How do you make your lists?

[UnderWood]

Everyone has different ways of coming up with there lists and choosing whats in it and what list they play.

I started thinking about this when I sat down and wrote out a dozen lists or so while bored at work. Normally I don't write out lists or write them in advance let alone sit there and make a dozen lists for various different casters.

Thats my friends bag he sits there and writes out piles and piles of lists just for fun he just trys to make fantastic lists for every caster. Thinking about the unit and warjack combos and working on different things with different casters.

He will often have 6 lists and roll a dice to see what list he plays on any given occasion.


I on the other hand normally work on a far lazier and haphazard way of making my lists. I generally play the warlock I have not used in the longest time and build my list just before I start the game.

So I have my warlock then I pick enough warbeasts to fill 1.5 times the warlocks fury (its generally around this number) then I chose what infantry works well with them and fill out the rest with solo's and support.

The other way I build a list is if I just bought something new I start my list with that and build my list around my new toy. When I got morraig I built a wolf list arounf him then just slotted a caster into teh remaining points.


So how do you build your lists?

[Skarburn]

What I like.

I like Irusk
I like Destroyers
I adore Spriggans
I like Ironfangs
Therefore, I like Greatbears too
I can't go past greylords
I admire Winterguard
Especially with Kovnik Joe

Game. Set. Match.

[Asheth]

i go with caster first then go with either what i think works well or theme. so my feora lists all have flameguard infantry and the only non firey jack in 2 armies is 1 devout with feora1

[CT GAMER]

I have a bag of animal bones that I scatter out onto the table and then based upon how they fall I know if there are bad omens for playing a certain caster that day...

[69Lazarus]

If I'm playing in an event I'll be toying around and tweaking lists for days.

If I'm playing casual, I'll usually do themes or something requested by the opponent.


Sometimes, I'll get an itch to test specific models / combinations and I'll build the list around them in order to test it.

[Raven Abaddon]

I field what I like and I like most of the Merc characters.

[JoeJones]

It depends....

If I'm making a list for a tournament, I'll try to find a set of models which supplement whichever caster I'm using (generally, pButcher, eButcher, or pVlad).

If I'm playing a fun/pickup game, I'll roll a die to choose my caster & shuffle my stat cards together & deal out an army. I've found some stupendously powerful combos that way (pVlad with 4 melee jacks in 750), and I've found some really bad ones (Karchev with mostly infantry).

[cunningweasel]

I usually choose the Warlock I haven't used in a while, unless it's a campaign in which case I have to keep the same.
I dig my beasts so usually take three, sometimes changing to two or four depending on a specific list or if I want to try something.
I also try out new models and stuff when I get them to see how they go. Occasionally I will use the same list in multiple games to get used to it, or to perfect it.

[Serric]

Usually for friendly games I'll make the list up on the spot.

But in my off time I'll just keep looking over different models to see if I can think of any new combinations and such, make a list with it, try it out in a friendly game or two, and if I like it, then I'll tweak it and make it one of my serious lists.

[dcf]

Unfortunately, I am unable to make a competitive/hardcore list most of the time due to factors like taking only the models that are aesthetically appealing to me, fit some kind of theme etc. For some reason I really like to maintain symmetry in my list, like taking 2 light arc nodes, 2 wracks instead of 3, etc.
Each time I take Idrians with my Severius a little part of me is dying inside.

[megatron0]

Mulg> rest of list

[Brandubh]

I have a bag of animal bones that I scatter out onto the table and then based upon how they fall I know if there are bad omens for playing a certain caster that day...

Hmmm, I might have to steal this idea.


I usually come up with a theme and try to build my list around that. I've only recently gotten my models mostly painted so my variety has increased dramatically now.

So, I'll take something like a Kromac / Wolves of Orboros themed list and put together a force I imagine Kromac leading according to the stories.

[The Happy Anarchist]

Sometimes I want to play a specific caster and make the best list I can for them.
Sometimes I want to play a certain unit or combo and I build the best list around that.
Sometimes I want to try a caster with something different.
Other times a theme list.

I do generally make my lists in advance though.

[Lee T]

Since we only play campaign games the scenario is the foundation of all my lists. I try to bring all the tools needed to achieve the scenario then I think about what my opponent will bring for the same purpose and complete my list with elements to counter what I imagine he'd do.

[Jeh313]

I usually only prep a list for a tourney. Pick up or gaming club games I usually make up on the spot. Amon has always been my standby if II just want to play NOW, but I'll often try to build around a new model. On occasion I'll Roll random for a caster and build from there, tried to random roll more of a list once, jacks, solos etc. That didn't go well...though it was fun to try to pull it off.

[HellecticMojo]

I have a bag of animal bones that I scatter out onto the table and then based upon how they fall I know if there are bad omens for playing a certain caster that day...
me too! I too do some voodoo hoodoo on my list building.

I roll for my initial caster, jack, 2trooper selection and a merc

and the rest is trying to cover my bases in support.

[Hjelmen0]

For casual games I usually think "This might be fun" or "This is probably not going to work at all, lets see what happens". I used to try to optimise my lists for every game, but I've stopped doing that, since it makes me all competitive, and I don't really want that for friendly/casual games.

For the few tournaments I might play during a year, I'll train and optimise the heck out of my chosen faction up until the event. But I rarely go to tournies :)

[PPS_Mod:Polar_Bear]

I generally just flip through my cards right before gametime and make my list then.

First I'll look through Warcasters and whichever I feel like playing most, I'll take that one.

Then I'll look through Warjacks and, depending on caster and points level, I'll pick one or two.

Next will be a couple support things like Squires or Choirs or Mortars or something like that.

Next, I'll generally think to myself, "Hmm... I need bodies on the table." So I'll get out the IFP or TFG or Sword Knights or somesuch to just have models out there.

Then, with the points left over, I'll go after favorite solos. Sometimes, if it's a higher point game, I'll grab another warjack as well.

Somewhere in there, I'm generally trying to find a balance between ranged and melee. Like if my warjacks I picked were things like Destroyers or Defenders, then I'll go for more melee units. If they're Juggernauts and Ironclads, then the "bodies" may be Long Gunners or somesuch.

PB

[PPS_Mod:Josh]

Tends to go any of several ways.

First way is theme. For example, I might decide I want to do a Cryxian pirate list. Skarre's in, definitely. Cryx has the Revenants, Satyxis, Black Ogrun, but we also know there's a lot of living people, so we can go Mercs as well. Should have at least some amphibious 'jacks in there. Add some Sea Dogs, Press Gangers, Deck Guns, can add Hawk and convert her into a Satyxis, and so on. Eventually I get a list of ideas, then sit down and figure out how much I can put together into a list. Then I go from there.

Second way is minis. I might decide I like a mini. Example here is Karchev. Powerful looking, big and brutish, very nice. So then I work from there. I'd like more of this 'big brutal machine-man' idea. So we'll get some Demo Corps and Shocktrooper MoWs, the Drakhun, load up on 'jacks, get some repair crews in there to keep everyone moving... Usually this is more a matter of finding a mini, creating a theme, and then fitting unrelated bits in around the edges to fill points.

Third way is paint. Hey, that new Nemo model is awesome with the blue white gold look. Let's see here. Laddermore will paint up nicely in that style. Thunderhead, sure. Stormblades, Stormguard. Thorn's good. Squire, sure. Centurion had a great take on this in Escalation. And so on. Least likely to be viable, but it'll be fun to paint and the end result should at least look good on a shelf.

I rarely if ever make a list solely based on if it'll win. I don't care about winning. I play to have fun, socialize, and relax. I can be competitive, but sooner or later I'm just going to say, "This would be the smart, conservative approach that gives me the best odds of winning. But this would be really cool if it works, even for a little while. Yeah, what the hell. Let's get dangerous."

[joedj]

For regular pick-up games:
The day before my gaming night: Roll a d20 and d10, that tells me the Warcaster/Warlock I'll play, numbered 2-27, 28=Hordes choice 29=WM choice, 30=reroll (obsessed ;). Consider which fun combos of models I have/want to try out. Consider how it will deal with Ranged/Stealth/hi-DEF/hi-ARM. Themes are good, painting is secondary to trying new models out. I always build before, hoping I can deal with all comers.

For tourney: In MK I, I usually played Trolls. Thus min/maxing for greatest competitiveness was an interesting exercise, due to the WM assassination tech which was so established and difficult to defend against. In tourneys I always play all painted, even if I'd like to include an unpainted different model/unit.

[WisebloodJ]

Well, being new to the game my list building technique is currently limited to "hey, I wonder how these models work together on the table?" And then I give it a go.

[dboeren]

I don't have much of a system. I usually start with a caster I feel like playing, pick a couple things that go well with his spells or feat, and then fill in the rest with models I like, models I haven't played for a while, models representing a combo I want to try out, etc... Whatever I feel like in other words. I do usually plan to field newly painted models at the first opportunity though.

[Gorbad]

I was going to write almost word for word what dboeren just wrote.

I'll pick the caster I want to play, some stuff that goes well with that caster and then fill out with whatever cool stuff I want to use this time.
I'll try and keep in mind a sort of goal for the list to make sure that nothing is really counter-purpose to how the lists works. If it's a melee blitz list that will have engaged everything by turn two buying lots of support shooting is a bad idea etc.

[Nighkhaun]

nearly always fluff. I admittedly make "broken" lists on purpose to aggravate my friend, and he in turn does pretty much the same. We do a lot of play testing and usually follow up a match with about an hour conversation on what worked for us and what didn't and ask what each other thought of what we were doing.
In general my group plays for fun and we all love the fluff, so we see some cool theme armies hit the table.
If only we could a good campaign rolling!

[Killionaire]

I do this for Cygnar.

1. Pick a caster I want to play.
2. Choose core infantry that supports that caster.
3. Add an autoinclude (B13)
4. Add two Ironclads.
4a. If Haley, eHaley or Nemo, add a Lancer.
5. Add whatever more infantry I need, and solos
6. If points are left, upgrade those Ironclads.

[moorg]

1. Pick some models I want to use, or what I want the list to be able to do.

2. Build the list around part 1.

[Ishtar]

I think my main concern is usually synergy of my 'beasts and sometimes units... I'll start with a beast I've been meaning to play, then give him some friends that complement his abilities. Then choose a 'caster that highlights the strengths or covers the weaknesses of my chosen gang, and finish up with support troops as needed.

Or I've been trying themed lists like shredderspam or godzilla monsters and experimenting with which 'casters can make those work...

[blue loki]

Short answer:
There's an app for that.

Long answer:
Sometimes I roll for my caster and then just build a list I think will be fun or effective on the spot (sometimes not even knowing who I will be playing). Often I have an urge to play a particular caster or unit and will loosely structure a list around it. Sometimes its all theme (Tharn tribe or Cryx pirates) sometimes its completely random models. I try to give every model at least a little play time, so if I haven't used something in a while, I'll toss it in just for kicks. Sometimes I make list when bored at work. Its different every week.

So yeah, no real pattern. I play what I want.

[Demeritus]

I generally rotate casters from week to week (yet I haven't played pKreoss since the FT, I need to play him soon)

Once I decide upon a caster I go after jacks which changes depending on the caster and what I need.

After that, infantry, my Protectorate infantry are there to clog charge lanes and are generally the sideshow to the warcaster, jacks and support (choir vassal etc.). With Retribution my infantry take on a bigger role due to their capabilities.

After all that, solos and unless I play bigger games I tend to stick to the same ones on a game by game basis.

[Devilsquid]

Most of my Merc lists start at 24pts (2x halberdiers, Cav, Brocker, Piper). From there, i decide what else I want to bring. Casters, jacks, solos. Sometimes I'll bring more halberdiers and no cav, other times i'll bring another unit for variety...

[Alienated One]

For WM:
I pick pMagnus. I pick A Renegade and a Mangler. Then I pick some units and solos and wala, I'm done.

As for Hordes:
I pick whatever caster I havent played in a while. I pick some warbeasts for him. I remove a few of the warbeasts since I know I cant field that many in the current ruleset. I put a at least one or two that I removed back in. Then I put some units, the Chronicler, and the fell caller in, and Done.

[Faultie]

For Searforge, it's as follows:

Roll a d6. On a 4+, take Gorten. On 3-, take Durgen.
Pick models to go with each (it only takes a minute or two with the new MKII points).
Play game.

[Haight]

When i make lists, the first thing i ask myself is "How do i want to play this game?"

That gets me my caster, which will lead me toward jack and primary unit selection. At that point, i then fill in secondary unit selection, and then support / kill solos.

I definitely construct lists in advance, because my game plans are typically fairly complicated, and i like a lot of intricate parts all working in tandem to create something bigger in an offensive push.

A lot of the time my caster will dictate my jack selections, and the strengths of my jacks will dictate which units i gravitate towards, as i very often come to have "favorite" jacks with casters. My support options are usually a function of my jack and unit selections, whereas my assassination stuff is pretty much omnipresent. :)


-- haight

[brotherscott]

When building a Protectorate list I usually start with TFG + UA, Zealots + UA, Choir, Reclaimer, Vassal, then add the 'caster and 'jacks to flavor.
For my other factions I usually run with a theme, Privateers, Trenchers, Steelheads, Khador's "Dog & Pony Show"...
I use Tabletop Commander (MK I) and Forward Kommander (MK II) to build a few lists at various levels, but most of the time I build on the fly at the FLGS.

[saxondog]

Tournament or casual, I start with a caster and jacks. After that I just create a theme/take on all comers force that seems like it would be fun to play.

SFK

[Mitch]

I use http://www.forwardkommander.com
First add the models that I absolutely want / like, then just fill in the rest of the points with models that will complement the list

[Murch]

If I'm playing for fun I like to use different models and synergies that haven't been used, or for awhile anyway. In tournament play I'm one of the geeks who likes to theroize different scenarios, opponents and synergies, from an armchair. But you have to love the new point system, if anything a calculator isn't needed and wear and tear from my index finger is a bonus:D!

I'll start with a faction I'm opposing first. Then set up lists with different casters or locks against that faction. Different faction, rinse and repeat.
Then within those lists I'll have differences for control, hard to hit, high arm, etc... This is also calculated in with the scenarios of the week. Wait a minute....I already stated I was one of those geeks, stop yourself already!

Now, on the other hand my son shows up with whatever faction he wants to play at the time, comes up with a list on the spot.....and usually wipes my @$$ anyway! Go figure, I still enjoy plotting and I do quite well wining plenty of medals and faction patches:rolleyes:

[CT GAMER]

I use http://www.forwardkommander.com
First add the models that I absolutely want / like, then just fill in the rest of the points with models that will complement the list

Nice subtle plug...:D

[Saerko]

When i make lists, the first thing i ask myself is "How do i want to play this game?"

That gets me my caster, which will lead me toward jack and primary unit selection. At that point, i then fill in secondary unit selection, and then support / kill solos.


This is usually how I approach it, too. For pretty much every caster/warlock I have, I know what models synergize well, and I plan my lists accordingly.

Everything is always supporting another element of the army. There are no "lone wolves" on the table at any time. Everything that makes it into the list is helping the list do what it does best. Anything that seems extraneous or doesn't fill a gap in my central strategy or thesis gets pruned for one that does, and that usually gives me about 1-3 lists per caster/lock that I just rotate between, only really changing when new models come out.

[Demeritus]

I want to see some PPS staffers respond to this, I think it would be interesting to see how they go about fielding an army especially considering they are constantly testing out new models/units.