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I've been considering starting a Fantasy army for quite some time now after being involved in 40k for 3~4 years now. For some reason, only the undead call out to me. I don't quite understand all the rules yet, but I am willing to listen to all suggestions on tactics, what models to buy, and what makes one better than the other

Currently, the Tomb Kings are relatively weak due to changes in some of the rules (notably fear and the new magic system) and by nature of having an older book with some now-overpriced core units.

However, I personally *LOVE* the look and feel of the TK army, and will gladly put up with a seemingly interminable string of losses until things even up because of these things:

1. Cool headpieces and banners
2. Chariots chariots chariots!
3. Ushtabi
4. Scorpions and buzzards!


Tactics wise, I can't actually give you much input. Incantations are an interesting way to run the magic phase, and I find that my chariots and horsemen do the brunt of my killing. The screaming skull catapaults do a better job of breaking units through psychology than death, which is as it should be, I suppose. I do like the ability to move small units of archers and shoot with no penalty... it's a nice way to whittle down enemy units while the big hitters shuffle into position.

Also, the desire to paint all my vampires with glitter paint would be way too strong for me to overcome. Though I have to admit that some of the undead models (banshee things, a few of the more flavorful ghouls, and the corpse cart, in particular) have enough character that I would consider trying it.

@ Strelka only really disagree with the comment about the weakness of TK magic. We have a local guy that focus on magic and it is really rough, but then he uses several bound items along with incantations to force his stuff through your defense. It works very well.

I was just reading through both books lately.

Lore-wise I like TK a lot more. They are basically the great grandfathers of Vampires, anyway.

But Vampires are really really really customizeable. Vampires themselves can be unbelievably diverse. You can make them super combat, super magic, super undead-y, Ethereal (which is awesome), etc.

I was just never personally into Vampires and I think because of Twilight, everyone will want to kill you. TKs does not seem to have anywhere near the diversity of the Vampire army ATM.

DukeRustfield wrote:I was just never personally into Vampires and I think because of Twilight, everyone will want to kill you.

Women can ruin anything. /jerk mode

HoverBoy wrote:

DukeRustfield wrote:I was just never personally into Vampires and I think because of Twilight, everyone will want to kill you.

Women can ruin anything. /jerk mode

Its true, men are the superior species

There's increasing rumors/hopes that TK are getting a new book & models anywhere from this July to September. So you might keep that in mind. Also, from what I understand, TK are more or an 'advanced' army to learn to play.

In 7th VC were pretty powerful. I think they are still fairly popular.

Confirmed TK out in may

Is it possible to collect generic skeletons and just count-as for both vc and tk even though they both a little different

I don't know what wargear is available to the VC skeletons, but I think it'd be pretty simple (based on the old box of skeleton warriors I have - I don't know if it's been updated since then)

- The bodies are the same for both types. Just the heads and shields are noticeably different. Use the generic heads and/or shields and you're golden. Hand weapons and spears are the same across both.

- TK skeletons can use bows, which I don't think VC can field. But then again, the skeleton sprues I have came with a totally random loose arrow, so I could be wrong.

- I think most VC lists these days are favoring the punchier ghouls over the skeletons. So I'm not really sure how much crossover you'll get out of it.

- The small five-man box of skeleton warriors is very clearly VC / generic in nature, but with a little bit of conversion (assuming you have the bits) can be made into an additional rank of TK deadies.

- Again, the only things about the TK undead that SCREAM Egypt are the shields, bracelets on the archers' left arms, scarabs on some of the quivers, and the small helmets they wear. If you mix and match the generic bits with care, you should be fine \

- But dude, chariots. Ushabti. Scorpions.

EDIT: no seriously, I can spell Ushabti.

the equipment is basically the same for both Skeletons.


with Tks coming out i would go with TKs as they will have the newest army book. since it's the second book written for 8th edition it will be up to date and work well with the rules.

Since Tomb Kings have a new Army Book and models in May, I'd start up with Tomb Kings. They are a fun army to build, and I suggest dipping...

So are there any sort of necromancy spells in this current edition that may carry over? What is the common core unit for TK armies as well?

The core should still be skelletons, as for the necromancy i find it hard to believe that there won't be a spell that will work like regrowth but better.

TK will have a new book, and it's clear they don't understand what the new edition can do, which means TK will be massively OP, or massively UP, no middle ground.

After reading some of the rumors, my money is on OP.

I just got a box of skellies for 60% off, and I'm not quite sure on how to assemble them (Shield + hand weapons, Shield + Spear, or Bows). They are the TK skellies.

for TKs, because of the bonus Khalida gives i would assemble them with Bows. hitting on 5s(always) is pretty cool. having 1/2 of those hits wound is pretty cool too, especially when shooting at tough monsters.

of course they might change somethings up, but i would bet Khalida still gives poisend arrows(if TKs can't just get them out of hand)

spear/shield is a pretty poor choice right now because they don't get the save the desperately need. HW/SH is the only viable option.