New player 35pts list

[Kevin B]

Hi there,

Just getting some thoughts on this list so I have something I can practice with (well first build up to this level in playing terms) and paint up. This is based on a mix of trying to get the most out of the list (my thoughts will be in brackets after choice) and the models I like the look of. All feed back is welcome based on my betters here in terms of experiance.

Vlad +5
(Gives my Jacks boosted speed and bonuses to the boys)

Kovnik - 3
(nice and tough to lead from the front plus could marshal the devastor)

Mechanics - min size - 2
(how to make tough but slow jacks tougher, and all four of them can try)

Devastor - 9
(Just love the model and the idea of arm25 is nice to me)

Kodiak - 8
(dont need to use focus to run it and is good in cover)

Shocktroopers - min size - 6
(like the models and they seem tough to me)

Doom Reavers - 6
(now these can dish out hurt or at least distract)

Widowmakers - 4
(my long ranger shooters and they can help vs Jacks and Beasts)

Manhunter - 2
(added back field harassment or to bodyguard the widowmakers)

Total 40pts

Anyway that is it please feel free to rip it apart. Im worried about numbers on the table (am a warhammer player) and lack of firepower to thin things as im going in.

[Karazax]

Looks like a pretty good list on paper. You may not want a jack marshall though since marshalled jacks won't be affected by your feat.

I have a personal bias against the shocktroopers just because they are so slow and expensive for the low model count. I'd prefer Iron Fang Pikemen with Unit attachment, Kayazy Assasins w/ Underboss, or Winter Guard with Unit attacment, Kovnik Jozef, and Rocketeers, to play a similar role on the table, but getting all the bells and whistles for max units there would run you 10-13 points. You could consider cutting the mechanics and Kovnik if you wanted a higher line infantry count though. The mechanics are solid, but I have trouble making room for them at 35 points.

If you went that route the list would look something like this:

Vladimir, The Dark Prince -5
Devastator 9
Kodiak 8
War dog 1
Doom Reavers (Leader and 5 Grunts) 6
Iron Fang Pikemen (Leader and 9 Grunts) 8
Iron Fang Pikemen Officer & Standard 2
Widowmakers (Leader and 3 Grunts) 4
Manhunter 2

You could swap the Iron Fangs for Kayazy + Underboss or take out the manhunter and run winterguard + Unit Attachment + Kovnik Jozef + 3 rocketeers as another option.

[Avecrien]

Vlad is a great caster, good fun and versatile.
The Kovnik I wouldn't field unless he's marshaling two jacks. The Dev and Kodiak work fine under him, but if you marshal them you get no feat turn boost.
For smaller games Mechanics very rarely make it in for me. The fights likely arent going to drag out to the point where repairs are worth the trade in points and field space from my experience. And definitely not taking two teams of them for 35pts or for only two jacks.
The Devestator is a great jack if used correctly, but for a giant ball of steel you want to be thinking clever with him. Maximize board control with bulldoze, annoy your enemy with him having to setup attacks that can take him down(avoid those if you can) and make the RoD count!
Kodiak is 28 flavors of awesome.

I'm a HUGE supporter of Shocktroopers. I field a full unit of STs more often than anything else. They are self sufficient, efficient points wise, hit very hard at reach for the durability they have(they dont die), and synergize great with our buffs/feats. Use them as a delivery system for your squishies, to block off and funnel fights to where you want them, and for general mayhem once the real fighting starts. They're slow. With STs you walk to the fight. Some casters change this, but it helps set a tempo that catches them off guard when you break during Vlad's feat turn.
You can also have destroyers and the behemoth firing Bombards behind them as they approach. That's how I play the Khadorian imperial march :)

Reavers take some mastery to get their points back in a fight, and you have to be prepared for them not to see action. I really only like them under eVlad, especially with Fenris, but pVlad can windwall to help deliver them to the front.
Widowmakers are excellent all by themselves, awesome with S&P from Vlad, and excellent for goading your opponent into sending something tasty to shut them down. Always abuse your opponent's extending to attack you.
Manhunters are what you use to scare people away from areas, lure people into areas, a-they're like what I just said about Widowmakers. Add that Manhunters are the ideal counter attack to launch when your opponent does reach you.

As for the more general stuff, _always_ expect to be outnumbered when playing Khador. Our enemies know they cant take us 1 to 1. Revel in that fact, dont fret about it. Settling on something you like with Bombard wont hurt as time goes on though.

[Kevin B]

Well after having more of a read round plus feedback here I have found myself with a new updated 35pts list but have 2pts to spend and 3 ideas on their use:

Vlad +5

Devestator - 9
Jug -7
Kodiak -8

Ironfangs (min size) - 5
Iron Fang unit upgrade - 2
Widowmakers - 4
Elryss - 3


And either:

Mechs - 2
Manhunter - 2
Koldun Lord - 2


Does this look better? Basically hide under wind wall while Elryss and the widowmakers thin the lines then attack when in range. The option bits all add depth in their own way to the list, the mechs add repairs to the jack but shouldnt need it with wind wall, the manhaunter can harass the back field or bodyguard the widowmakers and the Koldun lord give me some magic and can give me extra focus.

Thoughts.....

[Karazax]

I haven't played a list like that but it looks fairly competitive. I would probably go with the manhunter. You should also consider picking up pButcher with a wardog as another caster who should work well with that list. If you want a variant option, great bears and a wardog in place of the widowmakers could work well. Or taking out the juggernaut could give you the option of trying:

Vladimir, The Dark Prince -5
Devastator 9
Kodiak 8
War dog 1
Great Bears of Gallowswood 5
Iron Fang Pikemen (Leader and 9 Grunts) 8
Iron Fang Pikemen Officer & Standard 2
Widowmakers (Leader and 3 Grunts) 4
Eiryss, Mage Hunter of Ios 3

But I think your list looks good enough to try out for yourself, and perhaps purchase the full pikemen unit, butcher, wardog and great bears for variety and see what works best for you from there.

[Kevin B]

Thanks for that. I do have a butcher model (borrowing and painting up a mates Khador force and if I like it I will buy it off him if not he has a painted army).

Have most of the stuff upto Epic time frame so currently no bears or dog. So far in the last few weekes painted up:

Sorcha
Vlad

Devastator
Jug
Kodiak
Destroyer

6 Iron fangs and command
widow makers
3 shock troopers
manhunter

Next on my painting table are Eiyriss, Butcher, mechs, greyhunters and koldun lord. Thinking of trying to learn the game using one caster to just learn them and then develop. I have already learnt we have less "tricks and gimmiks" than other groups but have more 'ardness to try and get over the table and have a word with them.

Once I have more table time and money I want to get the bears and dog possably even Drago.

[Kevin B]

Well played some games the weekend vs a few mates of mine and was able to change a unit at a time to see how they worked/effected the balance of the list.

After all these my new list is as follows:

Butcher +6

Kolden Lord - 2
Destroyer - 9
Kodiak - 8
Iron Fangs (min size) and UA - 7
Man O War Shocktroopers (Max size) - 9
Widow Makers - 4
Battle Mechs - 2

total 41pts

This list worked well for me in my playing style and can be a headache for my opponents who bounce of my brick wall or fall to the teeth after. It doesnt have much range other than the widow makers and Destroyer but thats enough to force them onto my lines (the battle mechs are on overtime on the Destroyer early turns).

The only thing I have found is vs armies with high Def I struggle against as I could do a million points of damage but if I cant hit them...

Anyway what do you think?