It’s almost go time for the 2025 US Kings of War Masters, and 64 players are packing their dice (and carry-on anxiety) for Reno. I already broke down the meta trends–blue-collar armies rising, artefact shake-ups, and a turn toward grind–but now it’s time to go full coach mode. These are five lists that jumped out at me when sorting through the spreadsheet. Some are meta-optimized. Some are pet projects. All are dangerous. And if you haven’t seen the CounterCharge match-up cast, you should.
1. Goblins – Travis Timm
This list has 24 drops and 27 Unit Strength—which is exactly as gross as it sounds. The average speed is a tick over 6, but with goblin tricks and volume, Travis doesn’t need to win the alpha to win the game. He’s playing scenario with a massive nerve pool (~340), tons of board control, and likely just enough damage to punish you if you overextend.
It’s not flashy, but it doesn’t need to be. If you can’t kill it all, you lose.
2. The Order of the Brothermark – Tyler Schultz
This one’s a heart pick: I love the Brothermark, and this plays around with concepts similar to the Human Goblin approach I’ve tried. And this list shows why. It clocks in with 31 Unit Strength (highest I’ve seen) and leans hard into Iron Resolve and Heal, with triple Phoenixes, which is exactly what the current meta rewards. Even the much-maligned bowmen with phalanx make an appearance! If Tyler can eat a charge, hold position, and counter-punch, opponents are in trouble.
In a world full of mid-speed hammers and Def 6 bricks, a list that wants to grind—and wins the grind—might be exactly what cuts through the field.
3. Ratkin – Michael Sigler
Here’s my full Ratkin review if you want the deeper dive, but short version: they’re one of the most well-rounded factions in the game right now. Michael’s list brings serious damage output, solid drop count, strong scoring, and sneaky scenario tools. Three troops of 36″ shooting clawshots add a lot of board control, and there’s enough synergy and toys all-around to catch people out.
It’s a little bit of everything. Not necessarily dominant in one phase—but very good in all of them. That’s a great place to be in a field this varied.
4. Varangur – Jeff Schiltgen
I played into a similar build of Jeff’s earlier this year, and let me tell you–it hurts. No mega-anvils, no all-in alpha, just a whole army of 50mm scoring units that hit hard and move well. When the list is piloted by someone who can dominate the movement phase, it’s death by a thousand swings. At 75 points, the draugr regiments are cheap unlocks that give unit strength, and that allows Jeff to bring the pain: 3 thegns on frostfang, 3 snow troll primes, and special character Kruufnir. None of these units individually are that powerful, and it doesn’t feel overwhelming on paper. But if you give up board position or fail a key break, it can collapse you in two turns.
5. Dwarfs – Tom Annis
Let’s just say this now: Tom Annis is the best list builder in Kings of War. Full stop. And I’m not just saying that as a fellow lawyer who hoards spreadsheets.
This list does everything Dwarfs need to do–and nothing they don’t. It’s slow (by design), but makes up for it with scoring, grind, 36″ shooting support from the sharpshooters, and smart threats. Most importantly, it plays clean. Tom knows how to make you come to him and regret it.
If he dodges the wrong matchups early, I could absolutely see him top 5 this field (and yes, I make this prediction routinely, because I love the way Tom builds lists). Is this the year he proves me right?
Final Thoughts
Are there scarier lists? Sure. More tuned hammers? Definitely. But these five feel like they either:
- Maximize what their faction does best,
- Skew the meta in ways opponents won’t prep for, or
- Land in the hands of players who know exactly how to push them.
These five aren’t just interesting—they’re dangerous. In a field of 64, odds are good one of them goes the distance. The question is: which one, and who’s ready for it?
