Units that seem to do better in Realscape then Theoryscape

[padlock]

I'm a bit of a theoryscaper. Usually I'm pretty good at predicting how well a unit will work for me. Sometimes however, theoryscape fails me and my real world experience is quite different then what I expected.

One example is the protectors of Ullar. When I first read their card, my initial impression was that they'd be decent, but unremarkable, with quite a few weak matchups. For some reason though, every time I've played them (or against them), they always perform much better then I expect them to.

I can't really explain why either. I guess my theoryscape skills aren't strong enough to properly understand the true value of ranged flyers, although I thought they were.

In any case, does anyone else have experiences to share where units consistently do better (or perhaps worse) then what was expected?

[Frylock]

I always thought the spiders were kind of crummy, even with Wyverns. But whenever I play them (especially with Estivara) they out perform my expectations significantly.

Another one for me is the TSA. I'm always surprised at how often counterstrike really does work, even with only three dice. Their offensive potential still holds them back, but they are quite good defensively.

[Kaiser Cat]

I think Marcu fits here. I mean, 1 out of 5 chance of betrayal? Come on, who would play something like that?

[LeviofDoom]

so far, even though hes new, Rhogar Dragonspine. he is practically a guarenteed healer and a healer you actually want to put order markers on!
and Syvarris too. he is always still there on his perch after the battles are over, and his double attack works wonders for me when squads are storming his mountain.

[Kaiser Cat]

Originally Posted by LeviofDoom

so far, even though hes new, Rhogar Dragonspine. he is practically a guarenteed healer and a healer you actually want to put order markers on!

Rhogar isn't wholly bad, per se, but he is the opposite of a unit that does better in Realscape than Theoryscape.

I agree with Syvarris.

[gorthan313]

One word: Erevan.

[padlock]

Originally Posted by Frylock

I always thought the spiders were kind of crummy, even with Wyverns. But whenever I play them (especially with Estivara) they out perform my expectations significantly.

I've had similar experiences with spiders. They always do better then I expect them to.

I think that in general, highly mobile units like those with high base movement, or flying or some other power which increases their mobility, tend to do better for me then I usually give them credit for.

[Jexik]

I've had some ridiculous runs of luck with Cyprien+Sonya before, killing over 350 points worth of stuff. I also had one game in a tournament where Sonya came back to kill an entire KMA squad, even after her hubby died.

Feral Trolls, although weak against stuff like Redcoats, are a real pain to take out in a campaign scenario.

Also, Deathreavers. Back when attack glyphs were more common in my games, I distinctly recall taking out high defense stuff with them, including Q9 and Knights of Weston in different games.

[fomox]

@Jexik; Deathreavers are better on offense than I'd think even without glyphs. They almost always get all four attacks, and often from height. One attack is so, so much better than, say one defense.

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I think Theracus is better than people think he is, at least at first. He can be a key tactical unit, and comes cheap.

The spiders were actually worse than I thought they'd be, but I can see Estivara and Wyverns changing that.

[LeviofDoom]

Originally Posted by Kaiser Cat

Rhogar isn't wholly bad, per se, but he is the opposite of a unit that does better in Realscape than Theoryscape.

I agree with Syvarris.

i suppose youre right... i just have had really good luck with him so far, and i still see people who say in theory "he wouldnt be very good." but he does great! but i also thought he would be good in theory . i guess it depends on who said it

[killercactus]

I feel like Syvarris consistently out-performs what I think he's going to do.

I'd be lying if I said that I didn't think Runa does more than what people expect from her, but I won't get much agreement.

I also think Venoc Vipers vastly over-achieve.

[Kaemon Awasome]

@ Killercactus,

I completely agree about the Vipers. I was glad to see you take them to Day 2 at GenCon. There have been a few times where I've played Viper armies against guys that I'm teaching to play, because I think they'll be weak, and the other guy will have lots of fun shooting up 0 defense figures, but then I end up winning.

Now granted, the guy is brand new, but I'm giving 'em stuff like Raelin, Q9, and Minions (because they're easier to understand than Rats for new guys).

Also, I would put Q10 in there. At first the talk around here was mostly, "Why not just pay an extra 30 and get Q9," but I started playing against some 4th Mass and Stinger builds, and his 7 range special does wonders against them. He would consistently take out way more than I thought he would. Now... he does have his weaknesses (and many more than Q9).

One unit that actually performs worse for me is Nilfheim. Because of his awesome stats, I always picture him owning his opposition, but I usually kill him off way before necessary. This one is mostly my own fault, the only setback of Nilfheim himself being that he looks so freaking awesome that he psyches me out, and that he doesn't fit in all the places I need him to. Otherwise, I'm just too careless with him (I need to read his Unit Review again).