Topic: Something different....

[Huntsmen]

Now anyone that knows me/remembers me, will recall that that I am one for taking alternate choices and weird combinations and trying to make them work successfully. I'm currently running three different lists all with their own unique attributes. Here however is my favourite at the moment:

Lords
Arch Lector - barded warhorse, hvy armour, Enchanted Shield, Warrior Bane and Luckstone
Wizard Lord - Lvl4 (Shadows), Pegasus, Sword of Striking, VHS and Talisman of Preservation

Heros
Captain - BSB, Pegasus, full plate, Charmed Shield, Shrieking Blade, Talisman of Endurance
Captain - Pegasus, full plate, shield, greatwep, Dragonhelm,  Dawnstone and Potion of Foolhardiness
Wizard - Lvl2 (Fire), Ruby Ring and Dispel Scroll
Engineer

Core
10 Archers - champ
10 Archers
10 Archers
10 Archers
10 Archers
9 IC Knights - full command and Standard of Disc

Special
3 Demigryph Knights
3 Demigryph Knights
5 Outriders
5 Outriders
Great Cannon

Rare
Hellblaster

Now I'm really liking the flexibility of this list. The shooting is very powerful, Outriders being one of my favourite units in this edition. I've got decent combat potential and my magic boosts both other phases. The Lvl4 is so much fun, having killed a BT and Scar Vet in his first 5 games. See with 3 Peg heros flying around enemy characters have a hard time escaping, and once in combat I can Smoke and Mirrors my Lvl4 in or out depending on the situation.

Thoughts and questions more than welcome. 

Also anyone want to verse me in a UB let me know via PM

[MrAbyssal]

I like. Very tricksy indeed.

I may have to try something similar with 3 pegasus mounted characters including a shadow wizard at some point at some point.

[MrAbyssal]

Also I think Derek Contyre needs to see this list. He mentioned possibly doing something similar in a thread in The Elector's Forum...

[grumpusbumpus]

I never considered the combination of Smoke and Mirrors and Van Horstman's Speculum: Very nice.  I think the pegasi leverage that tactic, and I don't own any flying horsies, so the trick never appeared on my radar.  The inclusion of a character with the Dragon Helm is also nice, in case you stumble across an enemy character with flaming attacks ("Surprise, you can't hurt me!").

Question one:  How do you make use of your Outriders?  They aren't shooting on turn one if you go first.  I've never understood the advantage of mobile range troops that can't shoot when they move.  For the same points, you get the same/more firepower and bodies out of a unit of handgunners.

Question two: Do you find that the archers actually kill anything?  A couple paltry, Strength 3 hits from each unit every turn doesn't seem like such a threat.

I've been pondering how to make use of Witch Hunters.  Prima Facie, they seem underwhelming, but you could perhaps combine them with this tricky, character-slaying strategy.  While you can't give them mounts (I guess horses are heretical...), you can slap one on a flying carpet, which I've thought about trying.  Giving them VHS/Dragon Helm also seems like an option.  You could also put them in with your archers.

[grumpusbumpus]

Just saw that the Smoke and Mirrors swap characters have to be the same troop type.  *Sigh*  Maybe scrap the Witch Hunter swap idea, since they're confined to being infantry.

[Swan-of-War]

Outriders have the Vanguard move, which can place them closer to enemy units (and within range) before the game begins.

[grumpusbumpus]

Thanks for pointing that out Swan; I completely missed that.  Now I'm torn whether to field Outriders or Pistoliers.

[Huntsmen]

Yes as Swan said I vnaguard the Outriders forward usually into a forest, I also use them as a pair to create a solid firebase.

The Archers aren't really there for their shooting although with Withering and Miasma they can cause trouble to lightly armoured troops are out shoot other Archers.

As for Witch Hunters my suggestion is to keep them as cheap as possible, brace of pistols is mandatory but apart from that I'd only look at giving them pehaps a 5pt magic wep, Dragonbane Gem or a Potion of Speed or Foolhardiness. The MR they give is their best attribute in my oppinion and makes them great for guarding a small Wizard bunker. They keep enemy characters away and can act as a last minute diverter for just 55pts.

The Smoke and Mirrors lore attribute is often overlooked but I find it increadibly powerful espcially when you have 3 flying characters that you can swap around from just about anywhere on the board.

[Holy Hand Grenade]

I like the look and feel of it.

How has it worked out for you?

I am considering running something similar this weekend with a dual Helblaster hardpoint, lots of diverters, and mobile cavalry. 

[Huntsmen]

Its worked really well so far and I have really enjoyed using it which is the main thing. The games I have lost with it have also been very tight and have come down to a few crucial rolls.

I see that a second Hellblaster would be effective in giving me more board control but I don't like the static nature, preferring instead my Lvl2 Fire Mage to spam out those Fireballs.

[Holy Hand Grenade]

I ran the list I described this weekend.

Once I learned how to set up the 2x Helblaster defensive point correctly it worked extremely well:  http://warhammer-empire.com/theforum/index.php?topic=42976.msg717447#msg717447

If I did it in the future, I think I would drop down to one Helblaster.  It was overkill and would not be fun for most opponents to fight.  I would probably beef up my Knight blocks for more combat potential and make it "feel" less like a gunline/arty type list.