Trying to decide between Cryx (eSkarre), Cygnar (eCaine) and Protectorate (eFeora)

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**vipoid**

I'm interested in starting Warmachine sometime, but I'm having trouble deciding between Cygnar (with eCaine), Cryx (with eSkarre) or Protectorate (with eFeora)

- In terms of those casters, how would they work with the 35pt all-in-one boxes for Cygnar/Cryx/Protectorate? Could I just swap out the casters for the ones in the box, or would some of them require quite a few changes to the list in order to work?

- How 'active' are those casters likely to be? I know that some casters spend most of the game casting/upkeeping one spell and then camping focus - and I'd really like a caster who does a bit more in the way of shooting or spellslinging.

- I know this is always going to be subjective, but in your opinion will those casters be fun to play? Are any likely to be dull/repetitive?

**Blood Hawk**

If you want a caster that can get involved every turn shooting or casting spells eCaine is probably who you are looking for. Most turns with eCaine, he is moving in taking some shots and then teleporting to safety.

As far as the all in one box goes I don't know too much about eSkarre but I think the eFeora and eCaine would do fine with those starting armies. Feora bonds the redeemer to fuel the feat by setting the stuff on fire. With the cygnar one let the gun mage officer marshal one of the two heavies since eCaine tends to greedy with his focus. The only thing I am iffy on is the stormguard mainly because I think boomhowler and Co. would a better choice with eCaine in that list (that is a merc unit btw.)

**novaspike**

eSkarre can run the cryx all in one pretty well. It's got one (even two) more arc nodes then she really wants, but she does more for the Levi then nearly any other caster.

Skarre can also mix it up in melee...but she's pretty squishy all told. And between her feat and cutting for upkeeps she tends to be pretty hurt.

It does sound like eCaine fits more of what you want. He's pretty much a super solo with an army.

**Emperors_Champion**

Personally I wouldn't base my decision for which army to go for by which caster.

You really want to go for the army which appeals to you the most as they'll be what gets used more often.

You can easily pick up a new caster whenever really and that in turn can have a sizable impact on how your army plays.

I generally don't like to use the same Caster/Lock from one game to the next as that gets dull for me. As your collection grows you'll become more and more familiar with which caster suits you and also which one is going to get the best out of your army and also against the enemy!

**vipoid**

Emperors_Champion wrote:

You really want to go for the army which appeals to you the most as they'll be what gets used more often.

Do you mean in terms of rules, or aesthetics?

**Emperors_Champion**

vipoid wrote:
Emperors_Champion wrote:

You really want to go for the army which appeals to you the most as they'll be what gets used more often.

Do you mean in terms of rules, or aesthetics?

That really depends on you mate. How do you usually pick an army? I've always picked my armies by their looks because I know that if I don't like a model then I typically won't paint it, therefore I won't get to play it!

Obviously as I progress with an army I'll consider the rules, synergies and tactics for future choices but for me there needs to be an attraction to the armies aesthetics at the start.

If we consider Caine and Skarre, do you fancy a gun heavy army with plenty of smartly dressed soldiers or would you prefer a bunch of rag tag pirates and raiders with blood stained cutlass' and spike cover chains?

(slight bias as I'm a cryx player

)

**vipoid**

Emperors_Champion wrote:

That really depends on you mate. How do you usually pick an army? I've always picked my armies by their looks because I know that if I don't like a model then I typically won't paint it, therefore I won't get to play it!

For me, painted armies are things that happen to other people...

Emperors_Champion wrote:

Obviously as I progress with an army I'll consider the rules, synergies and tactics for future choices but for me there needs to be an attraction to the armies aesthetics at the start.

If we consider Caine and Skarre, do you fancy a gun heavy army with plenty of smartly dressed soldiers or would you prefer a bunch of rag tag pirates and raiders with blood stained cutlass' and spike cover chains? (slight bias as I'm a cryx player )

Hmm, much as I like longcoats, I'd probably favour the Cryx aesthetic.

**Chute82**

EFeora would work well with the Menoth all in one box. bonded redeemer to set things on fire. You can build a vanquisher from the kit to bring more fire to the table. Reckoner with ignite... I would pick up the Errant UA to add to the box and run with Min choir which would free up a pt, then add wracks

**AduroT**

Skarre is one of those casters who tends to make everything work. Just make sure you get her a pet Skarlock, and a Necro Surgeon ain't a bad idea either.

**vipoid**

Chute82 wrote:
EFeora would work well with the Menoth all in one box. bonded redeemer to set things on fire. You can build a vanquisher from the kit to bring more fire to the table. Reckoner with ignite... I would pick up the Errant UA to add to the box and run with Min choir which would free up a pt, then add wracks

I'll be honest, the main thing that's putting me off Menoth is the casters. I like a lot of the units and jacks (including all the ones in the box)... but I dislike the casters both aesthetically and rulewise.

AduroT wrote:
Skarre is one of those casters who tends to make everything work. Just make sure you get her a pet Skarlock, and a Necro Surgeon ain't a bad idea either.

What do you use the skarlock to cast with eSkarre?

I know her prime version uses it to cast Ritual Sacrifice every turn.

**novaspike**

A skarlock can put out death ward or admonition, which is nice. Otherwise it's not as necessary as with pSkarre.

If you do go with eSkarre, having a raider captain is nice for no knockdown.

**AduroT**

Ah, right, I was thinking Skarre2 was the one with Ritual Sacrifice. Not as useful then since she doesn't have many good friendly Upkeeps to bounce around.