Hello all. I'm currently working across the floor (in the Warmachine section). I'm looking into the far future (like 4 months), a time when I'll be interested in starting Hordes. Now, from my GW background, I would assume that I would have to buy all the books, and then get the models/ faction deck. However, when I started Warmachine, I was informed by the friendly shopkeeper (friendly because he saved me some money) that all I needed to start Warmachine was Prime Remix and a faction deck. That was it!

So I was wondering if there was a similar set up with Hordes. Can I buy one book and a deck, and just get away with that? (in which case which book?) Or will I have to buy all the books (I think you're only at 2 right now) to get the full rules?

Hi, so, I think I can give you a hand here. I'm right now in the middle of starting up hordes and am going through the streching pains of doing so. Also, coming from a heavily GW background I think we will share the same growing pains associated with it. :)

You don't even need a faction deck. Each unit you buy comes with its own card so it should only be "optional" to get the deck so you can look over units you don't have and figure out what you want.

I don't even have a main rule book right now. The quick start rules at PP is a good starting point.

I think the Prime book for hordes is the way to go, evolution is as I understand it a supplament introducing units and such.

For the minimum spending, if you buy a starter Warpack for one of the factions, it not only contains a 275ish point army, but also has the cards for the models and a printed poster with the quickstart rules on (which work fine as long as you don't add in infantry/solos etc etc).

The rulebook is, however, a good buy.
Lots of fluff, lots of info about beasts and units etc etc.
Evolution is also a very good book, packed to the gills with fluff and including some very good painting tips (check out the tutorial on troll tarten for eg).

-t.

Well, unlike Warmachine, hordes only has two books out. So that will get you a listing of ALL models available to the game for the next year or two.

Just so -t and theyak know, WM has 4 books, plus the models in NQ, making the faction decks a great way to get all the stats on your faction options, without breaking the bank.

So, if you are getting into WM, getting Prime:REMIX and a faction deck is the best way to do it.

For hordes, getting hordes:primal and Hordes:evolution isn't too cost heavy, and as stated, contains ALL models for the next while. But if you already have prime remix, you know how everything works except the main HORDES rules, so primal is till necessary.

The only rules added in evolution is for cav and light cav. Cav rules are the same as WM (check prime remix), and the light cav is pretty simple-no impact attacks, but they can move up to their speed after a combat action. They also always ignore freestrikes.

So bare minimum would be hordes primal, and any models you want. Some of the battle boxes are better than others as far as deals go, but all are around the 310pt level, and a great way to learn the core rules.

Hmm, I guess its time to invest in a rule book. Sounds like if you want to start cheap, just getting Primal, is the way to go?

Indeed, primal is the way to go cheap.

Has the rules for leaching, transfers, forcing, animi spells, to hit mods, feats, and all that good stuff.

And it has MOST of the current models rules listed.

As noted before, the only real things it's lacking is 1-new warbeasts/casters/units/mercs from evolution and 2-rules for cav and light cav (which are in remix if you polay WM (except for light cav, but I already posted those rules=)).

Indeed, primal is the way to go cheap.

Has the rules for leaching, transfers, forcing, animi spells, to hit mods, feats, and all that good stuff.

And it has MOST of the current models rules listed.

As noted before, the only real things it's lacking is 1-new warbeasts/casters/units/mercs from evolution and 2-rules for cav and light cav (which are in remix if you polay WM (except for light cav, but I already posted those rules=)).

Wel, I do intend to use Long riders. I guess I'm gonna have to eat the 70 bucks or so to get the rules then.

Wel, I do intend to use Long riders. I guess I'm gonna have to eat the 70 bucks or so to get the rules then.

Meh, cav is pretty much the exact same bar 3 things. They may make impact attacks, they get +2 on the initial charge attack, and they get tall in the saddle. Unless otherwise stated, you can't make mount attacks (except for impact attacks). If you head to pp's boards, you can find most all the rules I just mentioned on the rules pages since soo many people have questions about how cav work, even with the rules.

Ok, so if I want the basics and a bit of the army list, I need the Warpack (because buying in bulk is cheeper) and Prime. Once I get my feel for Hordes, I should look into evolution. Does that sound about right?

Oh and as a side note, PP has the Quick Start rules (the ones that come in the warpack and the equivelent for warmachine) up on their site along with some demo cards. I think I'll look into that and mabe proxy a few battles before I start investing.

Ok, so if I want the basics and a bit of the army list, I need the Warpack (because buying in bulk is cheeper) and Prime. Once I get my feel for Hordes, I should look into evolution. Does that sound about right?

Oh and as a side note, PP has the Quick Start rules (the ones that come in the warpack and the equivelent for warmachine) up on their site along with some demo cards. I think I'll look into that and mabe proxy a few battles before I start investing.

Yep, I'd suggest you just grab a Warpack and use the Quickstart rules to learn the basics, then buy the Primal rulebook and learn from there only after you've got the Quickstart basics down. That's the approach I'm taking - should have the Warpack in a week or so (bidding on one on eBay, the guy's shipping policy is horrible). :)

I hate to say it but the ebay thing for the warpacks can be awesome deals. sonsider that a carnivean by itself is 27, and 2 sets of shredders are about 10 each, making your caster free. Whereas the circle one is 2 argus, warpwolf and kaya-working out to much less of a deal. On many of the ebay deals, you can get warpaccks for the 25-30 range if you are patient. If you can't, warstore has them for roughly 40 including shipping IIRC, so still better than the 50retail.

As to the rules Blood, they are almost the exact opposite of focus.
Warlock starts with full fury, and pays for casting, can cast a beast animus as a spell. Instead of paying one focus, beasts gain 1 fury for runing, boosting, charging, and all that. Then, at the start of your next turn, you can LEECH fury rom the beasts if they are in your control area, up to your casters max. Any left on the beast forces a threshold check to see if it goes bonzo(frenzies). When your caster takes any damage, he may spend 1 fury point to transfer it to a friendly warbeast that isn't full on fury, and didn't frenzy that turn. All damage is transfered per normal, and if it is enough to kill the warbeast, all excess must be taken on the caster. The caster may then REEVE the fury from the dead warbeast (or anytime one dies).

So the warpack is a geat spot to start IF you like the models. Otherwise, buy the models you like. Read the casters fluff while store walking, look at the beast minis.

I don't really mind the Circle warpack models, all things considered, though they aren't my favourites. They will, however, help to introduce me to the game and teach me the rules, and I might use them later on. Likely getting mine for $35 shipped, so it's not a bad deal at all.

Im starting Skorne by getting the warpack and both rule book, but after that I'm not sure, so I'll have to see.