Mercs Mercs Mercs... so many to choose from, but which ones to get??

[TheDarkSideOfValor]

Ok, so I?ve been meaning to spice up my Mercs with some new stuff, but I?m not exactly sure what to get. I usually run infantry heavy lists, sometimes I even go ?jack-less, but in MkII there isn?t a point to that anymore. I really enjoy running everything extremely aggressively, like running nearly everything the first turn. I use a lot of AD stuff, so running everything right at my opponent?s front line really freaks a lot of people out. A number of times I?ve assassinated the opposing caster on my second turn using a combination of Eiryss, Hawk, and Alexia or my caster. Anyway, run the Highborn Covenant most often, and I?m planning on getting a Mariner and a couple more Sea Dog Riflemen very soon, but is there something else out there that would let me continue this style of play, but allow me to adapt to other situations, like a heavy armor caster that Hawk can?t crack? or if my assassination models get destroyed I?ll need another way to win? any ideas??


These are all the Merc models I have

Ashlynn D?Elyse
Fiona The Black
Vanguard
Alexia & Risen
Cylena and the Nyss Hunters
Sea Dogs (6)
+Mr. Walls
+Rifleman (1)
Steelhead Halberdiers (6)
Hawk
pEiryss
Alten Ashley
Kell
Midwinter
Lanyssa Ryssyl
Pendrake
Anistasia Di Bray
Gorman
Rhupert
Reinholdt
Ogrun Bokur

I haven?t played MKII that much so this is my MKI 500 point list
and my usual list looks something like this

Ashlynn
Vanguard
Alexia & Risen
Nyss Hunters
Sea Dogs (6) Advanced Deployment
+Walls Advanced Deployment
Hawk Advanced Deployment
Eiryss Advanced Deployment
Anistasia Di Bray Deep Deployment
Rhupert
and a Bokur is usually Hawk?s client

[vosagesausage2]

Crit Devestation is always worth it, take a Mule or 3.

other than that take steelhead cav, they seem like they fit your "run straight at the enemy" agenda, and Stannis brocker would go well with them undoubtably

[TheDarkSideOfValor]

ok thanks for ur advice. i was also looking at maybe getting the Idrian Skirmishers

[CallmeGene]

Idrian Skirmishers can only be used with an Agenda force, but they do rawk.

[TheDarkSideOfValor]

Idrian Skirmishers can only be used with an Agenda force, but they do rawk.

did that change in MKII? last i knew they could be included in any Merc contract that also included any Merc that would work for the Protectorate

[mikethefish]

No sir you are mistaken. They have always been exclusive to the Agenda only, even in Mark 1

[Rosicrucian]

Things I'd recommend with an eye toward playing Highborn and Ashlynn in particular:

Nomad/Mangler- Mk2 demands real anti-jack. Nomads and Manglers can both serve. Nomad is the no-frills option while the the Mangler gives you a little extra anti-infantry utility and helps against those arm 21 shield wielding heavies.

Forge Guard- Another anti-armor option that happens to love Ashlynn to pieces. Quicken is a great buff for them.

Mules- Ashlynn loves Mules, Mules love Ashlynn. The Steam Lobber is an awesome gun and P+S 16 with reach makes him respectable in melee as well.

Devil Dogs- These guys are really nice in mk2 and run Mules brilliantly. They also are nice for backup anti-jack work. I wouldn't rely on them for it though.

Aiyanna&Holt- Great utility support pieces. I've often found Kiss makes a real difference in cracking armor and touch is a great insurance policy so you're not stuck trying to gallows or twister a bunch of incorporeal crap. Handy against safe passage too.

[raincaller]

I recommend getting the good mercs, the bad ones aren't very good, and tend to make you suck.

On a constructive note, make sure to make room for a few of our new mercs, Taryn especially. You seem to have most of the good merc units that work for highborn I would pick up a nomad/mangler at least and at least one if not 2 mules. On feat turn they send stuff flying!

[TheDarkSideOfValor]

No sir you are mistaken. They have always been exclusive to the Agenda only, even in Mark 1

oh, ok... well, my Legends book not only says that the Agenda may include them, but the Idrian page in the Protectorate section says "Idrian Skirmishers are Protectorate models that will work for mercenary contracts that include mercenaries that will work for the Protectorate." i thought that meant that they could be in the Highborn as long as there was another merc included that could work for the Protectorate, just like the Precursor Knights, except the different faction bit.

[Rosicrucian]

oh, ok... well, my Legends book not only says that the Agenda may include them, but the Idrian page in the Protectorate section says "Idrian Skirmishers are Protectorate models that will work for mercenary contracts that include mercenaries that will work for the Protectorate." i thought that meant that they could be in the Highborn as long as there was another merc included that could work for the Protectorate, just like the Precursor Knights, except the different faction bit.

Highborn only includes mercs that will work for Cygnar and aren't trollkin. There is no merc contract that specifically includes all models that will work for protectorate.

[TheDarkSideOfValor]

Highborn only includes mercs that will work for Cygnar and aren't trollkin. There is no merc contract that specifically includes all models that will work for protectorate.

ok i gotchya. i guess i was just misunderstanding the rule, thanks :)

[whitekong]

If you want to make your steelhead unit 10 guys and add 3 cav and brocker that makes for a fun little group of guys. Keep in mind however without flank the steelhead cav are pretty bad, and without both units brocker is probably too expensive.

[bashamer]

2 mules on Sam, always good times. throw in Rockbottom for good measure.

I like running a rockram to kill heavies on Thor (+2 SPD on it tends to resolve most issues)

The merc No. 1 is still McNaile. Rat 7, 4 shots. Amazing. I can't wait untill we get his clone :) He has not had a single game where he didn't pay for himself many times over.

As for Ashlyns battle group; 1 Vanguard (yes I'm a point under)

[brotherscott]

Two Mules for Sister Ashlynn. I usually fill out the army with full heavy Cavalry, full Halbardiers, and Brocker. Solos to taste.

As far as what mercs you get, all of them. Then you are not limited to what contract you can run. OK, maybe that is the collector in me. Nyss Hunters are not bad if you want to throw in a ranged unit that can charge when they need to.

[maxxev]

That new Priest Guy, Versh would be good.