Hedonites of Slaanesh – Warhammer Age of Sigmar Guide

We are the Hedonites of Slaanesh, the devoted servants of the Dark Prince, reveling in excess and pursuing ecstasy. Born from the intoxicating allure of desire, we embrace every sensation, seeking to experience the ultimate highs of pleasure and indulgence.

Whether through exquisite art, intoxicating music, or the thrill of battle, we savor the moment and crave more. Our bodies and minds are our canvases, adorned with exquisite beauty and sin.

Who Are the Hedonites of Slaanesh?

The Hedonites of Slaanesh are a faction in the Age of Sigmar, devoted to the ‘Dark Prince’ Slaanesh. Slaanesh is one of the major Chaos gods, focused on pleasure, excess, and indulgence. The ‘Dark Prince’ is a fickle god whose favor is easily swayed. This doesn’t stop his followers seeking it out as they take everything to the excess, especially on the battlefield.

This faction includes a variety of daemonic entities and mortal followers, such as the Sybarites and the Fiends.

Often pulling in those from an artistic persuasion who see the ‘Dark Prince’ as their muse, the Hedonites live for extremes, using art, music, and combat to achieve their need. The ‘Dark Prince’ is imprisoned by the aelven gods, and his followers seek the lost god in the hope to gain favor or supplant him.

What Are the Hedonites of Slaanesh Army Strengths?

An army that has a fairly high ceiling in terms of learning, but if you put in the time, those who understand the subtleties of this army would do well. They may not look like the strongest army on paper, but the buffs, debuffs and ability to summon additional units makes it strong if you can strategize well.

This army excels in several areas, particularly speed and maneuverability. Seekers and Hellstriders are good examples of this, with the ability to speed to objectives. Aside from gaining objectives, you can also use their speed for strategic flanking.

They also do have some fairly tough units such as Myrmidesh, which is good to have alongside the more fragile units of the army.

The main strength though is learning all the tricks and buffs of this army (e.g. Euphoric Killers is a fantastic buff for growing strength), which is going to set you apart on the battlefield.

You do have to be aware of the weaknesses though. Fragile units with lower durability and armor and no real solid hard hitter plus speed units.

Defensive setups of more durable armies can be hard to break down with Hedonites of Slaanesh, but with careful positioning, strategic planning, and full understanding of the tricks of their trade, you can have a powerful army at hands.

Where Should Beginners Start?

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

Keeper of Secrets: This Greater Daemon is a strong General and a good centerpiece of your army. Speed enough to keep up even if you have a mounted army and some great spells/abilities.

Lord of Pain – Maybe the best hero in this army with a heavy hitting weapon in close combat, an ability to buff nearby units, and a great rebound of wounds and mortal wounds back on the enemy.

Glutos Orscollion – A powerful hero and the main bad guy of this army. You can combine magic, decent melee attacks and good aura abilities.

Myrmidesh Painbringers – More durable than most in this army whilst also having decent damage to dish out.

Slickblade Seekers: Super fast with a huge amount of damage potential.

Blissbarb Archers: Adding a ranged unit is wise. They are fast and pose a great threat if used correctly.

Fiends – Daemonic beasts that are fast and great for flanking opposing armies and then driving in attacks to deal damage.

How To Paint Hedonites of Slaanesh

We’d say this army is one of the most enjoyable painting experiences. As an army obsessed with excess, you can really go to town on your Hedonites of Slaanesh army. We’ll provide some starting color schemes for new players, but feel free to go wild:

Color Scheme Ideas

Vibing Fiends: Get something bright and garish like a base coat of bright pink or purple for your Fiends. Lighter shades alongside this can create depth where you can emphasize the curves and details of these terrifying Daemons. Use blues or other mystical colors for gems or armor alongside a black.

Call of the Dark Prince: Get a base coat of deep black or dark gray to kick things off. You could highlight skin with shades of dark purple or blue to give units a more mystical look. Go wild on the clothes, especially a hero such as Glutos Orscollion who will be clothed in rich jewel tones – emerald green or royal blue along (or any opulent bright colors). Have at it!

Celestial Light: Start off with a base of something like pale blue or silver. Then we’d suggest adding a white or maybe a very light blue to create a kind of shimmering effect. The robes or clothes could be in a nice pastel color such as lavender or mint green. Gold and silver will be a good compliment too. Finally, you can use washes to create shadows and depth. And to make your unit even more ‘extra’, finish with star-like speckles or glitter to give them that cosmos crazy energy.

Painting Techniques

We’ve put some basic painting techniques together for Hedonites of Slaanesh. As one of the most enjoyable armies to paint, hopefully these will be useful.

Base Coating: Establish the primary shades of your models. As we’ve said before, go wild here, this is the army of excess – bright pinks, purples, yellows, anything opulent and rich.

Drybrushing: Good for highlighting textures, especially on skin and fabric. What you need to remember here is to use a lighter shade of the base color and then you can drybrush over raised areas, such as robes or raised parts of say your Fiends.

Washes: The best way to work on creating more shadow effects. Nuln Oil or a color-specific wash (e.g. purple or blue) are decent choices for a dark wash and this will mean you can create a visual depth in recesses of clothing or skin. Basically makes your models look a bit more realistic.

Edge Highlighting: Use this technique on armor, weapons, and fabric edges. One of the techniques that can take a beginner’s model and really elevate it. You basically just need a lighter color which you then apply along the edges of your models to create that nice contrast. Makes your models look a bit more polished.

Hedonites of Slaanesh Lore and History

The Hedonites of Slaanesh are the devoted followers of the Dark Prince — the youngest and most beguiling of the Chaos Gods. the Dark Prince embodies excess, obsession, and the pursuit of perfection. In Age of Sigmar, the Hedonites’ narrative is uniquely compelling: for much of the setting’s history, Slaanesh was imprisoned by the aelven gods Tyrion, Teclis, Malerion and Morathi, who sought to reclaim the souls the Dark Prince had devoured.

This imprisonment drove the Hedonites to desperate action. Mortal champions known as the Godseekers scoured the realms searching for their lost deity, while Slaanesh’s daemonic lieutenants — the Keepers of Secrets — fought to maintain their power without their patron’s direct guidance. The weakening of Slaanesh’s prison eventually allowed fragments of the Dark Prince’s power to escape, empowering a new generation of devotees.

The Hedonites are divided into three hosts: the Invaders, who seek new experiences and conquests; the Pretenders, who believe themselves worthy of godhood; and the Godseekers, who quest endlessly for Slaanesh’s prison. Each host brings a different playstyle and narrative flavour to the army. The mortal Sybarites and Myrmidesh Painbringers fight alongside daemonic Daemonettes and Fiends in a deadly dance of blade and claw.

What makes the Hedonites truly dangerous is their speed and precision. These are not mindless berserkers but artists of pain, striking with supernatural grace and withdrawing before the enemy can retaliate. Their abilities to deprave enemy heroes, turning them to Slaanesh’s service, and their blinding speed make them one of the most dynamic and rewarding factions to play in Age of Sigmar.

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Hedonites of Slaanesh in the Current Meta

The Hedonites of Slaanesh 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 Hedonites of Slaanesh are one of the fastest armies in Age of Sigmar, specialising in lightning-fast strikes and hit-and-run tactics. Their depravity mechanic generates points that can summon additional daemons, creating a growing threat that opponents must deal with quickly. Slaanesh units typically hit hard on the charge but can be fragile if pinned down in prolonged combat.

Competitive Slaanesh players exploit their army’s exceptional speed to control the tempo of the game, picking favourable engagements and avoiding unfavourable ones. Keeper of Secrets and Synessa/Dexcessa provide powerful centrepiece models, while Blissbarb Archers and Slickblade Seekers offer ranged support and fast cavalry. The army rewards players who excel at movement and positioning over raw combat power.

Collecting Hedonites of Slaanesh

Starting a Hedonites of Slaanesh collection is an exciting journey, and the good news is that there are several accessible entry points. The Hedonites of Slaanesh Spearhead box (if available) provides an excellent starting point — check our Hedonites of Slaanesh 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. Daemonettes serve as versatile battleline, while Seekers and Hellstriders provide the speed the army craves. A Keeper of Secrets is the quintessential centrepiece model, and Blissbarb Archers add valuable ranged support.

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 Hedonites of Slaanesh

Painting your Hedonites of Slaanesh army is one of the most rewarding aspects of the hobby. Slaanesh models feature pale, elegant flesh tones offset by rich purples, blacks, and gold — creating an aesthetic of dark beauty that perfectly captures the Dark Prince’s allure. Daemonette skin can be achieved with Rakarth Flesh washed with Druchii Violet, while armour uses deep purples like Naggaroth Night layered up to Xereus Purple.

The graceful, flowing sculpts of Slaanesh models reward careful edge highlighting and smooth blending. Metallic golds and silvers add contrast to the predominantly purple palette. For a faster approach, Contrast paints like Shyish Purple and Volupus Pink work wonderfully over a light primer. Check our guide on painting Hedonites of Slaanesh for step-by-step tutorials and colour recipes.

Related Armies

If you enjoy Hedonites of Slaanesh, you might also like these armies:

Slaves to Darkness — Slaves to Darkness can dedicate to Slaanesh, bringing mortal warriors to complement your daemons.
Blades of Khorne — The eternal grudge between Khorne and Slaanesh creates incredible narrative battles.
Daughters of Khaine — Daughters of Khaine share Slaanesh’s themes of speed, elegance, and deadly precision in combat.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the Hedonites of Slaanesh?

The Hedonites of Slaanesh are the followers of the Chaos God of excess, pleasure, and pain in Age of Sigmar. They are impossibly fast and graceful warriors who revel in sensation, led by daemonic Keepers of Secrets and mortal Sybarite lords.

Are Hedonites of Slaanesh good for beginners?

Hedonites of Slaanesh are moderately beginner-friendly. Their speed and combat prowess are intuitive, but managing their Depravity Points system and fragile units requires some tactical awareness to play effectively.

What are the strengths of Hedonites of Slaanesh?

Hedonites of Slaanesh are among the fastest armies in Age of Sigmar with incredible speed and devastating charge abilities. They strike first in combat, can pile in from further away, and generate Depravity Points to summon additional daemons.

What are the weaknesses of Hedonites of Slaanesh?

Hedonites of Slaanesh are very fragile despite their speed and combat power. They have low armour saves and limited durability, meaning any casualties hit hard. They need to strike first and strike hard, or they will be wiped out quickly.

What happened to Slaanesh in Age of Sigmar?

In the Age of Sigmar lore, Slaanesh was captured and imprisoned by the Aelven gods Teclis, Tyrion, Malerion and Morathi after gorging on Aelven souls during the End Times. Slaanesh’s followers seek to free their imprisoned deity, while the Aelven gods extract consumed souls.

Where is Slaanesh imprisoned in Age of Sigmar?

Slaanesh is held in the twilight region between Hysh and Ulgu, the realms of Light and Shadow. There the aelven gods bound the Dark Prince in chains so they could slowly pull out the aelf souls Slaanesh devoured at the end of the World-that-Was. The Hedonites’ Godseekers search for this prison to free their god.

Who are Synessa and Dexcessa?

Synessa, the Voice of Slaanesh, and Dexcessa, the Talon of Slaanesh, are twin Exalted Greater Daemons of the Dark Prince. In the lore they were born from Slaanesh’s essence while the god remained imprisoned. They’re two of the most powerful heroes in the Hedonites of Slaanesh army and are often used as its centrepieces.