So, Sleboda will be going to a different tournament than I, but the basics are the same (other than mine being 3 games instead of 5).

From the poll a couple months ago, people voted highest on Khalida and Arkhan for me to use as my leaders. I've used Khalida before and didn't want it to be "Oh there's a Khalida list", so I just Mr. Black and decided to go magic-heavy (ridiculously heavy, in my opinion):

[360] Arkhan the Black (hierophant)
[260] Liche High Priest - Neferra's Scrolls

[360] 6 Chariots - musician, banner, flaming banner
[295] 5 Chariots - musician, banner
[200] 30 Archers - musician, banner
[200] 30 Archers - musician, banner

[320] 6 Ushabti - great bows, musician, banner
[165] 3 Sepulchral Stalkers
[165] 3 Sepulchral Stalkers
[85] Tomb Scorpion
[85] Tomb Scorpion

[225] Necrosphinx
[175] Hierotitan
[135] Casket of Souls

The most important thing of note here: Other than characters, these are all the models I have (still have to build/paint the second unit of chariots in 2 weeks). The basic plan is to line up and shoot stuff, then send chariots into flanks. Buried units do what they do. I'll be getting the bonus casket dice, bonus titan dice, bonus dice from Death magic, and bonus dice from the mighty scrolls. I've never used it before, but since it's not on the Hierophant, I feel I can risk the 4 bonus dice, which should be a nice surprise. We'll see.

Thoughts? Tactics (because my model's cant really change)?

Decimate the magic phase. I really want to read about you just powering through a tooled up Slann, and laughing at Drain Magic.

How will you be running the two blocks of 30 archers? I been considering using the same number. Just at a loss as how to run them.

One thing are you able to get the SSC? I really like the list idea. Probably disrupt a lot when the units of stalkers, and scorpions appear. The whole list does tell me I will have to come to you.

I've been using units of 30 since I started playing them, 15x2. Always fun and works well. I'm not able to get my hands on a catapult in time to use it; I was never a fan of the model either.

I agree with you on the catapults. I was thinking more ranged threat with them. I am not a big fan of the models myself. Wish they had a plastic kit. As I am not that good at pinning.

Thanks for clarifying the archer units for me. Seems rather wide in deployment. Of course with some EBTS, does not look to be that big of a issue. As you don't have as many units to get in the way.

I am assuming you plan to take a more center line approach for deployment?

Typically, yes. Sometimes I stack a flank. Either the units go side to side or one in front of the other. I always have tons of space for deployment.

Without using Khalida, 3 units of 20 archers is better than 2 units of 30. You get an extra deployment drop and possibily another banner for Blood and Glory missions. Since your virtually always going to be casted boosted smiting anyway, I think three smaller units will serve you better.

Good luck!

saurus

you want me to build you a catapult? I found it relatively easy despite everyone's hate on those ;)

Nice army

I posted this in Sleboda's thread so I'll post it here too.

Two games ago I started to use the Cloak of Dunes with my Hierophant to enable him to move around the battlefield quicker and after that I don't think I'll ever leave home without it.

Being able to move my Hiero to trouble spots around the battlefield is amazing considering the somewhat short range of our spells. You're running Arkhan but it's something to consider with your other Liche Priest.

I'll say it here too, by flying I mean "move 10 inches".

My lists always have 4 blocks of archers so I have more units to move my Hiero around to.

Just thought I'd share what's been working for me.

I just had a late thought: would it be better to drop something (Neferra's Scrolls or 10 Archers) so that I have a second full unit of Chariots (6)? The more I think about it, the more it seems like a better choice. Need second opinions!

Look forward to seeing the list in action Veritas, will you have a chance to test the army before the tournament?

I'm hearing you on the skull catapults, I just bought a pair of the mantic ones to convert heavily up as it's far cheaper to buy two of them rather than a new GW one.

The extra +1 to Strength on your impact hits would be nice if you expect to have all 6 chariots present for the charge.

Two squads of 25 archers shouldn't hurt their effectiveness (I wouldn't think).

Na, no test before the tournament (it's in two days! :D). It's fine though, it's just an extension of what I already play. I'll have to give the Mantic catapults a look, though I'm not usually a fan of their stuff (other than cheapo zombahs!).

Aegis, that's the idea. Two units of 25 instead of 30...I'm losing 7 wounds and 8 bows in the deal, but I'm getting double speed, an armor save (ha!), and other chariot benefits. Plus, now it means I have to build that 6th chariot. But! Since the whole unit is converted, this shouldn't be a problem. Pics of the WIP may come soon in my progress thread, so stay tuned...

neferra's is a great item but not very much needed... imo.

u got lvl 4 mages with the titan. ... u'll use neffera's literaly with 1 PD and the scrol and u will still be "overcasting" any spell by at least 1 -2 dice.. even boubbles with the titan standing there u can cast on 3 pd.

neffera's is only for a lvl 1 or 2 suice pries with vortex ;)


id go for 3 x 20 archers too. 30 is just to big a "row" to turn anywhere.

True, and if I roll a 2 + (5+5+5+5), the spell fails because they're not power dice, they're bonuses and I only rolled a total of 2 for power dice. Arg, fail design...

you get bonus dice equal to your level. putting them on a lvl2 means you simply should have bought the powerstone for 30 points less, which gives you 2 honnest powerdice extra.

Or do people reckon that with the plaques you get to throw more than 6 'effective dice' at a spell?

magic is sure scary Veritas. I take it you'll be running the nehek lore on the lvl4? If your were a funny guy, You'd run it as a death mage with the book of ashur, but then again, it's cost you a few spells :P
no, stick to khemri and cast 2 vortexes a turn :P

If you're considering an extra charriot, consider a herald too. Given your command choics, it stays safely on the second row, being two extra wounds for your overlord.

Na, I'd have to drop a chariot to take a herald...defeats the purpose! :P

I could give Arkhan a chariot to get him closer for his spells, but of course that means closer to death too. With him being the hierophant (and no appreciable save!) this is less desirable. On the other hand, his sword is sooo much better for the chariots to res them back. A fun tactic would be to charge a unit, them blast a purple sun through it and get more power dice!

Ooooo, tempting...but so risky! I wish my L4 could be the hierophant in this army. grr...

[edit] After looking things over, jeezum crow a point blank Purple Sun would put the kabosh on any horde of I3 or less, Ogres will just cry (and they're popular right now), and it could have a huge affect on magic phase psychology. Damn...if only I could make my L4 and L5 somehow...of course a scroll could ruin my fun, but I'll have to try and draw out such things early on.

Hmm, another downside is that Arkhan wouldn't get a Look Out Sir! roll against anything...hmmm.

No, I think I'll stick with Arkhan in the archers. Enemies will get to me if and when they want to, at which point the sun will do it's job. That frees the chariots to do whatever I need them to.

I was examining this list and I don't really see anything that hits really hard. However, upon further analysis I see that if you can dual charge the Necrosphinx with the chariots that will actually cause a lot of hurt.

It's a really good list to be honest and I see it doing particularly well against our tougher matchups, such as Dwarven gunline armies and Ogre armies.

However, the big problem with this army is that it lacks redirectors. You have no cheap deployments, so it will be obvious to your opponent from the beginning how your army will be deployed. Secondly, you don't have many speed bumps to slow down an enemy advance. If fighting against an agressive army, you need to be able to slow down their advance. I would seriously consider cutting some points to fit in three units of either 3 Carrion, 5 horsemen, or 5 horse archers. Would probably cost you 200 points to do but will be totally worth it in game.

Good luck!

saurus