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KOLDUN KOMMANDER ZERKOVA 15 TO 50 POINT LEAGUE BLOG

Lists played to date with win and loss record. (10 Wins / 0 Draws / 9 Loss 52.63% W/L Ratio)

15 POINT LIST (1 WIN / 2 LOSS)

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Destroyer 09
-- Spriggan 10




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20 POINT LIST (0 WINS / 1 LOSS)

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Spriggan 10
-- Destroyer 9
-- Sylys Wyshnalyrr 2
Greylord Ternion 4
Reinholdt 1




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25 POINT LIST (2 WINS / 0 LOSS)

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Destroyer 9
-- Spriggan 10
Great Bears of Gallowswood 5
Widowmaker 4
Widowmaker Marksman 2
Reinholdt 1




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30 POINT LIST (0 WIN / 1 LOSS)

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Destroyer 9
-- Spriggan 10
-- Sylys 2
Great Bears 5
Widowmakers 4
Yuri 3
Orin Midwinter 2
Reinholdt 1




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35 POINT LIST (1 WIN / 1 LOSS)

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Behemoth 13
-- Spriggan 10
-- Sylys 2
Great Bears 5
Widowmakers 4
Widowmaker Marksman 2
Orin Midwinter 2
eEiryss 3




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35 POINT LIST OBJECITVE LIST (3 Wins / 2 Loss)

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Behemoth 13
-- Spriggan 10
-- Sylys 2
Great Bears 5
Widowmakers 4
Iron Fang Pikemen (Min) 6
Iron Fang U

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35 POINT LIST OBJECTIVE LIST WITH CONQUEST (1 WIN / 0 LOSS)

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Conquest 19
-- Sylys 2
Doom Reavers 6
- Greylord Escort 2
Great Bears 5
IFP (Min) 5
-- IFP UA 2


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40 POINT LIST OBJECTIVE LIST (0 WIN / 1 LOSS)

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Behemoth 13
-- Sylys 2
Doom Reavers 6
- Greylord Escort 2
Great Bears 5
Gun Carriage 9
IFP (Min) 5
-- IFP UA 2
Ragman 2

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45 POINT LIST OBJECTIVE LIST (1 WIN / 0 LOSS)

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Behemoth 13
-- Sylys 2
Doom Reavers 6
- Greylord Escort 2
Great Bears 5
Gun Carriage 9
IFP (Min) 5
-- IFP UA 2
Man-O-War Drakhun (w/Dismount) 5
Ragman 2

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50 POINT LIST OBJECTIVE LIST (1 Win / 1 Loss)

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Behemoth 13
Doom Reavers 6
- Greylord Escort 2
Great Bears 5
Gun Carriage 9
IFP (Min) 5
-- IFP Black Dragon Officer & Standard 2
Kovnik Jozef Grigorovich 2
Man-O-War Drakhun (w/o Dismount) 4
Winter Guard Infantry (Max) 6
- Winter Guard Officer & Standard 2

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Start of the Zerkova League Blog:

Well, just finished our League games at out FLGS last Sunday at 50 points. I came into the League at 30 points and played most of the normal Khador caster (both Butchers and both Sorchas and Harky once.) Out of all the game I played my record was 10 wins and 5 loses which for me is really good. So, now we are reseting back to 15 points and running just a battlegroup. I figured this would be the best time to play and learn Khador's worst caster, Koldun Kommander Zerkova all the way through to 50 points. Because of this I am going to start this blog to track my record with her. The reason I am doing this in the Army lists section because alot of this will be army lists played and alterations of her list.

The rules of out League is till we hit 35 points we must stay with our Battlegroup that we start off with. We can add to the battlegroup but can not take away from it. Each week we will be going up 5 points so they can be anything we want just as long as it does not change the base battlegroup so this first week is super important. After 35 points the Battlegroup can change thus running what ever I want. Plus, were are running bonds on our Jacks and Beasts.

I decided that I was going to run her Hunting Wolves theme list. Here is the list that I am thinking about because she needs protection:

15 Points
Koldun Kommander Zerkova (+6 WJP)
-- Vanguard 5
-- Marauder 7
-- Demolisher 9

Reasoning behind the list:
In the Hunting Wolves theme list I can take a Vanguard from the Merc list with her. It's shield guard ability will be able to stand back with the Zerkova allowing her to expose herself a bit more to enemy shooting. The Demolisher can use her Watcher spell to allow him to open up advance, open up, shoot a nade launcher and then close back up. Then, I took the Marauder since I had 7 points and it was the non-ranged Jack that the list will allow you to take. Plus his Combo Smite attack can push other jacks away from Zerkova. I could dump the Vanguard and add another Demolisher for the Marauder. I am only limited to non-character ranged attack Jacks, Marauders and Vanguards.

Honestly, I don't think she will shine till there are enemy warrior models on the board that I can use influence on. She should be able to hold her own with the amount of push back that she can do within her 14" control range.

Well, this trial by fire with her should be fun. I expect to lose alot but but to pull out a single win with her how many can say that.

So, any ideas and C&C would be helpful.



Automatically Appended Next Post:
Now after some thought i could just for go the theme list and take Beast09 and a Spriggan or Black Ivan. The range support and reach of the Spriggen is nice but Black Ivan with a higher RAT and range works well to offset Beast.

Next i could stick with regular jacks so i can switch between themes at will. So a Spriggen and a Destroyer. Range, reach, AoE and power across the board. Both would work well with watcher.

So what is your ideas?

Now after some thought I am going to go with this list for my first game. I hope it works well since I am stuck with this battlegroup till we hit 35 points.

15 Points (21 total possible points)
Koldun Kommander Zerkova (+6 WJP)
-- Destroyer 9
-- Spriggan 10

The Destroyer with it's bombard should work well with Watcher since it's Bombard will have both attack and damage rolls boosted. The only thing that has be worried is that 6" is really close to my caster but if I keep the Destroyer between her and the enemy unit then it should be ok (hopefully). Now, the Spriggen will also work great with Watcher since the jack has reach and the Nade Launchers.

Now here is how I can see how to use Watcher with the Spriggen and the Destroyer. The Destroyer sits behind allowing the range of the Bombard to cover 12" infront of the caster. Cast Watcher on the the Spriggen so when the enemy close it triggers Watcher. The Spriggen moves into a guarding spot to the Zerkova and do one of four options:
1.) Go into the unit with it's lance if it is a Warjack or Warbeast putting the free boosts to good effect. Then on my caster's activation cast Force Blast.
2.) Once into position fire off a grenade launcher once we are allowed to have infantry.
3.) Once into position fire off the flares to at the unit if it has stealth, camo or cloud effects to allow the Destroyer a chance to shoot directly at it with a good chance to hit.
4.) Once into position not to do any action since Watcher ends only once the model has done a combat action. This way I could get multiple advances and a chance to threaten their caster all because they got close to my caster.

I've been piloting Her Hatness on and off in the last few local leagues, and I have a Love/Hate relationship with her (mostly love). Conquest gave her a huge boost. Here's my observations:

1. Zerkova NEEDs three things.
(a) Models to perform heavy lifting unaided, because she has no buffs, and a limited use debuff. i.e. Melee Heavies, Conquest, Great Bears, Doom Reavers etc.
(b) Zerkova requires shield guard / screen / chargeblock to stay alive due to frail body.
(c) An ARC NODE. (But that's not likely to happen any time soon).

2. Her standard list offers Wyshnalyrr as an option and he's a potent one. You loose shield guard from the Vanguards though you can buy it back (in a crappier form) with Ogrun Bokkur. I was using MOW shock troopers as a mobile wall for a bit, but it seriously lacks in hitting power. Wolves of Winter is kind of rubbish. Hunting Wolves looses out on all of the heavy hitters that she needs but grants her superior survivability with Vanguards and Gorman. Kayazy spam dies to blasts and struggles with heavies. Conquest is pretty much the universal answer for hitting power with Her Hatness as it draws fire like crazy, screens her effectively and she can protect it to an extent with her feat.

The last Zerkova list I ran was T4 35

Zerkova
Conquest
Vanguard x2
Gorman
Greylord Ternion
Kayazy Assasins (min)
Widowmakers

Clouds on all the widowmakers first turn for DEF18 cloud-wall. Not always effective, but when it is, it's pretty good. You'll be tempted to shoot with Conquest turn 1, but I find its more important to get up the field. The great thing about Conquest is that Zerkova can charge him for extra movement and he doesn't suffer STATIONARY from getting hit by Quietus. Vanguards can SHIELD GUARD Conquest to make sure he gets there.

Other thoughts:
Koldun Lord helps a lot with powerbooster as I find that Zerkova tends to camp a lot as she's a bikini wearing front line caster. Even when shield guarded, as lots of stuff can still slip past it like chain lightning, boosted magic, sprays etc.

YMMV.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
If you don't want to make friends:

Zerkova
Conquest
Widowmaker Marksman (or Koldun Lord)

It is a perfectly viable way to roll at 15. Force Blast on Conquest is a bonkers way to shove enemies off an objective.

Not an option since he's said it's battle group only until after 35 points.

Well, we are locked in to Battlegroup that we picked at 15 points. You have to use the same battlegroup till 35 and then I can change out the jacks in the battlegroup but I can add units, solos and attachements at the 20 point level.

They are trying to get some new people into the game so I am using to chance to run Zerkova starting from the basement level instead of coming in halfway through . This way I can learn all her strengths and weaknesses.

This is why I am trying out these two jacks but I am more than willing to trade them out for others because other people on here have more experence in playing her since I have never rolled dice one with her. My first list was trying to get some protection with the Vanguard but it would lock me into a Tier list till 35 which might be very risky. So, I switched to these two jacks because they are pretty versitile and do work well from what I can glean.

However, I am still at my same issue is that I stuck with these jacks till 35.

There is one thing I do like about the Hunting Wolves theme other than the Vanguard is that you can take Kayazy Eliminators along with the other Kayazy Units. But I am getting ahead of myself here. Got to prepare for 15 and then plan for 20.

So now you can really see what the issue is that what I choose I am stuck with for awhile. Do I get the jacks I would like to have at 20 points now and just eat the 15 point game by not using all my points?

@pipboy: Some more thoughts in light of your comments:

1. Zerkova benefits greatly from inclusion of Conquest. Your only chance to take Conquest is at the start then. There's not any points addition where you can add him before 35. In my experience using Conquest in a slow grow - he's very powerful at 15. Kind of not good at 25 (due to slow speed and inability to contest multiple objectives if your opponent runs a swarm), and then average at 35.

2. Zerkova benefits from units that are self sufficient and/or offer battlefield control:

Great Bears
Widowmakers / Widowmaker Solos
Doom Reavers
Kayazy / Kayazy Assasins
Winterguard Rifle Corps (strangely!)

3. Zerkova is not an assassin. She can win vs. an enemy caster by attrition if she has a wall to stand behind by shooting off boosted no LOS razorwinds, but it will take her a few turns. Against a camped opponent, she has almost no chance unaided. Exposed and stripped of focus, she's deader than a doornail. Despite her FOC7, she can't run two warjacks at full combat potential. She can run 1, load with FOC3, and re-position another one or two. This is where Vanguards shine because they are useful with positioning alone and also suck up shots that would otherwise kill a focus depleted Zerkova.

Not advising you go one way or another, just sharing my experiences.

@ keezus

So something like this:

Koldun Kommander Zerkova (+6 WJP)
-- Vanguard 5
-- Vanguard 5
-- Any 9 or 10 Point Jack (within the Hunting Wolves list)

If I ran my original list would leave me a protection unit, a striker and a backup.
Koldun Kommander Zerkova (+6 WJP)
-- Vanguard 5
-- Marauder 7
-- Demolisher 9

This leaves me a striker, a backup/defender for the Zerkova. I can add a Vanguard or the Great Bears and Gorman @ 20
Koldun Kommander Zerkova (+6 WJP)
-- Spriggan 10
-- Destroyer or Demolisher 9





Loaded with two Vanguards and a Spriggen would leave me 1 point left for the 5 point jump to 20 so I would have 6 points to spend at 20.

The Vanguards would give me protection for Zerkova and a striking tool. Then at 20 I would be looking at a possible 2 Kayazy Eliminator units or a Greylord Unit and Gorman for the boost to Tier 2.

I have not really used the Greylord unit but I can see how between her twisters and their blizzard spells can leave a impenetrable wall. I am worried still about only having one striking unit.

I think that battlegroup only is a tough slog for Lady Z. She is wholly reliant on her battlegroup for help and she doesn't help them at all outside of giving her jacks focus. You'll have to use Watcher judiciously to move up your jacks. Keep in mind that as long as you don't let it expire by attacking, you can move every time its condition is met.

I personally like Spriggan + Vanguard x2 for Hunting Wolves. At ARM17+2 shield bonus, the Vanguard is very sturdy. SPD6 MAT+RAT6 is solid, in addition to assault and 2x P+S13 weapons. It can crush an unsuspecting caster. Once you get to Tier4, it is 4 points! Bulldoze and P+S18 spear is solid for the Spriggan, and can remove stealth for some shooty bits from the Vanguards/Lady Z. Don't forget that Her Hatness has a gun (kinda).

I also like: Spriggan + Beast is also good, outside of tier, using Spriggan to block charge lanes with reach.

I don't own Behemoth, but Behemoth + another beater sounds promising as well.

Zerkova really doesn't want too many warjacks because she can't run them effectively, so the battlegroup only stipulation is going to hurt her in the long run if you take too many warjacks right off the bat. I have poor experiences using both the decimator or the destroyer. I haven't had a chance to try the demolisher yet, but it looks promising (though not at battlegroup level, as its primary weapons are too low powered for anti-warjack use.)

This brings be back to Conquest, as he's a single jack letting Zerkova keep focus to cast spells / overcharge. At standoff range, he only needs 2 focus to boost accuracy and damage. As well, being impossible to immobilize, knockdown or disrupt is huge. You can mitigate this a bit with Banishing Ward for other warjacks.

Dont' forget that Zerkova has pathfinder. It will save her life.

Be careful with Twister. As I understand it, it is a crap cloud effect as you can't place it where you want. It has to be targetted and has a tendency to drift if your target is out of sight. Cast on your own models, it will usually kill your target if it is a warrior model.

Elminators don't contribute towards Tier, though the tier bonus lets you take up to 3 UNITS!

I love the eliminators. I had one unit destroy an entire unit of bane thralls and wreak a bone jack in one game. They also cause alot of units to displace from their place in the line to deal with them taking them out of the battle for two or three turns. Ignore them then solos are dead and a caster possibly. Plus they are more pinpoint weapons the the other kayazy.

Down to my final list. This list was shown above, doesn't lock me out of the tiers and gives good flexiblity for the slow grow to 35. Here it is:

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Destroyer 09
-- Spriggan 10

Well, I pick a list these jacks because it will give me access to the tier lists plus it has what is needed to keep her alive. The Spriggan with reach and the ability to un-stealth minis. The Destroyer to do it's magic on Watcher with the gun. Very focus friendly list for Zerkova. Compairing this to the PP Forums of "I won with Zerkova" it seems these two jacks are the primary jacks at this low points and even some of the larger games. This will leave me with 2 extra points to play with on the creep to 20. Great Bears or Widow Makers and a solo.

So when the points start creeping up units like the Great Bears, Doom Reavers and Fernis will see use. Also using Zerkova give me a reason to get some units I don't own yet which is very few.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
When, I was debating this list last night while lying in bed I was having a hard time not using Beast 09. He is so good and my favorite go to jack when I need some power in a list. However, for her I almost feel the need for some ranged power in a Jack. Alot of people tell me that a Destroyer is not very good but I found that with casters that have some focus left over that he is good to have.

With only 4 focus I watched my Destroyer destroy a bonejack with two shots and then dictate the rest of the board as Beast and pSorcha cleaned up the remaining minis of the 15 point Cryx force. While not pretty or shiny as other jacks I think he will fit the role nicely as a support/defender jack till I can get a Vanguard or a Bokur.

Well, I can add myself to the "I won with Zerkova" club. Played three games which i lost the first two and won the last one. The list I ran was the 15 point league start:

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Spiggan 10
-- Destroyer 9

I lost the first game to Goreshade, Deathjack and a Slayer. Second loss was to pKross battlebox.
The third game was a win against pDenny, slayer, a harpoo jack (forgot the name but not malice) and a defiler.

All of the games were hard fought and learned a lot on how she plays. She is completely different but real fun to play. I can see a lot of things she can do but as we move up in points now units will have to do their of job without any help from the caster.

Thoughts about this list:
To start with as I said above Zerkova does nothing to help your unit except for Banishing Ward. This spell shut down pDenny pretty hard. Against Kross his ability to double spell costs and remove upkeeps really hurt. However, her seal made Zerkova a nasty thing to use magic attacks against. All of the other casters took more damage from her seal than what they did to her. Just a wonderful piece of equipment.

Now with her seven focus she was able to dole out all the focus that both jacks needed during the games especially on the third. It is hard to say which jack performed the best for me. The Spriggan with reach and P+S 18 with banishing ward and watcher made even getting close a dangerous prospect for all three players.
But, the Destroyer was my surprise favorite. More than once the other player advanced expecting normal Khador RAT 4 shooting. Since she was able to give two focus each turn to the Destroyer he was hitting every turn and rolling boosted damage rolls. The beas shot was a max range hit on a Slayer and causing 14 damage. After that the second Cryx player refused to close in which i was happy to oblige with chasing him around with more Destroyer AOEs.

Watcher was wonderful because each time a player got close the Spriggan said no. While it did ok on the first game I didn't have my jacks in the right spots to support Zerkova allowing her to be killed. The Spriggan with full focus and Watcher almost destroyed Deathjack in one round. The second game I made a tactical error and used the Spriggan and Watcher on the wrong jack leaving her open to a ranged attack after being knocked down by pKross feat.

On the third game the Cryx player used a defiler to flank as he was running away from POW 14 shots. He did get one spell off using the arc node that hit Zerkova. She took 4 damage and the seal bounced 3 damage right back at pDenny. That was the last offsenive spell Denny shot at her after the damage came back. The Destroyer with full focus did all but to boxes of damage to the defiler and finished it with a free strike.

When the defiler wqs losr he tried to send his to helljacks throw a building using ghost walk. However when he stopped his movement within six inches of my caster watcher kicked in and the Spriggan did his business. They second helljack tried it also the next turn but watcher kicked in again and the Destory had fun.

So, Zerkova feed focus to the jacks like they were skittles made them perform above and beyond what I thought they would ever be able to do. Her feat is a pain since it stopped the second player butt cold. Watcher was my favorate since it was able to rob most players of the initiative with the amount of damage caused by the Spriggan. It will be interesting to see what 20 points are going to be like.

Next week:
There is a real issue since I have 7 points to play with. I am stuck with the Spriggan and Destroyer, nobody bonded this week so we are still on a level playing field. So, I do see that i need something that can boost her razon wind spell so the Merc attachment is almost a must. But she needs a unit that can stand on its own power and defense wise. My first thought was the Great Bears since they would be a great screen and on the charge woe be to the target. But at 5 points I could field a unit of widowmakers and rindhold or a unit of greylords and rindhold.

What to take? What do you think? C&C as always is welcome.

Ok, now that my Great Bears have arrived in the mail it is time to get them built and painted just in case i want to include them in my 20 points. I found that Zerkova needs a meat shield that doesn't need any support from her to pull out more wins. When pKross popped his feat and knocked her down I knew that was game.

So, my thought was sincw I am stuck with the Spriggan and the Destroyer I needed a LOS blocking unit that is a threat once the enemy get get past my jacks but also cannot be knocked down. This left me with two options: 1. The Great Bears or 2. MoW Drunkin w/dismount. Both units have steady so they can sit infront of her and protect her from ranged attacks that need LOS if she gets knocked down. The MoW gets cav attacks and a good strike himself. Low def high arm with 18 damage he is a light warjack himself. But again the once attack and he iw only one base so the screening is very pinpoint.

The Great Bears give me three great attacks, tough and alright def and arm for Khador. Plus with three minis i can cover more space from LOS with the correct spacing. But each model is only 5 damage and the unit really gets weaker as the members are killed off. So which do I take with 5 of my 7 points?


A third option if i decide to fore go the screen is a unit if widowmakers or greylords. At 4 poinst they both guive me more ranged power. Both do have their points for and against but what they do make both choices work well with her. Plus this would free up an extra point out of the seven I have left to spe d

Thoughts, comments?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I think I have to make a choice between two 20 point list for this Sunday. Whichever I chose I hope it works well since I have not run some of these new units. So here is the lists:

List One -
Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Spriggan 10
-- Destroyer 9
-- Sylys Wyshnalyrr 2
Great Bears of Gallowswood 5

Looking at this list I think it will fill in the gaps that I was noticing in my 15 point game last Sunday. First off Sylys Wyshnalyrr will give Zerkova the focus and power boost that she needed with the increased spell range and free upkeep. Plus in a pinch he can be thrown out as a last ditch meat shield which would have been great to have last game. Oh well, live and learn.

Since I am added the Great Bears they will give me that Steady LOS block that Zerkova because there are more than one caster in the league that is in play that can cause knock down not just on a feat turn. Plus with Banishing Ward this will make this expensive meat shield with big scary axes more able to survive the incoming spells that I have noticed in these smaller point games. Since I will use them as a LOS block till I get an openning to launch them at something juicy plus they are my my answer to the infantry that are going to hit the field this weekend. The Spriggan and Destroyer have powerful close combat weapons they are only one attack. This unit can put out three Reach Weapon Master attacks a turn which I hope will bring down some heavy infantry that I already know I am going to be facing and the odd warjack/beast. At SPD 6 and reach plus with the Spriggan's Bulldoze will give them a chance to go at a caster if the chance comes open.

List Two -
Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Spriggan 10
-- Destroyer 9
-- Sylys Wyshnalyrr 2
Greylord Ternion 4
Reinholdt 1

This list will give me some great AOE cloud templates thus blocking LOS to Zerkova. Then the possible 3 Ice Cages will make a nice ability to allow Zerkova or the Jack to hit without boosting. They are one point minis so they will die really quickly to most everything but I expect them to be using their cloud effects every turn.

The combo of Sylys and Reinholdt will give Zerkova's Razor wind a range 12" (no LOS needed) POW 12 + 5D6 if boosted discarding the lowest dice magic shot. While this list is really geared to using her offensive spells more than the first which is a real bonus it is a very weak any damage done to it. But I can just see the look on the other player's face as they take 4D6 damage on the other side of woods or a building. Again there is also alot of meat shield for LOS and charge lane blocks for Zerkova.
Well, lets hope that it all works as planned but all plans fall apart once contact with the enemy is made.

Any C&C would be great. Thanks.

With everything going on this week I have not had a chance to even take the Great Bears out of the blister pack. I want to play completely painted armies each week so after thinking about the two lists I figured that getting sleep this week combined with the super magical Razorwind strike that Zerkova can do with the solo combination of the second list seems like a stronger list. I will be getting some photos of the 15 and 20 point armies posted soon but I am excited to see the interaction between all these minis.

Here is the 20 point Zerkova list I am taking this Sunday:

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Spriggan 10
-- Destroyer 9
-- Sylys Wyshnalyrr 2
Greylord Ternion 4
Reinholdt 1

I really wanted a unit that couldn't be knocked down but I think the 3" AOE cloud templates will allow Zerkova and company to be able to weather incoming fire. This is the first time I am playing the Greylord Ternion unit and hope that it will work well. Just have to remember that to keep her alive is to put in buffers between her and the enemy.

I know this sounds strange, but I whole heartly believe that Zerkova is a stronger second turn caster than going first. Being able to see the enemy deployment and opening moves does give her an advantage with her ranged abilities. With the ability to have LOS block and defense bonus will make this her that much more stronger.

I like it. Should be a good 'un.

As I said earlier I was going to post of the Zerkova force I am running. Here is the 20 point list:

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Spriggan 10
-- Destroyer 9
-- Sylys Wyshnalyrr 2
Greylord Ternion 4
Reinholdt 1



They are painted, based and table ready. I hope they work well together.

Well a loss for tonight but it was close. I ran against a beast heavy Legion list. But it came down to the wire and Zerkova's razor wind shots. So close but yet so far.

One the second turn Legion shooting from the beasts hit Zerkova with sprays which ignored my LOS blocking clouds knocking her down to only 6 health remaining. Then I spent 4 turns running and healing while the Spriggan destroyed the big 11 point warbeast in one turn and three focus. Big moral victory since he wanted to get a bond on that beast.

Carnavian killed the Spriggan and Zerkova tried for one last desprate gasp with full focus razor wind. Really hurt the warlock but was five shy from killing her.

Thoughts from the game:
I hate Legion. Never have won and the amount of attacks they have just fustrates me to all end. When i get my sharpe pointy sticks in them guess what spiny growth. But I was admazed by the how she was able to keep the game on the ropes when her army was clearly out classed.

No much I could do but I can see where the greylord unit's clouds would work againt Cygnar or any army that needs LoS. It was rough but I can see alot of use with their magic shots but keeping them alive long enough to get all three to fire on one target will be tough.

Looking at where my holes were that she seems to still be lacking a true offensive strike and a solid ranged game. The reliance on watcher is a one trick pony that if a caster has played against her before will know to stay away which is what happened tonight. Oh well live and learn.

Next weekend will be either against Cryx (another Goreshade army) or Khador (pButcher). Feel more confident about playing those two factions because I have played against Goreshade before and pButcher is my normal go to caster. Time to rework the lists to see what i need to do in order to maximize her spells.

So the next couple of days is pulling a list together then touch up painting. So over all a bit fustrating but still i am really satisfied by my performance with her. However, I will be glad to go back to my normal toolbox of well rounded casters.

I honestly think a squad of great bears would serve you better than the greylords, although they dont fit the theme of zerkova. Your army currently appears as though it lacks heavy hitters outside of your battlegroup. Greatsbears would provide the counter offensive you need, the hammer to your anvil if you will. They hit hard and often, and they eat legion warbeasts for breakfast.

KingKodo wrote:
I honestly think a squad of great bears would serve you better than the greylords, although they dont fit the theme of zerkova. Your army currently appears as though it lacks heavy hitters outside of your battlegroup. Greatsbears would provide the counter offensive you need, the hammer to your anvil if you will. They hit hard and often, and they eat legion warbeasts for breakfast.

I completely agree with you about needing some more heavy hitters which the Great Bears provide the list. So here is my first go at the 25 point list taking into account lessons learned.
I
Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Destroyer 9
-- Spriggan (10)
Great Bears of Gallowswood (5)
Iron Fang Pikemen (Min) (5)
Orin Midwinter (2)

I know Midwinter is an odd choice but Zerkova was still able to take damage during her feat turn because the enemy could still cast spells. So on her feat turn, pop MidWinter's action nulling any magic casting within 12 inches of him as the last activation of the turn. This will allow Zerkova a turn free of incoming offensive spells. It will also stop any buffing and de-buffing on the enemy or of my units via caster spells or caster use of animi on other units. For 2 points on the feat turn it nearly shuts down all enemy action o there half of the round.

The Great Bears are a no brainer in this list. But the min unit of Iron Fangs is a gamble. I am thining of using them as blocking unit to protect Zerkova. In a pinch or if the chance arises to use them in assault.

I have been looking at what to do with the 7 points in the list above that the IFP and Midwinter are using right now. Those two choices for the points are solid but the idea of having some missiles to reach out and touch someone specailly since infantry are making their way onto the board.

Option 1 - Yuri (3 Points)
I like this option since alot of the infantry are not heavy infantry. His threasher attack will do alot of damage in these units and is a great threat to a caster.

Option 2 - Harlan Versh (2 Points)
At this low points the amount of spells and upkeeps that are sling around really would make Harlan shine with his shooting.

Option 3 - Organ Bokur (3 Points)
A good protection unit to Zerkova since it was shooting that did the most amount of damage. Not only can he use shield guard he is a LoS block with a medium base.

Option 4 -- Wardog (1 Point)
Again, a good protection unit but will be able to counter charge.

Option 5 -- MoW Drunkin (5 Point)
What can I say but a super fast hard hitting large base model that can plow through infantry to go after a caster or heavy.

Option 6 -- 2 units of Kayazy Elimins (6 Points)
Four missiles that can ignore the infantry and go for the caster or send them in to tear up an infanrty unit.

What to do, what to do?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Here is the list that I have decided on. It has hard hitting units and alot of magic control. I would really like your input on this.

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Destroyer (9)
-- Spriggan (10)
Great Bears of Gallowswood (5)
Yuri the Axe (3)
Harlan Versh (2)
Orin Midwinter (2)

I am not always pleased with solo-machine since so much can go wrong. I think with Zerkova the two jacks can protect and do the primary striking which she will have no trouble with supporting with focus. The Bears are there for protection also but can and will strike out.

Now the solos. Yuri will be able to range out waiting for an opening or an supported infantry unit ripe for his thresher attack.

Midwinter will throw up his null zone during the feat turn and lighting arc off the jacks or the even the bears if things get bad.

Then there is Harlen with his eye on the infantry or a caster. With the spell slinging and upkeeps at 25 points he will be able to eat infantry units softing them up for Yuri's charge.

The best thing is all three mini have stealth or can be given stealth and don't need any support from Zerkova. Plus the loss of any of these solos do not weaken the force by much. They all have a job to do but that job is more harrasment and taking advantage of an unprotected caster.

Input?

Did your opponent take damage for spell casting targeting Zerkova? You realize you can stop any and all spell assasinations by casting Banishing Ward on her hatness. Ergo: I'd drop Midwinter. I used him as well and found him to be lacklustre, as he generally wants a wall to hide behind otherwise he's more-or-less instantly marked for death.

For his points, you could:
1. IFP UA.
2. Kell Bailoch

If you drop the IFP AND Midwinter, you could go:
1. Widowmakers + Marksman / Kell Bailoch
2. Widowmakers + Ogrun Bokur
3. Doom Reavers + Wardog

I feel in your final list that Zerkova is your weakest link. With two warjacks, both Wyshnalyrr and Koldun Lord help Zerkova keep enough focus to cast spells and overcharge a bit. I am tempted to suggest running your 20 point list, minus reinholdt, +widomakers and the marksman, for widomaker mobility, or Koldun Lord for extra focus and battle-wizard (strangely a bit less terrible than usual thanks to icy grip). Greylord clouds on widowmakers gives them DEF18 due to camouflage - making them a nice mobile infantry-killing wall that is only vulnerable to blasts. Wyshnalyrr and Zerkova can hide behind.

 keezus wrote:
Did your opponent take damage for spell casting targeting Zerkova? You realize you can stop any and all spell assasinations by casting Banishing Ward on her hatness. Ergo: I'd drop Midwinter. I used him as well and found him to be lacklustre, as he generally wants a wall to hide behind otherwise he's more-or-less instantly marked for death.

For his points, you could:
1. IFP UA.
2. Kell Bailoch

If you drop the IFP AND Midwinter, you could go:
1. Widowmakers + Marksman / Kell Bailoch
2. Widowmakers + Ogrun Bokur
3. Doom Reavers + Wardog

I feel in your final list that Zerkova is your weakest link. With two warjacks, both Wyshnalyrr and Koldun Lord help Zerkova keep enough focus to cast spells and overcharge a bit. I am tempted to suggest running your 20 point list, minus reinholdt, +widomakers and the marksman, for widomaker mobility, or Koldun Lord for extra focus and battle-wizard (strangely a bit less terrible than usual thanks to icy grip). Greylord clouds on widowmakers gives them DEF18 due to camouflage - making them a nice mobile infantry-killing wall that is only vulnerable to blasts. Wyshnalyrr and Zerkova can hide behind.

After going over everything you pointed out I have come up with a couple of lists:

List 1
Zerkova
-- Destroyer
-- Spriggan
-- War Dog
Great Bears
Widowmakers
Widowmaker Marksman

List 2
Zerkova
-- Destroyer
-- Spriggan
-- Sylys Wyshnalyrr
Greylord Terion
Widowmakers
Widowmaker Marksman

It really is a toss up between the Greylord Terion and Sylys and the Great Bears with the War Dog. They are both pretty defensive but the Great Bear list does give a bit more punch but lacking some of the Focus support for Zerkova.

Add two more wins to the tally with Zerkova today. The league games were at 25 points each. My list I used:

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Destroyer 9
-- Spriggan 10
Great Bears of Gallowswood 5
Widowmaker 4
Widowmaker Marksman 2
Reinholdt 1

First game: Trollbloods
Fought the box warlock, 2 Impalers, 1 Axer, 1 Pyre Troll and a full unit of bushwhackers. My Widowmakers opened up all game plinking off bushwhackers for the first two turns and then turning on removing columns from warbeasts. But it was the Spriggan that stole the show using watcher. Watcher went off three times in the game doing approx 12 points of damage to each beast that he hit. Alone the Spriggan killed the pyre, Axer and 1 Impalers before dumping three focus in to the warlock. That damn transfer and scroll and tough saved him the first three strikes but the fourth killed him.

Zerkova's feat when timed just right and watcher up and running completely shut down the trolls. The Great bears were pretty good in the game by screening Zerkova before charging into the bushwhackers wiping them off the board. Second turn, I lost one Bear to an Impaler shot but it didn't slow them down really. They are a must have second line unit send in to support the jacks. Reinholdt so no action this game.

Second game: Hot Khador on Khador action

The list I faced was pButcher, Kodiak, Juggy, Zerker, full unit of MoW Demo Corp and a Wardog.

Well again the Widowmakers took potshots doing one damage to remaining systems and wounding one MoW. The Spriggan again stole the show taking down all three jacks. The Destroyer died to Full focus pButcher.

Zerkova really shined this game with her feat and spell list. Watcher of course but influence and razorwind earned my praise this game. The enemies MoW only got one attack off on my Destroyer that missed because there was only one left after Zerkova was finished with them. Her influence spell took advantage of the Demo Corp's reach and POW by making them attacking each other. Just by the use of influence four of the five killed each other and the last one died to a boosted hit from the Destroyer.

Then at the end of the game pButcher ate the destroyer only to have the Widowmakers move up to block him causing 5 damage. Zerkova moved up and spent all six focus and Reinholdt’s ability to boost damage on one damage with her Razorwind. Three hits from the razorwind killed Butcher outright for the win.

Thoughts on the games and list:
Spriggan -- By God the Spriggan is a beat stick. He made back all his points and more each game and with Watcher makes a six inch zone of death around him. He is an auto include in almost any list when running Zerkova. He took damage and kept on being killy all day long. Taking out three light warbeasts and three Khador hvys and not dying once just confirms that he is one of the best 10 points ever spent.

Destroyer -- Well he did what he was designed to do, fire support first and then combat if needed. He died once and didn't earn his points but he did everything I asked of him. 9 points, still worth it.

Great Bears -- For 5 points they are some serious beat sticks able to deal out some serious damage when charging. They are a second line unit for sure. At def 13 they are not good enough to wade across the field into ranged shots. But once they ranged fire has been negated they come in to support they combat and this is where they so totally shine. The best part they do not rely on Zerkova at all unless they need banishing ward. For 5 points three crazy dudes, yes please.

Widowmakers (& Marksman) -- Sniper is such a great skill. It caused the Khador player to boost on his crippled arms just to hit thus keeping the number of attacks I took down. They earned their place into my lists.

Reinholdt -- I was going to play my Wardog but another player needed to use it so I was not going to let the 1 point go to waste. Most rounds he did nothing but when Zerkova was razorwinding Butcher to death his lucky charm did wonders. Still not totally sold on him yet. Sylss is much more a force multiplier for Zerkova. Because when the points allow me Reinholdt will be replaced for Sylss.

Zerkova -- Her ability to give 6 focus and upkeep watcher is making me like her so much more with every game under my belt while playing her. Her feat is sooooo strong. It pretty much has knocked all the other players for a loop as it stops their army butt cold. This allows me the time to reposition, heal and allow the Spriggan to do his job.

Now, influence is another great spell. Nothing better than seeing and Demo Corp unit fall upon themselves for 1 focus a shot and for free with her focus sphere. I can see this spell getting more use since infantry is showing up on the board.

Her razor wind is only POW 12 but boosted and Sylss attached it is a great ranged attack for her. Need to get the hang of so if the chance is there I will sling it around at those pesky solos, UAs and casters within range.

Am I sold on Zerkova? I am getting there. She is getting stronger as the points go up. However, at 50 points she might be outclassed but that is only one game. Who knows she might be great so time will tells. It is on to 30 points next weekend. What do I take, support or striking units? It will be an interesting week pouring over the forces book but I am really starting to enjoy her so much more.

Now it is on to 30 points. Here is the list I am thinking of running:

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Destroyer 9
-- Spriggan 10
-- Sylys Wyshanalyrr 2
Great Bears of Gallowswood 5
Widowmaker 4
Kayazy Eliminators 3
Yuri the Axe 3

A few changes from the 25 point list. The first was I dropped Reinholdt and brought in Sylys for the focus/magic force multipler he offers Zerkova. Well worth the extra point.

I dropped the Widowmaker Marksman since his one point of damage did not really make much difference in the games I played at 25. I know I will be playing Goreshade atleast once so I needed a weedwacker and Yuri fits this bill wonderfully. Being a stealth missile with thresher combined with widowmakers and Zarkova's influence spell will be able to crush Goreshade's infantry formations.

Lastly I am adding in Kayazy Eliminators to give me a unit to threaten solos, help in removing infantry or go in at the caster in a pinch. I just can't figure is their three points would be better with another solo and Reinholdt or as a Ogren Bokur.



Thinking ahead to the allowed battlegroup change at 35 points:
At 35 points we can change our battlegroup makeup so the Spriggan is staying in. However, while I love what the Destroyer has done for me I think it is time for an upgrade. I am thinking of taking 4 of the 5 points from 30 to 35 and upgrading the Destroyer to a Behemoth. This will give the ability to deal with Collossals and with watcher plus AP he is as much as a threat as the Spriggan. Plus this still gives me 1 point to play with the idea of upgrading the Spriggan to Beast09.

 Pipboy101 wrote:
A few changes from the 25 point list. The first was I dropped Reinholdt and brought in Sylys for the focus/magic force multipler he offers Zerkova. Well worth the extra point.

 Pipboy101 wrote:
I dropped the Widowmaker Marksman since his one point of damage did not really make much difference in the games I played at 25.

YMMV, but his gun is POW12, meaning he can one-shot most utiltiy solos. I do understand your decision to drop him though, I find he is hard to shoe-horn into lists.

 Pipboy101 wrote:
I know I will be playing Goreshade atleast once so I needed a weedwacker and Yuri fits this bill wonderfully. Being a stealth missile with thresher combined with widowmakers and Zarkova's influence spell will be able to crush Goreshade's infantry formations.

I wouldn't count on Influence to save you vs. infantry. The models can't move under that effect, and do not change facing. Without reach, you only get mileage out of tightly packed formations.

 Pipboy101 wrote:
Lastly I am adding in Kayazy Eliminators to give me a unit to threaten solos, help in removing infantry or go in at the caster in a pinch. I just can't figure is their three points would be better with another solo and Reinholdt or as a Ogren Bokur.

Dropping Yuri and the eliminators gives you space for Doom Reavers. Zerkova can increase their lethality by debuffing enemy defense for more beserk, and her feat shields them from shooting to a degree. You do have to play forward for that to work though. If you went back to the Greylords, you could blizard/smoke bomb the widowmakers (maybe with) Gorman and advance the doom reavers behind a screen of DEF18 clouds. If you have the marksman, his granted ability lets your wall reposition after its combat action. I haven't had the opportunity to test this myself, but the idea seems solid.

 Pipboy101 wrote:
Thinking ahead to the allowed battlegroup change at 35 points:
At 35 points we can change our battlegroup makeup so the Spriggan is staying in. However, while I love what the Destroyer has done for me I think it is time for an upgrade. I am thinking of taking 4 of the 5 points from 30 to 35 and upgrading the Destroyer to a Behemoth. This will give the ability to deal with Collossals and with watcher plus AP he is as much as a threat as the Spriggan. Plus this still gives me 1 point to play with the idea of upgrading the Spriggan to Beast09.

I would be playing Doom Reavers but that is one of the few units I haven't gotten yet. However, if I can get ahold of the other Khador player in the League I will use his if he remembers to bring them. But as of right now I am looking at what is currently in my army. The only units I do not have is Doom Reavers, Fernis, Greylord escort, IFP UA (on it's way) and Uhlans (but the are on their way).

Again I know I am going to deal with Goreshade at least on Sunday. His feat creates 6 Banethralls on top of the full unit on the table. Since they have to be with 3" of him then influence will tear them up. Yuri and the eliminators should be able to handle the other Thralls easly. leaving the rest of the army to handle the Jacks and caster.

It is weird that our league has to players playing the exact same army. I think the 16 year old is just copying off the other guy but their play style is the same. Both of them bunch up their bane thralls because they are trying to create a stealth wall infront of their caster (Goreshade). They make nice AoE targets but having the Spiggian dropping flares to remove stealth, widowmaker shots, Zerkova influence and Yuri that unit even with tough should dissapper specially if I target the UA first. That is what the eliminators are really for to jump behind the unit and remove the UA.

I thought I might share my thoughts on Zerkova to date. This is an ongoing conversation that is happening between some of the DCMs. Since there is alot of aspects of my game play with her to date I felt that this might be of some help so some starting to play her. Enjoy.

 Pipboy101 wrote:
Honestly, at first at really low points she was super pain in the butt to play. She has nothing to buff up your units and her ranged ability was lack luster. But after a few games and she got access to more units she has been growing on me.

She really has tons of focus to throw around. Alot of people say that she is really focus hungry but really I don't find that to be true. It seems every round I have been able to either upkeep or cast watcher and give focus to both jacks while staying safely behind a screen. When the enemy gets close and you feel the strike coming on, pop her feat and stop them for a round.

Right now I love her influence spell. For one point it can pretty much wipe out an infantry unit. For example the other Khador player I faced was sending in a unit of Demo Corp into my flank. I popped her feat which stopped their charge for a turn allowing me to soften them up with my widowmakers. The next turn I used influence along with the Demo Corps reach and high P+S to make the member of the unit to start hitting each other. After four focus the unit was down to one demo corp left which the Destroyer moved over and killed.

Influence when worked in concert with a Spriggan stealth models like Bane Thralls are toast because of their weapon master. You drop flares on the center of the unit if they are bunched together then influence those models to attack the models still in stealth. Once the attacks are finished from influence the almost manditory widowmaker unit can finish of the ones that can be seen. It is such a wonderful spell and with her artifact and Sylyy you can cast it eight times and still upkeep watcher.

It is also a great was of keeping high P+S warrior models away from their caster. This way you can elimenate part of the meat shield screen. It has many uses.

Units I find are a must have with her is a Spriggan, Great Bears and Widowmakers. Then an the second picks is a Destroyer or a Behemoth (if you have the points), Sylyy, Yuri, Marksman and Doom Reavers. If you really can fit it in is a mini with shield guard to protect her from being shot. I have only lost her once to melee but have been hurt alot from shooting.

Alot of her list is designed to be up as close as you can to take advantage of Watcher but keeping a good solid unit that will not fall infront of her. A screen is a must and that is why a unit of Great Beara are a must with her and a rotating shield with the widowmakers covering her flank.

Watcher is a spell that must be used wisely since it will win you the game. While you will most likely never get a charge on a caster with it it does force your enemy to decide if they should close in to her watcher bubble knowing the Spriggan will move and get a boosted attack and damage roll. It will also stop alot of people from moving infantry units up into that bubble. Since it does not expire till the jack makes an attack an infantry unit moving into the bubble will give that jack so many fre moves that a caster could really be attacked by the jack. For example a unit of 5 move into the bubble. When each mini moves and stops the spriggan gets a 4" move. By the time all five have moved into the bubble the spriggan has moved a possible 20" and attacked a caster witg boosted attack and damage rolls. This is such a powerful spell but also highlights why you need a screen so you can work her up there to make watcher as effective as possible.

Other tricks of watcher I learned was that use the reach of the Spriggan against jacks and beast that dont have reach in combo with watcher. You charged last round and stayed outside of the .5" melee distance. You lost the shield attacks but you gain what is pretty much a fre strike when he beast or jack moves in to attack since watcher is triggered when the mini ends it move but before the attack. What I do is injury they beast or jack as much as i can but leave it there to block a charge lane to Zerkova or her shield with their own unit then wheb they move in to attack watcher triggers the spriggan's attack with more thab a good chance of killing the beast or jack. Now a hole is open in their line most likely with a clear charge lane to their caster. This will force a panic move to move their caster, charge the spriggan with the caster or shift their line which has thrown their plan out of whack.

Her razorwind is deadly to a caster specially if you have Sylyy with her. Rng 10 (15 with her artifact and Sylyy) Pow 12 shot. I have killed one caster and wounded alot more with it. You will burn through your focus but it is worth a shot to end the game. Also it a great spell when you are on the ropes moving away. When a caster is hit by it a couple times they back off.

Lastly, Greylord Tenion units are great with her because of theit ice cage attack and thier clouds. Plus they are a weak shield but do in a pinch.

The key with her is to control when the enemy charges with her feat and protect her from shooting. Pick a warrior unit early on and remove it with her influence and the widowmakers then that will leave a big gap in the line that the jacks, bears and missiles can exploit.

 Jin wrote:
Thanks for the write-up! It was quite informative.

Figure a Koldun Lord would fit in a 35 point list? Seems like his Jack Marshall skill could come in handy, especially if you're running something like a Destroyer as a secondary 'jack.

 Pipboy101 wrote:
Well, if you use Jack Marshal on the second jack then you lose the benefit of watcher on both jacks. By keeping them in the battlegroup but still using the Koldun Lord's one focus on the empty Destroyer then you keep all the bonuses of watcher and Bad Santa. He might fit into a 35 point list I feel that you need more magic control at that level such as Midwinter or Harlen. Make it costly or deadly to use magic on her feat turn which is how she gets hurt. This way you own that round and do the max amount of damage with taking the min possible.

The way I plan on running Midwinter this week against Goreshade is to counter his Mage Blight. This will allow Zerkova to control the board with Magic and force the Goreshade to back up or not cast any magic. Since they both have a control range of 14" you keep Midwinter approx 3" infront of Zerkova but behind a shield pointed directly at the enemy caster (or arc node). This will put his bubble 12" around him and 3" infront thus in all keeping his Mage Blight from touching Zerkova since he would have to enter Midwinter's Bubble to attempt to cast. This will force the enemy hand on the her feat turn because while he can still move into combat (which can trigger watcher) but there is no ranged shots, no charges, special attacks or actions and now his magic has been nulled. Just with a 2 point model has just been a force multipler of her feat.

Harlen with Zerkova is a good combo since it will allow a solo to go off and pick off buffed units from a distance that influence could not completely deal with.

It is hard to get a good balance with her at low points but she only gets stronger as the points go up. I am waiting to see a Conquest effected by Watcher. It can't move but it can shoot and with reach it can tag those pesky minis attempting to run by.

Ok, a loss on Sunday but this might sound weird but I wanted to lose. Yes it sounds weird. I wish it could have been a win but I learned alot from the game. Let me first explain why I wanted to lose.

The night before I spent four hours in the ER with my wife. She got food poisoning (which we cannot figure out from what) and could stop throwing up. So we didn't get to bed till 3 AM. She was doing better the next day but she was still weak from the night before. We agreed that I would go to my game and she would take a long nap and rest for the few hours I would be away.

Well, I played against one of the two Goreshade players at the league (he is the better of the two players). Both of our list had an anwser to the other's list so a stalemate insued the enitre game.

Mind you this was only a 30 point game and we had already played two hours with only 5 of his minitures destroyed and one of mine killed when my wife called pissed off. She was mad because ahe thought I was going to the game store to buy a couple things and come back. Everyone could hear her on the phone yelling and it wasn't even on speaker. Well needless to say that my mood in the game was shot to hell and wanted to home. So, I broke the stalemate and put Zerkova's butt in the wind to end the game quickly but I still made him work for it.

So after he finally killed Zerkova, I got home and my wife apologized to me because she remembered after hanging up that I said I was going to play a few hours which we agreed to. So all is good now but this is the first time I have had the chance to post.

Here is the list I ran:
Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Destroyer 9
-- Spriggan 10
-- Syl 2
Great Bears 5
Widowmakers 4
Yuri 3
Orin Midwinter 2
Reinholdt 1

This game was a perfect match to the pGoreshade Bane Thrall + UA list I faced. He only had a Seather and a Nightwrech for jacks, a Pistol wrath, Iron lord solo and a covent unit. I was outnumbered 2 to 1 from the get go.

One his first two turns he tried to bait me out with his bone jack but I did not fall for it. It was destroyed with ranged fire from the destroyer/widowmakers and a Zerkova razorwind. 4d6 damage from Zerkova is nasty from 15" away. Next the helljack ran up to the Great Bears which activated Watcher. The Spriggan moved up and struck the Jack. I rolled three 6s and was dice +1 for damage. The strike removed half of its boxes. Since it ran its activation was complete. The Great Bears shifted and finished it off.

The pistol wraith activated and killes Yuri only to be brought down by the widowmakers. The widowmakers were in the best possible spot ever. They were ontop of a hill, in woods and behind a wall on the edge of the woods. With concelment, their bonus elevated they were Def 20 for most of the game shutting down the left side of the board.

My favorate solo of the game was Midwinter and he null zone. It was what made the game a stalemate. For most of the game he sat 3" infront of Zerkova forcing Goreshade to stay away 15" from Zerkova most of the game or he would lose his ability to cast magic. At the same time his stealth on most of his army kept Zerkova from influencing the Bane Thralls from exsistance.

For two hours we were moving and reacting to the other playera move. He would move up I would fall back leaving a one inch watcher bubble infront of all the units but the widowmakers and letting the Destroyer take shots at the bane thralls. While I was killing models he was making his tough rolls over and over again. He was refusing to engage my models after the Seather took a horrible hit from the Spriggan because of Watcher.

I saw that he was going to charge so I popped my feat and instead of excepting my charge he moved a full move backwards with his entire army. I anwsered in kind and moved back to reposition my army except for the widowmakers in their commanding area.

This all this took two hours before my wife called. After she hung up I knew I needed to get home but I had to give her some time to cool off. To end tge game I moved Zerkova up next to Midwinter and into Goreshades Mage Blight range. It stopped my casting of watcher that turn. He moved up everyone. My turn i gave full focus to the Jacks and sent everyone forward to attack even the widowmakers. Each hit on a bane thrall killes but they all made their tough rolls but one. The widowmakers wiped outt 2/3s of the covent unit. Well the next turn the thralls from the feat turn moved up and engaged. One more turn Zerkova fell. This is what I wanted since I wanted the game to end but I wanted to make him work for it.

Thoughts on the game:
A great game abd I beat that game would have gone for another hour and a half the rate it was going. I know people trash Midwinter but that 2 point solo in tbe right position shut down a 7 focus caster for 90% of the game. If I was facing most other armies without the army wide steath and a 6 focus caster Zerkova would have dominated the game. As it was those two in concert just shut down the enemies magic game from the get go.

By stepping back a couple inches a couple of turns shook up the other player since this game most people charge right into combat. Falling back pulled his jacks into the kill zone of shooting and to far away to save he helljack.

Again watcher'a threat with Spriggan kept his army away most game till I decided to end it. Zerkova most of the game was sitting on 3 or 4 focua each turn so this list was very focus efficent from the start. I am very impressed on the interactions of the army and how they controlled overlapping zones of the board. In all honesty I had a threat range all over of 14" and if my enemy was rolling average on his tough rolls his bane thralls would have been killed by the fifth turn. But it did not work out since he kept on makjng his tough rolls.

Now Yuri was the only unit not to perform. This is due to my placement of him on the far left side. If he was deployed to the center right he would have had a clear charge into the bane thralls second turn wnd with hiw thresher would have killed that tightly packed unit. Live and learn.

This army did everything I asked of it and more. I feel that if I didn't need to end the game it would have streched out forcing him into the killzone of my widowmakers and influence spell to pull out a win. But I needed to get out of the there I just opened up my lines and disabled her magic. She went down swinging so he had to really work for that win even with her throat exposed. So the honor of the win was still there for him.

Fun game and list all around till the interuption. Oh well what can one do about things like that. It is on to 35 points thus week and we can change our battle group. It is a sad day for me as with the battlegroup change I am retiring the Destroyer and upgrading to a Behemoth.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
It is on to 35 points and change in battlegroup. Here is the list I am thinking:

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Behemoth 13
-- Spriggan 10
-- Sylys 2
Great Bears 5
Iron Fang Pikemen (Min) 5
Widowmakers 4
Orin Midwinter 2

I mothballed the Destroyer for the Behemoth for the firepower and two open fist AP melee attacks. Next I dropped Yuri and took the 5 points for an min IFP unit since I need a larger meat shield for Zerkova. Yes they are better with the U/A which I will get when we hit 40 points but I really needed the IFP unit last game. It would have stopped the Goreshade list completely. Orin Midwinter is still in since he works so well with Zerkova that on the feat turn she is next to untouchable.

Any thoughts? C&C?

I briefly went over my thinking about the upgrade from the Destroyer to the Behemoth. However, I think I should expand upon my reasons for the switch and how I believe the two jacks work with Zerkova.

Zerkova: Destroyer v Behemoth

Destroyer, 9 points of midrange Khador Heavy that has a bit of everything but not enough to complete the whole package. But with Zerkova you are not really looking at its melee ability as much as 14" POW 14 AOE. This jack really should be only played in her list from 15 to 30 points. At higher points it starts to become more of a focus sink for less ability.

In all honesty Zerkova really wants to be up in the fight but never in melee and this where the Destroyer comes into its own with her at lower point games. Its bombard is what forces the enemy to react, reposition and shift after the first shot. Most people discount Khador shooting from jacks but since Zerkova at these low point games can dish out 2 focus to the Destroyer almost every turn it is going to shoot. This is where the suprise factor comes into play with the Destroyer in her list.

At two focus with Rat 4 rolling 3D6 you should hit most other jacks and infantry units. I found that you should always boost to hit unless the target is knocked down. The the boost to damage on a caster, jack, solo or u/a will wake the enemy up like nothing else. While not as good as Cygnar shooting he will change peoples plans off the bat because they cannot ignore that gun since it will tear up infantry formations and jacks alike for two to three turns if played right.

Thise couple of turns of shooting and zone control provided by the Destroyer allows Zerkova the chance to identfy the linch pin in the enemy list and reposition for the feat turn strike. So the Destroyer's range is the its greatest plus to Zerkova.

On first turn if you want to confuse your enemy if you can give them first turn and then retreat a full move back. This will prevent a second turn charge by the enemy allowing the Destroyer's bombard to soften up enemy infantry and jacks. On that turn when it looks like a third turn enemy charge pop her feat to halt the charge and giving the Destroyer a third shot. It is win/win for Zerkova.


Now the con on the Destoryer. One melee weapon and one range weapon that can't be used at the same time. Its melee weapon is ok but an reach would make it that much better. At 9 points it should have reach The axe is a good POW weapon that is normally doing dice for damage. However its melee attack should not be its primary role. It is a fire support Jack for Zerkova and a charge lane blocker.

With watcher his gun is great but seldom used. If watch is triggered and the Destoryer is used the. He really should move to protect, block or set up the next model to be able trigger watcher again. Really the Destroyer will never trully be a complete jack but he does shine in his ranged support with Zerkova.

Behemoth

Some people have already asked why spend the 4 point for the upgrade to the Behemoth and not the one point for Black Ivan or a Dev. Well, range support is the name of the game with Zerkova and the Behemoth does it like a bad a*s. Two guns shooting and melee at the same time. No reach but AP open fists and in concert with watcher melee is killer with the Behemoth.

Yes it is a more focus hungry jack but unless it is going into melee then 2 focus a turn is all it needs with Zerkova. As the points climb the ability of the Destroyer to adapt decreases by leaps which the Behemoth can overcome. Higher ARM, more shots, more and better melee options it picks up the zone control where the destroyer stopped at 30 points.

The same tactics apply to the Behemoth as they did to the Destroyer. Move, shoot, move, shoot, move shoot and charge. The only probem with the Behemoth is that it is the 500 pound monkey in the room and will draw the fire unlike the destroyer. Worth the chance taking shooting damage for is other abilities. In a word, yes.

With Syl, Zerkova should be able to continue to feed those skittles to the Behemoth allowing he to control whatever terrain or objective she wants. Plus with the support of the Great Bears, Widowmakers and Banishing Ward all under Midwinter's Null Magic bubble the Behemoth is on pair with a Colossal whe. It comes to survivablity.

What is there not to love inthe Upgrade from the destroyer to the Behemoth. The Destroyer had a wonderful run but was about to be out classed as we hit 35 points and beyond.

I was doing some thinking and almost every army I am facing in the upcoming games will have an Arc Node of some type. So I need a unit to remove the arc node ability.
To do this I had to rework my 35 point list so here it is.

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Behemoth 13
-- Spriggan 10
-- Sylys 2
Great Bears 5
Widowmakers 4
Widowmaker Marksman 2
Orin Midwinter 2
eEiryss 3

eEiryss should fill in the anti-arc node/slow down jacks section of my list. If I can remove focus and disrupt jacks that should be able to extend the time by a turn before Zerkova has to pop her feat. That time extention will allow the Behemoth, Widowmakers and Watcher to take their toll on the enemy thus bringing the model count closer to 1 to 1.

The only issue I see is that we are starting to do missions this week and it seems that Zerkova really is not an objective caster and more a caster-kill play style. Well it will be fun no matter what.

Our first games on the league round at 35 points has come and gone. I played one caster kill and one mission for 1 win and 1 loss. Here is the list I played today:

Zerkova (6 WJP)
-- Behemoth 13
-- Spriggan 10
-- Sylys 2
Great Bears 5
Widowmakers 4
Widowmaker Marksman 2
Orin Midwinter 2
eEiryss 3

The first game I played today was a caster kill which I won. I played a Cryx pGoreshade army with no Bane Thralls except for what Goreshade produced on his feat turn. Needless to say that the Cryx player was out matched from the get go. The player I was going against I have seen does not really do with the slow grow leagues as he does not think about what works well in his army. He always is trying to get too much out of Deathjack and Seather. When eEiryss disrupted the Seather his entire line started to collapse. Spriggan bulldozed for the win by knocking the Bane Thralls out of the say and hitting Goreshade with its lance.

In the second game I faced Legion in playing the Scenario Killing Fields. The second I head what the scenario was I knew there was no way in hell that I was going to win by scenario points. I would have to go for a caster kill but his focus 8 caster was just able to stay back too far from Zerkova and the jacks to do anything. Then Legion was about to out shoot and ignore all sorts of terrain that I couldn't. I'm not upset since I kind of figured that she was not a scenario caster and was more of an assaination caster. I lost the game on the third turn because their beasts were faster than my jacks, and their infantry was stealth. Again I hate playing against Legion because they are so damn difficult to counter especially with Zerkova.

My thoughts on the list:
The extra 4 points used to swap out the Destroyer with the Behemoth was well worth it. The double amount of fire support made a huge difference especially in the second game. Since the Legion player had to sit on the objectives his beasts were taking shot after shot from the bombard that were making huge damage rolls. However there was not enough open terrain for me to push my list up and contest the objectives without getting bogged down but the fire support was great.

Orin Midwinter really didn't do too much in the games other than Null Magic but against an focus 8 caster he was worthless. In the first game against pGoreshade the other player stayed within his 12" null magic bubble which removed any of this magic. He did his job and did it well. Midwinter will do really well against most focus 6 casters and warlocks but when he is facing focus 7 or 8 then he really starts to lose his effectiveness.

eEiryss was great in both games but especially in the first game by disrupting a jack then killing Deathwalker right before the Spriggan did a little song, alittle dance and put Goreshade's head on a lance. In the game against Legion she was completely worthless. She could pick up infantry and her speed made her great but since half of our players are Hordes I wonder if the list would be better with another solo. However, her disruption of an Arc Node is really why she is in the list and between her, Midwinter's null magic and Zerkova's feat that turn she pops her feat she controls the board completely. I think I might try her out some more to see if she is worth it.

Next Week's Game:

Next week is a 35 point Tournament. The Press Ganger was given permission to use the Steam Roller 2013 rules. Lets hope that the PG does bring the SR2013 rules because it will be interesting seeing the differences from SR2012. So, I will post on how it goes. Also I will post later this week on my updates to my 35 point list. Until then if you have any ideas on how to improve my list just post your C&Cs, Thanks.