Gloomspite Gitz · battle formation

Gloomspite Horde: the generalist grot-and-spider swarm (AoS 4th Ed)

The flexible Moonclan/Spiderfang formation built around grinding infantry combats and mortal-damage pile-ins.

Age of Sigmar 4th edition

BySprue Sentry

ReviewedJul 13, 2026

SourceGloomspite Gitz - Wahapedia (AoS 4th)

Sprue Sentry strategy commentary for Age of Sigmar 4th edition, not official rules. Games Workshop updates points and rules regularly; always confirm against the current official rules and latest update before a game.

Gloomspite Horde is the all-rounder formation for lists led by Moonclan grots (and Spiderfang), granting the 'Spreading Loonacy' ability. Details and wording can change between updates, so confirm against your current battletome.

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What the formation does

Grants Spreading Loonacy: at an appropriate point you can pick a small number of your Moonclan/Spiderfang units locked in combat, have each pile in, and inflict mortal damage on an enemy they're fighting. It turns wide, grindy infantry engagements into a steady source of extra damage.

Who it suits

Players who want the classic grot-horde experience — big blocks of Stabbas/Shootas backed by heroes and magic — rather than a mono-troggoth or mono-squig build. It rewards fighting on a broad front and holding objectives with bodies.

Key units

Stabbas / Shootas (Moonclan grots) as the core
Loonbosses and Skragrott for buffs and Bad Moon support
Fanatics/Snufflers as hidden combat surprises
Optional Spiderfang for mobility on the flanks

When to pick it

Choose it when your list is grot-centric and objective-focused, and you expect prolonged infantry combats where repeated mortal-damage pile-ins add up. It's the safe default if you don't want to specialize into troggoths, squigs or gitmob.

Common questions

Is Gloomspite Horde the 'default' formation?

It's the most generalist option and a sensible pick for a mixed grot-led list. If your army leans heavily into one theme (troggoths, squigs or gitmob), a specialized formation will usually reinforce your plan better.

Does it work with troggoths and squigs too?

The Spreading Loonacy ability keys off Moonclan/Spiderfang units specifically, so troggoths and squigs won't benefit from it directly. Confirm the exact unit keywords in your current battletome.

Rules sources

Written by Sprue Sentry, grounded in the cited sources. Original commentary, not Games Workshop rules text.