Cygnar
Cygnar are presented as the protagonists of the Warmachine setting, though not without some moral ambiguity. They are one of the most technologically advanced factions and were the first human nation to create warjacks. In terms of gameplay, Cygnar is one of the best ranged factions in the game. For backstory, refer to Lore - Cygnar.
Cygnar for Beginners
Faction Aesthetic & Playstyle
Aesthetically the models are "modern steampunk". While other factions might utilize occult relics or the faith of their god, Cygnar uses advanced technology to field state-of-the-art equipment. Cygnarians are transitioning from steam power to voltaic energy, giving them a more sophisticated look than the other factions. In terms of shooting they have an advantage over most other factions except Crucible Guard. Cygnar models are definitely among the weaker factions in melee, although strong melee forces can be fielded. Cygnarian armies prefer to whittle down the enemy with shooting before entering melee. Their signature element is lightning and they use lots of electricity-based attacks that are usually excellent for clearing out infantry. This faction also has access to a lot of disruption effects, which can be handy when facing superior warjacks from other factions. There is a lot of variety in Cygnarian warcasters as some are melee assassins, others are ranged powerhouses, some are support specialists and there are even some dedicated spell slingers. Boosts to armor and ranged attacks are signature Cygnar effects, but there are focus users which have access to debuffs and movement related spells. With the wide variety of casters available, one can find a caster to suit most any style of play. Cygnar warjacks have high offensive stats, good ranged capabilities, above average defense and average armor. Multiple CID cycles have made some Cygnar warjacks a point or two overpriced compared to similar offerings from other factions, but many remain strong in the right hands. Cygnar troops are almost all single-wound infantry and most of them rely on guns. They tend to be more elite and capable than cheap and numerous.
Starter Sets
Mk3 Battlegroup Set
- Contents: Maddox warcaster, Lancer light warjack, Firefly light warjack, and an Ironclad heavy warjack. Included is a bunch of peripheral stuff too (see picture).
This one is good for the so-called "0 pts battles", when only the caster and his/her battlegroup fights. In this case you get Beth Maddox, along with three decent warjacks. While Maddox isn't the best caster in the world, it's a great deal for beginners.
Cygnar Trencher Theme Force
- Contents: A unit of Trencher Infantry along with their command and weapon attachments, a Trencher Cannon Crew unit, Trencher Master Gunner solo, Patrol Dog solo, and Commander Anson Hitch solo. This one is designed to add on to one of the other starter sets, rather than be one all by itself. Note: it doesn't include a warcaster or any warjacks.
Important Note: Most other battle boxes are no longer available in retail stores.
Initial Purchases
A good way to start collecting is to pick a warcaster and build a dedicated battlegroup. Chargers and Ironclads are solid picks for most casters, but don't forget about the character 'jacks! The rest of your purchase choices will be driven by which caster and/or theme you choose. Some players argue it's better to pick a theme first, then build up your army because themes have restrictions on what troops and 'jacks you are allowed to take. Unit purchases are more theme-dependent than 'jacks because there are few units that can be used in more than one theme. Storm Lances are a good pick in Storm Division, for example, but cannot be used in any other Cygnar theme. Initial solos purchases could include the Squire, Journeyman Warcaster, Arlan Strangewayes, Jakes1 and the Mercenary Ragman because these are some of the most versitle solos in Cygnar's army.
External article: Cygnar non character solos - how many to buy (2019.04)
Starting a Theme Force
Players can use the Theme Force rules to construct their army list once the game size reaches 25 points. Themes restrict which models from your Faction you have access to, with different models being "locked" into different themes. In return, playing a theme force gives you multiple benefits in return. Also, models in a theme force normally have natural synergies with each other - synergies they can't use if they're paired with models from outside the theme.
Themes are considered the default way to play Warmachine and Hordes (although technically they're optional).
Regardless of whether you're starting at 25 points or lower, as a new player you have two options:
- Ignore themes to begin with, buy a couple of things you like the look of, and later on figure out if they work together in the same theme.
- With this approach you run the risk of buying models from a hodge podge of different themes. At some point you'll end up choosing one theme to use and expand, and shelving your models that don't fit the theme.
- Figure out which theme contains models you like the look of, and limit yourself to just buying models from that theme.
- This approach has the benefit of not shelving any of your purchases and you're more likely to have models that have natural synergies with each other (even if you buy things completely at random).
Theme Forces
Flame in the Darkness
This theme represents the Thamarite and Morrowan forces putting aside their ideological differences to teaming up against the Infernal invasion. This theme is "blended" with two other Factions, Khador and Mercenaries, and it has some interesting list-building options. You don't get access to Khador/Mercenary warcasters, but you do get access to some of their units, solos, and warjacks - and everyone in the theme count as friendly Faction to each other, making it easier to apply buffs.
Important Note: Unlike most themes, there is severe limits on which Cygnar warcasters can go in this theme.
This list was last updated: 2020.12 (Edit)
Warcasters - For Mercenary players
Warcasters - For Cygnar players
Warcasters - For Khador players
Warjacks
Note: All warcasters get the same warjacks to choose from, regardless of their original Faction:
- All non-character Mercenary warjacks (except the Rhulic ones)
- Up to two non-character Cygnar or Khador warjacks (one of each is legal).
- Gallant
- Other character warjacks can be taken, but only if they have a bond and they're in their bonded model's battlegroup.
Units
- Alexia1
- Devil's Shadow Mutineers
- Field Mechaniks
- Legion of Lost Souls
- Order of Illumination Resolutes
- Order of Illumination Vigilants
- Precursor Knights
Solos
Gravediggers
World War 1 style trench warfare is reflected in the Gravediggers.
Trenchers form the tough-as-nails vanguard infantry for Cygnar.
This theme features lots of Tough infantry that boasts a good mix of melee and ranged capabilities.
Trencher Infantry, Trencher Commandos and Trencher Long Gunners are the staple units of the theme.
This list was last updated: 2020.02 (Edit)
Warcasters
- All Cygnar warcasters
Warjacks
- All non-character warjacks
- Triumph
- Other character warjacks can be taken, but only if they're in their bonded model's battlegroup.
Units
- Rangers
- Trencher Cannon Crew
- Trencher Chain Gun Crew
- Trencher Combat Engineers
- Trencher Commandos
- Trencher Express Team
- Trencher Infantry
- Trencher Long Gunners
Solos
- Captain Maxwell Finn
- Commander Anson Hitch
('Jack Marshal) - Major Harrison Gibbs (★)
- Patrol Dog
- Trench Buster
- Trencher Master Gunner
- Trencher Warcaster Lieutenant
("Junior" Warcaster)
Structures
Mercenaries
- Up to one unit
- They can have Captain Jonas Murdoch
- Up to one solo
(★) Because Gibbs is specifically allowed in this theme, he doesn't use your "Up to one Mercenary" slot.
Heavy Metal
This is Cygnar's warjack-centric theme coupled with a few more Mercenary and/or Morrowan options available than most other themes.
Your unit choices are Precursor Knights, Mechanik units, Long Gunner Infantry, and Sword Knights as your unit choices.
It lets you run Morrowan solos outside of Flame in the Darkness, leading to some interesting combos.
This list was last updated: 2020.02 (Edit)
Warcasters
- All Cygnar warcasters
Warjacks
- All non-character warjacks
- Ol' Rowdy
- Thorn
- Thunderhead
- Other character warjacks can be taken, but only if they have a bond and they're in their bonded model's battlegroup.
Battle Engines
Units
Solos
- Caine0 ("Junior Warcaster")
- Captain Arlan Strangewayes ('Jack Marshal)
- Glyn Cormier, Illuminated One (★)
- Grand Master Gabriel Throne (★)
- Harlan Versh (★)
- Jakes1 ("Junior Warcaster")
- Journeyman Warcaster ("Junior Warcaster")
- Major Harrison Gibbs (★)
- Morrowan Archon (★)
- Runewood1 ('Jack Marshal)
- Savio Montero Acosta (★)
- Squire (Warcaster Attachment)
- Trencher Warcaster Lieutenant ("Junior Warcaster")
- Viktor Pendrake (★)
Mercenaries
- Up to one solo
- Up to one unit
- Up to one battle engine
(★) Because these partisans are specifically allowed in this theme, they don't use your "Up to one Mercenary" slot.
Sons of the Tempest
Do you like pistols? Do you like magical bullets?
Gun Mages are a unique breed of soldier-sorcerers who can weave devastating arcane power into their unerring magelock pistols.
The core units in this theme are squishy, so this theme tends to be played as a warjack-heavy force with Gun Mages in support.
This list was last updated: 2021.10 (Edit)
Warcasters
- All Cygnar warcasters
Warjacks
- All non-character warjacks
- Ace
- Other character warjacks can be taken, but only if they have a bond and they're in their bonded model's battlegroup.
Units
- Arcane Tempest Gun Mages
- Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team
- Field Mechaniks
- Rangers
- Tempest Blazers
- Trencher Combat Engineers
Solos
- Arcane Tempest Rifleman
- Caine0 -; ("Junior Warcaster")
- Captain Arlan Strangewayes - ('Jack Marshal)
- Gun Mage Captain Adept
- Journeyman Warcaster - ("Junior Warcaster")
- Lieutenant Bastian Falk
- Squire - (Warcaster Attachment)
Mercenaries
- Up to one unit
- Up to one solo
Storm Division
The Storm Division is armed with Cygnar's latest technological improvements; or in other words, Lightning!
This theme offers armored knights with lightning swords or halberds, mad scientists shooting lightning atop of a giant walker, and 'jacks that shoot electricity!
Basically, if you like lightning, this is the theme for you. Staples of the theme are the Stormblade Infantry and Storm Lances units.
This list was last updated: 2020.02 (Edit)
Warcasters
- All Cygnar warcasters
Warjacks
- All non-character warjacks
- Brickhouse
- Dynamo
- Thunderhead
- Other character warjacks can be taken, but only if they're in their bonded model's battlegroup.
Units
- Field Mechaniks
- Silver Line Stormguard
- Storm Lances
- Stormblade Infantry
- Stormguard Infantry
- Stormsmith Grenadiers
- Stormsmith Storm Tower
- Trencher Combat Engineers
Solos
- Captain Arlan Strangewayes
('Jack Marshal) - Lieutenant Gwen Keller
- Major Katherine Laddermore
- Sir Dreyfus the Storm Knight
- Stormblade Captain
('Jack Marshal) - Stormsmith Stormcallers
- Journeyman Warcaster
("Junior Warcaster") - Jakes1
("Junior Warcaster") - Savio Montero Acosta (★)
- Squire
(Warcaster Attachment)
Battle Engines
Mercenaries
- Up to one unit
- Up to one solo
(★) Because these models are specifically allowed in this theme, they don't use up your Mercenary slot.
Models
Warcasters
Blaize1 | Constance Blaize, Knight of the Prophet (Partisan) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brisbane1 | Major Markus ‘Siege’ Brisbane | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brisbane2 | Colonel Markus ‘Siege’ Brisbane | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Caine0 | Refer to Cygnar solos, below | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Caine1 | Lieutenant Allister Caine | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Caine2 | Captain Allister Caine | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Caine3 | Caine's Hellslingers (Partisan) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Darius1 | Captain E. Dominic Darius & Halfjacks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Haley1 | Captain Victoria Haley | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Haley2 | Major Victoria Haley | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Haley3 | Major Prime Victoria Haley | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jakes1 | Refer to Cygnar solos, below | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jakes2 | Captain Allison Jakes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kraye1 | Captain Jeremiah Kraye | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maddox1 | Major Beth Maddox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nemo1 | Commander Adept Nemo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nemo2 | General Adept Nemo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nemo3 | Artificer General Nemo & Storm Chaser Adept Caitlin Finch | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nemo4 | Refer to Cygnar battle engines, below | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sloan1 | Captain Kara Sloan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stryker1 | Commander Coleman Stryker | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stryker2 | Lord Commander Stryker | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stryker3 | Lord General Coleman Stryker | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sturgis1 | Commander Dalin Sturgis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sturgis2 | Refer to Cryx warcasters | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vinter-1 | Vinter the Undefeated (Not tournament legal) |
Warjacks
- Light
- Heavy
Battle Engines
- Nemo4: Artificer Prime Nemo & Arcane Mechaniks (Partisan "Junior Warcaster")
- (Nemo1 to 3 are warcasters, above)
Structures
Units
- Arcane Tempest Gun Mages
- CA - Officer ('Jack Marshal)
- Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team
- Field Mechaniks
- Long Gunner Infantry
- CA - Officer & Standard
- Order of Illumination Resolutes - (Partisan)
- Order of Illumination Vigilants - (Partisan)
- Legion of Lost Souls - (Partisan)
- Precursor Knights - (Partisan)
- CA - Officer & Standard
- Rangers
- Silver Line Stormguard
- Storm Lances
- Stormblade Infantry
- WA - Storm Gunners
- CA - Officer & Standard ('Jack Marshal)
- Stormguard Infantry
- Stormsmith Grenadiers
- Stormsmith Storm Tower
- Sword Knights
- CA - Officer & Standard ('Jack Marshal)
- Tempest Blazers
- Trencher Cannon Crew
- Trencher Chain Gun Crew
- Trencher Commandos
- WA - Scattegunner
- CA - Officer
- Trencher Express Team
- Trencher Infantry
- WA - Rifle Grenadiers
- CA - Officer & Sniper
- Trencher Long Gunners
- Trencher Mechaniks
Special Unit Attachments
- Ranking Officer - Captain Jonas Murdoch
- Weapon Attachment - Morrowan Battle Priest - (Partisan)
Solos
- Arcane Tempest Rifleman
- Archduke Runewood - ('Jack Marshal)
- Captain Arlan Strangewayes - ('Jack Marshal)
- Captain Maxwell Finn
- Commander Anson Hitch - ('Jack Marshal)
- Glyn Cormier, Illuminated One - (Partisan)
- Grand Master Gabriel Throne - (Partisan)
- Gun Mage Captain Adept
- Harlan Versh, Illuminated One - (Partisan)
- Journeyman Lieutenant Allister Caine - ("Junior" Warcaster)
- Journeyman Warcaster - ("Junior" Warcaster)
- Lieutenant Allison Jakes - ("Junior" Warcaster)
- Lieutenant Bastian Falk
- Lieutenant Gwen Keller
- Major Katherine Laddermore
- Major Harrison Gibbs - (Partisan)
- Savio Montero Acosta - (Partisan)
- Sir Dreyfus the Storm Knight
- Squire - (Warcaster Attachment)
- Stormblade Captain - ('Jack Marshal)
- Stormsmith Stormcallers
- Trench Buster
- Trencher Master Gunner - ('Jack Marshal)
- Trencher Patrol Dog
- Trencher Warcaster Lieutenant - ("Junior" Warcaster)
- Viktor Pendrake - (Partisan)
Mercenaries that work for Cygnar
Refer to Who works for Whom and/or Category: Cygnar Mercenary