How do I start playing Hordes?

[HsojVvad]

Hello everyone, I just found out about this game called Hordes. I herd of Warmachine but never got into it. The steampunk thing never appealed to me. So sadly I never really looked at Privateer Press. So I went to a store bought some GW stuff. I talked to the worker there a bit and he tried to talk to me about Warmachine. As I said before it's not my thing so we started to talk about other stuff.

Then I said I like the fantasy setting and then he said that PP has it too, with Hordes. After explaining it to me, I said "darn, I already bought the Gargoyles for Tyranids. He let me exchange it for the rule book. I expected everthing to be expensive. I was shocked to see the rule book for $30.

So now I have to work some overtime and I am hoping in a month (hate not being paid once a week no more grrr....) is how should I be getting into Hordes? I think I am like the Ever Blight. I love Tyranids and was thinking for now, with my son, to use the GW minis that I have. So what Tyranid models can I use for the Ever Blight? I think my son is interested in the Circle? (sorry not sure what they are called. What minis can he use?

So in about a month, what should I be getting for the Ever Blight and Circle? Is there a starter set? Sadly there is no starter set like Warmachine. Is there a plan to do one? Since I don't really care for Warmachine yet, should I get the $100 starter set? I was told that Warmachine can go agaisnt hordes. Since I only know of Battletech and GW 40K and LotR games, how does Warmachine compare to those games so I can understand.


TL;DR How do I start playing Hordes? Where do I start?

[juckto]

Necessary purchases:

Hordes rulebook, or a starter box (which include the Quickstart Rules)
Warlock.
One to three warbeasts.
One or two units.
One or two solos.

Note that when you buy a model the box includes a playing card that has all the model stats and special abilities. So there is no need to buy the faction book(s) if you don't want to.

Circle battlebox (US$49)
One Warlock, One Heavy Warbeast, Two Light Warbeasts.

Legion battlebox (US $49)
One Warlock, One Heavy Warbeast, Four Lesser Warbeasts.

Note that these starter sets are all metal models, and that PP is currently re-releasing the starter range in plastic.

Warmachine and Hordes players can play against each other because they use the same base rules system for movement, attacks, damage, etc. The difference between the two systems is how the warlock interacts with his warbeasts, vs how a warcaster interacts with his warjacks.
Basically, a warlock commands his beasts to do attacks during the turn, which puts a point of "Fury" on them. The next turn he siphons the Fury off and uses that to power his spells. But there are limits on how much he can siphon and how far away he can command beasts. If he can't siphon off all the Fury on a beast, then it has a high chance of "Frenzying".
Whereas a warcaster generates "Focus" automatically each turn, then allocates it to his warjacks before the turn, they use it later to make attacks. Anything left over he may use for his own spells. There are limits to how much he generates and how far away he can allocate focus.
Another difference is that warbeasts always have an "animus" which is like a mini-spell.
Plus lots of other differences you will find as you play the game.

New to Circle? Start Here!
Legion of Everblight FAQ and Beginners First Stop

I played 40k before, and in comparison I would say the rules are a lot better. Clear, concise, unambigous, no contradictions, updated regularly. The game itself is played with fewer models and focuses more on using the right ability, or combination of abilities, at the right time, rather than maneuvering large blocks of troops around the board.
Weapon ranges are a lot less (a sniper has a 14" range) and being an aggressive player is encouraged.
Everything has a high damage output, and things die quickly.
You make attacks with a single model at a time and use a 2d6 system (or 3d6), so each individual attack feels more important. (As opposed to "I'll roll 42 dice and expect to kill 21 enemy models").

[hamsandwich50]

There are battle boxes for all the hordes factions, they are about $50 a piece but in them you get a warlock and a number of beast along with some quick start rules to help you along. Those are probably the easiest way to learn how to play since they were designed for that, if you want to try before you get some models all the rules for the models that come in each factions battlebox are in the core rulebooks so you should be able to go from there to get the rough idea of how it is played.

The best way to learn how to play is to have someone who knows teach you, so if people play it at your local game store see if you can come in one night and have somebody run a battle box game for you. Welcome to the hobby and good luck.

[Teufelhunde]

Well, if you have Primal I think you're in a pretty good position already. If your son is into Circle Orboros and you're all for Everblight, I'd suggest the Warpack for each army. The boxes will give you two roughly balanced forces with some beasts and a Warlock. Beyond that, I would suggest buying a PP template set as it will give you a melee range indicator, a blast marker for 3" aoes, 4" aoes, and 5" aoes, as well as their 'spray' template which, if I remember right, is a bit smaller than GW's teardrop template.

If you want to proxy things, you may want to pick up the Forces of Hordes books for Legion and Circle. When you proxy though, it's important to note that PP uses some different base sizes from GW. The standard GW trooper is on a 25mm base, while the 'Small' base in Warmachine and Hordes is 30 mm. The "Terminator' size base is 40mm, which is the same size as the 'medium' bases for heavy troops and light warbeasts, while the 'large' base for heavy warbeasts is a 50mm base...the closest analouge for 40k is the Dreadnought sized bases which are 60 mm. You can pick up a pack of bases as well from PP to use for proxying purposes...a pack of 10 small bases are 5 USD.

[HsojVvad]

Thanks guys, this is greatly appreciated. I will get the Battleboxes next month hopfully. They look really nice.

Now is there a forum where I can see if I have any gamers in my area? I think a few people in my gaming group want to play this too, but would like to see if I can find another group just in case they do not play it or not avaliable.

[Triumph Of Man]

Thanks guys, this is greatly appreciated. I will get the Battleboxes next month hopfully. They look really nice.

Now is there a forum where I can see if I have any gamers in my area? I think a few people in my gaming group want to play this too, but would like to see if I can find another group just in case they do not play it or not avaliable.

http://volunteers.privateerpress.com/location/users

Contact a pressganger in your area. They will know the local hangouts, and will set you up with demo games.