Which Rhulic jacks to get first?

[JohnOSpencer]

Hello all,

With General Ossram coming out soon, I've decided to start adding a Rhulic caster or three to my mercanary forces. I picked up Gorten already and will pick up Ossram when he comes out.

What jacks should I pick up first? I'm thinking of picking up a pack of Blastersand a Rockram but I'm not sure those are the best starts. Driller seems kinda tempting, but I like the perceived versatility of the Rockram.

Any thougths?

[ColdYinTiger]

Honestly I prefer the rock with Madhammer, but more veteran mercs can tell you more. He could work well though with FFE on the Rock or Avalancher, and you cant ever go wrong with the gunbunnies. Driller I see being better on the other two dwarves because of their damage buffs ramping up that sustained attack nicely, but it does happen to be dirt cheap point wise. Also note that the Driller has the all important open hand on it, which no other dwarf jack has. The basher could be fun with him and all of his movement shenanigans.

[Ricky Racoon]

Gunners and Drillers first. Gunners are universally useful, focus efficient, and a great buy for their points. The Driller is the cheap and reliable option. The rockram is nice, but a bit more finesse and situational, and the Basher, while great, is still very niche. But... Buy'em ALL!

Also, the Avalancher will benefit a good deal from Fire For Effect.

[SportsComedian]

Basher, Basher, and more Basher.

He's only 7 points, has grand slam which makes him very focus efficient for a group that needs it badly. Put him on Thor and he has a 13 inch threat range. My favorite jack in all the game.

Rockram is pretty good, but I put Bashers and Drillers in more lists.

[Zelot # 87]

Depending on your cash flow you could buy all the jacks or just a few some magnets and make omni jacks.

Now in my opinion I think these jacks work best with these casters/marshalls

Gorten - Basher & Driller & Gunbunnies
Durgen - Basher & Rockram & Gunners
Ossrum - Not really sure. I think he will like Avalancher & Basher & Rockram & Gunbunnies.
Thor - Avalancher & Basher & Gunbunnies

Ossrum is a little different because unlike Gorten and Durgen he does not have anything to increase STR or melee damage so I don't think Drillers are his cup of tea. The Avalancher & Rockram can make good use of FfE and everyone loves Energizer. Gunbunnies I think will be helpful because all they ever need is a single focus and just like Gorten and Durgen I presume Ossrum will be starved for focus.

[Da-Rock]

You need a beatstick with every Caster and Ossrum is not different. You either go Driller or Rockram with him. I have successfully put the Avalancher on Gun Corps and Thor of course.

[Rollis]

Drillers are great both for their damage potential, and as a baiting piece. People will learn what a tuned up driller can do, and will want to take it out. So if that 6 points is soaking all the incoming fire, good. If they commit their jacks to killing it and you can charge with someone else next turn, good.

I use my Bashers as alpha strike models with the sole purpose of firing them into the enemy lines and screwing up their plans. With Grand Slam, follow up, and Flak Field...they either have to commit to killing it (which isn't easy, a basher with 1 box can still blow up infantry) or risk having it slam and flak behind their lines as much as it wants.

Rockram is great with Durgen, okay with Gorten, and potentially great with Ossrum. Not because of Fire for Effect (which is probably better suited on H&J most of the time), but because of all the movement increasing shenanigans he can do. A speedy Rockram is a SCARY Rockram.

Both light 'jacks are great regardless of caster, and are amazing for solo/unit officer removal and stealth spraying. Not to mention they never need more than 1 focus.

Avalancher...oh, how I wish I had better things to say. Yeah, it has long range. And the gun is pretty strong. But it is also 9 points. Which is a Driller and Thor with points left over. I'd take those two over an Avalancher any day of the week. Or 3 Gunners, if you just want cheap, effective firepower. The best thing I can say about them is that Thor can use Pronto to move them and increase the already long range. But...he can also Pronto a Basher and have it slam for cheaper. I wish they were slightly more useful, or slightly less point cost. I say all this in spite of the fact that I somehow manage to own 3 of them.

Keep in mind that Ossrum is going to want to upkeep a lot of spells, effectively reducing his focus to 3 or 4 a turn. So free slams from Bashers, and Powerful Shot on Gunners and Blasters are going to be the least strain on him. But when you need a second wave heavy hitter, a Driller for 6pts is never a bad idea.

[PG_LunarSol]

Purchasing order, IMO

2x Gunner
Driller
Basher
2x Blaster
Rockram
Avalancher

Honestly, you can probably get by with just the Gunners and Driller. Basher and Blaster are definitely next, with the Rockram just a bit below. Avalancher is definitely at the bottom though.

[PG_vytzka]

My favorite is the Rockram by far. Just a pure engine of destruction, a Rhulic Mangler of sorts.

Then the Basher which is focus effective, can be marshalled well and is just plain useful for shenanigans.

Then the Driller which is very plain and unassuming (before you stack the buffs) but cheap and gets the job done.

Season with gunbunnies to taste.

[maxxev]

Driller and one of each of the lights IMO.

Then it's down to flavour, but avalancher last without a doubt.

[Da-Rock]

where the hell were all of you when I bought the Avalancher first a year ago? :-)

I actually like my Avalancher, (just not the 9pts). I just finished up building and buying a 50pt Ossrum Tier 4 list. I have x2 Gunners and a Driller. Avalancher is on the Hammerfall Gun Corps and the Basher is on Thor.

I can always move the Avalancher to Thor too, but I want to test this out more. I think the driller will work, but as others have said, the Rockram is pretty cool!

[PG_vytzka]

I actually like my Avalancher, (just not the 9pts).

I... think that's everyone's opinion, pretty much

[Ricky Racoon]

Here's something I'd like to say: Thor runs best with the Gunners. Pronto can give them a 22" threat, or a 17" threat at RAT 8 with aim. A Rat 8 doesn't need to be boosted as much, so you can boost the POW 12, and deliver impressive results, quite similar to spending a focus, but it's FREE. Saves valuble focus for running Melee 'Jacks or casting spells. This is particularly useful, because it allows thor to stay quite a bit away from the gunners, which in turn have a very solid range.

Blasters, well, I think they are better on a caster. A blaster dropping a Powerful Attack spray can really multiply it's focus investment, and it makes it a credible weapon against enemy jacks(ARM 19-20 is probably the major breakpoint). Thor can get a better delivery/position for the spray, but the Blaster has the better spray with a caster, in my opinion. And they are a bit close quarters, which can leave Thor much too close to the action.

Thor is critical for late game Driller face wreaking, and allows Durgen and Gorten to deliver the sort steam-powered carnage that could potentially eat through a Colossal or very close to it.

[maxxev]

Here's something I'd like to say: Thor runs best with the Gunners. through a Colossal or very close to it.

Depends on the situation / opponent. Against most Ret armies for instance it's very handy to have a speedy blaster with all boosted attacks, you don't even need to boost the damage rolls to kill a lot of thier solos / units.

I did a very in-depth write up of Thor & Rhulic jacks which can be found here:
http://privateerpressforums.com/show...Steinhammer-do

[Ricky Racoon]

Depends on the situation / opponent. Against most Ret armies for instance it's very handy to have a speedy blaster with all boosted attacks, you don't even need to boost the damage rolls to kill a lot of thier solos / units.

I did a very in-depth write up of Thor & Rhulic jacks which can be found here:
http://privateerpressforums.com/show...Steinhammer-do

I'm not going to argue that with you Maxxev: you're part of the reason thor goes in almost ALL my merc armies. He's one of the first 5-8 points I toss in. Because of you, man.

[MagnustheJust]

I'm not going to argue that with you Maxxev: you're part of the reason thor goes in almost ALL my merc armies. He's one of the first 5-8 points I toss in. Because of you, man.

You see what you did Maxxev?!?

I hope you are proud of yourself...

[MagnustheJust]

Seriously though, I would recommend two of each Bunny, and a Rockram to start. Then add in the Driller after you get more comfortable with it...

[JohnOSpencer]

Thanks for all the ideas. Still not sure what I'll get, but I've got time.

Purchasing order, IMO

2x Gunner
Driller
Basher
2x Blaster
Rockram
Avalancher

Honestly, you can probably get by with just the Gunners and Driller. Basher and Blaster are definitely next, with the Rockram just a bit below. Avalancher is definitely at the bottom though.

Gunners and Drillers first. Gunners are universally useful, focus efficient, and a great buy for their points. The Driller is the cheap and reliable option. The rockram is nice, but a bit more finesse and situational, and the Basher, while great, is still very niche. But... Buy'em ALL!

Also, the Avalancher will benefit a good deal from Fire For Effect.

Why the Gunners first? With all the direct fire options, I would've thought the Blasters would be better...totally boosted sprays and all that.

[maxxev]

Why the Gunners first? With all the direct fire options, I would've thought the Blasters would be better...totally boosted sprays and all that.

Mainly I like gunners due to solo assasination and Thor is far better at getting the gunners there than everyone else, I rarely take a gunner on a caster anymore, the blaster benifits more from the point of focus, however again it depends on opponents, I will swap them round (blaster on Thor) when facing retribution.
One of each would be best, but unfortunately they come in blisters of 2.... if you have a merc deck though there is nothing stopping you converting one of them with a different gun (e.g. buy a blster of gunners and put an ork shoota in the top for the blaster or something).

[Rollis]

Why the Gunners first? With all the direct fire options, I would've thought the Blasters would be better...totally boosted sprays and all that.

Combination of long range, what could be considered more mobile, good pow, boostable attack and damage for 1 focus, and 3 points. If you want a specific target dead, it can probably take care of it for you.

[Ricky Racoon]

Gunners on Thor just function great: pronto giving you RAT 8 aimed shots with boosted damage is almost as good as a focus from a warcaster, and focus free. They work for the casters as well, and the 12" range and POW 12 go a lot further against hard targets. The Blaster is better when you give it focus and send it after multiple targets, or especially for hitting a caster behind something. A Rat 6 handcannon is just generally useful: it can ping casters, jacks, murder solos, kill infantry and stay alive while it does it. Don't get me wrong though, a pronto, tuned-up baster can do some damage to stealth infantry, but the gunner is just more universally useful and applicable.

[StJason]

I'm thinking I want to try Ossrum with the Bunny Warren idea.

Martial Discipline + Energizer + Unstoppable Force + 13 bunnies = 34 points of chaos. Toss in Snipe & FfE for specific situations. It's not likely to take down a Colossal, but it will easily swarm around it and get the warcaster behind...

[MagnustheJust]

I'm thinking I want to try Ossrum with the Bunny Warren idea.

Martial Discipline + Energizer + Unstoppable Force + 13 bunnies = 34 points of chaos. Toss in Snipe & FfE for specific situations. It's not likely to take down a Colossal, but it will easily swarm around it and get the warcaster behind...

Sorry Bubba... Martial Discipline reads "Friendly living warrior models..."

No Bunny Warren for you!!

[StJason]

Sorry Bubba... Martial Discipline reads "Friendly living warrior models..."

No Bunny Warren for you!!

Does it? Crap! Guess I'll have to be satisfied with Unstoppable Force and Energizer and 13 light warjacks (though trading one in to get Thor is tempting...). Aw, man.

[ekim]

how can you feild 13 bunnies? arent they FA:2 ?

[PG_vytzka]

how can you feild 13 bunnies? arent they FA:2 ?

Jacks are normally FA:U or FA:C in Mark II with a few exceptions (Renegade and Renegade).

[ekim]

well sweet then ! i guess we do have multi wound med based infantry afterall

[maxxev]

well sweet then ! i guess we do have multi wound med based infantry afterall

Err ogrun assault corps?

[PG_ForsakenPoptart]

I don't really bother with the Driller, Rockram, or Avalancher- my forces almost always consist exclusively of a Basher (maybe two), Gunners, and a Blaster or two. If you want to bum some of mine, John, just shoot me a message and remind me to bring them to GnS on a Sunday- try before you buy!

[JohnOSpencer]

I might take you up on that, but not this week...I've got an unbound game. I just got some Blasters and will probably get a Basher as soon as I can since Thor can make him awesome in many lists.