Kaya The Moonhunter (Epic Kaya): Tactica

[Gsot]

The format for this guide has been borrowed from Mutton on the Cygnar forum and the content has been gathered from a discussion thread with the help of many forum users in particular, taffyjoe, mentat_canis, Ruan, Blaque and TrentM. Any problems please pm me.

Kaya The Moonhunter

Overview
eKaya is Circle’s premier beast caster with an emphasis on strike first, strike hardest. She is a support caster on the whole as she has very little destructive power herself. eKaya is often found with at least 3 heavies and usually is working with Warpwolf variants for their speed and destructive power. She has the best battlegroup support of all our casters with the ability to give stealth through a spell, movement through feat and a spell and buffs both strength and defence. She is a very competitive caster as her weaknesses are a general faction strength, namely the removal of infantry. She brings a character light with her called Laris, this is a key strength as if Laris could be taken by other casters it would be a near auto include. She pays for this with the lowest in faction warbeast points.

Statistics
As a young girl eKaya has a stat line you would expect, high SPD and DEF matched with low STR and CMD. She is tougher than you might think, ARM 14 and 16 boxes, especially when you are bringing around 100 boxes of warbeast damage to transfer to. Her command of 8 isn’t exactly inspiring but as she will be with beasts and far reaching support pieces it isn’t a noticeable negative. Her FURY of 6 is something that will be noticed every game. She has many ways to help that stat out which will be explained below but it can be frustrating at times.

Abilities, Weapons and Feat
eKaya has Pathfinder as expected. Her next ability is fantastic and why she shines as a beast caster, Living Warbeasts can run, charge, slam or trample for free. This means on early turns you will have to rile correctly but in the middle to end game it is equivalent to an extra attack with the best weapon of every beast. She has Flank [faction warbeast] which can make her attacks potent but she is still lacking in hitting power as her weapon is average at best. She has a decent POW weapon which brings her up to an average P+S of 11. Reach is a bonus, as is the standard magical weapon, but generally she is only going to finish off a wounded model. eKaya also has unyielding, meaning she is ARM 16 whilst engaging an enemy.
Her feat is spectacular, the options are still being explored as the distances involved can be huge. On feat turn eKaya can force beasts even if they are outside her control zone and at the end of their activation they can teleport back to eKaya and be placed within 3” of her. Coupled with a few support pieces charges can start from anywhere on the board, be forced anywhere on the board and then be placed within 20” of Laris’ starting position. I will explore three options for this later...

Spells
Dog Pile : This spell helps open up the entire board to eKaya’s warbeasts. Battlegroup warbeasts can charge, or slam the target without being forced and regardless of LOS. If it does it gains +2” movement and pathfinder. Three main ideas here, charge without LOS, charge even though out of control area for free, extra speed and pathfinder. All three are great options, especially the charge out of control zone when we consider eKaya’s movement options in the tactics section is can be easy to make a mistake in placement with the small control area. Upkeep.
Forced Evolution: Probably the joint best buff in the game with Defenders Ward. +2 STR and DEF is incredible in a generally low weapon POW, high base DEF army. There is a drawback however as it is living warbeast only, just another reason why eKaya is pushed down the furry path.
Muzzle: When this is the weakest spell on your list you are quite happy! POW 12 when a warbeast is damage by this spell it cannot advance towards this model. Situational but quite strong, it is really a 4 FURY spell though. If it is a critical part of your plan you will probably boos the hit and at POW 12 you will certainly boost the damage. Stops the Molik Khan assassination run dead though!
Shadow Pack: Again situational but usually worth casting turn 1. Gives the battlegroup stealth for 3 FURY and is an upkeep.

Laris
Laris is a support light beast that provides us with many tactical options. First it is an Arc Node, this is incredible, Dog Pile and Muzzle have a range of 10 so this gives us a range of almost 24”! Even Forced evolution can be arced with its range of 6 meaning you can spread out a little more during a turn you intend to cycle forced evolution. Laris is a good all round light, high DEF and SPD, decent STR and FURY 3, THRESHOLD 10 give you a lot of good options. Laris only has 1 P+S 12 attack so is a good choice to slam with as you don’t lose much and have good speed to get there.
The animus is a key component of the way eKaya is played. Forced for 2 Laris can be placed within 2” of eKaya, cast for two eKaya is placed within 2” of Laris. The model cannot advance after it is placed. This allows flexibility in the game plan, you can easily switch sides of the battlefield, jumping to a different control point in steamroller play. Giving an alternate path in the assassination run with Laris running 14”, eKaya placed within 2” and then reaching another 2” you can have a threat of 19” from Laris at anytime. If you have upkept dog pile on a target you can shift eKaya a potential 30” and still have your beasts charge and then teleport to you.
The last key ability is Guard Dog, while Laris is within 3” of eKaya the warcaster cannot be targeted by free strikes, back strikes and gains +2 DEF. This makes eKaya a possible 18/16 which is disgustingly high. Most DEF 18 models are near auto dead when hit, she has the armour of a Bastion! It isn’t just defensive either, if a caster is left on a few boxes during an assassination run and the only way to get to the caster is with free strikes you can go engage the model in question with Laris and then charge through without the free strikes.

[Gsot]

Army Compostion

Heavies
The first thing you should think about is “Am I taking the Trinity” ie the Pureblood, the Stalker and the Feral. This comes in at 25 points (including the warbeast points) and gives us an appropriate amount of FURY and a blend of skills that quite simply gets the job done. The Pureblood and the Stalker would be my choice if I was only taking 2 of them. If you need to squeeze a point a Gnarlhorn is another great option instead of the Feral, particularly for it's defensive qualities (counter slam) and animus. The Stalkers reach, animus and ability to warp berserk is too much to give up and the Purebloods utility and solo/caster damaging potential is too good for me to pass on.
The constructs are largely out of consideration, not just for the buff aspect but for the fact geomancy doesn’t have a great signature spell on her list. There is potential to Muzzle/Dog Pile an entire battlegroup but it is a lot of FURY for a risky move. Plus if you are spending 9 to Dog Pile something you have 9 points less wrecking it!

Lights
Really the best 3 are Gorax, Woldwatcher and Argus, probably in that order. The Gorax animus turns any living warbeast into a killing machine and in a roundabout way helps with FURY management. The watchers animus keeps your caster and guard dog on their feet and that DEF sky high, depending on how aggressive you want to play your caster the watcher might even become first thing on the list. The Argus is considered a weaker choice but its bark can stop warjacks charging were Muzzle can’t and it is another SPD 7 slam piece. Its animus is again situational but adds to the tool box and is instrumental in the reverse lock tactic.

Units
Druids are as always incredible, she offers them nothing but their push/pull effect can ensure the glass hammer hits first and second. With a lot of beasts, stones are a good investment due to their healing and FURY management alone. Other than those two key units as a beast caster the rest are of a personal taste. Any strong unit will work well, units with a weakness generally won’t as she offers them nothing. Skinwalkers and Druids are needed for her Theme Army lists.

Solos
Usual trio of solos are all good here, LOTF, Blackclad and Wilder all have good synergy and are strong pieces in their own right. I like the Reeve Hunter with a War Wolf or two if you require extra anti infantry, the War Wolves can charge in the Reeves activation to free him up during his 6 model kill streak and also feels quite strong in theme of eKaya being a leader of a wolf pack.

Tips and Tricks

Assassination run: eKaya along with Laris have a fairly long range assassination run which includes place effects to ensure more options. The basic version is Run Laris 14", eKaya casts Laris' animus and in placed a further 2", her base is 1" and she has 2" reach meaning eKaya can initial combat at upto 19" away from Laris' starting position. Factor in Laris's could be 12" away when move starts and you have a huge distance. Another nice variation helps when things have gone wrong. If there is a general melee of both sides you can use the shifting stones to teleport Laris 'over the top' and then place eKaya as before. This is only 8" + ~2" base + 2" place + 1" base + 2" reach = 15" (just less because Laris' base isn't quite 2") but it is all place effects which adds to it's flexibility and unpredictability.

Threat ranges: eKaya excels at sending beasts a long way. Feral warps speed, Dog Pile plus Hunter Mark from Blackclad and Gnarlhorns Animus = 17.5” Charge with 4 FURY to spend not needing LOS so straight through a wood. A Stalker can reach 17” and still warp strength, ghostly or berserk! The best bit is both Dog Pile and Hunters Mark are target specific meaning both Stalker and Feral can get there in the same turn. With the popularity of 1 or 2 ‘super’ heavy jack lists (Behemoth or Deathjack on their own, maybe with an arc node) then arriving with 2 killer heavies from 17” away and wrecking their only heavy is a strong play.

1-2 Punch: The most common use of eKaya’s feat is the 1-2 Punch. Charge with extended threat ranges, return to eKaya and the serenity of the shifting stones and wilder to remove the FURY and then do it all again. With the stones teleporting the Pureblood out within 8” the Pureblood spray has jumped to 20” at POW 14 magical. He can be spotted somewhere to get best spray no matter how dangerous the position is as he will return to safety when he is done. FURY is obscene on his turn, eKaya can take 6, the Stones 3 and Wilder 4 meaning 13 is spent on boosting and buying only as charges are free! Often I leave eKaya with one for a freak transfer giving me 12 which just happens to be the full Trinity maxed and then returned to 0.

1-2 Slide: Similar to the Punch but more of a Steamroller move. The intention is to hit one edge of opponent's army hard and then slide sideways off it allowing you to hopefully take a CP and contest another. The flanking aspect of this cannot be over looked as it is unlikely that anything strong enough to deal with Warpwolves will not be able to swap flanks quickly enough. The issue is you need to start with Laris and run him to the flank, then shift eKaya over there. If it goes wrong there is a chance she will be exposed. Also the stones are difficult to get far enough to be able to fully flank the opponent. If you need the stones you often won’t move the Warpwolves far enough around. The best of both worlds is to move 2 Warpwolves as far as possible and have all 3 stones take the FURY off the 1 beast that is closest.

Bumrush: A fairly new tactic was raised in the thread and I like it, I have tried it a few times and I will be trying it more. The basic premise is to use Laris’ speed to get him right amongst the enemy and then shift eKaya in. She feats and places her whole army ‘inside’ the enemies formation maximising engagements and giving the opponent a 1 turn ‘chess problem’ or die. Key elements are getting a solid hit on the opponents frontline before ‘jumping’ over them to be placed. Another piece is the Woldwatcher as he prevents pushes/slams/knockdowns from making the ‘chess problem’ easier. Also a flanking unit is needed to hem in the opponent to stop them freeing up their caster and running away. Bog Trog Ambushers are the OPs suggestion and I have been trying Wolf Riders with success. Something fast enough to encircle the opponent and reach is an advantage. A small hint for this, try to get eKaya engaging but not engaged and trap the enemy model with another piece. eKaya will be sat at 18/16 immune to knockdown.

Synergies: eKaya’s feat triggers at end of activation as does Stalkers animus. Trigger the feat first place model then move 6”.
Dog Pile + Building + Pureblood, you can charge through buildings/obstacles with no LOS. Remember you must clear building/obstacle completely. And it can be any Warpwolf within 7” of the Pureblood.
Gnarlhorn Follow Up with Feat, you can propel a Gnarlhorn a great distance for a slam, follow up into the juicy under belly and buy 4 more attacks. Normally this would leave the Gnarlhorn exposed but with the feat you can bring it right back. And then send a Stalker straight down the same path.

Summary

eKaya is like a featherweight boxer, the individual pieces are not the biggest or the strongest but she can hit you 2-3 times before you get 1 shot. Use the synergies and buffs to make sure the shots land hard and then you should be on clean up duty. She isn’t the best at straight assassination, I mean the type where only the caster dies and the army is left largely alone. But she’ll often win by caster kill. Once the opponent's main threats are gone you can push the pace and bully the opponent with 3 heavies to their 1 or none. She has the movement and push/pull shenanigans to compete in steamroller central scenarios and the speed to get there in the radial ones. Her threat ranges make killbox uncomfortable for the opponents. I’ll leave you with a 1 line summation...

“Run hot, run fast, hit first, hit hard.”

Keep reading folks... Post #12 and #19 have some extra awesome sauce for you to devour...

[Gsot]

Some example lists with common themes and synergies.

25 point 'Trinity'

eKaya +3
- Laris

Pureblood - 9
Feral - 9
Stalker - 10

35 point 'Trinity'

eKaya +3
- Laris

Pureblood - 9
Feral - 9
Stalker - 10

Druids - 7
Shifting Stones + UA - 3

35 point 'Long Shots'

eKaya +3
- Laris

Pureblood - 9
Stalker - 10
Gnarlhorn - 8

Shifting Stones - 2

Blackclad - 2
Wilder - 2
LOTF - 4

35 point 'Pack Hunters'


eKaya +3
- Laris

Pureblood - 9
Stalker - 10
Gorax - 4
Argus - 4

Min Wolf Riders - 6

Reeve Hunter - 2
2 War Wolves - 2


Tier 4 35 point
eKaya +3
- Laris

Pureblood - 8*
Stalker - 9*
Gnarlhorn - 7*

Min Skinwalkers - 5
Druids - 7
Shifting Stones or Druid Wilder - 2

[mentat_canis]

Great Review I really think you took that other eKaya thread and laid it out and summed it up perfectly. The only thing I saw is that it looks like you have Muzzle as an upkeep and its her only non-upkeep spell even though I really really wish it was.

My only other input is that the Gnarlhorn is really great for her because of its defensive aspect as well, though it does mess with the aesthetic.

[PG_fildrigar]

defence

Are you British?

Good writeup, it has been added to the Wilding Way.

[Bumpasses]

nice work,
ty sir!



j

[Gsot]

Added a few things as per your suggestion, my Gnarlhorn experience is zero unfortunately. I don't like the DEF 12 in an army of 14-18 average even though I can see it's value through animus and interactions with eKaya's feat.

[Gsot]

Yes British, should probably have used the US version as this is a US site but was typing fast. And it adds a little flavour to the scene and the community! (see what I did there?)

[PG_fildrigar]

Yes British, should probably have used the US version as this is a US site but was typing fast. And it adds a little flavour to the scene and the community! (see what I did there?)

I see what you did there, next you'll be going on about how much "armour" she has, and what "colour" to paint her.

Leave it, don't change it just for us silly Americans.

[TrentM]

Well done Gsot. I prefer your Canadian spellings as well.

[kaneblaise]

The OP suggests that wolds are nearly useless in an eKaya list, however I think I could find uses for a Warden or Megalith. It seems to me that Megalith can help out with his animus and by cycling Forced Evolution. With that said, however, I have never played eKaya, so that is just theorymachine. Are there any second opinions or other considerations regarding the Moonhunter and constructs?

[Ruan]

1-2 Slide: Similar to the Punch but more of a Steamroller move. The intention is to hit one edge of opponent’s army hard and then slide sideways off it allowing you to hopefully take a CP and contest another. The flanking aspect of this can’t be over looked as it is unlikely that anything strong enough to deal with Warpwolves will not be able to swap flanks quickly enough. The issue is you need to start with Laris and run him to the flank, then shift eKaya over there. If it goes wrong there is a chance she will be exposed. Also the stones are difficult to get far enough to be able to fully flank the opponent. If you need the stones you often won’t move the Warpwolves far enough around. The best of both worlds is to move 2 Warpwolves as far as possible and have all 3 stones take the FURY off the 1 beast that is closest.

I was playing a Steamroller scenario today, prepping an eKaya list for a turn tomorrow. It was the Destruction scenario, where one objective is placed on each side of the board. Once you take out one objective, the other pops up next turn during maintenance, then you take out that one. It was a perfect chance for me to try something similar to the above strategy.

Keep in mind that I actually read the scenario wrong when we set it up - I thought both objectives for both sides started on the board - this was incorrect. This essentially meant that my opponent got stuck trying to cover both sides of the board, which ended up screwing him over.

Essentially it was...

35 pt

eKaya + Laris
Pureblood
Stalker
Gnarlhorn
Gorax
Shifting Stones + UA
Blackclad
Wilder

I roll, get first turn... which is pretty key for pulling something like this off.

Deployment was something like...

-------------Very Spread Out Skorne Army With No Advance Deployment-------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------(Opponent's Objective)---------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------Objective---------------------------------------------------------------
-----Shifting Stones with Stone Keeper---------------------------------------------------
--------eKaya-----------Blackclad-------Laris-----Stalker/Gnarlhorn/Pureblood/Gorax/Wilder

First turn: Stones shift straight forward. eKaya drops 4 fury and runs straight forward. Blackclad runs forward. Laris runs straight forward. Stalker/Gnarlhorn/Pureblood/Gorax all run forward, being forced by the Wilder to run (thus why eKaya dropped 4 - the beasts were out of her control area). Wilder runs after them.

He essentially runs his relatively slow force (very Titan heavy) up.

-------------Very Spread Out Skorne Army With Slow Titans-----Molik Karn right here------
----------------------------------------------------------(Opponent's Objective)---------
-----Shifting Stones with Stone Keeper---------------------------------------------------
--------eKaya-----------Blackclad-------Laris-----Stalker/Gnarlhorn/Pureblood/Gorax/Wilder
-----------------Objective---------------------------------------------------------------


Second turn: eKaya moves into position where the next objective is going to be, casts Shadowpack and arcs Forced Evo onto the Pureblood (Stalker out of arc range, going to need to keep that in mind next time), pops feat and camps last fury. Wilder gives Stalker Bounding. Pureblood moves up, sprays at objective, doesn't do any damage, ports to eKaya. Stalker charges objective, takes it out, ports to eKaya. The other beasts do random things, end up porting to eKaya. Shifting Stones move into position to take off fury/shift model next round.

------------Still Very Spread Out Skorne Army with Titans---------Molik Karn-------------------
-----------(Loc of New Objective)-----------------------(Opponent's Objective XGoneX)-------
-----Shifting Stones with Stone Keeper-----Blackclad------------------------------------------
-----Stalker/Gnarlhorn/Pureblood/Gorax--------------------------------------------------------
--------eKaya+Laris-----------------------------------------Wilder---------------------------
------------My Objective---------------------------------------------------------------------

Location of next objective is essentially in walking range, let alone charge range of my models. Wilder's kinda left on her lonesome, but she did her job letting me do the extreme flank and giving Bounding. If I hadn't needed that, she would've run toward eKaya. Shifting Stones will be taking off fury, and are also in front of my heavies blocking charge/slam lanes. At this point my opponent concedes, because there's no way short of ungodly dice rolling on my part that he'll prevent me from taking the objective.

The problem, of course, was due to the scenario mix-up he was trying to guard two objectives, when only one should've been in play. Even then, it still probably wouldn't have saved his first objective - Stalker with Bounding on it alone as a 13" threat range, and he would've had to have run up models explicitly to block the charge lane... which is what all the other beasts were sitting there for in the first place, opening that lane up.

Depending on the scenario, it can be a downright nasty strategy that allows you to completely alpha strike on the opposite side of the board, then get ported over to eKaya all the way on the opposite side, ready to do it all over again. For this to work, in low points (<=35) you need a Wilder. If you're going with a 50 point, then go with:

eKaya + Laris
Pureblood
Stalker
Gnarlhorn
Gorax
Shifting Stones + UA
Shifting Stones
Druid+UA
Min Skinwalkers
Wilder

49 point eKaya T4 list.

In that case, you get druid UA and the Wilder on the flank, giving you dual forcing capability in case one dies, plus Druid Vortexing to protect beasts if needed. Skinwalkers run right up the middle. Would've looked more like this last turn:

------------Still Very Spread Out Skorne Army with Titans---------Molik Karn-------------------
-----------(Loc of New Objective)-----------------------(Opponent's Objective XGoneX)-------
-----SS+SK and SS w/o SK--------Skinwalker Tarpit to Block Right Flank-----------------------
-----Stalker/Gnarlhorn/Pureblood/Gorax-------------Druids+UA---------------------------------
--------eKaya+Laris-----------------------------------------Wilder---------------------------
------------My Objective---------------------------------------------------------------------

Skinwalkers block off the right flank while you prep yourself for another alpha strike, while Druids+UA move over to the left while harrying/pulling with Force Bolts.

--

Keep in mind that Laris is generally always in a position that you can abort, if needed, by Spirit Shifting eKaya right over to him. He stays relatively toward center for precisely that reason - he can get her over to either flank in a pinch.

[Gsot]

Ruan, nice! 1-2 Slide FTW!

Kaneblaise, I think Raun (above) highlights exactly what a refined eKaya list is capable of (and needs to do to survive), and I don't see heavy constructs being a part of it. Megalith = a Stalker, Woldwarden = Pureblood. If you use a construct heavy to cycle Forced Evo you need to lose a living warbeast to pay for it which means one less target. (A Druid Wilder is a much more cost efficient way of getting a cycle in. Upkeep on Stalker, eKaya casts on Pureblood, Wilder casts on Feral and the cycle is complete.) <-- whoops!

That being said as the lists expand to 50 points there might be room and more cause for Megalith/Warden. I just didn't think about 50 point lists to be honest. By then I was thinking that the players wouldn't need the tactica, or would have formed their own opinion. If anyone wants to add anything I'll edit it in. I am not the author as such I merely pooled together the advice from another thread, fleshed it out and formatted it.

[raincaller]

Side note Ruan you can have a war wolf in your tier list for ekaya to even it out to 50 excellent idea tho i like it

[kaneblaise]

Megalith = a Stalker, Woldwarden = Pureblood. If you use a construct heavy to cycle Forced Evo you need to lose a living warbeast to pay for it which means one less target. A Druid Wilder is a much more cost efficient way of getting a cycle in. Upkeep on Stalker, eKaya casts on Pureblood, Wilder casts on Feral and the cycle is complete.

Except the Wilder can't cast Forced Evolution since it isn't an animus. Also, with the Stalker's low-ish mat, I would imagine Megalith's ability to lower enemy defenses useful there as well. The only other option eKaya has to help to-hits is to boost or a gorax, which wastes fury or causes your beasts to frenzy. pKaya has packhunters and Kromac has wild aggression for comparison's sake. As for cycling, yes you can cast it, upkeep it, and cycle it, but then it's only getting to two beasts and you have to worry about order of operations.

As I said, I haven't played eKaya, so this is all just thinking out loud anywho.

[Bumpasses]

played my first mk2 games with her last nite, first game was a draw, second I lost due to attrition after biffing the feat turn.
Both games I continued with epic failure to roll anything above 4's and 5's...

but it was fun, esp the feat jump.

on a side note i ordered new dice today

j

[Ruan]

A note - in tourney play, you'll probably use your turn extension during her feat turn, especially if you're using it to alpha strike.

[PG_Izza]

one question about the Laris long shot assassination.
Laris goes zooming up the board into postion near the enemy caster.
Wont eKaya need to be within 12" of Laris to use his animus to Spirit Shift, what if she feats?

I'm never been completely clear on this issue.

[PG_LEJKaya]

Tips and tricks:

Bark Node Bounce
Early in the game use shifting stones to port Laris forwards. Kaya can use his advanced position to cast spells through him, even muzzle early on can ruin a game plan and if Kaya is really far back, she shouldn't need any fury.
After kaya activates, activate Laris and use his animus. He ports back to safety(Preferable back into the shifting stones).

Muzzle Madness
Its not the best spell ever but it has its uses. Cast it on a heavy beast. Cast the shadowhorns animus on a Gnarlhorn (Either Kaya, the beast or a wilder can do this) Next activate the Gnarlhorn and slam the heavy D6+4". Its now KD, well out of position and cant come forward next turn.
In a short game this can be effectively removed.
You can combine this with feat turn to bring the satyr back or follow up and smash the KD beast or something else.

[Garbin]

@Izza: Yes, Laris has to be whithin CTRL for Kaya to use his animus, but with her being SPD7 there should be no issues with that.

@Ruan: I was using 1-2 Slide for exactly same scenario and it works really good. if you start opponent has serious problem. I was actually using bit different list (2nd Stalker instead of Garlhorn and with no Blackclad), but AD on heavies is well worth it!

BTW, it is great thread and I'm happy it was created. Good job guys for input and Gsot for putting it together.

[Beest]

Brand new to circle but doesn't the argus' bark only affect living models?

[taffyjoe]

Yep, the Argus bark only affects living models, its been errattered to by the infernals.

Nice job Gsot, the only thing i'd add is that more aboout the tier force as it really alleviates her biggest weakness, board control.

The skinwalkers provide expendible high arm wounds near objectives and control points that can also protect druids and allow them to do their push-pull thing.

Its probably our best tier.

Nothing else to add! great job.

[Viperius]

The watchers animus keeps your caster and guard dog on their feet and that DEF sky high, depending on how aggressive you want to play your caster the watcher might even become first thing on the list.

watchers animus is self only, so sadly you can't cast it on laris, also as said before, the argus is now officially more useless since the spray only works on living models...

aside from that, great writeup.

[Khador247]

I've only played 5 Circle games so far and two of those have been EKaya tier 4. My last list was the first time I've tried a Gorax and it made for some great Shenanigans. My last list was EKaya, Laris, Stalker, Pureblood, 2 Ferals, Gorax, Wilder, Druids + UA, 3 Skinwalkers.

I was against Borka tier 4. With EKaya's tier 4 the heavy beasts advance deploy and the Druids get to advance as well with the UA. The Skinwalkers get to advance move. So, the bulk of your army gets a nice six inch head start. If you can get the first turn, which I did, then you can really get moving. I used my first turn to move the Druids ahead and used Summon Vortex to block LOS. In the second turn the Druids were able to Force Bolt a Dire Troll Mauler and Winter Troll towards me. I even got a lucky crit against the WT. The Mauler and Winter Troll fell victim to the Super Stalker. What is a Super Stalker you ask? A Stalker that has Forced Evolution, the Gorax Animus, and warped strength. How about a MAT 8, DEF 16, Warpwolf that gets to charge for free with a P&S 22 Sword and P&S 20 claw. Good times.

I have found the Skinwalkers to be quite useful in EKaya's theme list. They're very good for tying up the opponent which they did with Troll Champions in this game. In my first game I used them to guard EKaya and the Warpwolves on her feat turn. With Reach and ARM 18 in melee they're not easy to get past.

[SatireSphere]

I played the tier 4 list that Gsot listed and won a steamroller event today. I used her in all three games and won all soundly (the last one was kind of a crazy game but I managed to keep it together and take out Vayl).

Laris charge plus a Kaya spirit shift can kill most warlocks and some warcasters if they don't camp focus. The key in both cases is to use your feat to take out their heavy hitters and leave them in a desperate situation, where you can then sweep in for the game winning move. Against hordes I'm more than happy to trade beasts because mine will almost always come out ahead with the feat and the fact that the skinwalkers can hold up one of their beasts for a turn.

Stealth on battlegroup is absurdly powerful when combined with counter magic. It makes the core of your army near untouchable if your positioning is right.

[Archimedes the Dog]

I played the tier 4 list that Gsot listed and won a steamroller event today. I used her in all three games and won all soundly (the last one was kind of a crazy game but I managed to keep it together and take out Vayl).

Laris charge plus a Kaya spirit shift can kill most warlocks and some warcasters if they don't camp focus. The key in both cases is to use your feat to take out their heavy hitters and leave them in a desperate situation, where you can then sweep in for the game winning move. Against hordes I'm more than happy to trade beasts because mine will almost always come out ahead with the feat and the fact that the skinwalkers can hold up one of their beasts for a turn.

Stealth on battlegroup is absurdly powerful when combined with counter magic. It makes the core of your army near untouchable if your positioning is right.

Did you take Shifting Stones or the Wilder?

[SatireSphere]

The Wilder. I use her to go for crazy threat ranges with my beasts without having to recklessly throw Kaya forward. I used her to trample next to Hexeris with my Satyr, which would've ended the game if not for lame rolls on my part. Being able to pop out an animus is a great utility, and she's about as helpful with fury management as the stones are anyways.

[Archimedes the Dog]

The Wilder. I use her to go for crazy threat ranges with my beasts without having to recklessly throw Kaya forward. I used her to trample next to Hexeris with my Satyr, which would've ended the game if not for lame rolls on my part. Being able to pop out an animus is a great utility, and she's about as helpful with fury management as the stones are anyways.

I have really not been able to use the shifting stones effectively, myself, but the Wilder has been fantastic for me.

[SalsaShark]

I have a question about 25pt all beast lists. Since there are no stones or wilder for fury management how does the alpha strike/port away normally go? I was thinking that it would basically net you one of your heavies getting basically a free whack with all it's fury then ports away. Kaya probably would have had cast Dog Pile and could shed down to either 1-2 fury so no concern of frenzies. Either that or down to zero fury if you cast Bounding for the really long charge ranges. Only possibility of a frenzy might be Laris if you had to force him to run to get into position for the Dog Pile.

So it would basically be that you would try and take out a key piece with your Stalker/Feral then basically start the game again after feat with your opponent down something important to them. I suppose you could charge with two heavies and only force then twice each. With 2-3 attacks each you could probably do some nasty damage.

[Phatheadaf]

@ OP...


Really well done writeup, and I always like when somebody takes the initiative to do something like this. It's a good reference for new players, players thinking of starting a new warlock, or new faction...


Well Done.


A.

[Mavwick]

No Shadowhorn love? eKaya is the reason to HAVE a Shadowhorn Satyr. I typically slap Forced Evolution on it in early rounds and just intimidate opponents up front or on flanks with that DEF17 against a charge and the added caveat of KD if they miss. If they don't take care of him, I'll toss his animus on himself, leap towards a good target and throw it to the wolves, in a manner of speaking. It's a very real threat from a usually sub-par warbeast.
My eKaya Holy Trinity is always a Shadowhorn, Pureblood and Stalker.

[Kambui]

Thank you very much for this write up. I am getting back into Hordes, and I think I just found my second caster!

[menothswrath]

Any updates by chance since we got new beasts to use now such as the Winter Argus and Scarsdale Griffin? :?

[PG_LEJKaya]

Any updates by chance since we got new beasts to use now such as the Winter Argus and Scarsdale Griffin? :?

eKaya has little use for the Argus, few warlocks do to be honest. She could use the Scarsfel Griffon but its not a big deal. A primaled, forced evolutioned griffon with animus buying an attack on a caster charging over everything with +2 SPD and free charge from dogpile has some merit but thats a lot of resources.

Kaya is interested in Ghetorix to some extent but as it takes her out of theme its not a big use to her.

[jddilfer]

eKaya has little use for the Argus, few warlocks do to be honest. She could use the Scarsfel Griffon but its not a big deal. A primaled, forced evolutioned griffon with animus buying an attack on a caster charging over everything with +2 SPD and free charge from dogpile has some merit but thats a lot of resources.

Kaya is interested in Ghetorix to some extent but as it takes her out of theme its not a big use to her.

Sorry, but you won't be able to do all of that. Primal is an animus, and you can't have that and Parry (Griffon's Animus) on the Griffon at that same time. You either take the buff and the free strikes, or hope you have a clear lane... kinda sucks, but that's how it is.

[nverbe]

Stacking everything with the winter argus eKaya becomes a very assassination resistant warlock.

Shadow Pack, Guard Dog, and Winter coat up, she'll be sitting at Def 18/ Arm 18 in melee, and Def 16/Arm 16 for range and spells less than 5" or that bypass the stealth, and still sitting on three transfers.

in melee it also has the advantage of putting her over the arm of most living beasts, so they end up doing less damage to your beasts per hit transferred attacking kaya than they would had they just attacked the beast, it is kind of an important armor threshold i think.

[menothswrath]

Stacking everything with the winter argus eKaya becomes a very assassination resistant warlock.

Shadow Pack, Guard Dog, and Winter coat up, she'll be sitting at Def 18/ Arm 18 in melee, and Def 16/Arm 16 for range and spells less than 5" or that bypass the stealth, and still sitting on three transfers.

in melee it also has the advantage of putting her over the arm of most living beasts, so they end up doing less damage to your beasts per hit transferred attacking kaya than they would had they just attacked the beast, it is kind of an important armor threshold i think.

What do you mean by "Stacking everything with the Winter Argus?" I'm sorry but I'm new to the game, do you mean, putting animi on it or on her? :?

[PG_LEJKaya]

What do you mean by "Stacking everything with the Winter Argus?"

He means stacking the winter Argus animus with Guard dog from Laris and Unyielding for DEF 18/ARM 18.

[menothswrath]

He means stacking the winter Argus animus with Guard dog from Laris and Unyielding for DEF 18/ARM 18.

Thank you, that makes sense. Which should get a higher priority for Guard Dog btw, Winter Argus or Regular Argus (if you have both)? :?

[PG_cheddercaveman]

Thank you, that makes sense. Which should get a higher priority for Guard Dog btw, Winter Argus or Regular Argus (if you have both)? :?

Guard Dog is a static ability that Laris has that gives Kaya, and Kaya only, +2 to her DEF if she's within 3" of Laris. It also makes her immune to free strikes and back strikes. So no worrying about higher priority, its only going to help out Kaya.

If you can (and with Forced Evolution you can) boost an Argus' DEF it would help them out. So in that case it wouldn't be specific to Winter or regular Argus, just whichever one is more likely to be tying up an enemy model(s) you'd be farther ahead having a higher DEF on the Argus.