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So, I have agreed to help a friend test his Beasts of Chaos 'Ard Boyz list using my DE. I have the basic idea of what I want to do but need some fresh eyes to look at it and see if it's going in the right direction or if I should rethink the list.

Anyway, here's what I have so far:

Dreadlord
AoES, Caledor's Bane, Shield, SDC, GW, Black Dragon, SoG [575]

Level 4 Sorceress
PoK, Blackstaff, Dark Peggie [400]

Master
AoD, Death Piercer, BSB, Manticore [355]

Level 2 Sorceress
Focus Familiar, Dispel Scroll, Dark Steed [197]

2 x 5 Dark Riders
Rxb, Musician [117] [117]

2 x 15 Warriors
Shields [105] [105]
These are here to fill my core requirements and might pull duty as war machine guards if I include the RBTs. A possibility is switching these out for Rxb units.

6 Cold One Knights
FC, RoH [227]
I am rethinking the RoH here as I don't want to risk hampering my own spell casters

2 x Cold One Chariots [100] [100]

Hydra [175]

This brings me to 2573, leaving 427 points. I don't have another hydra or dragon so both of those options are out. I am considering either 4 RBTs or a unit of ASF BG and 2 RBTs. My friend has been using a lot of chariots and spawn and then relies on the Ambush to bring on hordes of infantry and hounds which are supported by three mages and one of the beastie special characters. I haven't included any harpies since Beasts are mainly a skirmish type list and the harpies would just die without any real benefit.

I am also considering giving the PoK to the Dreadlord and giving the Lv4 either a power stone or a dispel scroll to help in the magic phase.

So, all comments and constructive criticism are welcome! Thanks for taking a look.

400+ pts to go, prepping for Ard Boyz? Shadestar!

Shadestar, ASF Black Guard, another lv.2 Sorceress with Tome and Power Stone...

I'd probably put the pendant on your Dreadlord and put Focus Familiar on your Lv.4, between the familiar and dark pegasus it seems like the Sorc should be pretty safe while bouncing around and blasting things as need be.

Good idea on the item swap. I will make that adjustment. The Shadestar is a good idea but all of my characters are already mounted and wouldn't be able to bolster the shades in the way that is typically seen. Maybe I can throw an assassin in there to give it some staying power and chariot popping ability.

I wouldn't mind having another Lv2 in the list but my character slots are full with the DL on a Dragon and the Master on a manti, that's 4 slots right there. The BG are worth consideration but I am afraid that they would get pinned by his faster moving hounds and then swarmed by his herds. The only counter I see to this is pushing for the center and then using the dragon/manti/magic to take out his support (hounds/chariots/spawn) and then hold the center of the table. I don't think the RBTs would serve me well in this list since they would be easy VPs for him and he doesn't include any big monsters in the list other than spawn.

IMO i would take the master of the manticore and put him on a cold one. Its not that i dont like manticores, theyre good, but this would free a character slot and more points. It should leave you with about 600pts left. Heres what id use them on:

lvl 2 sorceress 135

15 excecutioners, full command 210

10 Xbow men 100

10 Xbow men 100

5 harpies 55

This is excactly 600pts (i think) but you could also include an assasin with rune of khaine, touch of death and add HW for 151pts though youd have yto drop the harpies and include something else, perhaps a darkstar cloak or sacrifical dagger on the level two. Alternatavely, this may be useful against ambushing beastmen, swap the lvl2 with more troops just warriors to protect your flanks unit you can get the dragon on them.

Thanks for the replies guys! I really do appreciate them. I have tinkered with dropping the manti and putting the Master in with the COK. That would also boost the CR for that unit as well. I hate to lose the manti though since I really wanted to include 2 flying terrors to prey on the Beasts low LD. I am also not real keen on using Execs without a COB. I think that they really shine with a COB but are only so-so without it. Their relatively low movement, compared with the rest of the army would have the same complications as the BG: pinned by hounds and then swarmed by herds. That Ambush rule is really a thorn in my side and I have to find a way to effectively counter it.

Okay, I have crafted a second list and I am pretty happy with it. Again, comments appreciated!

Here goes...

Dreadlord
AoES, PoK, CD, SDC, Dragon [561]
All around nastiness

Supreme Sorceress, Lv4
Blackstaff, Lifetaker, DP [330]
She will fly around and cast spells to support the army and hopefully do some damage to the beastie horde

Master
Blood Armor, Caledor's Bane, Shield, DP [182]
S7 chariot popping goodness

Sorceress, Lv2
ToF, Dispel Scroll, DS [187]
Mobile spell support

Sorceress, Lv2
DSC, Dispel Scroll, DS [197]
Mobile spell support

Assassin
Ahw, Rending Stars, Manbane, Cloak of Twilight [171]
Mobile chariot popping goodness and all around pain in the butt for the beasties. He may also get assigned to deal with the spawn.

3 x 5 Dark Riders
Rxb [330]
They will harrass the beasties with rxb fire and combo charge herds, possibly in support of the DL or Master

20 Warriors
FC, Shields, Warbanner [180]
Adds some SCR to the list and can protect the flank of either the BG or WE

2 x 5 Harpies [110]
Primary duty is to screen the Witches so they charge what I want them to. Secondary mission is to bait the spawn away from the main fight.

6 COK
FC, Std of Slaughter [237]
Hammer unit.

15 Black Guard
FC, SoHG, Soulrender [280]
Main infantry unit. Hopefully it'll be able to holf the beasties up and inflict some damage on the herds.

12 Witch Elves
Hag, Std, Banner of Murder, Witchbrew [190]
These ladies will hopefully be able to inflict some serious hurt on the low armor beasties with their frenzied, hatred fuelled, AP attacks. The witchbrew is also nice because it will negate his main strengths...ranks and outnumbering.

Hydra [175]
Because, you know...you gotta have one!

3000 on the dot.
11PD+2 Bound Spells, 6DD