The Lothern Sky Cutter – wind beneath my wings

The Lothern Sky Cutter – wind beneath my wings

Over the next few weeks I’m going to cover certain units in the HE book that are either new or have been written off as “unusable” by certain HE players on the forums.  The amount of negativity by HE players has astounded me and the amount of pretty ridiculous opinions.  Anyway enough of that onto the Sky Cutter, I’ll also cover the High Helm option and the Eagle Eye option. 

I’ll start from the top – the High Helm mounted on Sky Cutter.  On the surface an option people have largely ignored or written off.  He is 100 points… why not buy a noble etc.  Well if you want a noble buy a noble.  No one is making you take this guy.  I have however written a couple of lists where I can see a use and a role for this guy.  As your BsB mounted in a Sky Cutter - the whole model picks up a 4+ ward v shooting – pretty nice for the points.  One point everyone seems to ignore about the S/C is that is flies.  Yes it has Tiranoc Chariot stats but it can move 10 over enemy units so can’t be chaffed or blocked up.  This gives you tremendous flexibility and this applies to all variants.  The ability to charge 10 swiftstride with impacts, BsB + charge as well is also a nice benefit in the right build cornering into combats or even flanking.  I can see him with the Golden Crown, Reaver bow in a list containing a star dragon, double phoenix and other sky cutters or eagle nobles.  With a reaver core you can really direct your attack where you need to go.  And with a Star Dragon and 2 Phoenix are people really shooting your BsB?  Not for every list – but certainly not a dead duck either.

The basic sky cutter – 95 points – 25 points more than a Tiranoc but again as above has the fly ability…. This can be used as I see it in a number of roles.  War machine protection – this can guard flanks and bolt throwers from units such as shades, camo skinks etc. as well as fast cav, and other units such as sabretusks that are hunting your war machines with the roc as well plus impacts and 3 ASF attacks on the charge this will wreck those units.

It can also use the ability to fly over chaff, blocking units and get behind the lines into the backfield or allow you to fight two rounds of combat in certain situations by charging over the top of chaff and into units behind and then letting the ground based unit overrunning to fight again.  All good uses of the Sky Cutter.  While it may not be a 1+ in every list I can really see it being useful.

The Sky Cutter with Eagle Eye upgrade – again this has been slammed but it can fulfil the flank, chaff and war machine protection role of it’s cheaper cousin but also has a S5 no armour save bolt thrower that is a really nice option in the monstrous cav meta. Yes it suffers the -1  if it moves but you can remain static at long range and then move 10 into short range to always be hitting on 4’s.  You can also move into position for flank shots and even if you are chipping wound off skull crushers or mourfang this is nothing to sneeze at.  And don’t forget if needed it is a S5 chariot that can buy you time, redirect a unit or just cause issues without giving up too many points. 

Overall I really like the Sky Cutter and can see myself picking a couple up to add to my list.  The fly rule really shouldn't be underestimated and it can be an interesting piece to the HE Army.  I’d be interested to get your thoughts. 

Bit of a brain dump for a Friday afternoon but hopefully something useful in their as well!                     

Too much of a good thing

Well HE’s have been with us for a little under a week and we have had cries of broken, new power book and everything in between.  What has surprised me has been the reaction of some of the HE players (Pete I actually agree with you on this one -). 

This book is a huge step up from the 7^th book that was flagging pretty badly as more of the 8^th Ed books came out.  We now have a book that is well pointed, has strong options in all the slots - who used to spend any more than 200 points in rare on 4 eagles?  Pete W I’m not counting you because your list was maverick.  I can see 500 points in rares in most HE’s lists now, we have new character slots, new core options and new special choices.  Rather than rejoice it seems some HE players are moaning already that it’s over costed (despite an almost universal points drop)and how hard done by they are.  It seems you just can’t please some people and Nerds seem to be the hardest of all.

I for one am really enthused about the new book, the old book had really sapped my enjoyment of HE’s as it was just spears or archers in core and the list hadn't really changed since I had picked them up in 4^th ed. 

So after divergence to WE’s, Beastmen, WOC, Ogres and Skaven I’m excited to get the HE’s back out.  So stop crying HE players and learn to accept the mantle thrust upon us as having a good book and the expectation that comes with that.           

The Rise of The Asur

Before I get accused of joining the HE bandwagon (and anyone that does can quite frankly fuck off!) I thought I’d give you my first HE’s list!  I first picked up the HE’s in 1992 and until 8^th were along with WE’s the only Warhammer army I had played.  I feel in a fairly good position to comment now being on my 5^th version of the HE’s.  They had become a little stale for me during 8^th and I went back to WE’s before graduating to some filth in Skaven.  I’m currently playing Ogres while I paint my vintage HE’s which were parts of my old army which I paint stripped. 

The new book has given me a great boost to speed up my painting and all going to plan I will be running them at the Masters in December. 

Characters

You really are spoilt for choice here with now 9 unique Lord & Hero selections. While some of these are clearly going to be more themed/fluff options they do all bring something and add a unique flavour to the list.  Not to mention the points came down for Mages, Princes and Nobles.  I looked at combo’s L4/Prince L4/Loremaster single LoreMaster and there were a few good ones (a L4 Shadow with the book of Hoeth is going to be very obvious and pretty good, but dull given the army) but I have gone for a Loremaster.  I can live without the L4 caster and the 8 sig spells give you excellent tactical flexibility.

Core

In core I have gone for a mixed arms approach – two units of reavers with spears and bows at 95 points each to harass and distract 15 archers as chaff clearance and a bunker and 10 Silver Helms as a fast moving combat/support unit.  600 points on the nose. 

Special       

Special is a bus of Dragon Princes in which the BsB and noble sit protected by the banner of the World Dragon – while this unit can hit very hard it won’t love the grind so picking targets carefully will be key.  However monstrous cav units without res are in trouble as the Star lance and bus will go through them. 

The Phoenix Guard will house the LoreMaster and be there for cleanup of weakened units once they reach the HE lines.

Rare

This is an interesting slot now in the HE book and I again went for mixed arms.  3 Bolt throwers – at 70 points and effective way to pick off chariots, monstrous cav, DP’s etc.  I think they are needed to support the list. 

A Frostheart Phoenix – this guy is a great new unit and my aim for him is to “Tag” corners of units where the Dragon Princes or Silver Helms are going in to reduce the enemies’ strength by 1 point can really help keep the unit from taking damage.  Taking a S5 unit down to S4 is epic. 

I’ve thrown in a lone eagle (due to abuse in the early days of 8^th the eagle population has declined..)

   

I don’t think this is in anyway a power build but I think is a solid mixed arms list that I would enjoy playing and would give tactical challenge and flexibility. 

Really interested in your thoughts/comments

1	Loremaster	Lord		Book of Hoeth
1	Noble	Hero	Dragon Armour, Barded Steed, BsB, lance	enchanted shield, dawnstone
1	Noble	Hero	dragon Armour, Barded Steed	starlance, golden crown, charmed shield
1	Mage	Hero	L1 High	dispel scroll
15	Archers	Core	musician
5	Reavers	Core	spear, bow
5	Reavers	Core	spear, bow
10	Silverhelms	Core	shield, standard, musician
15	Phoenix Guard	Special	musician
10	Dragon Princes	Special	Full Command	Banner of the World Dragon
1	bolt thrower	rare
1	bolt thrower	rare
1	bolt thrower	rare
1	Frostheart Phoenix	rare
1	Eagle	rare

New High Elves Ho!!!

Well to say I'm pumped about the New HE's would be an understatement.  Having played them since 4th ed in around 1992 it's fair to say I'd gotten a little stale of them in 8th.  From what I have seen so far of the new release it looks to be the best (in my unbiased opinion in 8th so far).  

A little tidbit - this is the rider for the Phoenix assembled on foot - looks like a new new Lord level character the Anointed of Asuryan.. Enjoy

In the end there can be only one.…..

Anyone how follows me on twitter knows that I love giving Pete a ribbing about his defense of how under-powered skaven are and they need their toys to be competitive, he in return thinks I play my best Warhammer on Twitter.  It’s time to find out Mr Dunn… Pete couldn't make Equinox and he sold his son Jack down the river at NZTC so we missed each other there as well. 

We are both going to be in NICON which is shaping as a small but incredibly tough field with several of the top players in NZ in attendance.

Pete is the Kurgan of Warhammer in NZ… I must rise to the challenge…. 

  

Ramirez: The Kurgan. He is the strongest of all the immortals. He's the *perfect* warrior. If he wins the Prize, mortal man would suffer an eternity of darkness.

Connor MacLeod: How do you fight such a savage?

Ramirez: With heart, faith and steel. In the end there can be only one.

Pete I GRUDGE YOU!   

Hobby Bargains

I’ve been quiet for a few weeks, so I’m going to use my blog as a sales platform!  I’ve consolidated my hobby armies of late into Ogres (current painted tournament list) and HE’s my long labour of love trying to repaint a vintage 4^th ed metal army. Anyone who know’s me well will know I’ve picked these up and put them down so many times with little real progress!  I did however this week pick up a paint brush and try to finish my 30 Sword Masters in preparation for a new book!

So I’ve got a couple of Dark Elf items for sale that I don’t just want to stick on Trademe.  These were painted by Dave Hart (who won best painted at Equinox).  The hydra is not quite done but easy to finish. I also have the very nice DE bolt thrower.  If anyone is keen on these items let me know.

I’ve also got 50 nicely painted Night Goblins going as well and 24 of the last Ed metal savage orcs.  Drop me a message on here if anyone would be keen.

 This is to clear out a few spaces in my hobby room and pay off my credit card as I have an Ebay/Trademe addiction. I sometimes think drugs and hookers would be a cheaper hobby…   

TBM – Tauranga Fantasy Open

What is TBM?  Probably one of the best small Warhammer tournaments on the scene (has nothing to do with the fact I won the last one..).  With an onsite bar, a refreshing no comp change and a great night life on offer in the Mount this really is a cracking weekend away.  You also get some good games of Warhammer in v good players, and also some chump bashes v the locals! 

This is on the 18^th and 19^th of May and I would really recommend it.  I will be there with most of Team NZ Hammered from NZTC and would love to see you guys there.

For more info get in touch with Blair the T.O blair.garratt@nzpost.co.nz for more info.