Boomhowler's Boys...

[Faultie]

Now that the Trollbloods MKII Fieldtest rules are out, what do we think of Boomhowler and Co? I suppose the best comparison is Kriel Warriors + UA (for a 12-man, 7/9 unit vs. 10-man, 6/9 unit).

Thoughts?

Of the bat, I note that Boomhowler's boys have +1MAT, STR, and POW (almost the equivalent of Fervor always active), are also SPD6 (the only Trollkin infantry now SPD6?), ARM16, and Boomhowler is a CMD9 officer. Boomhowler can also grant the equivalent of Stone-Forged every single turn (not just once), and has a CMD-check forcing ability (or -2 attack rolls for beasts/'jacks). Boomhowler's boys also have (low-RAT) Blunderbusses, at least giving them a minor ranged threat.

On the other side, the Kriel Warriors have Steady (with the UA), and a Standard Bearer (for CMD checks). They're also "friendly Faction", whereas Boomhowler's & Co. are mercenaries.

Both groups have CMA and Tough.

From my perspective, Boomhowler & Co. are quite viable, and offer a mostly self-contained, self-buffed unit that is a pretty good tarpit (4+ Tough!). They can even blast KD'd targets with their guns, and Boomhowler himself is no slouch. I think they much more viable than in MKI.

Is this a fair comparison? Am I way off target somehow?

Edit: As an aside, what about Dannon & Bull? The Takedown ability negating reaving seems a good deal in MKII. If they could finish off a beast, or always go after lessers/lights, they could really put a damper on an enemy warlock's fury management. Thoughts?

[General Nemo]

I would like to try these guys out in a minimum unit at first, and not as a dedicated core troop. Not benefiting from Troll faction spells and effects, a major theme in our operation, is a huge blow to them.

That being said, they are a great flanking unit with decent hitting power and survivability.

[Verjigorm]

Boomhowler and Company have been great on the WM side of things, tarpitting jacks and being general nuissances. with trolls having gone to an increasing "faction" orientated mould, one has to wonder if it's useful to include Boomy.

I'd say that if you're not going to be using alot of the friendly faction warrior stuff(Fellcaller, SSC, etc), then they become much more viable. For example a Grim list can certainly benefit from them, because they offer additional shooting, coupled with beign a solid tarpit/melee option.

[Bu2]

Actually I tend to look at Boomie&Co. as -1Mat and -1P+S compared to Kriels with Fervor active. But they are locked at those values, while Kriels can only go up.

I finally cut up mine and made Kriel Warriors out of them - you can't tell the difference :)

Serves the traitors right.

[Faultie]

Actually I tend to look at Boomie&Co. as -1Mat and -1P+S compared to Kriels with Fervor active.
If my eyes can correctly interpret these runes, it appears that Boomhowler and Co are P+S12 (+1STR, +1 P+S), so are the same as KW w/ Fervor in terms of power (although they're still -1MAT), and not -1P+S.

They also have +1SPD (a combination of both prayers?), and still stack 4+ Tough on top.

[i_like_tool]

Not benefiting from Troll faction spells and effects, a major theme in our operation, is a huge blow to them.


I think this also matters a lot on the caster and build setup. Some casters don't want models reliant on our intricate buff system, Mr eDoomy sure doesn't care about em, so might benefit greatly. Someone like Grissel will get little to nothing out of them

[moorg]

After seeing the new rules for them, I already went and bought a full unit for my Mercs (got the base unit for half price after the field test came out, then filled them out after the finished version). So they're already on my painting table.

But I don't know if I'll field them too often with my Troll forces. Maybe at 50 points where I'll want a unit on the flank that can operate with little to no support. Focus my buffs down the middle and let them take care of themselves, maybe with some Nyss on the other flank :D... But at 35 and less, not sure if they make the cut.

[Lee T]

I'd say that if you're not going to be using alot of the friendly faction warrior stuff(Fellcaller, SSC, etc), then they become much more viable.

On the other hand they may be useful to a Krielstone & Co army by acting independently outside the "buff zone" without loss in efficiency.

[Bearded Dragon]

I like them a LOT with Gorten (because 4+ tough every turn with no knock down is SWEET).

For Trollbloods, I think I'd run them with either Doomshaper, Grim Angus and possibly Calandra. Madrak and Grissel will steer way clear of them due to not being a faction model.

If they did become a faction model, then they would be in more of my lists than any of the other trollkin warrior models.

[ColdYinTiger]

I find it funny as a primarily "In Faction Buff" faction, we have the most options for minions and a handful of mercs.

[Faultie]

Madrak and Grissel will steer way clear of them due to not being a faction model.

Interestingly about that, Grissel's only abilities that don't work for Boomhowler are her Feat (Boomhowler's Boys, being flankers, might not even be within 12"), and her Fell Calls (which is not only due to "friendly Faction", but also Boomhowler is a Fell Caller, and you can only be effected by 1 Fell Call).
However, Calamity is "friendly models", so Boomhowler & Co. are just as useful.
Borka also gets some use out of them due to Mosh Pit.

Also interesting, although Boomhowler can't directly buff Trollbloods, Rage Howler is kind of like granting Trollbloods in 9" +2DEF vs. 'jacks and beasts. Situational, yes, but it is an effect on the beast, not the Trollbloods, and so the Trollblood unit(s) are still buffable by other Fell Calls.

[Javaman]

Personally, I think Boomhowler & Co. ought to be Troolblood Allies, a la Viktor Pendrake, The Idrians, and Precursor Knights.

[Faultie]

Personally, I think Boomhowler & Co. ought to be Troolblood Allies, a la Viktor Pendrake, The Idrians, and Precursor Knights.

Don't I wish! That or "Partisans" like Eiryss.
What TB army wouldn't take them? Then again...that's probably why it didn't happen.

[kakita]

Anyway it's too late. Boomhowler is locked down, since he's a WM model.

[Oilslick]

Anyway it's too late. Boomhowler is locked down, since he's a WM model.
I'm sure there will be erratum within a month after the cards are on the street. It happens in every game, nothing is really ever locked down.