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Starting a new Escalation League with a Dwarf force, starting at 500 points and working up to 2,500 points at the end.

Two things that influenced my list were the following:

1) I will most likely start with the Dwarf Battalion Box + a Lord model. I might purchase additional models if needed, but I think that gives me a good start with enough models to grow into the 750 point force that is next.

2) I did try to keep the list with the following fluff in mind: It is a small force that is patrolling an area or just starting their campaign. They are not an elite 500 point force that is split from a large army with everything at it's disposal. I know that this might make me less likely to win early rounds, but I am trying to develop a narrative over the campaign that chronicles the growth of this army. Individual units will grow, the hero may well become a lord in the future, etc. In other words, if fluff may seriously conflict with performance, I will probably pick fluff.

With that in mind, here is my list:

Heroes:

Thane with...(67 points)
HW, SH

(Since it is not a battle hardened warrior, a basic hero)

Core:

16 Warriors with...(159 points)
HW, SH, ST, M

(Run as a 4x4 block)

12 Quarellers with...(173 points)
GW, M & Upgraded to Rangers

(Run as 6x2 block, use Musician to reform into a 4x3 block if needed for combat)

Special:

Canon with...(100 points)
RuReloading

Total: 499 points


Tactic: Use Hero and Warriors to close distance and move for assault. Use cannon to be....well, a cannon. Use the ranger Quarellers to scout, be able to cover a decent portion of the battle field with firepower in combination with the cannon, and force the opponent to either move to avoid the Xbows, charge the quarellers (who can reform into a 4x3 block and use their GW, or charge the warriors and face a flank charge by the quarellers.

Some other thoughts:

I am also considering a 15 strong unit of warriors to either run as 5x3, or have the Thane join and still run as 4x4. That might also give me the extra points to give the unit a Veteran which I didn't do (because the unit is new and has not fought enough battles to have a Veteran).

I realize that an Organ Gun may be a better choice due to the increased wounds and the lower risk of running into monsters at the 500 level, but with the Cannon being special, and the OG being rare, I just feel that a small warband would be more likely to have a cannon. (That darn fluff again.)

Future Plan:

Flesh out the Warriors at the next level, some magic items for the Thane, maybe add some Thunderers......

What are your thoughts, thanks in advance for the feedback.

for choosing fluff. The list looks fine to me. I don't see why you wouldn't have veterans in the band. They don't have to be battle hardened veterans just better warriors, granted I also don't see the need for them either so it is fine without them. It is your fluff The one thing I would change is not to run them 4x4. You need to have 5 in a rank to get rank bonuses in combat. At least, the last time I played it was like that.

So a very valid option is to drop the warriors down to 15 (3 ranks of 5) and add a Veteran to bring it to 500 points even. That still gives it +2 in Combat resolution (at least until the first dwarf dies....).

I was also thinking about dropping the xbows down to 10, but I think that the extra 2 shots may make a decent difference at the 500 point level, and keeping them at 12 would allow them to reform into 5x2.something ranks for flank attack, and still cause disruption until they loose at least 3 guys...

Thane: Still not sure if I want to rum him alone, or in a unit (might give the warriors that extra little umpf).

But the list would then be:

Heroes:

Thane with...(72 points)
HW, SH, RuStone

Core:

15 Warriors with...(160 points)
HW, SH, Full Command

(Run as a 5x3 block)

12 Quarellers with...(173 points)
GW, M & Upgraded to Rangers

(Run as 6x2 block, use Musician to reform into a 5x2 block if needed for combat)

Special:

Canon with...(95 points)
RuBurning

Total: 500 points

I vote for keeping the thane in the unit. Not only does it give them a little extra offense, but gives him extra defense as well. I am not sure what he could accomplish on his own.

I really like to see someone working a list with a narrative in mind. If you're aware and willing to make the sacrifices, then it's worth it.

I'd recommend the thane take a great weapon and rune of stone instead of a shield (though you'll have to drop the veteran again). He'll hit hard, and be distinct from his warrior bodyguard.

I'm guessing against a some enemies you may not need to advance, and might just be able to force them to come to you with sufficient shooting.

Red_Zeke wrote:I'd recommend the thane take a great weapon and rune of stone instead of a shield (though you'll have to drop the veteran again). He'll hit hard, and be distinct from his warrior bodyguard.

I thought about it, but at this point the current plan for him is to become the BSB as the army progresses (To represent his early victories he is given this honor). If he doesn't win he may be given an oath stone instead, to swear his revenge......

The current BSB model has a regular hand weapon, so unless I want to convert a model later, keeping that weapon in mind at this stage just seems easier...but the League does not start until January, so there is still time for being flexible.

d-usa wrote:

Red_Zeke wrote:I'd recommend the thane take a great weapon and rune of stone instead of a shield (though you'll have to drop the veteran again). He'll hit hard, and be distinct from his warrior bodyguard.

I thought about it, but at this point the current plan for him is to become the BSB as the army progresses (To represent his early victories he is given this honor). If he doesn't win he may be given an oath stone instead, to swear his revenge......

The current BSB model has a regular hand weapon, so unless I want to convert a model later, keeping that weapon in mind at this stage just seems easier...but the League does not start until January, so there is still time for being flexible.

So who would become the general? Would a rank and file dwarf move beyond the current leader or would some other not seen dwarf step in and take charge?

boogeyman wrote:So who would become the general? Would a rank and file dwarf move beyond the current leader or would some other not seen dwarf step in and take charge?

Very valid question that I am still working out in my mind. That's where the narrative aspect is fun, but also a pain in the butt.

One option would be to have the Thane move on to Lord, and having a second Thane step up to become BSB. But seeing how a BSB is a big honor on it's own I am thinking of using it to reward the current Thane.

My current justification for having a different individual step up as the General as the force grows would be a scenario where the current 500 point force is a border patrol, guard post, or something similar of a larger clan. The 500 point and 750 point battles could be the patrol holding off a new enemy and fighting their way back to the keep to warn their clan of the new danger.

The leader of the keep organizes a larger force (the points grow again) to battle this new danger, becomes the general of the larger force, and rewards the Thane with the honor of carrying the Standard of the Keep, knowing that he has already shown his valor and determination and that he can be trusted not to defend the standard with his life......

But I have to see how the first battles turn out in January to see what direction the army will take.

(I think my Roleplaying obsession and need for character (or in this case army) development is showing....)

Sounds good. There is always the family card to play as well. They could be brothers or something.