Hordes on the Horizon: Legion of Everblight

The Convergence isn't the only faction I'm playing at the upcoming TWG wargaming weekend.  In addition to the Great Machine, my Legion of Everblight forces are getting some action for the first time.  To herald this event, here's a list with none other than the Herald of Everblight, pLylyth.  Here's what we're working with.

Legion of Everblight

Hunting party (25 points)

Lylyth (+6)

Shredder x4 (8)

Carnivean (11)

Ravagore (10)

Shepherd (1)

Spell Martyr (1)

The list is basically the Battlegroup box with another heavy dragonspawn and a couple of solos.  The central tactic of focus fire is still at play here, but with the inclusion of the Ravagore and Shepherd there's a bit more flexibility.  

Pros

• Speed and threat range:  In my last post the Convergence models in Syntherion's battlegroup were relatively slow at SPD 4-5.  Here, everything is a minimum SPD 6.  Along with Eyeless Sight and Pathfinder this means that the effective threat range of the warbeats is pretty substantial.  The enemy has nowhere to hide or run!  I'm expecting this list to do pretty good against Circle forces and other, slower armies such as Khador.

Cons

• Fragile: Legion is the faction of glass cannons, and this list is no different.  With heavies that have fewer than 30 wounds, the warbeasts simply don't have staying power in prolonged melee combat.  This can be mitigated by the heavies with their two open fist weapons.  Opponents to watch out for are going to be those that run range heavy lists, namely Cygnar.  There's two Cygnar players in the group, and at least one runs a nasty eCaine list.

Potential changes

Battlegroup boxes are a great introduction to a faction, but need a few more purchases to complete a list.  One of the big gaps in the Legion box is that there's no light warbeast to compliment the force.  This means we have models that are very expensive (Carnivean & Ravagore) or very cheap (Shredder and Shepherd), which makes building a list difficult.  A light warbeast will go a long way in filling this gap, and I decided to go with a Nephilim Protector.  It's a great defensive unit that can secure vulnerable charge lanes with its animus and it can take a shot for Lylyth if need be.  The Protector can easily be put in the list replacing three shredders, leaving a point open for a second Shepherd or Spell Martyr.  

Or I can switch out Lylyth for another warlock.  Find out who next time!

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.