What does Zerkova want?

[Uratoh]

Obviously not 'what does she wish she had', but more what troops does she like to haul along with her, jacks, etc? I'm fully aware she is considered sub-par, but I tend to roll over people too easily sometimes so a challenge would be rather nice. Her feat, at least, seems primed to set up for an excellent Alpha Strike with hard melee units, making me feel Doom Reavers and the Great Bears would be a good duo to bring along with her.

[PG_Draxos]

A boyfriend and an Arc Node obviously

[OldOneEye]

My Zerkova checklist:

1) A solid battlegroup with multiple warjacks. Watcher and Force Blast emphasize the role of Zerkova's battlegroup in her army, so make sure she has plenty of models to make the most of those spells. Solid choices are the Destroyer, Decimator, and Behemoth because of their ranged attacks (since the Watcher attack can be a ranged one, and your 'jack will be out of melee after a Force Blast), or the Spriggan and Beast-09 because of their reach. Beast-09 also likes the boosted attack roll, and there's nothing as satisfying as getting a critical freeze in your opponent's turn. Some people prefer to go cheap with Berserkers and Juggernauts so they can squeeze more 'jacks in. That's fine, too; just make sure you have a couple of 'jacks so you can use them aggressively.

2) Self-sufficient troops. I've been using her Howling Wolves list lately, and I'm really liking the Kayazy Assassins with her. Great Bears would be fine because they're self-sufficient; Iron Fangs aren't bad, either. Doom Reavers are okay, and can certainly take advantage of her feat. Greylords fit thematically, and they do well on their own, too.

3) Heavy hitters. Let's face facts: Zerkova can't do it on her own-- or rather, you don't want her to have to. I don't want to rely on spamming Razor Winds to win the game. She can deal with a couple of single-wound models or solos on her own, but she'll need help dealing with warjacks/warbeasts. This is another place where multiple 'jacks helps, and can help to narrow down what units she takes.

[John of Arc]

I was really sad that this wasn't a thread about her motives in the fluff

Battle Mechaniks. I find a key tactic with her is getting your jacks charged, and then scooting back with Watcher. That still gives them a free strike, so the Mechaniks are vital for an effective counter attack.
Grey lords protect her from ranged threats while supporting her army.
War Dog is always good. Woof.

[Uratoh]

Eh, her 'fluff' wants are pretty obvious. She wants to go epic and pick up a warmachine version of Hexaris' 'Spell Slave' spell XD.

[GlassJaw]

She wants tier 4 from NQ34, preferably with 2 Vanguards and 2 heavy jacks.

[Uehen]

Arc node. Not a character either. Just a regular devastator with an arc node inside.

She always dies cuse she is always hanging out up front.
She wants to be able to cast iron flesh. even if it is just a knock off target self.

A spell that: Target Fearless model/unit takes a terror check. None Fearless model/unit takes a terror check at -5 to command. Range 8 so you can never use it.
Every one is always sayin how scared they are of her (fluff) despite her weak sauce (game) so give her something that scares even the most fearless unit and (fluff = game) which is not a must, but always cool.

I started playing just before she came out. I was looking forward to her from the moment I heard about her. I have tried, and tried, and I do still play her, but yeah. She needs something. If i could pick a theme spell for her to snatch off the elves for when she goes epic, it would be movement something.

A spell that allowed her to move a target unit, like befuddle or similar. It would stick with her no direct support for my infantry theme she has going and grant her an indirect booster.

Her epic feat? Every model in control range take a point of damage.
She walks up, claps her hands and they all fall down.

She could also use some Koldun Lords on bears.
The bears could be the arc nodes.
They would stand up and active the symbol on their tummy,
and arc the spell.

[Softface]

I've played a couple games with Zerkova, and if I got more opportunities to play in general I'd have more refined ideas. However, generally speaking:

1) Several jacks. At least two, probably not more than four. At least one of them should stay close, preferably a Devastator or Spriggan in order to take full advantage of Bulldoze and Watcher since it was errata'd that you can use Bulldoze out of activation. Unless they've re-errata'd it so that it doesn't, I'm not positive so don't take my word for it.

2) NEVER end a turn without Watcher up.

3) For troops I really like Greylords. The Ternion's cloud effects will provide excellent cover against shooting, and once you start Force Blasting units away from your jacks they'll likely end up in lines or clumps, perfect for the Magic Shotguns. They can also stack their Ice Cages; Zerkova can boost her roll to hit higher def units, making it easier for the Koldun Lord or Ternions to finish up and make the target entirely stationary.

It's nice to see more people playing her these days since she is bar none my favorite.

[thrasymacus]

All of our casters are roughly equal in power in both their prime and epic versions. Different, but never really better or worse.

So what does that mean for an epic Zerkova?

[PG_Draxos]

that they are gonna change that

[Kommissar Golovko]

A Bad Romance. :P

[John of Arc]

@Softface: there was some confusion in a previous Zerkova thread over the current state of Bulldoze. I freaked out because I thought it was usable again, but then I checked the dates. An Infernal stated that the errata was incorrect, and Bulldoze works out of activation. However, the current errata is more recent than said post, so we are all still sad

[Softface]

All of our casters are roughly equal in power in both their prime and epic versions. Different, but never really better or worse.

So what does that mean for an epic Zerkova?

Since I already think that Zerkova is mad awesome I hope that her going Epic doesn't mean much of a change. She'd have to keep Watcher for sure, since that's her defining spell. If you mentioned "That warcaster with Watcher" to someone they would immediately think of her. I'd like it if she kept Force Blast and Banishing Ward too, since those are amazing and work with the idea that she is an enabling caster. Influence is fun, though I'd like to see what else they can give her in the same vein. Maybe Seduce, or something like eHaley's Domination? More artifacts, too, because there isn't enough I have to remember when activating her.

Oh almost forgot, since she is going for the dark rebellious aesthetic she needs a gothier model and that means fishnets. We have our first bearded warcaster now, let's make this happen too.

@Softface: there was some confusion in a previous Zerkova thread over the current state of Bulldoze. I freaked out because I thought it was usable again, but then I checked the dates. An Infernal stated that the errata was incorrect, and Bulldoze works out of activation. However, the current errata is more recent than said post, so we are all still sad

Nooooo! Dozens of hours of Theorymachine wasted! Okay that makes sense though, I played that way for a couple of games and it was verging on broken since between that and Banishing Ward on my Devastator the only way to really get at her was a lucky critical effect on the Deva.

[thrasymacus]

So you want to keep what you like about her, add more special abilities and rip off one of the best spells from a rival factions top tier caster. So why would anyone still play regular Zerkova? There's gotta be give and take, only regular Z doesn't have much of value she can afford to sacrifice.

[OldOneEye]

@ thrasymacus-- For the epic, give her a better spell list and less of a feat. That'd be a decision, then-- her current feat IS all that. I'd also be surprised to see her keep her artifacts in her epic form. Those are the kind of weird, characterful things that don't generally make the epic jump.

@ Softface-- You startled me a bit there. I saw the avatar and went, "I don't remember replying with a quote here!" :P

[Softface]

So you want to keep what you like about her, add more special abilities and rip off one of the best spells from a rival factions top tier caster. So why would anyone still play regular Zerkova? There's gotta be give and take, only regular Z doesn't have much of value she can afford to sacrifice.

You seem to have taken my half-serious wishlist as actual suggestions. Since Zerkova's epic will likely involve Nyssor in some way, all bets are off when trying to predict what she'll gain and lose in the process of going epic. I only hope we find out what that is soon.

@OldOneEye: Hope you don't mind me using the avatar too! There is not much fanart of ol' Z around and I like to wear my heart on my sleeve, as it were.

[The 13th Doomreaver]

I find that she is the one caster I take a decimator with and like it. the 1" push can really help.

[John of Arc]

She better get some hardcore ice magic, and a way to make things stationary, even if its just an Ice Bolt critical. Id love her to be a more dedicated control caster in the same vein as Haley

[OldOneEye]

@OldOneEye: Hope you don't mind me using the avatar too! There is not much fanart of ol' Z around and I like to wear my heart on my sleeve, as it were.

As a Zerkova adherent, you're welcome to use it. I think it says something that you're the only person other than myself to use it to this point. ;-)

Out of curiosity, are you using the Howling Wolves themed force? I don't think I'll ever play Zerkova without it-- Vanguards are such a welcome addition to her lists.

[Softface]

As a Zerkova adherent, you're welcome to use it. I think it says something that you're the only person other than myself to use it to this point. ;-)

Out of curiosity, are you using the Howling Wolves themed force? I don't think I'll ever play Zerkova without it-- Vanguards are such a welcome addition to her lists.

I haven't managed to get enough Vanguards to run it yet, so that's still on the horizon. Ideally I'd also have a Spriggan and probably a Marauder, so running her new theme is quite a way off for me. She can be pretty effective without it though, as long as a list has several jacks and some Greylords, but there's no denying that she loves cheap Vanguards.

[Uratoh]

In actual epic 'wants' or ideas, I'd actually like to see something go horribly WRONG. Like maybe she tries to siphon energy and ends up as some kind of twisted half-nyss or etc. give us a sort of blue skinned deranged elf gal in khador armor...

Edit: Isn't the Ghost Stone in place of one of her eyes? Odds are good she'd keep that effect (perhaps as just passive ability, or just picking up Eyeless Sight)

[John of Arc]

In actual epic 'wants' or ideas, I'd actually like to see something go horribly WRONG. Like maybe she tries to siphon energy and ends up as some kind of twisted half-nyss or etc. give us a sort of blue skinned deranged elf gal in khador armor...

You just exactly stated my biggest fear. That is the one thing I do NOT want to happen. That look is the only reason I don't Legion. I actually love the fluff, especially how disturbing some of it gets, but I think Nyss look stupid. Blight them, and they not only look bad, they become annoying to look at.

So uh, yah. I know Everblight does that stuff, not Nyssor, but, no thank you.

[PG_Draxos]

Can someone explain why the new theme list is so wonderful? I havent run it nor do i have the models to anytime soon so i am curious about why it it so awesome

[OldOneEye]

Can someone explain why the new theme list is so wonderful? I havent run it nor do i have the models to anytime soon so i am curious about why it it so awesome

1) It gives her access to Vanguards as Khadoran 'jacks, and Vanguards are VERY good. Shield Guard is the critical piece here-- Zerkova really benefits from being able to redirect incoming ranged attacks, since she has to be pretty up-front to operate effectively. Shield Guard is to ranged attacks what Watcher is to melee. On top of that, the Vanguard is a sturdy, flexible, FAST little 'jack. SPD 6 makes Force Blast a much more flexible spell.

2) It's REALLY easy to get her list to Tier 4. The Tier 2 and 3 requirements add up to a total of 11 points worth of stuff, and don't have any of the wonky "two units of X" requirements that plague some other themed forces. Tier 4 isn't any problem, either, since Zerkova wants to have lots of 'jacks in her battlegroup anyway. Which leads to the final point...

3) Cheaper warjacks at Tier 4. A 4-point Vanguard is a STEAL. A 6-point Marauder is a great bargain. The Spriggan was a nice 10-point 'jack; it's a great one at 9.

Really, for me the hook is the Vanguard. Everything else in that army I could just take normally and ignore the themed force, but the Howling Wolves list is the ONLY way for her to have Vanguards, and they're totally worth it. What's nice is that you don't really give up a lot in playing her themed force-- not as much as you would give up in playing many of the other themed armies out there.

[Uratoh]

This makes me wonder, is it too late to submit a pic of 'faction'd up' warjack for the NQ contest? Could paint a vanguard in Khador colors there.

[Marth]

Ah, Lady Z's new Tier (new? I think the word more matching is "real"), it's lovely. It does lack punch which'd generally come from the infantry while the jacks keep her safe, but it does have Marauders, Spriggans, Lumberjacks - and Vanguards. They do look strange with that pose, but that's not Khador's fault.

[Crazy Uncle Doug]

1) It gives her access to Vanguards as Khadoran 'jacks, and Vanguards are VERY good. Shield Guard is the critical piece here-- Zerkova really benefits from being able to redirect incoming ranged attacks, since she has to be pretty up-front to operate effectively. Shield Guard is to ranged attacks what Watcher is to melee. On top of that, the Vanguard is a sturdy, flexible, FAST little 'jack. SPD 6 makes Force Blast a much more flexible spell.

2) It's REALLY easy to get her list to Tier 4. The Tier 2 and 3 requirements add up to a total of 11 points worth of stuff, and don't have any of the wonky "two units of X" requirements that plague some other themed forces. Tier 4 isn't any problem, either, since Zerkova wants to have lots of 'jacks in her battlegroup anyway. Which leads to the final point...

3) Cheaper warjacks at Tier 4. A 4-point Vanguard is a STEAL. A 6-point Marauder is a great bargain. The Spriggan was a nice 10-point 'jack; it's a great one at 9.

Really, for me the hook is the Vanguard. Everything else in that army I could just take normally and ignore the themed force, but the Howling Wolves list is the ONLY way for her to have Vanguards, and they're totally worth it. What's nice is that you don't really give up a lot in playing her themed force-- not as much as you would give up in playing many of the other themed armies out there.

I've run this list at several times now at 35 points and I love it. I completely agree about the warjacks. Zerkova loves them and needs at the barest minimum 2 and no more than 4. 3 or 4 seems ideal. The T4 bonus for her really helps to make this possible, and gives her list the versatility it needs. I wouldn't do the Howling Wolves list at less than three 'jacks, just because they do the heavy lifting in that list.

I've loved this Tier list, and I've learned to love Zerkova. She's a radically different caster for Khador, but still commands respect like any Khador caster.

[lastspartacus]

A good step in the right direction is simply taking away the 'once per turn' nature of her spell abilities.

I think the idea of a Devastator that can open up and use the arc node inside is awesome.

[Fuchikoma]

Can a marauder under watcher use a combo slam as its watcher attack? That is a big question for me since I plan to play my first Zerkova game tomorrow.

[GlassJaw]

Can a marauder under watcher use a combo slam as its watcher attack?

Nope. Watcher is one normal attack only. Combo slam is a special (*) attack.

[John of Arc]

Okay, looking at this realistically, what would epic Zerkova have. I agree with One Eye, she wouldn't keep her Orgoth artifacts, though I can't see her ditching the Ghost Stone. I like Softface's suggestion about eyeless sight. it would demonstrate growth through increased control of the artifact, and it would help establish her as something unearthly, just a little different from everyone else.

Thematically, what could make her abandon her Orgoth roots? Nyssor, obviously. It's highly doubtful that she could study Nyssor directly, but she could still learn SOMETHING from that frozen godsicle.

I want to see her really expand on Khador's theme of ice and wind magic. Pillar of Frost (salt, whatever), Freezing Grip or Tempest (one of these, as an evolution of Icy Grip or Twister), some other fun denial and board control spells, and a bond that gives a Warjack Imprint: Arc Node for a turn.

[Rampage_Starfire]

and a bond that gives a Warjack Imprint: Arc Node for a turn.

OOOHHH!!!! Neat Idea!

[Uratoh]

Maybe an upkeep spell that gives a model/unit Critical Freeze? sheathing her allies' weapons in the frigid winds of the north...

[PG_ThatRickGuy]

I'd love to see her get a Arc node UA for Manowars.

-Rick