Welcome to Dakka Dakka!
Sometimes it can be difficult to get feedback in the Warmachine Army Lists Forum
on the forums. This guide is designed to get you specific, helpful advice.
The Subject Line
The Subject Line of any Army List post is the first thing a potential reviewer sees. There are a few things you can put into the subject line that would narrow down the list of expectations a reader will have.
Points Cost
The size of the game is critical as some players are drawn to certain sizes of the game. It also defines what your opponents will be able to bring.
Some common game sizes are 15, 35, and 50.
46 points of Lanceradvanced's Circle Orboros Army
Game or Tournament Format
The game environment might interest players who are aficionados for a particular style of play, or who are interested in learning more about that style of play.
- SR or Steamroller
- This is the standard list type. Gameplay involves scenarios and timed rounds
- Casual
- This list doesn't have to win every game, but it probably has to be fun and use the models posted.
- MM/TC
- Nothing but Warbeasts or warjacks with the warleader.
- Highlander or 1-1-1-1
- 1 Warleader, 1 Warbeast or 'jack, 1 Unit, 1 Solo
A Hardcore list by moz
- Hardcore
- Fast list with large-ish point value (50). Typically assassination based.
- League or Campaign
- Warjack or 'Beast bonds may apply, fancy models rules, scenarios.
- Slowgrow or Escalation
- This is a list that is meant to grow a collection.
Chosen Warleader's Name
If you lock in the 'caster or 'lock's name, then users will know to think about how your list works with that 'caster and only that 'caster. They might suggest swapping out units or solos, but they will leave the 'caster in place. Hopefully they will suggest another caster only on rare occasions or at least ask if you are open to switching.
Be sure to distinguish between original versions of a character (designated by p for prime) or epic (designated by e for epic).
eNemo would be for General Adept Nemo. Knowing the character's full title is helpful as well.
Faction
Putting your faction's name in place of the Warleader's name means you're flexible about which warcaster or warlock you're going to use, but you have certain models that you'd like to use for that faction. You can detail which Warleaders you have available in the body of the post.
Theme Force Name or Tier Level
Posting the Theme force name or Tier Level you achieve tells the reader that you want to use a specific type of army, and so their suggestions will come in the form of tactics or numbers of models used.
Be sure to clarify in the body of your post how married to the idea you are of using a theme force or if you're open to making a more general list.
Opponent
If you're going to tailor a list, include the Warleader's name and not the general faction. 'Casters and 'Locks within a faction operate on different levels. Otherwise, you can leave this part blank.
Tactic to be Employed
Certain tactics or styles of play are known by name, and so you can signal that your choices will be limited to achieving that style of play.
Some sample tactical names:
- Assassination
- Arc nodes, movement or place effects, fast models
- Infantry or Jack/Beast Heavy
- Lots of what you specify.
- Super-Solo
- Your Warleader operates almost independently of the army.
- Shooty
- Nicknames
- "Heavenly Spear", "Pop and Drop", and "Denial" are all known styles of play or specific tactics.
Sample Subject Lines
- 50pt Amon-Ad Raza list for Hardcore
- Amon Ad-Raza is a 'jack based 'caster and this list must be fast to play (fewer models) and capable of dealing with similar types of lists (high ARM models, etc.)
- 50pt Cygnar list for SR
- This list hasn't chosen a 'caster, so it's open to various Cygnar Warcasters at 50 points. The list is looking to be capable of playing in Steamroller Tournaments.
- 35pt eSkarre list
- T4 Dominar Rasheth @50 points
- At 50 points this list achieves Tier 4 of Dominar Rasheth's Theme Force. Perhaps the post will be about tactics, or perhaps it will be about the numbers of models in the list (Tiers at higher levels can sometimes be reached in different ways)
- TC Absylonia vs. pDoomshaper, 35pts.
- An Absylonia player wants a tailored list for Tooth and Claw ('beasts only) for dealing with the original Doomshaper.
- 50pt Strakhov Heavenly Spear list
- At 50 points, this list uses a specific 'caster with his specific tactic nick named "The Heavenly Spear". Hopefully the poster will outline the tactic in the post.
- Shooty Cygnar List, 35 point SR
- This Cygnar Player wants a 35 point tournament list that features a strong ranged game.
The Body of Your Post
List the Models with the points cost
Starting with the Warleader's Name, list the models in the list. It's okay to post the point value in army lists.
Underneath any Warleader, use * or bullet points to specify their Battlegroup. Do the same for 'jack marshals.
Next, list all units.
List any unit or weapon attachments either with an * underneath the unit or beside the unit by including the word "with".
Finally, list any solos.
Sample List from a post made by Sgt. Sunshine
- Kaelyssa, Night's Whisper (*7pts)
- Mage Hunter Strikeforce (Leader and 9 Grunts) (8pts)
- Mage Hunter Commander (0pts)
- Mage Hunter Strikeforce (Leader and 9 Grunts) (8pts)
- Mage Hunter Commander (2pts)
- Arcanist (1pts)
- Eiryss, Angel of Retribution (3pts)
- Ghost Sniper (2pts)
- Mage Hunter Assassin (2pts)
- Mage Hunter Assassin (2pts)
- Narn, Mage Hunter of Ios (3pts)
- Nayl (2pts)
Relevant Bonuses
Post what benefits you get for theme forces, warjack bonds, league rules, etc.
Model Restrictions
It's helpful for players to know whether or not you can swap models into or out of your list.
Let them know what you can/can't include or what you're willing to include.
For instance:
- "I have all of the models and can include or proxy what is needed."
- "I still can't use certain models and am restricted to the battle box and these units."
- "I have the following models: *Player copies and pastes a list*"
- "I can swap these things for these similarly costed models in my original list."
Describe How You Expect the List to Work
This is probably the most important part of your post.
Lists posted without a section on tactical play or impressions in Warmachine simply will not get much feedback. Readers don't know if you understand all the rules interactions in your army, limitations of various models or the strengths of models not included in the list.
This is also a good place to ask questions about your list.
Some examples of tactical descriptions:
- From Sgt. Sunshine Retribution list
- "I'll obviously have trouble at taking on those elite infantry, but what I'm going for here is really the caster kill. It hits tier 3 on her list, and I'm just wondering if this would work? From what I can guess I think the list is viable since i can just run around, set up for an attack, block charges and then go in for the kill?"
- From King Kodo's pButcher list
- "Basically the premise is to try and maximize Butcher's feat by including units with more than 1 attack, which is why I have the AKs instead of IFPs. IFPS are a little tougher with 1 more DEF, but their ARM is the same and they both have shield wall. The IFPs have somewhat higher MAT as well I think. The difference are the special rules that the AKs have and their wide array of weapons. Also, they make three attacks on a charge, potentially taking out up to three enemy models for each one of them, or put down heavy targets with many boosted attacks. The greatbears are there to take on hard targets that could trample the AKs. They swing twice with reaching WM axes that can put huge damage on most jacks by themselves, and can easily wreck heavies with butcher's support (fury gives them POW 15 WM weapons). The last choice is something I am having trouble with. I love manhunters, I try to include at least 1 in all my lists because of their immense hitting power and field denial. However, I was also looking into adding 2 flamethrowers to the AKs. The flamethrowers would add an interesting element to the tarpit squad, allowing it to plow holes in enemy infantry blocks. The flamethrowers only have 1 shot per round, and do not benefit from Fury, but they can easily hit multiple enemies which will benefit from butcher's feat. Also, AKs are immune to fire, so I wont have to worry about the flamethrowers hurting their own squad. "
- From Vitruvian XII's madhammer list
- "General plan is get the first turn (hopefully, with +1 from 2nd tier). Pound away with artillery (who have 21" range from my back edge [3rd tier gives advance move, 4th gives extra 2" deployment), then counter with the 'jacks in melee (obv. with some 'jack shooting in between ) At some point (prob turn 2) pop madhammers super duper blast feat and there shouldnt be much left after that! (Very optimistic here! )"
- From Zhetsuken's "Laughable Karchev List"
- "If karchev casts side arms for the first 2 turns he and is 4 jack retinue are immune to knock down he become def 16 they become khadorian heavies with def 13. With the bonus from focus Karchev will have 21 armor. So in short my opponent will have five 34 damage def 13+ armor 20+ large base models hauling at him. On turn 2 or three(whenever I am close enough) Karchev can pop his feat with tow and Unearthly rage launching 4 monstrous heavies into w/e the opponent has close enough."
- "This list is more for shock an awe than anything tournament worthy but I think it will be a gas to play. "
Online List Builders
You can see a list of online list builders on the wiki. The most popular ones are Ibodger and Forward Kommander.
In Ibodger, you can maintain Warmachine and Hordes lists on your ipad, iphone, ipod touch, or even on an android device. If you need to share that list, simply email it to yourself and go from your email to whatever medium you need to share it to.
Forward Kommander is an online only list builder.
Army List Post Template
You can cut and paste the following into your post and use it for the relevant parts of your list.
List the Models with the points cost
Relevant Bonuses
Model Restrictions
Describe How You Expect the List to Work