In early third edition, many dismissed halflings as a quirky side‑faction: expensive on paper and packed with unusual keywords. My own cost‑effectiveness rankings flagged them as underwhelming, noting that armies reliant on synergies or scenario‑focused play (like Twilight Kin, Goblins or Halflings) would appear weaker in an Elo‑based analysis (Data & Dice). That warning proved prophetic.
Fast‑forward to the 2025 US Masters in Reno and halflings quietly posted a faction‑leading 64% win rate; all three halfling players finished with winning records (Data & Dice). Across 134 events I analyzed, halflings converted kills to wins efficiently, with only a 0.2% gap between kill % and win % (Data & Dice). This contributes to their growing representation (6.6% of all tournament lists in 2025). In other words, they thrive in competent hands.
This article reviews the faction through the lens of competitive performance, unit efficiency and hobby appeal. If you are looking for raw carnage, halflings might seem lacking; if you enjoy coordination, clever positioning and adorable yet vicious miniatures, the Shirefolk may surprise you.
Faction Summary
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Faction | Halflings |
| Total Units | 32 |
| Units with Crushing Strength ≥ 1 | 8 |
| Units with Piercing ≥ 1 | 8 |
| Average Points | 147.7 (Global Avg: 146.5) |
| Average Defence | 4.2 (Global Avg: 4.3) |
| Average Melee | 3.8 (Global Avg: 3.7) |
| Average Speed | 6.2 (Global Avg: 6.4) |
| Unique Keywords (count) | 23 |
| Top Keywords | Spellward (22), Nimble (10), Iron Resolve (9), Thunderous Charge (8), Crushing Strength (8) |
Note: This summary only includes non-individual units.
Playstyle Overview
Halflings are a synergy army. Individually their units look average: melee 3+/4+, Defense 4 or 5 and limited Crushing Strength. Their strength lies in combining multiple small buffs across the army:
- Spellward and Iron Resolve: Many halfling regiments and hordes come with Spellward (essentially stealthy against magic) and, among the cavalry options, Iron Resolve (recovering a point of damage after each nerve test), giving surprising staying power.
- Auras and Keywords: he army’s 23 unique keywords emphasize specialized roles and layered buffs.
- Board Control: The average list features more than 12 scoring units and multiple nimble elements. Cheap braves, stalwarts and poachers provide lines; cavalry on Aralez battle‑dogs and fast Aeronauts threaten flanks; a few heavy hitters (Iron Beasts, Grenadiers, and Trolls) anchor key spots.
- Combined Arms Shooting: Halflings bring modest shooting, typically around 40–50 ranged attacks. Bolt throwers are absent, but Bombardiers, Engineers and Aeronauts supply blast shots and bombs. Shooting is used to soften targets or finish off wavered units rather than table the opponent.
On the tabletop, halfling armies play like a grindy combined‑arms list. You advance a carpet of braves and stalwarts, screen key pieces with nimble battle‑dogs, then punch with Forest Trolls or Iron Beasts once the enemy commits. If you take damage (and you will), Iron Resolve returns damage while your numerous scoring elements capture objectives. Smart players use aeronauts for late‑game objective grabs or bombing runs; careless players watch them burn. Success requires planning turns ahead and maintaining spacing so that auras overlap at the right moment. Those who master this dance reap outsized rewards.
Strengths
- Scenario Pressure and Board Coverage: Halfling lists generally run 12+ scoring units with high unit strength. They excel at dominating multiple objectives, splitting across the board and threatening several scoring zones at once. The low Gini scores in tournament lists show that power and defense are distributed across many units rather than concentrated.
- Durability Through Small Buffs: Spellward across most infantry protects against enemy magic. Iron Resolve combined with the Lifeleech aura from gastromancy means halfling units shrug off chip damage and recover wounds during drawn‑out melees. Data shows halfling armies often lose over half their points yet continue winning scenarios: they are built to fight while badly mauled.
- Flexible Movement: With an average speed of 6.8 and over four nimble units per list, halflings are more maneuverable than their squat stature suggests. Winged Aralez cavalry act as flanking hammers and objective racers, while Aeronauts provide significant threat projection.
- Toolbox Units: The faction’s roster ranges from cheap braves, phalanx‑equipped Spearspikes and regeneration‑toting Forest Trolls to unique pieces like the Harvester (scything melee) and Poachers (stealthy shooting). This diversity lets halfling generals tailor lists to local metas, counter specific matchups and vary deployment strategies.
- Meta‑Proof: At the 2025 Masters, halflings posted the highest win rate among factions with multiple players. Their kill rate and win rate align closely, meaning they convert kills into scenario wins efficiently. They perform consistently across different tournament environments because they don’t rely on a single overpowered unit or strategy.
Weaknesses
- Low Raw Combat Power: Only eight halfling units with Crushing Strength ≥ 1 and eight with Piercing ≥ 1. None hit as hard as a standard hammer, like Ogre Siege Breakers. Without buffs, halfling hordes struggle to break high‑defense targets.
- Synergy Dependence: Many buffs are conditional. Lose your Sauceror and things can get ugly. Overextend your battle‑dog cavalry and you lose inspiring coverage. Unlike Undead or Dwarfs, halflings do not have a base nerve boost; they rely on overlapping auras. Mistakes punish you more than with stat‑heavy factions. Synergy‑dependent armies may be undervalued in pure combat analyses, but the reverse is also true: if you mismanage synergies, performance collapses.
- Expensive Support: Heroes like Muster Captains and Feast‑Masters can quickly inflate points spent on characters and items (average list spends almost 48 points on items). You must balance support with sufficient frontline bodies.
- Fragile Heavy Hitters: Iron Beasts pack punch are only at 16/18 nerve. At speed 5 and height 5, they’re a magnet for enemy war engines. Enemy shooting can pick off your hammers before they engage, leaving you reliant on grinding infantry.
- Steep Learning Curve: Halflings reward experience. Without careful positioning, you may clog your own lanes or misjudge Nimble pivots. New players may find them tricky compared to straightforward bash armies like Dwarfs or Ogres.
Most Cost-Effective Units
| Unit Name, Size | Speed | Shots to 6 Nerve | Avg Hits | Points | Elo | Cost Effectiveness | % Kills vs Def 4 | % Kills vs Def 5 | Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stalwarts, H | 5 | 48 | 14.2 | 190 | 2317 | 0.44 | 44.8% | 4.0% | Spellward |
| Braves, H | 5 | 30 | 9.5 | 130 | 1792 | 0.36 | 19.3% | 0.7% | Spellward |
| Aeronauts, R | 7 | 27 | 6.3 | 175 | 1889 | 0.31 | 22.5% | 2.3% | Blast(D3), Crushing Strength(2), Fly, Pathfinder, Bombing Run |
| Spearspikes, H | 5 | 30 | 11.4 | 150 | 1907 | 0.27 | 28.2% | 1.1% | Phalanx, Spellward |
| Forest Trolls, R | 6 | 24 | 6.2 | 125 | 1472 | 0.24 | 23.5% | 1.8% | Crushing Strength(2), Pathfinder, Regeneration(5+) |
Key Units
Stalwarts (Horde)
With Defense 5 and Spellward, Stalwarts are the anvil on which the halfling battle‑line rests. They have 25 attacks in the horde and nerve comparable to human knights but at a lower cost. Their primary role is to occupy central objectives and soak charges. In cost‑effectiveness terms they deliver the highest Elo per point in the faction. Equip them with items like the Brew of Strength to boost offensive output.
Braves (Horde) Braves provide cheap unit strength, unlocking slots for war machines and monsters. With only Defense 4 and average melee, they don’t kill much, but at 130 points they are expendable roadblocks. Use them to screen Stalwarts or contest tokens. Because they have Spellward, they can be hard to dislodge for their cost. In some builds players run multiple Brave hordes, saturating the board with scoring bodies.
Aeronauts (Regiment) Arguably the army’s flashiest unit, Aeronauts are flying shock troops on jet‑packs. They have Speed 7, Fly, Pathfinder, Crushing Strength 2 and the Bombing Run special rule (Blast D3 attacks hitting on 4+). Their bombs can decimate light infantry; their melee punch threatens flanks. Cost‑effective relative to other flying hammers, Aeronauts excel at late‑game objective grabs and are often used to snipe war machines. Protect them from lightning and bows – Defense 4 and Nerve 13/15 leave them vulnerable.
Historical Tournament List Analysis
Based on 25 lists, scaled to 2300 points:
- Average units: 14.9
- Average scoring: 12.2
- Average US: 26.2
- Average speed: 6.8
- Average nerve: 225.7
- Power concentration (Gini): 34.2 (low‑mid, reflects broad spread of threats)
Observations:
Halfling lists emphasize redundancy and breadth over spike damage. Their average of 42 ranged attacks gives them harassment potential, but their real edge lies in board presence. Twelve scoring units means they consistently contest objectives, making them forgiving in scenario play.
Competitive Outlook
Halflings now hold a strange place in the meta: growing quickly, often overlooked, yet statistically elite. The Masters showed they can win against anything when piloted well, and broader event data confirms they’re a top‑half faction. Their consistency—small kill/win gaps, low Gini scores—suggests they don’t rely on dice spikes but on repeatable board play.
Looking forward, expect Halflings to remain a dark horse faction. They reward practice and layered strategy more than raw aggression. In metas heavy with elite hammers (Varangur, Ogres), they offer a control‑style counterpick.
Hobby Appeal
Mantic’s Halflings have a unique aesthetic: “They will defend their own with a savagery and viciousness that have taken many by surprise”(Mantic Games). The line mixes whimsy (farmhands, hot‑air balloons, aralez hounds) with steel (Iron Beasts, aeronauts, stalwarts)(Mantic Games). Painters get both characterful infantry and standout centerpieces.
TL;DR
Halflings just proved they’re not a joke army. They posted the highest win rate at the 2025 Masters, thrive on layered synergies, and bring one of Mantic’s most characterful miniature ranges. If you like armies that win through grind, control, and clever play—Halflings deserve a spot on your radar.
