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I think I'm finally settling on Mercs after much soul searching on liking part of some range and not others. I would like help in making decent lists from this:

So, models in the range I'm liking:

Warcasters:
Fiona the Black
Ashlynne
Capt Bartolo
... and not much else, perhaps I can proxy something else for one of the others...

Warmachines:
Mariner
Mangler
Freebooter
Classic nomad and classic mule

Units:
I like all the units, I think.

Solos:
Alexia on her horse
Eiryss magehunter
Harlan
Kell
Madelyn
Ogrun Boker
Ragman
Taryn
Thrall Warrior



The first list I made was this:

Fiona the Black6

Freebooter6
Mariner8
Nomad6

Alexia Ciannor & the Risen (Alexia and 9 Risen Grunts)5
Cylena Raefyll & Nyss Hunters (Cylena and 5 Grunts)7/10

Sea Dog Deck Gun2

Eiryss 3
Lady Aiyana & Master Holt4


How's that looking? I'm being told by a friend that Fiona isn't going to be able to keep the jacks powered as she's supposed to be a caster?

Nice choice with Mercs, they were my first faction too. They can be difficult, though, because they're a little expensive to get into with no battle-box, and because of their reliance on infantry. Also, prepare to lose until you figure out each model's dirty little secrets.
With Fiona, I agree with your friend to an extent. Her ability to grab an extra focus from a cultist helps mitigate the 'jack wrangling and casting costs, but your list is relatively jack-light so there shouldn't be a problem. My opinion of her is a pseudo-Cryx -like caster, with some debuffs and some general staying power as well.
My recommendation when dealing with Mercs is to start smaller than you are. While every unit you've chosen is great, they might not work together as well as you think they might. Starting at 15 points to get used to the caster and the army styles will help inform you of which units you actually need, and which ones would be redundant. My opinion is that the Nyx Hunters aren't a powerful choice here, as they don't do anything everyone else isn't, and I'd switch her and the deck guns for straight-up Sea Dogs, due to Fiona's cultist abilities, or Press Gangers, because they're hilarious. The deck guns are nice, but the Mariner ought to be the most of your artillery and they're, again, uselessly redundant.
Eiryss is golden, though, definately snag her.

Mercenaries are a ton of fun and you have a large stable of good models you like. I can only think of a few models not listed that you might want, mostly Gorman DiWulfe and Sylys Wyshnyalaar. Mercenaries as a faction are at a high point right now thanks to the mark2 change and recent releases. Have you seen the pictures of the mercenary colossal, Galleon, from Lock and Load?
I think your list is quite good. You have a good balance of range, melee, infantry, and warjacks. I love the nyss hunters, but I'm not sold on the minimum unit considering its point cost. I agree with Dracofactory that the list might want some shifts in the infantry to either swap out the minimum nyss or go to the full unit (they are one of the best units in the game at 10 strong.) The deck gun isn't great, but it is adequate for cultists and can load the mariner at least, so if you don't want sea dogs it is a good choice for Fiona.
You may also want to look at some way to knock down a heavy target to make that freebooter shine.

Fiona the Black6
Freebooter6
Mariner8
Nomad6
Alexia Ciannor & the Risen (Alexia and 9 Risen Grunts)5
Lady Aiyana & Master Holt4
Press Gangers (Leader and 5 Grunts)64
Sea Dog Crew (Leader and 5 Grunts)85
Eiryss, Mage Hunter of Ios3

At 35, how's that looking?

Don't forget to buy extra Risen models as well as some thrall warriors.

Leo_the_Rat wrote:Don't forget to buy extra Risen models as well as some thrall warriors.

And extra sea dogs since you have included the press gangers.

The modified list looks pretty good to me. 35 points is rarely the best place to start, but you can start at 15 points and work your way up through 25 to 35 using models from this list and maybe get a bit of a head start on painting that way.

Not a bad list. Lots of good synergies built into the list, especially Fiona, Sea Dogs, Press Gangers and Eiryss.

I agree that you should start smaller. Magnus is an excellent starter model for Mercs though I admit his model is dull as hell. Fiona needs infantry to shine and you won't get much in 15 point games. Bart's also a good 15 point game caster.

You should also check out the Vanguard warjack. It's a great toolbox warjack and a great model (with a little conversion on the legs).

I'd knock up a 15 point Bart list to begin with, something like:

Captain Bartolo Montador
Mule (or Mariner)
Nomad
Freebooter

15/15

or

Captain Bartolo Montador
Mule (or Mariner)
Nomad (or Freebooter)
Vanguard
Reinholt, Gobber Speculator

15/15

I'm not enough of a fan of the Freebooter to own one, I'm hoping next year will bring a plastic 3in1 Pirate heavy kit. I'll get one then for my Skarre NQ theme list.

George Spiggott wrote:Not a bad list. Lots of good synergies built into the list, especially Fiona, Sea Dogs, Press Gangers and Eiryss.

I agree that you should start smaller. Magnus is an excellent starter model for Mercs though I admit his model is dull as hell. Fiona needs infantry to shine and you won't get much in 15 point games. Bart's also a good 15 point game caster.

You should also check out the Vanguard warjack. It's a great toolbox warjack and a great model (with a little conversion on the legs).

I'd knock up a 15 point Bart list to begin with, something like:

Captain Bartolo Montador
Mule (or Mariner)
Nomad
Freebooter

15/15

or

Captain Bartolo Montador
Mule (or Mariner)
Nomad (or Freebooter)
Vanguard
Reinholt, Gobber Speculator

15/15

I'm not enough of a fan of the Freebooter to own one, I'm hoping next year will bring a plastic 3in1 Pirate heavy kit. I'll get one then for my Skarre NQ theme list.

A 3 warjack and one caster force seems appealing to begin with.

For some reason, I dislike most light warjacks I've seen, so that first list looks good to me.

MeanGreenStompa wrote:For some reason, I dislike most light warjacks I've seen, so that first list looks good to me.

Only the Vanguard and the Buccaneer are worth having anyway. Both are great sculpts.

If you field Magnus (either incarnation) you also have access to the Renegade which is also a great little model and a mean all rounder on the tabletop.

I've just found a couple of pics of the buccaneer that looks far better, reposed with the net arm swinging back, it's the official pic that makes it look terrible (because, due to my gamers asperger's, I hate the net settled outwards in thin air).

I'm wondering if it's just PP's promotional photos that make the light warjacks all seem so awkwardly posed.



I'm looking at Magnus' skillset and liking what I read, however I decidedly dislike the model - either incarnation, it's dull. Perhaps if I can come up with a suitable proxy model instead, I might consider that... What is the player base like about proxying? I'm pondering maybe a AoW or Werner Klocke model.

MeanGreenStompa wrote:I'm looking at Magnus' skillset and liking what I read, however I decidedly dislike the model - either incarnation, it's dull. Perhaps if I can come up with a suitable proxy model instead, I might consider that... What is the player base like about proxying? I'm pondering maybe a AoW or Werner Klocke model.

Agreed. pMagnus' model is very dated and static. Player base and proxying? No idea, mine is very relaxed but you hear some horror stories on that internet. Tournaments frown upon conversions that don't follow the strict guidelines

George Spiggott wrote:Tournaments frown upon conversions that don't follow the strict guidelines

Don't think I've seen those guidelines?

Dais wrote: Have you seen the pictures of the mercenary colossal, Galleon, from Lock and Load?

I can't seem to find it, got a link?

Someone asked for the pictures of the merc colossal. this is the computer designed model they previewed at lock and load. The legs are a little short, but I love the ramshackle look.

MeanGreenStompa wrote:I've just found a couple of pics of the buccaneer that looks far better, reposed with the net arm swinging back, it's the official pic that makes it look terrible (because, due to my gamers asperger's, I hate the net settled outwards in thin air).

I'm wondering if it's just PP's promotional photos that make the light warjacks all seem so awkwardly posed.



I'm looking at Magnus' skillset and liking what I read, however I decidedly dislike the model - either incarnation, it's dull. Perhaps if I can come up with a suitable proxy model instead, I might consider that... What is the player base like about proxying? I'm pondering maybe a AoW or Werner Klocke model.

I find with jacks you need to get creative with posing, otherwise they look horribly static (like the promo photos). Fortunately, all the 'jacks that I have used have been fairly simple to do.

For conversions, PP follows a tournament policy of:

1) Primarily based off the real model.
2) Weapon Swaps on infantry are okay, should be realistically indicative of weapons abilities (eg. reach, ranged, etc.)
3) Weapon Swaps on 'Jacks are verboten. The main way of telling 'jacks apart is their weapons, so these should remain the same. You can scratchbuild the weapon, but a sword must be a sword, not a hammer or axe.
4) If there is a bitz kit, such as for some character jacks, this kit must be used if you are fielding that model, and may not be used if you are not.

Prime Magnus is really, really fun to play with even if he has bit of a learning curve. His natural ability to upkeep spells for free is extremely useful when going 'jack heavy, especially combined with some of his spells.

Heres the current list I'm running that covers the entirety of his Tier list;

pMagnus
- Mangler
- Nomad
- Renegade
- Renegade
Steelhead Halberdiers x10
Steelhead Riflemen x10
Saxon Orrik

Consider a talion charter list...

Capt. Bartolo

Warjacks
bucaneer
mariner
freebooter

Units
press gangers
First Mate Hawk

Starts as a nice looking, tactical 25-35P army