Gunny ain't Funny: 30 Point Noob List

[Dez]

There is a Hordes tournament coming up on January 8th, and I have some models I painted and I'm ready to rock with. I do have tons of stuff I can swap out, but I'm mildly comfortable (2 games in for this edition) with what I have here. This is what I have and I'm thinking of going with:

Gunny
Impaler
Scouts
Swamp Troll
Fell Caller
Blitzer
Bomber

That's short 2 points as I've gone with a Tier 1 list, and I'm planning (or hoping) to pick up some Whelps. What I'm planning to do is brick up and surround Gunny, he is going to cast Guided Fire every turn as well as Walls/Explosivo if I have the fury. I'm going to concentrate on decimating one unit at a time with the Blitzer and Bomber, Scouts will take a flank and try and tie up the nastier items. Fell Caller will throw in where he can and will be mostly be a bodyguard for Gunny.

How would you play this list, as a noob, that barely knows what they are doing? One that doesn't know what the other armies do, but has some wargaming experience?

[Zombied00d]

I'd swap the Blitzer for another Bomber just from a straight damage output potential. But I'm also on record as being not much of a fan of the Blitzer.

[Zombied00d]

Also, if you go for a non-Tier list, consider the runebearer for some Snipe cycling shennaigans. You may not really need a fell caller for the scouts since they already have Gang and that'll get their MAT pretty well up there.

[Dez]

That's a good point on the Fell Caller. I could just dump him, and put in another Impaler or a Pyre Troll. I kinda wish I had another unit of Scouts now ;)

I do have another Bomber, but I absolutely love the Blitzer and he was face smasher last time I played. Though the thought of trundling around the board throwing barrels of explosives around is nice ;)

[Big_Blue_Trolls]

I suggest leaving the Blitzer in. Just because a) there are things that are immune to blast damage b) you don't really have a beater but with the Blitzer you at least get 3 initial attacks with one auto-boosted c) since you have one, might as well play him.

Also, I would consider adding another unit of scouts or dropping them all together. I've played a lot of games with the scouts and this is what I have learned.
1) They are very self sufficient, not much support, which is good since Gunny doesn't support infantry very well.
2) Having a unit on each flank, your opponent will have to choose which a side or overextend to keep them occupied leaving the middle somewhat exposed.

Forget about the Fellcaller, I love him, he's essential in most list, but in this case you don't need him. Rather, add Janissa, She is not tier, but she covers a lot of weaknesses of Trolls.

Consider a Slag Troll, especially if you are playing against Circle or Cryx. Think boosted ROF 2 AOE 3 (through explosivo) that gets an extra die for damage and continuous corrosion. Plus, if you somehow manage the fury, you can give your Blitzer the Slag animus for more beats.

I'll provide you with a list after I have practiced with him again.

[Gython]

...Consider a Slag Troll, especially if you are playing against Circle or Cryx. Think boosted ROF 2 AOE 3 (through explosivo) that gets an extra die for damage and continuous corrosion. Plus, if you somehow manage the fury, you can give your Blitzer the Slag animus for more beats...
Seconded! Remove the Swamp Troll & Take TWO if you can as the Slag REALLY shines under Gunny's spell vs. Jacks/Cryx/Wolds!

[Dez]

I'm hoping my LGS has a Slag, I can see how he is a really nice. I might even be getting a second unit of Scouts. I know I'm getting Mulg ;) Unfortunately he doesn't work so well in a Gunny list at first glance. But I can see how it might be effective if I'm hanging back with all the units...

[Gython]

...I know I'm getting Mulg ;) Unfortunately he doesn't work so well in a Gunny list at first glance. But I can see how it might be effective if I'm hanging back with all the units...
Mulg works well in a defensive posture with Gunny. If someone shoots or melee hits Gunny, Mulg is there to move in and swat that attacker.

[Dez]

Ok so just for fun, I was wondering if I could make a 30 Point Tier 4 list. Seeing as I'll be getting another Thumper in the next couple days, I managed to make it work with models I have:

Gunny
Impaler
Blitzer
Blitzer
Bomber
Thumper
Thumper

I figure I would be using the Thumpers in Trenches, AD should let me set them up in a nice crossfire pattern. Gunny hides behind the Dire Trolls, and follows them up to mid board to shoot it out. Thumpers work in tandem with Blitzers, the Thumpers knock'm down and the Blitzers can auto hit and still shoot at other targets and hit due to Guided Fire. I can then dump all the Blitzer fury into damage.

Again, I'm a Noob to the core. Is this idea crazy? Viable? Ideas? Thanks!

[Gython]

Again, I'm a Noob to the core. Is this idea crazy? Viable? Ideas? Thanks!
Very viable but you need a 2 units to make Tier 4 not to mention soak up incoming infantry. Take 1 full unit of burrowers, 1 small unit of bushwackers and one fellcaller. THEN you'll hit Tier 4

[perilsensitive]

This is what I have been running with Gunny (T3 most of the time):

Bomber
Blitzer
Slag or Pyre

Burrowers 10x
Thumper
Thumper

The Thumpers knock down heavies and the burrowers finish them. The Dires are on infantry killing duty, and the Pyre/Slag buffs the Dires if melee is necessary (I take the Pyre if I really think I am going to face alot of Legion or shooty Protectorate). At 35 I would also have an Impaler (or Whelps/Fell Caller). Also, I don't cast Guided Fire as much as I thought I would (unless there are a ton of juicy targets). I almost always want to drop a rock wall somewhere, and often cycle snipe.

[Dez]

Very viable but you need a 2 units to make Tier 4 not to mention soak up incoming infantry. Take 1 full unit of burrowers, 1 small unit of bushwackers and one fellcaller. THEN you'll hit Tier 4

Thumpers count as units :)

I really need Bushwackers and at least 1 Slag Troll.

[RiTides]

Ok so just for fun, I was wondering if I could make a 30 Point Tier 4 list. Seeing as I'll be getting another Thumper in the next couple days, I managed to make it work with models I have:

Gunny
Impaler
Blitzer
Blitzer
Bomber
Thumper
Thumper
Is that right (that the thumpers count as units)?

If so, that to me looks like a really cool Tier 4 list! Not sure about viability, but it would look awesome :)

[perilsensitive]

Yeah Thumpers are units (which is even funnier since they are just leader+grunts, and the leader has the Thumper weapon)

[Dez]

Yup, the cards and book say 'Trollkin Weapon Crew Unit' ;) I'm actually getting out tonite to the gaming club, I'll report back!

[Dez]

I played a game tonite, but instead of the Fell Caller I used the Thumper. It seems every time I fired the Thumper I was about 1/8 of an inch short of my target, and the time it actually hit something...it was my own Impaler. Which quickly evaporated, because I roll that good when I hit my own models.

I played against:
pMadrak
Mauler
Blitzer
Impaler
Champ Hero
Min Champs

I did pretty well, I even managed to get Madrak down to half health my first turn in the game ;) He of course ran like a lil girl and hid behind a tree the rest of the game. My army played really nicely, but some hot rolls on my opponents behalf had him with a leg up.

I also feel I used my Scouts incorrectly, which just resulted in my opponent's Mauler snacking on all of them and gaining back all the boxes I had taken off ;)