Theory machine: Black Ogrun Boarding Party

I've been thinking a lot about the Black Ogrun the last couple of days. It's really bloody annoying that the models are so horrible, not to mention exceptionally expensive (80 dollars for ten of them is ridiculous), because they have some potential with pDeneghra (in theory).

Warspears conversion looks great but is stupidly expensive!

I've been looking for a way to reduce the number of models in my lists since I'm such a slow player, but I still need ranged models because pDeneghra likes them so much. I also need multi-wound models that can survive damage dealing buffer effects, and some board control, and something that packs a punch.

Speed

The Black Ogrun are amongst the fastest heavy infantry in the game though the lack of reach does hurt. If we compare them to Man'o'Wars they have comparable charge ranges but the Black Ogrun pull ahead because of the ability to run twelve instead of eight, and that their survival isn't tied up on an ability that prevents them from running (Shield Wall). They're a lot slower than Tharn Ravagers but still amongst the fastest heavy infantry in the game.

Offense (Melee)

Accurate little bastards with MAT seven. They have PS thirteen on their basic melee attack which is acceptable in a faction of debuffs, but a bit low when compared to our other melee options. They need a lot of help bringing down large targets and medium sized bases is not making it easier.

Offense (Ranged)

Fourteen inch threat makes life hard on enemy heavy infantry. With The Withering and Parasite on something these guys are effectively  POW 17 and even without a drag effect that will hurt. Against medium or smaller bases that ranged attack will be followed by a PS 18 melee attack if the drag works. Combined Ranged attack also seems worth mentioning but I don't think I'll be using it much.

Defense (Survivability)

Two full units bring a massive eighty damage boxes to the table and are highly resistant to the massed POW 10 attacks that completely destroys my normal infantry lists (a single POW 10 hit cannot kill a Black Ogrun and it takes four of them on average to end a single Black Ogruns life). The many damage boxes also enables them to power through damaging effects if needed, and they'll survive a charge every now and then (which can really mess up an opponents plans).

It takes about four Gun Mages to bring down a single Black Ogrun on average and a Chain Lightning that jumps to every single one of them will take just 25% of their total boxes. They don't care about blast damage as rolling slightly above average will just annoy them (unlike single wound infantry that die if you beat their armor with even a single point).

Defense (Morale)

Never underestimate morale checks. It makes no difference in 9/10 games, but when it works you often win. I fondly remember a game against Menoth where both his units of Daughters turned tail and ran, and just recently a failed Abomination check by a full unit of Kayazy Assassins made my opponent fight an uphill battle he eventually lost.

Utility (caster defense)

The boys are big and they screen casters well. They block tramples and are difficult to shift. With pDeneghra they're very hard to kill if you happen to be under effect of The Withering (and pSkarre makes them stupidly tough to kill on her feat round).

What to do with them

My idea is to play them as a primarily ranged unit with pDeneghra. The drag effect will be nice in case of tough rolls (try again then will ya!) and engaging them isn't exactly healthy for most things in the game. A caster coming within fourteen inches is playing with fire unless he/she is immune to KD (Scourge is bad news) and has very high defense (The Withering + Crippling Grasp makes them RAT 9), and few things can walk in and one-shot them during my feat round.

I think it'll be funny and I hope someone will let me proxy them. It will take something special for me to consider buying and converting two full units.

Warwitch Deneghra

- Deathripper

- Deathripper

Black Ogrun Boarding Party (Leader and 4 Grunts)

Black Ogrun Boarding Party (Leader and 4 Grunts)

The Withershadow Combine

Gorman di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist

Machine Wraith

Machine Wraith

Machine Wraith

Pistol Wraith

Pistol Wraith

Ragman

Rorsh

- Brine

Saxon Orrik

Skarlock Thrall

Warwitch Siren

Warwitch Siren

Theoretically that list can push the Black Ogrun to PS 22 (13 base, +2 Withering, +3 Parasite, +2 Rust Bomb, +2 Dark Shroud) but with the Doom Piglet in there I shouldn't have to worry about very high armor targets as Brine will destroy one without blinking on feat turn, and a second, third and probably fourth heavy can be shut down hard with Crippling Grasp, Death Chill, Shadow Bind, and Black Oil.

/Lamoron