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It looks like a great TAC list, and having extensively read and re-read the Handbook scenarios I think it could do well in nearly all of them (though you might struggle with the one where only Heroes can capture objectives).

That said, i'd say get on painting some of those Handgunners. They're sooooo good in AoS, and I would say if you expand this later to 2000pts, a staple inclusion will be a blob fo 30 Handgunners. :-)

I dunno, I think it lacks any teeth or any punch. A load of units that are good at sitting on objectives and not much else. I think getting my Hurricanum built and painted is going to be really crucial as its Mortal Wound output and +1 to hit buff is going to be really strong at 1000 points.

What would you guys use if you had infinite money?

I have been thinking about a Hurricanum and Luminark tag team today. Hurricanum is 320 points and Luminark is 240, so 560 together. Both could have wizards on for free, giving them some nasty spells and the +1 to hit from the Hurricanum will be very nice on the Luminark, just like the 6+ mortal wound ward will be nice on the Hurricanum. After that I could go for 30 Freeguild Guard (240) 10 Freeguild Handgunners (100) and a Freeguild General (100). So:

Freeguild General (100 - Leader)
Hurricanum (320 - Leader, Behemoth)
Luminark (240 - Leader, Behemoth)
30x Freeguild Guard w/ militia weapons (Battleline)
10x Freeguild Handgunners (Battleline)

What do you guys think about the above in comparison?

And it's very interesting that some scenarios are Hero only. I glanced at the first few and saw it was simply model count. Which scenarios is it that are Hero only to capture? I will look again tomorrow.

I want to say it's the fifth scenario. It has three Objectives equidistant on the center-line, but they can ONLY be captured/recaptured by Heroes. As I recall its the only one with something specific like that.

Meanwhile the only clunky one is their Escalation scenario which is like, forced, staggered deployment (a third of your units, battle-line first) HAVE to be deployed, and nothing else. Another third arrive second turn, etc... Of the entire book its the only thing I read that made me go... "eh... pass" :-p

Hey Bottle!

To me, your list is lacking tanky units... and by that I probably mean more tanks!

The base is great, and the damage dishing is very good, but I feel like the damage taking might be too weak, But I'm not sure what you should change for 1000 points though.

If you go to 2000 from this base (and you should since it will be the standard format!), then I'd add a second tank and a Griffon as top priority.

Hey man, would really appreciate your input! I chose 1000 points simply because, although I have 2000 points painted - it is super unoptimised and designed around open and narrative play. I thought I could try and make my 1000 point list a bit more competetive and build up from there. Also my GW only have 4'x4' s for games night (yeah, it sucks) so we might be playing Vanguard battles instead of Battlehost.

What would you go for if you could choose any combination of models from Freeguild, Colliegate Arcane and Ironweld Arsonal? (The old Empire range). At 2000 points?

Maybe a core built around 2 Steam Tanks and a Hurricanum? So:

Steamtank x 2 600
Hurricanum w/ Wizard 320
That's already 920 points. I think the Freeguild General on Griffin is also 300 points (can't remember off the top of my head) pushing it to 1220. Might as well throw in an Empire Cannon to round that to 1400, giving 600 points to be spent on Battleline units...

Maybe:
20x Freeguild Guard (swords) 160
10x Freeguild Guard (militia) 80
10x Freeguild Handgunners 100
5x Freeguild Outriders 140
Battalion: State Troop Detachment 120

That would make an exact 2000 point army list. Seems quite strong as you could keep all the warmachines within 10" of the Hurricanum for a +1 to hit, meaning those 4 cannon balls you can shoot each turn are landing on 3s. It might be lacking in troops though, but should be enough to hold objectives. 20 swordsmen with mystic shield are tanky in combat as they are 3+ save re-rolling 1s.

Interested to hear your thoughts!

Alright, I'm gonna give you my opinion fully disregarding the fact you already have beautifully painted models and I would also choose from them.

Out of the Free People range, I would take only ranged units. Guards and militias not only do little damage, but they're extremely fragile. Handgunners and Crossbowmen are just as vulnerable, but at least they stay afar and dish out real damage.
Greatsword can handle themselve a little better.

I don't really know the Hurricanum but after looking at it, it does seem powerful yes. I've never seen it in action but if you're confident it works, then by all means. Also the combo with tanks 10" around it seems very good.

Which brings me to those. Two steam tanks (especially if you like the mini), seems to be a VERY strong base for a Free Guilds army. If you take those two I don't think the Griffon would be necessary anymore because with all those long range guns you wouldn't need the mobility as much.

After looking at everything else (not points, just warscrolls, so I can't make a list), I find the Demigryphs a valid option for a mobile "wall". They don't do extreme damage but they're pretty tough and would protect ranged units well.
I also like the rocket battery thing. Especially if you can get the Hurricanum bonus as well and get to to 3+ to hit. Again, I don't know how much these units costs.

Also I think Outriders are fine.


All in all, if you want to keep those 600 points of Battleline units (because they're painted =P), To go with it I would do Hurricanum, 2x Steam Tank, 2x Rocket battery and 3 or 6 Demigryphs. No idea if that's 2000 but it should be close.

Thanks for telling me how it is Haechi! That's what I wanted.

I do think there is worth in getting the Militia Freeguild Guard. They have a 14" range shooting attack but only cost 80 points for 10. That 80 points can fit nicely with other things that cost say 120.

I am not convinced on the Demigryphs. I love the models but their damage output looks tiny - especially if the unit only has 3. It seems they have the same damage output as Knights but with less models as standard.

I was seriously looking into Hellstorm Rocket Batteries - especially in SCGT where they were 8 points bs the 13 of a cannon but now they are the same price as a cannon (180) I don't think they are immediately needed. If I take the normal Freeguild General he can give the Empire Cannon +1 to hit as it has the "Free Peoples" keyword (something the Ironweld warmachines no longer have). With the Hurricanum nearby that cannon would do 2 shots on 2s followed by 2s, -2 rend, D6 damage at 40". Nasty on turn one and can usually tempt the opponent into going first meaning I have the chance for the double turn.

Okay here is a revised 2000 point army. What do you think?

Freeguild 2000 Points:

Steamtank 300
Steamtank 300
Hurricanum 320
Empire Cannon 180

Freeguild General 100
Freeguild Outriders 140
30x Freeguild Handgunners 300
20x Freeguild Swordsmen 160
10x Freeguild Militia 80

Battalion - State Troop Detachment 120

Total 2000

That looks very solid to me. Very strong ranged damage output and two solid units to take on the melee fight.

I think you're only weakness will be mobile threats. Everything that teleports, sprint and charges, etc. But if you deploy your swordsmen and militia in circles around the canon, general, and handgunners, it should be fine!

Thanks for your help again. Yes, I have played tunnelling Stormfiends and the like and know how nasty they are. I would make sure the Hurricanum and Steamtanks are central and surrounded so that they can't get picked off from teleporting units.

Right... better get back to work building that Hurricanum lol! Also need to buy a Steamtank and 20 more Handgunners....

IMO you should swap the archers with handgunners, reducing the number of swordsmen if need be to ensure you get more than 10+ bodies. Handgunners are nasty in this edition, being able to auto-hit and wound on a 2+. My LGS has indeed houseruled that you MUST fail to hit rolls of 1 in fear of them

Ooops, nevermind, just saw you updates with 2k points.