Lemons and Aid: Trollkin Scouts

Let's face it: when it comes to infantry, Trollblood units tend to fall into two categories.   There's infantry that's taken extremely frequently (Fennblades, Pygmy Burrowers, Champions), there's infantry that's taken extremely infrequently (Pygmy Bushwackers, Trollkin Sluggers), and there's very little in the middle (Kriel Warriors, Scattergunners, situational pieces like Runeshapers or Longriders).

Today I'd like to talk about one of not-oft used pieces: Trollkin Scouts.

We Want YOU...to be the next member of the Scrumcast

You heard me right, we are trying to expand our stable of Scrumcast Hosts.  And I want you to be the next member.  Below I have included an audio application.  We want potential members to send us auditions essentially to be the next member of our podcast.  Exceptional applications will be contacted for Skype calls and more screening before we make our Final choice.

*Requirements for application

 Your schedule MUST be fairly open. Scheduling is the number one issue we have atm, so be available.

MUST have a love and passion for all things Trolls, even the Skinner... OK maybe not the Skinner.

No overseas applications.  Sorry guys.  It's hard enough to wrangle Bakaryu into casts.

Must have stable internet connection and decent Microphone. Better quality is a plus.

Must also write consistent articles for The Scrum in addition to recording.

You must be entertaining to listen to.  Non negotiable...

So without further ado...

All applicants must send in a recording of their answers to the following questions.  Recordings should be no longer then 1 minute and you are encouraged to use all of the allotted time.  Please be as animated or crazy as you wish and try to avoid dead air.  All questions must be answered.

What are are your real and forum names?

Who is your favorite character from the Troll or Hordes Fluff?

If you had to play one warlock in our stable exclusively for one year, which one would it be?

What is your favorite color?

How much do you like Goris' beard?

If you had to have a Troll Warlock on your underwear, which would it be?

And finally why do you think we should make you our next member of the Scrumcast?

Please send all applications to Goris@Trollbloodscrum.com by August 20th 2012.

Possible Web Comic for The Scrum

So, I have been kicking the idea around for a while now of doing a weekly web comic for The Scrum.  It would be about 3 Trolls and some ancillary characters who take real world situations and jokes and apply them to the Trolls' world in the Iron Kingdoms.  The Trolls would be loosely based on myself, TheGreatBlah, and Bakaryu.  So, I would love some feedback on whether or not this is something you guys would read or even care about.  I have enclosed my first facial sketches of our comical Trolls.

Playing to Our Strengths: Trolls at Low Points Part 3

When last we spoke I was going over the viability of our Units in point levels of 35 and below. This week I want to go over our beasts.  Obviously the Mangled Metal/Tooth and Claw format is the big focus here, but what about our mixed lists at 25 and 35? It can be hard to fit heavies in without losing too much of the meat of the army. So let's look at what we can bring and whether or not we should...

Light Warbeasts

It is no secret we have some of if not the best light beasts in the game.  With a host of very useful animi and some decent offensive output, we really only have a few corner-case or useless light warbeasts. 

Axer - 

Solid animus, really good offensive output, and good defensive stats he's out heavy that's a light.  He tucks nicely into a lot of lists including our Battle Box.  He can add a lot of utility to a list with Pathfinder for bigger harder hitting targets or mix it up himself.  Definitely a Solid choice.

Bouncer - 

There has been some contention lately on whether or not the bouncer is worth it. Granted his stock went up a little once shield guard got fixed, but the core of playing him remains the same.  To be honest, when i look at beast choices, he simply doesn't cross my mind.  This game is about aggression and if you haven't learned to protect your warlock well enough by now, you need to re-evaluate you play style.  This game favors the aggressor and it's hard to be the aggressor with a defensive beast.  Also, bump is a must ability not a choice, so it's easily mitigated by your opponent unless they forget about it. Not really worth it IMO.

Impaler - 

I don't think I have had many things mess up an opponents game more then watching a Warjack/Warbeast go sailing over something important in their army.  Slams are a Trollblood staple and the Impaler was the original Kriel bowler.  So really good animus.  With as much ranged low as we have been getting lately it's hard not to see an Impaler in so many lists.  I think he is essential for any Warlock who uses their gun for offense or utility.  This slots him neatly into half the lists you can make.  That alone I think makes him viable.

Pyre - 

I think that giving the middle finger to Legion is good enough to make this model viable and I would love to end it at that but let's look deeper.  A damage buff at the meezly point cost of 5 is another strong reason to bring him.  Don't have enough points for a Mauler, the Pyre is your Troll.  Need a really nice, auto fire AOE? Pyre.  This guys is solid for 5 and taking him in lower point costs is kind of his forte.

Slag -

This one is a bit tougher. He's more of the same, but just a little different.  His animus is good, but not as universally useful I would say as the Pyre.  He has a potent gun with RoF 2 that's really good against undead, Jacks and constructs, but "meh" against everything else.  He is better in melee but do you really want him there anyway? The pyre has always been a beast that is great in some lists, not so much in others, you can bring him at lower point costs, but in most cases I say save a point and bring the Pyre instead.

Storm Troll - 

There is a lot of potential here I think.  I have not had enough time to play test this beast as his model has not been released.  I think he has great potential in a number of lists but I can't be sure.  We will call this one a Jury is still out for now.

Swamp - 

What and odd duck.  Seems very one dimensional and situational.  I have yet to use him as I have never found a use for him.  Granted his is our only 4pt light. So I guess if you have 4 points you don't know what to do with and need to generate some more fury for your army, he's your Troll?  Oh and before people tell me about how he can eat the book and how good crit consume is, I know he can do that, I would rather take solos instead...

Winter - 

Let's just move along and not talk about this one...ok fine... He's not terrible, but he's not great either.  He costs too much for what he does and if I wanted to bring him for his spray I could just bring a min unit of scattergunners instead.  Let's not even mention his animus. Yeah it makes your opponent avoid or kill whatever it's on in one activation, but let's be honest here.  Not great.

Heavy Warbeasts

Our heavies are pretty awesome.  Almost every one has a super useful animus.  Most are pretty good in melee with some decent ranged compliments.  It's really hard to choose a favorite here...

Blitzer - 

I am not certain in a format where you bring maybe only 1 heavy that the Blitzer stand on his own enough to be truly worth it.  Shooting is good but it's only great if you already have an Impaler in tow.  I think he has a place in some lists but I am not sure he's worth it in enough lists to truly make him viable. So, let's call me maybe? (sorry, that was terrible)

Bomber - 

Probably our second best beast. He fits nicely in lots of lists for his obvious offensive potential.  He suffers when not paired with Gunny or an Impaler, but I don't think he has the same issues as the Blitzer.  He's more focused at what he does and has better output when he does. I say he's easily usable in like 75-80% of lower point lists and even as a ranged component to melee focused armies.  

Earthborn - 

He is our best beast hands down and I don't care if you agree with me.  If you need a heavy to perform and be useful at every stage of a game, then bring and Earthborn.  He has a fantastic animus, is self sufficient, and is a murder machine.  If you need a heavy, bring this guy and you will not regret it.

Mauler - 

The Mauler really deserves a nod as linebacker for beast heavy lists like eDoomy and others.  The animus goes a long way to making our beast more points effective and when the time comes the Mauler can wreck face with the best of them.  However I use him in more of a support role and late game beast.  He is a solid choice and easily usable at lower points or as your only heavy.

Mulg - 

What's not to love about Mulg. His point cost? Oh, yeah.  His animus? It can be useful sometimes. Really, Mulg is a nice 12 point package and has a place in beast heavy lists but I don't think he is super viable until probably 35pts and above.  Granted he has reach, but I almost always reach for my Earthborn before Mulg. Take him if you really want to but I wouldn't recommend it.  

Rök - 

Another odd Duck like Mulg at lower point levels, good in some lists, not so great in others and his animus can't be used on anything but beasts.  So unlike Rage and the other lot, you really are sort of stuck when your list is composed of mostly infantry and you really need some good damage.  Good beast, not as useful at lower points costs.

Dire Brackets ~ Bracket

Dire Brackets ~ Updates

The party is starting to wane, there are many casualties... it's time to open a second keg.

Round 2 is one game from over and things are getting nasty.

Casters Eliminated:Hoarluk Doomshaper, Shaman of the Gnarls:  fell and broke his pinky toe and had to withdraw ~ OUT
Grim Angus:  Fought hard but had a bad match up in his first game followed by eGrissel pulling one out of her hat.  ~ OUT
Grissel Bloodsong, Fell Caller: Grissel went for a walk in the woods and stopped to smell the roses.  While she was out Madrak gave her a pink slip. ~OUT
Madrak Ironhide, World Ender:  Madrak is a busy guy okay, who has time for games when we could be playing games instead.   After eliminating pDoomshaper, eMadrak takes a long walk off a short peir.  ~ OUT

Fighting For their Lives
Grissel Bloodsong, Marshal of the Kriels vs Madrak Ironhide, Thornwood Chieftan: The winner of this game has to continue their struggle for survival by fighting Calandra.  The loser of this game will go home and run the amassed army of the United Kriel.  My Money's on Madrak run by TheHappyAnarchist, but Bakaryu is one tough customers.

Captain Gunnbjorn vs Hoarluk Doomshaper, Rage of Dhunia
An epic battle between Goris and Smash is something we all wanted to see.  The winner of this one can claim victory even if they lose the next game.   Lets face it, we all want to see Goris lose so my money is on Doomshaper.

Calandra vs TBD: She is either fighting against eGrssel or pMadrak but either way her opponents have their work cut out for them.  Odds favor Calandra in this pig.

Battling on the Easy Road
Borka Kegslayer vs Jarl Skuld, Devil of the Thornwood: Okay I don't know how it happened but the one Troll caster than makes ranged players cry for their mommies is now playing his Third game in a row against our ranged casters.  Can Jarl's ranged assault overcome where Grim and Gunnbjorn couldn't... we shall see.


PICK EM - Dark Helmet is doing so good we accused him of cheating, this is when he informed us that he is so awesome that his entry goes to duelcon and has withdrawn himself form the brackets. 

We aren't sure if his charity is gloating or not, but we jumped at the change to kick him right out of the standings.  This leaves Razcalking and Phreaker in first place with physxnut and rham knocking on the Door.

DarkHelmet1		OUT11
Darkhelmet2		OUT10
Razcalking		8
Phreaker		8
physxnut		7
rham7649(1)		6
Goris		5
ToughRolls		4
rham7649(3)		4
Omerplata 1		4
bta820		3
rham7649(2)		2
TheHappyAnarchist		2
Dallas		1
Sid		1
Omerplata 2		1
Omerplata 3		1
Hatred		1

Quick and Dirty Painting - Mountain King WiP Pics 2

So plugging along and I have finished the main body just need to finish the accessories...
Check him out!
- Goris

Quick and Dirty Painting - Mountain King WiP Pic

So I have been slowly working on my Mountain King and he has been rather daunting.  I have been constantly worrying about screwing him up or making him not look like the amazing centerpiece he is.  He is a WiP pic.  Tell me what you guys think!
-Goris

The Scrum is on Facebook!

That right folks The Scrum now has it's very own Bookface account.  So for those of you trolls who are into that whole social networking malarkey please go like our page.  We are going to start using it as a photo dump and a launch point for some exclusive content and giveaways and all that jazz.  So please, who like our shit...  Thanks..

Sincerely, Goris

P.S. Here's the linky... The Scrum's Facebook!

The Scrum Cast E.11

Here we are again with some discussions of the goings on around the Warmachine and Hordes world with our special guests; The banned for life Hatred who is storming through Dire Brackets and the girl who will make you pay with an axe to your face ToughRolls.


You can find the Scum Cast over on the podcast page HERE