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So here at my local game store we're getting ready to start carrying and running Warmachine/Hordes stuff. We've ordered a battle box for each game, giving us a bit of Oroboros, Everblight, Menoth and Khador. My question to the vets of the game, however, is what should we add to the starter boxes of each faction not included in the starter boxes to bring them roughly in line with the factions that come in the starter boxes?

Skorne is the one I'd like to know first as we've gone ahead and ordered a starter box for them.

For Skorne, a box of Catapracht Incindiarii is probably the best choice. It fits with the 2-player set's medium base multi-box infantry and bring you to the 20 points that's the target value.

For Trollbloods, either a unit of Champions or Warders. Champions are a Troll staple, but I hear good things about the Warders, too.

Cryx and Cygnar are a bit harder. Cryx could go with the Black Ogrun, but they're not exactly the best unit they have. Could go with Blood Gorgers, though they're single box models.

Cygnar is the hardest, as they don't have any native medium base units and no native non-character multi-box units. Maybe one of the Storm Knight units.

If you're aiming at keeping medium-based units, Cryx has either the Bloodgorgers or the Black Ogrun Boarding Party. The Bloodgorgers probably work better for the sake of filling in with Wraithwitch Deneghra. A minimum unit of six brings the battle box up to 19 points. Not the best though since they're single-box models. The Boarding Party could be alright though, especially with Crippling Grasp helping out their mediocre MAT and RAT.

Platuan4th wrote:For Skorne, a box of Catapracht Incindiarii is probably the best choice. It fits with the 2-player set's medium base multi-box infantry and bring you to the 20 points that's the target value.

For Trollbloods, either a unit of Champions or Warders. Champions are a Troll staple, but I hear good things about the Warders, too.

Cryx and Cygnar are a bit harder. Cryx could go with the Black Ogrun, but they're not exactly the best unit they have. Could go with Blood Gorgers, though they're single box models.

Cygnar is the hardest, as they don't have any native medium base units and no native non-character multi-box units. Maybe one of the Storm Knight units.

Thanks for the input. Once we gauge the interest a little more and see how many players we've got I'll look into all these.

Kirbinator wrote:If you're aiming at keeping medium-based units, Cryx has either the Bloodgorgers or the Black Ogrun Boarding Party. The Bloodgorgers probably work better for the sake of filling in with Wraithwitch Deneghra. A minimum unit of six brings the battle box up to 19 points. Not the best though since they're single-box models. The Boarding Party could be alright though, especially with Crippling Grasp helping out their mediocre MAT and RAT.

The base-size isn't entirely relevant, just trying to put together similarly sized forces that people can pick up and just play with while getting a good feel of how the faction will play when they're picking out their own stuff.

You should ideally carry the following in addition to the battleboxes.

Each faction's heavy kit.

Choir of Menoth(PoM)

Vassal of Menoth(PoM)

Paingiver Beast Handlers(Skorne)

Agonizer(Skorne)

Shifting Stones and the Stone Keeper unit attachment(Circle)

Arcane Tempest Gunmages(Cygnar)

Squire(Cygnar)

Widowmakers(Khador)

Bane Thralls(Cryx)

Skarlock(Cryx)

Krielstone Bearer and Scribes(Trollbloods)

Shepherd(Legion)

Arcanist(Retribution)

Gorman di wulf(Merc)

epic Eyriss(Merc)

These are all very commonly used models in their respective factions.

Paingivers would have higher priority for Skorne than Incindiarii would.

Cygnar should go with the ATGMs for sure.

Protectorate should have choir at minimum, another mandatory purchase for all players. Along with the Vassal. For a regular infantry unit Errants will be the choice.

Khador has Widowmakers or Winterguard for their main infantry.

Cryx has Bane Thralls. Plus the UA.

Retribution likes the Mage Hunter Strike Force for their first infantry purchase.

Trolls really want the Kreilstone. For main infantry Kreil warriors or Fennblades are a good choice.

Legionaries are good infantry for legion to have around.

For circle, in addition to the Stones, you should have Bloodtrackers.

That's quite a bit of purchases for demo games. I think the battle boxes plus a small unit is plenty for the sake of learning the game. If players want to get into it even further, they can buy their own stuff. Not my store though.

The single units was more or less what I was looking to add to the battle boxes. The store had a fair amount of success doing "battalion leagues" for Warhammer Fantasy and may do roughly the same with the Warmahordes stuff.

But thanks for the input folks and the insight on what's popular in the game with players of each of the factions.