4-Player Free-for-All: Fun Army Lists For This Weekend!

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Hey guys! Getting ready for a 4-player free-for-all this weekend? That sounds like an absolute blast! Free-for-all games are a fantastic way to shake up your usual tabletop experience, offering a chaotic and unpredictable battlefield where alliances are forged and broken, and sneaky tactics reign supreme. Forget your carefully crafted tournament lists – this is the time to unleash some truly fun and thematic armies that will create memorable moments and hilarious stories. Building an army for a 4-player free-for-all requires a different mindset than your standard head-to-head game. You need staying power, board control, and the ability to shift your focus quickly as the tides of battle change. So, let's dive into some army list ideas that are sure to bring the fun factor to your weekend showdown!

Considerations for a 4-Player Free-for-All

Before we jump into specific army lists, let's quickly go over some key considerations for a 4-player free-for-all. These games are a different beast than your typical 1v1, so you'll want to keep these points in mind when building your list:

  • Staying Power is Key: In a multi-player game, you're going to be taking fire from multiple directions. Armies that are fragile or rely on glass-cannon units are likely to be eliminated early. You need units that can absorb damage, shrug off attacks, and generally stick around for the long haul. Think durable troops, tough vehicles, and maybe even some regeneration or healing abilities.
  • Board Control Matters: With four players vying for objectives and territory, board control is crucial. Armies that can quickly move around the battlefield, seize key locations, and deny space to their opponents will have a significant advantage. Fast-moving units, deep strikers, and units with the ability to teleport or outflank are all valuable assets.
  • Flexibility is Your Friend: The battlefield in a 4-player free-for-all is constantly shifting. Alliances will form and break, targets of opportunity will appear and disappear, and you'll need to be able to adapt to the changing situation. Armies that are too specialized or have a one-dimensional game plan are likely to struggle. Look for units that can perform multiple roles, and consider including some versatile options that can handle a variety of threats.
  • Embrace the Chaos: Let's be honest, free-for-all games are inherently chaotic. There's going to be backstabbing, unexpected alliances, and plenty of moments where things don't go according to plan. Instead of trying to control the chaos, embrace it! Bring an army that's fun to play, even if it's not the most competitive, and focus on creating memorable moments and enjoying the experience.
  • Target Saturation: One of the biggest challenges in a multi-player game is deciding who to attack. If you focus all your firepower on one opponent, you might leave yourself vulnerable to the others. Spreading your attacks across multiple targets can be a good strategy, as it prevents any one player from gaining too much momentum. Consider including units that are good at dealing damage to multiple targets, or that can effectively split their fire.

With these considerations in mind, let's explore some specific army list ideas that are perfect for a 4-player free-for-all.

Army List Ideas for Maximum Fun

Here are a few concepts to get your creative juices flowing. Remember, the goal is fun, so don't be afraid to tweak these ideas or come up with your own! These are tailored to be enjoyable in a chaotic, multiplayer environment.

1. The Horde Army

  • Faction Examples: Orks, Tyranids, Astra Militarum (lots of infantry)
  • Concept: Overwhelm your opponents with sheer numbers! A horde army is all about flooding the board with bodies, tying up enemy units, and grinding them down through attrition. This strategy works well in a 4-player free-for-all because it can be difficult for opponents to deal with such a large number of targets. Plus, it's just plain fun to watch a tide of your troops crash over the enemy lines.
  • Key Units:
    • Cheap Infantry: Lots and lots of them! These are your bread and butter. They'll soak up damage, capture objectives, and generally make life difficult for your opponents.
    • Support Units: You'll need some heavier hitters to back up your infantry. Think tanks, artillery, or monstrous creatures. These units can provide some much-needed firepower and help you break through enemy lines.
    • Psychic Support (if applicable): Psychic powers can be incredibly powerful in a horde army, buffing your troops, debuffing your enemies, and providing some much-needed utility.
  • Tactical Considerations:
    • Spread Out: Don't bunch up your troops too much, or you'll be vulnerable to area-of-effect attacks.
    • Prioritize Objectives: In a 4-player free-for-all, objectives are key to victory. Use your horde to capture and hold as many as possible.
    • Attrition Warfare: You're not going to win every engagement, but you can wear down your opponents over time. Focus on inflicting casualties and making them expend their resources.

2. The Guerilla Warfare Army

  • Faction Examples: Genestealer Cults, Drukhari, Raven Guard Space Marines
  • Concept: This army relies on hit-and-run tactics, deep strikes, and ambushes to disrupt your opponents and pick them apart. You'll be using mobility and maneuverability to stay one step ahead, striking where your enemies are weakest and fading back into the shadows before they can retaliate. In a 4-player free-for-all, this can be a very effective strategy, as it allows you to control the pace of the game and dictate the terms of engagement.
  • Key Units:
    • Fast Attack Units: Bikes, transports, and other fast-moving units are essential for getting into position quickly and launching surprise attacks.
    • Deep Strikers: Units that can deploy directly onto the battlefield from reserves can be devastating, allowing you to bypass enemy defenses and strike at their vulnerable flanks.
    • Elite Infantry: While you won't have the numbers of a horde army, your elite infantry will be able to hold their own in close combat and provide some much-needed staying power.
  • Tactical Considerations:
    • Target Priority: Choose your targets carefully. Focus on eliminating enemy threats and disrupting their plans.
    • Hit and Run: Don't get bogged down in prolonged engagements. Strike quickly and then disengage before your opponents can bring their full firepower to bear.
    • Use Terrain: Terrain is your friend in a guerilla warfare army. Use it to your advantage to conceal your movements, set up ambushes, and protect your units from enemy fire.

3. The Combined Arms Army

  • Faction Examples: Adeptus Astartes (Space Marines), T'au Empire, Adeptus Mechanicus
  • Concept: A combined arms army brings a balanced mix of units to the battlefield, allowing you to adapt to a variety of situations. You'll have infantry to hold ground, vehicles to provide firepower, and fast-moving units to exploit weaknesses. In a 4-player free-for-all, this versatility can be a huge asset, as it allows you to respond to different threats and opportunities as they arise.
  • Key Units:
    • Infantry: Your infantry will form the core of your army, holding objectives and providing a solid base of fire.
    • Vehicles: Tanks, transports, and other vehicles will provide the firepower and mobility you need to break through enemy lines.
    • Fast Attack Units: Bikes, flyers, and other fast-moving units will allow you to react quickly to threats and seize opportunities.
  • Tactical Considerations:
    • Synergy: The key to a combined arms army is synergy. You need to use your units in concert, supporting each other and maximizing their effectiveness.
    • Flexibility: Be prepared to adapt your plans as the situation changes. A combined arms army is all about being able to react to different threats and opportunities.
    • Target Saturation: With a variety of units, you can effectively split your fire and target multiple opponents, preventing any one player from gaining too much momentum.

4. The Unconventional Warfare Army

  • Faction Examples: Chaos Daemons, Thousand Sons, Ynnari
  • Concept: This army embraces the weird and the wonderful, using unconventional tactics and esoteric units to throw your opponents off balance. Think psychic powers, summoning rituals, and units with unusual abilities. In a 4-player free-for-all, this can be a very disruptive strategy, as it can be difficult for opponents to anticipate your moves or counter your tactics.
  • Key Units:
    • Psychers: Psychic powers can be incredibly powerful, allowing you to buff your troops, debuff your enemies, and even summon new units to the battlefield.
    • Summoning Units: Some factions can summon new units during the game, adding an element of surprise and unpredictability.
    • Units with Unusual Abilities: Look for units with special rules or abilities that can disrupt your opponents' plans or provide you with an unexpected advantage.
  • Tactical Considerations:
    • Surprise: The element of surprise is key to an unconventional warfare army. Keep your opponents guessing and use your unusual tactics to catch them off guard.
    • Disruption: Your goal is to disrupt your opponents' plans and throw them off balance. Use your abilities to interfere with their strategies and make it difficult for them to execute their plans.
    • Risk vs. Reward: Unconventional tactics often involve taking risks. Be prepared to gamble, but make sure the potential reward is worth the risk.

Final Thoughts: It's All About Having Fun!

Ultimately, the best army for a 4-player free-for-all is the one that you'll have the most fun playing. Don't be afraid to experiment with different units, try out new tactics, and embrace the chaos. The goal is to create memorable moments and enjoy the experience with your friends. So, gather your forces, roll some dice, and get ready for an epic weekend of tabletop mayhem!

No matter which army list you choose, remember that the most important thing is to have fun. A 4-player free-for-all is a great opportunity to try out new things, experiment with different strategies, and enjoy the company of your friends. So, relax, embrace the chaos, and get ready for some unforgettable moments on the tabletop!

I hope these ideas have inspired you to create some awesome army lists for your upcoming 4-player free-for-all. Good luck, and may the dice be ever in your favor!