Magnus battlebox, not sure what to do next!

[Ritualnet]

I bought a Magnus Battlebox, along with a box of Sam's Devil Dogs and a second Renegade (oh and an pEiryss too from my days of buying random pretty figures, although she's not... that pretty)... and not sure what... to do to get to 35pts

• I like the idea of Sam and her devil puppies, combined with a jack, so I can (hopefully) charge them in, net, do some trashing, then finish up with the stun sword and then the marshalled jack, but I'm guessing they are pointless against infantry. The only jack she can take right now is the Talon, but twin stun seems pointless if they all attack the same target... would something like a Nomad be more up her alley?
• I also like the look of BoomHowler, which works with Magnus, but... they seem more a force to hold up units (tar pit?), rather than to do much themselves, so with Sam, it's two lots of infantry that can't tackle other infantry.
• I can go steelheads, but they need a big expenditure, and seem a little lacking if you don't go fully into them, while I do want to do that, it's out of the question at the moment, as it would be just under £100 to get a unit of Riflemen, 3 cavalry and a min unit of Halberders.
• Is it worth hitting the Tier List (most Wanted), even though my Devil Dogs will be worthless?

So, I have the staple of Magnus (2 renegades, a mangler), but not sure what to do next. This is my first Warmachine army too, and first time playing WM barring an introduction game, which means I'm not going to be that great at very in depth strategies. That's something I can grow into later. I chose Mercs, because the group that plays has every base covered barring Skorne, and I just find Skorne miniatures ugly (barring the titans).

Also, I will add that, while I have Magnus and 2 renegades, the rest of the stuff is open to use with the Highborne, of which I love the feel of Ashlynn, from the BattleCollege write ups anyway.

Note:
Hmm the problem I can immediately see, is that the lists people can recommend are down to particular playstyles. As I haven't got one yet, I'm hoping to make up the 35 points in such a way that the units/solos/'jacks are something I can use now, and also retain their use later.

[Kenlen]

I've heard that people take the Freebooter on Sam with some success, but consider a Mule instead. With "Pronto" it gets a very nice threat range and can stand still to get the aiming bonus and steam pressure and still reach out 17 inches (with "Pronto") to touch someone. It also has reach.
Also the Buccaneer. It has auto knockdown on its net, with range 8 and assault, it can setup some nasty charges from the DDs

Nyss hunters are always a solid choice, both for ranged and melee, on any caster as they are largely self-contained.

[Kenlen]

Steelhead Halbies are fine on their own for their points, they can take a charge quite well, have a bit of punch with CMA and reach, and have a nice large footprint (again with reach) for a very reasonable cost (in points).

The Piper is gold when bringing any amount of infantry.

[CareyBear]

I second the mule recommendation, especially if you want a model that will work well with Ashlynn later. Gun mages marshaling a mule is a staple for ash.

Magnus does like things that can take advantage of the obliterator - so CRAs are nice.
The other fun thing to remember is while you have units that can't handle infantry, a mangler with iron aggression up will chew through most infantry at a rate of knots

[Ritualnet]

Ok, so a plastic Mercs kit (although I have to agree that the plastics do not look as great as the original metals... but magnetising will make it so much easier!), nyss hunters (although I think the head swap with 40k Dark Eldar figures looks better than their originals), and maybe look at Steelhead Halberdiers to help tie up more, for the Mangler to chew up.

Time to check Maelstrom, Thanks!

Using Forward Kommander, I've tried to put what I can together, but I do wonder if it's 'jack heavy.

35pts
Magnus the Traitor
-Renegade
-Renegade
-Mangler
Captain Sam MacHorne & the Devil Dogs (Sam and 5 Grunts)
-Mule
Steelhead Halberdiers (Leader and 5 Grunts)
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor
Saxon Orrik

I hear Saxon and Orin are decent with Magnus, there's a min unit of Halberdiers to tie things up, the mule does it's thing with Sam, mangler combine-harvests the infantry, and the renegades do a two-shot special.

Removing the Mule, or even the Mangler means more options (the Nyss hunters for example), but then, what's poor Sam to do?

[Thrall_Love]

I would go this route personally.

Four Star Syndicate
35+6 points, 22 models

Magnus the Traitor +6 points
* Mangler 8 points
* 2x Renegade 6 points each

6 Devil Dogs 5 points
* Mule 8 points
Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord 2 points
10 Steelhead Halberdiers 6

You always want to max out your steelheads if you can. It allows them to cover a greater area and increases their damage output. Throw Rhupert in there to assist the halbs and/or the dogs and you have a winning combination. I would type more but I'm on my phone and its annoying.

[Ritualnet]

That seems an interesting list. All I need is mule, piper and halberds, which is a lot easier than halberds, rifles and cavalry. I'm guessing from the suggestions that the piper is useful around the Mercs so he won't be a wasted figure. Thanks!

[Thrall_Love]

You are welcome, Ritualnet. The piper is one of the best solos mercs have. He is great for increasing the survivability and mobility(granting pathfinder) of the SH. Then, once the SH have got stuck in and done their killing and died to a man(they will), he then does the same for Sam and her dogs.

The above list will be a great starting point for your ever expanding merc collection and can be used in a highborn contract(sans Magnus and renegades), as you have mentioned going that route later. Have fun and good luck!