Popularity of Ashlynn D'Elyse

[MrGloverGlover]

All this talk of Wyshnalyrr with Ashlynn... I always presumed he'd be good, but having thought about it some more, should he be a default selection for her? He'd help deal with DEF 17 Winterguard Deathstars by assisting her with casting Distraction - That's reason enough to take him for me!

[Ricky Racoon]

Hi, I'm kind of new, and when I saw this, I just wanted to talk about Ashlynn, a woman I adore(need new sculpt soooo bad). I've just recently got back into the swing of things with Warmachine, and wanted to test out an idea I thought of when talking about warmachine with a fella who runs pure searforge. It was really pretty simple: Ashlynn is normally associated with trickery, squishyness and ranged firepower, while Rhulic models are known for being slow, but durable and hard hitting, and together, they would offset their weaknesses and meld into a powerful force.

The 35pt List is simple and straightforward:

Ashlynn, Vanguard(FREE!)
Sylys Wyshnyllr
Hammerfall Highshields( Max + UA )
Horgenhold Forge Guard( Max )
Aiyana and Master Holt
Rhupert Carvolo
Thor Steinhammer
-Gunner
-Blaster or Gunner(Or give Ashlynn a Bokur)

Quicken goes on the highshields, who provide a nice bunker for Ashlynn to take cover from enemy shooting. Rhupert can give them +1 DEF, which makes them a respectable 14/19 vs. shooting/magic. That's durability, and their CRA allows them to still dish out proper firepower and remain relevant at all stages of the game. Use Quick Time to avoid melee infantry(16" seperation will protect you from most of'em) or shift from one side to the other.
Horgenhold are your heavy hitters, and with quicken they have an 11" threat range, allowing them to really get into the enemy, but they only really need quicken when lined up for a charge, otherwise they can run and keep up with shield walling Highshields. The Highshields should generally lead the advance, to attract attention as well as soften enemies.

Aiyanna and Holt are essential to increasing the attack power of your army with Harm, while Holt provides two, VERY accurate handcannons. To get the most out of these two, I suggest breaking them up, with Aiyanna lurking in the background, while Holt skirmishes near the front. With so many Ranked Attack models, you can block up LOS to holt, while still being able to fire your handcannons, even aiming. Combined with Ashlynn's accurate handcannon(with boosts available), and you get a pretty potent shooting threat. Holt is the expendable part of the team. Thor provides two Jacks: I ran Gunner/Blaster today, but I think Gunner x 2 may work better: successful pronto allows you to have a 17" threat with RAT 8, and use the boost on the damage. Tune-up can be used to increase offensive firepower, but generally, Thor should hang back, to keep those gun bunnies handing out Boosted POW 12s.

I had a lot of fun trying this out against a Butcher list(Butcher, 2x Destroyers, Ironfangs + ua, WG + UA, Wardog), as it proved to be rather sturdy and capable of trading out blows with Khador. The Rhulic center managed to take a great deal of abuse, but also to dish out the hurt, and was well complimented by Ashlynn. Wishnailer is awesome for her, with Distraction being reliable and relatively low risk to attempt on a regular basis, and being able to upkeep Quicken or Admonition for free is a life saver. I didn't get good use from Gallows, but I'm pretty sure she could pull off a good gallows, and you can allways use it to drag a 'jack into the waiting hammers of the Forge guard.

Ashlynn's feat works great: Forge Guard have a critical, and being able to choose between smiting or just hitting is great when you don't want the 2nd forgeguard of the pack hitting a heavy jack to slam it 3 inches to safety. The Highshields can hit really high DEF when 2-man CRAing under the feat, especially when used with Guns Blazing(their officer's mini-feat). This army is susceptible to fighting stealth(no real cure for it) or anything else that shuts down ranged attacks. But, you're able to stay very nimble and mobile: my highshields managed to really get around the battlefield before Butcher hacked the last 3 down, and the Jacks can keep pace and kite effectively. This allows you to dictate the engagement ranges: you should never have to face a full strength unit or jack. Float like a butter fly, sting like a bee...

[WarlockFiretopMountain]

The 35pt List is simple and straightforward:

Ashlynn, Vanguard(FREE!)

I believe Ashlynn gets 6 warjack points, so you're missing out!

[CareyBear]

I believe Ashlynn gets 6 warjack points, so you're missing out!

She does - but - I also take only a vanguard (at lower points anyway)
She gets a lot from the jack, it's resilient, has good def under the feat, and she really doesn't want to spend focus on making a jack work. The vanguard doesn't need any to bodyguard her. It's also very thematic. I lose one jack point.. Oh well.
If I wanted a beatstick on her I'd take Gallant, who does both jobs (guard and bash) very well, and can get a free FOC from Versh.
Rocinante is also an option - as Admonition/defensive strike is cute and she likes Guard Dog.
There are other heavies - R&B, Thor/Basher, Gun Mages/Mule etc. available.

[Atlantean]

The only problem with taking a Vanguard with her is that you could take a Nomad instead.

[MagnustheJust]

The only problem with taking a Vanguard with her is that you could take a Nomad instead.

It's pretty much a 50/50 split over which is better with her...

The Vanguard is faster, and is harder to hit, while the Nomad has more damage boxes and a higher damage output. In this case, it is personal preference & playstyle which one is better...

[Ricky Racoon]

It's pretty much a 50/50 split over which is better with her...

The Vanguard is faster, and is harder to hit, while the Nomad has more damage boxes and a higher damage output. In this case, it is personal preference & playstyle which one is better...

Yup. It's not "losing" anything but oppurtunity(which carries it's own cost). I play very aggressive with Ashlynn, looking to Distract and shoot something each turn. The Vanguard plays to this, because it doesn't need any focus to keep pace with Ashlynn or shield guard her(from Eiryss or any other shooting that could ruin her day), or block charge lanes. The Vanguard has a smaller footprint, so it doesn't constrain close in maneuvering as much, and again: doesn't need a lot of focus. If the Nomad isn't in combat, it isn't helping Ashlynn. The Vanguard is helping ALL the time. I also don't need much of the Nomad's can-opener appeal: Horgenholds handle that job swimmingly, and boast a longer threat range under quicken. They also have a critical effect that goes well with Ashlynn's feat.

But it can come down to your personal preference with her, I guess. I just prefer to keep her swimming in Focus, just in case.

[PG_vytzka]

The only problem with taking a Vanguard with her is that you could take a Nomad instead.

And you will not necessarily win out. Ashlynn is a focus hog caster who wants it for herself, and whether she camps it, uses it for Distraction or for shooting things with the handcannon (preferably twice), the Vanguard plays better into it by protecting her, getting in the way and absorbing shots. A Nomad without 2-3 focus is just a hunk of metal for 6 points.

Gallant is the happy middle option of course and one that can make his own focus to boot ^^

[Correia]

I played against Ashlynn for the first time last week. 50 points. I was playing a Skorne-Zaal-pile of infantry army. My opponent had Ashlynn's theme with 3 units of ATGM, UAs, and Mules. I was hit pretty hard on the way in, and then when she used her feat, it tore me apart. Then it was either use Zaal's feat on the next crappy turn, or save it in the vain hopes that I'd have enough units left to use it the next. Her feat SUCKS when it is used on you. I gained a lot of respect of Ashlynn.

I'm building a Damino Highborn army now though. Next time we meet it will be a Mule fight.

[PG_vytzka]

I'm pretty sure you can only take 2 units of ATGMs (with UAs, natch). Nevertheless, that is well enough to obliterate almost any single wound infantry list. Now a Xerxis Cataphract/Titan brick is something I would rather avoid seeing when I play Viva La Resistance.

[Atlantean]

I was not trying to say that a nomad>vanguard with her. I was just saying that the option is there as in that scenario they essentially cost the same so it is not as easy choice and can be dependent on play style and the rest of the list.

[WarlockFiretopMountain]

The principle consideration regarding the Nomad vs Vanguard is that the Vanguard is the only Llalese jack in the game. If you don't take it, you are a fluff traitor.

[PG_ikildkenny]

I prefer Rocky with her, but that's probably another topic ...

but to the topic at hand and esspecially Gallant: what Gallant does can be as easily acomplished with a Nomad and a Bokur for the same cost (debateble proposition, in know)
but more importantly: Gallant + Versh cost just as much as Nomad + Vanguard ... you exchange one free focus (and Harlan's Gun + rules) for a hell lot of more Damage-Boxes on decent models ... sure, one might argue on that point as well ... just mentioning it for the sake of completion

[MagnustheJust]

The principle consideration regarding the Nomad vs Vanguard is that the Vanguard is the only Llalese jack in the game. If you don't take it, you are a fluff traitor.

I though a fluff traitor was a person who used mini-marshmallows instead of marshmallow fluff on their peanubutter sandwiches???

[Fuchikoma]

I take 2 vanguard with her every time. In 50 points, she has two vanguard, 2 mules each marshalled to a GM officer, and a Nomad marshalled to Rutger Shaw.

[MrGloverGlover]

I take 2 vanguard with her every time.

Out of interest, do you do that for Tier, or just because you like them?

[Defenstrator]

and a Nomad marshalled to Rutger Shaw.

You sir are a brave man. I salute you.

As for Nomad vs Vanguard, it depends. Between DEF 13 and Set Defense I find the Vanguard is often more survivable even with less damage boxes. But the Nomad can actually beat on things which is an ability crucial to the game. I normally take both. The Vanguard for protection and then the Nomad swings into action on turn three or four.

[PG_vytzka]

The principle consideration regarding the Nomad vs Vanguard is that the Vanguard is the only Llalese jack in the game. If you don't take it, you are a fluff traitor.

Traitor? No no, Magnus the Traitor should be talked about in another thread, this one is about Ashlynn.

[Fuchikoma]

Out of interest, do you do that for Tier, or just because you like them?

Both. I love the vanguard models a lot, and I think that they can help Ashlynn stick around a little bit longer.