Agonizing over Resurgence

[mikethefish]

Wow, ok, having some serious trouble here. The situation is this:

Playing in a Resurgence Event on the 31st of this month. If you haven't read the .pdf file, here's the pertinent information. It's an "escalation" format (my venue is using the 25, 35, and then 50 pt rounds). Every list after the first round has to include all the stuff that made it into the previous list, so you sort of have to "build up" your army over a series of rounds.

Actually that's all pretty standard stuff for Escalation tournaments. Been there, done that. But here's the real kicker - for the first two rounds, you are not allowed to use any Character models (note "models" not "solos") that didn't appear in Prime (since this is a celebration of the Prime book basically).

Note that this provides some SERIOUS complications for the mercenary player. We have no solos that aren't characters, and many of our best units are character models. So no Nyss Hunters until round 3. No Devil Dogs until round 3. Right away that blasts away two of my "go-to" units. Thank god that Boomhowler appeared in Prime so at least he's still good to go.

Now to the problem. I have NO IDEA what caster/contract/tier to bring to this shindig. I play a lot of mercs and have a wide selection of stuff. I can go multiple different ways with this. Here's what I am thinking...

Magnus the Traitor? Has possibilities. Non-character Warjacks aren't restricted at all, so that's decent. I have plenty of jacks and steelheads, so his Most Wanted tier is open. I could even comfortably do Tier 4 in later rounds. Hmmm....

Ashlyn? Not happy with her. No Nyss, for multiple rounds is a HUGE downer. I also don't have the money to purchase Gun Mages in time for the tournament, so not hugely interested unless I can come up with some sort of army list that I like.

Searforge? I am ALMOST happy with this, except that no Thor until round 3 is a massive downer for me. I really rely on the little guy and don't relish the prospect of playing without him for so long.

Talion Charter? This has a certain appeal. In the Resurgence format, there's a loophole that apparently Talion Charter can use up to 3 character models in the opening 2 rounds. I could use this to help overcome the severe restrictions that mercs have. The problem is that most of the lists I've come up with don't seem to handle heavy armor very well and I can't fit Aiyana & Holt in there until round 2 or 3 at the earliest, so Menoth becomes even more serious an opponent than it otherwise would be. I don't own Shae yet, but both Bart and Fiona are possibilities.

[Ger]

Looking at the .pdf now. Certainly a bit of a nasty format. The Talion Charter exception is nice.

A short list of non-character merc models
-Steelheads. (Other then Stannis)
-Long Gunners
-ATGM
-Trenchers
-Sea Dogs (Crew, Gangers, Rifleman, Deck Gun. Not Walls.)
-Bokur
-High Shields
-Forge Guard
-Precursors
-Idrians
-Kayazy

Exceptions from Prime MKII
-Boomhowler
-Herne and Jonne
-regular Eyriss
-Reinholdt

Looking the options over I feel you can make a viable list with any merc caster. You just may need to make some sacrifices from your usual playstyle/options.

Magnus makes off well only really loosing access to solo's and croe in his Most Wanted theme list.

Ashlynn gets her shiny new ATGM's and access to generic good merc models. Longgunners really help here, as would Forgeguard.

Durgen's sitting about where he'd be in a Searforge list it looks like. Access to H+J helps him if you want to run him.

Bart can go all jack castery on them. Aside from that he likes self supporting infantry which he can still do in this format in any contract.

Gorten can go generic searforge without Thor with little issue. Or go Highborn and grab some LG or ATGM.

Shae having access to 3 solo's really help. The decision of which 3 is a painful one given the format of course. However, it seems possible.

Fiona I left for last for a reason. She's whom I'm considering running. I've actually been pondering LG with her instead of Nyss in general anyway. This would be a good time to try a Nonokrion Brand reliant Highborn list featuring them.


I think seeing the options still available helps alot. However, it does cut out a lot of merc options.

[brotherscott]

If you really want to push it, take a Four Star Syndicate list and take Boomhowler, Eiryss, Reinholdt, and Herne & Jonne. Magnus could be a decent choice with Renegades and a Mangler, build up 'til you can get the Steelheads in there... or something.

AS far as Talion goes, I would say go with Hawk and Rockbotom to start, and if you include Mariners or mules, go with MacNaile. If you want to take Shae, them I would say Commodore, MacNaile, and Rockbottom so you could shoot 'jacks from far away, maybe even have a gun line to start.

I am looking at my options as well, trying to decide what to run for our event on the 24th. I plan on playing a few games later today to narrow down a list.

[mrhuettel]

searforge without thor is difficult, as most players seem to rely on him. however, gorten offers his usual greatness and is very viable on a strict driller-blaster-gunner-basis. add in one or two bokurs and forge guard for melee-action and high shields as a bouncer with the occasional cra. herne and jonne bring the needed aoe-madness and that looks like a nice list to play, even without thor.

who could really shine in this format are the new contracts for highborn and magnus. the gun mages are the ultimate tool for field control, thunderbolt attacks help to clear out any area, and long gunners have a range that is high enough (especially with snipe) to stop most infantry and light jacks from advancing anywhere near those 14" to 18". the unit attachments add a lot to their abilities and what in earlier times guaranteed cygnar's field dominance is now accessible to mercs, too...

[McNs]

I'd throw my vote behind a jack caster (Magnus or Bart) or, if you have Forge Guard, Ashlynn's not an awful take.

Here's some thoughts -

pMagnus - His tier list is foul and you can hit the high tier level in the first two games easily (10 for 2 Renegades, 5 for a Vanguard, 8 for two min units of Steelheads, minimum Trenchers + 2 Porters). Being able to add cover and start further up the board is a huge advantage.

Bart - A solid counter to pKreoss, who's set to do well in this format (especially without Covenant protection until round 3). Losing Doughal sucks, but jacks + Steelheads + SHHC = solid combination.

Ashlynn - Who I'm taking to the Resurgence. The ATGMs really help, though they aren't critical. Marshalled Mariners still pose a credible ranged threat, Quickened melee infantry are terrifying (i.e. - Forgeguard). An Ashlynn Steelhead army could do quite well as well, as Stannis doesn't add a whole lot to smaller games.

Just my 2 cents.

[Ger]

Forgot about the allied units. Added em to my list.

An interesting trick may be Highshields marshaling a Blaster or Gunner at lower point levels. It would take awhile to attrition them all so you still get a boost in here or there. Further it means that extra jack is in your list, ready to be given to Thor at higher points. Without maxing out your Warcasters focus.

[Salix060907]

I was planning on taking Shae until I saw the new contracts. So I'm gonna play Ashlynn at the first of two events in my area. The second will probably feature me trying out Shae. I'm more comfortable with Ashlynn at this point.

[krom71]

I'm thinking Gorten in a Highborn list..
Gorten
3 Gun Bunnies
ATGM + UA
Precursors (6) +UA
That leaves what.. 6 points for something else? Maybe 2 Bokurs.

Precursors stay in front. Due to Ranking Attacks, my Gun Bunnies and ATGM can shoot over them. Gorten protects everyone from blast damage. Shooty Shooty goodness. When the enemy closes, pop feat and use 2 more turns of Shooty Shooty goodness.

It could work.

[Ger]

I'd spend the 6 on a driller.

[Cannibalbob]

I'm thinking Gorten in a Highborn list..
Gorten
3 Gun Bunnies
ATGM + UA
Precursors (6) +UA
That leaves what.. 6 points for something else? Maybe 2 Bokurs.

Precursors stay in front. Due to Ranking Attacks, my Gun Bunnies and ATGM can shoot over them. Gorten protects everyone from blast damage. Shooty Shooty goodness. When the enemy closes, pop feat and use 2 more turns of Shooty Shooty goodness.

It could work.


Why not just use Highshields in place of the Precursors. The Highshields have higher armor in shield wall with Gorten, they can be seen through due to having ranked attacks, and they can shoot at the enemy as well.

[mikethefish]

Plus they are also a lot cheaper

[Mr.B]

Why not just use Highshields in place of the Precursors. The Highshields have higher armor in shield wall with Gorten, they can be seen through due to having ranked attacks, and they can shoot at the enemy as well.

Or a Driller :D

[brotherscott]

OK, here is some food for though-

Magnus' Agenda/ Most Wanted

Magnus the Traitor
-Mangler
-Renegade
-Renegade
Halbardiers (10)
Heavy Cavalry (3)
comes to 24/ 25 points since the Renegades cost one less each.

Moving up to 35 points-

Boomhowler (6)
+2 Heavy Cav

gets to 34/ 35 points

At 50 points-
+4 Boomhowler
Stannis
-Mule

I am at 49 / 50 points, and I am Tier 4 at the 25 point level. I could swap out the Mule for more troops or solos, but in a timed format I feel the Mule fits better, plus after the Renegades fire their Obliterators, I have something else in Magnus' battlegroup to Snipe, unless Boomhowler and Co. could make better use of that spell.
I know I have the option to go with Magnus the Warlord after 35 points, but I would only get to Tier 2 or have to add 2 units of Idrians.

The big trick will be getting through the first round. I have already played basic versions of this list at 35 points with decent success and a slight learning curve.
I think I am ready for Resurgence, now to finish painting the Heavy Cavalry and Stannis.

[Cannibalbob]

The big trick will be getting through the first round.


With my Gorten list I am thinking that my big trick will be getting through the 2nd round at 35 points. That is where I will really miss Thor. At 25 points I don't really need Thor, and at 50 points I will have him in the list. But at 35 I may end up with just a wee bit more warjacks than Gorten can handle well.

Hopefully we don't run into one another at the 25 point level. That would be an ugly match up.