Convergence Tactics: The Gun Line

The gun line army is an archetype that is fairly popular in WMH right now. Changes to ROF and pre-measuring have made this type of list feasible in most factions, and Convergence offers up some potent gun lines. In today’s post, I’ll break down the Chain Attack podcast on gun lines to see what a Convergence gun line would look like, and how fellow gear-heads can beat back gun lines in other armies.

CoC tactics: Archetypes--Control ‘casters

            In today’s Chain-Attack archetype discussion, we’re looking at control casters. What is control, how can the Convergence do it, and how can we beat it? Unlike many other factions, Convergence is somewhat removed from the control game for reasons we’ll get into below. However, some kinds of control are universal and can ruin a game if you aren’t careful.

Exhibit A for Control

Mastering Focus Induction: Moving focus through the battlegroup

In my last Convergence post, I detailed what vectors needed focus for, and which where the most focus intensive.  In today's post, I'll go over how to use focus induction to get the most out of your battlegroup.  I'll cover order of activations and how to load three focus on a vector without actually allocating them that much.

Managing all of this focus can be a daunting task!

The cool thing about Focus Induction is that one unit of focus can move throughout your battlegroup, enhancing one model after another.  This makes Convergence armies much more resource efficient than any other Warmachine faction.  However, with this trick comes a lot of risk.  Other factions simply allocate and burn off focus.  A Convergence player will have to track the movement of focus and make sure it does not enter a "dead-end," where it is spent without being inducted.  Convergence vectors rely more heavily on boosts than warjacks, so wasted focus will really hurt.  Here's how I manage focus during the game:

Mastering Focus Induction: what's worthy of a Boost?

Arguably one of the most important things a Convergence player has to do is get the hang of Focus Induction, the mechanic that allows one vector to pass focus to another vector nearby when spent.  This isn't so much a bonus as much as it is a core mechanic of the Convergence.  Without effective focus inductions the vectors (especially the light ones) will underperform and cost you many a game.

[Mmmm.... Focus]

In this post I'll talk about how what/when your vectors should boost.  I'll be using my Syntherion battlegroup as an example, but most of these tactics are universal to the whole faction.

Convergence tactics: Corollary

Most every force in WMH has a model that functions as a support piece and/or a force multiplier.  For the Convergence that model in the Corollary, a light vector that serves as a warcaster attachment.  The Corollary is also very good at what it does, and I would say that it's an auto-include for any Convergence list.  In one form or another this vector has something for everyone, and I can't think of any list that wouldn't be better off without it.

And it looks cool as well!

So what exactly does this mighty vector do?  Well I'm glad you asked, as we'll get into more detail in this post!

Optfex and Axis finsihed!

It's been awhile, but I finally made time to finish the Optifex.  On top of that I painted Axis, the Harmonic Enforcer to boot!  I'm not sure when I'll get the chance to use them on the table top, but hopefully it's soon!

For something that looks so sinister, all they do is repair and buff vectors

 I'm really happy with how the Optifex turned out.  Inking the warm colors really made them pop, plus I love the fiery "crazy eyes," which gives the models a flair of fanatical zeal not seen elsewhere in the Convergence faith.

Let's Paint! with Valus: Convergence Optifex (Part 1: basics and basecoats)

Man, how long has it been since I've posted in my own blog?  At this point most bloggers would apologize for being behind on posting due to real life, but forget that.  There's no point in making excuses to the tens of people (ha!) that have been left hanging in my absence, but I will thank Andy and Popculture for towing the line while I was out.  Seeing what the kids are doing with these new-fangled video games is pretty awesome, and the Trollblood and Cygnar updates are awesome as well.

Pretty much me and video games

But now it's time to break my posting dry spell, and the real question is what should we do to mark the occasion?  Well, if you are any good at reading titles, you'll know that this is my first paining post!

Tactics and tricks with the Convergence: Forgemaster Syntherion

Things are going great (albeit quickly!) in my world these days.  In the little hobby time I had this week I've assembled an unit of Perforators, but today I want to focus on one of the models that make up the Convergence.  In these articles I'll look at the fluff, rules and my in-game experiences of a specific model or unit.  Today that model is Forgemaster Syntherion, who served as my introduction into the Warmachine universe.

[Insert Swiss Army Knife jokes here]

Weekend Warmacine: Ready the Great Machine!

Every so often TW converges onto Indianapolis from the four corners of our domain for a weekend of catching up, drinking, and wargaming.  I call it "getting Warhammered."  In about two weeks, we will meet again, and to say I'm excited is a huge understatement.  As shameful as it is for me to admit I tend to play the least among all member of TW because I live in Middle of Nowhere, OH when everyone else has stayed faithful to the Hoosier state.  So with this upcoming weekend I'm going to set that right.  I just have to get through finals first.

You know what sucks about finals?  The exams... that I don't have to take because I completed my course of study last year.

And you know what else sucks about finals? Grading undergraduate exams... which I don't have to do because I scored a head prep job this semester.

In reality, this is by far my easiest "finals" week I've had yet in grad school!  For five straight days, it's just me, myself, and my research.  It's a thing of beauty, really.

Of course, the important thing is that I also have a bit of free time where I can finish assembling the models I need for wargaming!  So, what am I bringing to this grand melee?  Here is my first list!

Convergence of Cyriss

Forgemaster Syntherion tier list (35 points)

Syntherion (+6)

Corollary (3)

Cipher (9)

Monitor (8)

Galvanizer (3)

Galvanizer (*)

Mitigator (4)

Diffuser x2 (6)

Optifex Directive x2 (4)

Algorithm Dispersion Optifex x2 (2)

Attunement Servitor (2)

Pros

• Great Tier bonuses: Syntherion, a battlegroup warcaster, gives us just what we want with his tier list bonuses.  From Advanced Deployment ADOs to a free Galvanizer, this list makes sure we start the game strong.  My favorite tiers are probably 2 and 3.  Nothing allows us to hit the ground running better than cheaper fist turn spells and a Corollary starting with two focus.
• Resilient: This is a list that can take a lick and keep ticking.  Syntherion's Field Marshal ability allow himself and his vectors to heal d3 wounds each round.  On top of that, the Galvanizers and Optifex Directives have a repair skill that can heal d6 wounds.  That means the opponent is going to have to put a lot of effort into destroying a vector the first time around, otherwise it can heal back a lot of health.  Attrition is the name of the game!

Cons

• It's slow: With most of the models in the battlegroup having a SPD of 4-5, this list isn't winning any races.  More often than not Syntherion will not be the first on an objective, which means that I'm going to be behind in points most of the game.

Potential Changes

As happy as I am with the list, I can't help but to think that it'd be made stronger with another heavy vector wedged in there.  I was leaning towards another Monitor or maybe even an Inverter, but an Assimilator would serve Syntherion well too.  If I face a lot of infantry heavy lists, the Modulator would be a solid choice as well.

Convergence Battlegroup Painted (+ some extras)

Joe here with an update on my Convergence of Cyriss battlegroup plus a few other additions.  Be sure to check out the Convergence page to get a full view of my CoC collection!

A group shot of the Great Machine 

There's not a lot of time before the next TWG gaming weekend so it's down to the wire in order to complete my Great Machine theme list, let alone get it assembled.  I'm also trying to get my Legion assembled and on the table for a test drive, which makes the time crunch tighter.  It should be a great showing from almost all the factions of the Iron Kingdoms so stay tuned!