Post by Naitsabes on Oct 21, 2020 1:43:58 GMT
Advice time!
I'm too late to give modelling advice on the Mantic catapult, as I've seen you've built/painted it already... I would have suggested blinging it up with some VC shields, changing the "arm" (or hand?) part of it as the single skull just looks goofy, and also using regular GW skellies for the crew -- I did that, as I really hated the Mantic model stock, but if you're happy with it, never mind.
Black Knights - they need barding and lances. Heavy cavalry in 8th edition is mediocre; medium cavalry is crap. You need these guys packing S6 on the charge (which their Spectral Steeds rule helps them to get). You need them to have a 2+ save or your expensive hammer die far too easily. Barding doesn't slow them (see Spectral Steed rule), and nor does having a Wight King on barded skeletal steed in the unit. Banner of the Barrows is a great choice for them, given you don't have Grave Guard to give it to.
Your mounted Wight King needs his steed to be Barded too. I've got lots of loadouts in my Vampire Counts tactica - the main point is that you should give him something that means he can reliably inflict damage when your knights are reduced to S4. So the Sword of Might or Ogre Blade are the weapons of choice (not a lance unless you're being cheap) and then a simple Enchanted Shield... ah, you have that elsewhere; Dragonhelm and shield then. That gets you a 1+ save (great with 3 wounds and toughness 5) and a constant S5 or S6.
Other Wight King - Sword of Battle is mediocre; you need strength not an extra attack. Sword of Might (or Ogre Blade) will serve you better. Or if you want this guy to be really hard to kill, the Nightshroud is amazing. You can combine that with a great weapon, as even with just a 4+ save the Nightshroud means you'll only usually be facing S3 or S4.
Necros look good, as does your core.
Corpse Cart - if you're looking to save points, change the Unholy Lodestone to Balefire.
Spirit Host, Morghast Archai and Screaming Skull Catapult are all good.
Cairn Wraiths I struggle to justify based on effectiveness, but based on how cool the model is... that's another matter.
What your list feels like it's lacking a bit is more damage dealers -- everything is riding on your Black Knights. Morghast Archai are good but can't beat a ranked unit themself. Bear in mind if you throw the Morghasts into the flank of a unit engaged with your Skellies, your opponent will target your puny skeletons and beat you on combat resolution through lots of kills -- causing your Morghasts to crumble. Don't make that mistake.
Also, extra wizards (scratch this if you're using the proper Undead Legions rules which means no crumble) -- Vampire Counts need as many wizards as possible; 2 is a risk, 3 is more comfortable
What to expand your list with?
1) Grave Guard. The most obvious bony addition. They're great. Take 30+ of them with great weapons (sword/shield are decent too but not nearly as good).
2) Another Necromancer. On the Corpse Cart, maybe?
3) Chaff - Dire Wolves or additional Spirit Hosts. Or Fell Bats. Or more Skeleton Horsemen/Archers.
4) Hexwraiths - fun ghostly cavalry.
5) I like Darnok's Blood Knights suggestion. And Black Coach one.
6) Mortis Engines are good.
If you're going down the Tomb Kings conversions/kidneys route:
1) Chariots. Lots of them.
2) Tomb Prince/King lets you do all sorts of nasty tricks with Grave Guard (increasing their weapon skill to match your character's)
3) Constructs - if they fit with your aesthetic? Plenty of them are relatively good.
4) Snakes - the Stalkers and Necropolis Knights are both good.
good stuff, sedge.
First of all, no argument on barding for black knights, that's me and battle scribe not being best of friends. I am confused on the wight king. How does he gain the 'spectral steed' rule or why does he not get slowed by barding? [EDIT: I got it. all VC skeletal steeds have 'spectral steed' as a special rule. Ha! there will be barding on that wight king]
On the foot king my thinking is more chances to roll that juicy killing blow are good. extra Strength is my standard go-to on other armies, was trying to be different. I see your point.
You are not the first to call for more heavy hitters. whatever happened to drowning folks in bones . I suppose if I cut the archers I could boost the black knight unit size. or how else to fit heavy hitting into 2k?
I like the 2.5k expansion suggestions. a hierotitan seems pretty good with the magic phase boost. just need to figure out the little detail of finding a suitable model. I guess I can let my expansion plans be guided by what ebay trawling brings to the surface.