Retribution Play style and getting started with them.

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**Andrewdrexler**

I have been away from Warmachine for a goodly while (since just after Apotheosis and Hordes hit), and have been looking at the Retribution figures with interest. Before I take the plunge and get some figs, I am curious how they play on the field. Are the brutes (like Khador), Tricksy (Cryx), or glass cannons? What are some decent starting purchases (figuring boxed starter type games as well as the 500 pointers)? And what are the units to avoid like the plague (too expensive, no workable combos etc)?

**Vertrucio**

They actually have a lot going for them.

Thing is, they don't excel at one thing. Right now, at best they combine a good amount of shooting like cygnar, with almost cryx level of mobility, but they don't slouch in melee either.

All that comes at the cost of lacking in overall strength in each area, but they can combo up, and because of their speed and generalist units, we can put the right kind of force on the right part of the battlefield.

For example, almost all of their jacks have both good melee and good ranged attacks, and can regen shields. But, we currently don't have a MAT 7 jack.

Oh, and we're pretty focus hungry.

**malfred**

How about think about the warcasters?

Vyros: semi-warjack (mobility and feat), semi-troops (CMD and Inviolable resolve)
Garryth: Assassin
Rahn: Control and Lockdown (force hammer and force blast)
Ravyn: Shooting and Combat (Feat, Veil of Mists, Vortex of Destruction, Virtuoso)
Kaelyssa: Ranged (Feat, Phantom Hunter), Magic Denial

**Vertrucio**

Vyros is definitely a split caster. He works best with his army split between jacks and infantry. He doesn't seem that great at first, until you realize that his jacks will usually have speed 8 most the time. He's no slouch in melee combat either. He's actually pretty simple once you understand him, but that's also a strength.

Kaelyssa is fun to use, she's a roundabout caster, but not tricksy like Cryx. You just want to keep shooting stuff with her. You'll more often use her feat 1-2 turns before a big charge instead of during it, or use it defensively. You'll be using a lot of phantom hunter to pick off units without line of sight by casting on it on our deadly shooting jacks.

Sadly, I haven't used the other casters.

**radiohazard**

Rayvn is really overpowered.

She can really put the hurt on single wound infantry and with the support of Stormfall Archers and other ranged units, can finish a game pretty quick. Just remember the Vortex.

My fave is Vyros tho. He is really good for starting players and has that whole good at everything but not fantastic feel about him. For a new Ret player I recommend him.

Also repeat this mantra until you are repeating it in your sleep - ALWAYS TAKE EIRYSS AND 2 GHOST SNIPERS!!!

9 pts of DMG from just a to hit roll is freekin broken, especially when these 3 solos only cost 7 pts.

Repeat after me -

ALWAYS TAKE EIRYSS AND 2 GHOST SNIPERS!!! ALWAYS TAKE EIRYSS AND 2 GHOST SNIPERS!!! ALWAYS TAKE EIRYSS AND 2 GHOST SNIPERS!!!

You'll thank me when they kill a caster in two hits, which is very very possible. I've done it 5 times in 7 games.

**Spellbound**

Devouts are my friend

**radiohazard**

Spellbound wrote:Devouts are my friend

Funny you should say that, because the two times it didn't happen was because of Devouts

**CT GAMER**

radiohazard wrote:

ALWAYS TAKE EIRYSS AND 2 GHOST SNIPERS!!! ALWAYS TAKE EIRYSS AND 2 GHOST SNIPERS!!! ALWAYS TAKE EIRYSS AND 2 GHOST SNIPERS!!!

Can't seem to write a list without two assassins either...

ROS seems to have a lot of auto-includes me thinks.

**radiohazard**

CT GAMER wrote:
radiohazard wrote:

ALWAYS TAKE EIRYSS AND 2 GHOST SNIPERS!!! ALWAYS TAKE EIRYSS AND 2 GHOST SNIPERS!!! ALWAYS TAKE EIRYSS AND 2 GHOST SNIPERS!!!

Can't seem to write a list without two assassins either...

ROS seems to have a lot of auto-includes me thinks.

I've found the Ret lists to be the most difficult to write as I want everything in them.

I must say I do like MHA, but not in my Vyros list I have planned.

**malfred**

Well, at least with theme lists you can't include them in every list, can you?

**Andrewdrexler**

Ok, you sold me, it looks like I will be picking up a Retribution force to see how much I like it on the table.

So how about some guidance on starting purchases? I am looking at:
Vyros
Eiryss
2 Ghost Snipers

What else would be solid purchases to get me started?

**malfred**

Vyros
Manticore
Phoenix
Sentinels
Unit Attachment
_____

If you're not running a theme list, then Eiryss and ghosties.

If you are running a theme list, then more Dawnguard.

**radiohazard**

malfred wrote:Vyros
Manticore
Phoenix
Sentinels
Unit Attachment
_____

If you're not running a theme list, then Eiryss and ghosties.

If you are running a theme list, then more Dawnguard.

Interesting choice of Manticore. I would've gone with hydra myself.

**malfred**

Well, when we were demo-ing, the Manticore was in the lineup, so I'd be using one
as a matter of course. That, and I'm really enamored with the idea of buffing its
strength for a crazy sick combo strike.

**Andrewdrexler**

Is the Manticore\heavy myrmidon kit able to be magnetized so that it is possible to build multiple jacks out of one kit then change the load-out as you change your list? Or are they made in such a way that you only get one option?

**CT GAMER**

Andrewdrexler wrote:Is the Manticore\heavy myrmidon kit able to be magnetized so that it is possible to build multiple jacks out of one kit then change the load-out as you change your list? Or are they made in such a way that you only get one option?

It can be done but not easily. If your a skilled/patient modeler it can be achieved. Pins are easier to do then magnets for some of the pieces...

**malfred**

Moz has pictures in the gallery.

**Andrewdrexler**

Thanks, did not see those in the gallery.

**CT GAMER**

I'm gonna be giving my ROS my first test run this weekend in a 35pt. mixed format(WM/Hordes) MKII tourney.

I was planning to play my Cygnar but realized that I actually have enough models for a 35pt. list (though not an optimal build to be sure). I'm gonna go with them anyways just to get some playtesting/experience under my belt against a variety of foes, though I expect bad things to happen. The list I am bringing(everything I own and I'm not buying anything before the event):

Kaelyssa
Griffin

MHSF(min.) & UA

MHA (x2)

Narn

Ghost Snipers (x2)

Dahlia & Skarath

Lad A & Master H

Eiryss

It's sort of a mobile/sneaky/hunter type list.

i'll let you know how it goes.

**frozenwastes**

Retribution is one of those armies that they really placed well in the middle and let you choose which direction to take it in. You can definitely out attrition Khador if you want to. Out shooting Cygnar can be hard, but it can be done. You can shut down magic and put up a bunch of annoying things like Menoth and you can assassinate with the best of the Crx lists.

The hardest part will probably be picking a direction and going with it. They're also a good army to pick if you want to play generalists. Everything is competent at it's task without being buffed by the spells and abilities of other models-- but when you can get some synergy going, it rocks.

I enjoy watching them die from continuous fire effects though. Elves do burn nicely.