New To WM/H, starting w/ Ret

[Gifts]

Hey everyone, just started getting into Warmachine/Hordes about a month and a half ago. I have been doing a ton of research on how the game plays since I am not very familiar with table top miniatures. Tried getting into 40k about 2 years ago but was turned off because of the outstanding prices of everything. However Warmachine/Hordes prices seem like they are more in my range. Before I went out and bought anything I went to my LGS (where I do FNM's at) to watch the game in action and ask players about the different factions. I did that and fell in love with ret when the only Ret player in the store seemed very happy when I told him Ret was the faction I was going to get into.

Found out a few of my friends are also getting into the game and they only started playing 3 months ago which is awesome! One of my friends picked up a few Ret things but then he decided to play Khador so he sold me a niccley put together Phoenix (unpainted) and Adeptis Rahn for a really good price. I decided to go on a bit of a spending spree also and picked up a few things so I could start playing games.

This is the list I have atm.

Adeptis Rahn
Ozzy

Phoenix

Dawnguard Sentinels + UA
Stormfall Archers
Battle Mages

Arcanist
Eiryss, Angel of the Retribution
Mage Hunter Assassin
2x Ghost Snipers

Last week I played my first two games (both where 20 points[idk why lol])
The list I ran for both games where.

Adeptis Rahn
Phoenix
BattleMages
Max Sentinels + UA
Arcanist
MHA

First game I played was against Mercs, I forget the caster he used but I won on a turn 3 assassination. His warcaster put up a wall but left a little gap where his warcaster was exposed, he placed 2 heavy jacks next to the wall and his warcaster about an inch behind one. I activated Rahn's feat maneuvered my battle mages, pushed back one jack 3" and then pulled his warcaster right into my phoenix and on the last battle mage it crit to knock his warcaster down.

Game 2 was against khador, long game. It ended by his warcaster (PSorscha i believe) going in for a caster kill and failing allowing me to just kill him the next turn.

I had a blast playing, I feel like I understand the game a lot since I have been looking through the rules non stop before even playing a game. Only thing I am scared of is my opponents army, idk what to expect since I have only played 2 games. I mean reading their cards are helpful but in the end everything still seems new to me so idk what to expect but thats the fun in this game i think.

Any model/unit I should be looking to invest into next?

Thanks guys.

[absent]

I would get a good ranged unit for ossayan, take your pick from invictors, mage hunter strike fours, or housegaurd rifles, though i'd say the rifles would probably be a lower priority for a newer player.

Ret is good for a new player because you can just roll good dice and win sometimes, bad for an intermediate player as rolling good dice to win is very inconsistant, then back to good for advanced players as they have a lot of fun and interesting asshattery that you can pull off to help them be more consistent. so prepare for a slump in the middle, just gut it out.....

also the merc caster was gorton if he placed a wall down, well done figuring out how to fish him out of there.

[Murkhadh]

Your lists look solid, your off to a good start.

[Gifts]

I would get a good ranged unit for ossayan, take your pick from invictors, mage hunter strike fours, or housegaurd rifles, though i'd say the rifles would probably be a lower priority for a newer player.

Ret is good for a new player because you can just roll good dice and win sometimes, bad for an intermediate player as rolling good dice to win is very inconsistant, then back to good for advanced players as they have a lot of fun and interesting asshattery that you can pull off to help them be more consistent. so prepare for a slump in the middle, just gut it out.....

also the merc caster was gorton if he placed a wall down, well done figuring out how to fish him out of there.

Yes Gorton was his name now that you mentioned it.

Yeah I was looking at getting the MHSF, they seem really good. >.>

What bout the getting another myrmidon? Or am I fine with just 1 Phoenix for now?

[absent]

Yeah if you have ample cash get a vyre myrmidon kit (sphinx!, banshee, demon, ) and if possible magnetize it, Discordia is also awesome, and possibly a second phoenix. Not a fan of the manticore or hydra personally but you could try them for a few games and find out what you think for yourself.

[ucfan34]

As mentioned you're off to a good start with a nice core group of models.

Things I'll throw out there...

Your list as posted is 23 points. I'd guess you ran a min unit of Sentinels+UA, but if not you'll need to adjust your list.
If you plan to stick with Rahn you're going to want another arc node at higher point levels. That leaves you choosing between another Phoenix, Chimera, or Hypnos. If you're on a budget get the Chimera. If the money isn't an issue get another Phoenix or Hypnos. Hypnos would probably be your 3rd choice for an arc node with Rahn, but since he works so well with Ossyan I'd say get Hypnos. Which leads to my next point...

If you want to run Ossyan to maximum effectiveness (IMHO) get Hypnos. They're like PB&J, Batman & Robin, morning wood & a sore bladder. They just go together.

You'll want another ranged unit for Ossyan. In the order I'd suggest would be MHSF+UA, Invictors+UA, Houseguard Riflemen+UA, Stormfall Archers* (See next point). As an aside Ret's infantry is pretty strong and our UAs are straight gangsta. I'd suggest running full units+UA the majority of the time. I've had pretty good success with min MHSF+UA, however.

I hesitate to recommend buying duplicate of something, when you've got so many other cool stuff to pick up, but the Stormfall Archers are generally best run with 2 units. I'd probably put them as 1a/1b with the MHSF+UA as your next ranged unit. Ossyan & Rahn both like Stormfalls so you'll definately be using them (unless you're a Bob Frost, road less traveled, kinda guy).

I'd apply the above rule to both Mage Hunter Assassins, Ghost Snipers (already got 2 of these so your set), and Arcanists (if you've got 2 heavies in your list).

Also, as far as the jacks go as long as you've bought one of each kit, you'll have the cards for all of the jacks (sans Discordia & Hypnos). I'd suggest proxying them before just buying one.

Lasty, if you see a model you just love, and want to use, go for it. For me it's the Artificer. I forced that dude into TONS of lists just because of the model (not that he's bad, he just doesn't belong in every list). Cheers!

[Murkhadh]

I like 2 phoenix's with Rahn, having what is either an arcnode or a melee beat stick or combustion bomb on either side makes it impossible for your opponent to predict where the attack is coming from

[Gifts]

Wait is my list really at 23 points?

Rahn (+6 to WJ)
Phoenix 10 (4 though because of Rahn)
Max Sentinels + ua 9 + 2
Battlemages 2
Arcanist 1
MHA 2

Correct me if im wrong about something . But im coming up with 20.

[Code]

Battlemages 2

Did you mean Magister?

[Lord Sessadore]

Did you mean Magister?

Yeah, the House Shyeel Battle Mages (6-man unit) is 5 points. The House Shyeel Magister (solo) is 2 points. That looks like the point of confusion.

So, is your list actually 20 points or is it 23?

[absent]

If he fished someout out and around a wall, i'm guessing 23 =)

[Gifts]

Ohh okay sorry for the confusion yeah i was running an extra 3 points on accident, i appologized to my friends already they said no problem haha. Woops. Thanks for the clarification though! I think what i was looking at was the field allowance is 2 and thats where i got my number.

I dont really feel confident in magnetizing my jacks. However the hypnos looks interesting and i think i may pick one up. If i do i may try running ozzy at my next meet up. However i reallu do like Rahn a ton, hia toolbox is just so awesome. Telekenesis is really clutch, 2" may not seem like a lot but it is the reason i won my first game.

[PG_Emberwild]

don't forget TK can turn a model to get a back shot on the target.

[ucfan34]

Yeah, turning a model around is huge. Some times you can just make a jack or beast look the other direction, and now they're not charging that turn. The fact that they're also 2" further away is some sweet icing on that cake.

[joelker41]

Welcome to retribution!

*hands new Guy plush mittens and 'we hate round ears' poster*