Kharadron Overlords (Warhammer Age of Sigmar)

Kharadron Overlords are the sky-faring, gun-toting duardin of Warhammer Age of Sigmar, who travel the realms in armoured airships and trade in aether-gold. They suit collectors who like ranged firepower, mechanical detail and a distinctive, industrial look. The easiest way to start is a Spearhead box, or an Arkanaut Company plus the faction battletome.

What are the Kharadron Overlords?

The Kharadron Overlords are a duardin faction built around trade, profit and a strict written Code that governs how their fleets operate. They live in sky-ports and sail the skies of the Mortal Realms in ships buoyed by aether-gold. Their culture is practical and a little mercenary, which makes them very different from the grim or magical armies around them.

On the tabletop they are a shooting-focused army that uses flying vessels, well-armed infantry and clever support characters. If you want a force that fights from range and looks like it belongs in a steampunk airship fleet, this is the faction to look at. For a wider view of the game, see our Warhammer Age of Sigmar guide.

How do Kharadron Overlords play?

Kharadron armies favour ranged attacks, mobility and careful planning over charging into melee. Infantry carry guns, vessels bring heavy weapons and transport, and characters help the rest of the force work together. They reward players who think about positioning and who enjoy a combined-arms approach.

They are a good fit if you like deciding where your units should be a turn or two ahead. They are less suited to players who want a simple, brute-force melee army. For exact rules, always check the current battletome and any updates, because the details change over time.

What should I buy first for Kharadron Overlords?

There are three sensible starting points, depending on how you like to begin.

• A Spearhead box: Spearhead: Kharadron Overlords – Grundstok Trailblazers is a compact, ready-to-play force for the smaller Spearhead format. It is a good way to learn the faction and the game together.
• A core unit: the Arkanaut Company is the infantry backbone of the army and a natural first kit if you plan to grow into a full force.
• The book: the Order Battletome: Kharadron Overlords (English) explains the faction's background and how its units and options fit together.

If you are brand new to the hobby, read the complete Warhammer buying guide first. It explains how the different games and starter products relate to each other.

Which Kharadron Overlords kits are worth knowing?

Infantry

• Arkanaut Company: the standard troops of the fleet, useful for holding objectives and filling out the army.
• Grundstok Thunderers: heavily armed specialist infantry that add serious firepower and a different look to the army.
• Vongrim Harpoon Crew: a harpoon-armed crew that shows off the faction's inventive, practical approach to equipment.
• Endrinriggers: engineer-style support troops that add variety to the force and suit players who like technical, characterful models.

Vessels

• Arkanaut Ironclad: the large airship kit, a centrepiece model for the army and the most obvious expression of the Kharadron theme.
• Grundstok Gunhauler: a smaller vessel that brings more firepower and gives the army a flying presence without the size of the biggest ship.

Characters

• Kharadron Overlords Codewright: a character tied closely to the faction's Code, which makes it a good fit for players who enjoy the setting.
• Null-Khemist: a support character that adds a different flavour to your leadership choices.

Terrain

• Zontari Endrin Dock: a terrain kit that brings the sky-port atmosphere to the table and works well as a display piece.

How should I build a Kharadron Overlords army?

A simple path is to start with a Spearhead box, then add an Arkanaut Company to build a solid core. Next, choose one thematic centrepiece, such as the Ironclad or the Gunhauler, depending on how large a model you want to build and paint.

After that, add specialists like the Thunderers or the Harpoon Crew and a character or two. Buying in stages keeps the project manageable and lets you try each unit in play before committing to more. A terrain piece such as the Endrin Dock is a fun finishing touch rather than an early priority.

How do I paint Kharadron Overlords?

Kharadron models suit a metallic, hard-wearing look, with strong colour blocks for each fleet or guild. Because the kits have a lot of rivets, pipes and armour plates, they respond well to washes and edge highlights. A clear scheme chosen before you start will keep the army consistent across infantry and vessels.

Painting the large ships rewards patience: build them in sub-assemblies where possible, so you can reach the interior and the details. If you are new to painting, our guide on how to start painting Warhammer miniatures covers the basics. To choose paints, see the Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints guide.

Which books do I need?

The Order Battletome: Kharadron Overlords (English) is the main reference for the faction. It gathers the background and the army's rules in one place. Check for any current updates before you finalise a list, because the rules of the wider game are refreshed from time to time.

Frequently asked questions

Are Kharadron Overlords good for beginners?

Yes, for players who like shooting armies and don't mind thinking about positioning. The Spearhead box is a gentle way in because it is a small, self-contained force. Building a few models at a time also helps you learn the army at a comfortable pace.

What is the best first Kharadron Overlords purchase?

For most people it is either the Spearhead: Grundstok Trailblazers box or an Arkanaut Company. The first suits players who want to start playing quickly, while the second suits those planning a full army. Adding the battletome early helps you understand the faction.

Do I need an airship to play Kharadron Overlords?

No. The vessels are a major part of the faction's identity, but you can build a force around infantry and characters first. Many players add an Ironclad or Gunhauler later, once they know how the army works for them.

What Order factions are similar to the Kharadron Overlords?

Few are close, because the Kharadron are unusual in being a technology-driven faction. If you like Order armies with a different flavour, you might compare them with Lumineth Realm-lords. Another duardin-themed option is Helsmiths of Hashut, though it is a very different style of army.

Can I mix Kharadron Overlords with other armies?

That depends on the rules of the game mode and the event you are playing. Check the current rulebook and the battletome for what is permitted. For casual games, agree it with your opponent beforehand.

Related guides

• Warhammer at Universe TCG: the complete buying guide
• Warhammer Age of Sigmar
• Lumineth Realm-lords (Warhammer Age of Sigmar)
• Maggotkin of Nurgle (Warhammer Age of Sigmar)
• Nighthaunt (Warhammer Age of Sigmar)
• Idoneth Deepkin (Warhammer Age of Sigmar)
• Helsmiths of Hashut (Warhammer Age of Sigmar)
• Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints: the complete guide
• How to start painting Warhammer miniatures