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Post by stokerd on Mar 19, 2017 19:56:12 GMT
Following Gaston's example, I thought I would post my experiences with Minions, the lists I am currently running (and the thoughts behind each) and Battle Reports as they come in.
Please feel free to comment on the lists, leave feedback, and ask questions!
A little about me: I have been playing Warmachine off/on since Mk I, but really started focusing on it (to the exclusion of other games) in the last two years. I usually bounced around armies, having owned every faction but Mercenaries at one point or another. I first picked up Minions about two years ago, and instantly realized I had found my faction. For a long time, I played exclusively Lord Carver (I just love that guy), but slowly expanded my 'casters out to Dr. Arkadius and Helga the Conquerer.
Late last year, I picked up the Gator half of the faction (from the same guy I had gotten the Pigs from). However, I could not be convinced to give those models a try. Then, I sent my heavy war beasts off to get painted and took the opportunity to play the Gators. I found they were as fun and flavorful as the Pigs, and my love affair with this faction only grew.
I own every model in the Thornfall Alliance, and have at least two of every unit. The Blindwater Congregation side of the faction isn't quite as complete, but I do own every 'caster, every warbeast but the Bone Swarm (most in multiples), and every unit (though only Posse in multiple). About half my army is painted, but my painting abilities are limited, as I have a neurological condition that hampers my ability to paint (hence why I send them out ;-) )
One of my goals for Minions is to create a place for Battle Reports (ala WargamerGirl on YouTube) where interactions are explained, tricks are revealed, and battle plans solidified for the Minions faction. I also want to have enough game experience with all of the models to do comprehensive reviews of the units - not just go off the card and Theorymachine, but actually have multiple game experiences to find what each unit is capable of.
With that, on to the lists (at least, the ones I feel comfortable enough revealing ;-) ).
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Post by stokerd on Mar 19, 2017 19:56:59 GMT
The Thornfall AllianceDr. Arkadius [+32] - The Thornfall Alliance theme - Battle Boar [7] - Battle Boar [7] - Road Hog [16] - Road Hog [16] - War Hog [15] - War Hog [15] - War Hog [15] - War Hog [15] Objective: Stockpile Thoughts - This list has been fairly successful for me, and is one of my favorites (second only to Lord Carver). Yes, I run it in theme, without any of the usual benefits - but it gives all of my beasts Retaliatory Strike. And when most of those beasts have Critical Knockdown, I'll take it. I lose nothing from theme, but have had the retaliation knock down its attacker more than a couple times. First off, I run this as an assassination list - if the 'caster is foolish enough to come within 28" of the Road Hogs and is on little/no focus, they get attacked by two fully boosted sprays. I'm 2/4 on the assassination, and the two misses were both because my second boosted attack couldn't hit DEF 15. The rest of the war beasts are there to recover if the assassination misses. ;-) Lord Carver, BMMD, Esq. III [+28] - The Thornfall Alliance theme - Battle Boar [7] - Battle Boar [7] - War Hog [15] - War Hog [15] - War Hog [15] Maximus [4] Farrow Brigands [15] - Farrow Brigands Warlord [0] Farrow Brigands [15] - Farrow Brigands Warlord [0] Farrow Razorback Crew [5] Farrow Razorback Crew [5] Objective: Stockpile Thoughts - Lord Carver is my favorite 'caster, bar none, as is the reason I play Minions. First, anybody who gives himself a name like this demands to be played. Second, he is a 'caster who benefits his whole army, not just part of it - his spells boost his battlegroup to insane levels and his Veteran Leader ability helps his infantry. I used to run him more as a battlegroup only 'caster (all beasts), but this played too similarly to Dr. Arkadius (I played Carver this way first). After much discussion with myself, I left Dr. Arkadius as the beast 'caster, and moved Carver more towards the infantry - especially with the theme force (I actually didn't discover this until January). Brigands with Prey are RAT8, POW 14 - this is some serious pain. The Razorbacks are RAT6, POW 14 (and Brutal usually). I can understand putting in Gun Boars and Road Hogs instead of the melee beasts I have, but the combined arms approach really seems to work with this list. Helga the Conquerer [+29] - The Thornfall Alliance theme - Targ [4] - Gun Boar [9] - Gun Boar [9] - Splatter Boar [8] - Splatter Boar [8] Maximus [4] Efaarit Scouts [0] Farrow Brigands [15] - Farrow Brigand Warlord [0] Farrow Brigands [15] - Farrow Brigand Warlord [0] Farrow Slaughterhousers [11] Farrow Slaughterhousers [11] Farrow Razorback Crew [5] Farrow Razorback Crew [5] Objective: Bunker Thoughts - This list is fairly straightforward - I shoot you. Hopefully, I shoot you a lot. It is an attrition list, designed to swamp a zone or smother a flag, while giving you too many bodies to deal with. The Slaughterhousers are there to wreck heavies - which they do surprisingly well once those heavies have been damaged - which is what the Scouts are for. I wish I had two, but I don't own two As soon as I purchase a second, I will drop Maximus and add the second Scouts (as a free model, using Maximus' points on one of the Warlords). I've only played it once so far (and lost), but it was great fun in a complete grind of a game. SaveSave
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Post by stokerd on Mar 19, 2017 19:57:22 GMT
The Blindwater Congregation Bloody Barnabus [+28] - Blackhide Wrastler [16] - Ironback Spitter [15] - Ironback Spitter [15] Croak Hunter [4] Feralgeist [2] Gatorman Posse [17] Gatorman Posse [17] Croak Raiders [17] Objective: Stockpile
Thoughts - Barnabus is my favorite Gator 'caster, and I really enjoy the Posse. Let me be honest, I've never thought the Posse sucked. I've had them take out multiple units in games, they are a pain to remove, and their versatility has been awesome on multiple occasions. My meta is not cutthroat, but they are good players and don't make lots of mistakes. That said, the list is only 1/3 - though both losses were against Ragnor. No knockdown and immune to blast damage makes this REALLY have to work to get things done. The Croaks are there for light infantry removal and taking out my opponent's support. The Posse handle light war beasts, heavy infantry, and can finish off a heavy. The Feralgeist is actually there simply for scenario play - he runs to the enemy's zone, toes in and waits for the enemy 'caster (usually) to come deal with him.
Maelok the Dreadbound [+28] - Blackhide Wrastler [16] - Blackhide Wrastler [16] - Ironback Spitter [15] - Swamp Horror [14] Gatorman Witch Doctor [4] Lanyssa Ryssyl, Nyss Sorceress [4] Gatorman Posse [17] Gatorman Posse [17] Objective: Stockpile
Thoughts - I actually don't have much for this list, as I just found out yesterday I've been playing his feat wrong (his army is only Incorporeal during your turn, not the round). However, the army really plays the Undead theme, with everything in the army except the Witch Doc and Lanyssa Undead most of the time. This limits souls for the opponent, and helps with Maelok's feat. This list will most likely change with the new theme force coming out this Wednesday.
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Post by Azahul on Mar 19, 2017 22:56:07 GMT
I'm 2/4 on the assassination, and the two misses were both because my second boosted attack couldn't hit DEF 15. The rest of the war beasts are there to recover if the assassination misses. ;-) It sounds like you've actually had a bit more success than I would have expected. You should be expecting Rat 5 to miss Def 15 around half the time, so in four attempts I'd be expecting a success rate closer to 1/4. Lord Carver, BMMD, Esq. III [+28] - The Thornfall Alliance theme - Battle Boar [7] - Battle Boar [7] - War Hog [15] - War Hog [15] - War Hog [15] Maximus [4] Farrow Brigands [15] - Farrow Brigands Warlord [0] Farrow Brigands [15] - Farrow Brigands Warlord [0] Farrow Razorback Crew [5] Farrow Razorback Crew [5] Objective: Stockpile Couldn't you get 2 points to spare by getting the Razorbacks for free instead of the Warlords? The Razorbacks are also only Rat 5 with Veteran Leader, Rat 4 base. Though you could spend one of those two points upgrading a Battle Boar to a Splatter Boar and be able to get one up to Rat 7.
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Post by MessOfMinions on Mar 20, 2017 1:49:02 GMT
Not to get off topic, but good to see you again Azahul! Glad you made it!
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Post by RamsesII on Mar 20, 2017 2:36:37 GMT
Thoughts - I actually don't have much for this list, as I just found out yesterday I've been playing his feat wrong (his army is only Incorporeal during your turn, not the round). That's funny, I played in a tournament last month where my opponent thought that was the case. Totally ruined their plans and they got wrecked as a result haha.
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Post by Azahul on Mar 20, 2017 2:39:17 GMT
Not to get off topic, but good to see you again Azahul! Glad you made it! Shhhh, I'm incognito
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Post by stokerd on Mar 20, 2017 2:53:51 GMT
The Razorback Crews are what get me to 40 points (15 for Brigands x2 + 5 for Razorbacks x2). If I used them as free models, I would only have 38 points spent on Farrow units, and only get one free.
And you are correct on their RAT, I mistyped.
The chances of rolling 10+ on 3d6 is almost 60% (58.33%), which means I am just a little above average (60% of 8 attacks is almost 5). This also doesn't take into account the number of attacks actually being rolled. And my dice run hot (and very cold). :-D
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Post by Gaston on Mar 20, 2017 2:54:04 GMT
Not to get off topic, but good to see you again Azahul! Glad you made it! Shhhh, I'm incognito I knew you wouldn't be able to stay away.
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Post by Azahul on Mar 20, 2017 3:09:09 GMT
Shhhh, I'm incognito I knew you wouldn't be able to stay away. Someone was wrong on the internet
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Post by Corrupted Bauer on Mar 20, 2017 6:07:56 GMT
I knew you wouldn't be able to stay away. Someone was wrong on the internet HE'S HERE. Our prince down under, our Barney Minionlow made it. Huzzah! Also back on topic. Barnabas so far has been the one gator caster I don't want to run in theme. I feel like his play style just fits bringing the more options. Targ is massive with him, and that many posse don't benefit that much from him, at least in my opinion
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Post by MessOfMinions on Mar 21, 2017 19:48:42 GMT
So then don't bring posse? I've beenever mulling over a double Spitter, double Wrastler, sacral vault list with wrong eye,two mist speakers and Bellows Crew to pair with rask. Should deal with any mass shooting or any incorporeal/ troop spam while still having a fairly strong melee presence.
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Post by stokerd on Mar 24, 2017 15:01:34 GMT
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weezing
Baby's First Wargame
Posts: 7
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Post by weezing on Mar 27, 2017 2:51:04 GMT
Nice battle reports but I suggest changing font color or your background.
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Post by stokerd on Mar 31, 2017 17:14:29 GMT
Nice battle reports but I suggest changing font color or your background. Which font color - the white or the green? And thanks for reading! Another battle report up, into Irusk2: Versus Khador
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