Joining The Ranks Of The Undead My Journey With Age Of Sigmar Gravelords

Hey guys! I'm super stoked to share some exciting news with you all. I've officially taken the plunge into the dark and mystical world of Age of Sigmar, and I've chosen to pledge my allegiance to the chilling ranks of the Gravelords. That's right, I'm raising an army of the undead, and I can't wait to tell you all about it. For those of you who aren't familiar, Age of Sigmar is a tabletop miniatures game by Games Workshop, set in a fantastical realm brimming with magic, monsters, and epic battles. The Gravelords, also known as the Soulblight Gravelords, are one of the many factions vying for dominance in this world, and they happen to be a legion of vampires, zombies, skeletons, and other ghoulish creatures led by the powerful Vampire Lords. What really drew me to the Gravelords was their gothic aesthetic, the sheer variety of units they have, and the awesome lore behind them. There’s something incredibly appealing about commanding hordes of undead, raising them from their graves to do my bidding. It’s like being the conductor of a macabre orchestra, where skeletons rattle their bones and zombies shamble to the beat of war. The Vampire Lords themselves are incredibly charismatic and powerful figures, each with their own unique abilities and backstories. Leading these forces into battle is an exhilarating prospect, and I’m eager to dive into the strategic depth that the Gravelords offer. I've always been a fan of the undead in fantasy settings, whether it's in books, movies, or games. There's just something so fascinating about the idea of raising the dead and commanding them to fight for you. The Gravelords, in particular, have a very rich and compelling narrative within the Age of Sigmar universe. They're not just mindless monsters; they have their own motivations, their own ambitions, and their own internal power struggles. This makes them a really engaging faction to collect and play, because you're not just pushing miniatures around a tabletop – you're participating in a grand, ongoing story. So, what does this mean for me? Well, it means I'm embarking on a new hobby adventure! I'll be building and painting miniatures, learning the rules of the game, and strategizing how to crush my opponents on the battlefield. And of course, I'll be sharing my journey with you all along the way. I'm planning to document my progress, from the initial unboxing of my first miniatures to the final victorious battles (hopefully!). I'll be posting updates, sharing tips and tricks, and maybe even doing some battle reports so you can see the Gravelords in action.

Why the Gravelords? A Deep Dive into My Undead Choice

Okay, so you might be wondering, with all the factions in Age of Sigmar, why did I specifically choose the Gravelords? That's a great question, and there are several reasons why this army of the undead resonated with me. First and foremost, as I mentioned earlier, the aesthetic is just phenomenal. The Gravelords are dripping with gothic horror vibes, from the imposing Vampire Lords in their ornate armor to the hordes of skeletons and zombies that make up their ranks. The models are incredibly detailed and evocative, and they just look plain cool on the tabletop. I love the idea of painting them up in a suitably grim and grimy style, really emphasizing their undead nature. Think pale skin, tattered clothes, and maybe even a bit of gore – you know, the works! The visual appeal was a huge factor in my decision. When you're investing time and effort into building and painting an army, you want it to look amazing, and the Gravelords definitely deliver on that front. But it's not just about the looks. The Gravelords also have a really compelling playstyle. They're a horde army, meaning they excel at overwhelming their opponents with sheer numbers. You'll be fielding lots of units, lots of models, and that can be a really fun and challenging way to play. It's all about controlling the board, swarming your enemies, and grinding them down with your relentless waves of undead. And it’s not just mindless swarming. The Gravelords have some powerful heroes and units that can really pack a punch. Vampire Lords are formidable combatants and spellcasters, and they can buff the surrounding undead, making them even more effective. There are also some truly terrifying monsters in the Gravelords roster, like the Mortarchs and the Zombie Dragons, which can crush enemy formations and sow terror among their ranks. The variety in the army is fantastic. You have your hordes of basic infantry, your elite heroes, your monstrous beasts, and even some sneaky skirmishers. This gives you a lot of flexibility in how you build your army and how you approach each battle. You can tailor your list to suit your playstyle and your opponent's army, which is something I really appreciate. Beyond the gameplay and the aesthetics, I was also drawn to the lore of the Gravelords. The Vampire Lords are not just mindless villains; they have complex motivations and ambitions. They rule their undead empires with an iron fist, scheming and plotting against each other and their enemies. The whole faction is steeped in dark intrigue and gothic drama, which makes them a really engaging group to collect and play.

Assembling My Legion: First Steps in Building My Gravelords Army

Now that I've explained why I chose the Gravelords, let's talk about what I'm actually doing to build my army. The first step, of course, is acquiring some miniatures. I started with a few key units that I knew I wanted in my army: a Vampire Lord on Zombie Dragon, some Grave Guard, and some Skeleton Warriors. The Vampire Lord on Zombie Dragon is a centerpiece model, a massive and imposing creature that's both a powerful combatant and a spellcaster. It's going to be the heart of my army, and I can't wait to get it assembled and painted. The Grave Guard are elite infantry, heavily armored and armed with deadly blades. They're tough, resilient, and they can dish out a lot of damage, making them a key unit for holding objectives and smashing enemy formations. The Skeleton Warriors are the backbone of the Gravelords army, a horde of undead soldiers that can swarm the enemy and tie them up in combat. They're not the strongest unit individually, but in large numbers, they can be a real threat. Once I had these core units, I started thinking about how I wanted to expand my army. I knew I wanted some more heroes, so I picked up a Necromancer and a Wight King on Skeletal Steed. The Necromancer is a powerful spellcaster who can raise more undead and buff my existing units. The Wight King on Skeletal Steed is a fast-moving hero who can lead my cavalry or harass the enemy flanks. I also wanted some more variety in my infantry, so I added some Zombies to the mix. Zombies are slow and shambling, but they're incredibly resilient, and they can soak up a lot of damage. They're perfect for screening my other units or tying up enemy threats. With these units in hand, I started the process of assembling them. This involves carefully cutting the plastic parts off the sprues, cleaning them up, and then gluing them together. It can be a time-consuming process, especially for the more complex models, but it's also a really rewarding one. There's something incredibly satisfying about seeing a pile of plastic pieces transform into a miniature warrior or monster. Once the models are assembled, the next step is painting them. This is where I can really bring my army to life, giving them their own unique look and personality. I'm planning to use a combination of techniques, including drybrushing, washing, and highlighting, to create a suitably grim and grimy look for my Gravelords. I want them to look like they've crawled out of their graves, covered in dirt and decay. Painting miniatures is a skill that takes time and practice to develop, but it's also a lot of fun. It's a chance to express my creativity and to make my army truly my own.

Learning the Ropes: My Initial Age of Sigmar Gameplay Experiences

With a growing army of Gravelords assembled and partially painted, it was time to dive into the gameplay aspect of Age of Sigmar. Learning the rules can seem a bit daunting at first, but thankfully, the game is actually pretty intuitive once you get the hang of it. The core mechanics revolve around rolling dice to determine the outcome of actions, such as movement, attacks, and spells. Each unit has its own stat line that determines how well it performs in these areas, and there are various modifiers and abilities that can affect the results. One of the things I appreciate about Age of Sigmar is that it's a very dynamic and tactical game. There are lots of decisions to make, from how you deploy your units to how you use your abilities and spells. Positioning is crucial, as is understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your own units and your opponent's. My first few games were mostly learning experiences. I made plenty of mistakes, but I also started to get a feel for how the Gravelords play. I quickly realized that their strength lies in their numbers. Swarming the enemy with hordes of skeletons and zombies can be a very effective tactic, especially when supported by powerful heroes and monsters. I also learned the importance of positioning my Vampire Lords effectively. These guys are absolute powerhouses in combat, and they can buff the surrounding undead, making them even more deadly. But they're also vulnerable if they get isolated, so you need to protect them carefully. One of the biggest challenges I faced was managing the morale of my units. In Age of Sigmar, units can lose models if they take casualties in combat, and if they lose too many models, they can become demoralized and flee the battlefield. This is especially important for horde armies like the Gravelords, because they rely on their numbers to overwhelm the enemy. I quickly learned that it's crucial to keep my units within range of my heroes, who can use their abilities to bolster morale and prevent units from fleeing. Another key aspect of the game is the use of command abilities. These are special abilities that your heroes can use to influence the battle, such as boosting the attacks of nearby units or healing wounded models. Knowing when and how to use command abilities is crucial for maximizing your army's effectiveness. I'm still very much a beginner when it comes to Age of Sigmar gameplay, but I'm really enjoying the learning process. Each game is a new challenge, and I'm constantly discovering new strategies and tactics. The Gravelords are a very rewarding army to play, and I'm excited to continue honing my skills and leading them to victory on the tabletop.

The Road Ahead: My Goals and Aspirations in the Mortal Realms

So, what's next for me and my Gravelords? Well, the journey has just begun, and I have plenty of goals and aspirations for my undead legion in the Mortal Realms. First and foremost, I want to continue expanding my army. There are so many cool units in the Gravelords roster that I haven't even touched yet, like the Blood Knights, the Fell Bats, and the Mortarchs. I'm particularly interested in adding some more heavy hitters to my army, units that can really dish out some damage and take on the enemy's toughest threats. The Blood Knights, for example, are elite cavalry that are incredibly fast and deadly, and the Mortarchs are powerful heroes who can lead my army and cast devastating spells. I also want to start experimenting with different army builds and strategies. The Gravelords are a very versatile faction, and there are lots of different ways to play them. You can focus on overwhelming your opponent with hordes of infantry, or you can build a more elite army with powerful heroes and monsters. You can even mix and match different units to create a balanced and adaptable force. One of my goals is to develop a few different army lists that I can use in different situations. This will give me more flexibility on the battlefield and make me a more challenging opponent. Another thing I want to focus on is improving my painting skills. I'm relatively new to miniature painting, and there's definitely room for improvement. I want to learn new techniques, such as layering, glazing, and non-metallic metal, to create even more stunning looking models. I'm also planning to start working on some more ambitious painting projects, like converting and customizing my miniatures to make them even more unique. Ultimately, my main goal is to have fun and enjoy the hobby. Age of Sigmar is a fantastic game, and the Gravelords are a really cool faction to collect and play. I'm excited to continue my journey in the Mortal Realms, and I look forward to sharing my progress with you all along the way. Whether it's building and painting miniatures, learning the rules of the game, or battling my opponents on the tabletop, I'm committed to embracing the undead life and leading my Gravelords to glory. So, stay tuned for more updates, battle reports, and hobby adventures. The Gravelords are on the march, and they're not stopping anytime soon!