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So I finally committed to getting a dwarf army started, and bought the battalion box and the codex. But I read the description for it and didn't see anything there for an HQ style unit, do I have to buy that separate or take away on of the models and convert him to a lord or such?

Also seeing as I'm new to fantasy, I,m not all to familiar with the general build of the units. I see that I can make musicians and banner bearers, do I need both in each unit or can I diversify them a bit?

Finally, as my codex is on the way, can I get a basic description of the difference between Thunderers and Quarrelers, please and thanks.

You can take a plastic basic model and make him to be a Lord, but it's often a good idea to take a completely different model as it will be more visible (to you and to your opponent)

Most units can take champion/banner/musician but they cost points (that adds up quickly if you have a lot of units)
While they are usually a must have for CC units, you can often pass them in shooty units, depending on their uses
For instance, don't bother with 10 Thunderers, but if you're taking 20 Quarrelers with Great Weapons, it's worth it

Quarrelers are quite cheap with a 30" range
Thunderers are expensive but have armour piercing and a +1 to hit (which is huge and accounts for their high cost)

Ok thanks for the response, If I have anymore questions when my stuff arrives I'll go here

Just got in my stuff, and actually was able to get 2 battalion on sale for basically the price of 1 with an extra dwarf warrior box and a grudge thrower, along with my codex, so my questions are thus after reading codex:


*Are Longbeards worth it if I have 5 groups of warriors to build?

*Also whats a good size for them? warriors/longbeards.

*Runes seem good but also seem a bit expensive, which should I look for? or is it simple trial and error that works best?

Well first off, welcome to the Throngs! You have joined undoubtly the mightiest of all peoples and kingdoms!

To start off with your original questions, the Battalions are absolutely excellent deals! Probably one of the best amongst all the box sets. As for a Hero or Lord, you can just convert one or two models, or get a couple offline. One conversion I use for Hammerers that works well, and really, one of the only ones that is simple and good.Is taking the Great Weapon axes and clippimg off the heads, then just gluing on the hammers of the Hand Weapons, not the best. But certainly cheaper, easier and good looking.

Anyway! As for Thunderers and Quarrellers. The Thunderers are the Handgunner units. They are excellent at taking out any kind of infantry especially heavily armored ones. They work best in units of 10-18.As for Quarrellers, they are the Crossbowers of the army. These are one of my favorite units, they are excellent at range and when given Great Weapons, can hold their own in combat. Aside from being more versatile, they are also markedly cheaper than Thunderers. However excellent, Thunderers are still a good choice, and taking a small unit can always be good for support.

Now, regarding the army as a whole. In my opinion, it is one of the best of this edition. The best War Machines, best anti-magic, and some of the best heavy infantry, all combine to equal a tough and hard hitting army. Sadly though, being an older book and army, much of it is, not as usable so to say. The best way to run an army is big blocks of 25-40 Warriors with Great Weapons, and blocks of 25-30 Hammerers. Then some Runed War Machines and ranged units. Though there really are plenty of ways to make a competitive army.

Always take a Battle Standard Bearer! They will always be of use, and I always take full commands in my units in addition to the BSB.

One thing I absolutely love of the Dwarf army, are the Runes. Some are better than others, and some, you shouldnt really use at all. But the are just unique and awesome. You should focus on defensive Runes for just about all your Lords and Heroes, though offensive builds can be made to great affect. Runes like: MRoGromril, RoSpite, RoStone are all excellent. Also RoCleaving, RoSnorriSpanglehelm, and RoChallenge are bery useful. They can be expensive, but if you set it up just right, you will cover all the necessary areas and make a damn good Runic combination.

Examples:

Thane, make hime the BSB, give him RoCleaving RoStone and RoChallege

Runepriest, MRoBallance, RoStone, RoSpellbreaking

Runelord, MRoBallance, MRoGromril(or RoStone), RoSpellbreaking x2

Lord, MRoGromril, Shieldbearers, RoCleaving

There are just some random examples. Though there are better builds. And much worse ones

Warriors: 25-40 GW
Hammerers: 25-30
Longbeards:25-30(would reccomend against these sadly)
Ironbreaker:25-40(would also reccomend against these sadly)
Quarrellers: 10-20 GW
Thunderers: 10-20 GW

All with Full Commands of course. Other units are rather debatable, but I hope this all helps!

Dakka is good for general advice. For Dwarf-specific advice check out http://www.bugmansbrewery.com/.

In short, blocks of 40 infantry with great weapons. You need to be able to soak losses and not loose attacks, and since you swing after nearly everything else in the world of Warhammer you may as well use great weapons and hit HARD.

I agree with Mountain-Breaker, welcome to the Halls of the toughest midgets ever created!
As for heroes, I personally roll with 1-2 Slayers (Which I take out of the kits), 3-4 Thanes (Also made from plastic kits) and a couple other specialist units
As for army builds, I prefer personally 1-2 big blocks which are usually warriors to defend and draw the enemy in (And trust me, against some enemies you'll be thanking you SB) and then some smaller blocks (Thunderers, miners (REALLY HELPFUL!), slayers) backed up with heavy artillery and tough characters. I never warmed up to QUarrellers and so usually have units of Thunderers.
My heroes are usually this:
Lord: Great Weapon/Brace of Pistols, MRoGromril, 2x RoFury
Thane: Standard
Daemon Slayer: RoFury, RoFire,Alaric the Mad (No armour saves taken, great for killing regen and smaller characters)
Runelord
I also use shields and handweapons; they get +1 armour and they hit hard against most things anyway, so why make them strike last. Some will argue against me with this, but this is my personal opinion.

Cheers, Bax123

The Lord should be with Shieldbearers with RoStone and RoResistance (or something like this) for a cheap 1+ re-rollable, while being able to wield a 2H-weap

ICME wrote:
Just got in my stuff, and actually was able to get 2 battalion on sale for basically the price of 1 with an extra dwarf warrior box and a grudge thrower, along with my codex...

HOW?

 rednecroncryptek wrote:

ICME wrote:
Just got in my stuff, and actually was able to get 2 battalion on sale for basically the price of 1 with an extra dwarf warrior box and a grudge thrower, along with my codex...

HOW?

I got one w/ grudge thrower and box of warriors from a store that was closing sadly, and the other from a store that I go to often and whom prices his items to compete with online prices so you dont have to go online and then wait for your stuff to arrive




Oh and thanks for all the information, it has really helped me get to building my force. so far I have cannon w/ crew painted, grudge thrower w/ crew painted, 16 warriors, and working on quarrelers painted, So I should be able to play a game soon

ICME wrote:
So I finally committed to getting a dwarf army started, and bought the battalion box and the codex. But I read the description for it and didn't see anything there for an HQ style unit, do I have to buy that separate or take away on of the models and convert him to a lord or such?

Also seeing as I'm new to fantasy, I,m not all to familiar with the general build of the units. I see that I can make musicians and banner bearers, do I need both in each unit or can I diversify them a bit?

Finally, as my codex is on the way, can I get a basic description of the difference between Thunderers and Quarrelers, please and thanks.

I have some left over dwarf stuff I would be willing to send you,

I think I have a dwarf thane in there

looks like this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Warhammer-Dwarves-Lord-Thane-with-Shield-and-Axe-82965-/390599200715?pt=UK_Toys_Wargames_RL&hash=item5af186cfcb