WHF NOOB

[Mabus]

I am considering starting warhammer Fantasy. I am aware there are some WHF veterans on the board, and I'd like to bow down and humble myself to learn from their experiance.

I plan on collecting Warriors of Chaos. I've always loved the models and the release of a new army book has kick started my enthusiasm.

Has anyone any tips, advice etc. for a budding Warhammer General?

[The Refined Gentleman (M.I.A)]

Have an equal balance of shooty units and combat units. (I play empire so chaos might be an acception.)

When i started i got-
a warrior priest
10 sordsmen state troops
10 handgunners

[starwoof]

An important thing to know about chaos mortals is the closest they have to shooting is throwing spears/axes. On marauder horsemen. That's it.

I don't know about the new Mortals book, but in the current bastard white dwarf list swarms of maruaders are a good bet. Chaos warriors are still really expensive. What lores are chaos sorcerors allowed to take?

[Mabus]

Okay, thanks guys. Any advice at the moment is useful I really am a Noob when it comes to Warhamer Fantasy. I've played one game (I had a couple of regiments of Orcs and a Giant against a bunch of Dwarves. I killed them all!) and walched a few not to mention reading loads of battle reports in WD.

Here's the list I had in mind. I pretty sure it's legal I'm not sure how effective it will be though...

Exalted Champion of Chaos
-Chaos Daemon Sword
-Shield

150pts

Sorcerer of Chaos
-Dispel Scroll
-Barded Chaos Steed

115pts

12 Warriors of Chaos
-Champion
-Musician
-Standard bearer
-Shields

186pts

12 Choosen Wariors of Chaos
-Champion
-Musician
-Standard bearer
-Great weapons

258pts

16 Marauders of Chaos
-Chieftain
-Musician
-Standard bearer
-Light armour
-Shields

142pts

5 Marauder Horsemen
-Spears
-Throwing spears

100pts

Grand total: 951pts

What do you guys think?

I can't help feeling there's a definate lack of magic, shooty and fast units in the army. I have 50 points to spend, but I can't decide on what. Advice is needed!


(I'll check what lores the sorcerers can use tonight and post them here, I can't remember off of the top of my head.)

[Mabus]

After discovering that Light armour only gives a 6+ AS, I've decided to drop it. I think I could save the points and perhaps put them to good use somewhere else. I like the idea of having 2 magic users in a 1000pt game.

I've been looking at Chaos knights. Wow. After examining the rules and models I had to check my shorts for cake. I want them! They are a really expensive luxary though. Once I get used to the game's rules and played a few games I'll consider expanding the army.

[starwoof]

The list looks pretty solid, even if it is lacking in fast stuff. Thats just how mortals lists look I guess, now that you cant use beastmen or daemons. Keep the light armor on your marauders, combined with their shields and hand weapons they have a 4+ save in melee. Giving your chosen great weapons is a smart move, they have a lot of punch. It reminds me of a time when I saw 30 khornate chosen led by a chaos lord and 3 exalted champions... we nicknamed it the blender.

Chaos knights are very nice, especially chosen khornate ones. I've never had trouble with them though since I play night goblins. ;D

[SirAndrewD]

It's a good list to start, but watch for fast Cavalry. You're going to learn how ugly Empire can be when they get a unit or two of Pistoleers behind your lines and position them for a rear charge as soon as you hit their main line of Spearmen. You'll need to get across the board and hit your enemy and win by sheer raw might. Combat resolution will hurt you against some armies since you're fielding 12 guys and just a standard. You'll need to deal wounds, and nothing's better for doing that that Chaos Warriors. Skaven and Counts will be hard for you in the hands of a good player just because of their sheer numbers. You're going to get hit a lot on the flanks and will be outnumbered.

[knight (M.I.A)]

Yes counts will hit you really hard. Even when a Zombie can't hit anything, they always come in blocks of at least 20 and can get either a Musician or Standard Bearer (not sure which one). Also you'll face a lot of Skeletons. Not that good, but they cause fear (like the Zombies and any other Counts units). You might also get in big trouble with the fast units of the Counts. Blood Knights are the smallest evil as they only come in blocks of 5 perhaps (more are too expensive and they still sack the current Chaos Knights).
Black Knights ignore difficult and impassable (impassable as long they don't stop movement in it) terrain, so watch your flank, the river might not be that impassable as you thought it is.
Another big threat from the Counts side are Varghulfes and Dire Wolves. Varghulfes count as Vampires and therefore allow march movement around 6" of them and Dire Wolves are fast and cheap (and a big pain in your flank together with a Varghulf).

Skaven... well watch out. They're all fast and there are far too many and they don't have problems with shooting in CC (they're the only army which may do that, otherwise just the Banshee of the Counts may shoot in CC too). Slaves are dirt cheap with I think just 2 points and will block you a lot and outnumber you in any case. Clan Rats are as cheap as an Guards man and come with quite a good equipment (4+ in CC) and there are many. And like all Skaven they're fast. Watch out for their shooty stuff, it hurts a lot when it hits (or is funny when it malfunctions). Most of the Skaven ranged weapons will most likely even negate your Warrior's armour saves. So be prepared to lose quite a few to firing and being outnumbered and flanked

[Deleted]

Your list is pretty good, never discount light armour it can be useful when combined with a shield/magic armour. One thing i've noticed when playing chaos with my wood elves is that they have relatively small regiments and even if you kill a few in CC their in big trouble with combat resolution. So try and have regiments supporting each other so when you get outflanked and yes it happens quite a bit with chaos you can put up a good defense. Also don't worry about missile troops, it's not a strong point for chaos. Good luck and just play around with lists that suit your style.

[Mabus]

Thanks guys, your advise is very much appreciated! Your reassurances are also good to hear. I'm really looking forward to starting this army. I've got a month or so to go before the models are out and so until then I'll have to brush up on the rules.

So light armour is good? Whatever you say! it's back on the list.

I've got another noobish question, brace yourselves!
Is it worth investing in another magic user? The Sorcerers can use Fire, Death and Shadow.

If I give a Sorcerer the mark of Tzeentch he'll have access to any lore in the rulebook. What do you guys think? Is it worth it?

[starwoof]

A second sorceror would probably be a good investment for bigger games. My rule is 2 levels of magic for every 1000 points and it works out pretty well for me.


Ive played quite a bit of Dogs of War and Empire online (before LorenzWHFB became pay to play), and I tried out most of the lores then. I'm a fan of the lore of fire for it's simplicity. You really can't go wrong with it since it's all just blasty spells.

Shadow is a game winning lore with a bit of finesse. Unseen lurker can get a little ridiculous and Pit of Shades has a tendency to rip huge holes in my units. Remember that it automatically destroys enemy warmachines! It is nigh useless against elves though.

I don't have much experience with death. Doom and Darkness is a good spell.

If you do decide to take the mark of tzeentch the other lores offer some great spells. The Bear's Anger in the lore of beasts is a good buffing spell. I have a friend who used to play beastmen, and his unit champions would tear me up. Light is good for morale and killing undead/daemons, I like it but it isn't so great for chaos. Heavens has a nasty reputation and is still pretty nice. People *do not* like comets even if it isn't the best spell on the list. I've never used metal or had it used against me.

Life is my favorite lore, and also why my group never uses water features any more. ;D

[Mabus]

Thanks starwoof, your advise is great. I've learnt alot about things that I would have struggled with withought your input and experience. Thanks again.

[knight (M.I.A)]

I agree with Starwoof. 2 levels on every 1000 points. Only exceptions are armies like Counts, Khemri, and Skaven.
Counts and Khemri need more or their armies will crumble to dead dust (what they should have been for hundreds of years already) and Skaven can technically survive completely without any magic...

[The Refined Gentleman (M.I.A)]

High, dark and wood elves have probably THE BEST magic in the game with lots of juicy magic items.