Thinking outside the box is hard work, because in all honesty you'll find, that most things are already in there. There are a lot of people on the Internet, and unfathomable numbers of people in the world, so getting a truly original idea is almost impossible. Thinking outside the box then becomes a question of "acting" outside the box, because simply having the ideas wont do it, as illustrated by this marvelous motivational poster.
I received a request for list ideas, in perhaps the most restrictive tournament I've ever encountered. It's a twenty five point tournament, based upon the highlander model, but allows Warjacks, one unit (may include UA), and one Solo. The real restriction is, that no FA: C models/units may be included, and attached solos like Deryliss or Deathwalker count toward the one solo limit. In addition to that, the tournament organizers have imposed a further list of banned casters/models/units, making it nigh impossible to construct a functioning list.
That tournament format is just poor. I don't mind being forced into crazy lists, but this concept is just stacking ideas that work on top of each other, until the house comes down. Tournaments without FA: C could be really different and entertaining, Highlander tournaments are proven to be fun, but stacking them creates so restrictive an environment, that creating a list becomes a chore.
With that as my motivation, I began thinking up ways to annihilate this format. eSkarre is banned, and so is eDenny, but pDenny is allowed, and with such a restrictive format, we could do worse that choosing a caster that can turn a Swamp Gobber into an engine of destruction. The request called for some Mortenebra advice, so I'll get to that later, but first I'd like to mention pSkarre.
Bane Knights/Thralls are less than optimal, since we cannot bring Tartarus to support them. Bile Thralls could be fun, but since the tournament is sure to feature a lot of jacks and beasts, they will probably be less than optimal. Bloodgorgers are out since they need Slaughterborn to work, and Mechanithralls are out since they need a Necrosurgeon to function, and the list goes on. The format only really leaves us with two fully functioning units, which are Satyxis Raiders and Satyxis Blood Witches.
On the solo front, we have plenty of choices, but unfortunately most of them are terrible. If we remove the terrible choices, we're down to a Pistol Wraith, Satyxis Raider Captain, Skarlock, or Warwitch Siren. I can't help but notice, that one of those support our choice of unit/caster, but they're all solid choices and would do well in this format.
Since the format allows for two lists, you can get away with having a list targeted mainly at Warmachine players, and a second list to handle Hordes or take all comers. Choosing that list is hard, but the available casters are pDenny, Mortenebra, and Coven. Since Mortenebra likes herself some Hordes casters, and the request mentioned her specifically, we'll take her next.
I'm a sucker for light jacks with Mortenebra, and it so happens that my usual lists are pretty close to being within the format rules, so let's take a look at it. Since it's a small game, and the ordered Harrower hasn't turned up, I'm going to begin by stating, that keeping Mortenebra safe will be a huge challenge.
Helldivers are epic in this format, since they can slam a Warbeast with near automatic success under Terminal Velocity and Recalibration. They're also dirt cheap, and can assassinate squishy casters by themselves, with Terminal, Recalibration, and three Focus. If you have two of them, have the first one head-butt the caster if possible, since it's free under TV, and makes a kill much easier to achieve.
Scavengers are expensive in this format, but you sort of need one, and preferably two. The Scavengers will be your main source of caster kills, and you can forget about winning this on scenario. Scavengers can achieve 19.5" threat range with Overrun and Terminal Velocity, while ignoring free strikes, intervening models, and terrain with Flight & Spectral Steel. With seven Focus you can assign a Scavenger three, cast Terminal Velocity, and upkeep Spectral Steel, meaning you'll have to cast it the round before. Deryliss can handle Overrun, and you're good to go.
The main problem is keeping your army, and your caster, alive until you can beak theirs, and that's going to be a problem. Without Sirens your Focus economy will be stretched to it's limits, and without Harrowers you have nowhere to hide. Depending on terrain this might not be a problem, but I suspect it will be. This is my suggestion, but I feel it's a rather weak list.
I think a Coven list could be fun though, and could really bring the house down on some unsuspecting players. With a ton of available Focus they can both spell assassinate, or juice up a simple Slayer to the point of annihilating almost anything. The ability to activate separately also allows for some nasty tricks, and being able to camp a long way behind the lines helps as well.
I had some crazy ideas about Ships in the night pSkarre, but with your limited models this is the best I could do. Let me know what you decide, and what you come up against :D
/Lamoron
I received a request for list ideas, in perhaps the most restrictive tournament I've ever encountered. It's a twenty five point tournament, based upon the highlander model, but allows Warjacks, one unit (may include UA), and one Solo. The real restriction is, that no FA: C models/units may be included, and attached solos like Deryliss or Deathwalker count toward the one solo limit. In addition to that, the tournament organizers have imposed a further list of banned casters/models/units, making it nigh impossible to construct a functioning list.
That tournament format is just poor. I don't mind being forced into crazy lists, but this concept is just stacking ideas that work on top of each other, until the house comes down. Tournaments without FA: C could be really different and entertaining, Highlander tournaments are proven to be fun, but stacking them creates so restrictive an environment, that creating a list becomes a chore.
With that as my motivation, I began thinking up ways to annihilate this format. eSkarre is banned, and so is eDenny, but pDenny is allowed, and with such a restrictive format, we could do worse that choosing a caster that can turn a Swamp Gobber into an engine of destruction. The request called for some Mortenebra advice, so I'll get to that later, but first I'd like to mention pSkarre.
Bane Knights/Thralls are less than optimal, since we cannot bring Tartarus to support them. Bile Thralls could be fun, but since the tournament is sure to feature a lot of jacks and beasts, they will probably be less than optimal. Bloodgorgers are out since they need Slaughterborn to work, and Mechanithralls are out since they need a Necrosurgeon to function, and the list goes on. The format only really leaves us with two fully functioning units, which are Satyxis Raiders and Satyxis Blood Witches.
On the solo front, we have plenty of choices, but unfortunately most of them are terrible. If we remove the terrible choices, we're down to a Pistol Wraith, Satyxis Raider Captain, Skarlock, or Warwitch Siren. I can't help but notice, that one of those support our choice of unit/caster, but they're all solid choices and would do well in this format.
You'll be feeding on valuable Satyxis Raiders with ritual sacrifice, but remember that the Skarlock can sacrifice himself, if you find yourself needing every available offensive unit, and still need the Focus the following turn. There's an Arc Node with the ability to finish of wounded heavies, and Warmachine players will cry, because they've got very little to protect their Warjacks from becoming Feedback/Backlash victims in this format.Pirate Queen Skarre- Ripjaw- Reaper- ReaperSkarlock ThrallSatyxis Raiders (Leader and 9 Grunts)- Satyxis Raider Sea Witch
Since the format allows for two lists, you can get away with having a list targeted mainly at Warmachine players, and a second list to handle Hordes or take all comers. Choosing that list is hard, but the available casters are pDenny, Mortenebra, and Coven. Since Mortenebra likes herself some Hordes casters, and the request mentioned her specifically, we'll take her next.
I'm a sucker for light jacks with Mortenebra, and it so happens that my usual lists are pretty close to being within the format rules, so let's take a look at it. Since it's a small game, and the ordered Harrower hasn't turned up, I'm going to begin by stating, that keeping Mortenebra safe will be a huge challenge.
Helldivers are epic in this format, since they can slam a Warbeast with near automatic success under Terminal Velocity and Recalibration. They're also dirt cheap, and can assassinate squishy casters by themselves, with Terminal, Recalibration, and three Focus. If you have two of them, have the first one head-butt the caster if possible, since it's free under TV, and makes a kill much easier to achieve.
Scavengers are expensive in this format, but you sort of need one, and preferably two. The Scavengers will be your main source of caster kills, and you can forget about winning this on scenario. Scavengers can achieve 19.5" threat range with Overrun and Terminal Velocity, while ignoring free strikes, intervening models, and terrain with Flight & Spectral Steel. With seven Focus you can assign a Scavenger three, cast Terminal Velocity, and upkeep Spectral Steel, meaning you'll have to cast it the round before. Deryliss can handle Overrun, and you're good to go.
The main problem is keeping your army, and your caster, alive until you can beak theirs, and that's going to be a problem. Without Sirens your Focus economy will be stretched to it's limits, and without Harrowers you have nowhere to hide. Depending on terrain this might not be a problem, but I suspect it will be. This is my suggestion, but I feel it's a rather weak list.
It has a couple heavies to hide behind, though they're not steady, and can be taken out of the picture, in regards to shooting, with a simple Knockdown. It has tight Focus economy, and no Thresher available to Overrun, but it does present something of a challenge to an opponent. Presenting six jacks in 25 points, is a hard nut to crack for any army, and it has scary board control with slams and drags all over the place.Master Necrotech Mortenebra- Helldiver- Scavenger- Scavenger- Stalker- Reaper- Reaper
Deryliss
Pulling in a heavy, and annihilating it with Bane Thralls, will alleviate the problems with speed. You still have a Scavenger available for that slingshot assassination, and this would be my recommend list, but since you've got no Bane Thralls it's out of the question. A full Bane Thrall unit with Recalibration is something beyond scary though, so maybe you should invest ;)Master Necrotech Mortenebra- Scavenger- Reaper- ReaperBane Thralls (Leader and 9 Grunts)- Bane Thrall Officer & Standard
Deryliss
I think a Coven list could be fun though, and could really bring the house down on some unsuspecting players. With a ton of available Focus they can both spell assassinate, or juice up a simple Slayer to the point of annihilating almost anything. The ability to activate separately also allows for some nasty tricks, and being able to camp a long way behind the lines helps as well.
The Witch Coven of GarlghastAgain a unit of Bane Thralls would have been awesome. This list is almost entirely stealth based, with Occultation on the Reaper, and keeping the Arc Nodes in cover until needed. The Stalkers can receive Focus 36" from the Orb, so they can actually flank. This list is all about moving up while looking for a spell assassination, and if such an opportunity doesn't present itself, the Reaper can threaten 13" away with Infernal Machine (or 16" threat with drag), and rolling MAT9 with sustained attack, while ignoring terrain and free strikes (Ghost Walk) and being able to charge straight through a unit affected by Curse of Shadow, as long as there's LoS to it, and room to arrive. Defensively they also do well, with a combination of stealth and feat. Stealth makes them almost impossible to hit at range, and Cryx defense is hard to hit, when under the effect of Nightfall.
- Helldiver- Ripjaw- Ripjaw- Stalker- Stalker- ReaperSkarlock Thrall
I had some crazy ideas about Ships in the night pSkarre, but with your limited models this is the best I could do. Let me know what you decide, and what you come up against :D
/Lamoron
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