Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I'm a frugal guy; I haven't proxied most of the lists and options out there, and I know I should.

What lists or strategies should I try?

What models would be a good purchase knowing my current options?

Warcasters
Adeptis Rahn
Dawnlord Vyros
Issyriah, Sibyl of the Dawn
Lord Arcanist Ossyan
Ravyn, Eternal Light
Kaelyssa, Night's Whisper

Warjacks
Phoenix
Manticore/Hydra/Discordia Magentized
Sphinx\Banshee Magnetized
Griffon
Chimera

Troops
Dawnguard Invictors + UA
Dawnguard Sentinels + UA
Houseguard Halberdiers + UA
Mage Hunter Strike Force + Commander
Mage Hunter Infiltrators + Eriyss3
Stormfall Archers

Solos
Arcanist
Arcanist Conversion from Reaper mini, probably not tourney legal ;P
Ghost Sniper
Mage Hunter Assassin x2
Eiryss, Mage Hunter of Ios
Sylys Wyshnalyrr
Elara, Tyro of the Third chamber journeyman

What do you think?

Imperatus. You know you want a Pheonix with two big ass blades that can come back from the dead.

I think you should go et a battle engine or colossal.

If it was me expanding, I'd do this, and probably in this order:

Houseguard Thane - This guy is one of the reasons that a lot of people claim that Ret won Vengeance. He's just the perfect little solo for Retribution, and synergizes well with your Halberdiers. Also with my next suggestion, which he just makes amazing.

Houseguard Riflemen + UA - 22 Inch range when not aiming when the Thane gifts them with the extra movement. The ability to Ignore stealth at up to 20" if he uses Firing Solution. I used to overlook them for the units you already own, but with the Thane, they become legit ranged contenders alongside the MHSF.

1 Soulless Escort - I didn't notice this listed, it is a very good 1 point attachment and easy on the wallet. It has a lot of disruption effect against enemy magic targeting the unit it is attached to between disbinding and the -5 RNG

Hyperion - It's the ret Colossal, and a great jack for only taking one. I like pairing it with Ravyn, but it works with most of the casters.

Epic Eiryss - She's just all around useful, between her abilities, and the psychological effect she has on many opponents she more than pays for the 3 points she takes up in the list.

If you're looking to play competitively, then taking a look at eVyros Griffon spam is probably a good idea, though an expensive one. I also agree with picking up Imperatus when it is released, but that's a few months down the road.

I had forgotten he wasn't actually out yet...woops.

An apis might be a simple addition that will be cheap enough to throw in some lists and useful enough to justify its inclusion. Shield guard is nice against some matchups.

It would be helpful to know what you already own.


As general advice, you might want 2 casters with 2 different focuses just to give some variety.


Maybe take the 2 lists as a basic guide and build from there.

Rahn
-Phoenix
-Chimera

2 units of Shyeel Battle Mages
max MHSF with UA
Arcanist
Ghost Sniper
House Shyeel Magister

2 Arc nodes for Rahn to sling spells through, 2 units of battle Mages and Magister to enable movement shenanigans and to synergize with his Feat, Ghost Sniper to pick off important target models, and MHSF to give some extra ranged support.


Ravyn
-Phoenix

max MHSF with UA
Stormfall Archers
max Dawnguard Sentinels with UA
Arcanist
eEiryss
Mage Hunter Assassin

Enough shooting to make good use of Ravyn's feat while also having the melee punch to last once it inevitably happens.


There is some overlap between the two, allowing you to save money.

 Grey Templar wrote:
It would be helpful to know what you already own.

I thought the list of things in the OP was what they already had.

 derek wrote:

 Grey Templar wrote:
It would be helpful to know what you already own.

I thought the list of things in the OP was what they already had.

Correct.


Big thanks to Derek. Yeah, Derek, you have some good points; the Houseguard Thane seems like some really excellent versatility. I don't know when I'll be buying the Riflemen+UA, since that's a little more time and energy than usual - but the Thane would make my Halberdiers really beefy. I'm using them a lot more these days, especially with Issyriah and Ossyan.

I think the Thane, a Soulless Escort (against Cryx, Skorne, and Everblight) and maybe Epic Eiryss will come next, then the Battle Mages for Rahn .

 EccentricOwl wrote:

I think the Thane, a Soulless Escort (against Cryx, Skorne, and Everblight) and maybe Epic Eiryss will come next, then the Battle Mages for Rahn .

I had thought about the Battle Mages since you have Rahn, but I couldn't offer any first hand advice about them. Rahn is the only Ret caster I don't own and have never played, so I've also never picked up Battle Mages.