kakita
11-26-2009, 01:59 AM
I'm just theorymachining here; but let's not talk about how Fennblades compare to the Kriel Warriors but instead how they compare with other 4/6 pt reach infantry in a vacuum.
I'm selecting: TFG, Steelheads, Wolves of Orboros, and Praetorian Karax. Three of them are your traditional 'hold the line' troops, while the Wolves could arguably fill in a more flanking role. We'll see how the numbers and rules hold up, and then decide if the Fennblades need a buff or not.
I'm not stating the whole stat block cos i'm lazy, just comparing the important rules, then looking at offense and defense.
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1) TFG
Offense: +2 Pow, S&S VS +1 Spd, CMA
One deals more damage, but and has a cornercase rule in Snag and Slash. The other has a bit more threat range and the versatility of CMA. I'll call this a wash.
Defense: Tough, Hard, +1 arm VS Set Defence, Shield Wall, +1 Def
Let's say +1 arm and +1 defense cancels each other out. A random roll and a corner case rule in no way compares with the amazingness of set defense and shield wall.
Overall: TFG are the clear winner.
2) Steelheads
Offense: +1 MAT, +1 Pow, S&S VS Pow Charge, +1 Spd
Steelheads have more threat range and are more likely to hit on a charge, but FB are better hitters and damagers when tied down. Considering the assumed role of 'hold the line', I'll call it as FB's advantage.
Defense: Tough, Hard, +1 arm VS Set defence, +1 Def
SH are the winner vs chargers, FB when the opponent isn't charging. I'd argue that the steelheads are slightly better because of the defensive nature.
Overall, about a draw.
3) Praetorian Karax
Offense: +1 MAT, +2 Pow, Snag and Slash vs CMA, Ranked attacks.
While CMA and Ranked attacks are very useful, I'll say the base bonus of +1 MAT and +2 Pow is better. FB win.
Defense: +1 Arm, Tough, Hard, vs +1 Def, Girded, Shieldwall
+1 arm and def cancel. Hard and Girded kiinda cancel. Tough vs Shieldwall... I'd go with Karax.
Overall, about a draw again.
4) Nyss Legionnaires
Offense: +1 Pow, Snag and Slash vs CMA, Vengeance.
Whut. +1 Pow aside, I think the 'I hit you back' of vengeance and the versatility of CMA make legionnaires the winner here.
Defense: Tough, Hard, vs +1 Arm, Defensive Line
I think it's pretty clear win for the legionnaires as well. Tough and Hard don't exactly compare to +1 arm/+3 arm.
Overall, I think that the Legionnaires win are better all around.
5) Wolves of Orboros
Assuming FB have a bit more of a speed role...
Offense: +4 Pow vs +1 Spd, Pow Charge, Pathfinder, CMA
It's hard for me to call this. Wolves will hit eveyrthing first and better, but Pow 9? Then again, they have the advantage of CMA. For annoyance factor I'll say Wolves.
Defense: Tough, Hard, +1 arm vs +1 def (and kinda pathfinder)
I think the FB win this.
If this was a pure 'hold the line' role, I'd say FB win, but assuming you want to annoy/first strike, I think the speed and the mobility of the Wolves win this one.
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It is important to define the role of the Fennblades. If it is to fulfil the role of 'hold the line', I think it works ok. While it loses quite distinctly to the TFG, it kind of can match up with steelheads and karax.
For this role, I would like to lose Snag and Slash for Set Defence. Both fulfill the 'anti cav' fluff. Other defensive buffs include just a base +1 def or arm buff, or Defensive Line. The proposed replacement might make FB marginally better than their Steelhead and Karax Counterparts, and bring it up closer to the Legionnaire/TFG, but I don't see this as an issue.
However, if its role is as a speed/first strike unit then the SPD 5 is a bit of a liability. Mayhaps losing S&S for +1 Speed?
To be honest, I don't think MK II Fennblades are supposed to be a speed unit. I think Fennblades are supposed to be the reach speedbump, and the KW the speed/damage toolbox unit as required.
I'm selecting: TFG, Steelheads, Wolves of Orboros, and Praetorian Karax. Three of them are your traditional 'hold the line' troops, while the Wolves could arguably fill in a more flanking role. We'll see how the numbers and rules hold up, and then decide if the Fennblades need a buff or not.
I'm not stating the whole stat block cos i'm lazy, just comparing the important rules, then looking at offense and defense.
*********
1) TFG
Offense: +2 Pow, S&S VS +1 Spd, CMA
One deals more damage, but and has a cornercase rule in Snag and Slash. The other has a bit more threat range and the versatility of CMA. I'll call this a wash.
Defense: Tough, Hard, +1 arm VS Set Defence, Shield Wall, +1 Def
Let's say +1 arm and +1 defense cancels each other out. A random roll and a corner case rule in no way compares with the amazingness of set defense and shield wall.
Overall: TFG are the clear winner.
2) Steelheads
Offense: +1 MAT, +1 Pow, S&S VS Pow Charge, +1 Spd
Steelheads have more threat range and are more likely to hit on a charge, but FB are better hitters and damagers when tied down. Considering the assumed role of 'hold the line', I'll call it as FB's advantage.
Defense: Tough, Hard, +1 arm VS Set defence, +1 Def
SH are the winner vs chargers, FB when the opponent isn't charging. I'd argue that the steelheads are slightly better because of the defensive nature.
Overall, about a draw.
3) Praetorian Karax
Offense: +1 MAT, +2 Pow, Snag and Slash vs CMA, Ranked attacks.
While CMA and Ranked attacks are very useful, I'll say the base bonus of +1 MAT and +2 Pow is better. FB win.
Defense: +1 Arm, Tough, Hard, vs +1 Def, Girded, Shieldwall
+1 arm and def cancel. Hard and Girded kiinda cancel. Tough vs Shieldwall... I'd go with Karax.
Overall, about a draw again.
4) Nyss Legionnaires
Offense: +1 Pow, Snag and Slash vs CMA, Vengeance.
Whut. +1 Pow aside, I think the 'I hit you back' of vengeance and the versatility of CMA make legionnaires the winner here.
Defense: Tough, Hard, vs +1 Arm, Defensive Line
I think it's pretty clear win for the legionnaires as well. Tough and Hard don't exactly compare to +1 arm/+3 arm.
Overall, I think that the Legionnaires win are better all around.
5) Wolves of Orboros
Assuming FB have a bit more of a speed role...
Offense: +4 Pow vs +1 Spd, Pow Charge, Pathfinder, CMA
It's hard for me to call this. Wolves will hit eveyrthing first and better, but Pow 9? Then again, they have the advantage of CMA. For annoyance factor I'll say Wolves.
Defense: Tough, Hard, +1 arm vs +1 def (and kinda pathfinder)
I think the FB win this.
If this was a pure 'hold the line' role, I'd say FB win, but assuming you want to annoy/first strike, I think the speed and the mobility of the Wolves win this one.
***************
It is important to define the role of the Fennblades. If it is to fulfil the role of 'hold the line', I think it works ok. While it loses quite distinctly to the TFG, it kind of can match up with steelheads and karax.
For this role, I would like to lose Snag and Slash for Set Defence. Both fulfill the 'anti cav' fluff. Other defensive buffs include just a base +1 def or arm buff, or Defensive Line. The proposed replacement might make FB marginally better than their Steelhead and Karax Counterparts, and bring it up closer to the Legionnaire/TFG, but I don't see this as an issue.
However, if its role is as a speed/first strike unit then the SPD 5 is a bit of a liability. Mayhaps losing S&S for +1 Speed?
To be honest, I don't think MK II Fennblades are supposed to be a speed unit. I think Fennblades are supposed to be the reach speedbump, and the KW the speed/damage toolbox unit as required.