Introduction
I compared army composition metrics from four events: the 2023 US Masters, the 2024 Aussie Clash of Kings (CoK), the 2024 UK Masters, and the 2024 LoneWolf GT. The US Masters took place before the latest CoK updates; the other three came after those changes were announced. The comparison offers a snapshot of list-building across these events.
The Data: Recent Kings of War Tournaments
Let’s start by examining the data from these four tournaments:
| Metric | 2023 US Masters | 2024 Aussie CoK | 2024 UK Masters | 2024 Lonewolf |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item Pts | 62.9 | 59.5 | 72.7 | 57.4 |
| Total Units | 14.3 | 13.9 | 14.2 | 13.6 |
| Unit Strength | 24.1 | 24.3 | 24.3 | 24.3 |
| Scoring Units | 11.7 | 11.2 | 11.4 | 11.3 |
| Avg Speed | 6.7 | 6.7 | 6.9 | 6.4 |
| Nimble | 4.4 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 3.9 |
| Shambling | 1.3 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 2.1 |
| Avg Defense | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Nerve Pool | 219.6 | 215.5 | 220.1 | 211.1 |
| Expected Damage | 62.1 | 62.2 | 61.6 | 60.8 |
| Leader | 3.8 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 3.4 |
| Buffer | 2.4 | 2.8 | 2.9 | 3.0 |
| Shock | 2.6 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 3.0 |
| Flanker | 3.9 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| Chaff | 1.4 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 2.1 |
| Battleline | 6.0 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.6 |
Is the UK Meta That Different?
At a quick glance, the UK meta seems to be a clear outlier: much more use of chaff, greater nerve pool, more flanking units (think light cav or the equivalent), markedly more item points, and higher overall speed. It’s not clear what is driving this, but it does suggest more of a preference for alpha strike armies than seen in the other three tournaments (high speed and flankers to drive the positioning game and hit hard and fast). The UK also has more inspiring sources than what you see in the US or Australia.
Counter-Meta Tactics
One of the most intriguing storylines emerging from this data is the rise of counter-meta tactics. The significant increase in chaff units, particularly in the LoneWolf GT (a 50% increase compared to the US Masters), suggests that players are adapting their strategies to counter dominant army builds. Chaff units can be used to control the battlefield, protect key units, and disrupt enemy formations. Is the rise of chaff in the two most recent tournaments indicative of countering alpha strike armies?
The Shambling Surge
Another notable trend is the rise of shambling units, especially in the 2024 LoneWolf GT. This could be tied to the growing popularity of Abyssal Dwarf, EoD, and Undead armies. The increased presence of these armies in the competitive scene may be influencing the overall metagame, as players seek to capitalize on their unique strengths and synergies.
Resilience and Scenario Play
Average Defense remained consistent across all four tournaments. Battleline units—regular infantry without a major strength or weakness—were more common at LoneWolf GT. That may point to more focus on scenario play and objective control, although the four-event sample cannot establish why lists changed. This differs from what I expected after the Titan Unit Strength buff and the Secured Position update.
Damage Output and Unit Strength
Expected damage output declined slightly over time. One possibility is that players are responding to the Alpha Strike Order of the Green Lady (OOTGL) lists seen earlier, but this comparison cannot confirm the cause. Unit Strength stayed consistent despite the Titan Unit Strength buff, which may reflect more emphasis on resilience, mobility, or tactical flexibility.
Conclusion
Across these four tournaments, the data suggests some counter-meta adjustment, more Shambling units, and more emphasis on resilience and scenario play. These are early patterns from four events; additional data will show whether they hold.
