Introduction
As I have done before, I continue to look at the ever-evolving world of competitive Kings of War, analyzing data from major tournaments. Here, I’m looking into the data from four key events: the 2023 US Masters, the 2024 Aussie Clash of Kings (CoK), the 2024 UK Masters, and the 2024 LoneWolf GT. The US Masters occurred before the latest CoK updates, while the others occurred after those changes were announced. By comparing various army composition metrics, we can see whether and how the meta is shifting over time.
The Data: Recent Kings of War Tournaments
Let's start by examining the data from these four tournaments:
| Metric | 2023 US Masters | 2024 Aussie CoK | 2024 UK Masters | 2024 Lonewolf |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item Pts | 62.9 | 59.5 | 72.7 | 57.4 |
| Total Units | 14.3 | 13.9 | 14.2 | 13.6 |
| Unit Strength | 24.1 | 24.3 | 24.3 | 24.3 |
| Scoring Units | 11.7 | 11.2 | 11.4 | 11.3 |
| Avg Speed | 6.7 | 6.7 | 6.9 | 6.4 |
| Nimble | 4.4 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 3.9 |
| Shambling | 1.3 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 2.1 |
| Avg Defense | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Nerve Pool | 219.6 | 215.5 | 220.1 | 211.1 |
| Expected Damage | 62.1 | 62.2 | 61.6 | 60.8 |
| Leader | 3.8 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 3.4 |
| Buffer | 2.4 | 2.8 | 2.9 | 3.0 |
| Shock | 2.6 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 3.0 |
| Flanker | 3.9 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| Chaff | 1.4 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 2.1 |
| Battleline | 6.0 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.6 |
Is the UK Meta That Different?
At a quick glance, the UK meta seems to be a clear outlier: much more use of chaff, greater nerve pool, more flanking units (think light cav or the equivalent), markedly more item points, and higher overall speed. It’s not clear what is driving this, but it does suggest more of a preference for alpha strike armies than seen in the other three tournaments (high speed and flankers to drive the positioning game and hit hard and fast). The UK also has more inspiring sources than what you see in the US or Australia.
Counter-Meta Tactics
One of the most intriguing storylines emerging from this data is the rise of counter-meta tactics. The significant increase in chaff units, particularly in the LoneWolf GT (a 50% increase compared to the US Masters), suggests that players are adapting their strategies to counter dominant army builds. Chaff units can be used to control the battlefield, protect key units, and disrupt enemy formations. Is the rise of chaff in the two most recent tournaments indicative of countering alpha strike armies?
The Shambling Surge
Another notable trend is the rise of shambling units, especially in the 2024 LoneWolf GT. This could be tied to the growing popularity of Abyssal Dwarf, EoD, and Undead armies. The increased presence of these armies in the competitive scene may be influencing the overall metagame, as players seek to capitalize on their unique strengths and synergies.
Resilience and Scenario Play
Despite the fluctuations in other metrics, the average defense stats remain consistent across all four tournaments, highlighting the enduring importance of resilient units in competitive play. Moreover, the rise in battleline units--essentially, run of the mill infantry units without any major strengths or weaknesses--particularly in LoneWolf GT, suggests a growing emphasis on scenario play and objective control. As the metagame evolves, players seem to be recognizing the value of durable, infantry-based armies that can hold ground and secure victory points. This emphasis on increased units for scenario play does run counter to what I expected to see with the buff to titan US and secured position
Damage Output and Unit Strength
Interestingly, the expected damage output has slightly decreased over time, indicating a potential shift away from purely damage-focused armies. Is this another response to the alpha strike OOTGL armies we saw previously? This trend, coupled with the consistency in unit strength despite the buff to titan units, suggests that players are prioritizing other factors, such as resilience, mobility, and tactical flexibility, over raw damage potential.
Conclusion
The data from these four major tournaments paints a fascinating picture of the evolving Kings of War metagame. The rise of counter-meta tactics, the growing popularity of shambling units, and the emphasis on resilience and scenario play all point towards a competitive landscape that rewards adaptability and strategic thinking. As the meta shifts, we’re seeing army builds adapt to counter it. My hope is that as we see more major, high-level tournaments, we can get a better feel for what the meta is doing over time.
