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I've been looking at starting Warmachine/Hordes recently, and I've narrowed down to one of two factions, Cryx (specifically a pirate based Skarre list) or Mercs. In either case, I would also like to include Wrong-Eye and maybe a Swamp Horror (I'm a big fan of sea monsters and I also like gatormen, but decided I'd rather do one of the others more). So I just would like to get some opinions on both to see if it will help me pick between them. I am not too concerned with competitiveness, I would rather have an army that I enjoy the theme of rather than one that's good. I would also like to note that I'm new to wargaming in general, so I'm a bit hesitant to spend a lot at the moment (so models like the Galleon are not going to happen). Thank you for your help.

Welcome to Warmachine! Here's your complimentary Swamptopus plushie (mind the tentacles, it gets handsy).

Cryx actually likes Wrongeye a lot in my experience, so he's a pretty good choice with them. Unfortunately, he doesn't really work for a lot of Merc contracts (read: none), so barring starting a Hordes army they're really your only choice.

That being said, Cryx can do a pretty strong sea monster and pirates theme. There are some absolutely beautiful nautical conversions out there, and you should be happy to learn that there's usually not a big gap between strong themes and competitiveness. Pirate Cryx, for instance, works out rather well between the Satyxis and various Revenant models, along with the Skarres and various amphibious warjacks. Also Wrongeye.

Do you mean Wrong-eye is unusable in mercs or simply doesn't work well with them? If the former, I remember finding out he's a mercenary that will work for cryx, making him available for the Four Star merc contract.

Somehow forgot Four Star was a thing, so ignore that bit. >.<

IF you like the Pirate theme of the Cryx, then I say also check out the Talion charter, as they are pirate theme and have access to some interesting Warcasters. Although it is all about synergy with them compared to that of the Cryx, which relies more of de-buffing and dirty tricks.

Start small with a Battlebox. Learn the game and decide if it is something you'll enjoy.

If it isn't for you then at least you aren't out hundreds of dollars.

Otherwise sounds like Cryx is for you.

Agree with what the people say above.

But yes, buy a battlebox (or make one) and play with it. Play with it until your sick in the face and know exactly what everything does, you should be able to play with it without any cards. (maybe a bit serious, but you get the point). Because Warmachine is a game which can take time to learn and time to do well with. Jumping in at the deep end is a sure cause for failure.

As the cryx battlebox doesn't really appeal to me and mercs don't have a boxed one, what would you recommend? Would something like one of these work?

Cryx
pSkarre
Leciathan
Wrong-eye and Snapjaw

Mercs
Captain Bartolo Montador
Mariner
Wrong-eye and Snapjaw

I included Wrong-eye in both due to my likelihood of including him in either list.

They would work, you only want a few models in a battlebox game (aim for around 12 points in total so that you can fight other battle box forces). And that will help you learn the game. Whenever you feel ready expand.


OR! join a journeyman league, they are excellent for starting warmachine players (I'm in one right now)

I would start with a caster and about 10 or so points of jacks (plus their jack points).

I would not start with wrong eye and snapjaw. Wrong eye is a warlock (not a warcaster) with a warbeast (not a warjack) so you have some very different and complicated rules for them (you'd also need the Prime rulebook AND the Primal rulebook). Learn how your warcaster and battlegroup works before getting a warlock.

In fact, get at least one unit and a solo before getting WE & SJ.

 Mordekiem wrote:
I would start with a caster and about 10 or so points of jacks (plus their jack points).

I would not start with wrong eye and snapjaw. Wrong eye is a warlock (not a warcaster) with a warbeast (not a warjack) so you have some very different and complicated rules for them (you'd also need the Prime rulebook AND the Primal rulebook). Learn how your warcaster and battlegroup works before getting a warlock.

In fact, get at least one unit and a solo before getting WE & SJ.

No, he does not need both Prime and Primal. To get the rules for Fury, he can just get the starter rules for Hordes.

But I agree not to get Wrong Eye and Snap Jaw until you get the basics down. Another thing to keep in mind that none of the Merc contracts have battle boxes but if you do a Journeyman leauge, it gives a battlebox' list that Talion uses (or at least I think a couple).

I've been looking at pSkarre's Ships in the Night list as a possible route to take. How well would mariners work in such a list, since they need living models as a loader? Makes me wish that Ghost Ship Mariners were usable in normal games. Also, how good is that list in general (any particularly bad models)?

Deadneck wrote:
I've been looking at pSkarre's Ships in the Night list as a possible route to take. How well would mariners work in such a list, since they need living models as a loader? Makes me wish that Ghost Ship Mariners were usable in normal games. Also, how good is that list in general (any particularly bad models)?

Since you are relatively new to the game, I say do not do Theme list as of now, as it is more relatively complicated and this is not often the best choice for a beginner who needs to still learn the game and its intricacies. As for pSkarre herself and that list. In terms of the list, I am not an expert on it so someone needs to help me out on it. But for the caster herself: If you decide to take the Crxx route, then she is a good second caster to pick up (I have not played her or Cyrx myself, but she is a damn good caster) after you get a few games in and get up to the 25pts to 35 pts area.

PSkarre is very powerful, but only for her faction troops (As best spell and feat is faction only) so WE&SJ won't get any love from her. But if you're not worried about being competitive...

http://battlecollege.wikispaces.com/mkiiSkarre

Satyxis + UAs are excellent, either as chain wielding jammers or as the magic dagger wielding witches. So that's 22 themed infantry that fit well with Skarre. Then Satyxis captain is excellent as well, and in pirate theme.

http://battlecollege.wikispaces.com/mkiiSatyxis
http://battlecollege.wikispaces.com/mkiiSea+Witch
http://battlecollege.wikispaces.com/mkiiBlood+Witches
http://battlecollege.wikispaces.com/mkiiBlood+Hag
http://battlecollege.wikispaces.com/mkiiSatyxis+captain


Gaz

pSkarre's Ships in the Night theme is actually a ton of fun and very flavorful. I've proxied it and one day I'll put it on the table. pSkarre is definitely one of our power casters, but by playing her theme list it isn't anywhere like a cutthroat list.

Plenty competitive for friendly games, and your opponents will appreciate that you aren't dropping 30 Bane Knights on the table!

Cryx are amazing, and can take many of the pirate mercs.

you may want to look at starting with cryxs and bleeding into mercs.