WARMACHINE: New Battleboxes and Beyond!
For those of you who are new to Warmachine, the battlebox (“Battlegroup” per the new packaging) is the first purchase for most new players. It contains a warcaster (you’re required to have one of these; he/she leads your army) and anywhere from 2-4 warjacks. Its essentially a starter army in a box (imagine if 40K battleforces were balanced against each other for games of Killteam). In game point terms, these aren’t all balanced in terms of points (3 are 11 points, 1 is 14) but they were designed for balanced play against each other. New players frequently play battlebox v. battlebox games as a way to learn the basics of the game.
I’ve included some bare-bone strategy here for each battlebox (most of which been said many different ways by people elsewhere) as well as some suggestions on a player’s first 25 point list. Each 25 point list includes every element of the battlebox, and where possible, includes $100 or less (MSRP) of items that will frequently be included in that faction’s army. I’ve avoided adding mercenaries, items with especially large amounts of text or confusing abilities, and models which only benefit the warcaster in the battlebox. As such, these lists aren’t going to win you Master’s at Gencon; however, they should be a good introduction to game mechanics and should serve you well going forward.
Without further adieu:
Cygnar:
You get the following in the battlebox
Commander Stryker
– Ironclad
– Lancer
– Charger
Basic strategy: Stryker’s got a good defensive feat (he gives all friendly models in his control area +5 ARM for a turn) as well as some good buff spells like Arcane Shield (+3 ARM for a model/unit) or Snipe (+4″ of range to a model’s ranged weapon). He’s probably not going to kill the enemy himself; however, don’t shy away from taking the shot if the opportunity presents itself. Focus on putting boosted shots via Stryker or the Charger into the enemy after knocking them down with either the spell Earthquake or the Ironclad’s Tremor ability. Don’t forget about the Lancer’s arc node or the fact that its got +2 ARM from its shield (making it ARM 18)!
25 Point Build-up:
Commander Stryker
– Ironclad
– Lancer
Journeyman Warcaster
– Charger
Stormblades (6)
Long Gunners (6)
You need to purchase: 1x Journeyman Warcaster blister, 1x Stormblade box, 1x Longgunner box.
Cost: $79.97
Strategy: Similar to above, though now you have some options on where to put those buff spells. You also have a lot more focus on the board due to the Journeyman Warcaster and an additional instance of Arcane Shield (no, unfortunately you can’t cast it twice on the same model for a net +6 ARM – a model can only have a single upkeep spell on it). Get used to working with infantry and the nuances of Combined Melee Attacks and Combined Ranged Attacks. Also, get used to thinking about where to best place your Long Gunners for either a good lane of fire for next turn without having to move them.
Beyond: Try swapping in the following pieces (you may to shave/add some points here and there for this), try these simple swaps:
Waracster: Captain Victoria Haley. Totally different playstyle, but plays nice with these pieces.
Warjack: Try replacing the Ironclad with a Stromclad (especially in tandem with Stormblades) or a Cyclone for some new power attack options (e.g. – Two Handed Throws) as well as ranged attacks..
Unit: If lightning and goggles aren’t your thing, there’s always Trenchers. Good at range, hard to hit, and great for controlling the board (though they need some help in melee).
Theme: If lightning and goggles ARE your thing (ed – if so: boy, did you pick the right game!), try swapping in Commander Adept Nemo and/or some Arcane Tempest Gun Mages. Get ready to ride the lightning… and the POW 10’s.
25 Point Build-up:
Widowmakers (4)
You need to purchase: 1x Winter Guard Infantry box, 1x Doom Reaver box, 1x Widowmaker Box
Cost: $80.97
High Exemplar Kreoss
– Crusader
– Revenger
– Repenter
Basic strategy: Kreoss is all about delivering his battlegroup while stopping you from doing your thing, dropping you on your butt using his feat, and then either hitting you with his Crusader or using his Revenger’s arc node and his Repenter’s gun to kill you while you’re knocked down. Kreoss’ biggest asset is his spell list – Lamentation stops the enemy from casting high cost spells, Purification gets rid of those pesky upkeeps, and Defender’s Ward makes either Kreoss or his Crusader very hard to put down. Focus on denying your enemy his buffs while you make your implacable advance towards him.
25 Point Build-up:
High Exemplar Kreoss
– Crusader
– Revenger
– Repenter
Choir of Menoth (4)
Exemplar Bastions (5)
Holy Zealots (6)
You need to purchase: 1x Choir of Menoth War Priest and Acolyte blister, 1x Choir of Menoth Acolytes blister, 1x Exemplar Bastion Box, 1x Holy Zealot Box
Cost: $96.96
Strategy: As above, your army is going to advance implacably towards the enemy – absorbing some punishment while Kreoss saps the enemy’s resources. You’ve gained some additional, albeit short ranged, ranged attacks via your Holy Zealots, though the Exemplar Bastions will probably be doing a lot of the heavy lifting with their weapon-master attacks. Notably, the Choir of Menoth has been added, which gives you a range of powerful buffs for your warjacks (e.g. – an ability that prevents a warjack from being targeted by ranged attacks for a turn!). Menoth starts becoming something of a denial faction at this point level, with the Choir being a large piece of this.
(side note: Typically, I’d advise new players on getting a full Choir, full Temple Flameguard, and a box of Knights of Exemplar to get to 25 points. That’s way over $100 worth of stuff, and, having talked to the two newly converted Menites in my group – found that they were much more excited by the Bastion models and by their field performance. Your mileage my vary, hence this note, but I wanted to point this out as the above isn’t standard advice).
Beyond:
Warcaster: Grand Scrutator Vindictus does well with this list. He’s not as front-line as Kreoss is, but he maintains a strong denial capacity and can deliver your Bastions through thick-and-thin (and rough terrain).
Warjack: Try replacing the Crusader with a Templar for a more heavily armored assault (with a longer threat range) or the Repenter with a Redeemer (to, literally, drop bombs on your enemy).
Unit: As above, try swapping the Bastions and Zealots for Temple Flameguard and Knights Exemplar. Sure, the Knights aren’t supersized like the Bastions, but they still pack quite a punch.
Theme: If you think burning heretics is all the rage, try Servath Reznik on for size. If you think holy knights are the bees knees, take a look at Grand Exemplar Kreoss and/or Exemplar Errants.
Cryx:
You get the following in the battlebox:
Warwitch Denegra
– Slayer
– Deathripper
– Deathripper
– Defiler
Basic strategy: Denegra focuses on dropping the enemy’s DEF and ARM values so she can kill them with her spells. If you like assassination casters, Denegra (and Cryx in general) is for you. She’s all about the offensive spells/debuffs (hence the three arc-node containing warjacks in her battlegroup), though she won’t shy away from getting the kill with one of her warjacks. While Denegra packs a potent personal offense, she suffers in the defense department. Her stealth ability, as well as her immunity to free-strikes, grant her some good options – she’s not apt to take more than 1-2 punches. Play her carefully and be patient – don’t over extend yourself.
25 Point Build-up:
Warwitch Denegra
– Slayer
– Deathripper
– Deathripper
– Defiler
Bane Knights (6)
Mechanithralls (6)
Skarlock Thrall
You need to purchase: 1x Skarlock Thrall blister, 1x Bane Knights box, 1x Mechanithrall box
Cost: $87.97
Strategy: Similar to above, though now you have some infantry available to do some heavy hitting. Denegra can either use the infantry as a meat shield (something the low cost Mechanithralls excel at) or as a primary threat (Bane Thralls excel here). The Skarlock thrall can cast a spell of 3 focus cost or less a turn for free, so don’t worry about casting Ghost Walk with Denegra. As above, don’t over extend Denegra in this list – your opponent is apt to know you’re looking for a ‘caster kill. Don’t be afraid to beat up their army with yours and don’t be afraid to use your feat if it lets you cripple the enemy force.
Beyond:
Warcaster: Iron Lich Asphixious plays similar to Denegra, but is much more focused on direct spell damage than on debuffing then attacking. Another strong assassination warcaster, although “Gaspy” isn’t afraid to do the deed in melee.
Warjack: Try swapping in a Reaper or a Corrupter for that Slayer. The Reaper grants you the ability to drag enemy warjacks closer to you whereas the Corrupter lets you create arc nodes out of enemy warrior models.
Units: Tired of zombies and ghosts? Try adding in some Satyxis Raiders. Sure, they may not pack the punch of the Bane Knights, but they can easily thresh though opposing infantry and they can put the hurt on the enemy warcaster through their Feedback ability.
Theme: If zombies, ghosts, and undead pirates are your thing, get a Scoobie-Doo sized helping from Pirate Queen Skarre. Skarre focusing on supporting her army, though she does have some assassination options. Wait, I said ghosts too? Check out Pistol Wraiths, which give you some options at range and have unparalleled movement options via their Incorporeal ability.
Mercenaries and Retribution:
This is already a very long article, so I don’t want give these two armies full treatment. Neither has a battlebox (anymore), further confounding matters.
For Mercenaries, here’s a suggested battlebox based upon the old Gorten Battlebox:
Gorten Grundback
– Ghordson Driller
– Grundback Gunner
– Grundback Gunner
– Grundback Gunner
Basic strategy: Gorten is decidedly a defensive warcaster with outstanding DEF and ARM statistics. He helps his warjacks hit by using his feat to slow the enemy down, move them out of position, and drop their defense. He keeps himself and his army alive by using his spell Solid Ground to prevent blast damage/knockdown and his Rock Wall spell (granting models nearby cover and placing terrain in the enemy’s way). While his Gunners all require focus to really do some damage, they share the Charger’s “Powerful Shot” ability, allowing them to boost an attack’s “to hit” and “to damage” roll with a single focus. The Driller, while very slow, will easily destroy most other warjacks its able to engage.
25 Point Build-up (Highborne Covenant contract):
Gorten Grundback
– Ghordson Driller
– Grundback Gunner
– Grundback Gunner
– Grundback Gunner
Nyss Hunters (6)
Steelhead Halbrediers (6)
Lady Aiyana and Master Holt
Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord
You need to purchase: 1x Nyss Hunters box, 1x Steelhead Halbrediers box, 1x Lady Aiyana and Master Holt blister, 1x Rhupert Carvolo blister
Strategy: Gorten keeps his high DEF/low ARM troopers safe from blast damage, while Rhupert keeps them from running away and makes them Tough (and under Solid Ground, they suffer no Knockdown for failing a Tough roll!), let’s them ignore rough terrain, or increases their DEF value and makes them causes Terror. The Nyss can strike at range or in melee while the Steelheads present a deceptively potent threat. Aiyana and Holt tackle spot removal abilities and let your other troops hit hard (Harm makes Nyss Hunters POW 12 at range and Gunner’s POW 14!). Gorten keeps key troops safe with rock wall, feeds his battlegroup, and cautiously waits to use his feat.
Retribution:
I defer to the Privateer Press boards for Retribution wisdom. Not in the format presented above, but helpful and insightful nonetheless.
I hope this is helpful to new players and maybe gave some ideas to some of the older folks out there. I apologize if I didn’t touch on a theme you didn’t find interesting; feel free to ping me here with any questions on building a specific list type. Enjoy!
