Popularity of Ashlynn D'Elyse

[MrGloverGlover]

Hi all,

I've only been interested in Warmachine for about six months, only been playing for maybe two, and I chose an Ashlynn list to begin with. I've got (what I deem to be) solid 15pt and 25pt lists and will soon be adding a full unit of Nyss to boost me up to 35pts. Really looking forward to it.

One thing I've noticed in the forums is that Ashylnn doesn't appear to be quite as popular as I had anticipated, at least from what I can see. I chose her because I wanted Gun Mages desperately, but have two mates just started that both chose Cygnar so I didn't want to step on toes. After looking through the casters available to HBC, she was by far the most appealing to me. I listened to the Chain Attack battle report about her (http://www.chain-attack.com/?s=ashlynn) which I'd totally recommend if people haven't heard of Chain Attack before. They spoke quite highly of her and ranked her as pretty powerful.

This isn't a complaint, far from it, but everybody on the Merc forums here seem to be talking about Talion Charter and Searforge considerably more than anything else. Have I just caught it at a bad time? I know a lot of these games are cyclic - is it the Galleon and Ossrum coming out that have influenced this, perhaps?

I just became suddenly concerned that somehow I've picked a dud (although looking at her rules, surely not!) or perhaps on the other end of the spectrum, picked a cheesy Warcaster that will alienate people from playing me. I have already built a fearsome loathing of that stupid tart eHaley... have I fallen into the same trap?

[CareyBear]

Nope, neither.
She's no eHaley, nor a Zerkova.

Cyclic is more like it - she hasn't evolved much for a while. She is one of the few casters that is unremarkable with Galleon, and she didn't evolve with Wishnailer.

Meanwhile Damiano happened, pirates got into the limelight because some high profile players started importing them into factions to good effect - they're a great troop collection... Etc etc.

Ashlynn is good, and is still good for the same reasons as she was a year ago. Other than Rocinante she has little that's new.

If we get gun Mage cav I bet she gets talked about again.. Also there was a lot of excited speculation that we'd get eAshlynn.. We didn't.
In short, there's not a lot new to be said about her right now. There was an excellent Muse On Minis article by Robert Sheperd, and there's a good thread by vytzka - they say most there is to be said.

[MrGloverGlover]

I've got the Vytzka article bookmarked actually, it is excellent. I guess people are obviously eager to read about the caster that they've chosen, and there's not a great deal being said about my choice at the moment.

Are Gun Mage Cav an actually possibility or just a community idea that was suggested and bounced around, do you know?

Also, can't find that article by Sheperd. After some googling, all I found was a link to a dead page on MoM - perhaps it's been taken down.

[pattison]

I don't think it's likely that we get the Gun Mage Cav.

[Kenlen]

Cygnar is getting gun mage cavalry, the "tempest blazers". It's very unlikely that they'll be made available to Highborn. There is a distinct possibility that they'll work for Ashlynn's theme force however, depending on exactly how their card is worded. If they are a non-character arcane tempest gun mage unit in any way, shape, or form, they will.

[CareyBear]

I just like suggesting we'll get them - if we do the screams of outrage from cygnar will be delicious.

[WarlockFiretopMountain]

I only have, and play, Searforge.

When the new Ashely sculpt comes out - the one with her waving a banner - I intend to branch out into Highborn. Amethyst Rose Gunmages. Probably a Mule. Maybe a Galleon, if I can justify it.

The Llalese theme is great.

[gr31]

I just like suggesting we'll get them - if we do the screams of outrage from cygnar will be delicious.

I play Cygnar and Highborn (which is to say, I play Cygnar). Why would I be outraged to be able to use another Gun Mage unit with my Cygnar army?

[PG_vytzka]

I think she's very solid, competitive and fun to play. And she does get a lot of use out of Wishnailer IMO.

With the new sculpt upcoming, there's no reason not to get her

[MrGloverGlover]

I think she's very solid, competitive and fun to play. And she does get a lot of use out of Wishnailer IMO.

Yeah, I thought that actually. I'm really struggling with my solo choices, though. It's a real embarrassment of riches. At 25pts I've got 4pts of 'slots' for Solos - I'm absolutely enamoured with Harlan Versh, he's been brilliant, which leaves me one slot to decide between Gorman, Rhupert or Sylas... or I could bin Versh as well and take A&H. Tough choices! I've got all the models now though, so I plan to start rotating to see which combination works out best.

[Methoderik]

I like her a lot. I have been using her almost exclusively for the past couple of months and doing really well with her. I think Sylys helped her a lot. I rarely don't want to upkeep either quicken or admonition, Sy helps me keep 5 focus to play with. I think my biggest detractor with her is that she promotes infantry heavy lists, and mixed with her feat, it plays slow. At least for me.

[PG_vytzka]

Yeah, I thought that actually. I'm really struggling with my solo choices, though. It's a real embarrassment of riches. At 25pts I've got 4pts of 'slots' for Solos - I'm absolutely enamoured with Harlan Versh, he's been brilliant, which leaves me one slot to decide between Gorman, Rhupert or Sylas... or I could bin Versh as well and take A&H. Tough choices! I've got all the models now though, so I plan to start rotating to see which combination works out best.

Highborn is the solomachine army and I think you could afford to spend 6 points on solos in that situation. But 25 points are far too claustrophobic for me to play nowadays

[Fuchikoma]

I have a 50 tier 4 theme force with her and it is simply awesome. I'm primarily a khador player, but I also picked up Mercs (for the Llaelese) and minions (for the pigs). I'm thinking about branching into cygnar, dwarves or legion in that order.

Personally, I thin that Ashlynn is due for an epic version and I'm not entirely convinced that the resculpt wasn't originally intended for an eopic model. I think the next Warmachine book will advance her fiction, and if so, I'll squeel with glee.

[MagnustheJust]

The owner if a now gone LGS from my area had an Ashlynn list back in the dark days of MK-I he called "Ashlynn's Dancing Mules"... For those newer players who were not around back then, you had to pay points for your warcasters and there was no such silliness as warjack points way back when!! The point totals were a lot higher too!!!

His list was :

Highborne Covenant, 750 points

Ashlynn - 67
~ Vanguard - 76
~ Vanguard - 76
~ Vanguard - 76
~ Mule - 110
~ Mule - 110
~ Mule - 110
~ Mule - 110
Reinholdt - 15

This comes out to 37 points by today's point costs...

But he rofl-stomped a lot of people with this list.

[MrGloverGlover]

Hahah, that's a pretty funny list, Magnus!

I wouldn't say I've ROFL-stomped anyone yet, but two of the guys I game with are constantly crying oceans of tears about how good Ashlynn's feat is. I know it's brilliant, don't get me wrong, but it's no eHaley feat. Try telling them that, though... *rolls eyes*

[John of Arc]

She's not talked about that often because she's solid and eveyone likes her. There's not much else to say. Searforge and Talion are talked about A LOT because they're an incredibly vocal minority

[MagnustheJust]

She's not talked about that often because she's solid and eveyone likes her. There's not much else to say. Searforge and Talion are talked about A LOT because they're an incredibly vocal minority

So you are saying those two communities are short & surly?

[PG_vytzka]

So you are saying those two communities are short & surly?

Only one of them is

[MagnustheJust]

Pirates can be a fairly surly bunch if not given the proper incentive to behave themselves...

[sleet01]

The real problem is that a couple posters won't shut up about Stumpies. <_<

Ashlynn is very good, and I'd say even better with Welshnylons. I think her feat, with the right lists, is better than eHaley's because it's offensive *and* defensive, while Haley's is all-defense.

[MrGloverGlover]

Ashlynn is very good, and I'd say even better with Welshnylons. I think her feat, with the right lists, is better than eHaley's because it's offensive *and* defensive, while Haley's is all-defense.

Jesus, if my mate sees this his hours of crying and moaning will seem justified! It'll never end! Could someone do me a favour and immediately disagree, please?

[moddball]

One of the best feats Mercs have; great fun to play. I use gun mages all the elf Mercs and the a ton of solos.

[CareyBear]

If Ashlynn was Focus 8 I'd agree her feat was better.

How's that?

Also - I don't think wishnailer is a bad choice with her - I think with character restrictions he is better elsewhere.. Everyone loves a free upkeep.

[MrGloverGlover]

If Ashlynn was Focus 8 I'd agree her feat was better.

How's that?

Phew, thanks. Gives me some breathing room to actually mount an argument

[CareyBear]

I'm curious - what are your 15, 25 and 35 point lists?

[canadianone]

Magnus, by surly do you mean "the greatest sub faction ever"?

[Dashwood]

Just to echo: Ashlynn is amazing and only not spoken about often because she's been around for donkey(Mule) years. If that resculpt had been an eAshlynn, though, and her fluff got upgraded to reflect solidly her Marshall status, then we'd have discussions everywhere. That said, though, I think she's amazing enough in her current form that I'm not at all itching for an epic version save for the Llael fluff updates. (I want those underdogs to win something, damnit!)

Man, Magnus, was good and nostalgic to see an old 750pt list. Wonder if this means I should go and buy myself two more Mules...

[MagnustheJust]

Magnus, by surly do you mean "the greatest sub faction ever"?

nope. .....

[MrGloverGlover]

I'm curious - what are your 15, 25 and 35 point lists?

15pt
Ashlynn +6
--Nomad -6
ATGM -6
--UA -2
HHFG (Min.) -5
Harlan Versh -2

25pt
Ashlynn +6
--Nomad -6
ATGM -6
--UA -2
--Mule -8
HHFG (Min.) -5
Harlan Versh -2
Gorman Di Wulfe -2

35pt
As 25pt, plus Nyss Hunters (Max.)

That's what I'm using, although I've only actually played 15pts so far (I'm pretty new) but I did wipe the floor with eStryker. I've done a lot of thinking and chatting about the lists though, so unless you spot something glaringly obvious, I'm fairly happy with the them. As mentioned, In addition to the above models I've also got Rhupert, Aiyana & Holt and Sylas - all of which I intend to rotate until I find something I'm happy with.

I do love Harlan Versh, though. He's a monster!

[PG_vytzka]

Magnus, by surly do you mean "the greatest sub faction ever"?

The greatest subfaction ever is dorfs and pirates...

two... two greatest subfactions are dorfs, pirates and Bad Seeds...

three greatest subfactions are dorfs, pirates, Bad Seeds and Viva La Resistance...

among? Among the greatest subfactions are such as dorfs and pirates


let's try this again

[StJason]

Magnus, by surly do you mean "the greatest sub faction ever"?

Oh, hell yes! They are the greatest thing since the last great thing!!!

Fixed your post.

[MagnustheJust]

The greatest subfaction ever is dorfs and pirates...

two... two greatest subfactions are dorfs, pirates and Bad Seeds...

three greatest subfactions are dorfs, pirates, Bad Seeds and Viva La Resistance...

among? Among the greatest subfactions are such as dorfs and pirates


let's try this again

... don't MAKE me get the comfy chair!!

[MrGloverGlover]

... don't MAKE me get the comfy chair!!

Hah, I was thinking the exact same thing

[PG_vytzka]

My work here is done.

[MrGloverGlover]

My work here is done.

Now it is...

[lastspartacus]

Out of all the merc casters, Fiona perhaps is the only one that competes with Ashlynn for most boosted with release of Wishnailer. Spamming Distraction is now a reality.

[Fuchikoma]

I'm curious - what are your 15, 25 and 35 point lists?

http://privateerpressforums.com/show...nent-w-ashlynn

[PG_vytzka]

Out of all the merc casters, Fiona perhaps is the only one that competes with Ashlynn for most boosted with release of Wishnailer. Spamming Distraction is now a reality.

I guess you've written off Bart completely

[lastspartacus]

Pft, listen to me. Discounting the guy I've been wrecking the most face with lately. Yes, Wishnailer gave bart a huge boost because that one focus spent to upkeep Hotshot really limited his other options, and I do occassionally use his other benefits to cast spells.

I still think Ashlynn gets the most use out of Wishnailer though, because she uses all three things he brings to the table with great gusto.

Now, if I was talking about Galleon boosting someone's gameplay, Bart would be a shining unicorn

It is an interesting thing brought up that years of new releases besides the singular wishnailer have not really greatly enhanced Ashlynn's gameplay. Shes was never a bad caster, and remains a solid one.

[Defenstrator]

I think Rocinante added to her as well. Him being able to gun away and keep Ashlynn at DEF 19 in melee just by standing nearby is pretty solid. And I agree about Wishnailer, since she always has at least one upkeep going and he let's her bring Gallows into actual use.

She doesn't do much for Galleon except make it SPD 7 and hit well on feat turn, which is why she isn't being talked about much right now. Still a solid warcaster though.