Bomb in my belly

[Strange]

So first of all, I'd like to confess that Deathwalker 7000 is one of my favorite figs. It makes me sad that no one deems him tournament-worthy. Yet.

Agatagary's Strategy Review highlights DW7k's usefulness as a serious anti-range assassin (and a viable Q9 counter). Plus, Zealot has set forth a wonderfully inventive strategy in the Book of DW7k - use him with DW9k and Ornak as a willing target for 9k's Explosion. 7k can easily survive the attack, and he can take out squads that have been spaced out to avoid the Explosion.

I put together a 500 point army that makes use of this novel idea.

DW7000 - 100
DW9000 - 140
Ornak - 100
Zettians - 70
Warden 816 - 90

What do you guys think?

[rdhight]

I think I can honestly say I've never seen anything like that before. It's novel, all right. And it seems strangely... not absolutely horrible. Ornak has three heroes to activate, check, and the Zettians can actually keep up with DW9K to keep getting his bonus while on the move, check. And you can certainly deal out the special attacks in a lot of different ways.

I think in a low-pressure game against other "just for fun" armies, this could actually work. But it has a lot of fragility. Deadeye Dan can hardly help but kill more than his point value against this group. Sonlen is also a major threat. You're liable to get DW7K covered in deathreavers, and then while you're trying to Explode them, Deadeye can sit back and plink 7K any time he wants. And all it will take is one little 10-point squad figure to slip a skull or two through the chinks in your armor and take you for all you've got. Another guy who would probably take this army apart is Venom.

Full points for style, though!

[ThrasherDarkrai]

This is an army that's almost tournament worthy. ALMOST.
The main problem here is Braxas. She can terminate Warden 816 and the Zettians, probably even Ornak, without breaking a sweat, and your only hope against her is to explode on her. That's pretty bad.

[Zealot]

Thank you for the compliment Strange

As you may have guessed from my numerous posts, DW 7000 is also one of my favorite units, which is why I try so hard to think outside the box with him but Bloody the Marro Stinger makes a good point that while the army has good synergy it cant really counter Braxas or deathreavers very well, you would need either another large hero or some squads,

I personally would take out the Zettians and the Warden (even though I like them both ) and put in Mimring and Isamu.

You have another area effect special attack that DW 7000 is "immune" to, and now you have two Large Ranged units to deal with threats like Dead Eye and Braxas. Isamu is just a filler that can help protect Ornak if necessary and hey... now you have four heros to choose from on turn 1

[Strange]

Agatagary also suggested this interesting "offensive specialist" army in the Strategy Review:

DW7k - 100
Crixus - 90
Dund - 110
Marcu Esenwein - 20
x3 Zombies - 180

I like this idea too, although I'd probably substitute Kaemon and Isamu for Dund and Marcu for added versatility and security (note that if Marcu betrays on the first turn, any smart opponent will launch an adjacent 4 attack on DW7k). Crixus can take out Braxas fairly effectively, and KA provides a good counter to Sonlen or DED.

But this amalgam army lacks synergy, and thus seems inferior to - and not nearly as cool as - the first army.

Edit: Good point, Zealot - although I find that Mimring does much of DW9k's job when it comes to squads. What about Cyprien instead? Another Utgar hero who can move fast enough to put the hurt on someone like DED or Sonlen...

[rdhight]

For all you Deathwalker fans out there, here's my shot at a 1000-point army based on similar principles.

180 Blastatrons x3
240 Gladiatrons x3
140 Deathwalker 9K
130 Deathwalker 8K
100 Deathwalker 7K
110 Laglor
100 Ornak
=1000

This is sort of a combined robot invasion, with Utgar bringing the suck and Vydar frantically trying to make up for it. Dual flagbearers and all three deathwalkers-- too weird.

[Nadom]

This army sounds like lot of fun to play (or even play against)... and (to play devil's advocate here), I could see how it could fare well against Braxas or Deadeye Dan. Braxas (despite her tons of life) still has fairly low defense and can be taken down from range (especially if you manage to tie her down). Similarly, for Dan to remain effective, he has to stay in one place; this army could have enough range to take him down before he does too much damage. Sonlen's still going to be scary (as are the KMA and Q9, but when aren't they scary?).
The big trouble I see with this army is the maximum of 2 activations/attacks per turn. Unless it has a solid wall of expendable figs out front (preferably that you don't have to put order markers on), your enemy will be able to march right up to your attackers. What about taking 2 squads of Deathreavers and Isamu instead of Warden 816? That way your DW9k and your Zettians are free to fire away and are protected while the rats fetch glyphs and tie up opponents. You also get Isamu as another option to activate with Ornak. Speaking of Ornak, you could make use of his synergies by taking 2 squads of Blade Gruts and Isamu instead of the Warden. Nothing quite like expendable masses to distract opponents from the real threats... even if your opponent uses a Braxas or a Dan to take them out, you should already be firing on them (and their low defense) from a comfortable range.

[Jexik]

I'd replace the Zettian Guards and the Warden with 2 squads of Heavy Gruts and Marcu to get the maximum usage out of Ornak, as well as give you some more attacks per turn when you need them.

Edit: Isamu would fit too.

This army sounds like fun, and full of surprises.

[DEATHWALKER]

Originally Posted by Strange

So first of all, I'd like to confess that Deathwalker 7000 is one of my favorite figs. It makes me sad that no one deems him tournament-worthy. Yet.

I think he's tournement worthy

same with 8k and 9k

I <3 the Deathwalkers!

[Strange]

Originally Posted by DEATHWALKER

I think he's tournement worthy

same with 8k and 9k

I <3 the Deathwalkers!

I think he can be, if used correctly and with the proper support. As for the army, Jexik's idea looks the best to me. Much as I love the Zettians and the Warden, I have to admit that Heavies will probably do better in the long run.

The reason for this is that after playtesting the original army, I found that Ornak often got left behind after the second round, causing me to forfeit the dual activation. In the new army, he can advance alongside the orcs, who provide a buffer for DW9k or engage heroes - hopefully he can boost both the orcs with Battle Cry and the DWs with Red Flag.

So, the new army:

DW7000 - 100
DW9000 - 140
Ornak - 100
x2 Heavy Gruts - 140
Marcu Esenwein - 20

Further suggestions? Comments? Snide remarks? Should I use Isamu instead of Marcu?

[Zealot]

Dude...Strange,
I was literally just thinking of that army

Great minds think alike

Now you have a glyph grabber and ambusher with Marcu, who wont turn on you with the red flag.

You have a strong melee force with the orcs.

And my double team strategy with 7000 and 9000 can be executed in a pinch, followed up by either self destruct or a small wave of orc spears on turn 2

[Hendal]

I like the idea

maybe change the zettins and the warden for DW 8000 and have 30 extra to spend, but DW8000 is better for taking out swarms.