The 2024 UK Clash of Kings tournament has officially claimed its place as the largest Kings of War event in the world, bringing together nearly 200 participants from across the globe. This massive turnout includes a diverse mix of seasoned veterans and newer competitors, making it one of the most exciting events in Kings of War history. Unlike some previous tournaments where top-level players and lists dominated, Clash of Kings 2024 showcases a wide variety of approaches to army building and gameplay strategies, providing something for everyone—whether you’re aiming to win the whole thing or just have some fun.
An Overview of the Lists
UK COK 2024 is as varied in its lists as it is in its participants. As usual, I ran the lists through my parser and pulled together some overview stats. (Note, as always, that there are certainly errors in the parsing, so if you notice some, please let me know so I can update). The average list came in at 14.1 drops, with 24.4 unit strength, and 11.3 scoring units, which fits right in line with other competitive tournaments.
Here’s a detailed overview of the lists at the event:
Factions at Clash of Kings 2024
One of the most intriguing aspects of the 2024 UK Clash of Kings is the wide array of factions being represented, with 28 factions in total. Below is a chart that shows the faction distribution across the tournament:
| Faction | Count |
|---|---|
| Ogres | 16 |
| Dwarfs | 16 |
| Twilight Kin | 14 |
| Halflings | 13 |
| Undead | 13 |
| Forces of the Abyss | 13 |
| Empire of Dust | 12 |
| Abyssal Dwarfs | 11 |
| Northern Alliance | 11 |
| Salamanders | 10 |
| Goblins | 6 |
| Riftforged Orcs | 6 |
| Ratkin | 6 |
| Nightstalkers | 6 |
| Basileans | 5 |
| Forces of Nature | 5 |
| Elves | 5 |
| Free Dwarfs | 4 |
| Trident Realm of Neritica (2024) | 3 |
| The Herd | 3 |
| Sylvan Kin | 3 |
| The Order of the Green Lady | 3 |
| The Order of the Brothermark | 3 |
| Kingdoms of Men | 2 |
| Orcs | 2 |
| Varangur | 2 |
| Ratkin Slaves | 1 |
| League of Rhordia | 1 |
A few key observations:
- Ogres and Twilight Kin are unsurprisingly near the top in terms of representation. Ogres dominated the US Masters, and with their blend of speed, durability, and hitting power (and 50mm scoring units), they’re a force to be reckoned with in almost any tournament. Twilight Kin, known for their flexibility and synergistic approach to lists, have also seen an increase in popularity.
- Northern Alliance and Halflings are newer, reworked lists that have surged in popularity. Their fresh rule sets and dynamic playstyles have drawn in many competitive players. Halflings, in particular, are a hard counter to many magic-heavy lists, so I’m not surprised to see them rise in popularity.
- Dwarfs are a perennial favorite, and with the addition of the Ordered March keyword, they’re an even stronger competitive option than before. This gives them both resilience and tactical options in moving units across the battlefield.
Other noteworthy mentions include the Abyssal Dwarfs, which are gaining traction as a top-tier faction (you can read more in my previous post on this), and the steady presence of Forces of the Abyss, Undead, and Empire of Dust, who continue to hold their own in the competitive scene.
HHI: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?
One interesting way to look at faction diversity is by using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), a measure of faction concentration. In this case, the HHI for the 2024 UK Clash of Kings sits at 525, indicating a moderate spread of factions, and certainly better than the 2024 US Masters, which came in at 666 (where a higher number means the factions are more closely concentrated). This balance means no single faction dominates the tournament, unlike in some other events where one or two factions take over the meta. I’ll link to a more in-depth discussion of HHI for those unfamiliar with this concept.
5 Lists to Watch at Clash of Kings 2024
With so many players, it can be hard to keep track of the standout lists. It’s impossible to choose between, but here are five lists to keep an eye on:
- Christopher Dwane (Goblins)
Christopher’s Goblin list stands out with its sheer volume of units (18 drops, 28 unit strength, and 11 scoring units), leveraging a horde-style approach that’s both overwhelming and tactically flexible. His list can cause serious headaches for opponents. - David Hetherington (Dwarfs)
David brings a classic but refined Dwarf army, using their resilience and newly added Ordered March rules to keep pressure on his opponents while maintaining a solid defense. Great for scenario play, surprisingly fast (for Dwarfs), and able to put out some hurt–this will be a fun list to watch. - Simon Brand (Ratkin)
Simon’s Ratkin list is a perfect example of the faction’s potential to blend swarming tactics (17 drops, 27 US) with devastating melee (211 total attacks) and ranged options (76 ranged attacks). His strong showing in prior tournaments makes him a player to watch here. - Lucy Reynolds (Kingdoms of Men)
Do I have any idea who Lucy is? Absolutely not. Do I appreciate the filthy list that plays objectives (30 US), has good mobility (6.5 avg speed), can cause damage (expected damage of 72.6), and still manages to be resilient (359 shots to 6 nerve)? Absolutely. If piloted well, this list will cause matchup nightmares. - Roy Hood (Halflings)
Roy’s Halflings are a relatively new addition to the tournament scene, but they’ve quickly proven their worth. With plenty of ranged firepower and surprising durability, his list has a great chance to perform well in the later rounds. The average speed of 7.4 with 7 nimble units provides great options for flexibility and positioning.
These five players have the right combination of tactical know-how and strong list-building that could carry them to the top of the rankings.
The 2024 UK Clash of Kings is shaping up to be a landmark event in Kings of War history, and we can’t wait to see how it all unfolds. What lists are you watching? What story lines do you see unfolding?
