The Helsmiths of Hashut are the Chaos duardin of Age of Sigmar: fire-worshipping dwarfs who serve Hashut, the Father of Darkness, and bind daemons into their war machines. On the table they’re a slow, heavily armoured army with big guns, hard-charging Bull Centaurs and a resource called daemonic power that grows as you take over the battlefield. They’re one of the newest factions in the game, with their battletome arriving in autumn 2025.
They suit players who like elite units, artillery and making one meaningful decision every turn about where to spend their power.
Helsmiths of Hashut at a glance
| Grand Alliance | Chaos |
| Who they are | Duardin (dwarfs) who worship Hashut and bind daemons into machines and weapons |
| They call themselves | The Zharrdron |
| Playstyle | Slow, tough, heavy firepower, gets stronger by claiming terrain and objectives |
| Key mechanic | Desolation tokens and daemonic power points |
| Battletome | Battletome: Helsmiths of Hashut (4th edition, released autumn 2025) |
| Spearhead | Helforge Host |
| Difficulty | Medium: forgiving units, but a resource to manage every turn |
Who are the Helsmiths of Hashut?
The Helsmiths are duardin who turned to Hashut, a duardin god who took a very different path from his kin. In the version of the story covered by Sprues & Brews’ battletome review, Hashut resented his place among the duardin gods, was exposed plotting revenge and was banished. Later, desperate duardin under siege turned to him, and he taught them how to bind daemons into machines and burn daemonic essence as fuel.
They call themselves the Zharrdron, the folk of fire. Outsiders call them oathbreakers, Dark Ones or Chaos Duardin, though the Helsmiths insist they didn’t fall to Chaos but broke it to their will.
A society of ziggurats and rivals
Warhammer Community’s lore round table describes Helsmith society as a ruthless oligarchy built around great ziggurats. Each ziggurat has a ruler, and there are three main ways to get to the top:
- Daemonsmiths: sorcerer-engineers who bind daemons. It’s the quickest route to power and the most dangerous, and it leaves them mutated with tusks and stony skin.
- Ashen Elders: the priestly caste, who rise through the temples of Hashut.
- War Despots: warlords who build an army big enough to overthrow a sorcerer.
Rivals rely on oaths, deals and scheming rather than open murder, and the lower ranks toil to keep the leaders in power. Their goal isn’t the end of the world. It’s control: more resources, more territory and a bigger empire. They don’t bow to any of the Chaos gods, and their arrogance about controlling daemons is central to who they are.
Where they come from
The battletome names four major Helsmith powers, spread across several realms (see our Mortal Realms guide):
| Subfaction | Where | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Forge Anathema | Aqshy | Ruled by Urak Taar, the First Daemonsmith |
| Ur-Zorn | Ghur | Home of the fanatical Scorched Sect |
| Zharr Vyxa | Shyish | A sea-bound ziggurat of fierce despots |
| Muspelzharr | Chamon | Artisans who mine precious but corrosive materials |
Urak Taar is the oldest Daemonsmith and ruler of the Forge Anathema, and he claims to have studied under Hashut himself. Their current war began when the Skaven disrupted centuries of Helsmith schemes, and the Helsmiths marched out of their ziggurats in force.
For the older Warhammer history of the Chaos Dwarfs and how they came to Age of Sigmar, read our Chaos Dwarfs in Age of Sigmar article.
How do the Helsmiths of Hashut play?
Everything revolves around daemonic power.
- Leave the Land in Ruin: once per turn, at the start of any turn, you can put a desolation token on a terrain feature or objective that one of your units (not in combat) is contesting, as long as it doesn’t already have one.
- Harness Daemonic Power: at the start of your turn, you clear your old daemonic power points, then gain 1 point for every desolation token on the battlefield. You hand them out to your units, up to 3 per unit. Any you don’t hand out are lost. Hobgrot units can’t receive them.
- Reserves of Daemonic Power: once per turn, in any hero phase, you can give 2 points to a unit that doesn’t have any.
Many Helsmith warscrolls get stronger with more points: better wards, more attacks, more Rend or more speed. So the army snowballs. The more terrain and objectives you ruin, the more power you have, and the harder you hit.
Strengths
- Tough infantry. Infernal Cohorts are disciplined shield-wall troops, and daemonic power can give them ward saves.
- Lots of firepower. Artillery and daemonic firearms let you hurt enemies before they reach you.
- Strong war machines. Reviewers single out the Dominator Engine as a standout unit.
- Hard-hitting cavalry. Bull Centaurs give a slow army a fast, powerful hammer.
Weaknesses
- Slow. Most of the army isn’t fast, so you have to plan your moves.
- A lot to track. Desolation tokens and daemonic power change every turn. Dice or counters on the table help a lot.
- Elite and outnumbered. You’ll usually have fewer models than your opponent.
Key units
| Unit | Type | Role |
|---|---|---|
| War Despot | Infantry Hero | Armoured combat leader whose aura helps nearby units hold objectives |
| Daemonsmith | Infantry Hero, Wizard | Spellcaster who repairs your war machines |
| Ashen Elder | Infantry Hero, Priest | The army’s priest, helping nearby units shrug off damage |
| Urak Taar, the First Daemonsmith | Monster Hero, Wizard | Named Warmaster on an Infernal Taurus who can shift daemonic power between units |
| Daemonsmith on Infernal Taurus | Monster Hero, Wizard | A cheaper mounted caster that supports your cavalry |
| Infernal Cohort (spears or blades) | Infantry | Your armoured battleline. Spears are anti-charge, blades are better at attacking |
| Infernal Razers (blunderbusses or flamehurlers) | Infantry | Daemonic firearms: longer-ranged heavy shots or short-ranged flame |
| Hobgrot Vandalz | Infantry | Cheap screening troops who run ahead of the battleline |
| Bull Centaurs | Cavalry | Your main hard-hitting, fast unit |
| Anointed Sentinels | Cavalry | Elite cavalry who are great at counter-charging |
| Dominator Engine (bane maces or immolation cannons) | War Machine | Huge daemonic war engine for close combat or close-range fire |
| Tormentor Bombard | War Machine | Artillery that’s best against infantry and cavalry |
| Deathshrieker Rocket Battery | War Machine | Rocket artillery that’s best against monsters and war machines |
Several kits build more than one unit. Urak Taar’s kit can also build a Daemonsmith on Infernal Taurus, the Daemonsmith kit can build an Ashen Elder, Bull Centaurs can be built as Anointed Sentinels, and the Deathshrieker Rocket Battery can be built as a Tormentor Bombard.
Battletome and rules status
- Battletome: Helsmiths of Hashut (4th edition) first came in the limited Helsmiths of Hashut Army Set, with pre-orders from 13 September 2025 and release on 27 September 2025.
- The standard battletome and the individual kits went up for pre-order on 18 October 2025. The book includes faction rules, warscrolls, spell and prayer lores, background, Path to Glory rules, two Regiments of Renown, two Armies of Renown and the Helforge Host Spearhead.
- The army’s lores are the Lore of Infernal Power (spells) and the Prayers of the Scorched Sect (prayers). Its Armies of Renown are Taar’s Grand Forgehost and the Ziggurat Stampede.
- The General’s Handbook 2026-27 adds optional seasonal “Scourge of Aqshy” rules for the army, including extra artefacts and warscroll variants. They’re optional, so you can ignore them while you learn.
Points change several times a year. Our Helsmiths of Hashut army list uses the current Battle Profiles, and the Warhammer Age of Sigmar app always has the latest numbers.
Where should beginners start?
1. Spearhead: Helforge Host
The best first purchase is the Helforge Host Spearhead box: a War Despot, ten Infernal Cohort with a hobgrot gong carrier, a Dominator Engine and a Tormentor Bombard. It’s a complete small army, and Spearhead uses a simpler version of the daemonic power rules, which makes it a great way to learn. Our Helsmiths of Hashut Spearhead guide covers each unit and a turn-by-turn plan, and the Age of Sigmar Spearhead guide explains the format.
2. Grow to 1,000 points
Add a second unit of Infernal Cohort, a Daemonsmith to lead another regiment and a unit of Bull Centaurs. That gives you a solid army for 1,000-point games.
3. Head to 2,000 points
Urak Taar is a centrepiece model for bigger games. Add Anointed Sentinels, Infernal Razers and more war machines. Our army list guide has a full 1,000-point list and a 2,000-point list.
If you’re new to the game as a whole, read our how to start Age of Sigmar guide first.
How to paint Helsmiths of Hashut
The ‘Eavy Metal studio scheme uses dark bronze armour, brass trim, purple cloth and glowing daemonfire that shifts from white and green to purple and magenta at the tips. There’s plenty of room for your own colours too. Our how to paint Helsmiths of Hashut guide has step-by-step recipes.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to place desolation tokens. Without them you get very little daemonic power. Claim terrain and objectives from the first turn.
- Spreading power too thin. Most units get their best bonuses at 2 or 3 points. It’s usually better to power up a few key units fully.
- Giving points to Hobgrots. Hobgrot units can’t receive daemonic power.
- Charging with spear Cohorts. The spears are at their best when the enemy charges them.
- Mixing up the Spearhead and battletome rules. The Helforge Host uses its own simpler daemonic power rule, so don’t mix it with the full army rules.
Everything Helsmiths of Hashut on Warhammer Guild
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Helsmiths of Hashut the same as Chaos Dwarfs?
They’re the Age of Sigmar version of the Chaos Dwarfs from the old Warhammer world: duardin who worship Hashut and build daemon-powered war machines. Our Chaos Dwarfs in Age of Sigmar article explains the history.
Are the Helsmiths of Hashut good for beginners?
Yes, if you like a methodical army. The units are tough and forgiving, and the Helforge Host Spearhead is a simple way in. Expect a couple of games to get used to daemonic power.
Do the Helsmiths worship the Chaos gods?
No. They worship Hashut, the Father of Darkness, and don’t bow to any of the Chaos pantheon. They’re still part of the Grand Alliance of Chaos.
Is there a Helsmiths of Hashut battletome?
Yes. Battletome: Helsmiths of Hashut came out in autumn 2025 for the current (4th) edition, first in the limited Army Set and then as a standard book.
What should I buy first for Helsmiths of Hashut?
Start with the Helforge Host Spearhead box. Then add a second Infernal Cohort, a Daemonsmith and Bull Centaurs to reach 1,000 points.
Are the Helsmiths of Hashut part of Slaves to Darkness?
No. The Helsmiths of Hashut are their own faction with their own battletome, separate from Slaves to Darkness. Both sit in the Grand Alliance of Chaos, but the Helsmiths worship Hashut rather than the Chaos pantheon and field their own heroes, war machines and daemonic power rules. You don’t need any Slaves to Darkness models to build a Helsmiths army.
Why do the Helsmiths of Hashut use bulls?
The bull is the symbol of Hashut, the Father of Darkness, so bull imagery runs through the whole army. You see it in the horned helmets, the Bull Centaurs and Anointed Sentinels, and the Infernal Taurus ridden by Urak Taar and the mounted Daemonsmith. It’s a nod to the old Chaos Dwarfs, who also built their culture around Hashut’s bull iconography.