Well I had my first demo game of Warmachine on Friday (thanks pancreasboy) and I thought the system was quite nice.

There is obviously a lot more complexity to the game than I was shown, but watching the larger game it still seemed to be a tough fight. (My biggest worry is of uber-combos breaking things).

I'll try and get a few more demos in, but looking to getting a faction around October (too much to do in lead up to MOAB to start something new beforehand). Hopefully the plastic WM batteboxs should be out as well.

So I looked at some 15pt forces based around the battle boxes for the factions I like the most:

Menoth
High Exemplar Kreoss
Repenter
Revenger
Crusader
Choir of Menoth (Leader + 3 Grunts)
Paladin of the Wall

I'd sort of prefer something more straighforward and maybe less reliant of buffing abilities. But I do like the Menoth background, Exemplars and Paladins.

Khador
Sorscha
Destroyer
Juggernaut
Widowmakers (Leader + 3 Grunts)

I'm not big on fur hats, but I'd like to play something big and smashy. (Most of my other games I tend to play fast or sneaky).

Legion of Everblight
Lylyth
Carnivean
4 x Shredder
Shepherd

I will be getting Legion at some point, I love the models too much not to. But I might start with a WM force first (or at the same time).

Are these decent enough starting forces? Would they work okay? Which would be the easiest to learn the game off?

If you don't like buffing and want straight forward avoid Protectorate at all costs, Khador is the definite 'beat 'em up' faction.

Legion is also heavily reliant on mobility and avoidance/alpha strikes.

This is the first thing I was going to point out.

Menoth's schtick is that 'this buffs that, and this guy stops him from doing that, and then this super-buffed 'jack far exceeds its base points cost'

If that's not your thing, both Retribution and Khador tend to specialise in models that require (and get) little support.

I think it's a little too early to determine the play style of the Retribution, IMO they rely heavily on their Magisters and movement shenanigans which is less straightforward.

I think they could go in a few directions.

Generally speaking though, all of their infantry operate with little support from the Warcaster/Army and could be considered 'better' then most other factions equivalents on their own.

That could be because they only have one book though. Don't confuse that with the fact all their infantry is undercosted/broken.

The Khador list looks fine by the way

You crack me up sometimes.

From what I have read I figured that Legion was more of a avoidance and quick strike force. Thats sort of why I wanted something else that would be more straightforward as well.

I am sort of leaning towards Khador to start, Legion as my second and Menoth being third.



Thats basically what I am looking for as my first force (but I dont like Retribution jacks).

The game has a bit of a learning curve, so I'd probably stick to one faction to start with.

Yeah maybe next time we should give Khador a 15pt game and see how you like them up against my Cryx again (I'll use similar models so that you have some idea of what your up against).

Don't let that 35pt game I was having turn you off either, those 2 guys really know their stuff and like to play hard. Where-as I'm lazy and just like to play for the cool models and try stuff out, but like all games you live and learn from your losses

It can't be steeper than Infinity



I didn't mind that game. Even though you lost you were still doing damage.
Some of the old stories I heard were about one side smashing the other before it really got to do anything.

It would be good to try Khador and see how it goes. I intend to get a 15-pt force and fully paint it before moving on to buying more.

Oh no!!! Not two painted forces on the board!!! Shock-horror!!!

Maybe we should challenge each other to get 15pts painted each (Trolls for me)

You'll have a head start if I dont get the models till October