Collegiate Arcane: the wizard-boosting magic formation (AoS 4th Ed)

It strengthens your wizards — commonly by improving casting (and related magical rolls) — so you get spells off more reliably and lean harder on buffs, debuffs and magical damage as a third pillar alongside infantry and guns. The specific bonus varies across iterations; verify against the current battletome/faction pack.

Players who want a caster-forward Cities list with multiple wizards, and who value flexibility — using magic to buff your own combined-arms plan or to disrupt the enemy. It rewards knowing the Collegiate spell lore well.

• Collegiate wizards (e.g. Alchemite Warforger, Aqshian Pyrocaster, Battlemage) — your casters and the reason to take this formation.
• Freeguild Steelhelms — a durable line to protect the wizards.
• Freeguild Fusiliers / Ironweld Great Cannon — firepower that magical buffs/debuffs can amplify.
• Freeguild Marshal — command support to round out the force.

Pick it when you're bringing two or more wizards and want magic to be a genuine threat rather than a side-show, or into armies where reliable spellcasting (buffs, debuffs, mortal-wound output) swings the game. Skip it if your list has minimal casters.