Monday, April 12, 2010

Three Games: Three Questions

I'm getting ready to play three games, and these questions keep haunting me....

WHFB: I know Skaven are a horde army, but do I really want to push 280 models around the table in 2500 points?

WH40K:  Is Eldrad overpowered or is a regular Farseer just ridiculously overpriced?

Warmachine: Considering how much I love these models, why can't I seem to sit down and paint them.




Oh, and a quick observation.... my last two games of 40k did not include even a hint of "Turn 4 Fatigue" (that spastic yawn and wandering attention that seems to set in about the bottom of turn 4 of either Fantasy or 40k.)  Have I finally managed to control what I eat to the point where I'm not insulin crashing, or am I just having more fun playing?

6 comments:

  1. 1) Yes. The question you should really be asking is, "Do you really want to paint 280 models?" I struggle with the answer.

    2) The latter, I think. Eldrad's annoying not because he's too good; it's that you see him so much (because, with points being what they are, why bother with a regular Farseer instead of Eldrad).

    3) Good question. I find there's an inverse relationship between quantity and quality. The fewer models, the better a paint job. The better a paint job, the more work involved. The more work involved, do I really want to bother with that just now? That a good enough excuse?

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  2. My take on each:
    do I really want to push 280 models around the table?
    Movement trays are your friend, but seriously... 280 models? Do you even want to buy that many much less paint all of them?

    Is Eldrad overpowered or is a regular Farseer just ridiculously overpriced?
    A basic Farseer is actually pretty decently priced when you limit the number of upgrades. Eldrad's only a better call when you want multiple powers and Runes, but don't need a Jetbike.

    Warmachine: Considering how much I love these models, why can't I seem to sit down and paint them.
    Because who plays Warmachine? :-p

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  3. RE Eldrad:

    What Dverning said. Admittedly, I think Farseers should either be 60, or come with a power - but it's not a huge gap.

    If cost or a Jetbike is the issue, don't use Eldrad - but the power weapon, deployment and 3-powers are too good to ignore.

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  4. Thanks, folks. Good answers... except for "Because who plays Warmachine?" :-p indeed. I think you may be right Rushputin. I can bang out a plague monk with little or no care, but I feel like I have to give each WM model some serious love.

    I definitely have a hard time limiting myself with the Farseer build. At very minimum they have to have guide and doom, don't they? And if I'm going to have models in cc or Pathfinders to hold an objective, they'll need fortune, right? And Eldritch Storm can spin those transports around for the rear armor shots, so I should probably take that.... and next thing you know I have Eldrad Jr. in the list.

    I already have about 230 painted Skaven, and another 50 about 50% painted. With some tricked out Lord/Hero choices I can field 2500 fully painted easily. I am going up against an Empire list in early May and thought I'd go for sheer intimidating volume, hence the 280. If I remember I will try to take some pics during the battle.

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  5. At very minimum they have to have guide and doom, don't they?
    Oh, and don't forget Spirit Stones so they can cast both powers on the same turn...

    Meh. It's the moment my army *needs* that second power that's usually the tipping point to taking Eldrad. It kicks the cost from a kinda reasonable 80-100 points into the 140+ range. The trick is deciding when it's an actual need versus just a want. I've found that extra cast isn't critical unless I'm playing a Warlock Bodyguard, Wraithwall, or Banshees.

    Said another way... is an extra 40 points for Guide worth it if you're only re-rolling a couple of Shuriken Cannon shots? Is Fortune really worth it if you're saving on a 2++ and those points could buy 2 more Pathfinders? Does that 50% chance of spinning the tank to get rear armour compare to getting 3 more Fire Dragons, especially when shooting a Land Raider or the like?

    My most common Farseer these days has Doom, Runes of Warding and a Singing Spear.

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  6. I think when the Eldar book was released Eldrad was probably overpowered. Now with the creeping points difference he's a bargain. He's no Teclis, but definitely worth fielding.

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