“To Theme or Not To Theme”, By Nathan Pullen Options

[vanwolfgang]

For discussion of article.

[Tilaurin]

I love my theme lists, from the eGoreshade list that's let me finally bring the "Host of Tartarus" to the table with a good benefit (cuz, you know, 22+ Bane Thralls wasn't good enough...) to the Dark Industries pAsphyxious list that's really pushed me out of my normal envelope and got me fielding several squads of Mechanithralls and leaving Mr Deathjack on the sidelines on holiday.

I think they're great, as a veteran I love finding a new fun way to field stuff, and it's great picking a caster off the shelf, throwing their theme together, and playing them completely different than I may have in the past. It's great for picking up something new, too, eSorscha and Strakhov's themes were great ways to throw something together that would both look awesome and work well together on the table, without a lot of thought.

Good article Nathan, I can only think you consulted with the best of minds on the subject

[Drifter]

The very best!

[cmdr_roy]

+1.

If you want to talk points efficiency from theme lists the Shae is the man, 1pt solos
Closely followed by pCaine, cheaper gunmages and free UA, all fits into 25pts too....

It should be noted that some theme lists work better at certain points levels, you did note that some cant get to Tier 4 within 35pts due to their minimum requirements.

This post has been edited by cmdr_roy: Jul 20 2011, 01:21 PM

[Jagged Tooth Grin]

it'd be nice if these announcement topics came with a game system referenced in the title (ie: "[WM] To Theme on Not To Theme") to assist those of us who dont care about one system or another.

[cmdr_roy]

I dont think WHFB or 40k does theme anymore anyway.
But point noted.

[Discombobulate]

+1.

If you want to talk points efficiency from theme lists the Shae is the man, 1pt solos
Closely followed by pCaine, cheaper gunmages and free UA, all fits into 25pts too....

It should be noted that some theme lists work better at certain points levels, you did note that some cant get to Tier 4 within 35pts due to their minimum requirements.

Re: Shae's T4 list - it works nicely (and possibly is one of the best T4 lists around) at 35 points, but I don't think it scales as nicely to 50 points

[cmdr_roy]

Agreed.
For 35pts my favourites are Shae and pCaine, the benefits are great and the extra points you effectively get are a massive advantage at that size game.
They both also sort of work at the 25pt level but you dont get enough heavy 'jacks IMO.
Shae goes ok at 50pts, comes down to just taking extra 'jacks (at least thats what i do) and some riflemen. pCaine at 50pts is terrible as Tier 4, you want the extra ATGM unit but they dont get an attachment, taking extra 'jacks doesnt work as well as pCaine cant run too many as he needs to spam out Deadeye or Snipe or Blur or some shooting of his own. Ive yet to try a double 'jack marshall option with the ATGM though so that might help a bit.
Im currently looking to run Blaize T4 for an event next week (if i can get my hands on a second unit of Precursors). Will be interesting to see how the restrictions go.

[blackaciddevyl]

I think that at Tier4 Pdoomshaper (well for me) seems to perform better. I think having that access to a solid unit for a point cheaper, then having no FA on them. Even those money wise its pretty expensive. Runeshapers, are an absolute bargain at 3pts for 3 multi-wound models that can certainly hold their own. The list is extremely fluffy, and although there is a tendency for spam, to me those small units of Runeshapers have adopted little personalities individually of their own. Free Fury on the Krielstone is an added bonus as well, 5 to begin with with my list.

As for the rest of the Trollbloods Tier list I haven't used any of them to great success. Grim's tier list has no melee punch, and when things get up close your ranged trollies tend to be a little lacklustre. Grissel's Tier is an interesting one, but I'd never go past the Tier2 for it. Two large blocks of super fast cheap Kriel Warriors can be hard to dislodge off a couple of objectives.

[Tilaurin]

I really wanna try eMadrak's theme but I just haven't found the time to paint my second squad of Fennies. I'm hoping he gets a character beast in Domination to go in there too.

[cmdr_roy]

There are plenty of Theme lists that i want to try, its generally the issue of having two of a particular unit that holds me back (also not owning any Trenchers or Longunners). Although as im expanding my collection its being based on wanting to run particular lists.

[Phunkmanyeman]

I love eButchers theme. Win or lose its lots of fun & the look on your opponents face when you chuck down all those doomies is priceless.

[Maxo_Q]

Both Farrow Tiers are excellent and incredibly brutal combat wise.

[L D P]

In most regards Shae's Theme is far superior to the Talion Charter contract. In 35 point and smaller there is no reason you would take the Contract over the Theme. In larger games 50+ you may have to take the Contract simply to fill out the points but even then I personally would still be looking at the Theme list.

My other favourite theme list is Ashlynn. Access to the extra Gun Mages and free officers at tier 4 is wonderful. Perhaps not the most effective list but a lot of fun.

Calaban the Grave walkers Theme list is interesting as it give access to the Bone Grinders which adds a different element to the Gators.

[Tilaurin]

Having thrown down a little with Constance Blaize now I'm both looking forward to and not sure about using her theme force. A Trencher screen really helped her last night, but all that goodness with fast Sword Knights & Precursors, and advance move jacks just seems delicious.

[GuppyShark]

I am loving the forward deployment and advance move of the Knights Exemplar in eKreoss' tier... but I've no idea if it's competitive.

[tensions]

theme

[hobitir forik]

don't theme

i quite enjoy the fact that pp produce more tier list to spice things up a bit more now and then.

[Bloodriver]

I'm very new to WM, only played a handfull of games so far, but I really like the look of the pMagnus theme list. At Tier 4 the army starts with his upkeep spells in place. He has four of them, which all affect friendly units, and combined with his Resourceful rule (maintains upkeep spells without spending focus), would seem to give him the ability to devote nearly all his focus to buffing his Warjacks. Can anyone who has played this army comment?

[Drifter]

It's a really good list that one, and if you like the look of it, go for it. Of the models it forces you to take:
Steelhead - the standard merc unit. Tough, relatively cheap and can certainly get the job done!
Renegade Light jack - this things are awesome! They have an arc side, a chainsaw and their own mini-feat (essentially) in their knock down gun. Having two is not a bad thing!

As to what to flesh the army out with? If you have steelhead, its often worth having Stannis Brocker in there. Your utility solos like Orin can also be good. Add a Mangler heavy jack or something and you're set.

It's a great theme coz its only the models and units you would want to take anyway.