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.

So how are the Dwarfs doing under the 8th editon rules? I am passingly interested in starting a WFB army and still have the Dwarf models from the Skull Pass box set sitting unassembled.

Is the army book still viable under the new rules or is it need of an overhaul? Comments and suggestions are welcome!

They defiantly got a boost with the 8th edition rules.

I have only played them a couple times in 8th but they seem much better to me. We used to be 50/50 but I have been slaughtered the last couple times. I play dark elves. The reform and shoot makes 20 thunderers very deadly for my T3 elves and now he can charge much farther severely limiting my previous movement control.

The new charge rules means it makes it easier for Dwarves to get into CC and war machines also got a boost.

All in all, Dwarves got a boost in 8th edition so start assembling those Skull Pass minis!

burning_phoneix wrote:

All in all, Dwarves got a boost in 8th edition so start assembling those Skull Pass minis!

Not much assembling required there...just glue them to the bases.

You have to glue the arm into the Thane, does that count as assembly?

Am still (dammit get a move on man!) STILL painting my Skull Pass chaps so they haven't had a chance to bash gobbos yet. Looking forward to it.

Put your bolt throwers away and break out double cannons, grudge thrower, and organ gun. Give everyone except your anvil unit great weapons. Also make sure to bring a runesmith with MRoBalance and Spellbreaker scroll.

Ive only played 4 games sence 8th came out but so far I havnet lost a game with my dwarfs. With the new charge rules dwarfs can move like crazy. I once rolled doubble 6's, giving my hammerers with a lord on shield bearers a charge of 15".

I think one thing that's overlooked is that right now everyone and their mother is totally in love with magic. And Dwarfs can absolutely shut down all but literally a few casters in the game. So if they were planning on 20% dmg from spells and you can knock that down to 5%, that's pretty huge. And you can do it without really gimping yourself.

And siege weapons got better (!!!). No partials. Cannons can slaughterize rider and mount.

I think they're pretty cool. Dark Dwarfs for the lol.

So are they looking at gunline dwarves or are they actually good at close combat again?

Put your bolt throwers away and break out double cannons, grudge thrower, and organ gun. Give everyone except your anvil unit great weapons. Also make sure to bring a runesmith with MRoBalance and Spellbreaker scroll.

And why should I give everyone great weapons?

Because the new rules mean that Dwarves will hardly ever be striking first (charging used to let them hit first, but now they don't) and hand weapon and shield is arguably less of a defense against certain attacks.
So giving them the great weapons gives them a lot of hitting power (they'll always get to strike back if there's enough of them, and in two ranks too), it's good value for the points. I still like shields and hand weapons on some units, but Great Weapons are undeniably a bit better these days.
And yes, they are a lot better at close combat from what I have seen. They benefitted a lot from most of the new rules. They'll still have weaknesses but a combined arms list is definitely viable. (Not sure that I'd go pure combat though, if you're looking for hardcore performance.)

You can field some very close combat focused dwarf armies in 8th. Though you cant go wrong with a cannon and organ gun at least to back them up. Grudge throwers also fun.

The flame cannon is now really powerful. I used to just ignore it because I never fielded massive infantry mobs but now it can decimate units of 100 zombies... well you get the picture.

Ordo Dakka wrote:The flame cannon is now really powerful. I used to just ignore it because I never fielded massive infantry mobs but now it can decimate units of 100 zombies... well you get the picture.

Really? How many shots do you actually get off with the thing? On paper I think it looks good for about one shot, and that only at whatever comes pretty close to you...

Ordo Dakka wrote:The flame cannon is now really powerful. I used to just ignore it because I never fielded massive infantry mobs but now it can decimate units of 100 zombies... well you get the picture.

Whaaaaat? The flame cannon is terrible on a whole new level. Sure the partials are gone but it fires a template, A TEMPLATE from the muzzle! It was good right up until the Dwarf FAQ from GW. For the points a cannon is better, a GT is miles better with a RoAccuracy, an organ gun is better. Hell a Gyrocopter is better and it still does partial hits!

Template from the muzzle.

We had an instance a couple of weeks back where some Skaven flame shooty thing was fired at the Gryphon 2 " away. We checked the rule book and in disbelief followed the instructions. The device over shot by 10"

If I understand correctly the flame cannon would be very vunerable and a decent chance of missing at close range.
Would that be correct?

I wouldn't dismiss the humble bolt thrower. They're pretty cheap and I think it's worth taking at least one in 2k and up games. Dwarves certainly have runes and the engineer to make them more effective than the versions other armies get.

Awesome, sounds like my dwarves will be getting back in the fight then. Though it's going to suck getting line troops with Great Weapons.

Ratbarf wrote:Awesome, sounds like my dwarves will be getting back in the fight then. Though it's going to suck getting line troops with Great Weapons.

Handweapon and shields still have their place. But having a unit of longbeards with greatweapons is very useful.

One thing to note about longbeards with great weapons is that they cost one point *more* than hammerers who have the advantage of stubborn. Of course, their points come from core, so they have that going for them...

this might be convolved with my opponent being a particularly smart fellow, but my brief experience against dwarves in the new edition was pretty striking. I suddenly had very fast, very angry fat little men streaking across the battlefield like olympians on amphetamines. Suddenly, every thrower, cannon and grudge spitting thing-a-ma-bob was like a sniper rifle. In this three player game, my WoC opponent's Valkia was decapitated by a single stone thrower shot (lucky in the face of "look out sir", but it still left an indelible impression). I was also WoC, but was nervous every time his turn cam around because suddenly the chubby little guys were more effective in almost every dimension of the game. The three of us ended in a draw, but i'm pretty sure if I go toe to toe with his dwarf army I'd tend to bet on his side. Part is, of course, because he's a very savvy player, but now he's a savvy player with mega-dwarves.

I mean, why couldn't they get a charge of 1D6 plus 1D3 or something? Seriously? SERIOUSLY?

Red_Zeke wrote:One thing to note about longbeards with great weapons is that they cost one point *more* than hammerers who have the advantage of stubborn. Of course, their points come from core, so they have that going for them...

@2500 points I flesh out my core with 30 warriors on foot with HW/SH, a 20 man unit of warrior rangers with greatweapons and throwing axes, and a unit of 10 thunderers. This leaves me with the room for 2 runed cannons, a runed Grudge thrower, 2 organ guns, a tank lord, two squads of 20 hammerers, a Dispelsmith, and a challenge BSB thane.

BossGobbaz wrote: I suddenly had very fast, very angry fat little men streaking across the battlefield like olympians on amphetamines

sigged

You havent lived till dwarves charge you on their turn one...

O_O
O_O
.....O_O




How in the good god is that possible!?

haha i'm flattered to be sigged... but seriously, they're scary fast dwarves. and yeah, how do they charge on turn one? that's even FASTER than what i've seen

Easy:

Dwarf player get's first turn

Rune of Strollaz = After deployment but before movement every dwarf within 12" can make a free move, regular or march.

March again.

Use anvil to charge in the shooting phase, strike on ancient power = D3 units.

1st turn dwarfs in your grill. Not to mention that if there are miners you're liable to get it from the front and back.

PS - don't forget that during this time organ guns, quarrelers, runed cannons, and Grudge Throwers are belting you with death from above.

Again, SERIOUSLY?? I hope I don't run into that combo anytime soon.

So it appears the concensus answer to the question is "Dwarfs are doing quite well, thank-you-very-much."

Yeah im debating on dwarves or empire for my next army.

If i Did dwarves tho it would be like heavy infantry with a cannon and organ gun plus anvil. Not a lot of war machines. I think it could be decent.

Its still going to be rare to charge, 6 strollaz/6 march then 6 from anvil.(cant remember if anvil makes you charge or just able to move into combat) If its only a free move then 18inches is not gunna allow you to see combat and unless you take thorek its probably only gunna be 1 unit.

Its more if you take the second turn.

Turn one they move up.
Strollaz march
Normal March
anvil charge- you get 3 inches+2D6