Post by Big Fat Troll on Jul 25, 2017 18:42:41 GMT
Let's not overlook the changes to Long Riders.
Cavalry can be very strong in scenario play, with speed and the ability to either skirmish or crush. (Or both in the case of Storm Lances.) Well, not only did Long Riders get melee reach back, but they kept ARM 18, and now Line Breaker is even better than before. So they can't slam our own models anymore, but so what? That is such a red herring. They are cavalry who can slam. That's pretty awesome right there, especially for clearing zones. Compared to beasts, we get about 3 times as many slams for the points, with higher MAT and SPD, and no concerns over fury efficiency. And now Horthol gives them boosted impact and slam attack rolls to boot. So on the impact attacks, the mounts will trigger crit KD fairly often.
Take a closer look, folks:
There's great potential there. The slams allow the riders to not only Follow Up but also to make their axe attacks in addition. I don't even see any reason why they can't slam Model A, Follow Up, then attack Model B, or slam A, decline to move the max or at all, and attack B.
First of all, this could be great for clearing zones. The Riders can not only shove a couple jacks out of a rectangle, but they can then move up and hog space, preventing the jacks from walking back in. Score the rectangle with a Dire Troll and you can collect on a piece trade while you're at it.
Second, the Bull Rush order allows you to mix and match run, charge, or slam, per model. So erase the phrase "Long Riders Press Forward" from your vocabulary and get used to saying "Long Riders Bull Rush." That might help you to consider whether Rider D should slam instead of charge.
Then, there's simply the ability to hit fairly hard with something that moves fairly fast and is fairly tough for the points. That sort of rapid response could be quite valuable in these new scenarios.
So who is best able to use them? My first thought is actually Grissel 1. Both Fell Call buffs are huge for them. With Ballad they have three attacks, two with reach, and can clear out most infantry quite well, or do a little more damage against sub-20 armor. Hoof-It is, of course, better with higher SPD. They can do things like run into the opponent's back field or yo-yo back into the stone's aura. Calamity helps their damage output, Boundless Charge can help if one Rider is in a bad position and Guardian Protector could be useful on the dire troll mentioned above in the bit about scoring zones.
Grissel 2 has Deflection and Dash, and her feat will give the Riders Unyielding even if they leave her control area later. Borka 1 has threat extension on his feat and Arcane Ward. Madrak 1 could use them well with his new tools.
So, yeah, looking good so far, I just need to see them on the table.
Cavalry can be very strong in scenario play, with speed and the ability to either skirmish or crush. (Or both in the case of Storm Lances.) Well, not only did Long Riders get melee reach back, but they kept ARM 18, and now Line Breaker is even better than before. So they can't slam our own models anymore, but so what? That is such a red herring. They are cavalry who can slam. That's pretty awesome right there, especially for clearing zones. Compared to beasts, we get about 3 times as many slams for the points, with higher MAT and SPD, and no concerns over fury efficiency. And now Horthol gives them boosted impact and slam attack rolls to boot. So on the impact attacks, the mounts will trigger crit KD fairly often.
Take a closer look, folks:
Bull Rush (Order) - Affected models must run, charge, or make a slam power attack this activation. If an affected model makes a slam power attack, instead of resolving damage rolls using the model’s STR, use the current POW of its Mount XICONX. After resolving a slam power attack, this model can make one basic melee attack.
Follow Up - When this model slams an enemy model, immediately after the slam is resolved this model can advance directly toward the slammed model, up to the distance the slammed model was moved.
Follow Up - When this model slams an enemy model, immediately after the slam is resolved this model can advance directly toward the slammed model, up to the distance the slammed model was moved.
There's great potential there. The slams allow the riders to not only Follow Up but also to make their axe attacks in addition. I don't even see any reason why they can't slam Model A, Follow Up, then attack Model B, or slam A, decline to move the max or at all, and attack B.
First of all, this could be great for clearing zones. The Riders can not only shove a couple jacks out of a rectangle, but they can then move up and hog space, preventing the jacks from walking back in. Score the rectangle with a Dire Troll and you can collect on a piece trade while you're at it.
Second, the Bull Rush order allows you to mix and match run, charge, or slam, per model. So erase the phrase "Long Riders Press Forward" from your vocabulary and get used to saying "Long Riders Bull Rush." That might help you to consider whether Rider D should slam instead of charge.
Then, there's simply the ability to hit fairly hard with something that moves fairly fast and is fairly tough for the points. That sort of rapid response could be quite valuable in these new scenarios.
So who is best able to use them? My first thought is actually Grissel 1. Both Fell Call buffs are huge for them. With Ballad they have three attacks, two with reach, and can clear out most infantry quite well, or do a little more damage against sub-20 armor. Hoof-It is, of course, better with higher SPD. They can do things like run into the opponent's back field or yo-yo back into the stone's aura. Calamity helps their damage output, Boundless Charge can help if one Rider is in a bad position and Guardian Protector could be useful on the dire troll mentioned above in the bit about scoring zones.
Grissel 2 has Deflection and Dash, and her feat will give the Riders Unyielding even if they leave her control area later. Borka 1 has threat extension on his feat and Arcane Ward. Madrak 1 could use them well with his new tools.
So, yeah, looking good so far, I just need to see them on the table.
