Disciples of Tzeench – Warhammer Age of Sigmar Guide

We are the Disciples of Tzeentch, the ever-changing and cunning servants of the Changer of Ways. Born from the swirling chaos of magic and intrigue, we thrive on manipulation and ambition.

Every spell we cast and every scheme we weave brings us closer to Tzeentch’s grand design. With our flickering flames of sorcery and shifting forms, we embrace the art of deception, using our wits to outsmart foes and allies alike.

Knowledge is power, and we seek it relentlessly, for in understanding the fabric of reality, we can reshape it to our will.

Who Are the Disciples of Tzeench?

Followers of this army are devoted to one of the major chaos god’s Tzeentch. Tzeentch is focused on manipulation of his armies and others, and is often polarised to the blood god Khorne. No one is quite clear on Tzeentch end goals, only that win or lose, it was all destined and designed the ‘Master of Fortune’, the ‘Great Conspirator’, the ‘Architect of Fate’ and ‘Changer of Ways’.

There are two types of factions within this army – Daemons and Arcanites. Daemons are magic itself and bend chaos to their will in order to use this magic in the form of spells and wyrdflame. Arcanites are the mortal followers of Tzeentch who use magic to shape their own bodies.

The Disciples of Tzeentch are one of the more subtle and advanced armies to play in the Age of Sigmar setup, but if you’re a fan of dice rolling and magic, then this might just be the army for you.

What Are Disciples of Tzeench Army Strengths?

The Disciples of Tzeentch have a pretty high ceiling when it comes to skill level. Some players may be frustrated at first, but if you stick with them long enough and learn how to wield them, then this army can control and frustrate players.

Magic is key for this army and probably the best magic army within the whole game. The ability for ranged spells with some pretty decent melee can be a potent combination. The spells and tricks this army has to over can help you bamboozle opponents and also to get out of tight spots swiftly.

Aside from magic, they aren’t particularly hot on anything compared to opponents (and little-to-no armor), so utilizing spells, buffs and any other abilities is going to be key.

Mastering this army type takes time and depending on the player, it can be a slower gameplay, but if you put the time in, it can really be an interesting combat force.

Where Should Beginners Start?

If you’re starting your collection of Disciples of Tzeentch as a beginner, consider these key models:

Lord of Change: A badass Greater Daemon that provides a strong backbone to an army; this powerful spellcaster can help turn the tide in a battle (and happily cause confusion and chaos).

Tzaangor Enlightened: A fast-moving unit that should be underestimated at your opponents peril. They can deal a surprising amount of damage and so should form a good portion of your army.

Pink Horrors: These units are brilliant for frustrating your opposing army. Their ability to split multiple times and generate additional units means you can tie up opponents. Their ability to throw out a mortal wound on death is pretty handy too.

Screamers of Tzeentch – Great objective grabbers, these speedy fliers will sow death from the skies. Their speed and ability to give damage to units they fly over is very useful. However, they are pretty much made from paper, so don’t expect them to last long under fire.

Curseling – This two-level wizard is a decent option for an attack. The ability to stop opposing wizards with ‘Disruptor of the Arcane’ is especially good.

How To Paint Disciples of Tzeench

A colourful army, Disciples of Tzeetch are fun to paint. We’ll give some basic starter color schemes to get you painting your units:

Color Scheme Ideas

Bright Flames: You’ll first want a base coat of bright blue or purple. This will be for the skin of your Tzeentch minitures. We’d recommend then highlighting with lighter shades, which will create the kind of magical glow we’re looking for. Robes and armor can be painted in vibrant (who said hippie?!) colors like turquoise and magenta. Add some sort of flame-like patterns to them too to great a nice visual. You can finish with some final touches with colors like gold or silver on weapons and armor.

Mystical Colors: One cool technique that works well with this army is doing a gradient. This really suits these magic-based units. Start with a colour such as a deep navy blue at the bottom of the model, as you work your way up transition through the colors towards a bright green or pink at the top. You can then highlight edges with lighter shades. Don’t forget to add a brighter colour for runes or glowing eyes too.

Foreboding Fury: Want a more evil look? To get this, use a base coat of dark gray or black. Then a wash of dark blue or purple. This will give a bit of depth to the look. We’d probably paint the robes in more muted tones, maybe a dark green or a deep red? You can then add glowing symbols or sigils in brighter colors such as yellow or orange.

Painting Techniques

Getting the painting techniques right is a challenge and we always suggest just trying to have fun with it as you learn your craft. But here the best ones to practise for beginners are:

Base Coating: Decide what the primary color you want your miniture to be. You use some kind of strong blue, purples, or green for this, which would work well with the magical element of this army.

Drybrushing: Using this technique is pretty essential really for this army. They do have fairly intricate detailing so adding this on things like robes or other elements can create that visual depth you’ll want. You can use a lighter shade of the base coat on raised areas such as the edge of the robe or detailing on the weapons. Doing this will definitely make your miniature look like the magic-wielding fanatics they are.

Washes: To create nice shadowing or bring out other details, use a dark wash – maybe something like Nuln Oil or a colored wash (e.g. blue or purple). This will work well for the robes and bringing out the skin’s contours.

Edge Highlighting: Apply a light color along edges of areas like armor or robes to get a good contrast against the darker colors.

Disciples of Tzeentch Lore and History

The Disciples of Tzeentch serve the Architect of Fate, the Changer of the Ways — the most enigmatic and manipulative of the Chaos Gods. Where other Chaos factions rely on brute force, plague, or excess, the Architect of Fate weaves endless schemes of change and sorcery. His followers are sorcerers, cultists, and daemons who manipulate destiny itself to achieve their patron’s incomprehensible goals.

Tzeentch’s daemonic legions are led by the fearsome Lords of Change — towering avian daemons of immense magical power. Beneath them serve the capering Horrors, split into Pink, Blue, and Brimstone varieties, each bursting into smaller forms when destroyed. The Flamers and Screamers of Tzeentch add ranged firepower and aerial assault to the Changer’s hosts.

The mortal followers of Tzeentch are equally dangerous. The Arcanite Cults — secret societies that infiltrate the cities of Order from within — are led by powerful Magisters and Fatemasters. The elite Kairic Acolytes disguise themselves as scholars and merchants, waiting for the moment to reveal their true allegiance and unleash arcane devastation. This duality of daemonic and mortal forces gives the Disciples of Tzeentch tremendous flexibility.

Throughout the Age of Sigmar, Tzeentch’s schemes have shaped pivotal events. The Gaunt Summoners, nine powerful sorcerers bound to Archaon’s service, have opened Silver Towers across the realms — labyrinthine fortresses that warp reality and trap unwary heroes. The Disciples of Tzeentch are a faction built on layers of deception, magical supremacy, and the eternal promise that change is the only constant in the Mortal Realms.

Disciples of Tzeentch in the Current Meta

[VERIFY] The Disciples of Tzeentch currently occupy an interesting position in the Age of Sigmar competitive scene. For the most up-to-date rankings and analysis, check our Age of Sigmar faction tier list, which we update regularly based on tournament results and community feedback.

The Disciples of Tzeentch are the premier magical faction in Age of Sigmar, with access to more spellcasting than almost any other army. Their Fate Point mechanic allows them to manipulate dice rolls, giving skilled players an edge in crucial moments. The army can be built around either daemonic hordes of Horrors (which split into smaller daemons when killed) or mortal Arcanite Cults with elite infantry.

In the current meta, Tzeentch lists often lean into their magical superiority, running multiple casters to dominate the hero phase. The key challenge is surviving the melee grind, as many Tzeentch units are fragile when caught in prolonged combat. Players who enjoy a tactical, magic-heavy playstyle with lots of decision points will find the Disciples of Tzeentch extremely rewarding.

Collecting Disciples of Tzeentch

Starting a Disciples of Tzeentch collection is an exciting journey, and the good news is that there are several accessible entry points. The Disciples of Tzeentch Spearhead box (if available) provides an excellent starting point — check our Disciples of Tzeentch Spearhead guide for a detailed breakdown of what you get and how to use it. The Spearhead format is also a great way to learn the faction’s mechanics before committing to a full 2,000-point army.

When expanding beyond your initial purchase, focus on the units that define the faction’s core playstyle. Pink Horrors are the faction’s signature battleline, and their splitting mechanic means you will also need Blue and Brimstone Horrors. A Lord of Change provides a powerful centrepiece, while Kairic Acolytes offer a more elite mortal option.

Consider buying second-hand models or trading with other hobbyists to build your collection more affordably. Many local gaming stores also run loyalty programmes and starter deals that can save you money on your initial purchases. Check our Age of Sigmar faction tier list to understand which units are performing well competitively before investing in expensive kits.

Painting Disciples of Tzeentch

Painting your Disciples of Tzeentch army is one of the most rewarding aspects of the hobby. The faction’s signature blues, pinks, and magical flame effects create some of the most visually stunning models in Age of Sigmar. Pink Horrors benefit from bright pink base coats with blue and yellow transitions, while mortal Arcanites use blues and golds for a more refined look. Tzeentch’s magical fire can be painted in blue, pink, or multi-coloured flames.

The splitting Horror mechanic means you will be painting a lot of smaller models, so efficient techniques are crucial. Contrast paints work exceptionally well on Horrors — Magos Purple over white primer creates instant Pink Horrors, while Talassar Blue handles Blue Horrors. Save your detailed work for Lords of Change and character models. Check our guide on painting Disciples of Tzeentch for comprehensive colour schemes.

Related Armies

If you enjoy Disciples of Tzeentch, you might also like these armies:

Slaves to Darkness — Slaves to Darkness can pledge to Tzeentch, expanding your army with versatile warriors.
Maggotkin of Nurgle — As fellow Chaos god factions, Tzeentch and Nurgle offer contrasting playstyles of magic versus resilience.
Thousand Sons — The Thousand Sons are the Warhammer 40k equivalent, sharing Tzeentch’s mastery of sorcery and change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the Disciples of Tzeentch?

The Disciples of Tzeentch are the followers of the Chaos God of change, magic, and manipulation in Age of Sigmar. They combine powerful sorcery with hordes of magical daemons and twisted Arcanite cultists who scheme and plot in Tzeentch’s name.

Are Disciples of Tzeentch good for beginners?

Disciples of Tzeentch are moderately challenging for beginners due to their heavy reliance on magic and the Fate Dice mechanic. Players who enjoy spellcasting and tactical manipulation will find them rewarding but complex.

What are the strengths of Disciples of Tzeentch?

Disciples of Tzeentch are the premier magic army in Age of Sigmar with powerful spells, the Fate Dice mechanic for guaranteed rolls, and hordes of Pink Horrors that split into smaller daemons when destroyed.

What are the weaknesses of Disciples of Tzeentch?

Disciples of Tzeentch are fragile in melee combat and rely heavily on their magic to deal damage. If their spells are unbound or their key casters are eliminated, their damage output drops dramatically.

What are Fate Dice?

Fate Dice are a unique Disciples of Tzeentch mechanic where you roll a pool of dice at the start of the game and can substitute them for any dice rolls during play. This allows you to guarantee critical rolls at key moments.

Community Advice

Drawing from the collective wisdom of experienced players who have spent years mastering Disciples of Tzeench – Warhammer Age of Sigmar Guide, here are some practical tips that will help you get the most from your army on the tabletop.

Start with a core: Veteran players consistently advise building your army around a reliable core of units that perform well in most situations before adding specialist choices. This gives you a stable foundation that can handle a variety of opponents, and you can then tailor your remaining points to address specific weaknesses or lean into particular strengths depending on the meta you expect to face.

Play games early and often: Theory-crafting army lists is enjoyable, but nothing replaces actual table time. Many units that look mediocre on paper perform excellently in practice, and vice versa. Start playing games with whatever models you have painted, even if your list is not optimised. The experience you gain from understanding movement, positioning, and timing is far more valuable than having a perfect list that you do not know how to pilot effectively.

Learn your matchups: Understanding how your army interacts with different opponents is crucial for competitive success. Keep notes after each game about what worked, what did not, and what you would change. Over time, you will develop an intuitive understanding of your army’s strengths and weaknesses against various factions, which will inform both your list building and your in-game decisions.

Magnetise key models: Many experienced hobbyists recommend magnetising weapon options on larger models and vehicles. This small investment of time allows you to swap loadouts between games, giving you flexibility to adapt to different opponents and meta shifts without purchasing and painting duplicate models.

Resources and Links

Staying connected with the community is essential for keeping up with the latest developments, finding opponents, and improving your play. Here are the best resources available for players interested in Disciples of Tzeench – Warhammer Age of Sigmar Guide.

Faction-specific subreddits on Reddit are treasure troves of information, featuring army list discussions, painting guides, conversion inspiration, and tactical advice from players at every skill level. The community is generally welcoming and happy to help newcomers find their footing with the faction.

On Discord, dedicated faction servers provide real-time discussion, list reviews, and the opportunity to arrange games through Tabletop Simulator or other online platforms. These servers often have channels dedicated to competitive play, casual gaming, hobby progress, and lore discussion, making them a one-stop resource for all aspects of the hobby.

Content creators on YouTube and Twitch regularly produce faction-focused content including unit reviews, battle reports, painting tutorials, and tier list discussions. Following creators who specialise in your chosen faction gives you access to expert analysis of new rules, points changes, and emerging strategies as soon as they develop. Podcasts dedicated to specific factions or broader competitive play are also excellent resources for keeping your finger on the pulse of the community.