Where to go from here...

[zaque]

Greetings all! I have recently played a demo game of warmachine and got hooked. I traded off about 1k points of space marines (approx. 10% of my marines) for this starter Cygnar army. So I thought I would post it up here to see what direction I should go with the army, what should my next few purchases be and so on. I thank you all for your input in advance. :D

1x Stryker
1x Haley
1x Caine
1x Jr
1x Hunter
1x Charger
1x Lancer
1x Gun Mage Captain Adept
10x Long Gunner
1x Long Gunner UA
8x Trenchers

and I think that about does it. As far as direction, I am more interested in a solid list than a fluffy one (for now anyway). I would also like to include at least one heavy jack if possible. If there are better options than a heavy I am always more than willing to listen to your advise. Thanks!

[Shinobiwolf1980]

Get the Black 13th, they're just so good for 4 points.
I'm also liking my Arcane Tempest Gun Mages with the UA, they're pretty good.

However what I see you lacking is some heavy hitting power. Get yourself an Ironclad, a Hammersmith or Ol'Rowdy. You'll need something to punch some holes into heavy armour, which both the Hunter and the Long Gunners can do, but they won't last when the fighting gets close.

Ironclads are cheap for 7 points and they work a real treat and Rowdy is a beefed up Ironclad.

But as a start, its not a bad list. A heavy or two will round it out for a solid fight.

[zaque]

Sweetness, I think I will go with the ironclad as far as heavy jacks go. I get the distinct feeling that I need a melee unit or two thrown in there. Are they for the most part created equal? or is there one that would be better for what I currently own? Oh, yes. Thanks again for the input.

[TsavongLah]

The Stormclad is our best melee 'jack, IMO, but it runs best when there's a unit of Stormblades to go with it and give it a free focus. Hammersmiths are also pretty awesome in mkII, but only with casters than can give them a significant speed boost (eHaley, Nemos, &c.).

Also, Haley and Caine usually like their Defenders. He's amazing at range, and his Shock Hammer is nice in a pinch with the ability to damage cortexes.

[admanb]

If you're looking for a melee unit and a beatstick melee 'jack, you can't go wrong with Stormblades + UA and a Stormclad. The fact that they make their own focus makes them useful in so many lists.

[Shinobiwolf1980]

If you're looking for a melee unit and a beatstick melee 'jack, you can't go wrong with Stormblades + UA and a Stormclad. The fact that they make their own focus makes them useful in so many lists.
I agree, but to mesh with what he's got and to get up and ready as fast as possible, I feel the Ironclad or Rowdy is the best way to go.

Long term that's a good idea and I'll be heading down that path myself, but it's a Jack + a whole unit + the UA. If he has the money to throw at it, by all means he should go for it.

[CeltKhan]

You want an Ironclad, and I've been very pleased with my pair for the past few years. It's still a beatstick and a half for a dirt-cheap price.

Considering your gunline, and the fact that they are self-sufficient, heavily armored, and hit like a ton of bricks, I'd go for the Precursor Knights +UA. Your shooters can shoot over them, they'll hit as POW 12 weaponmasters (the extra die is only once per game, though; other times, you'll get a flat POW 12), they Shield Wall, and they can't be targeted by spells. Downside: no Arcshield. Upside: no Scourge, Venom, Breath of Corruption or all those other fun knockdown/insta-ded effects.

[Dino-Czar]

Precursors would also give you some magic weapons. They don't seem like a big deal until you are totally hosed for not bringing them. If there is any doubt about your opponent you need to have more than just your caster able to deal with incorporeal and the like.

[elwoodblues6389]

Ol' Rowdy. he is the best. he has mat 8, one less pow than the stormclad, and a bunch of amazing abilities.

and the black 13th even if its just because they are super rad

[zaque]

You have all given me excellent advice, thank you. I think I have decided to go with stormblades/stormclad (when money permits), as well as one unit of precursors (for dealing with incorp). One last question would be about the ups and downs of the UA's for my trenchers. Just kind of wondering what is good in which situation. Thanks all!

[kylegnagy]

Considering the new plastic models will be out soon, I would recommend buying the stormclad and storm blades combo or Ol' Rowdy. The plastic defender/ironclad/cyclone will be out and with a little creativity you can use any of the three at any given time. Rowdy works well with any caster, gets free charges, and can also get boosted attacks if you use eStryker.

You have a pretty good group of warcasters to start, but I would toy around with other warcasters until you find a few you really like using and pick those up as well.

[shakespear]

Not to threadjack but I had this same question. I aquired:

Starter
Haley
Caine
6 trenchers
+ Lt, grenade, and SS
6 gunmages + captain
6 long gunners

what should I add?

[Techcasualty]

Personally I am a fan of ironclad, stormblades, and a trio of stormsmiths. Maybe it's just the meta around here, but I never seem to lose more than 1 stormsmith and disruption is fun to toss around. I also love "Wait, what do you mean it's not a ranged attack?!"

The stormclad is nice, but a bit pricy imo. I can just do so much more with ironclad+ 3 SS. Not saying it's bad. Far from it, just there are better point investments. Probably works awesome with ether stryker with his lower focus value.

Stormblades with the ua are in the sweet spot of unit cost and can dump SO much damage onto an enemy.


shaker you need an arc node for haley. Maybe some blades

[Gorbad]

The Stormclad is our best melee 'jack, IMO, but it runs best when there's a unit of Stormblades to go with it

Sort of. I agree that the Stormclad is the best melee jack we currently have, and yes, the Stormblades do help, but they actually don't do anything for the Stormclad. They make it a bit cheaper to run with a potential free focus but you lose nothing by just running the Stormclad on it's own.

Exactly what heavy jack you go with depends a lot on what else is in your army and what you like. Any of them can work really.


A melee unit is also worthwhile, personally I think the Precursors works quite well with the shooting stuff and just generally are all-round useful. The Stormblades provides more hitting power in a smaller package, the Stormguard is slightly more defensive and Sword Knights are the cheap option.

[Arkady]

Well, you're probably paying about a point for that ability.

[Gorbad]

I don't know. I'm quite happy paying the points for it without Stormblades, and since it doesn't actually increase it's abilities at all, nor is it by any means automatic I don't actually think it adds a point to it's value. I'm sure it factors into it somehow, but you probably wouldn't get the Stormclad for 9 points by removing it.

[Shinobiwolf1980]

Not to threadjack but I had this same question. I aquired:

Starter
Haley
Caine
6 trenchers
+ Lt, grenade, and SS
6 gunmages + captain
6 long gunners

what should I add?

If you're saying you've got the starter, then you're well on your way.
You've got an Ironclad, which I'd support with a Defender if you like range, or a Hammersmith, if you like close combat.

Once again, I recommend the Black 13th, they're so cheap and so effective. You should try the different Jacks out as well, my Charger hates me, but everyone else reports the Charger is highly effective.
However I get great mileage out of my Hunter, which has been fielded in almost every game I've played and has always earnt its points value.

You might want to fill out those long gunners and get the UA for it, though ask the others how they feel the UA runs for long gunners.

Rowdy is always popular and the Stormclad, Stormblade theme is very popular too. It all depends on how you want to play. But those are my recommendations.