Warhammer The Old World Getting Started The Empire

So the newest video on preparing for warhammer, this time the empire. For clarity sake, I use a number of old warhammer army books, age of sigmar battletomes, and rule books from both warhammer fantasy and age of sigmar. So when it comes to talking about rules its more of an educated gues, then a wild stab in the dark. And of course focusing on the armies we know will be in the game, so as much as I love and miss the tomb kings, it's highly unlikely they will be present in warhammer the old world, and vice versa the storm cast eternals were not present on the old world so again I won't be talking about them as a faction.

the empire is one of the most interesting factions for warhammer. The basic human faction, with them the empire being the centre of the lore. With the God king sigmar. So with that in mind where would I start an empire force for warhammer the old world. First things first, the empire is the one of two factions where you can't use any of their named characters, that I am aware of. The other faction is kislev.

Using the models from the freeguilds as they the old empire bixes with some new additions.

So to begin with two basic troop choices, gunners are good for this. You can either make crossbowmen for the extra range or handgunners for the penetration. I would go handgunners, they have a substantial range anyway going by old warhammer fantasy rule books. At 24" and strength 4, that armour piercing that will help when they get into close combat. Then I would get some swordsmem for close combat. Their 6+ wardsave for having a sword and a shield will be a great boon to tie up light infantry in close combat. If you want the extra attacks you can make spears instead, or finally for a harder hit halberds. I would get for my troops, or common units if you prefer. One box of Free guild handgunners, and two boxes of freeguild spearmen, make one unit of hand gunners, one unit of swordsmen, and finally one unit of spearmen. Use the gunners to back up the swords men, whittle down any units before charging into close combat with the swordsmen. Theh spearmen would move up slower and use the extra attacks on heavier armoured units.

Next is the special units, There isn't much choice at the moment for special choices for the empire. You have outriders, pisoliers or greatswords. I would get two boxes of out riders, make one outriders and the other pistoliers. Just to harry the flanks of your enemy and to make sure you close combat troops get where they need to go. Greatswords are good but slow, their heavy armour will help, but no ward save, and a two handed weapon.

Rare units now, this would depend on which colours you will fly, during the time of the old world, the empire is divied. So certain rare units would be more availble in certain area. if you were to fly altdorf or nuln colours, steam tanks would be my go to. Especially Nuln as there is a massive forge that makes them there. Other Areas units, I'd go straight with flagellents, being unbreakable and having upto 30 models in the unit. They will tear through most light infantry, and if you have the full 30 in the unit they will hold up even th most might of opponents and nothing with upset a bloodthirster more than not being able to move because one puny mortal refuses to run away. Also in older warhammer army books and rules they had flail and crazed, I hope they bring these back just so these crazy sods will be more formidable in combat. If you want to go finacially cheaper the hellblaster volley gun and hellstorm rockets are good for thinning ranks out.

I would like to mention both the celestialhurricanum, and the luminark, I do not know when these were invented within the timeline of the oldworld. If they are historically accurate, I would add one, because they look amazing, probably the celestial hurricanum for the extra wizard.

So if you hadn't guessed there is not a start collecting or vanguard box out yet for freeguilds, the only boxes for cities of sigmar are for dark elves and dwarves. So when it comes to lord or hero choices you can get the general on the griffon. Looks great and inspiring, also for your heroes collegiate battle wizards. This will fill out your heroes quota and give you some much needed magic.