Starting up a Kaelyssa list

[Oresamadesu]

Hey all, I'm recently getting into WM and after reading up a good deal and figuring out what I wanted to do I compiled a starter list for Kaelyssa that I'm having ordered in. Will be looking to add to it, so was hoping I could get some suggestions with that.

Kaelyssa
Chimera
Hydra
pEiryss
Ghost Snipers (2)
HS Battle Mages (Min) or Dawnguard Sentinels (Min)
14 points

Now, from here I can either drop the Chimera and swap the Hydra to a Phoenix for the bigger melee threat to help hold off possible pushes for my ranged solos and Kael. Was originally thinking the BMs for the prospect of having some slight control over how easily the enemy will be able to jump on my squishy ranged.

Primary focus would obviously be Backlash with pEiryss and the GS', with the other possibility being swapping in the Sentinels instead of the BMs and bringing in the Phoenix as I said instead of the Hydra / Chimera. Pushing to a 25 or 30 point would allow me a Phoenix and a Hydra, a full Sentinels setup and either a full Invictus with a Griffon for flank, or some SAs to rain down while the Phoenix and Sentinels do their job.

Have more then a few things in mind at the moment, though I was thinking more of a strategic play style with the ability to create choke points, etc etc. Though that would likely call for the two Manticore setup.

[ar2]

The Hydra is Kaelyssa's greatest threat. Fully loaded on focus it can take a power 15, range 15" range attack that with Kaelyssa's Phantom
Seeker spell becomes a powerful assassination tool.
For Kaelyssa's arc node I prefer a Chimera over a Phoenix. She is primarily an assassination 'caster and I don't feel she needs the heavy arc node. You would probably do well to keep your 'jacks, indeed the majority of your army, out of melee.
Other models you should consider are solos with great threat ranges that can apply pressure on the opposing 'caster, such as Eiryss, Narn, and Mage Hunter Assassins.
The key to running an assassination list is it's multiple threat sources, anyone of which can put a great hurting on a 'caster, and with the inclusion of Eiryss, Narn, a couple of Mage Hunter Assassins, one or two Hydra's, and Kaelyssa herself, an opponent should find himself hard pressed to deal with them all. This is especially true since they are all quite fast, with great threat ranges, either for charges or range attacks, and most are stealthed and advance deploy. In such a list you will more than likely be outnumbered and you can't afford to play an attrition game. You need to preserve your assassination pieces and keep constant pressure on the opposing 'caster. This can be difficult if your opponent is playing a lot of infantry and keeping his 'caster well behind his own lines, but with the speed of your models you should be able to mitigate this by running flanking models behind enemy lines, something your solos excel at. Coupling this with Phantom Seeker range attacks from a Hydra and/or Kaelyssa will certainly keep the pressure on your enemy and force him to play reactively. Be on the constant look out for assassination runs, recognize when your opponent has overextended his 'caster, and this type of list can make for a very rewarding, if somewhat frenzied game. Ultimately, the greatest priority when running this type of list is getting at the opposing 'caster by skipping around his defenses.

Below is the core of a good Kaelyssa list and should serve you as a decent spring board from which to build upon.

Kaelyssa
- Chimera
- Hydra

Mage Hunter Strike Force
- Commander

Arcanist
Eiryss
Mage Hunter Assassin
Mage Hunter Assassin
Narn

[Oresamadesu]

Awesome, thanks for the input! I was originally torn as to whether or not to play it as an assassination list, or more as a ranged anti Jack list. But definitely sounds like a good idea, and keeps in line with her list (Except the Arcanist).

[ar2]

No problem, glad I could be of help.
Assassination is the way to go with Kaelyssa. You've got all the anti-jack range you need in the Mage Hunter Strikeforce, which incindentally fuels your 'caster assassination run if you can first hit the 'jack with Kaelyssa's Backlash spell. Soften up the 'caster by damaging his Backlashed 'jack first and no gods can help him should you then be able to hit him with a range attack from Kaelyssa or a Hydra, or charge him with Narn or a Mage Hunter Assassin!
I'm interested in seeing your list when you get a chance to complete it.

Happy gaming! : )

[Ushanka]

Kaelyssa
- Chimera
- Hydra

Mage Hunter Strike Force
- Commander

Arcanist
Eiryss
Mage Hunter Assassin
Mage Hunter Assassin
Narn


Could someone add the points breakdown for this list?

[ar2]

Could someone add the points breakdown for this list?

Your wish is my command. Hope this helps.

Points 26

Kaelyssa +7
- Chimera 6
- Hydra 9

Mage Hunter Strike Force (minimum unit) 5
- Commander 2

Arcanist 1
Eiryss 3
Mage Hunter Assassin 2
Mage Hunter Assassin 2
Narn 3

As it stands this list is tier 1. By adding a second minimum Mage Hunter Strike Force, bringing this list to 31 points, it meets tier 2 requirements, gaining a free Commander on the second Mage Hunter unit, and tier 3 requirements, because it already includes 4 mage hunter solos. With the last 4 points in a 35 points list, the addition of a Griffon brings this list to tier 4.
A good alternative to the Griffon might be 2 Ghost Snipers, each at 2 points, at the cost of not meeting tier 4 requirements.

[Ushanka]

Your wish is my command. Hope this helps.

helps a ton. you went above and beyond! Thx.