20 points of pigs

[dboeren]

We have a 20 point tournament coming up which is near-Mangled Metal format. That is, you're allowed to have up to 6 points of units & solos. This has been a popular format locally, allowing people to bring their support units (Choir, etc...) but still keeping it primarily about the jacks/beasts.

Anyway, I had been planning to run Skorne but if I can get my models ready in time I wonder if I should try taking the Farrow instead. Probably less likely to win, but it will let me get a lot of experience with them quickly.

These are the two lists I'm thinking of, curious to know what you guys think:

Carver
3xWarhogs
Alten
20+6, Thornfall

Arkadius
3xWarhogs
6xFarrow Brigands
20+6, Tier 1

The Carver list seems easier to run (and Alten is good against any Hordes opponents), but the Arkadius list has the advantage of a nice speedbump unit of Farrow who can take out enemy troops/solos and gum up charge lanes for me. Plus, I'd like to get a head start on learning how to use his feat well as it can really pull some surprise moves with that kind of threat range.

I could replace the Brigands with a Gunboar, or a Bonegrinders/Razorback pair but I think the Brigands are probably better for the board control and I'm not sure I want any more Fury than I already have anyway.

[Krom]

db, I like the Arkadius list in this format, for his powerful feat mostly, but also for primal shock and his beast healing spell. Carver with no brigands/troops means Quagmire and his elite cadre brigand bonuses do not come into play. That's where a lot of his power and utility are at, and without them, I think the Dr. would be better. Once the melee commences, Mobility will have minimal utility, and Dr. A's feat trumps mobility in a small battle like this, I would think. Dr. A's alpha mega-range strike should be even more powerful in small pt. battles where being the first to remove 1-2 of the enemy's heavies will be too much to overcome for most opponents.

Personally, I'd take the Bonegrinders/Razor over the minimum brigands as the +2 inches to Dr. A's crippling grasp and magic attack probably trump the minor speed bump 6 brigands represent. Maybe even two minimal units of Bonegrinders (forget whether they are 2 or 3 pts. ea. unit?) for the above reasons and they can do double duty as +2" and speed bump at the same time.

Carver's advantage would be late game after many beasts/jacks are dead or crippled. Carver can take care of his own business, when necessary, whereas the good Dr. really can't. Too bad you can't get a minimum unit of Brigands in with Carver while keeping all the heavies because I think he would then be much better in this format. -K

[dboeren]

Yeah, I've really been leaning towards Arkadius too, his ability to stage a strong alpha strike should be gold in this format (btw, we only get one list not two like in Steamroller).

I've got one full unit of Bone Grinders which is 3 points. What about full Bone Grinders plus Alten Ashley? He's murder on Hordes and can pop enemy solos that might give me problems, I'm actually really liking this idea.

[dboeren]

Oops, Alten is out of Tier, doesn't work.

[Krom]

Even though Alten is out of tier, I've never been much of a fan. I guess against Hordes with mostly beasts in the enemy force he might shine. I've always overplayed him and got him killed too early. Let us know how he works when you try him out. -K

[dboeren]

In this format I think he'd be a great performer. Half the armies will be mostly beast, and since six points is on the low side for units I expect many armies would have a solo or two and no fodder to block LOS to them.

Even in normal games I think Alten seems more useful than Saxon or Pendrake, you've got an accurate long ranged shot and he can move away to safety after scoring a kill. That seems like he's almost sure to make his points back in more games.