Khazalite Holds: Classic Dwarves Join Warhammer Age of Sigmar

Ever wondered what happens when Warhammer Age of Sigmar goes back to basics with proper, grudge-holding dwarves? The new Khazalite Holds army answers that question, and it's a fascinating mix of gorgeous miniatures and a nagging worry about where the game is heading.

Let's start with the good stuff. This new duardin faction brings classic fantasy dwarves back in all their heavily-armored glory, and honestly, they might be the best versions of that trope rolled into one force. The stocky, redoubtable nature of the species comes through in a dynamic way, with original armor design that still nods to everything that came before. To many eyes, they feel like a cross between Old World dwarves and the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game Dwarf Warriors.

The Army Set itself is a full Spearhead force. You get 10 Clanshields warriors, three Gholems of Ghazul/Valaya, an Oathkeeper Cannon/Stonebreaker Mortar, and hero Hjulda Drakkblud. The robotic Gholems and the cannon are equally evocative, playing on the genius smiths trope with drop-dead gorgeous miniatures. The cannon is actually something of a mini diorama, a real centerpiece for any force. It's up for pre-order now ahead of an October 31 release date, and you should be able to snag a discount via Miniature Market in the US or Wayland Games in the UK.

But here's the niggle. When you're used to steampunk sky pirate dwarves and underwater elves without eyes who ride sea monsters into battle, the Khazalite Holds feel somewhat pedestrian. That's not necessarily bad, of course. These may well be the favorite classic dwarf models in any game. It's just that they seem safer and more familiar than the outrageously creative designs Age of Sigmar is known for.

There's another concern too. This brand-new faction has absorbed the previously separate Fyreslayer duardin army. They go nicely together and most old units still appear to be available, but it makes you worry the Kharadron Overlords are next. Within the lore, this is called out as an end-goal for every dwarf force to be united under one banner. More specifically, it feels like we're marching toward a very traditional dwarf faction for next edition rather than the wonderfully bizarre options we have now. Something will surely have to get cut if all three are rolled into one army, after all.

The rules, though, tie lore neatly into mechanics. For the Khazalite Holds, that's grudges. They get supremely pissy if you take down their kin, so losing troops paradoxically makes them more powerful. They're incredibly good at holding objectives too, which makes sense for stubborn so-and-sos who don't know when to quit. The Oathkeeper Cannon offers a variety of rune effects to debuff opponents on a 3+ each turn, while the Gholems make short work of most infantry. The whole force looks like a reliable, sturdy battalion: slow-moving but indomitable, like an avalanche steadily obliterating all in its path.

So will you be mustering your own grudge-bearing force when these hit the tabletop? And does the idea of a united dwarf army excite you, or does it worry you that Age of Sigmar might be losing some of its weirdness?