Newbie with an odd(?) 15pt list

[Durer]

A good friend of mine and keen Skorne player has passed on some Cryx minis he picked up in a Bartertown trade. These are a Leviathan, Stalker and Witch Coven of Garlgast.

Putting the coven aside a for a moment because everything I've read suggests they're a tricky warcaster for a new player. I've tried structuring the following list based around the Leviathan:

pDeneghra (*5pts)
Nightwretch (4pts)
Stalker (4pts)
Leviathan (9pts)
Mechanithralls (Leader and 5 Grunts) (3pts)

I figure a second Nightwretch can be switched out with the stalker if needed. It it is a bit of a shooty Cryx force with Denny to debuff enemies and make them easier to hit while the Mcthralls bog down enemy units. The nightwretch is to put a bit of fear into enemy casters and threaten assassinations.

Do bare in mind that this will be my learning force, so if it's totally out there an will work against me learning the key strategies I'm keen to know! So far I only have the Leviathan and Stalker models so I'm looking for advice before I make purchases.

Thanks in advance everyone

[Gamingdevil]

I honestly think the Leviathan is terrible with a lot of our casters, especially pDenny, since it is such a focus hog if you want it to be effective. They can be nice with eSkarre, (pSkarre), Mortenebra, (Coven) and some people like them with Terminus, but I wouldn't really consider them otherwise.

From what you've listed already, I would go with:
pDeneghra (+5)
Nightwretch *2 (8)
Stalker (4)
Mechanithralls *10 (5)
Necrosurgeon (2)

That's 14 points, you can add a Brute Thrall if you like. Should give any battle box a run for their money and be fairly competitive against non-restricted lists as well.

[Durer]

Thanks for the advice Gamingdevil! I did wonder why I didn't see the Leviathan on many lists... Could be something I work up to once I've got a few games under my belt and am ready to look into how this Coven works. Certainly seems like some Mcthralls will always be handy. I might buy some so I can get on with painting them.

[PG_Mikey_cl9]

How is the Leviathan horrible with pdenny?

The Leviathan has a base power 13 shot, which goes to 15 against a large base, add 2 for the the feat, 3 for a parasite and another 2 for a rust bomb. Your Leviathan is now making effective rat 8 pow 22 shots at ROF 3. Or if you want to be really mean, use Crippling grasp and a bane thrall. Your target is now back to base def but making pow 23 shots.

And as for focus this turn, Nothing will be charging you, they are -2 mat and rat making you effective def 18 with stealth. as long as you play your positioning right then you will be fine to hand out the three focus.

Leviathan is my go to heavy in a deneghra list for this exact reason.

[ZombieWar]

no one is saying it doesnt hit like a truck. the problem with the levi is that you normally would want to boost either the hit or the damage (sometimes both) and that requires focus. Add the fact that it needs 2 focus just to get the extra shots and your caster is running pretty dry.

also, never think denny is a hard target. she is slippery but anything that can boost the hit can and will hit you and if you get hit you will die.

[PG_Mikey_cl9]

with her feat leviathan is an effective rat 8, hitting def 15 on average, 2's to hit khador and 4's for cygnar/menoth. i hardly think boosting to hit will be needed.

With half a brain anyone can keep denny alive on any turn, let alone feat turn.

[Durer]

All very interesting. I am trying to build up a 15pt list around the minis that I already have so as to keep a reign on my capacity to buy more than I paint! What are other caster/list options based around a Leviathan and Stalker?

[PG_Mikey_cl9]

p skarre likes stalkers very much so and in my current league i have lost DJ so my leviathan also serves Scaverous quite well!