08 July 2012

Playing to our Strengths: Trolls at Low Points Part 1

I have been holding off posting on this topic because I think it's more then just a, "this list worked for me" thread.  It's been stated that trolls work best at 50pts because we feel like we aren't sacrificing anything at that point.  However, I think that playing at lower points you need to look at a few key factors.  First and foremost is playing to our strengths.  At low point levels we can't just bring everything we have so we bring what works and what is most potent. The point of this is realizing our weaknesses and our strengths at point levels below 50 and playing to those. As the first part of the article I will go over our warlocks and how each of them works at low point levels. 


Warlocks:
pMadrak: Beast brick to your hearts content.  Not much can handle 90 boxes of arm 22 goodness especially at those low point levels.  


eMadrak: Our infantry is cheap.  Bring lots and one beast. They can't kill you easily and you bring an entire list full of weapon masters if you want.


pDoomy:  Your feat total screws low point jack/beast heavy armies.  Purification is golden and immunity to spells it to.  If you can protect yourself, you win.  Run a beast brick and stand behind it.


eDoomy:  Dire Trolls charging 13"+ inches wins games. Make your feat turn count and you can cripple your opponent.   As with pDoomy, make sure you can keep Doomy safe.


pGrissel: Her feat and ability to run beast light makes her pretty effective at low point levels.  She can really shine when you just jam the hell out of people in scenario or swarm your opponent with kriels or fenns.  She can lack some offensive punch though unless you take the more expensive infantry or beasts.  I tend to avoid her at lower point levels.


eGrissel:  She can beast brick pretty well and the feat can help if you can alpha struck.  Janissa and an impaler are a must.  Probably not the most solid choice at sub 50pts.


Grim:  Grim is unique because he can really play to all the trolls strengths and really shore up their weaknesses. Long threat ranges, good beast and troop support make him a great toolbox.  He can run infantry or beast heavy and has great assassination angles. Take him at whatever point value you like.   


Jarl: He plays similar to Grim but you really have to tailor a list to his spell list.  Make sure you have at least one heavy hitter and then infantry that can take full advantage of his spells.  I don't prefer him as much in lower points but he can work.  Just know that once your infantry hits the lines, quicken and other spells need to be on him or gone so you can take advantage of magic bullet.


Calandra:  She's fragile.  And while star crossed is great, it's effect is lessened the few things if effects.  So she needs to be close enough to get enemies in the bubble which puts her closer to the enemy's lines.  I think she suffers at low points because there is simply not enough in the way to keep her safe most times.  I tend to avoid her at these point levels.


Borka: He can be effective in lots of different lists and venues.  He is so hard to kill that he works at nearly any point level. Infantry heavy or beast heavy can work.  Even if the only thing list in the list is Borka you still have a chance. 


Gunny:
Built in wall, good beast brick potential, good ranged accessory and no problem sitting behind a few big beasts and blowing some stuff off the table every turn.











3 comments:

  1. What does that pMadrak list look like? I'm not sure what the 90 boxes of ARM 22 equates to.

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  2. Anonymous27 July, 2012

    Probably something like this:
    Points: 35/35
    Chief Madrak Ironhide (*6pts)
    * Troll Impaler (5pts)
    * Earthborn Dire Troll (10pts)
    * Mulg the Ancient (12pts)
    * Trollkin Runebearer (2pts)
    Krielstone Bearer and 3 Stone Scribes (3pts)
    * Krielstone Stone Scribe Elder (1pts)
    Fell Caller Hero (3pts)
    Janissa Stonetide (3pts)
    Troll Whelps (2pts)

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