A friend (Dwarfs) and I (Skaven) gave it a try last weekend and we both agreed that we didn't like Age of Sigmar based on the game we played. I feel that the game is likely decent or good at skirmish level but I feel it is a bad alternative to WHFB.
Like:
Free Rules: This is very awesome, I also enjoy the format of the warscrolls, referring to a card is much easier than referring to a book.
Different Stats Depending On Wounds: Large models become less effective as they take more wounds. Makes sense and is a nice change.
New Models: While I don't really think the Stormcast Eternals fit the aesthetic of the other fantasy models very well, the models do look nice.
Dislike:
No Points: We both used the lists included in the Warscroll Compendiums and they seemed fairly balanced, though since there are no limits to unit size these lists could easily be just as unbalanced. The lack of a points system or other balancing mechanic make some units pointless. For example, why would I ever include skavenslaves in a list when I could take clanrats or stormvermin instead. I'm sure the community will come up with a balancing mechanic but I can't believe the base game has no rules at all for this.
Movement: Moving a ton of models individually is a pain. May try to play another game using movement trays soon though. The movement system seems to result frequently in huge clumps of models in the center of the table. No flank or rear charges removes some strategy from the game but I'm not sure it would work well with moving individual models anyway.
Magic: Each wizard generally only has a single unique spell from what I've seen.
Measuring: I don't like measuring model to model as it just feels clunky and weird to me. I would have preferred using movement trays slotted for round bases and continue measuring base to base personally but the game would be entirely different.
Silly Rules: Seems weird and doesn't really fit the game. While playing with friends, I'd probably just make these abilities automatically succeed and ignore the silly conditions.
Neutral:
Simplified Rules: While I feel that 8th edition could be simplified some, Age of Sigmar takes the simplification too far. I'm not a fan of the To Hit and To Wound rolls being the same against every unit in the game, though it does make attacking/wounding easier.
Name Changes: This isn't a huge issue for me, but I don't really see the point. Most of the new names are only slightly less generic.
A friend (Dwarfs) and I (Skaven) gave it a try last weekend and we both agreed that we didn't like Age of Sigmar based on the game we played. I feel that the game is likely decent or good at skirmish level but I feel it is a bad alternative to WHFB.
Like:
Free Rules: This is very awesome, I also enjoy the format of the warscrolls, referring to a card is much easier than referring to a book.
Different Stats Depending On Wounds: Large models become less effective as they take more wounds. Makes sense and is a nice change.
New Models: While I don't really think the Stormcast Eternals fit the aesthetic of the other fantasy models very well, the models do look nice.
Dislike:
No Points: We both used the lists included in the Warscroll Compendiums and they seemed fairly balanced, though since there are no limits to unit size these lists could easily be just as unbalanced. The lack of a points system or other balancing mechanic make some units pointless. For example, why would I ever include skavenslaves in a list when I could take clanrats or stormvermin instead. I'm sure the community will come up with a balancing mechanic but I can't believe the base game has no rules at all for this.
Movement: Moving a ton of models individually is a pain. May try to play another game using movement trays soon though. The movement system seems to result frequently in huge clumps of models in the center of the table. No flank or rear charges removes some strategy from the game but I'm not sure it would work well with moving individual models anyway.
Magic: Each wizard generally only has a single unique spell from what I've seen.
Measuring: I don't like measuring model to model as it just feels clunky and weird to me. I would have preferred using movement trays slotted for round bases and continue measuring base to base personally but the game would be entirely different.
Silly Rules: Seems weird and doesn't really fit the game. While playing with friends, I'd probably just make these abilities automatically succeed and ignore the silly conditions.
Neutral:
Simplified Rules: While I feel that 8th edition could be simplified some, Age of Sigmar takes the simplification too far. I'm not a fan of the To Hit and To Wound rolls being the same against every unit in the game, though it does make attacking/wounding easier.
Name Changes: This isn't a huge issue for me, but I don't really see the point. Most of the new names are only slightly less generic.