Einar Imperium Army

[GForce3062]

Since the Einar Imperium are 140 and are a lousy 3 defense, they get killed easily(w/o the Empress) and almost never live up to the 140 points. I've decided to make an army based around them to help them survive and do some damage!!!!!!

Einar Imperium x1
Empress Kiova (of course)
Raelin
Nakita Agents
and since there is 70 pts. left I picked Samurai Archers for more range or Izumi Samurai for more defense.

Raelin and the Empress would stay back and do their thing while the Nakitas are adjacent to the Imperium because of Smoke Powder 13 and the Archers are in front of them because of counterstrike or behind to pick off enemies. The Izumi would also work instead of the Archers since they have a higher defense and would last longer. And of course the Imperium would (hopefully) slaughter anything in their way. The formation would look something like this......
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

T= Tagawa Archers or Izumi Samurai
NA= Nakita Agents
EI= Einar Imperium
R= Raelin
EK= Empress Kiova

T T T
NA EI NA
EI NA EI
R
EK
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Feedback is welcomed!!!!!!!!!!!!

[King's Knight]

Another choice might be Arubian Archers. Same attack as TSA but a chance at frenzy. Overall, looks intresting, I'll have to give it a try.

[GForce3062]

Another choice might be Arubian Archers. Same attack as TSA but a chance at frenzy. Overall, looks intresting, I'll have to give it a try.
I don't have Arubian Archers and besides, I want somebody in the front with counterstrike so it'll be tough to get to the Imperium(and with Raelin it'll be even tougher). And if they do get through they have to go through the Engagement 15 Strike thing with the Nakita Agents.

[King's Knight]

Heh well then I like the TSA idea over Izumi. With archers you make the enemy have to come to you and you have strong enough melee with the imperium.

[Stealth Dodge]

Just pray your opponent doesn't have Braxas or Hounds to bypass your defense. Plus having only 3 EI figures is quite a risk

[kenjib]

I think there are four challenges with this army.

1. With only one set of each squad, every kill diminishes your attack capability.
2. With such a dependence on a precise formation you have no mobility and will cede all glyphs to your opponent.
3. Again with the dependence on the formation you will have a hard time managing order markers.
4. Skirmish tactics from units with 8+ range will break your formation and make it hard for you to fight back.

Against your army my strategy would probably be the following:

- Grab all useful glyphs on the map
- Attack you with range. Only resort to melee once I have already broken your formation with ranged units.
- Come around your flank (both sides if possible) and try to force you to break formation to deal with my threat.
- Watch your order markers and attack you based on how they are placed so that your order markers can not be fully utilized. For example, if they are on the EI I will keep out of Raelin/Kiova range to draw them out into a vulnerable position while picking at your other units from range. If they are on the Nakitas or samurai I would again attempt to force them to move out of formation to attack, then pick them off to reduce the number of attacks they get.
- Knowing that no squad has reinforcements, one of my first goals would be to reduce the numbers of each by one or two rather than trying to take out a specific squad. Leaving you with squads of 1 and 2 figures makes your order markers half as valuable as mine.

Here's an alternate EI army:

Einar Imperium x2: 280
Raelin: 80
Kiova: 90
Marro Warriors: 50

Without the Nakitas you have a lot more flexibility in positioning. You can also take a few EI losses without losing any attacks. Numerous attacks is the EI's primary asset so only having 1 or 2 figures hurts the EI perhaps more than any other squad. I'm not sure if it's better or not but it's another idea. Your army is definitely a tough nut to crack if you are able to keep the formation and still return attacks!

[Marduk]

I'm not sure if it's better or not but it's another idea.
For what it is worth, I think your version is better - though I would not use the Marro Warriors, I would go with the Tarn Vikings instead in hopes of a Berserker Charge to the glyphs. Though on some boards the lack of any ranged attacks will kill you, in general the flying melee units should make up for it.

[Dictatorbilbo]

How about this, for an Einar Imperium Army:

Einar Imperium: 140
Raelin: 80
Kiova: 90
Deadeye Dan: 60
Nakita Agents: 120

The idea of this army would be to create a "tank". You would, for the most part, stay in one place. Deadeye Dan would shoot down annoying glyph grabbers and approaching figures. If any figures get close to the formation, the Einar Imperium swarms out and smashes the offending figures into oblivion.

The armies that I think would tear this to shreds are:

A) A ranged common army: Deadeye Dan just can't shoot them down fast enough to stop their advance.
B) A large heroe army: Niflheim, Braxas, Charos, all of the above.
C) Q9, probably, though I haven't played him enough to really get a feel for how he functions.

[Aldin]

TEI are a squad that always makes me feel like there's some sort of mental leap I've failed to make. If you let them roam freely, they have the speed and abilities to get behind enemy lines and really cause some damage. Of course, they're gonna drop like flies if you do that. If you turtle them with Raelin and Kiova, they're each like a little melee mini-DeathWalker. Hard to kill, but range-less and inflexible. I know it's over 500 points, but here's the best "inexpensive" TEI army I've been able to figure out:

TEI 140
Kiova 90
Raelin 80
Krav 100
Laglor 110

Krav with a range of nine and a defense of five force opponents to engage. Once inside the Kiova/Raelin kill zone, TEI mangle them. Laglor is solid on his own, too. No glyph grabbers, sadly. In a 600 point army you'd toss in a couple of RoboRats.

Roaming freely seems interesting too. For 500 points you could run:

2xTEI
3xRoboRats
Krav Maga

Lead with the Rats and the Krav, then pick the right moment to sweep in with TEI to hammer the opposing formation. I should point out that I've tried this and haven't been able to make it work, but the idea is there to germinate now.

~Aldin, really wishing Kiova had movement bonding

[King's Knight]

~Aldin, really wishing Kiova had movement bonding

Yeah you'd think that for a 140 points something like that could've been worked in...

How about this:

Koiva
2 x TEI
2 x TSA

Obviously you're missing Raelin's def bonus and the Nakita's but you have some room to take some losses and you have some acceptable range.

[Marduk]

How about this:

Koiva
2 x TEI
2 x TSA

Obviously you're missing Raelin's def bonus and the Nakita's but you have some room to take some losses and you have some acceptable range.
At this point, I would rather have Raelin than Kiova; her defense bonus applies to the archers as well. And she is better bait for drawing your enemy out.

[King's Knight]

True, and the 2 extra defense (for a total of 5) will probably end up being better then the 3 + reroll...

[Aldin]

True, and the 2 extra defense (for a total of 5) will probably end up being better then the 3 + reroll...

Nope - 3+reroll is almost always better

~Aldin, who still agrees that Raelin is the better choice here

[Marduk]

True, and the 2 extra defense (for a total of 5) will probably end up being better then the 3 + reroll...

Nope - 3+reroll is almost always better

~Aldin, who still agrees that Raelin is the better choice here
The average is awfully close. They are almost the same, but I would prefer the chance of more shields to the slightly reduced chance of no shields (1/32 with Raelin, 1/64 with Kiova). In either case I am not much worried about one skull incoming, but I like to have the possibility (if slim) of defending against four or five skulls. I wonder if that is because I play aggressively and take the occasional crazy risk. Aldin, are you a more conservative, "protect your pieces" kind of player?

[Clarissimus]

Unless I made a math mistake, the average is exactly the same. Of course the best would be to have Kiova's and Raelin's aura (and height, and a glyph, etc.), but try moving that slow combo down the field!

[Aldin]

I have a tendency toward being aggressive myself, actually. But I've gone three, four, five entire GAMES in a row without seeing four or five skulls on a single roll. And when you're not considering your awe-inspiring probability of pulling off four or five shields on the rare chance they might be useful, you have to at least consider the fact that it is otherwise a six dice vs. five dice consideration. With height it's eight vs. six. Now you might not actually throw that many dice, but every one you don't throw isn't being thrown because it's already a shield. Still, with TSA you HAVE to take Raelin. It makes attacking them in melee way too dicey.

~Aldin, pun intended

EDIT Clarissimus, look at it this way, math-wise. With Kiova, if you roll zero shields with the first three dice you roll three more for six total. With Raelin you only roll five. /EDIT

[Stealth Dodge]

I can't imagine the EI ever being competitive in a tournament/competitive setting.

[Marduk]

I can't imagine the EI ever being competitive in a tournament/competitive setting.
Eh, if you can keep them out of LoS as they approach, the two attacks each will pay for their points quickly. That is pretty unreliable, though; on almost any map I would agree with you.

[Sir Flak]

Odds aside, Raelin helps everyone, kovia just helps imperium. Thats better odds for all your figs not just some.

I've though about using marcus some how with the imperium as well. +1 speed could come in handy and extend their threat range considerably. Maybe Something like this:

2x Einar Imperium
1x Marcus
1x Raelin
2x 4th Mass
600pts

Strategy here is get a good spot with 4th mass surrounding Marcus and fire away. I believe they get his +1 attack. (that make up for their loss of valient defense i think). Jump on suckers who would dare melee.

[Snotwalker 8000]

The EI just don't seem to be very playable at their high cost and low defense.

They're a squad that I'd love to love... but 140pts for 3 defense is simply bad gambling. If they had 4 Defense, or movement bonding with Kiova, then they'd be a solid unit worthy of their points.

Compared to the Sentinels' 4 Defense with shield doubling ability and the Minions 6 Defense, the EI's 3 Defense is simply crying out to be shot at and killed in one blow. They're nothing but paper tigers with bullseyes painted on 'em.

And Kiova's ability is really cool; I really like the concept... but without movement bonding, trying to juggle order markers and losing the EI's mobility and offensive opportunities to have her "tag along" doesn't make her ability competitively feasible.

Regarding army composition, I agree with those who build in at least 2 squads of EI. Otherwise, without a buffer for attrition, they lose their special appeal with just one loss. But 280pts for 6 low defense squad figures seems just too steep to play.

Please correct me if I'm wrong here. Like I said, I'd love to love the EI, but I'm not interested in buying them if I don't see myself using them. (and can I live without the Samurai Archers? Yes. range 6 for a squad of 3 at attack 2 doesn't inspire me... I love my Samurai/Ninja, but can pass on these archers I suppose).

[TheRealQ]

I agree with Snotwalker 8000 on a couple points.

1) You need to have two EI to be viable. I can't think of any common squad that this isn't so.

2) EI's defense is lacking.

EI's feeble defense is why the Empress was created. Although without bonding there is no way to affectively keep her nor any other enhancing unit up with them. The only way you can use the Empress, Raelin, Finn, Thorgrim, or Taelord with them would be to use the earlier sit and wait plan that LilNewbie outlined, or one similar to it.

Another option that may work would be to engage your opponents figures with a different unit then swarm them with the EI. A bunch of Deathreavers could do it or possibly Minions or Sentinels.

A few 500 point suggestions:

3x EI
2x deathreavers

2x EI
2x deathreavers
Raelin
+your choice of 60 point unit (I like the Izumi Samurai)

2x EI
2x Minions of Utgar

2x EI
2x Sentinels of Jandar

[GForce3062]

Thanks for the feedback you guys!!!!!! I only posted this because I wanted to find a way to make the EI more of a threat or for some combo's or something. You all have answered those questions. But I
can't live without the archers cause Einar needs range and I love playing with Einar. Anyway yes, I believe the EI's stats don't match to their points cost(it should be 4 def. and bonding w/ Kiova). I guess the EI will never find a place in my army........

[Sir Flak]

My feelings about them are similar snotwalker. As far as not buying them at all though, hasbro cleverly packaged them with the samuri archers. And the samuri archers i've found to be very effective, especially with Raelin as a backup. I'd like 4 squads of the archers but thinking of what i would do with 4 squads of EI collecting dust makes me queasy. I really wish they packaged the EI with a move expensive unit liek the shades i'd be ok with just 2 sets of shades. And 4 sets of heavy gruts instead could be fun for theme armies. Anyway the archers are fun and i may end up getting more EI just for the archers. :(

[Stealth Dodge]

The EI are possibly the worst squad in the game

[GForce3062]

The EI are possibly the worst squad in the game

Oh no, ohhhhh noooooooo. They're beasts. It's just they're a bit complicated. If you can get 2 squads of them and raelin they'll kick some butt!!(hopefuly) I mean yeah they'll die quickly if you just fly them out in the open, but if you put them as you're last wave when most ranged units are gone and the ones remaining are all tied up they will kick butt.

[Stealth Dodge]

Even 5 defense isn't that great plus they still get rocked by units like Hounds/Braxas, etc that bypass defense. Plus even with Just 2x Ei + raelin you are already over 300 points which is so costly


As for holding them back, the EI have GIGANTIC Targets on them, good luck keeping them alive until the end of the game. Additionally, if you do hold them back then good luck because that means for the beginning/middle of the battle you are operating with 140 less points thna your opponent.

[GForce3062]

Even 5 defense isn't that great plus they still get rocked by units like Hounds/Braxas, etc that bypass defense. Plus even with Just 2x Ei + raelin you are already over 300 points which is so costly


As for holding them back, the EI have GIGANTIC Targets on them, good luck keeping them alive until the end of the game. Additionally, if you do hold them back then good luck because that means for the beginning/middle of the battle you are operating with 140 less points thna your opponent.

First of all, none of my scapegroup owns the hounds or braxas and I'm never gonna be in a tourney most likely so I don't have to worry about them. Secondly, I played a 3 player game with PoF and his lil' bro not long ago, and he kept the Imperium back for his second to last wave. We couldn't even get in range to his starting zone, so I won't worry too much about them being a target when they're sitting back(BTW there were still quite a few ranged units out left on the field so I don't understang why he brought them out when he still had Krug). Thirdly, there is no way you can say 5 defense is still not good. If you say that, then it makes it look like no matter how many die you roll for defense, it's still crappy. Lastly, I'm not trying to say the EI are the best squads out there, I'm just trying to say that they're not completely worthless and that they can do something.

[MechaBeast]

EI 140
Raelin 80
Kiova 90
KMA 100
2x Rats 80

490

Use rats for glyphs and down as much as possible with KMA
Key is make them come to you. Keep slowly keep moving Kiova and EI up behind your front line. When you can easily get IE and Kiova and Raelin in the same area they should mow down any threats to the KMA.

[kolakoski]

Well met!

Maybe they could work in Megabattlefest (http://www.heroscapers.com/community/showthread.php?t=38322).

350 Phantom Knights x 5
280 EI x 2
90 Atlaga or Kiova?
720, 22 spaces

280 EI x 2
180 Q9
150 Romans x 3 or 10th x 2?
100 Marcus
10 Isamu
720, 24 or 20 spaces

300 10th x 4
280 EI x 2
100 Marcus
40 Theracus
720, 25 (30 allowed) spaces


280 EI x 2
210 Braxas
150 Q10 or WoA x 3 or Cutters x 3?
80 Raelin
720, 11 or 15 spaces

280 EI x 2
210 Phantom Knights x 3
120 Kaemon
100 Krav
10 Isamu
720, 20 spaces

280 EI x 2
150 Q10
130 Tagawa Samurai Archers x 2
80 Raelin
80 Deathreavers x 2
720, 23 spaces

280 EI x 2
200 Cutters x 4
150 Q10
90 Atlaga or Kiova or Raelin/Isamu?
720, 23 or 24 spaces

280 EI x 2
210 Braxas
120 Deathreavers x 3
100 Krav
10 Isamu
720, 24 spaces

280 EI x 2
150 Q10
110 Laglor
100 Krav
80 Raelin
720, 14 spaces

[kolakoski]

Well met!

Can't forget the Mindflayer . . .

280 EI x 2
150 Q10
100 Mindflayer
100 Pulverizer
90 Kiova
720, 11 spaces

[Master of Disaster]

The Einar Imperium could be really good in a 720 point format. Since, it gives you enough points to give them adaquate support.

Einar Imperiumx3
Krav Maga Agents
Empress Kiova
Raelin(ROTV)
Guilty Mcreech
720points/15spaces
------
This army should fair pretty well. Just look out for Braxas! :runaway:

[kolakoski]

Well met!

I will have only 2 squads, but I agree.

[Major Q23]

500 pt army ideas

Einer Emperium x2
Marcus Demicus Gallus
Altaga
Guilty McCreech