New and improved Flying Circus

[skilett]

One of the things I would like to try once with the new book, is 4 flying vampires, one with ghoulkin, in a unit of ghouls. At the beginning they get to make a march move, getting your vampires in charge range in turn 1.

I've only seen the book once, so if there is something preventing this setup please let me know. But just imagining my opponents face when my 4 killers take out a unit before he gets to move... I know, requires that I get first turn and that he takes the charge with something I can break. But a guy can dream, right? :happy:

On a related note, I see the flying circus being much more viable now, with extra powers/magic on your vampires. Personally I'm planning a more mobile collection of characters, as opposed to my 'solid center' deployment that I use currently. The new marching rule for vampires encourage me to do a lot more manuevering on the flanks, as I don't need the general to enhance mobility.

Thoughts/comments?

[buckero0]

I'm sure your opponent will be just as excited to see your flying circus, as you'll be to see his 4 cannon 2 steamtank army.




'nuf said.

[Chow]

Interesting Idea, but how do you plan to win combat with only vampire charge in unless you plan to throw all of them at the same target and sure they will lose combat and flee??

A typical block of 20 man unit with full command already have combat resolution of 5 with musician to break tie, so unless you can throw enough vampire at target to get 6 kills you lose combat and crumble....

[skilett]

What's with the negativity? I just said it could be fun to try. :happy:

I don't play in GT-like environments, and never suggested trying it in a powergaming setting, just something to shake the friends up on game night. And with 4 vampires, possibly one of them a BSB and another with Walking Death, I'm pretty sure I can break something.

And yes Chow, the idea is to throw them all at the same unit and breaking it in the first round, placing my flyers in his midst and possibly panicking a few of the units next to them. Maybe even have one of the vampires cause terror, for fun.

On a more serious note, I've heard of others making the Strigoi flying circus work, and thought that with the new book it might be something to consider again. It obviously has glaring weaknesses, but with a little tweaking and sound tactics it won't just roll over and die to the cannon gunline from hell (or Nuln).

[buckero0]

Originally Posted by skilett

What's with the negativity? I just said it could be fun to try. :happy:

I don't play in GT-like environments, and never suggested trying it in a powergaming setting, just something to shake the friends up on game night. And with 4 vampires, possibly one of them a BSB and another with Walking Death, I'm pretty sure I can break something.

And yes Chow, the idea is to throw them all at the same unit and breaking it in the first round, placing my flyers in his midst and possibly panicking a few of the units next to them. Maybe even have one of the vampires cause terror, for fun.

On a more serious note, I've heard of others making the Strigoi flying circus work, and thought that with the new book it might be something to consider again. It obviously has glaring weaknesses, but with a little tweaking and sound tactics it won't just roll over and die to the cannon gunline from hell (or Nuln).

I'm just saying, that this (as well as 2 stank armies and the like) are not fun to play against. If you're just goofing around with friends, and that's the way you guys like to play, that's fine, but we've got 2 guys who only make lists like that, and they wonder why no one wants to play with them.

[skilett]

Fair enough, I mainly objected to the lack of anything relevant or constructive.

And this would be the first time I ever did a one-trick thing like this, I normally build balanced lists ahead of time, without knowing who or what I will face. So doing this list might ensure me a victory, or seal my fate...

[2000AD]

One idea me an Von were thinking about was 4 vampires on flying steeds, being deployed next to a black coach. Take bloodline of extra power dice and you can potentially fully power up the black coach in 1 turn, realistically 2. So not only do you have 4 flying vampires, you also have a flying black coach too.

IIRC the list was something like:

Vampire lord
Vampire
Vampire
Vampire
all on the flying steed and tooled up.

Minimal core, probably 3x10 skellies

4 units of 5 black knights

Black Coach

If you take bloodline of +2 power dice for all the vampires and +1 magic level bloodline for the lord (and +1 magic lvl non-bloodline) then you're looking at 15 power dice, (though Black coach takes on average 3), and your going to have 8 raise spells (though only 4 may be really effective) to maintain numbers or raise.
7 dispel dice (+ any scrolls) too to help block magic missles against your knights.

EDIT: Apparently the Black Knights are only "Move like Ethereal" instead of the full on "Ethereal" deal, so that does make the following a lot less effective. Dang

Ethereal black knights laugh at most shooting and then they charge in just as strong as other knights and don't have to worry about attacks back in most cases. Combine the knights charge with a (hopefully) fully tooled up black coach (flying, ethereal, chariot impact hits and what not) and 4 flying vampires and it's a bit nasty. If you really need to move fast you could also fly a vampire over towards the knights to let some of them march.

Magic shooting or massively magical armies do pose a problem though. Big blocks also pose a problem (due to combat res) and will require careful engagement from multiple units, though hopefully the mobility of the army should help solve that.

The other option would be taking a Varghulf instead of the coach.

[skilett]

It sounds like a lot of fun, but with all characters being on flying steeds it takes out a lot of the surprise. Plus it removes your tactical flexibility. Unless flying steeds can join units? Not sure about this...

But with all that said, I'm still fascinated by the "Hellsteed cavalry". ;Y
Vampires flying around, bringing the pain to whereever it is needed, I'm sold! I realize warmachines will effectvely shut down this tactic, but damn, it's cool!!:C

Can't wait to try out the new list. And chances are I will be doing just that on monday, on gaming night at my local store. The owner suggested I use his book to give the vampires a trial run.:drinking: