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So I have decided to play using Karchev. I am in the process of getting more Jacks, should I also get a Jack Marshal? Im not entirely sure how Jack Marshals work... could anyone clarify this for me? Right now I have:
Karchev
Juggernaut
Destroyer

I am considering the Kodiak and the Spriggan, and advice on those?

The problem with marshaled jacks is that they don't count
as being a part of the warcaster's battlegroup. So when
you look at Karchev's spell list, you only have one spell/
ability that will work on a marshaled jack (TOW). I'd say
marshal a warjack as a last resort, or marshal a warjack
that isn't focus hungry (like the mortar one).

Only a few Jacks for Khador really like being marshalled, and the Kovnik is a good option because he has the "Drive" ability, which lets you pull off more things than usual.

If you're looking into marshalling a jack, then I'd recommend looking at getting a Bezerker. It's normally not a very good jack, because of it's special rules, but those don't kick in if you allocate him to a jack marshal instead of a warcaster. Plus he charges for free, so you can boost his to hit rolls, etc.

The Kodiak is one of my favorite Khador jacks, and the Spriggan is very good too. The Berzerker is a solid jack too. If you're playing with Karchev, put all the jacks in his battlegroup, don't marshal any of them. Karchev gets several spells and his Feat, which only affect jacks in his battlegroup.

With other casters, marshalling a jack is a better option.

Jack Marshalls control warjacks, but don't have focus. Instead, marshalled jacks can do one of the following per turn for free: run, charge, or boost one attack or damage roll. Note that Power Attacks and making extra attacks aren't on this list. Also note that the Khadoran jack marshall, the MoW Kovnik, has a separate special rule that lets his warjacks make an extra melee attack. Jack Marshalling with Karchev is generally a bad idea as he does so much for warjacks in his battlegroup. Even a Berserker is better off being in Karchev's battlegroup than being marshalled.

Between the Kodiak and the Spriggan, I'd take the Kodiak for Karchev. The Kodiak does extra damage to knocked down models, and Karchev comes with a couple of good knock down abilities. The free run maximizes use of Iron Curtain, and two attacks and a chain attack gets you a little extra mileage out of Unearthly Rage. Not that the Spriggan is a bad choice; I just think the Kodiak offers more.

Wow... oomiestompa... it seems that every question I ask, you have a really great answer for. Not to say that Im not greatful for ALL replies to my questions, they give me a lot to think on. I really appreciate all of your help in getting a noob started in this, which appears to be amazing, game.

What do you guys think about having a MoW Kovnik marshall a pair of Berzerkers as a super-axey 3-piece melee detachment in larger games? Is this just too many points in a small area (ie the Kovnik's CMD)?

Guyver68 wrote:Wow... oomiestompa... it seems that every question I ask, you have a really great answer for. Not to say that Im not greatful for ALL replies to my questions, they give me a lot to think on. I really appreciate all of your help in getting a noob started in this, which appears to be amazing, game.

No problem. I like this game, and I like to share what I know. And Khador's my main faction, so I know a fair bit.

DFo wrote:What do you guys think about having a MoW Kovnik marshall a pair of Berzerkers as a super-axey 3-piece melee detachment in larger games? Is this just too many points in a small area (ie the Kovnik's CMD)?

The problem with putting two jacks on the Kovnik is the CMD range (9" is plenty), it's that the Kovnik is much easier to assassinate than a warcaster. In a larger game (1000+ I'm guessing), however, there should be enough stuff on the table that your opponent won't be able to get to him right away. And even if the Kovnik dies, the jacks don't go inert; they go autonomous. I say go for it. Just remember that Berserkers have next to no anti-infantry capabilities.

@Dfo: I haven't done that yet, but it's a configuration I've strongly considered. Just remember that the 'zerker, while cool and cheap, isn't a full heavy. And while marshalling it means it won't go boom ('cause you can't give it focus), sometimes that can be a helpful little sacrifice...

I do like marshalling 'jacks for Khador, but mostly either with Sorscha (where I know I need every bit of focus) or Irusk (who isn't very 'jack dependent). In both cases I tend to use a Kodiak, or a juggy (run by the caster) and a Destroyer (run by either a kovnik or a mekanik--yup, you read that right!).

For Karchev and Vlad, they're much more 'jack casters. I'd think, as Malfred said, you'd want to marshal a jack with them only as a last resort (like, you're running out of focus). Karchev, 2 'zerkers and a devastator sounds like a nice start Then marshal a Destroyer if you want...