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So I am really excited at starting this game because I am actually having fun playing it. Now apart of me does love the khador/butcher thing of it, but those pirate mercenaries; namely "broadside" bart really are calling me. I'm just not sure which one would be more noob friendly? I know the galleon is a great unit to use for him. I had a buddy tell me to start Khador, get some experience with them and then build mercs as a second force.

so any opinions? Should I just go ahead and go yarharhar! or start off with Khador.

Your friend is totally right.

Khador is one of the easiest factions to dive in with as a lot of what they have do exactly what they say on the tin.

Buccaneers can be great fun, but they are all about synergy and the support their UAs and solos can provide some units.

 Cptskillet wrote:
So I am really excited at starting this game because I am actually having fun playing it. Now apart of me does love the khador/butcher thing of it, but those pirate mercenaries; namely "broadside" bart really are calling me. I'm just not sure which one would be more noob friendly? I know the galleon is a great unit to use for him. I had a buddy tell me to start Khador, get some experience with them and then build mercs as a second force.

so any opinions? Should I just go ahead and go yarharhar! or start off with Khador.

If you like Infantry play khador. If you're looking at Khador and eyeing the man-o-wars or 'Jacks, it's probably not the best choice.

If you're interested in the game and want to figure out what factions work for you, it would be good to know what sorts of gameplay aspects appeal to you. What kind of characters do you play in RPGs or approaches do you use in strategy games? Do you play MTG, what kind of decks do you like in that? Are you a cautious player or a risk taker? Do you want big things or lots of small ones? Do you like single game entities with lots of personal power, or pieces that work together?

RPG characters I tend to like to be the biggest and tankiest guy and just go wreck face, hence why the butcher appealed to me, however in other games like LoL/Dota2 I tend to like supporting. I used to play MTG and Red rush all day, I used to have a really fun goblin deck.

I tend to play all out balls to the wall in games, like in YGO when I used to play that competitively I played really aggressive decks. I like to have very elite small groups of units, I'm not a big fan of having a crap ton of models to move, tho I did like the winter guard/ sea dogs.

Last question is hard to answer because while I do like strong personal power, I also would prefer more synergy between units, however when things start to die off, that synergy is also dying out making it hard, so if there was a specific medium of balance that could be achieved I'd prefer that.

Really the only reason I am drawn to Bart and his happy crew is because I like pirates, and I know he's more of a support caster, which buffs his units like the Galleon/mariner which look awesome but on the flip-side I also really like the idea of butcher with 2 jacks running at the enemy just hacking it to death.

Pirates are the least fleshed out Mercenary contract at the moment, and if you stick to only pirate models (i.e. Talion Charter), you're going to be feeling that your lists are very same-y (because they are). 3 casters, 4 units (+1 that can only be used with one warcaster), and 8 solos just isn't a lot of variety.

That said, you're not required to do so as Bart works for 3 out of the 4 current Merc contracts. I own and play him exclusively in Highborn myself, but he really shines in Four Star when running the Galleon with the Wrong Eye, Snap Jaw, and a Bull Snapper.

You also have the option of using the pirate units and solos with Khador if you really like the models. Khador's own in faction infantry outshines it (IMO), but after Cygnar, Khador is the second largest mercenary employer in the Iron Kingdoms.

Butcher lists for Khador are good fun, I run pButcher a lot and I think I do rather well with him.

Khador is one of the few armies who can do full combat without too many issues. Provided your not determined to use jacks and man-o-war they can run some of the best infantry in Warmachine (WG deathstar) Butcher works well with a Kodiak, because there is nothing better than having two boosted to hit and boosted to wound punches before having a boosted to hit and boosted to wound double handed throw.

Anyone know how Strakhov is? He seems to be a nice mix of support/aggressive which seems like an awesome combo to me.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I read alot about strakhov and he seems to be what I like, what do you all think about this list? I plan on joining a league and I feel this isn't too bad for a 15pt list.

System: Warmachine
Faction: Khador
Casters: 1/1
Points: 15/15
Kommander Strakhov (*6pts)
* Torch (10pts)
Assault Kommandos (Leader and 5 Grunts) (5pts)
* 1 Assault Kommando Flame Thrower (1pts)
Iron Fang Pikemen (Leader and 5 Grunts) (5pts)

I can crack armor, and deal with infantry.

 Chongara wrote:


If you like Infantry play khador. If you're looking at Khador and eyeing the man-o-wars or 'Jacks, it's probably not the best choice.

Excuse the slight misdirection but as a new player to the game, I find this confusing - I thought one of Khador's strengths was that their jacks were well armoured compared to other factions, hard to kill and hard-hitting? I ask this as I too am also looking at starting a small Khador force after being inspired to play by the wargamergirl battle reports on youtube that someone recommended I watch.

 filbert wrote:

 Chongara wrote:


If you like Infantry play khador. If you're looking at Khador and eyeing the man-o-wars or 'Jacks, it's probably not the best choice.

Excuse the slight misdirection but as a new player to the game, I find this confusing - I thought one of Khador's strengths was that their jacks were well armoured compared to other factions, hard to kill and hard-hitting? I ask this as I too am also looking at starting a small Khador force after being inspired to play by the wargamergirl battle reports on youtube that someone recommended I watch.

Certainly, Khador 'jacks have high ARM values. However 'Jacks are resource consuming things. They are priced (generally) under the assumption they'll be given focus and taking advantage of the offensive benefits it offers. Khador casters tend to have FOCUS stats on the lower end, in addition they tend to have abilities that translate focus into meaningful game-state changes better than giving them to 'Jacks. Like you could spend 2 focus to give some more attacks or a couple boosts, or spend that same focus ton a spell and give 15 dudes an additional damage die.

Additionally Khador 'Jacks are slow and many (especially the ones that don't see play) lack reach. Meaning, that their baseline range is a paltry 7.5" on a charge, leaving them feeling like a T-Rex with broken legs trying to get at you with his arms. Granted speed increases exist in Khador, but other factions have them too and on pieces that hit just as hard, but with more speed, reach and special native movement abilties.

In contrast to their lacklusture 'Jacks, and limited ability to support them their infantry are like mad ballers man. They've got stuff like WGI that are crazy efficient bodies, with solid ability to threaten outside their weight class. They've got Iron Fangs that are damned speedy for how hard hitting and resilient they are. They've got Kayayz with threat projection and high DEF. They've got probably the best cavalry in Warmachine (though not including Hordes). They've got doom reavers that hit hard, have threat range and can berserk on high target counts - killmajigs so good there are lists that are just like, Doom Reavers and more doom reavers.

Their casters also have really good spells that support infantry because they scale up in CTRL area or have multiple model/unit buffs. In addition they've got a suite of support solos like the Kovniks that give infantry more bonuses.

RPG characters I tend to like to be the biggest and tankiest guy and just go wreck face, hence why the butcher appealed to me, however in other games like LoL/Dota2 I tend to like supporting. I used to play MTG and Red rush all day, I used to have a really fun goblin deck.

I tend to play all out balls to the wall in games, like in YGO when I used to play that competitively I played really aggressive decks. I like to have very elite small groups of units, I'm not a big fan of having a crap ton of models to move, tho I did like the winter guard/ sea dogs.

Last question is hard to answer because while I do like strong personal power, I also would prefer more synergy between units, however when things start to die off, that synergy is also dying out making it hard, so if there was a specific medium of balance that could be achieved I'd prefer that.

These all make you sound most like a Skorne player to me. Though trollbloods, protectorate and legion are all partial fits for various reasons.The fact you like small, elite forces with a "Tanky" feel that plays those pieces very aggressively just screams "Bronzeback Titan" to me. You really seem like you'd enjoy playing powerful 'Jacks or Beasts with abilities like beatback or side-step.

Thanks for the detailed explanation, much appreciated.

 Chongara wrote:

 filbert wrote:

 Chongara wrote:


If you like Infantry play khador. If you're looking at Khador and eyeing the man-o-wars or 'Jacks, it's probably not the best choice.

Excuse the slight misdirection but as a new player to the game, I find this confusing - I thought one of Khador's strengths was that their jacks were well armoured compared to other factions, hard to kill and hard-hitting? I ask this as I too am also looking at starting a small Khador force after being inspired to play by the wargamergirl battle reports on youtube that someone recommended I watch.

Certainly, Khador 'jacks have high ARM values. However 'Jacks are resource consuming things. They are priced (generally) under the assumption they'll be given focus and taking advantage of the offensive benefits it offers. Khador casters tend to have FOCUS stats on the lower end, in addition they tend to have abilities that translate focus into meaningful game-state changes better than giving them to 'Jacks. Like you could spend 2 focus to give some more attacks or a couple boosts, or spend that same focus ton a spell and give 15 dudes an additional damage die.

Additionally Khador 'Jacks are slow and many (especially the ones that don't see play) lack reach. Meaning, that their baseline range is a paltry 7.5" on a charge, leaving them feeling like a T-Rex with broken legs trying to get at you with his arms. Granted speed increases exist in Khador, but other factions have them too and on pieces that hit just as hard, but with more speed, reach and special native movement abilties.

In contrast to their lacklusture 'Jacks, and limited ability to support them their infantry are like mad ballers man. They've got stuff like WGI that are crazy efficient bodies, with solid ability to threaten outside their weight class. They've got Iron Fangs that are damned speedy for how hard hitting and resilient they are. They've got Kayayz with threat projection and high DEF. They've got probably the best cavalry in Warmachine (though not including Hordes). They've got doom reavers that hit hard, have threat range and can berserk on high target counts - killmajigs so good there are lists that are just like, Doom Reavers and more doom reavers.

Their casters also have really good spells that support infantry because they scale up in CTRL area or have multiple model/unit buffs. In addition they've got a suite of support solos like the Kovniks that give infantry more bonuses.

RPG characters I tend to like to be the biggest and tankiest guy and just go wreck face, hence why the butcher appealed to me, however in other games like LoL/Dota2 I tend to like supporting. I used to play MTG and Red rush all day, I used to have a really fun goblin deck.

I tend to play all out balls to the wall in games, like in YGO when I used to play that competitively I played really aggressive decks. I like to have very elite small groups of units, I'm not a big fan of having a crap ton of models to move, tho I did like the winter guard/ sea dogs.

Last question is hard to answer because while I do like strong personal power, I also would prefer more synergy between units, however when things start to die off, that synergy is also dying out making it hard, so if there was a specific medium of balance that could be achieved I'd prefer that.

These all make you sound most like a Skorne player to me. Though trollbloods, protectorate and legion are all partial fits for various reasons.The fact you like small, elite forces with a "Tanky" feel that plays those pieces very aggressively just screams "Bronzeback Titan" to me. You really seem like you'd enjoy playing powerful 'Jacks or Beasts with abilities like beatback or side-step.

It's funny enough that you mention skorne cause I had actually played with them on saturday and I found it to be completely clunky. However I did play Strakhov and it just flowed like butter for me. Maybe it's cause I'm still learning and not familiar with the fury system like I am with Focus, though from what I understand it's just the opposite. I actually did play with a bronzeback in the list and he did admirably, as did the gladiator. I just enjoyed strakhov for some reason alot more. I used the list above at a game, and idk it was awesome.

I disagree that khador jacks are lackluster and slow. They have some great jacks and can be surprisingly quick. But their casters can usually only run one so don't expect to be running 2 or more.

Yea, I know Strakhov makes them slightly faster with his feat, but I'm still new yet so I am not sure I know all the nuances yet, but I will agree that most khador casters are probably better off with 1-2 jacks to control. I am using 1 in my list here


System: Warmachine
Faction: Khador
Casters: 1/1
Points: 15/15
Kommander Strakhov (*6pts)
* Torch (10pts)
Assault Kommandos (Leader and 5 Grunts) (5pts)
* 1 Assault Kommando Flame Thrower (1pts)
Iron Fang Pikemen (Leader and 5 Grunts) (5pts)

That list has some serious problems. Namely the lack of any real armor cracking. At 15 points, other players are going to bring 2-3 jacks and maybe a single unit. While you will bog them down in melee, conversely you lack anything to seriously threaten them. Your Assault Kommandos will find no targets they can deal with at 15 points, they won't have the infantry to kill and their rather pathetic weapons will bounce off armor.

Strakhov only really works in the hands of an experienced player and at 50ish points where you can get the things you need to do damage.

To start out with, I'd recommend pSorscha or pVladamir. Simpler and all around easier to manage. then you can run with Straks, who is a boatload of fun.

Run Sorscha, a Juggernaut(or Beast-09), and a full unit of Winterguard with UA and a couple rocketeers, and Kovnik Joe. That gets you some real teeth while also having a tarpit you will use later on.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Khador has a lot of player attrition because the faction has lots of red herrings. People like big stompy jacks, man-o-war, and cool Assault Kommandos. But the faction is about running 1 jack at most and then a bunch of the not quite as cool infantry(but still awesome)

I don't want you to feel disappointed when the faction you want to play doesn't play like you thought it would play.

I wasn't really worried about using alot of jacks lol and my understanding was to use Torch and pikemen to crack armor while using the kommandos to slice through infantry.

I am actually really happy with strakhov as a character because he encourages an aggressive playstyle but also he supports his aggressive advance.