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Hello all,

Indulge my little story before I get to the point. Many years ago I bought a fantasy army with the intention of learning to play. Flash forward 8 years and some friends have invited me to finally play my first Fantasy games in a tournament the first week of November. I happily agreed thinking it was a small affair and I would have time to paint my army and learn to play. Turns out its a team event with 3 games over the day, 1500pts, 2000pts and 2500pts. Each list can be unique and no units have to carry over from one list to the other. I don't have enough time to properly read the rules, read the army book, learn how to play and paint all these models... in short I need some help. I would ask my friends, but they are in a similar predicament and most have only played a handful or 8th ed games. Using the models I listed below, and perhaps suggesting others I should buy can anyone point me in the right direction for my lists? Any help is very much appreciated folks.

46 Sea guard
16 archers
8 silver helms
Two chariots (unbuilt)
28 sword masters
20 phoenix guard
10 white lions
3 mages (one mounted)
5 Dragon Princes
2 bolt throwers
1 prince on Dragon
1 prince on Gryphon
1 prince on foot
1 BSB
Tyrion

Level 4: book, 4+ ward on life.

BSB: Armour of caledor, great weapon.

Minimum amount of core.

27 odd swordsmasters.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
From there, add chaff. Like eagles, reavers or single tiranoc chariots.

Hows this for a 2500pt list?

Sorry for the odd formatting, the list was created in battlescribe. I have 39 points left over to buy toys with the list as it is below. I am open to feedback, but please keep in mind that this is my first attempt at making a list for fantasy, and I have never played.

+ Lords +

* Archmage
Level 4 Wizard, Lore of Life
* Magic Items
(AB) Book of Hoeth, (AB) Golden Crown of Atrazar


+ Heroes +

* Mage
Level 2 Wizard, Lore of Shadow
* Magic Items
(BRB) Dispel Scroll


* Noble
Battle Standard, Great Weapon
* Magic Items
(AB) Armor of Caledor


+ Core +

* Silver Helms
Elven Steed, Heavy Armor, High Helm, Ithilmar Barding, Lance, Musician, Standard Bearer
* 16x Silver Helm
16x Shield


* Spearmen
Light Armor, Musician, Sentinel, Shield, Spear, 30x Spearman, Standard Bearer


+ Special +

* Dragon Princes of Caledor
Dragon Armor, 10x Dragon Prince, Drakemaster, Elven Steed, Ithilmar Barding, Lance, Musician, Shield, Standard Bearer


* Phoenix Guard
Halberd, Heavy Armor, Keeper of the Flame, Musician, 20x Phoenix Guard, Standard Bearer


* Sword Masters of Hoeth
Bladelord, Great Weapon, Heavy Armor, Musician, Standard Bearer, 28x Sword Master


* Tiranoc Chariot
Elven Steed, Longbow, Spear, 2x Tiranoc Chariot

Fragjuice wrote:
I don't have enough time to properly read the rules, read the army book, learn how to play

Then don't go, a tournament isn't really the place for learning how to play the game.

While I appreciate your very helpful reply, and your quoting me out of context, I would prefer if we stick to the topic of list building. Do you have any constructive criticism on the list I posted Krellnus?

The list's not bad, actually, just a few changes I'd make.

Firstly, I'd cut down on the Swordmasters. Considering they lose their biggest advantage over other Specials (more attacks) with a greater number of ranks, I would split them up into two units of 14, with nothing but a musician, possibly dropping them down slightly (or even taking out one unit altogether) for the changes I'm about to list.

Secondly, I'd stick another rank of Phoenix Guard on, bumping them up to 25. I know you have to buy more to do this (and don't worry if you really don't want to splash out) but it will increase their anvilling (yes, that is now a word) potential and allow your cavalry and/or MSU Swordmasters to get round for a flank charge. Speaking of cavalry, split the Dragon Princes up into two units of 5 with nothing but musicians. 10 is an odd number, it's too small to be a hard-hitting bus, but too big to be a good flanking unit.

I would also recommend some chaff units. Chaff's quite hard to use at a beginners level, but, as you're throwing yourself in at the deep end anyway, you may as well give it a shot. I would definitely invest in an eagle or two. Or three. Use them to block enemy charges and lead units astray. They can also be used to warmachine hunt.

Finally, get the Standard of Discipline on your Spearmen unit and plonk the Archmage in the unit for an insta-Ld10 General.

And if you're struggling points-wise to make these changes, drop a chariot or two. They're good units, but not as beneficial as some of these changes I'm suggesting.

Hope this helps, and good luck with the tournament!

Thanks a lot for the suggestions Shadow. I was already looking at Eagles but am wondering if there are cheaper alternatives to the GW ones. ATM I think the best deal I've found is the Hobbit ones at 2 for $60. I will also look into the Phoenix guard, but that's another $60 that I was looking to avoid spending. Ah well, tis the downside to the hobby. Always more little dudes to buy as my wife would say.

The extra PG aren't that important, they'd just be handy. And yeah, Eagles are damn annoying to find. I got mine off eBay for about £1.20 each, so I was really lucky. Try searching for "Wood Elf Eagles" instead, that tends to turn up better results. Also, some other miniature companies may have some good alternatives and if not, there's always the option of buying a "kids toy" Eagle, if you can find one the right scale.

I use the hobbit eagles myself just remb to get the propper bases for fantasy.

So how does this look now? Any other suggestions?

+++ 1st (2486pts) +++
+++ 2500pt High Elves 8th Ed Roster (Standard)) +++

Selections:

High Elves 8th Ed (Standard) Selections:

+ Lords + (285pts)

* Archmage (285pts)
Level 4 Wizard, Lore of Life
* Magic Items
(AB) Book of Hoeth, (AB) Golden Crown of Atrazar


+ Heroes + (294pts)

* Mage (145pts)
Level 2 Wizard, Lore of Shadow
* Magic Items
(BRB) Dispel Scroll


* Noble (149pts)
Battle Standard, Great Weapon
* Magic Items
(AB) Armor of Caledor


+ Core + (713pts)

* Silver Helms (398pts)
Elven Steed, Heavy Armor, High Helm, Ithilmar Barding, Lance, Musician, Standard Bearer
* 16x Silver Helm
16x Shield


* Spearmen (315pts)
Light Armor, Musician, Sentinel, Shield, Spear, 30x Spearman
* Standard Bearer
* Spearmen Magical Standard
(BRB) Standard of Discipline


+ Special + (1094pts)

* Dragon Princes of Caledor (155pts)
Dragon Armor, 5x Dragon Prince, Elven Steed, Ithilmar Barding, Lance, Musician, Shield


* Dragon Princes of Caledor (155pts)
Dragon Armor, 5x Dragon Prince, Elven Steed, Ithilmar Barding, Lance, Musician, Shield


* Phoenix Guard (330pts)
Halberd, Heavy Armor, Keeper of the Flame, Musician, 20x Phoenix Guard, Standard Bearer


* Sword Masters of Hoeth (192pts)
Great Weapon, Heavy Armor, Musician, 14x Sword Master


* Sword Masters of Hoeth (192pts)
Great Weapon, Heavy Armor, Musician, 14x Sword Master


* Tiranoc Chariot (70pts)
Elven Steed, Longbow, Spear, Tiranoc Chariot


+ Rare + (100pts)

* Great Eagle (50pts)
Great Eagle


* Great Eagle (50pts)
Great Eagle

WHOA! everyone slow down, your completely new why do you want to prepare for tournament?
start with playing at shop

 Krellnus wrote:

Fragjuice wrote:
I don't have enough time to properly read the rules, read the army book, learn how to play

Then don't go, a tournament isn't really the place for learning how to play the game.

Actually, depending on the torunament, comp and atmosphere, it may be the best way to learn.

The BRB method of big block, minor win warhammer is silly, and most tourneys seem to take the edge off this. As long as it isn't an event like ETC, where people play like utter tools and go to a turnament with slowed comp for the sole purpose of winning, then it is a good event.

Most events now run with a relaxed atmosphere and if you are a fast learner, and ask for people to list your mistakes after each game, then you will learn well, you won't win the event, but you'll learn.

As for the list, it's looking good, but I'd advise on taking the 4+ ward on your archmage. You get more mileage out of it, which is very good.

Yeah, list looks good. But like thedarkavenger says, a Ward Save is nice on your Archmage.

Oh, and you have 14points left, you can do something with that! Always spend as many points as you possibly can! You shouldn't be any lower than 2496.

@ blood ravens addiction: I will play a couple games in the shop the week of the event. The tourney is a laid back BYOB teams event with 3 games escalating the army size every game. Teams are 4 players and you only play with each of your team mates once. final game is 5k points per team (which sounds crazy big to me). In any case, it should be fun. My main purpose here was to come up with a list first so I would have an idea of what to paint so I could start painting sooner rather than later.

@ The Shadow: How do I grab that ward save? Is there a magic item or something?

thanks again guys for the help!

Fragjuice wrote:
@ blood ravens addiction: I will play a couple games in the shop the week of the event. The tourney is a laid back BYOB teams event with 3 games escalating the army size every game. Teams are 4 players and you only play with each of your team mates once. final game is 5k points per team (which sounds crazy big to me). In any case, it should be fun. My main purpose here was to come up with a list first so I would have an idea of what to paint so I could start painting sooner rather than later.

@ The Shadow: How do I grab that ward save? Is there a magic item or something?

thanks again guys for the help!

That is a good event to learn competitive, intelligent warhammer. As long as there are no ETC players there. DISCLAIMER: I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST THE PLAYERS. IT'S THE STYLE.

The ward is a 45 point arcane item from the BRB