Lock and Load List 2 - thegreatblah

So my second list is my other most played caster since MKII and easily my most played in MKI.  Madrak, Thronwood Chieftan.  The old standby.  He doesn't have the offensive power ability of his epic form but he brings other things to the table for scenario play.

Trollbloods
Standard Army
PCs: 50 / 50
40 models
[00] Madrak Ironhide, Thornwood Chieftain (0 / 6 WB)
[02]  >> Trollkin Runebearer
[09]  >> Dire Troll Mauler
[03] Janissa Stonetide
[03] Fell Caller Hero
[02] Stone Scribe Chronicler
[03] Trollkin Champion Hero
[06] Kriel Warriors (9 grunts)
[02]  >> Kriel Warrior Standard & Piper
[03]  >> Kriel Warrior Caber Thrower (3 Caber Throwers)
[10] Trollkin Champions (4 grunts)
[03]  >> Skaldi Bonehammer
[08] Trollkin Fennblades (9 grunts)
[02]  >> Trollkin Fennblade Officer & Drummer

The first thing you will notice is that there is only one beast.  If I lose him I'm screwed. The second thing you will notice is that there is no Kriel Stone.  I know its good but I just don't feel like it adds enough to my list to be worth losing half of one of the units.

First things first, the Mauler.  We all know beasts are needed and even fantastic so why one Mauler.  The answer is simple, out of all our casters pMadrak manages fury the worst and can run the lightest AND I want as much infantry as I can fit in the list to help swarm the board.  So my choices are either one heavy that costs nine points or two lights that cost 9 points.  I chose the one melee heavy that can really get it done in melee if necessary and that has a spectacular animus for any models in range.

pMadrak Brick Beast Heavy List

Happy put this list up on the forums the other day and I wanted to include it here.  A surprisingly effective beast heavy list run by our least fury efficient caster.


by    The Happy Anarchist



I think some mention should be made of lists like this.
Army: pMadrak Beast 35
Type: Duel (1 caster, 35pts)
Points: 35
Chief Mardrak Ironhide (*6pts)
* Slag Troll (6pts)
* Troll Axer (6pts)
* 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)
Totem Hunter (3pts)
Troll Whelps (2pts)

Or similar lists. pMadrak actually plays a surprisingly effective beast heavy list at 25/35 tournaments. Front lines of Def 16/18 ARM 20+ beasts that counterattack with Mat 8+ infantry sweeping crusher attacks, or just getting Mulg to their caster.

It is a tough nut to crack, is much easier to position well and plays well with Janissa and with little support needed.

Tips for running. I put Madrak and Janissa and the beasts on the front line. I did first turn as casting Surefoot and dropping 2 fury on the stone, the charge some likely target. Then Janissa either runs forward or advances and drops a wall, depending on the ranged threat or whether I go first or second. Then the beasts run into position, making sure Mulg has room to advance and attack if anyone comes after Madrak. The the stone pops and runs.

Because it plays so tight you rarely need more than 2-3 fury on the stone, most times you should be able to save the 2pt you would normally save on the Runebearer. Though he would still come in handy for late game feat/Carnage moves to leave more fury on Madrak and keep him safer. 

Throw a Brick at them ~ Chief Madrak Ironhide

One of the oldest Trollblood strategies, beginning from our Alpha warlock Chief Madrak Ironhide.  The Troll caster that every Trollblood players owns, yup its our battle-box caster.  One of his signature spells 'Surefoot' means him and his Trolls pack themselves so tightly together that they quite literally form a 'Brick' of Trolls.  Add in things like the Kriel Stone Bearer and Gobber smoke and now Janessa Stonetide playing pMadrak gives you more and more reasons to make sure large aoe's hit all of your army.  Other Troll casters can brick to some degree, Borka with Ironflesh, does a decent minibrick.  But no Troll caster can play clumped up with the effeciency of our buddy Madrak.

Photo courtesy of Battlecollege

Chief Madrak Ironhide

Stats- Madrak has decent stats for a Warlock, nothing glamorous but it's okay two of his spells make up for his defeciencies in Defense and take his good MAT and make it great.
Weapons- He has one that he can use in melee or range. At range it doesn't go far but that is what Farstrike is for, if you happen to kill something on your first throw then you get to throw again. Top that off since its a throw STR buffs increase the ranged damage along with the melee damage and his P+S is pretty good to begin with. In melee he has reach which was a glorious addition in MKII. Icing on the cake is Critical Grevious wounds, which makes enemy Warlock's cry if you pull on off while hitting one of them.

Abilities- He has a few nifty abilities. Talisman on subdual means beasts that activate where Madrak can see them can't charge or slam him even when they frenzy. Snap Fire is discussed above. Scroll of Grindar's Perserverance is pretty awesome and is essentially Madrak taking a free hit that won't hurt him.
Spells- Surefoot is his signature spell and key to bricking, it takes low Troll DEF and turns them into being difficult to hit unless you can boost. Stranglehold slows things down from getting into your front lines and has good range, it's also cheap which is good because Madrak needs all the fury he can get. Carnage means that when your brick closes on their front lines your chances of hitting go way way up.

Brick Basics

Chief Madrak Ironhide ~ Surfoot is why he bricks so well.  Cast it turn 1 or turn 2 (usually on himself) and upkeep the rest of the game.  The added defense for him and everyone around him along with making it so none affected can be knocked down takes the Average low Troll Defense into respectable levels.  Most of the othe Core-Bricking models have decent MAT and carnage just makes it that much better. Toss is his Scroll and a buff or two and he is very hard to kill in an assassination attempt.  If they do rush the brick then Crusher on high MAT high DMG Champs is bad news.