack [5pts]

+ Elites [28 PL, 750pts] +

Cthonian Berserks w/ concussion mauls [5 PL, 150pts]
. 5x Berserk [150pts]: 5x Concussion maul

+ Fast Attack [24 PL, 510pts] +

Sagitaur Squadron [14 PL, 260pts]
. Sagitaur [7 PL, 130pts]: MATR autocannon, Twin bolt cannon
. Sagitaur [7 PL, 130pts]: MATR autocannon, Twin bolt cannon

++ Total: [89 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++

Alrighty, Here’s my dark horse spicy take. I think this list looks like the most fun out of the three. Stick those Berserks in the Sagitaurs and go smash some heads in. Judgement token choices are much more important in the Kronus Hegemony because the benefit the subfaction gives of increasing AP only starts applying on a unit with 2 judgement tokens.

Have Grudges, Need Judgement

Honestly the Leagues look like a ton of fun. I am excited to dive into list building and games with them ASAP. I will be honest with you, I still think they need a nerf even though they are my beloved angry boys. But they are going to definitely make a splash in the tournament scene and hopefully, our hearts. Let me know what builds you’ve been enjoying. I personally am excited for The Ymyr Conglomerate Beamtown list. Anything that encourages a bit more thought about positioning, especially in 40k, is a good thing and there are some awesome things you can do with some massed beam weapons.

But honestly as I build that Kronus Hegemony list it seemed crazy fun…

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Welcome to the Leagues Kinsfolk

In the Lore

On the Table

Sample Lists

Have Grudges, Need Judgement

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In the Lore

On the Table

Sample Lists

Have Grudges, Need Judgement

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