Strakhov's Overrun

[Khador247]

"When target model in this model's battlegroup destroys one or more enemy models with an attack, immediately after the attack is resolved one model in this model's battlegroup that is in its control area can make a full advance, then Overrun expires. Overrun can be cast only once per turn and lasts for one turn". It's two focus to cast. Not an upkeep.

Ok so I'm I reading this correctly because if I am then this spell is awesome. Let's assume that I cast this on Beast 09 and that I have Superiority upkept on him making him SPD 6. He charges something that is 11 inches away (9 inch charge + reach) and kills it. He then gets to move another six inches and spend focus for more swings?

If you can set it up just right on Strakhov's feat turn a Superioritied Beast 09 could charge at his SPD 6 plus seven inches giving him a 15 inch threat range on the charge thanks to reach. He could kill a model and then move another six inches and swing some more. So the total threat range would be 21 inches and being that it is Strakhov's feat turn he'd be charging for free and have Pathfinder. The Superiority would also make Beast MAT 9, DEF 12 and immune to knockdown.

Do I have this right?

[Storbagarn]

you have this right. And with inprint and tresher he can pretty much clear his own chargelanes. It IS awesome

[marskitten]

Yup often I go murderous, and charge with his open fist to trigger overrun to get to my real target. Which often provokes this before it happens.
"You charged with his fist?"
"Yup"
"Why?"
"Okay, Roll 3d6 to hit, hit, pow 15 3d6 against chumpy the warrior living model, he predictably explodes, over run, oh hello warcaster, I take my initial axe swing now."

[OrsusSmash]

Overrun was/is one of the spells that makes Mortenebra such a "darling" to play against. And she's had it since Mk. 1 (though I believe it was called "Death Race" back then.)

When I saw Strakov had that as part of his spell list, I shed a single tear of joy. Its a prime example of a "shenanigans" spell, and something we usually don't have access to in Khador (non-linear, out of sequence warjack movement.) Add in Superiority to off-set SPD 4, and Strakov ends up being able to run some really interesting plays with his battlegroup.

[PG_Shadow37]

Welcome to the awesomeness that is Strakhov. You can use a similar strategy with a Spriggan. You wont get the same damage output, but the ability to bulldoze models out of way to get to your real target is invaluable.

[Col_Festus]

The Spriggan/Devastator can also be really nasty under this combo. A few neat little tricks..

Charge the devistator into a bunch of infantry and explode, then activate Strakhov and cast overrun on himself move up shoot someone and move the devastator back, then put stealth on it =). Used that little combo a few times to great effect.

The spriggan works very similar to beast 09 except you have a Mat 10 shot on the first attack, great for high def squishy warcasters. Also with bulldoze you can move some intervening models should things not go quite your way.

[PG_Viper114]

The only problem I see with it is that you're still vulnerable to free strikes during that time, so just hope the plan goes without a hitch even if you do take damage in the process.

I don't think I've ever used Overrun myself. I need to start trying it out...

[OrsusSmash]

Speaking of the Overrun turn, how do you guys budget for that? Strakov's intense focus requirements are one of the main things that throws me with him right now.

Lets say Superiority is out there. Upkeep that for 1. Overrun is a clutch spell, and it goes a long way to let our warjacks rule at initiative, so thats another 2 focus down. That leaves 3, which is what a warjack is going to need to be able to capitalize on any Overrun shenanigans that turn.

That all wouldn't be so bad if there's only one warjack, but I see that as asking for trouble (especially since Strakov isn't a terribly heavy hitter himself,) so I like to bring 2 with him. If the Superiority 'jack gets 3 focus, the other one starves (or gets 1 if the Koldun Lord is around,) which works well enough (though it feels a little like a waste.)

Plus, Strakov's feat turn tends to leave him keister-out in front of the enemy, and sometimes Occulation will keep you from getting capped (especially since he's out of focus at this point.)

I guess my question is: what have folks found is the best way to work with his limited focus resources on a turn where you know you're going for an Overrun move?

[PG_Viper114]

I generally like having two or more warjacks no matter the warcaster, so what I do is I pour everything into one, which will be the offensive warjack, while the other one hangs back.

For example, I have a Strakhov list with both Beast-09 and Torch. My plan is to have Beast-09 act as the offensive warjack, running up and causing as much damage as possible. Torch, on the other hand, will be hanging close to Strakhov, acting as a bodyguard. This will mean that Torch won't be getting much in the ways of focus, while Beast-09 will be the one who will have three focus along with Feat + Overrun + Superiority.

Chances are Beast-09 on that turn will cause massive damage, possibly even killing my opponent in one or two shots. If, however, Beast-09 can't kill the enemy warcaster/warlock, or wasn't able to reach him and caused damage elsewhere, chances are then he will be swarmed and annihilated as payback for the damage he caused, or maybe just heavily damaged if I'm lucky. If that's the case, I have Torch still going and can work with him (while Beast-09 can still cause more damage if he's still alive).

[TheHydrogenator]

If I run a jack other then Beast with Strakhov its the Kodiak every time. With a Koldun it gets 1 focus on that Overrun/Feat/Assination turn. He's charging for free on feat turn and has one focus and has a chain attack. He'll kill a squishy target and maul a harder one. Drago is very effective as well, he has the same pts cost as the Kodiak but charges for free and benefits from a slightly higher MAT. With Strakhov its about focus efficiency. Kodiaks, Berserkers, Drago, Beast 09, if it runs or charges for free run it with him, anything that lightens the load on Strakhov is very useful.

[PG_mongre36]

In a recent game I used Overrun as follows.

Upkeep Superiority on Beast-09
Allocate 2 Focus Beast 09
Allocate 1 Focus Torch
Cast overrun on Beast-09
Charge Beast 09 at enemy Great Bears
Thresher destroys one GB after it failed the tough roll
Trigger Overrun on Torch moving it 4"
Activate Torch move 4" more
Spray into a forest targeting Eyriss boosting to hit with base RAT5
Eyriss is destroyed

Basically Torch was able to reach 14" on that turn with a POW12 attack that even ignored the Doom Reaver that Eyriss was in melee with.

I find it tricky to use though, and this is really the first game where overrun did not either put Strakhov in a fatal position or I messed up the order I wanted things to occur. I do find it works much better with two warjacks.

[Khador247]

Awesome. I thought I understood correctly but just wanted to be certain. So for one turn Beast 09 can have more threat range than a mortar. Sweet.

[Rogue Sun]

Keep in mind Overrun doesn't always have to be used offensively either. It can be a defensive spell or simply used to move your troops around. Two examples of this would be when Strakhov exposes himself for his feat. Cast overrun on a jack and have that jack activate last. Once you kill something Strakhov retreats 6" back into cover.

Additionally moving things around can be a great help. I recently played a game where I cast overrun on a Spriggan with 3 focus who was engaged with some Legion heavy. My Spriggan killed the beast, but had no focus left. I then noticed the Spriggan was blocking a direct charge line Markhov had to the enemy warlock. With overrun my spriggan just walked 6" out of the way and let Markov use his 11" charge to lay the smackdown.