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Its balanced by the fact that Fury is better in the early game. The best way of thinking about it is like this: In the first turns of the game, before any causualties have been suffered, a Warcaster has to choose between casting spells or putting focus on their warjacks. They only have so much they can spend around, and have to carefully decided how to allocate it (ie, do you put all your focus on your warjacks, or do you keep enough to cast a buff, or do you keep it all and hope your 'jacks don't need it). With hordes, you don't quite have those concerns. Since you leech fury from your beasts, you are often able to have them do more while still being able to cast spells. It also allows you to run more warbeasts than casters can run warjacks due to resource limitations. In short, technically speaking in a vacuum fury is marginally more powerful than focus, but in practice there is no noticeable difference mainly due to how well Privateer Press has kept the game balanced.

Because it is a constant supply. Late game, as warbeasts start dying, transfer targets become fewer or less something you want to soften up, your animi begin to go away, and as big hitters die warcasters become more resiliant as sitting on focus to boost ARM through the rough becomes more beneficial.

Warmachine has some pretty good strengths at attrtion. Some Hordes lists can keep their beasts alive for a while, so it is not as pronounced there, but it is something as the armies start eroding in longer games.

And stuff.

zeus89 wrote:
Ok i see what you're saying. Does Privateer Press do anything to try and balance that? Like warlocks are slightly tougher than casters? Or are the warbeasts tougher than 'jacks?

Well the Transfer mechanic is arguably a stronger survival tool, even if you can't rely on it the whole game. On the whole though the flexibility, early strength and potential to run "Hot" under Fury is far more of advantage than a disadvantage. As such the balancing factor tends to be that 'Jacks are cheaper for similar stat lines, and Warcasters tend to have better stats, spells & feats. Though, there are always outliers. Also keep in mind a Fury 5 beast can has the equivalent of 5 "Focus" in terms of attacks/boosts, which is more than even a bonded 'Jack. It all works out in most match-ups, covered all the checks/balances in details is a bit more complicated than the scope of a forum post.

Alright I'm starting to understand the mechanics of focus and fury now I still have a lot to figure out and learn but all in time... Thanks guys!