The UK Clash of Kings is the largest Kings of War tournament in the world. With over 200 players and nearly every army in the game represented, it’s always a highlight of the competitive calendar and a fun community gathering. I took a first pass at the lists and did some quick parsing to generate the insights below.
Healthiest Meta We’ve Seen (HHI ≈ 462; 29 Factions)
The event comes in with an HHI of about 462, which is the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index, a standard measure of concentration where lower scores indicate more diversity (see Wikipedia for a primer). With 29 distinct factions represented, the spread is impressive: Ogres lead the way with 16 players, followed by Forces of the Abyss at 15, then Halflings and Salamanders at 13 each, Abyssal Dwarfs and Trident Realm at 11, Elves and Empire of Dust at 10 apiece, and Northern Alliance and Undead at 9 each. This is the definition of a healthy slate: popular choices exist, but no single faction dominates the field. Pairings and player decisions are likely to matter more than hard rock‑paper‑scissors counters.
For more on what a healthy meta looks like, I explored it in detail here: Three Armies Sat Out (and That’s Fine).
Halflings Are for Real
Halflings aren’t just showing up in numbers, they’re also bringing their signature toolkit. With 13 lists (almost 7% of the field), Halflings are building on their recent success. Many of their units show up on the top of units taken. It’s a package that thrives on mobility, control, and flexible scoring. I unpacked the full story in my Halflings review: Halflings Army Review — Synergy, Strengths, and 2025 Masters Success. Expect to see fast command models setting the tempo and trading up on scenario. Halflings aren’t a gimmick; they’re a pillar archetype.
Unit of the Moment: Abyssal Berserkers (44)
Most‑taken unit overall: Abyssal Berserkers (44). Next tier: Ogre Warriors (40), Phoenix (33), Gargoyles (32), Riverguard (25), Mummies (23), Ogre Warlock (22), Revenant Cavalry (22), Elohi (20).
There’s been a lot of chatter that Berserkers might simply be too efficient, and the numbers here seem to back that up. They’ve become the default trades piece in many builds. If they also turn that presence into podium finishes, it will only add fuel to the narrative that a balance change is inevitable. The real question isn’t if they get adjusted, but how soon the rules committee decides to step in.
The Magic‑Item Economy: Boots + Quality Hits
Here are the most common artefacts in the field, showing just how central a handful of upgrades have become:
| Magic Item | Count | % of Lists |
|---|---|---|
| Sir Jesse’s Boots of Striding | 73 | 35.6% |
| Brew of Sharpness | 53 | 25.9% |
| Brew of Strength | 44 | 21.5% |
| Lute of Insatiable Darkness | 42 | 20.5% |
| Blade of Slashing | 34 | 16.6% |
| Staying Stone | 32 | 15.6% |
| Helm of the Drunken Ram | 30 | 14.6% |
| Blood of the Old King | 28 | 13.7% |
| Blessing of the Gods | 26 | 12.7% |
| Fire‑Oil | 25 | 12.2% |
Item spend profile shows a median of about 65 points, with the top decile pushing past 125 points. That tells us players are consistently investing in upgrades, and some are pouring a large share of their budget into them. The takeaway is clear: speed and hit quality are king. The J-Boots and attack‑boosting brews make units more reliable, while the Lute remains the bane chant insurance to ensure attacks hit. Altogether, the field is tuned for position‑first play: set up correctly, trade efficiently, and win on scenario.
Quick Benchmarks (to calibrate expectations)
- Median total units: ~14
- Median Unit Strength: ~24
- Median Avg Speed: ~6.7
- Median Item Points: ~65
What that means on the table is that we’ll see armies trying to win through objective tempo and carefully managed trades rather than going for full‑board alpha strikes. Fast pieces will dictate the pace and positioning, while the heavier units and grinding elements will be asked to finish the job once the board state has been set. Taken together with the faction diversity, the Halfling surge, the Berserker question, and the item economy, it paints a picture of a meta that is vibrant, competitive, and evolving. UK Clash of Kings 2025 isn’t just the biggest Kings of War event in the world: it’s also a snapshot of where the game is right now and a preview of where balance discussions may head next.
