Mastering the Imperial Dwarf Army in Kings of War: A Comprehensive Guide

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
Ironclad, H	4	51	12.4	180	1280	1.16	34.7%	1.6%	Headstrong, Ordered March
Flame Belcher, WE	4	18	15.0	90	-472	1.05	50.9%	2.5%	Shattering, Steady Aim
Ironguard, R	4	66	8.0	150	194	1.05	13.5%	0.1%	Headstrong, Ordered March
Greater Earth Elemental, Ti	6	78	6.0	230	1750	1.04	29.7%	5.2%	Brutal, Crushing Strength(3), Shambling, Strider
Ironbelcher Organ Gun, WE	4	18	12.0	90	-575	0.99	29.5%	0.8%	Secured Position, Piercing(2), Reload

Understanding the Table

Elo Ratings and Cost-Effectiveness:

This table is based on 1.25 million combat simulations to determine Elo ratings, reflecting each unit’s combat performance. Key metrics for cost-effectiveness are:

• Elo per Point: Measures efficiency by dividing Elo rating by point cost, showing unit performance relative to cost.
• Elo Difference: A regression-based metric showing the difference between actual Elo and expected performance. Positive values mean better-than-expected performance; negative values indicate underperformance.

Combined Cost-Effectiveness:

I combine Elo per Point and Elo Difference, using a weighted formula (60% Elo per Point, 40% Elo Difference), to calculate ‘Combined Cost-Effectiveness’. This reflects cost and expected performance.

Combat Metrics:

The table also includes:

• Shots to 6 Nerve: Number of shots needed to reach a 50-50 combat breakpoint.
• Avg Hits: Average number of hits a unit achieves in combat.
• % of Kills vs Def 4 and Def 5: Unit’s kill percentage against Defense 4 and Defense 5 profiles in simulations.

These metrics, along with cost and Elo rating, offer a comprehensive view of each unit’s effectiveness in combat.

Unit Breakdowns

Discussion

Known for their ability to grind down opponents through attrition, the Imperial Dwarfs are a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Similar to the Abyssal Dwarfs, the Imperial Dwarfs suffer from slow speed but were buffed with Ordered March in CoK24.

Key Units in the Imperial Dwarf Army

1. Ironguard: The backbone of the Imperial Dwarf army, Ironguard regiments provide exceptional defense with their heavy armor and the ability to soften enemies with throwing mastiffs before engaging in melee combat.
2. Shieldbreakers: These offensive powerhouses are capable of breaking through enemy lines with their high-strength attacks, making them essential for exploiting weaknesses in the enemy’s defenses.
3. Berserker Brock Riders: Providing a rare dose of speed to the Imperial Dwarf army, Berserker Brock Riders are perfect for flanking maneuvers and targeting vulnerable units in the enemy’s backline.
4. Artillery (Cannons and Organ Guns): Imperial Dwarfs boast some of the most reliable and powerful artillery in “Kings of War,” allowing them to apply pressure and weaken enemies from a distance.

Tactics and Strategies for Imperial Dwarf Army in Kings of War

1. Objective Control: Capitalize on the Imperial Dwarfs’ exceptional resilience by positioning units like the Ironguard on key objectives early in the game, forcing your opponent to invest heavily in dislodging them.
2. Layered Defense: Implement a layered defensive approach, using chaff units to absorb initial charges and counter-attacking with your main infantry units to decimate the enemy forces.
3. Artillery Support: Keep your artillery well-protected while they soften up the enemy. Use your infantry to create kill zones and block enemy advances, maximizing the effectiveness of your ranged firepower.
4. Flanking Maneuvers: Utilize the speed of units like the Berserker Brock Riders to exploit gaps in the enemy’s formation and target key support units, forcing your opponent to split their attention.

Conclusion

Mastering the Imperial Dwarf army in Kings of War requires a strategic approach that leverages their unrivaled resilience and potent firepower to make up for the general slowness of their units–notwithstanding the addition of Ordered March in CoK24. By carefully selecting key units and employing tactics that capitalize on their strengths, players can create an impenetrable defense while delivering devastating counterattacks. With the right combination of positioning, attrition warfare, and calculated offensives, the Imperial Dwarfs can dominate the battlefield and secure victory against even the most formidable adversaries.

Additional Content

Sadly, much of the existing army review content out there for the Imperial Dwarfs is quite dated. That said, here are a few options:

• Caffeinated Warlord Youtube Battle Report vs Undead (2150 points)
• Another Battle Report vs Trident Realms (2300 points)
• Dash28 3rd Ed Review (updated for CoK ’22)
• Direct Misfire Review (from long ago)
• Kings of War Forum Discussion
• Goonhammer CoK’22 Overview
• Newbie Dice Battle Report (3.5 edition)