Cities of Sigmar – Warhammer Age of Sigmar Guide

We are the bastions of hope and civilization in a world ravaged by chaos and darkness. Born from the ashes of destruction, our cities stand resilient, fortified against the horrors that lurk beyond our walls. United under the banner of Sigmar, we are a diverse tapestry of races and cultures, from stalwart humans to noble elves and cunning duardin. Our armies, bolstered by the might of the Stormcast Eternals, fight to reclaim the realms and protect our way of life. 

Who Are the Cities of Sigmar?

The Cities of Sigmar represent the last bastions of civilization in the Age of Sigmar, emerging from the chaos and destruction that once plagued the realms.

These fortified cities serve as safe havens for a diverse population, including humans, elves, duardin, and other races united under the banner of Sigmar.

Each city is a testament to resilience and innovation, built to withstand the horrors of the world outside.

The cities are defended by brave citizens, who serve as guardians against the forces of chaos. Together, they embody hope, determination, and the unyielding spirit of survival.

What Are Cities of Sigmar Army Strengths?

The Cities of Sigmar army is characterized by its versatility and adaptability, offering a wide range of units and playstyles.

This faction can field a mix of infantry, artillery, and powerful heroes, allowing players to tailor their forces to various tactics and strategies.

Units like the Freeguild Guard provide solid frontline support, while ranged units like the Helblaster Volley Gun deliver devastating firepower.

However, the army also has weaknesses. Many units can be fragile and require careful positioning to avoid being overwhelmed. Their reliance on synergy means that losing key heroes can disrupt their strategy, necessitating strategic planning to maintain effectiveness on the battlefield.

Where Should Beginners Start?

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

• Freeguild Guard: These infantry units are versatile and form the backbone of your army, providing effective frontline support.

• Freeguild Crossbowmen or Handgunners: These ranged units offer valuable firepower, allowing you to engage enemies from a distance and control the battlefield.

• General on Griffon or a Hero: A character like the General adds leadership and powerful abilities, enhancing your army’s effectiveness in combat.

• Celestial Hurricanum or Luminark of Hysh: These war machines provide additional ranged support and unique abilities, boosting your forces and adding tactical depth.

How To Paint Cities of Sigmar

Here are some creative paint ideas for new Cities of Sigmar players:

Color Scheme Ideas

• Classic Sigmarite Colors: Start with a base coat of bright white or cream for armor and robes, representing the purity and light of Sigmar. Highlight with gold for details like armor trims and insignia, creating a regal look. For clothing, use rich colors like deep blue or red, adding highlights to emphasize folds and texture. Finish with a dark wash to bring out shadows, giving your models depth and a polished finish.

• Urban Grit: Use a base coat of dark gray for armor to reflect the gritty, urban environment of the Cities of Sigmar. Highlight with lighter grays and add rust effects using orange or brown for a weathered appearance. For clothing, use muted earth tones like browns and greens, highlighting with lighter shades to add depth. Incorporate metallics for weapons and armor, finishing with a wash to enhance details and give a sense of realism.

• Noble Heritage: Begin with a base coat of royal blue or deep crimson for robes and clothing, symbolizing the noble heritage of the citizens. Highlight with lighter shades of the same color to create depth. For armor, use silver or steel, applying a wash to emphasize details and shadows. Add gold accents for a touch of elegance, particularly on insignias and trims. Finish with bright colors for details like banners or shields to create striking contrasts.

Cities of Sigmar Painting Techniques for Beginners 

• Base Coating: Start with a solid base coat in bright or muted colors, depending on your chosen scheme. Use white or cream for armor and rich colors like blue, red, or green for clothing. A strong base coat provides an even foundation for layering and helps subsequent colors appear vibrant, allowing the details of your miniatures to shine.

• Drybrushing: This technique is excellent for highlighting textures on armor and clothing. Use a lighter shade of your base color to drybrush over raised areas, such as the edges of armor, patterns on robes, and shields. This adds depth and enhances intricate details, making your miniatures look more dynamic and visually striking.

• Washes: Applying washes is crucial for adding depth and shadow. Use dark washes like Nuln Oil or brown washes to emphasize the recesses in armor, clothing, and weapons. This technique creates a weathered look and enhances the grim reality of battle, making your Cities of Sigmar models appear more realistic.

• Edge Highlighting: Use edge highlighting to accentuate the details on armor, weapons, and the edges of clothing. Apply a lighter color along these edges to create sharp contrasts that draw the eye. This technique adds definition and a polished look, enhancing the overall aesthetic of your Cities of Sigmar miniatures while emphasizing their noble heritage.

• Contrast Paints: These paints are ideal for achieving quick yet vibrant results. Use contrast paints for larger areas, such as robes or armor, to take advantage of their self-shading properties. This allows for depth without extensive layering, making it easier for beginners to achieve impressive results while capturing the essence of the Cities of Sigmar.

Cities of Sigmar Lore and History

The Cities of Sigmar are the bastions of Order in the Mortal Realms — fortified metropolises where humans, aelves, duardin, and other races live together under the protection of Sigmar’s divine mandate. These cities represent civilisation’s defiant stand against the forces of Chaos, Death, and Destruction, and each one is a melting pot of cultures, traditions, and military traditions united by their shared devotion to the God-King.

The founding of the Cities of Sigmar began during the Realmgate Wars, when Sigmar sent his Stormcast Eternals to reclaim territory lost during the Age of Chaos. As the Stormcast secured key realmgates and strategic locations, mortal settlers followed, establishing the first Dawnbringer Crusades that would grow into the great cities. Hammerhal, the Twin-Tailed City straddling two realms, became the greatest of these settlements — a symbol of Order’s resilience.

The Cities of Sigmar army reflects this diversity with an enormous range of unit types. Freeguild Steelhelms and Fusiliers form disciplined human infantry and gunlines, while Freeguild Cavaliers provide heavy cavalry. Ironweld Great Cannons and Steam Tanks bring devastating firepower, and the mysterious Collegiate Arcane contributes powerful battle wizards. This diversity is the Cities’ greatest strength — no other army in Age of Sigmar can combine ranged firepower, magic, melee infantry, and cavalry so flexibly.

The narrative of the Cities of Sigmar is one of ordinary people performing extraordinary feats. While Stormcast Eternals may win battles, it is the mortal citizens who hold territory, build civilisations, and endure the horrors of the Mortal Realms through courage and determination. For players who want a grounded, human-scale army in a world of gods and monsters, the Cities of Sigmar are the perfect choice.

Cities of Sigmar in the Current Meta

The Cities of Sigmar 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 Cities of Sigmar are one of the most versatile factions in Age of Sigmar, offering an enormous range of unit types that can be combined in countless ways. From disciplined Freeguild gunlines to mobile cavalry forces to magic-heavy builds, the Cities can be tailored to almost any playstyle. This flexibility makes them a strong competitive choice for experienced players who enjoy list-building.

Competitive Cities of Sigmar lists often lean into the faction’s excellent shooting capabilities, with Freeguild Fusiliers and Ironweld Great Cannons forming devastating gunlines. The Castelite formation rewards careful deployment and positional play, while Steam Tanks provide durable mobile firepower. The faction rewards players who enjoy combined-arms tactics and the satisfaction of building a well-balanced, multi-dimensional army.

Collecting Cities of Sigmar

Starting a Cities of Sigmar collection is an exciting journey, and the good news is that there are several accessible entry points. The Cities of Sigmar Spearhead box (if available) provides an excellent starting point — check our Cities of Sigmar 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. Freeguild Steelhelms provide flexible battleline, while Freeguild Fusiliers add devastating ranged firepower. A Steam Tank or Freeguild Cavalier-Marshal makes for a great centrepiece, and the range’s diversity means every army looks unique.

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 Cities of Sigmar

Painting your Cities of Sigmar army is one of the most rewarding aspects of the hobby. The Cities of Sigmar offer tremendous painting freedom, as each city has its own heraldic colours and aesthetic. Hammerhal features warm reds and golds, Hallowheart uses cooler purples and silvers, and the Living City favours greens and browns. You can also create your own city with a custom colour scheme that makes your army uniquely yours.

The diversity of unit types means you will paint humans, aelves, duardin, and war machines — each requiring different techniques. Freeguild uniforms benefit from clean, crisp painting with consistent colours across the army, while war machines and Steam Tanks reward weathering and metallic effects. Check our guide on painting Cities of Sigmar for city-specific colour schemes and batch-painting techniques.

Related Armies

If you enjoy Cities of Sigmar, you might also like these armies:

• Stormcast Eternals — The Stormcast defend the Cities of Sigmar, making them natural allies in the Mortal Realms.
• Fyreslayers — Fyreslayer lodges often ally with the Cities of Sigmar to defend Order’s strongholds.
• Kharadron Overlords — The Kharadron trade with the Cities of Sigmar and share a diverse, Order-aligned aesthetic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the Cities of Sigmar?

The Cities of Sigmar are the mortal defenders of Order’s strongholds in the Mortal Realms. They combine human soldiers, Aelven warriors, and Duardin artillery into diverse armies that represent the civilised peoples fighting to reclaim the realms from Chaos and Death.

Are Cities of Sigmar good for beginners?

Cities of Sigmar are moderately beginner-friendly. Their diversity of unit types offers many playstyle options, but this same diversity can be overwhelming. Players who enjoy combined arms tactics will find them rewarding.

What are the strengths of Cities of Sigmar?

Cities of Sigmar have incredible roster diversity with infantry, cavalry, artillery, and monsters from multiple races. Their cities provide different bonuses, and they can field balanced armies that handle any situation.

What are the weaknesses of Cities of Sigmar?

Cities of Sigmar units are individually unremarkable compared to specialist factions. Their strength lies in synergy and combined arms, which requires careful list-building and tactical coordination to execute effectively.

What cities can you choose from?

Cities of Sigmar offers several city allegiances, each with unique bonuses. Major cities include Hammerhal (balanced), Hallowheart (magic-focused), Greywater Fastness (artillery), Living City (ambush), and Tempest’s Eye (speed). Your choice shapes your playstyle.

Were the Cities of Sigmar called the Free Cities or Free Peoples?

Yes, in a sense. In the first edition of Age of Sigmar these human, aelf and duardin armies were split across factions such as the Free Peoples, Dispossessed, Ironweld Arsenal and Collegiate Arcane. In second edition Games Workshop merged them into the Cities of Sigmar. Players still sometimes call them ‘Free Cities’ or ‘Freeguild’ informally.

What is the Freeguild in Cities of Sigmar?

The Freeguild are the standing human armies of Sigmar’s cities, raised from citizens and drilled to defend the walls and march with Dawnbringer Crusades. In the current range they include Freeguild Steelhelms (halberd and spear infantry), Freeguild Fusiliers (handgunners) and Freeguild Cavaliers (armoured knights), led by Marshals and Command Corps.

Do Cities of Sigmar have knights?

Yes. Freeguild Cavaliers are heavily armoured human knights on barded warhorses, led by a Freeguild Cavalier-Marshal, and they provide the army’s main charging cavalry. Demigryph Knights ride ferocious half-eagle, half-lion beasts and hit harder still. Together they give Cities a mounted hammer to pair with their infantry blocks and gunlines.

Tournament Tips for Cities of Sigmar

Cities of Sigmar reward tactical flexibility and combined-arms gameplay at tournaments. Unlike armies that rely on a single dominant strategy, Cities offer multiple viable archetypes — from gunline builds centred on Ironweld Arsenal firepower to aggressive Freeguild cavalry rushes. This versatility is your greatest competitive advantage, as it allows you to adapt your list to counter prevalent meta threats.

Your most valuable tournament skill is understanding synergies between different unit types. Cities of Sigmar shine when infantry, cavalry, ranged, and hero elements work in concert, each covering the weaknesses of the others. Freeguild Guard hold objectives and screen, Handgunners and Crossbowmen provide ranged support, Demigryph Knights deliver devastating charges, and your heroes amplify everything with command abilities and buffs.

For competitive list building, focus on redundancy. Running multiple units of the same type ensures that losing one piece does not cripple your entire strategy. Two units of Handgunners are far more reliable than one large unit, as they provide flexibility in deployment and targeting while reducing the impact of a single bad combat. Similarly, dual Demigryph Knight units create a hammer threat on both flanks that opponents struggle to address simultaneously.

Cities of Sigmar armies tend to be model-heavy, making time management a concern at tournaments. Practise your movement phases until they are efficient, and consider using movement trays for infantry blocks. Pre-measure key distances during deployment to avoid delays during critical charge and shooting phases. A well-piloted Cities army is a thing of beauty, but a slowly-played one will frustrate both you and your opponents.

Competitive Matchups

vs. Ironjawz: Ironjawz want to charge headlong into your lines, and your job is to make that as painful as possible. Deploy Handgunners and Crossbowmen behind screens of Freeguild Guard, maximising your shooting output during their approach. Demigryph Knights serve as a counter-charge reserve — hold them back until the Ironjawz commit, then strike into their flanks. The key is trading expendable infantry for time while your ranged units whittle down their heavy hitters.

vs. Gloomspite Gitz: Gitz horde armies can overwhelm your positions through sheer weight of numbers. Concentrated ranged fire is your answer — focus Handgunner volleys on Squig Hoppers and Fanatics before they reach your lines. Freeguild Guard can hold against basic Grot infantry, but prioritise eliminating the more dangerous elements first. Steam Tanks excel in this matchup, as Grots lack the rend to deal with heavy armour effectively.

vs. Hedonites of Slaanesh: Slaanesh speed is a significant threat, as Seekers and chariots can reach your ranged units before they can fire effectively. Deploy in a tight formation with overlapping fields of fire and use Freeguild Guard as speed bumps to slow their advance. Demigryph Knights match Slaanesh cavalry in combat and can trade favourably when supported by nearby heroes. Watch for flanking moves from Daemonettes that can bypass your screening units.

vs. Slaves to Darkness: Slaves to Darkness bring versatile armies with strong heroes and solid infantry. Focus your ranged fire on their heroes, particularly Chaos Lords and Sorcerer Lords whose command abilities and spells amplify their army’s effectiveness. Freeguild Cavalry can match Chaos Knights in the charge, and your ranged superiority gives you an advantage in extended firefights. Control the centre of the board and force them to come to you through your shooting lanes.

Budget Building Tips

Cities of Sigmar present both opportunities and challenges for budget-conscious players. The positive side is that the range includes many affordable infantry kits, and older Freeguild models can often be found at excellent prices on the second-hand market. The challenge is that competitive lists tend to require higher model counts than many other armies.

Start with the Cities of Sigmar Vanguard box for a solid core including Freeguild infantry and heroes. Supplement with a box of Freeguild Guard for your battleline backbone — these models are inexpensive and form the screening and objective-holding core of any Cities list. Handgunners or Crossbowmen should be your next purchase, providing essential ranged output at a reasonable price per model.

For your striking power, Demigryph Knights are a worthwhile investment that remains competitive across edition changes. One box of three provides a meaningful combat threat that can be expanded later. Avoid expensive centrepiece models like Steam Tanks until you have a complete core army — while impressive, they are not essential for competitive play at lower point levels. Consider third-party movement trays to make your infantry blocks manageable on the tabletop. Cities of Sigmar benefit enormously from starter sets and holiday bundles, so patience and timing your purchases around seasonal sales can save significant money across your collection.

Related Content

• 40k on a Budget — Start collecting cheap
• All Factions Guide — Every faction explained
• How to Play 40k — Beginner rules guide
• 40k Factions Ranked — Competitive tier list