Help for a Painter wanting to Play

[Sickle41]

So I am mostly a painter and collector of Warmachine models. As of right now these are what I have as far as Cygnar goes.

Kara Sloan

pStryker

Stormblade Infantry

Ironclad

Charger

Sentinel

Stormclad

Journeymen Warcaster

So could anyone help me make a 35 pt list?

[PG_Bubblybrew]

The models you have seem to jive better with pStryker than with Kara Sloan, so...

System: Warmachine
Faction: Cygnar
Casters: 1/1
Points: 35/35
Commander Coleman Stryker (*6pts)
* Lancer (6pts)
* Sentinel (4pts)
* Stormclad (10pts)
* Squire (2pts)
Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team (4pts)
Stormblade Infantry (Leader and 5 Grunts) (5pts)
* Stormblade Infantry Officer & Standard (3pts)
Journeyman Warcaster (3pts)
* Charger (4pts)

Not the greatest list, and it assumes you can get a few more models. A lancer with pStryker is really good, as is the Squire and the Black 13th. The sentinel is only OK in this list but I threw it in since you had it. I also think you can get a lot of out getting the Stormblade The general game plan is to march up the field, protecting Stormblades and their UA with Arcane Shield/Blur/Feat, use the lancer to knock down something important like their warcaster, and then use B13 with snipe to shoot it to death.

[Sickle41]

My mistake, I have a lancer not a sentinel. I have two mercenaries as well. I have Ashelynn and Reinholdt. I am looking at getting pNemo, his model just appeals to me.

[tankrandall]

Not a pStryker player but drop the sentinel from Bubbly's list pickup Rhupert Carvolo and 2 stormblade stormgunners. I feel the need to mention it would be a really good eStryker list if you didn't mind spending a little bit more for him.

[Oreet]

Not a list, but more of a comment on what you've got, but Reinholdt is perfect to run with Kara Sloan. He's also great if you end up with either version of the Caines.

If you wanted to build an effective Kara list, you'd be best to look into getting a few Ranged jacks, like a Defender, and a Hunter or two.

[Sickle41]

I am planning eventually to get the 13th and the squire. They're really interesting models and ones that I repeatedly see in lists.

Is this list of models just too small or not diverse enough for a 35 pt list?

Would it be better to go for 25 pts?

[djowatts]

If you are going for pNemo, you are going to want to pick up arlan because of his magical ability, also maybe Gorman for some Smokey protection. The stormclad is my favourite jack for him, overloaded with 5 focus and disruption field means 6 power 21 smashes and one power 16 all causing disruption and 6 electro leaps. Some people however prefer the thunderhead for his pulse then two fully boosted shots. Whichever you prefer!

[tankrandall]

I am planning eventually to get the 13th and the squire. They're really interesting models and ones that I repeatedly see in lists.

Is this list of models just too small or not diverse enough for a 35 pt list?

Would it be better to go for 25 pts?

pStryker
Stormblade Infantry
Ironclad
Charger
Lancer (was Sentinel)
Stormclad
Journeymen Warcaster

you generally dont want to run 2 heavy jacks at such low points with either stryker * so you shouldn't use both the ironclad and stormclad. Taking out the ironclad the entire rest of your model list is 22 points, so unless you are willing to buy some things you cannot play 35 points and would need the ironclad to even hit 25.

*you can for sure, but you will have focus issues unless the jacks are Rowdy and (or a pair of) stormclads and you take stormblades, also a squire and (maybe) arlan. It may sound reversed but in smaller games you need to be more efficient with your focus than larger games.

So if you want to play at 25 points you need at least 3 more, I suggest either the stormblade UA or a stromblade WA and Rhupert. To then move to 35 look for the B13 and a squire, with 6 more points I would fill out the stormblades and get some method of pathfinder (Rhupert or Runewood). As a tip maxed units are more efficient for buffs than multiple minimum units (ie 11 stormblades at 18 armor with JR's arcane shield vs 6 stormblades at 18 armor with JR's arcane shield and 6 stormguard with no buff).

List incorporating guidance:

System: Warmachine
Faction: Cygnar
Casters: 1/1
Points: 35/35
Lord Commander Coleman Stryker (*6pts)
* Lancer (6pts)
* Stormclad (10pts)
* Squire (2pts)
Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team (4pts)
Stormblade Infantry (Leader and 5 Grunts) (5pts)
* Stormblade Infantry Officer & Standard (3pts)
* 2 Stormblade Gunners
Rhupert
Journeyman Warcaster (3pts)
* Charger (4pts)

for 25 I would drop the charger and the lancer. Arc nodes are less useful the smaller the game is IMO, and an Arc node for eStryker is less important than other casters (pStryker and Haley to name a few).

[Sickle41]

A stormgunner, the Black 13th, Thunderhead and a Heavy jack kit will probably be my next purchases. The Thunderhead is an awesome looking model to me, so that's why its before the heavy jack on that list. I could get the squire before the heavy or even first. Any suggestions on that?

Also I know this may be weird but what should I get if I wanted to go either pNemo or Kara?

I am actually building this for my girlfriend and those characters are her favorites.

[tankrandall]

A stormgunner, the Black 13th, Thunderhead and a Heavy jack kit will probably be my next purchases. The Thunderhead is an awesome looking model to me, so that's why its before the heavy jack on that list. I could get the squire before the heavy or even first. Any suggestions on that?

Also I know this may be weird but what should I get if I wanted to go either pNemo or Kara?

I am actually building this for my girlfriend and those characters are her favorites.

The squire has to be the most used model by ever cygnar player period. Buying it first is a wonderful idea!

I am not a Kara player but generally your going to want defenders and hunters (at least 1+1 on Kara) because her feat allows you to take another shot once you hit so you want long range jacks in her battlegroup. That little gober dude you said you have, Reinholdt, use him in every Kara list. ATGM (arcane tempest gun mages) are also something you should consider, they also work VERY well with almost any other caster we have.

Given that you would need a defender and the high cost of the THead I would get the heavy warjack kit first, you can also hit up privateer presses online store to buy the arms (head if you want) to turn your current ironclad into a defender (or better yet magnetize it so you can use either). Also magnetize your heavy warjack kit in case you want to use a cycle on the ATGM (or the defender on the ATGM or kara or other casters) and the ironclad if you want jack spam with someone like eNemo.

I have never used or thought about pNemo hard enough to provide good advise.

As for a Kara buying order start with:
Defender arms from PP online store, Squire, Hunter, B13, Heavy Jack kit, finish off the stormblades or get some other melee unit, some way of giving them pathfinder (I prefer Rhupert).

[Sickle41]

Would the defender arms from the online store work? They look metal and the Ironclad I have now is plastic.

Also what do you mean by finish up the stormblades? Are you referring to the officer, standard and storm gunner?

Can you take the B13 over a squad of ATGM's? Would that be an acceptable trade off?

I just find that A. The B13 look awesome B. They're cheaper than buying a unit of ATGM and C. fewer models means a smaller game and thus a shorter game.

[Griffin839]

Kara sloan actually works well with stormnouns. Full unit of Stormblades, thunderhead, stormclad, and stormlances. Since its mostly assaulting units, the list focuses almost purely on the addition die she gives via dead eye and feat, over the typical list meant to pop out a lot of shots. Only thing is its a pretty advanced list and very unforgiving. I feel like a pstryker list would serve you better right now.

[Phat13uddh4]

You might try out this list it's a little out there and honestly on paper it seems ok but it feels off and i don't know why.
Kara +6
-T-Head -12
-Squire - 2
Reinholdt - 1
Jr - 3
Rhupert - 2
Stormblades - 5
-UA - 3
-3 Gunners - 3

It'd mean ya need the Storm Blade UA, T-Head, 3 Gunners, and Rhupert tho. And it will be a list all about the turn you pop her feet, since her feet give everyone in her control boosted hit, and the SB's can assault, so they should kill what they charge that turn. I don't know if I'd run it but it's not a bad list.

Personally I'd try out
Kara +6
-Defender - 9
-Charger - 4
-Squire - 2

Reinholdt - 1
Jr - 3
Runewood - 3
Stormblades - 5
B13 - 4

Your getting the b13 so you get some great models there, I've never played a game and felt they were just wasted points. Min Stormblades but honestly they are just there to draw fire and if no one is looking assault in and with Runewood's buff maybe kill some stuff. The Defender while it has a monster gun it's also got a great melee weapon and if your at 25 points where they probably only have 1 heavy, like you, crushing it's cortex is never a bad thing. Use the Charger and Jr to hunt solos/Light 'jacks. I didn't take Rhupert and took Runewood instead because I had the extra point, and with Runewood because both can give pathfinder but he gives them +2 to hit on the charge, not to mention he is a melee weapon master and can kill/cripple more light jacks on the charge.

[djowatts]

A cool way to play pNemo is in a similar way to eStryker on his assassination run, but with a jack. The core of my list there is nemo, arlan, stormclad and atgm. The gun mages use thunderbolt to clear charge lanes, arlan grants the stormclad evasive, nemo for disruption field, locomotion and giving the stormclad 5 focus. Then you should be able to manouver/trample/charge to within reach of their caster and end the game.

[tankrandall]

Would the defender arms from the online store work? They look metal and the Ironclad I have now is plastic.

Also what do you mean by finish up the stormblades? Are you referring to the officer, standard and storm gunner?

Can you take the B13 over a squad of ATGM's? Would that be an acceptable trade off?

I just find that A. The B13 look awesome B. They're cheaper than buying a unit of ATGM and C. fewer models means a smaller game and thus a shorter game.

1) Nope you could check alternate places or wait for PP to stock plastic.

2) Correct.

3) Yes but the time to move and shoot the entire ATGM isnt that much longer than the B13+4 points.

[Sickle41]

So a good way to go and I believe I am seeing this agreed on is to get the squire, B13 and Rhupert.

These are the models I see consistently among the posts. Next up would be a heavy kit, and then simply cuz I love it the Thunderhead.

That sound about right?

[djowatts]

They seem good purchases. Don't forget JMW, arlan and ATGM. They will be great additions, and will all give you more leeway with focus, as you can marshal with the gun mage ua as well as arlan and the journeyman.