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A couple of quick noobtastic questions for the knowledgable folks on this forum. I know next-to-nothing about WM, but I like some of the models and am thinking of getting a few in order to paint up and learn the play with.

There are two slightly different "Khador Battlegroup" boxed sets out there. Aside from the Sorscha model being slightly different in each, is there any difference? Are they both all-metal? Is one resin or plastic-resin? Better sculpts? One looks newer simply from the box art style, but is also quite a bit more expensive. The other is OOP (there's a hint!).

Also, WM figures have bases with bevelled/rounded edges. Is there any gameplay reason for this, or is it just for aesthetics?

Most of the battle boxes have and OOP Metal version and a newer Plastic Version. I would recommend ponying up a couple more dollars and getting the plastic kit. It comes with the newer Sorcha sculpt and the warjacks can be magnetized for arm swapping with the plastic Heavy Warjack kit. Further, if my plastic Cryx box is any indication of others, the plastic versions of those starter jacks are crisper sculpts compared to the metal ones.

If you are looking into Khador, you may consider picking up the two-person starter kit that has both Khador and Menoth in it as well as a bunch of other goodies like a full rulebook (sans fluff), templates, etc. for a great price. You can either sell the Menoth or keep them for yourself to run demo games with people.

Thank you, I'll check that out. Is the newer Sorcha figure plastic as well, or is she metal?

I'll check out the starter set as well. It seems to be almost double the price of the Khador box, but I guess the rules add into the value there.

Shes made of the same plastic/resin material as the jacks.

The starter kit will net you nearly $100 of Khador stuff due to the plastic MoW. Add in the rules and the other faction its really going to a great buy. I'm buying one and I don't play either faction

The plastic boxset does use a plastic/resin mixture. It's not harmful like forgeworld resin and the like but you can't use plastic glue (polystyrene cement).

scipio.au wrote:Also, WM figures have bases with bevelled/rounded edges. Is there any gameplay reason for this, or is it just for aesthetics?

A little of both. Warmachine uses specific base sizes (30, 40, 50 and 120mm) and the rounded edge are the ones supplied. As long as you use the right size bases for the right models I don't think that anybody would have complaints though.

yastobaal wrote:
A little of both. Warmachine uses specific base sizes (30, 40, 50 and 120mm) and the rounded edge are the ones supplied. As long as you use the right size bases for the right models I don't think that anybody would have complaints though.

What about models that are based using standard GW-style slottabases? I'm a big fan of proxying appropriate models across gaming systems, and so I have Soviets and Valhallans that might have a place as part-timers in a Khador force. (and vice-versa.)

What's a plastic MOW? Or a MOW? I'm comparing the starter box with Menoth to both the Khador starter boxes, one metal and one PlastiResin.

The standard GW base is slightly smaller than a 30MM base. Not a big deal while you are learning the rules, but enough later on that it will matter.

scipio.au wrote:What about models that are based using standard GW-style slottabases? I'm a big fan of proxying appropriate models across gaming systems, and so I have Soviets and Valhallans that might have a place as part-timers in a Khador force. (and vice-versa.)

That would be fine for trying out the game before you buy in -I actually recommend it- or testing a new unit you aren't sure you want to buy, but it isn't something many players would tolerate week after week. Base sizes are especially important for measuring los and distances from so oddly sized bases can provide slight advantages in gameplay.

scipio.au wrote:What's a plastic MOW? Or a MOW? I'm comparing the starter box with Menoth to both the Khador starter boxes, one metal and one PlastiResin.

MoW is short for Man-o-Wars, a type of heavy infantry in khador (think steam powered terminator armor). This is relevant because the 2 player starter basically gives them to you for free. They are currently in metal and cost about $85 for the full unit and the 2 player box will be the first time they are sold in plastic. It could be several months before we see the plastic unit released by itself.
The 2 player starter comes with the khador battlebox[$50], a full unit of man-o-war shocktroops[$45], an upgraded menoth battlebox with two heavies[~$65], a full unit of exemplar cinerators[$45], a mini rulebook[~$20], and some dice[~$1]. Oh, and these are all production models too, none of that aobr simplified sculpts nonsense.

I also just recently got the Khador Battlegroup.

I got he plastic (resin?) box and I really like it. I think it's easier to build than the metal one and there is no gaps like I heard there are in the metal ones.

If you'd like to see what's in the box I created an unboxing video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1qIUG6IE7U

The plastic material PP uses is more like resin than the standard GW material you know. The Major difference is, that plastic glue won't work on the PP plastics. You'll have to use superglue for that.

Cheers,


IK-Painter

I've just started my khador army. The Plastic versions are much better than the metal ones imo. Theres no gaps (khador metal jacks have pretty bad gaps you'll discover.

Plus the new plastic jacks are bigger and more beefy looking plust they're more posable.

I just happen to have this pic on my phone (i've only just started em)



The two on the right are the same kind of jack (destroyer) the left destroyer is the new plastic one the the right its the old metal version.

Dais wrote:

scipio.au wrote:What about models that are based using standard GW-style slottabases? I'm a big fan of proxying appropriate models across gaming systems, and so I have Soviets and Valhallans that might have a place as part-timers in a Khador force. (and vice-versa.)

That would be fine for trying out the game before you buy in -I actually recommend it- or testing a new unit you aren't sure you want to buy, but it isn't something many players would tolerate week after week. Base sizes are especially important for measuring los and distances from so oddly sized bases can provide slight advantages in gameplay.

I'm not likely to be having anything besides very friendly games for several months at the minimum, so I won't stress too much about base sizes for the time being. I'd also have to figure out what troops the soviets/valhallans would be proxying for and so forth. Maybe I could use my various unpainted Warzone figures for Warmachine, with new bases. Is there a Germanic force? I've got a bunch of the later, nicer Bauhaus models (and it's that or Imperial Guard Stormtroopers for them, eventually).

scipio.au wrote:What's a plastic MOW? Or a MOW? I'm comparing the starter box with Menoth to both the Khador starter boxes, one metal and one PlastiResin.

MoW is short for Man-o-Wars, a type of heavy infantry in khador (think steam powered terminator armor). This is relevant because the 2 player starter basically gives them to you for free. They are currently in metal and cost about $85 for the full unit and the 2 player box will be the first time they are sold in plastic. It could be several months before we see the plastic unit released by itself.
The 2 player starter comes with the khador battlebox[$50], a full unit of man-o-war shocktroops[$45], an upgraded menoth battlebox with two heavies[~$65], a full unit of exemplar cinerators[$45], a mini rulebook[~$20], and some dice[~$1]. Oh, and these are all production models too, none of that aobr simplified sculpts nonsense.

scipio.au wrote:Are people especially precious about the way things are painted? Not that it'd stop me, but I'd be interested. I'm thinking of more of a Soviet Army Green kind of scheme with wear & tear, dust, grease, etc than bright red everywhere. Maybe replace those Khador symbols (that look too much like Skaven to me) with Red Stars. That kind of thing.

From friendly all the way up to tournament play, the colour of your army is one of the big ways to customise your army. Big conversions of models are on the rare side as the standard tournament pack (steamroller) mentions that your opponent has to be able to tell what it is and the tournament organiser has the final say. In the old MkI books there were alternative paint schemes given, the Khador one being the 5th border legion:



But colour them how ever you like is the best advice I can give.

Thanks for all the advice once again. I've (pre)ordered the started box that kirbinator and dais talked about up top.

Are there any other similar high-value-for-money starter set type boxes available for WM or Hordes? (I was just reading another thread). I'm guessing that this is the first one, but can't hurt to ask.

I don't mind trying out new games, but I prefer to keep the financial investment right down

Battleboxes and the two player battle box are the best bang for your buck. And most of them you will end up using enough of the jacks and/or caster to make it worthwhile.

Since I haven't played/etc yet - if I bought 2 of the starter set would I be able to use all the stuff you get in it in one force?

Obviously I can see the characters (Sorcha and the Menoth one) not being able to be duplicated, but can you feasibly (or relevantly use 2 of each of the jacks and that number of MoWs in a single force?

-In the same way that you can buy two AoBR sets and easily use all the stuff in one Ork/Marine force.

Yep, all the included warjacks are FA:U (unlimited), and the Cinerators and Shocktroopers are both FA:2. Mind you, you won't really want to double up like this in nearly all situations, but you CAN.

A good thing to realize is that good WM/ Hordes army list is build under different set of guidelines than a good 40k list. Spamming is usually non optimized choice as most of the WM units perform a distinct role in game and while you can use several destroyers in one list you would most likely have better results with one destroyer and juggernaut as an example.

In most list you'll only field couple of units or jacks and it is better to mix and match different types to get most out the selected units. One dimensional lists rarely work in play.

Oh, I'm just looking at getting good value for money in terms of getting a few figures together. I don't really plan to start buying hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of WM stuff, but I'm open to buying a couple of the started boxes to have reasonable-sized forces with a bit of flexibility. This is my main line of thought at this stage.

I've noticed that several of the jacks are very similar model-wise, with perhaps a different arm/weapon etc. With Plastic Resin models, I imagine I'd be pretty much able to convert a couple of the doubled extras into something else.

scipio.au wrote:Oh, I'm just looking at getting good value for money in terms of getting a few figures together. I don't really plan to start buying hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of WM stuff, but I'm open to buying a couple of the started boxes to have reasonable-sized forces with a bit of flexibility. This is my main line of thought at this stage.

I've noticed that several of the jacks are very similar model-wise, with perhaps a different arm/weapon etc. With Plastic Resin models, I imagine I'd be pretty much able to convert a couple of the doubled extras into something else.

First, even if you do buy both boxsets... you won't get much flexibility. You'll just be getting repeats on the infantry (not necessary, since they're already coming in with full units), the Warjacks (ok, a little bit of an advantage there. But still, most casters will only have 1-3 warjacks with them, and you'll normally want a good variety to take advantage of any situation) and the Warcasters (completely unnecessary).

Now, as to your 2nd point - I'd recommend, instead of buying another starter, getting one of the Plastic heavy 'jack boxes for each faction. Each box has 1 plastic 'jack with arms for 3-4 variants. With a bit of magnetization, you'll have 3 warjack bodies for Khador with a number of variant arms, and 4 (IIRC) Menoth 'jacks with, again, a good number of variants.

Yeah, you are better off buying a plastic heavy jack kit, another unit of your choice and a second caster. That will give you better options and not cost an arm and a leg.

For example with the cygnar battlebox
I bought the plastic jack kit and magnetized it.
Then I bought b-13. an inexpensive character unit.
Then I bought another caster.

All in all it wasn't too expensive, but gave me alot of options for 15 ish point battles. Then save your pennies and buy a unit here and a unit there. Solos tend to be pretty cheap $$$-wise, too, and can give you alot of options. For cygnar you can get the squire, Arlan, etc.

Second option is buy a starter set for a different faction so you have two armies to play and can always loan one to a friend to play against you.

OK thanks - probably best I wait till the starter box arrives and figure out how to play the game before investing in more toys for the game. I'll have Khador and Menoth from the starter box anyway so that will cover me for two forces initially.