Best and Worst army in Warhammer Fantasy.... really?

Sometimes, i really enjoy reading Battlereporter blog, and some survey gives good input on the world of Warhammer Fantasy. When i came across these results, i was puzzled.


Obviously, seeing the Ogres so far down kind of bother me, but i'd like to get a real look at all the choice there's in there.
Here's a rundown of the most powerful army in 8th eds.


% of all voters / army
46% High Elves
45% Skaven
40% Warriors of Chaos
32% Dark Elves
29% Chaos Daemons
28% The Empire
20% Lizardmen
20% Dwarfs
19% Vampire Counts
16% Orcs and Goblins
10% Ogre Kingdoms
9% Tomb Kings
7% Bretonnia
6% Wood Elves
4% Beastmen


#1 High Elves.

Ok, High Elves have some very good choice, like 4+ Wardsave infantry, and Great Eagle. But they do not really have much to deal with big monster beside magic. Teclis might play a role in that ranking, but when you take him out, its not much of a #1 to me. Maybe Low-mid Tier 2, at best.

#2 Skavens.

They definately deserve to be in tier 1. Very cheap tarpit, one of the best monster in the game (I'd actually rank it above the Hydra, TK's and Ogre's easily), and some magic to turn the game at any times in a game (dreaded 13th is scary, but alot more spells are also very scary).

#3 Warrior of Chaos.

Tzeentch Shield wearer, warshrine and the hellcannon definately make it a Tier 1 army. But its not all, Khorne Marauders with flails (or great weapon), Mage casting with a 6+ bonus, and overpowered (yes i said it) special caracters makes it a very tough army. It can be built in many interesting and well performing theme, but sadly the Chosen Death Star seems to be the only one people play. Another definite Tier 1.

#4 Dark Elves.

They are not necessary what they used to be, but still alot of solid choice in there. First, the Dagger and the Inverse Wardsave, two of the most powerful item left in the game (and that will most likely dissapear with their new army book, whenever that comes out). Second, Hydra, and pretty much their whole special choice, are very good. Witches are simply amazing to take down anything, their Cold One Knight are also very strong, if we forget about their stupidity and Black Guard are a very good elite troop that can eat through just about anything. I'd consider them Middle-Late Tier 1.

#5 Daemon.

Quite Frankly, its hard not to put them in Tier 1. Just like Warrior of Chaos, their got GREAT special character, most of their troop choice are also very strong. I didn't get the chance to play them much in 8th ed, so i can't really comment further.

#6 Empire.

With the 8th Ed, warmachine really got a major boost, and most Empire army seems to be about bringing the most warmachine possible every game. With that in mind, i'd place them Low Tier 1 - high Tier 2, since you can take down the rest of the army (well, except that Speculum carrier) relatively with ease.

#7 Lizardmen.

There's really just one build that really scares just about everyone, and its the amazingly-tweaked-caster Slann. It's hard not to place that single model in the most broken thing possible. +1 dice to cast, and redirect miscast? Oh, and loremaster? great.... The rest have some strenght (like T4 and relatively good armor all around), but nothing to put them in Tier 1. Mid Tier 2 at best..

#8 Dwarfs

Just like Empire, warmachine leads their army to victory, and just like empire, they seems to bring as many annoying warmachine as possible. With their low movement all around, i'd place them just behind Empire.

#9 Vampire Counts

Quite frankly, no clue where to place them with their new book. I think they'll be middle Tier 2, just like every other new army book.

#10 Orcs and Goblins.

Nothing really makes them powerful. Sure, the Savage Orcs Deathstar is nice, so is the "OMG, LOOK AT THOSE FANATICS!!!", but its all. A fun army to play with or against, but nothing as competitive as Tier 1, or even top Tier 2...

#11 Ogre Kingdoms.

11, really? We got boosted pretty much all around with the new book, and 8th edition is really nice to monstrous infantry. I personally think we are mid-top Tier 2, ahead of Lizardmen (when comparing with everything, except broken Slann). But the fact we're still very vulnerable to Initiative test and warmachines, I do not see how we could be ahead of Empire or Dwarfs. It's again all about what kind of army the opponent brings. If the empire goes infantry heavy without warmachine, it could be a walk in the park... if he brings 2 cannon, mortar and such, not so much.

#12 Tomb Kings

Probably one of the weakest book recently released. Sure there's a few interesting build that can tear through just about any army (like Death Mask Chariot Deathstar), but most strong build have great weakness. Since Tier 2 is getting packed with all the new army, they'd be bottom tier 2 - Top tier 3.


#13 Bretonnia

Sadly, the breton are probably one of the army who suffered the most in 8th ed. With just about every army being steadfast against their army, and the fact they are pretty weak once charge is over, they don't really have the punch required to bring themself ahead of anything except the weakest army.

#14 Wood Elves

The unloved wood elves, weakest of the elves. They still got a few tricks up their sleeves (like a folded tower with 10 story and 100 archers in it), but most tricks are either boring, or very boring. They are at the bottom, and #14 seems about right.

#15 Beastmen

beside the minotaur bus, nobody seems to be able to come up with a solid list for the beastmen. I never actually played with the army, so i can't say its 100% true, especially since i think there's still a few interesting build possible to make that army viable. But for this one i'm going with internet, and placing them #14, just ahead of the poor Wood elves.


My ranking ;

Warrior of Chaos
Skaven
Daemon of Chaos
Dark Elves
Empire

Dwarfs
Ogres Kingdoms.
Lizardmen
Vampire Count
Orcs And Goblins

High Elves
Tomb Kings
Bretonnia
Beastmen
Wood Elves