Alice Lirette Embarks on Her "Road to LVO 2026" Journey: A Deep Dive into Competitive Age of Sigmar

LAS VEGAS, NV – May 27, 2026 – The highly anticipated Las Vegas Open (LVO) is fast approaching, scheduled to electrify the competitive Warhammer scene from October 1st to 4th. As part of the exclusive "Road to LVO" series, sponsored by Frontline Gaming, players and enthusiasts are invited to follow the rigorous preparations of Tabletop Battles contributors and shareholders as they hone their skills for one of the world’s most prestigious tabletop gaming tournaments. Leading the charge for the Age of Sigmar community is Alice "RagnarokAngel" Lirette, the esteemed head of the Age of Sigmar writing team, who today announced her full commitment to the LVO 2026 Grand Tournament.

Lirette, a veteran of the LVO circuit since 2023, is no stranger to the intense competition and vibrant atmosphere of the event. Her consistent attendance, including a unique double appearance in 2025, underscores her dedication to the Age of Sigmar competitive scene. This year, she pledges to share her journey, offering monthly updates encompassing her painting progress, strategic insights, and crucial battle reports, providing an invaluable glimpse into the life of a high-level competitive player. Aspiring competitors and fans alike are encouraged to secure their LVO 2026 tickets now to witness the spectacle firsthand.

The Allure of LVO: A Global Gathering for Tabletop Enthusiasts

For Alice Lirette, the Las Vegas Open transcends a mere tournament; it represents the zenith of the competitive gaming calendar. "LVO is my favorite event of the year to attend," Lirette explains, emphasizing its unparalleled scale and grandeur. "It’s where everyone comes together, meaning the event has a size and spectacle that is unmatched by any other event." This global convergence attracts players from every corner of the world, fostering an environment rich with diverse strategies, novel army compositions, and a melting pot of gaming cultures. For those seeking to engage with the widest array of opponents and experience the cutting edge of competitive play, LVO stands as the undisputed premier destination.

Beyond the tabletops, the LVO experience is inextricably linked to its iconic host city. Lirette openly admits her affection for the city’s unique charm. "Plus, I totally own that I am a mark. I love the glitz and glam of Vegas," she confesses, highlighting the social dimension that complements the intense competition. The opportunity to unwind with fellow enthusiasts, grab drinks, and share stories after a grueling day of battles is a significant draw. This camaraderie is often shared with her long-time "partner in crime" and fellow Tabletop Battles author, Kevin "Contemptor" Stillman, who will once again join her on this year’s pilgrimage. Their shared experiences, like enjoying chocolate martinis at Hershey World on the Vegas Strip, as captured in October 2025, are testament to the deep bonds forged within the community. This blend of high-stakes competition and vibrant social interaction solidifies LVO’s reputation as a truly unique event on the gaming calendar.

Strategic Shifts: The Evolving Meta and Alice’s Army Choice

At the heart of any competitive journey lies the crucial decision of army selection and mastery. For LVO 2026, Alice Lirette’s current plan revolves around her beloved Ossiarch Bonereapers. However, her relationship with this particular faction has been a dynamic one, reflecting the continuous evolution of Warhammer Age of Sigmar’s rules and meta.

A History of Ossiarch Bonereapers: From Dull to Dynamic

Lirette candidly admits that her initial impression of the Ossiarch Bonereapers upon the release of their faction pack was less than enthusiastic. "I’ve not really loved the army when the faction pack hit. It was just terribly dull and didn’t leave much opening for flexibility," she recalls. The core issue, as she describes it, lay in the abandonment of the "Relentless Discipline points" mechanic—a system that previously allowed players to accrue and spend tokens on various powerful buffs. This was replaced by an "aura system" that, while thematic, proved cumbersome in competitive play. To effectively utilize these auras, players were faced with a dilemma: either invest a substantial portion of their army’s points in a single, expensive Hero capable of projecting a wide enough aura, or field numerous smaller Heroes, forcing them to cluster their troops tightly. This design choice, according to Lirette, made the army "finnicky and not fun to play," often resulting in only one of the two available auras being consistently effective each turn. The lack of strategic depth and the logistical challenges of positioning made the Ossiarch Bonereapers a less engaging choice for a competitive player seeking intricate decision-making.

The New Battletome: A Return to Form with New Challenges

The landscape for the Ossiarch Bonereapers has dramatically shifted with their new Battletome, bringing both a welcome return to some favored mechanics and a host of fresh strategic challenges. Crucially, "Relentless Discipline points are back," a development that has undoubtedly rekindled Lirette’s interest. However, this return is not without its nuances. The supply of these points is now "shorter," and their cost scales upwards for larger units, requiring more careful resource management. Furthermore, the army’s fundamental playstyle has evolved. It is now "a lot less of an anvil than it used to be and has more movement tricks that give it more of a control vibe." This represents a significant departure from the more straightforward, durable "anvil" playstyle Ossiarchs were once known for.

This strategic pivot demands considerable adaptation. For Lirette, accustomed to a particular way of engaging with her army, this means a steep learning curve. "This is quite different from what I’m used to playing, especially when Ossiarchs tended to be a pretty straightforward army," she notes. The emphasis on control and movement trickery necessitates extensive practice to master the "fine details" and unlock the army’s full potential in a competitive setting. The implications for the LVO are clear: success will hinge not just on raw power, but on a nuanced understanding of positioning, timing, and resource allocation.

The Temptation of the Daughters of Khaine

While her heart remains with the Ossiarch Bonereapers, Lirette acknowledges the ever-present allure of other powerful factions within the meta. "I do have Daughters of Khaine in my periphery as well," she reveals. This consideration is pragmatic, given their current standing in the competitive landscape. "Since their tome dropped in 4th they are busted and so they open a potential avenue." The term "busted" in competitive gaming parlance signifies an army that possesses an exceptionally high power level, often due to synergistic rules, potent unit profiles, or highly effective battle tactics that make them exceedingly difficult to counter.

The Daughters of Khaine, with their aggressive melee prowess and unique movement abilities, represent a strong contender for any serious player. However, switching to a new army, especially one as complex as the Daughters of Khaine, entails "another book to learn"—a significant time investment. For now, Lirette’s deep-seated affection for her original faction holds sway: "my Ossiarchs remain my first love of Sigmar so for now I’d like to stick to that." This decision highlights the balance between optimizing for the meta and the personal enjoyment derived from playing a favored, familiar army.

The Road to Refinement: An RTT Experiment and Strategic Recalibration

The journey to LVO is rarely a straight path; it is often punctuated by trials, setbacks, and crucial learning experiences. Alice Lirette’s recent showing at Adepticon serves as a stark reminder of this reality. "My showing at Adepticon was pretty bad, I went 1-4, but the list was straight up bad," she frankly admits. Adepticon, another major event in the competitive calendar, provides a critical benchmark for players, and a poor performance there necessitates immediate and decisive action.

From Adepticon’s Ashes: Rebuilding the Ossiarch List

The disappointing Adepticon result forced Lirette back to the drawing board, prompting a complete reassessment of her Ossiarch Bonereapers list. A pivotal decision was the painful but necessary removal of Katakros, her long-standing favorite general. "It meant cutting Katakros, my favorite son who I’ve always run, and tried something else." This move underscores the ruthless pragmatism required at the highest levels of play, where sentimental attachments sometimes must yield to strategic necessity. While Katakros is a powerful and iconic model, his synergy might not have aligned with the new Battletome’s emphasis on control and movement, or perhaps his points cost was simply too prohibitive for the desired list composition.

Maintaining her preference for large, impactful models, Lirette pivoted to include Arkhan the Black, a Mortarch of Sacrament, a formidable spellcaster and general. The rest of her list was then structured to include "a bunch of hammers"—units designed to deliver significant damage and punch through enemy lines. This strategic shift aimed to balance Arkhan’s magical support with potent offensive capabilities, moving away from a purely defensive or anvil-focused approach.

The "Age of Springmar" RTT: A Test of New Strategies

To test her revised theories and get a feel for the new Battletome’s intricacies, Lirette participated in a local "Age of Springmar" RTT (Ranked Tournament Test) in April at Alpha Omega Hobbies in Quincy, MA. This event served as a crucial proving ground for her experimental list, allowing her to gather vital data and refine her understanding of the army’s new mechanics.

Her experimental list for the RTT, totaling 1970/2000 points, was structured as follows:

Army List – Ossiarch Bonereapers

• Sub-faction: Hekatos Drillmasters
• General’s Handbook: 2025-26
• Drops: 2 (indicating a relatively low number of units, which can offer strategic advantages in deployment)
• Spell Lore: Lore of Ossian Sorcery
• Manifestation Lore: Horrors of the Necropolis
• Battle Tactic Cards: Restless Energy, Wrathful Cycles

General’s Regiment:

• Arkhan the Black, Mortarch of Sacrament (440 points): Designated as the General, Arkhan brings powerful magical support, healing capabilities, and command abilities, serving as the linchpin of the army. His inclusion highlights the shift towards a more control-oriented playstyle.
• Liege-Mortek (120 points): Equipped with "Immaculate Defender" and "Blade of the Nadir," this hero likely provides crucial buffs or defensive capabilities to nearby units, potentially acting as a bodyguard or objective holder.
• Morghast Archai (520 points): Reinforced, these flying monstrous infantry units are the "hammers" Lirette mentioned. Their speed and devastating attacks make them ideal for flanking maneuvers or striking key enemy units. Reinforcing them maximizes their offensive output.
• Mortek Triaxes (280 points): Reinforced, these are likely battleline units, providing a durable core for objective holding or absorbing charges. The Triaxes variant offers a blend of defensive and offensive capabilities.

Regiment 1:

• Arch-Kavalos Zandtos (220 points): A formidable mounted hero, Zandtos provides additional mobility and combat prowess, capable of leading charges or engaging high-priority targets.
• Kavalos Deathriders (300 points): Reinforced, these fast cavalry units complement Zandtos, offering significant board control, screening, and harassment potential. Their speed aligns with the new Battletome’s emphasis on movement tricks.
• Teratic Cohort (90 points): A smaller, more specialized unit, likely offering a specific utility or objective play, fitting into the army’s control theme.

Faction Terrain:

• Bone-tithe Nexus: The Ossiarch Bonereapers’ unique terrain piece, providing tactical advantages such as generating Relentless Discipline points or offering defensive buffs. Its strategic placement is crucial.

This carefully constructed list, generated using the official Warhammer Age of Sigmar App, reflects Lirette’s ongoing process of experimentation and adaptation. The choice of Hekatos Drillmasters as a sub-faction suggests a focus on improved movement or tactical flexibility, further reinforcing the "control vibe" of the new Ossiarchs. The specific Spell Lore and Manifestation Lore selections indicate a preference for certain magical effects that will synergize with her chosen units and overall strategy.

The Implications: A Season of Growth and Dedication

Alice Lirette’s "Road to LVO" series offers more than just a player’s personal journey; it provides a valuable blueprint for anyone aspiring to competitive success in Warhammer Age of Sigmar. Her candid discussions about army selection, the challenges posed by new rules, and the iterative process of list building and testing underscore the dedication required.

The shift in the Ossiarch Bonereapers’ playstyle from a resilient "anvil" to a more agile, control-oriented force exemplifies the dynamic nature of competitive Warhammer. Players must constantly adapt to rule changes, understand the nuances of new Battletomes, and be willing to experiment, even if it means stepping away from tried-and-true strategies or beloved units. The decision to stick with her Ossiarchs, despite the clear power of the Daughters of Khaine, highlights the personal investment and passion that often drive competitive players.

As Lirette commits to providing monthly updates, her journey will serve as a live case study in competitive preparation. From the triumphs of a well-executed battle plan to the lessons learned from a crushing defeat, her progress in painting, list refinement, and battle reports will offer unparalleled insight into the rigorous demands and immense rewards of pursuing excellence in tabletop gaming. The path to LVO 2026 is long and challenging, but Alice Lirette’s dedication promises an engaging and informative series for the entire Warhammer community.