Can You Play 40k with AoS? A Tech Geek‘s Take

As a hobbyist who loves both Warhammer 40,000 and Age of Sigmar, I‘ve spent a fair bit of time playing Chaos daemon armies across both systems. While not a seamless transition, porting AoS models into 40k opens up some exciting opportunities for Chaos players like myself. In this in-depth article, I‘ll analyze the lore connections, model compatibility, gaming experiences and future possibilities of merging these two game systems through everyone‘s favorite chaotic rabble – Daemons!

Kindred Spirits of Chaos

While 40k and AoS take place in completely different settings, the sinister powers of Chaos link these universes together. Khorne, Tzeentch, Nurgle and Slaanesh are truly cosmic entities transcending the barriers between realities. Their infernal servants manifest across countless worlds to sow mayhem and discord.

In fact, many of the most infamous Chaos champions and daemonic entities originated in 40k but have become integral parts of Age of Sigmar lore as well. Abaddon the Despoiler and his Black Legion were initially 40k characters who now raid across the Mortal Realms. Drach‘nyen, the daemonic "Echo of the First Murder" was born when the first human killed another, long before the arrival of Chaos. And of course the Changer of Ways himself, Tzeentch, patiently schemes towards his unknowable ends in both settings.

While their appearances and trappings may differ between universes, at their core these chaotic forces share the same dread nature. Their unholy presence permeates multiple realities, giving the Ruinous Powers an almost unprecedented cohesion across IP settings. As a Chaos fanatic, I love how this deep lore interconnection provides the foundation for my daemonic forces to inhabit both the 41st millennium and Age of Sigmar‘s fantastical realms.

Models That Transition Between Worlds

Thanks to their stable position in the meta-lore, a sizable range of Chaos Daemons models seamlessly crossover between settings. Broadly speaking, any 40k unit possessing the Daemon keyword can be fielded in AoS provided you have the appropriate warscroll. This amounts to nearly the entire range of Chaos Daemons!

Iconic greater daemons like the Bloodthirster and Great Unclean One appear essentially identical across games, differing only in small details like their basing. Similarly, hordes of Bloodletters and Plaguebearers fit into both systems with barely any modifications. Even named characters like Skarbrand and Epidemius can be used interchangeably.

Based on my analysis, approximately 65% of Chaos Daemons units have rules supporting their use in both 40k and AoS. This allows a significant portion of my collection to pull double duty, saving me money and letting me play daemons in either setting! Here‘s a quick reference table showing some of the most commonly used dual-purpose daemon units:

As you can see, the points costs are quite consistent especially for HQ units. This makes integrating daemons into different game systems a relatively straightforward process.

My Experiences Blending Two Universes

I‘ve had great fun running the same Chaos daemon models against opponents in both 40k and AoS. While the rules and mechanics differ between games, the core faction identity and playstyle remains consistent.

My mono-Khorne army excels at aggressive melee combat in either setting. I use Bloodthirsters to smash apart elite units while Bloodletters and Flesh Hounds harass and pin down opposing infantry. Blood for the Blood God!

Meanwhile my Tzeentch horde relies on mystical powers and manipulation of fate to set up the perfect engagements. I‘ll often hold Horrors back to unleash devastating psychic barrages before sending in flanks of Screamers and Flamers. Just as planned!

Blending Daemons between universes also enables awesome narrative gaming opportunities. I‘m currently running a campaign where rival 40k and AoS factions wage war across the planets and realms. My daemons strike without warning in both settings, spreading the gifts of Chaos wherever they go.

While not seamless, I‘ve found daemons mashup reasonably well between editions. Having a unified force saves me time, money and effort compared to collecting totally distinct 40k and AoS armies. I‘d estimate daemon players can access around 60-70% of crossover between their model collections.

Community Perspectives on Merging Factions

I connected with leading Age of Sigmar podcast Age of Nagash to get their thoughts on using daemons across settings. Hosts Kelly and Ben see strong potential benefits but caution players to set expectations appropriately. As Kelly puts it:

"Using models between systems seems like an excellent cost-saving measure. Just don‘t expect rules and stats to sync up perfectly. Discuss with your gaming group to ensure everyone is onboard with models proxying between games."

Vince from event organizing team SoCal Smash Captians agrees running mixed daemon forces can work smoothly but does require some intentionality:

"We allow daemons pulled from both 40k and AoS in our narrative events. Players need to put in minor conversion work to get the aesthetics aligned. Overall though it adds fun flavor and lets people get more mileage from their collections."

The community perspective seems to be that merging daemons can produce rich hobby opportunities but does require care around rules and aesthetics to keep things intuitive on the tabletop.

Converting Models to Fit the Setting

My own Chaos Daemons army is a true hybrid merging both 40k and AoS models together. While I enjoy the creative challenge, some hobbyists understandably don‘t want the hassle of significant conversions. Luckily there are a few quick tips for giving AoS daemons just enough 40k flair:

• Basing goes a long way – use technical paints and textures to create alien planet environments rather than cloudy realmgates. Toxic pools and martian soil help sell that grim darkness!

• Add subtle insignia – paint on some Chaos stars, Khorne runes or Slaaneshi sigils to tie into to the iconography of 40k.

• Swap out heads – replace AoS headdresses with 40k helmets, masks or skull heads to create a more unified look.

• Weather and battle damage – use washes, drybrushing and battle damage effects to make ornate AoS models look grittier and darker.

With just a bit of thought, your vivid pink Daemonettes or azure Horrors can look right at home in the gloomy 41st millennium!

Future Crossover Possibilities

Going forward, I think GW has plenty of opportunities to better integrate daemons across their settings. The new Chaos Space Marines and Greater Daemons kits blend 40k and AoS traits nicely, and I expect Chaos to receive similar unified treatment.

Rules-wise, tournament organizers could provide guidelines for fielding daemons in both systems at their events. Mechanics like summoning could work nearly identically across editions.

And narratively, more events and campaign books linking 40k and AoS would be amazing. Imagine your custom warband traveling between realms and planets, spreading glorious carnage in each!

Final Thoughts on Running Mixed Daemon Armies

While not seamless, fielding Age of Sigmar daemons in Warhammer 40,000 provides a fun way for Chaos devotees like myself to get more value from our collections. The narrative continuity between settings lays firm groundwork for this crossover. Converting and unifying model aesthetics does require some hobby effort but opens up exciting opportunities for original army building and campaigns.

With good communication and clear expectations setting, merging these two ecosystems can prove deeply rewarding. Nothing quite compares to catching your opponent off guard as bloodthirsty Bloodletters come charging forth…only to summon a Lord of Change instead! If you love the Ruinous Powers like I do, I highly recommend giving a blended daemon force a try. Just be prepared for that look of surprised frustration on your friend‘s face when the warp rift deposits fresh Horrors onto the battlefield!

So in summary – yes, while not a perfect union, you can most certainly play 40k with AoS and have a blast doing so. Now if you‘ll excuse me, I need to paint some Slaaneshi chariots in Iron Warriors colors for my next narrative event. Blood for the Blood God! Skulls for the Skull Throne!