Spearhead: City of Ash and more: A Review
This weekend’s Warhammer Age of Sigmar preorders are led by Spearhead: City of Ash, a new boxed expansion that was recently revealed at AdeptiCon. Set in the ruined city of Embergard, the box centers on the struggle for emberstone as rival forces dig through the ash and wreckage in search of precious resources. For Spearhead players, this looks like a strong new addition to the format, and for newer players, it offers a complete head-to-head experience right out of the gate.
The centerpiece here is the clash between the Cities of Sigmar and the Skaven, and it is a matchup that feels fitting for the setting. On one side, Jorvan Kreel and his warriors look like a disciplined expedition force pushing into the ruins in search of something worth reclaiming. On the other, the Skaven bring exactly the sort of treacherous, fast-moving opposition you would expect in a box built around urban scavenging and chaos in the streets. It is a flavorful setup, and one that should make for a very thematic Spearhead experience.
The contents are also fairly generous. With 42 miniatures making up two full Spearhead forces, this is not just a small sampling box. It is a full package that includes the miniatures, a 72-page handbook, a double-sided board, the City of Ash battlepack, terrain, objectives, and a full deck of Spearhead cards. That extra support matters, because it makes this feel more like a complete play experience rather than just a way to push a couple of factions at once.
What stands out most about City of Ash is that it seems built to reinforce what makes Spearhead work well in the first place. Smaller games benefit from focused mission design, tighter terrain layouts, and forces that feel distinct without becoming bloated. This box appears to lean directly into that idea. Between the ruined manor terrain, relic objectives, and dedicated battlepack, it looks like it could offer a more curated experience than simply throwing two Spearhead forces onto a table and calling it a day.
There is also good value here for players beyond just Spearhead. The miniatures included can easily serve as the foundation for expanding into larger armies, while the board, terrain, and cards should have ongoing use in future games. That kind of reusability goes a long way in making a box like this feel worthwhile.
The Null Myriad Phalanx rounds out the release with a strong Ossiarch Bonereapers force built around one of the faction’s most iconic centerpieces. Arkhan the Black leads the box, supported by a Mortisan Soulmason, 20 Mortek Guard, and four Morghast Archai, which can also be built as Morghast Harbingers. It is a compact but effective mix, giving the set a nice balance between solid frontline infantry, magical support, and hard-hitting elite units.
For anyone looking to start Ossiarch Bonereapers, this feels like a pretty appealing way in. Arkhan is a major draw on his own, and the rest of the box gives you a force that looks like it will hit the table with a strong identity right away. For existing players, it is also the kind of release that can add meaningful reinforcements rather than just padding out the shelf with filler. The inclusion of units that tie into the Null Myriad Army of Renown gives it a bit more appeal for players who want to build in that direction as well.
Overall, it looks like a solid battleforce-style release, especially for Bonereapers players who want a mix of centerpiece presence, dependable infantry, and some heavier support in one package.
Overall, Spearhead: City of Ash is the clear headline this weekend. It has the benefit of being a fresh reveal, but more importantly, it looks like a product that understands exactly what Spearhead needs: strong theme, contained gameplay, and enough variety to stay useful beyond a single match or two. Paired with the release of the Null Myriad Phalanx, this makes for a pretty notable weekend for Age of Sigmar players, whether you are looking for a new way to play or just more plastic for the pile.
