Switch Theme:

New guy starting out  [RSS] Share on facebook Share on Twitter Submit to Reddit
»
Author Message
Advert


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.




Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




New Hampshire

Hey all, I'm thinking about getting into the game, and picking up some units this afternoon. I've done some research and seems like my choices are

2 player starter (which lacks the faction I wish to start, but not a deal breaker)
battle boxes
or pick and choose units.

I wanna start with retribution of scyrah

What else is needed? Faction cards? I see rules are free now but does the physical copy have any benefits? Other thoughts to a newbie?

Thanks guys and gals!

   
Made in us
Painlord Titan Princeps of Slaanesh




When you buy the model the card(s) come with it. The card deck is just for people who played in the last edition. It allowed them to update their cards without having to buy new models.
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




New Hampshire

Leo_the_Rat wrote:
When you buy the model the card(s) come with it. The card deck is just for people who played in the last edition. It allowed them to update their cards without having to buy new models.
thanks for the info!

   
Made in us
Monstrous Master Moulder




Rust belt

If you can find the 35 pt retribution all in one box I would start there. They might still have one at your FLGS if your lucky.
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




New Hampshire

 Chute82 wrote:
If you can find the 35 pt retribution all in one box I would start there. They might still have one at your FLGS if your lucky.
Might be more then I'm willing to sink into it to start, but Ill take a look around. A few stores have a pretty good selection of odd older content.

   
Made in us
Monstrous Master Moulder




Rust belt

zfreie wrote:
 Chute82 wrote:
If you can find the 35 pt retribution all in one box I would start there. They might still have one at your FLGS if your lucky.
Might be more then I'm willing to sink into it to start, but Ill take a look around. A few stores have a pretty good selection of odd older content.


It's around $130 if your not willing to spend that much starter box and the rules are free online.
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




New Hampshire

 Chute82 wrote:
zfreie wrote:
 Chute82 wrote:
If you can find the 35 pt retribution all in one box I would start there. They might still have one at your FLGS if your lucky.
Might be more then I'm willing to sink into it to start, but Ill take a look around. A few stores have a pretty good selection of odd older content.


It's around $130 if your not willing to spend that much starter box and the rules are free online.
I guess I figured it was more money then that, If I can find one I might just go with that now. Now I gotta figure out who to pick as a second faction so my friends can play as well.

   
Made in us
Monstrous Master Moulder




Rust belt

zfreie wrote:
 Chute82 wrote:
zfreie wrote:
 Chute82 wrote:
If you can find the 35 pt retribution all in one box I would start there. They might still have one at your FLGS if your lucky.
Might be more then I'm willing to sink into it to start, but Ill take a look around. A few stores have a pretty good selection of odd older content.


It's around $130 if your not willing to spend that much starter box and the rules are free online.
I guess I figured it was more money then that, If I can find one I might just go with that now. Now I gotta figure out who to pick as a second faction so my friends can play as well.


The all in one boxes are very friendly on the wallet. I think it's around 40% off if you bought everything piece by piece. If your store has a pressganger ask them for a demo game. They should have several different starter boxes you can try.
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




New Hampshire

Checked out the couple stores that might have them and no luck on the all in one box.

So, two player starter

or

Two battle boxes are my choices currently.


   
Made in au
Tough Tyrant Guard







It probably mostly depends on if you want what's in the two-player starter. There are two two-player starters, one for Warmachine and one for Hordes. The thing is, there are two main benefits you get by buying the two-player starter over a battlebox: the mini-rulebook and the extra unit for each side. The two units you get in the Warmachine starter are widely considered to be sub-par, and while using them won't cause a player to instantly lose or anything, they'll probably mainly garrison the model shelf once you have better options available. That will probably make the two-player Warmachine battlebox only worth it if you're going to use both of the factions in it.

The mini-rulebook is cool, but if you're happy to use the free rules then you'll be okay without it. There are also rules in a number of the subsequent books, but the ones you might need to play are included in the War Room smartphone app. Also, the Warmachine and Hordes rulebooks are slightly different, and if you are learning the game by yourselves (hazardous) you might get confused by the differences.

My other thoughts are:
1. don't forget your Arcanists!
2. good luck!
   
Made in us
Painlord Titan Princeps of Slaanesh




Get the Ret starter box and keep looking for the All in One Box. The All in Ones are designed so that they don't overlap the starters and the starters can enhance the All in Ones. The starters come with a quick start rule set and a look at the models in the other starters. Just ask you friend which models he likes the look of best and go from there.
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




New Hampshire

HiveFleetPlastic wrote:That will probably make the two-player Warmachine battlebox only worth it if you're going to use both of the factions in it.

Might get confused by the differences.

My other thoughts are:
1. don't forget your Arcanists!
2. good luck!

Thanks for the responce, that has made my choice and no starter, I have no real intrest in either faction in it. Just figured it might the logical place to start haha

I've been looking at the rules and watching game play, and so far it's nothing too confusing, just more memorizing turn orders. That's how I came.to pick wmh Was the battle mechanics seemed different. The debate was 40k or this and I liked this haha.

Leo_the_Rat wrote:Get the Ret starter box and keep looking for the All in One Box. The All in Ones are designed so that they don't overlap the starters and the starters can enhance the All in Ones. The starters come with a quick start rule set and a look at the models in the other starters. Just ask you friend which models he likes the look of best and go from there.
circle of orboros is what would they would want. But now I'm already mixing games and making it too complicated. I plan on picking up the ret battle box in the morning and start painting while I figure out my next move.

Thanks so much for all the help.

   
Made in us
The Conquerer






Waiting for my shill money from Spiral Arm Studios

zfreie wrote:
Checked out the couple stores that might have them and no luck on the all in one box.

So, two player starter

or

Two battle boxes are my choices currently.



I would just get the Ret Battle box if you want to play Ret. No point in getting the 2 player set if you aren't going to play those factions.

Get the battlebox, a unit of MHSF, and a Arcanist solo. That will get you started quite nicely.

Self-proclaimed evil Cat-person. Dues Ex Felines

Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.

MURICA!!! IN SPESS!!! 
   
Made in au
Tough Tyrant Guard







If you're expecting to mostly play against Circle, the Mage Hunter Strike Force might not be the best place to start. Especially with Kaelyssa, the Retribution battlebox caster, they will probably struggle to hit things, struggle to damage things, and be unable to usefully attack other things at all due to Stealth. They are a good unit, but that matchup in particular you might find other units more useful. On the plus side, they're not in the all-in-one if you end up picking one up later. (And if you do get them, don't forget to get their Unit Attachment, the Mage Hunter Strike Force Commander, who is not really optional.)

Of course, you could always check out the Retribution forums on the Privateer Press site for advice on what to get, though maybe you should just proxy some stuff while you get your bearings and figure out how you like to play.
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




New Hampshire

Grey Templar wrote:

I would just get the Ret Battle box if you want to play Ret. No point in getting the 2 player set if you aren't going to play those factions.

Get the battlebox, a unit of MHSF, and a Arcanist solo. That will get you started quite nicely.
yea, I think I'm gonna start with just the battle box and learn the basics first. And then move from there. Seems like the best bet for me.

HiveFleetPlastic wrote:If you're expecting to mostly play against Circle, the Mage Hunter Strike Force might not be the best place to start. Especially with Kaelyssa, the Retribution battlebox caster, they will probably struggle to hit things, struggle to damage things, and be unable to usefully attack other things at all due to Stealth. They are a good unit, but that matchup in particular you might find other units more useful. On the plus side, they're not in the all-in-one if you end up picking one up later. (And if you do get them, don't forget to get their Unit Attachment, the Mage Hunter Strike Force Commander, who is not really optional.)

Interesting to know, is all of circle good against ret, not a huge deal but I guess I'd prefer some balance between them. The other debate was cygnar. I'm more likely to go with them just cause they are both wm and will make learning easier on me.

   
Made in au
Tough Tyrant Guard







I think you will be fine, just I found Kaelyssa had trouble doing anything to Circle with the Mage Hunter Strike Force. Other casters can use them against Circle fine, just she in particular doesn't give them the help they need to shine in that matchup. So it might depend on if you want to stick with Kaelyssa, or for how long. With other casters they will do great against Circle.

I just mentioned it because I think if you're playing against each other with the battleboxes + 1 unit then you'll find them to be poor and might get discouraged. Maybe others have different opinions.
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




New Hampshire

 HiveFleetPlastic wrote:
I think you will be fine, just I found Kaelyssa had trouble doing anything to Circle with the Mage Hunter Strike Force. Other casters can use them against Circle fine, just she in particular doesn't give them the help they need to shine in that matchup. So it might depend on if you want to stick with Kaelyssa, or for how long. With other casters they will do great against Circle.

I just mentioned it because I think if you're playing against each other with the battleboxes + 1 unit then you'll find them to be poor and might get discouraged. Maybe others have different opinions.
understood, I'm no power gamer so my discouragement level will be low even when I lose. But its good information to know when i start playing more to be aware of what match ups might be bad for me. Never fun to start at a disadvantage haha

   
Made in au
Thinking of Joining a Davinite Loge






zfreie wrote:
 HiveFleetPlastic wrote:
I think you will be fine, just I found Kaelyssa had trouble doing anything to Circle with the Mage Hunter Strike Force. Other casters can use them against Circle fine, just she in particular doesn't give them the help they need to shine in that matchup. So it might depend on if you want to stick with Kaelyssa, or for how long. With other casters they will do great against Circle.

I just mentioned it because I think if you're playing against each other with the battleboxes + 1 unit then you'll find them to be poor and might get discouraged. Maybe others have different opinions.
understood, I'm no power gamer so my discouragement level will be low even when I lose. But its good information to know when i start playing more to be aware of what match ups might be bad for me. Never fun to start at a disadvantage haha


Yeah, MHSF against Hordes is generally a bad idea. They struggle against anything not chaff or light-mid warjacks. They can also do some work against certain casters.

Good first unit is Halberdiers. Fast, flexible, with their UA they have a turn of being able to scrap even heavies, punch decently without as well. Don't need much support, can do just about anything.

MHA is usually recommended as a first solo. I'd be more inclined to suggest a Magister, but YMMV.

Imperatus is good with every caster, and is easily one of the best jacks in the game. He'll solve armour cracking issues, and is tough enough to get to do it.

Probably better off listening more to the other guys, just my experience, take with salt.

Most of all, good luck!

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2015/10/06 15:36:49


My $0.02, which since 1992 has rounded to nothing. Take with salt.
Elysian Drop Troops, Dark Angels, 30K
Mercenaries, Retribution
Ten Thunders, Neverborn
 
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




New Hampshire

If I were to buy a rule book it would be prime mk2?

   
Made in au
Tough Tyrant Guard







Prime Mk II contains the core rules for Warmachine. Keep in mind, Warmachine and Hordes are the same game, it's just split into two for what seem to be licensing reasons. Prime Mk II contains the rules relating to warcasters and warjacks. Primal Mk II, the Hordes equivalent, contains the rules for warlocks and warbeasts, but its rules content is otherwise the same. Prime Mk II also contains some fluff and descriptions of the Warmachine factions and some of the units. The rules content will be exactly the same as what you can see in the Prime Mk II free rules ebook, which seems to be the same as the mini-rulebook.

So, the main advantage you get over the ebook/mini rulebook is the fluff section. Prime Mk II is a large book and a bit unwieldy. It's good if you want to know the rules and more about the background, but personally I love the travel-size mini-rulebook. It has all the same rules as Prime, but it's tiny!

There are a few rules that were released in later supplements - for example, the rules for battle engines or colossals. The cheapest and easiest way to access those rules is to get the War Room app for your smartphone or tablet. It contains a rules reference that's slightly incomplete, but very useful, and it contains the extra rules you might need from those books. You probably won't be dealing with any of those models right from the start, but it's a thing to keep in mind for later.

So: if you're happy with the ebook, the main thing Prime Mk II will provide is the fluff stuff.

Though... hmm. I don't think Retribution is included in Prime Mk II. I don't actually have the full-sized Prime Mk II, so I can't check myself, but it looks from google like they might not be in it at all. If that's the case and you're only interested in learning about Ret, you'd need the Forces of Warmachine: Retribution book, which is pretty cool and contains the couple of rules specific to Retribution (which are also in the War Room reference).

Keep in mind, if your friend wants to play Circle you'll also need Primal Mk II for the warlock/warbeast rules, but the free ebook version will be fine if you're OK with using that.

I hope any of that made sense. To summarise the blather:
- the core rules of the game are in the Prime Mk II and Primal Mk II books. They mostly have identical rules, but Prime has the warcaster and warjack rules and Primal has the warlock and warbeast rules.
- the mini-rulebook has the same rules content as the full-sized Prime Mk II, and the free ebook seems to be exactly the same as the mini-rulebook.
- the main advantage of the (pretty large and heavy) full-sized Prime Mk II is its fluff content, but be aware it probably doesn't feature Retribution.
- the Forces of Warmachine: Retribution book has fluff information about Retribution, as well as the two tiny Ret-specific rules that you can also find in the War Room smartphone app.

There's probably a huge glut of mini-rulebooks floating around now, since they included one in every All-in-One army starter, so they are probably pretty easy to get now. In your position I'd probably get a mini-rulebook from somewhere, or just use the ebook. Then if you decide you're interested in learning more about the setting later you could pick up the full-sized Prime or the Forces of Warmachine: Retribution book.

How did I write that much in response to your one-sentence question?
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




New Hampshire

 HiveFleetPlastic wrote:

I hope any of that made sense. To summarise the blather:
- the core rules of the game are in the Prime Mk II and Primal Mk II books. They mostly have identical rules, but Prime has the warcaster and warjack rules and Primal has the warlock and warbeast rules.
- the mini-rulebook has the same rules content as the full-sized Prime Mk II, and the free ebook seems to be exactly the same as the mini-rulebook.
- the main advantage of the (pretty large and heavy) full-sized Prime Mk II is its fluff content, but be aware it probably doesn't feature Retribution.
- the Forces of Warmachine: Retribution book has fluff information about Retribution, as well as the two tiny Ret-specific rules that you can also find in the War Room smartphone app.

There's probably a huge glut of mini-rulebooks floating around now, since they included one in every All-in-One army starter, so they are probably pretty easy to get now. In your position I'd probably get a mini-rulebook from somewhere, or just use the ebook. Then if you decide you're interested in learning more about the setting later you could pick up the full-sized Prime or the Forces of Warmachine: Retribution book.

How did I write that much in response to your one-sentence question?
This should be added to the newbie sticky. This is exactly what I wanted to know. I've been searching for this kinda of answer to this for a couple days on Google haha so no rule book for now, use the pdf, and I might pick up the ret book cause I love backstory.

   
Made in us
The Conquerer






Waiting for my shill money from Spiral Arm Studios

By the way, pp just made their rules free. You can download a PDF of prime or primal mk2 for free on their website.

Self-proclaimed evil Cat-person. Dues Ex Felines

Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.

MURICA!!! IN SPESS!!! 
   
Made in us
Charing Cold One Knight





Sticksville, Texas

Another decent place for information on your army is Battle College. A lot of the info is a little older, but as long as you just take it as a rough idea, and some of their tactics with a grain of salt, it is a good place for info.
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




New Hampshire

Grey Templar wrote:By the way, pp just made their rules free. You can download a PDF of prime or primal mk2 for free on their website.
yep, I was aware I was just trying to figure out the differences between them all haha

NH Gunsmith wrote:Another decent place for information on your army is Battle College. A lot of the info is a little older, but as long as you just take it as a rough idea, and some of their tactics with a grain of salt, it is a good place for info.

and awesome, I'll check it out. Always wanting to learn more.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Decided to start with Retribution and Cryx

Picked up each battle box and a mess more paints. Hoping to get started tonight! Super excited.

Next on the list for each is another unit once I learn the basics. And the fluff book for them.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2015/10/07 18:56:14


   
Made in us
Satyxis Raider






Seattle, WA

For Cryx a good way to expand the battlebox is to get a Skarlock Thrall, warwitch siren and Bane Thralls with the unit attachment (officer and banner). 3 very solid options that will see a lot of play time with many lists.

If you don't want to go the bane thrall route there are other options as well for first unit. Raiders, knights, mechanithralls. But Bane Thralls are the most common.
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





I would say first of all, go to your FLGS and just hang out around the tables. Determine if the people are cool and fun, when I first got stared in this game, the people were all jerks and made me not interested in the game. Tho I did find a new community of all amazing people.

Next by hanging out with these people you never know if someone is trying to unload for an army you use. In the new community, Xwing was getting hot and a guy who played Menoth literally sold me his $200 army for $50. (Note Menoth was the army I wanted to play).

I also suggest you asking us for some advice on how you WANT an army to play. As in, what are your preference in the army you're using. Do you want speed, damage, tricks, etc. Research is important before you invest $100~200.

Finally, I strongly recommend just getting the starter for the army you want, no point in buying stuff you don't want to use.


6+ = 6/36 | Reroll 1s = 7/36 | Reroll Misses = 11/36 ||||||| 5+ = 12/36 | Reroll 1s 14/36 | Reroll Misses = 20/36 ||||||| 4+ = 18/36 | Reroll 1s 21/36 | Reroll Misses = 27/36
3+ = 24/36 | Reroll 1s 28/36 | Reroll Misses = 32/36 ||||||| 2+ = 30/36 | Reroll 1s 35/36 ||||||| Highest of 2d6 = 4.47
 
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




New Hampshire

Mordekiem wrote:For Cryx a good way to expand the battlebox is to get a Skarlock Thrall, warwitch siren and Bane Thralls with the unit attachment (officer and banner). 3 very solid options that will see a lot of play time with many lists.

If you don't want to go the bane thrall route there are other options as well for first unit. Raiders, knights, mechanithralls. But Bane Thralls are the most common.
Ill have to give them all a look, I still need to play my first game! haha

Talamare wrote:I would say first of all, go to your FLGS and just hang out around the tables. Determine if the people are cool and fun, when I first got stared in this game, the people were all jerks and made me not interested in the game. Tho I did find a new community of all amazing people.

Next by hanging out with these people you never know if someone is trying to unload for an army you use. In the new community, Xwing was getting hot and a guy who played Menoth literally sold me his $200 army for $50. (Note Menoth was the army I wanted to play).

I also suggest you asking us for some advice on how you WANT an army to play. As in, what are your preference in the army you're using. Do you want speed, damage, tricks, etc. Research is important before you invest $100~200.

Finally, I strongly recommend just getting the starter for the army you want, no point in buying stuff you don't want to use.
I have a couple local stores that have a good gathering of people, so I'm not super worried about that aspect. I also have a friend who is getting out of WMH and is going to sell me his collection for a fair price if he can't find a buyer of it as a better price haha. I also play homebrew games( I have a personal system I'm working on) so I can always use more miniatures as well

I prefer tricks and magic to straight strength or defense. I like having as many options as I can to handle a situation.

   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





zfreie wrote:

I prefer tricks and magic to straight strength or defense. I like having as many options as I can to handle a situation.


Scyrah then is definitely a solid choice for that preference, I would also suggest taking a look at Circle of Ouroboros. It's Hordes version of Tricks and Magic faction.

Cyriss has a fair amount of tricks as well, but using technology instead of magic.


6+ = 6/36 | Reroll 1s = 7/36 | Reroll Misses = 11/36 ||||||| 5+ = 12/36 | Reroll 1s 14/36 | Reroll Misses = 20/36 ||||||| 4+ = 18/36 | Reroll 1s 21/36 | Reroll Misses = 27/36
3+ = 24/36 | Reroll 1s 28/36 | Reroll Misses = 32/36 ||||||| 2+ = 30/36 | Reroll 1s 35/36 ||||||| Highest of 2d6 = 4.47
 
   
 
Forum Index » Privateer Press Miniature Games (Warmachine & Hordes)
Go to: