Can we get a "Xerxis" on our Borka?

[Benopotomus]

The new Xerxis is a monster melee combatant that buffs his army. This guy can toss out both Defenders Ward and Fury to net his army massive buffs and slow down enemy advance and charges. I remember when Borka used to do these things and he is just not performing that way in MK 2. Clearly PP are willing to stack lots of cool abilities on a Fury 5 beatstick and I would like to hold out my empty bowl of porridge and ask "Please sir, can I have some more?"

Anyone else out there feel that Borka needs the Xerxis overhaul?

[lawyerpants]

OH HELLS YES! Borka should be a troop buffing bar-room brawlers not this "kind of troop" "kind of warbeast" caster that is good in melee.

[Cannibalbob]

I dunno... but Xerxis did get quite an overhaul.

I am not sure if we need something that extensive, but if he can gain a number of full-out useful unit buffs (in addition to the spell changes), then I don't see why the Keg Carrier has to be saddled with garbage buffs.

I would like to trade bum-rush for a GOOD beast-synergy spell. Or ditch cooler for it. I think Borka could use a good beast spell - possibly a battle-group spell. Havoc would be awesome (and fitting), but I doubt that ever comes to pass.

[Silopolis]

We need something. In my game tonight, Borka just felt... sad. He sorta ranged about tossing out Animi. I almost forgot about him, except as a battery for Animi so my beasts didn't have to cast them themselves.

Considering that I used to take Borka for the pure FUN of it before, it was eye-opening. I had a blast with my army, but Borka fell flat.

Battlegroup spells, something like Battle Plans, giving Fury to Keggy as a Special Action... something. Borka didn't feel like the Life of the Party so much as the mom hanging out in the kitchen making cookies and pouring juice. ;)

[HellecticMojo]

Borka didn't feel like the Life of the Party so much as the mom hanging out in the kitchen making cookies and pouring juice. ;)

wow, someone's getting a crappy present this year.

I'm kinda dissapointed, but at the same time if you look at all the skorne stuff they needed to fix, you can tell that they had a lot on their plate.

"That's a refreshing level of perversion."

[Cannibalbob]

Borka didn't feel like the Life of the Party so much as the mom hanging out in the kitchen making cookies and pouring juice. ;)


You mean smoking a cigarette, drinking a screwdriver, and doing the daily crossword.

[CerberusPuppy]

I've been asking for an overhaul to Borka (perhaps moreso the keg bearer) since the FT began.

FWIW, I do agree that they had to focus on the Skorne this go around.

Hopefully they will do some work on Borka internally over the next month. Right now he is neither fun nor effective.

[Benopotomus]

As far as I can tell they did this:

What's the best troop buffing power we have?

Give him battle plans.

What's the best troop upkeep we have?

Give him Defender's Ward.

How do we make him better in Melee combat?

Give him Overtake.

So now we just have to use the same system...

Seriously though, it would be nice to start brainstorming ideas that could give him that extra edge.

I'll start off by talking about the Keg Carrier. Clearly the abilities of the Keg Carrier should be changed from * actions to any time during activation. They don't really warrant the negative effects and only slowdown a running Borka.

Top off needs to change. It's a weird timing issue. It only seems to be useful to allow Borka a transfer or recover from having no beasts. The has to be a better way to implement this.

Pour a pint is just weird. Steady is sweet because it stops the enemy from gaining LOS to whatever is behind. The random movement not only slows down the game, but can defeat the purpose of having a Standing army.

It would be nice to come up with a good list of suggestions to get him up to the competitive level he should be.

[CerberusPuppy]

Here's my suggestion:

-Drop Cooler to cost 2
-Give back Liquid Courage, even if in a weakened form like +2 to melee damage rolls, -2 DEF, and Steady
-Give back Party Foul, even if it only affects Borka himself; how about Borka gains +2 SPD, STR, and Terror for one round?

Stumbling Drunk I don't care about; it can stay if there is room on the card, if not oh well. Top Off, well if Borka is still too weak make him 6 Fury, if not just forget it.

Borka needs some kind of unit-wide buff, and I think that some form of Liquid Courage is the best choice because he doesn't have the Fury for another upkeep spell and LC was a fun and effective ability in Mark 1.

I've harped on this alot, but Borka was my favorite warlock in Mark 1 and I feel like he's no longer fun to play in addition to never having been very competitive to begin with.

[Silopolis]

What about these for possible spells/Kegbearer abilities:

Drunken Fury: The affected model/unit gains boosted attack and damage rolls but -2 DEF and is Knocked Down when damaged. (rationale: Fury is +3 STR and -2 DEF. The KD is just funny. :))

Party Foul: The affected unit gains +2 MAT and Vengeance, but suffers -2 DEF and RAT. (rationale: You're hoping for an offensive burst, but then also aiming to get someone killed so they'll go nuts on the guy who killed their buddies)

Just spitballin'.

[caramelthunder]

Here's what I would like to see. Remove Cooler as a spell and remove his Bomb weapon. Give him a spray that has Critical Stationary. Give him Soothing Song. He has low fury but his spell list seems tailored for beasts. I also wouldn't mind seeing something for killing Keggy but not sure what. Maybe +2 SPD, MAT, and melee damage rolls.

[Biggre]

I would like to see the keg have "During Borka's activation while the keg is still attached to Borka, Borka gains an additional fury"
I also miss party foul greatly.

[Soylent]

I'd like to see him go to a DEF13, ARM18.

Cooler changed to Engine of Destruction.

Mosh Pit to Battle Lust(or the original Mosh Pit).

Bum Rush to Watcher or Hallowed Avenger.

Wishful thinking.

[azaminkor]

I would like to see the keg have "During Borka's activation while the keg is still attached to Borka, Borka gains an additional fury"
I also miss party foul greatly.
I still think it should be while this model is in play Borka has +1 FURY.

I have found Borka kind of boring to play. Maybe some kind of ability that lets a warrior model in his command range to use his fury, Life of the Party or something. Not sure what he needs though.

[CerberusPuppy]

I still think it should be while this model is in play Borka has +1 FURY.

I have found Borka kind of boring to play. Maybe some kind of ability that lets a warrior model in his command range to use his fury, Life of the Party or something. Not sure what he needs though.

That's awesome. Sounds fun, effective, and unique. It has a built-in limit because Borka only has 5 Fury. But you could boost attack and damage rolls with your Champs! Just that though, buying more attacks could be excessive.

[Cannibalbob]

I still think it should be while this model is in play Borka has +1 FURY.

I have found Borka kind of boring to play. Maybe some kind of ability that lets a warrior model in his command range to use his fury, Life of the Party or something. Not sure what he needs though.


I would change it to a range limitation and not just in-play. Something like, while withing 6" of Borka he becomes +1 fury.

And reevaluate Borka's spell list. He really could use a utility control-area beast spell. If I could pick anything, I would pick Havoc. It fits his theme with the name, and it would let him run beasts MUCH better. I think it would be more fitting than Soothing song.

[Waaargh]

Anything that would make me spend more time contemplating how to use in in sneaky ways insofar as axe-to-mouth is sneaky), rather than just skipping him in favour of Madrak or Doomshaper. IMO he doesn't bring a lot that Madrak won't. Ok, his feat is good for getting the charge, but I am trying to use cheap warrior units for that.

[Solarhaphaeriom]

Just want to chime in and say that from a Skorne perspective, I hope Borka is made a bit stronger and more importantly, more fun.

[Brettman008]

I submitted feedback essentially stating the same think. I feel Borka has lost his way. In MK 1 he was my zany ale drinking, caster-killing, in your face warlock. In MK 2 he just kind of hangs out and buffs the army.

While the Borka Bomb is gone for good I would like to see Borka gain some kind of movement ability like Jump or maybe something that let his charges change direction.

Kenny really lost his luster. Top Off is nice but hasn't been game changing for me. Pour a Pint has been far too random to be of any real use. Now, if Pour a Pint gave a model sidestep (think Jackie Chan Drunken Master) I'd be all about that ability.

If he ended up looking something like Xerxis in his final incarnation I'd be very happy. Give him a nice balance of buffs and beat down potential.

[Lee T]

I would change it to a range limitation and not just in-play. Something like, while withing 6" of Borka he becomes +1 fury.


You might as well use the CMD range, it's a common use for such a stat and that would make it easier to remember.

[Cannibalbob]

You might as well use the CMD range, it's a common use for such a stat and that would make it easier to remember.


I thought about that, but that would give it a pretty large radius. 6" chains it a bit closer to Borka and is generally a pretty standard distance for things as well.

[Lee T]

I see your point, but 6 is the Keg carrier CMD (but using the CMD of the "secondary" model might be counterintuitive though).

[StarmanTTLB]

Various ideas:

Borka

SPELL: Mean Drunk (FOC2 RNG6 UP): Target friendly Faction model gains boosted damage rolls and -2 DEF. (REPLACES BUM RUSH)

SPELL: Molotov (FOC2 RNG8 OFF): Borka immediately makes one Bomb ranged attack using his FUR stat. The Bomb attack has the MAGIC WEAPON and CONTINUOUS EFFECT FIRE icons. (REPLACES COOLER)

ABILITY: This Round?s On Me: Friendly Faction warrior models fleeing in this model?s CTRL radius may choose to move toward Borka instead. Friendly Faction model/units which are within 3? of Borka at any point during their flee movement immediately rally and may change their facing.

Keg Bearer:

ABILITY: Bartender: This model may use one of the following abilities during each activation while within 3? of Borka:
1) Liquid Courage: Target friendly Faction model/unit gains Steady, Fearless, and -2DEF for one round.
2) Elixir: Target friendly Faction warrior model/unit heals 1 box each.
3) Suds: Place a 3? AOE anywhere in B2B with this model. Any enemy model in the AOE is knocked down. Alternately: Place a 4? AOE, enemy models treat this area as rough terrain. Lasts one Round.

[StarmanTTLB]

No one has any input on these ideas?

I think Molotov and the Keg Carrier's Bartender abilities are, at least, worth a look...

[Trolldrake]

I really like the bartender idea, sort of like a Battle Plans but fitting the fluff. May need to be tweaked a bit but i like the outline. Right now i'd take that or just about anything over Borka in his current form.

[Strange_Eric]

ITT people dont realize that our Xerxis is Grissel.

As far as changes to Borka to make him stand out better however i'm on board :)



SPELL: Mean Drunk (FOC2 RNG6 UP): Target friendly Faction model gains boosted damage rolls and -2 DEF. (REPLACES BUM RUSH)


Just give him carnage.


SPELL: Molotov (FOC2 RNG8 OFF): Borka immediately makes one Bomb ranged attack using his FUR stat. The Bomb attack has the MAGIC WEAPON and CONTINUOUS EFFECT FIRE icons. (REPLACES COOLER)


I would prefer Cooler staying and being Cost 2.


ABILITY: This Round?s On Me: Friendly Faction warrior models fleeing in this model?s CTRL radius may choose to move toward Borka instead. Friendly Faction model/units which are within 3? of Borka at any point during their flee movement immediately rally and may change their facing.

Too wonky.



ABILITY: Bartender: This model may use one of the following abilities during each activation while within 3? of Borka:

Too clunky, just make them special actions.



1) Liquid Courage: Target friendly Faction model/unit gains Steady, Fearless, and -2DEF for one round.

After thinking about this for a while this is solid. Its about what LC should be. Though I'm not sure the -2DEF is enough, maybe unable to give or receive orders as well to represent disorderly conduct being drunk.


2) Elixir: Target friendly Faction warrior model/unit heals 1 box each.

Too strong. Nothing heals that good in the game. Target model heals D3 is ok though. Just make it heal.


3) Suds: Place a 3? AOE anywhere in B2B with this model. Any enemy model in the AOE is knocked down. Alternately: Place a 4? AOE, enemy models treat this area as rough terrain. Lasts one Round.

First part, too good. Honestly with the above two abilities he doesn't need a third ability competing for use.

[Black Morpheus]

Xersis makes sense...

HOWEVER Borka does not. As I looked at him, I dont see him being CLOSE to as fun or as good as he was.

Then I look at The belly dancer, and say are they FORCING us to play this chick, cus she is insanely good.

[Mr.B]

Xersis makes sense...

HOWEVER Borka does not. As I looked at him, I dont see him being CLOSE to as fun or as good as he was.

Then I look at The belly dancer, and say are they FORCING us to play this chick, cus she is insanely good.

I'm in total agreement! I love Borka fluff and all. I played him in MKI not because he was the best but, so much fun. Now he isn't even fun! What the hell PP?!?!

[CerberusPuppy]

I have posted a new thread in the main Mark 2 forum where I put forth an alternate design for Borka that I feel is much better.

[McStompersmashcrusher]

all we can truly do is propose, but we have a couple really great warlocks already i will admit borka was my favorite, the threat was him being able to not be knocked down and you borka bombed ftw, now that particular concept is gone, overall besides that he was pretty much a stable caster that had some fun things with troops, now....looking at this printout and then looking at my unpainted borka, should i even run him?


5 fury, 6 with the kegger, 1 spray that makes everyone immune to a second one for a turn, then mosh pit while yeah its awesome, it requires me to cram my units into his 10 inch control area, 12 if i camp the focus i think, dont know....but seriously, with the amount of troops i would and can take for a 25 point game having to cram them all into a 10 inch circle until i actually get to you... then great things happen, otherwise its just me playing my usual game and nothing really benefitting from this amazing spell.Might as well just brick with something that could benefit from being bricked.

He needs some serious work, its true. but instead of just making up our "dream borkas" we should sorta feedback what these abilities and spells did NOT do for us and what possible troubled it caused in the games we play, as well as what type of force we ran....its a start.

[countbrass]

Xersis makes sense...

HOWEVER Borka does not. As I looked at him, I dont see him being CLOSE to as fun or as good as he was.

Then I look at The belly dancer, and say are they FORCING us to play this chick, cus she is insanely good.

Not that it really matters.... but shes a gypsy