Wondering why Kings of War (KoW) might be your next favorite wargame? Whether you’re burned out on endless rulebooks or just curious about a new system, KoW offers a fresh experience for fantasy gamers. Here are ten data-informed, beginner-friendly reasons to give it a try:
- Easy-to-Learn, Streamlined Rules. KoW is built for smooth, rank-and-flank gameplay. Unlike some systems with pages of special rules, KoW’s mechanics are “easy-to-learn but hard-to-master”. You’ll spend less time reference-checking and more time maneuvering armies. Games flow fast, which means you can squeeze in more battles on a game night.
- Pro Tip: Many KoW veterans come from Warhammer, so expect familiar concepts (phases, shooting/combat) but with less bookkeeping.
- Creative, Model-Agnostic Armies. Forget single-soldier miniatures in ranks – KoW embraces multibasing. Every unit is its own diorama-base, which is great news for model hobbyists and pragmatists alike. You can use any appropriately scaled fantasy models (old Warhammer figures, 3D prints, proxies, etc.) to represent units. As Mantic notes, “Kings of War does away with single-based figures. Instead, players are encouraged to make each unit its own diorama”. That means easy transport (no tiny bases rolling around) and endless creative freedom – your army’s look is up to you, not a fixed lineup in a book.
- Pro Tip: Already have some minis from other games? Chances are they’ll work fine in KoW. Just group them into stands of the right size (e.g. 12 archers on one base) and play on!
- Excellent Digital Tools and Resources. KoW has strong official and community support online. The free Mantic Companion web app is a one-stop shop: it offers an army list builder, searchable rules, tournament/event calendars, stats tools, and more. Looking up unit stats or building a 1500‑point army is just a few clicks away. Plus, the full rules and compendium are available as free PDFs (even a mailed booklet if you pay postage) – no more hunting for out-of-print books. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just want quick reference on your tablet, KoW’s digital ecosystem (and fan-made tools like Data & Dice army analyzers) keeps you covered.
- Pro Tip: The Companion’s list-builder includes “MathHammer” stats so you can compare army builds by the numbers. Savvy players (and my own analyses) use these data to refine their lists before even setting foot on the table.
- Balanced, Community-Driven Game. Kings of War is designed by hobbyists for hobbyists. An independent Rules Committee of players continuously balances the game, ensuring no one army has an inherent edge. Every year’s Clash of Kings update adjusts points and rules for dozens of units across 25+ factions (with lore and new minis to boot). In practice, this means the game stays fair and fresh. You won’t find a steep “pay-to-win” curve – all armies get love in balance passes, keeping competitive play about skill, not just throwing money at new models. (In fact, Mantic explicitly avoids giving any faction a universal advantage.)
- Friendly, Welcoming Community. KoW players pride themselves on good sportsmanship and mutual support. The international scene – from local clubs to online forums – is known for being accessible and sociable. Blogs like my review of The Nerd’s Tale KoW blog show how players band together to run leagues and share battle stories. New players are often met with eagerness: experienced gamers will happily teach the rules (and might even run a demo game at your FLGS). Many KoW events award “Best Sportsmanship” prizes to encourage fun, respectful play. In short, if you enjoy strategy and a friendly atmosphere, KoW’s community is ready to welcome you.
- Engaging Tournaments & Sportsmanship. If you like organized play, KoW has you covered with a variety of scoring systems and events. Tournaments often emphasize both winning the battle and playing nicely. For example, many tournaments add extra points for finishing on time and opponent satisfaction – a core part of KoW’s spirit. My Tournament Scoring Quick Guide explains how different scoring methods (Northern Kings, Blackjack, etc.) can shape strategy. The bottom line: competitive play in KoW is serious fun, rewarding smart tactics and good etiquette. You won’t find sneaky gimmicks being the shortcut to victory here – just sound tactics, teamwork on objectives, and respect for the hobby.
- Huge Variety of Factions & Themes. With 25+ factions (and growing) to choose from, KoW offers immense variety. Whether you dream of undead legions, orc hordes, noble dwarfs, eldritch horrors, or glass-winged faeries, there’s an army for you. Each army has its own flavor, tactics, and special units, yet they all follow the same core rules. This broad palette keeps games fresh and lets you try wildly different playstyles without learning new rule systems. The rich lore and ongoing releases mean you can start a small battle today and expand into a grand narrative over time.
- Affordable & Accessible Hobby. Getting into KoW won’t break the bank. Starter sets and bundle boxes (like Ambush and Mega Army sets) offer huge value: multiple units plus the full 3rd-ed rulebook at a discount. You don’t need to hunt dozens of supplements – the core compendium covers everything. As Mantic emphasizes, the rules PDF is free, and each army’s point costs are often compiled in free supplemental books (Clash of Kings series). Plus, multi-basing means you can use inexpensive proxies or older plastic/minis you already own. In short, KoW was designed to be budget-friendly: the main costs are the models you want, not expensive rulebooks or forced expansions.
- Data-Driven Strategy and Analysis. For the numbers-minded gamer, Kings of War has a thriving analytical community. Sites like Data & Dice crunch tournament results and unit stats to reveal winning patterns. For instance, I analyzed 2,600+ tournament matches to identify the key factors that lead to victory. My findings (number of scoring units, total attacks, etc.) can guide how you tweak your lists. Even casual players benefit: you can browse unit statistics on the Companion app or fan sites to gauge value. If you enjoy optimizing your army with charts and spreadsheets, KoW’s transparent data and community tools will keep you busy. But even if you don’t care about raw numbers, it’s comforting to know the game is backed by hard analysis – it keeps the hobby from getting stuck in myths.
- Active, Living Game Today. Kings of War is not a relic; it’s a modern, actively supported game. The current 3rd Edition rules are rock-solid, and new content (books, minis, event support) rolls out regularly. Tournaments and casual games happen worldwide every week. You don’t have to wait for a long-term campaign to enjoy it – you can grab a set of minis and get a game going today. As one summary notes, “Kings of War… has grown to be enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of players all over the world”. In other words, you’ll join a bustling scene, not a ghost town.
Each of these points highlights why newcomers (especially those experienced in Warhammer-like games) find Kings of War a refreshing change of pace. From its streamlined gameplay to its welcoming community and up-to-date support, KoW lets you jump into epic fantasy battles without the usual headaches.
Pro Tip: If you’re sold on trying KoW, pick up one of the starter sets or download the free rules PDF. Build a small 500–800 point list in the free Companion builder and run a few test games with a friend. You’ll quickly feel how KoW’s design lets strategy shine.
Stay tuned for the next article in this series, where I’ll dive into how to get started with the rules and your first army list. In the meantime, leave a comment below if you have questions or share your favorite KoW experience. And if you enjoyed these Top 10 reasons, don’t forget to subscribe for updates on future posts!
