Buying Minions - Barnabas Vs Calaban

[ShatteredFaith]

So im going to get into gatormen, because they are awesome. My problem is that, though I like Barnabas, other than his 5'' aoe template I dont really see how he brings more to my army than Calaban does. Can anyone enlighten me? I know Bloody B is a beast in melee... but the entirety of the gatorman force is that as well, whats the advantage he brings?

[Sevwall]

Immunity to ranged is a huge deal, as is placeable rough terrain. Iron Flesh is probably the best defensive buff out there aside from Defenders Ward, and a knockdown feat has been winning games nearly by itself since the game began (in the form of Kreoss). Calaban has his tricks, but next to Barnabas he looks like a pure finesse caster.

[thag-rush]

Barny offers alot, those swamp pits are literally game winning. Unexpected movement shenanigans from warpath are awesome.
he's a brute in melee, but believe it or not... I think calaban actually brings a bit more melee damage potential with life trader.

Barny's feat is essentially nullified in my meta... it seems like every army is immune to knockdown in some capacity. So instead I just win without feating. ;)

[Halfhoot]

He is eeeeevil against non-pathfinding armies. If your opponent only has one pathfinding unit or none... you are going to get the charge no ifs ands or buts. He is also excellent against ranged... and the feat turn can be pretty huge. Most of the time I try to save it to kill the caster, but it can be very handy if you need to knock down an entire army... remember most warrior models can't shake off knockdown.

And yea Def 16, can't be targetted by ranged, Armor 18 while engaging, 8 wound gater infantry..... is.... lovely. :D

And War Path is great as well. An extra 3" out of your beasts? Also it gives you the ability to move them around a little to get a better angle for a charge. And don't forget you can do it after they activate so you do things like move your turtle forward, fire, then warpath back. Or charge and kill something that came forward, plop down a swamp pit behind him, then warpath back into it. Lots of options there. And with Croak Hunters or the Totem Hunter or Pendrake we have some good options to trigger warpath.

[talquizar]

I have played both with the same lists and all in all. I win. I really don't have a fave but Gators are great. You have a killing brick (wrastler + Spine) your crazy angry turtle for range and when you need him (works well with calaban since parasite can help it take out a jack) it is the list and how you wanna play. They both destroy everything so pick your fave.