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40k player here, deciding to pick up some fantasy because a lot of guys at the shop are doing the same. Vampire Counts are my army of choice because I love the flavor and look of nearly all the units (except Zombies...can't stand the models!).

Here's my first order I've placed:

Winged Vampire Lord
Necromancer
Wight King
Tomb Banshee

2x Crypt Ghouls
2x Skeleton Warriors

1x Grave Guard
2x Hexwraiths

Most everything is bought because of look (I definitely prefer to play for fun than serious competitive play), but that doesn't mean I am disregarding strategy or advice, so I'm hoping to get some advice about what an army using these models is going to be missing out on. I've already discovered the lack of shooting in VC, which is part of the reason I grabbed the Tomb Banshee. What would you recommend I start picking up next to enhance the army tactically? I'm a big fan of the Vargheist, Varghulf, Terrorgheist, and Mortis Engine models, so using any of those would be super fun. Let me know what you've got!

Thanks!

I would pick up a couple of Mortis Engines and a Terrorghiest or 2.

The Mortis Engine seriously buffs your entire army while also boosting your magic. Terrorghiests add more shooting and CC threat.

Vargulfs are ok, but I think they lost alot of appeal to the new shiny.


Varghiests vs Crypt Horrors is a tough choice. Crypt Horrors are more durable, especially when near a Mortis Engine, and can grind a little better then Varghiests can.

The Varghiests are good flanking units, you just cannot let them get stuck in a combat were you might end up losing. Being skirmishers, they have no ranks meaning they cannot break steadfast nor do they have some buffer against crumble.

If they get stuck in a combat along with some of your own Skeletons or Gouls and the enemy just dumps their attacks at the Gouls they can make your Varghiests evaporate from Crumble. If you send them in, make sure they win.


Hex Wraiths are ok, but only use them in min sized units and remember that they will die if the enemy has any sort of magic missile. Use them to ride through enemy units and slowely chip away at them. Also good at riding down Warmachines.

Varghulfs are still very solid. IIRC, they dropped a few points and got slightly better. A pair running a flank is still a good option. Then again, there's plenty of other good options now in the VC book.

I can't stand the GW zombie models either but I love the mantic ones.

Mantics zombies aren't much of an improvement. They're better than GW's, but being better than something terrible doesn't make it good by default.

I'm rather annoyed at the lack of a good multipart plastic zombie kit. They're the most numerous models in undead fantasy armies, there's other games that use them and some are even based around them (like Zombies!!!), yet no one has made a good multipart kit.

I really wish Avatars of War would get on it with the kind of customisation they put in their Dwarf Berzerker and Warriors of Apoc kits.

Not too long ago, I gave my army breakdown on vampire counts for a newer player. Here is that thread (scroll down a few posts for my unit breakdown). I have been playing the vampires for a while now and I have used every unit in the book, so these are my thoughts from a first hand perspective. I hope this helps. Good luck with the new army!

Don't forget, Vampire Counts rely on Core troops for bigger point games so grab them as well.

^this


You will need tons of core models, mainly from raising during the game.

Even if you list has no zombies, you will want plenty of models. Playing VCs without raising Zombies is difficult.

Thanks for all the advice so far! This has really helped me figure out where I'm going and what I need to get. Hellstorm, your post was also very helpful for getting a competitive perspective. Glad to hear so many units are solid!

I haven't played a game of fantasy so I guess I didn't realize the need for Zombies...is it just because it's easy to throw leftover power dice at Invocation every magic phase? I took a look at the Mantic models and they seem much better than GW, so I'll probably pick those up. How many do I need? The 60 zombie Horde seemed like a very solid deal - will that cover it?

I really like the idea of taking a couple of Mortis Engines and loading up on Ghouls and Crypt Horrors with buffed regen saves, so I might eventually start moving towards that. For now I changed out the 2x Ghouls and 2x Skeletons with a Battalion to get the $15 Corpse Cart (and some Dire Wolves, but whatever), which I hadn't realized was so good.

Thanks again!

The ability to raise a unit, that gives away 0 victory points, from nothing to block enemy movement or flank them is invaluable.

Vampire Counts can easily have more units on the table at the end of the game then when they finish.



If you want to take full advantage of the VC's raising ability then you better have tons of Zombies.

You can raise Skeletons instead but its a higher casting value.

Sure, that seems pretty obviously powerful. I'll go ahead and order the mantic 60 zombie horde so I can be ready!