It isn't hard to find unnerving armies in Warhammer Age of Sigmar, but the Helsmiths of Hashut are a different kind of chilling. Yes, they're daemonfire pyromaniacs who are one mad cackle away from being classic fantasy villains. Selfish pride has also corrupted their bodies until tusks sprout from jaws and skin turns to stone. But the thing that unsettles me most is how right they think they are. They did what they needed to so their people could survive, but now think kindness is a failure that deserves snuffing out. They're all of our worst, most self-centered impulses writ large. Oh, and they're hard as bloody nails.
Introducing new factions to a game like Warhammer Age of Sigmar can be an uphill struggle, but the Helsmiths of Hashut show how it's done. The Chaos Dwarfs have finally returned to tabletop after years away with a surprisingly good explanation for their absence in-universe, not to mention a distinct playstyle that feels fresh. I was able to go hands-on with their Army Set early, and from what I've seen, this is a force you should be afraid of.
