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Without images of cards, or printouts of unit abilities, how do players decide how to grow their armies?

I'm looking for merc options to expand my menoth army, and it seems inappropriate that I should need to buy the merc book or a full deck of cards just to determine which models will give me the options I want. Online army builders have been a great help, but these don't give unit or ability descriptions.

It's a pain to have to cross reference a mercenary chart from battle college, a point cost from forward kommander, and the illicit description of some random model review.

I listen to podcast and read forums for other players views on miniatures. In addition I have both the faction book and merc deck for reference. After Mk 2 the mercs have become bit of a problem in that sense that you need to have their book to have full knowledge what is there.

That's always been a "problem," just not with specific factions. Hard to know what Assault Kommandos did without having Legends and all that.

I am having the same problem with my Legion and Circle.

As a very player I have no idea what stuff does unless it is in Primal Mk2, however I also have the playtest PDF`s which although not accurate do give some idea of what a unit does!

I just get what looks cool!

Also, you play different players. That can usually lead you to starting a new army or three.

You also have sites like the Battle College that are good for a 50,000' overview of what a unit does. Spoilers also abound on the PP forums.

If your FLGS is cool about it, they may let you look at the card for the unit before you buy as well.

"Oh, that looks pretty..."

That's pretty much how I do it.

Or you can ask opinions on how people like things. I play mercs, so can probably break down most things for you, and theory on how they'll work with Protectorate.

The Piper of Ord? Yeah, get him.

http://battlecollege.wikispaces.com/

I buy what looks cool.

Then I figure out how to make it work together.

When I got into WM, I picked up the Battlebox.
Then when I looked through the line, I saw the Undead Pirates and got them.
Same thing happened with the Pirate Mercs.

Once I played some games, I saw that they were not quite as good as other choices I had.
So I got the Mechanithralls and Bane Thralls. Prime units that worked well.

Now, I think my skill level is increasing to where I owould feel confident if I put them back in my army.
I think I can get them into positions to make them shine.

Piper, Gorman, Ayanna and Holt, and both Eiryss will pretty much always serve you well.

depends on the army of choiche. My main army can't use those mercs except for gorman...

When choosing mercs check if they can be with your faction, as often it can prevent you from using them.

Devilsquid wrote:"Oh, that looks pretty..."
.

That's my problem, too. :(

LordRavurion wrote:depends on the army of choiche. My main army can't use those mercs except for gorman...

When choosing mercs check if they can be with your faction, as often it can prevent you from using them.

Psh, you play Cryx, you have plenty of Mercs, if you play Ret and look over the short list of Mers that will work for them, then you can complain about not having mercs. Basically if it has pointy ears or is named Corbeau, Ret can use them.

Cryx and Ret both have opposite problems though:
-Cryx would hire anyone, but nobody likes to work for them because of the whole soul stealing thing
-Almost anyone would work for Retribution, but the elves hate everyone

Whatever, they count Eiryss as a faction model. That's pretty awesome.

<3 to Cryx Mercs...mostly the solos though.
As for ret...they have a few options, limited, but more than 2.

-Nyss Hunters
-A&H
-Anti-Legion Girl
-Big Snake & Piper
-Madame

I agree. It is hard for me to know what units I can buy. I only want to build 1 army. With as few extra models as possiable.

Our store plays 15 points. The quickstart rules does have the basic box set has Jack points. I am guessing the PC 4 on the repenter is the cost.

Yes, the Faction book has the stats and points.
It's just a bit annoying needing to flip around compared to the cards, but it's doable.

I'm thinking of getting the Coven today.
Edit: well, they didn't have the coven.... I got two boxes of Bloodrunner instead for eMorg's tier list

I usually have an idea for a model in an army list I'm going to build. Warcasters and Warlocks usually get bought on release as they're always good value for money.