What Is Kings of War: Champions?

What is Kings of War: Champions, we hear you ask? Simply, it's the best way to start playing fantasy rank-and-flank games!

Let's dive in, starting at the very beginning:

Let's Make It Easy

We love rank-and-flank fantasy wargaming. Flank charges, brilliant strategic decision making, evocative battles set in a fantasy world that leaps off the table, and epic tales that come to life in your mind's eye. *Chef's kiss*

But on the other hand it's usually a hard hobby to get started with. It takes a lot of time to build and paint hundreds of minis before the fun can begin, often then taking place on big tables we don't have at home....

It's amazing, it's rewarding, there's nothing quite like it, but we also know that the prospect of painting 2,300 points of miniatures is enough to put some players off that otherwise really want to experience the fun and camaraderie of the hobby.

So just for a moment, imagine if there was a game where you could have that cake...and eat it...

Enter...Kings of War: Champions

It's how we do the impossible and square those circles! And before we mix any more metaphors (wait, where did the cake go?), let's hand over to Andy to introduce the game:

So in a nutshell:

• rank-and-flank scenarios that are playable in an hour
• hero-led gaming with tons of theme and character
• a big focus on fun and accessibility
• great value one-box factions and their Champions with pre-built lists (and zero analysis paralysis for new players)

This all makes Champions the game that lives in the space between the cut-and-thrust elegance of skirmish gaming, and the full-throttle, turn-it-up-to-11, mass battle madness we adore.

It's great for (i) new players in Pannithor, (ii) any fantasy gamers who want something fast/light/fun, and (iii) the perfect way to introduce friends and family to the joys of rank-and-flank gaming.

We'll be doing a deep-dive into all things Champions throughout April, with the first pre-orders live now - right HERE.

And those Champions miniatures themselves? They're stunning - and while exclusive to this game at present, their stories will continue to grow and influence Pannithor over time. Just check out the Voidtalon below...

Over at our Nottingham HQ, we've got staff excitedly building their Champions and their small companies of trusted warriors and there's certainly something in the air (besides the smell of glue and paint)!

It's that sense that the game is onto something special with both it's size and gameplay, and that each Champions set is a real sweet-spot as a hobby project. Big enough to look and feel great, and small enough to go straight to the hobby desk without any of those (very) silly detours via the pile of shame...

Kings of War Champions - Where to Begin?

The launch range includes a spectacular new 2-player box, Faith and Fury, which features a long overdue faction match-up made in heaven (and hell)!

It's Basilea versus the Forces of the Abyss, with each company led by their Champions - Alanis Sallustis and The Bloody Cardinal, who feature on the beautiful box cover art.

This is the one-stop box that gives you everything you need to get started, including two Champions and their full companies, so if in any doubt whatsoever we recommend to START HERE.

Just how Big are the Forces?

It varies by faction, but let's look at Basilea's champion Alanis Sallustis, and her company as a great example. Here, she's leading a small company of trusted warriors into battle - a total of twenty-six awesome minis.

There's lots of fun backstory in this game, with every unit having a history, not just the Champions themselves. Lore-lovers, we've got you covered!

As a champion, Alanis also has themed special orders she can give to these other units - which adds a fascinating layer to an otherwise comfortingly familiar turn structure. When we combine that with some streamlined rules, pre-built lists, and a compact play area -  it's a different and very welcoming new way to get into fantasy wargaming.

We'll be diving into all this and more in an upcoming 'learn to play' video series from our very own Andy Burdis and Rob Burman.

And on the subj....hang on, hang on, scroll back up. Did you spot the new Basilean Paladin Knights? And they're in top-notch new hard plastic too! Let's have a closer look...

They're making their debut as part of Champions, and of course they're coming to full-scale Kings of War too, plus updated Army and Mega Army box sets for Basilea.

More on ALL that in a separate blog soon, but you can already pre-order them from today HERE.

What about Ambush?

Ambush remains as a great way to play your lower-pointed Kings of War games with lists (made either with pen and paper, or in the Mantic Companion).

In contrast, Champions is a fully standalone and extra-accessible game that introduces players to both Pannithor and fantasy rank-and-flank gaming.

The main differences are:

• Easier to play on everyday tables
• Streamlines rules for accessibility, speed, and the play area size
• All unit and faction rules come on convenient reference cards for speed and ease
• Challenges you to master a Champion, their Company, and their abilities - with no worrying about lists and force optimisation
• Lots of flavour/theme to introduce new gamers to Pannithor - between each hero's lore, unit backstories, and characterful faction abilities

It'll be lots of fun if you play other wargames already and it's where we would recommend that new fantasy players begin. Champions is also ideal to welcome friends and family to the hobby - especially if it's their first time playing a rank-and-flank system.

Big or Small, Options for All

Then there's more company boxes to explore, deluxe 3D terrain, a really lovely neoprene mat (double-sided) to battle across, and a separate rulebook if you want to start there first. And that's before we mention a whole host of bundles for nice easy one-click shopping:

Maybe you're buying to play with club buddies, or are lucky enough to have a whole family of gamers, and want an all-in bundle (with a FREE 3D terrain pack)? Just click HERE.

Or maybe the Champion & Company you're after isn't one of the ones in the 2-player set? Don't worry - we've still got you covered, with a choice of one-player starter bundles. Click HERE to see what's on offer.

However you start your journey into the world of Kings of War Champions, we can't wait to welcome you to what we think is the most accessible rank-and-flank gameplay ever.

We'll be exploring the game in detail throughout April in the run-up to launch, with learn-to-play videos, faction blogs and much more.

So, which is your favourite?