Post by iron on Mar 22, 2021 23:36:34 GMT
I've been testing out other armies kind of at random, and recently had a few games with shadow stalkers. Overall I think they could use some more love compared to the other lists, and though I would share some thoughts here. Maybe too complex for AoF, but as it is now, I would probably not play them again.
Pumpkin Master: Effectively +1 quality to scarecrows, but in effect, since they are undead, this is just +1 melee and seems way, way over costed at 90 points. Using the points calc page, a double unit with great weapons only cost 60 more points to boost to +4 quality. This seems like it would be a cool opportunity to make it expensive and have it do something cool and unique, like bring back d6 models each activation, moving models engaged with 6 inches away or something that makes them unique. You know its only going to be scarecrows, so it's not like you are bringing back butchers or something.
No command options? Why? I've seen command models for some of these type of units, and their aren't much option in the list in general.
If this is meant to be Mantic's Shadow Stalkers, there are few units missing: Dopplegangers, Bloodworms, Horror Riftweavers, Planar Apparition, Fiends, Soulfayers, Portal of Despair, Dread Fiend, Void Lurker, Reaper Soul Drinker, Dream Hunter, Butcher Fleshripper. I suspect this is because there probably aren't models for all of these, but this leaves holes in the AoF list, so I have some suggestions below:
Bloodworms/Lifeleech - this unit is similar to scarecrows, but has lifeleech, an ability in KoW that give X 'life' back as long as at least X damage is dealt in combat. This seems like this could be roughly translated to AoF as for each wound dealt, recover a wound/model on a 6+ or 5+.
Dopplegangers - similar to bloodworms, there KoW ability could also be translated to an attack ability: Doppleganger - attack chooses one enemy model's melee attack and has its abilities (but not number of attacks)
Planar Apparition - a true wizard monster (Mind-screech is one, but its not really a match to a standard list's monster units, like Mummified's Icon or Wood Elves Queen), maybe with an ability or upgrade to get a free counter spell action. This could also just be upgrades for the Cthulu Terror, but with the rule of 3, that would really limit Shadow Stalker lists.
Fiends/Dread Fiend - a fast cavalry monster unit/hero
Soulflayers - fast flyer
Portal of Despair - Could reduce undead back to only 1's within a radius? could also give near by units fear, or make fear d3+1?
Void Lurker - a flying Cthulu type monster, basically the dragon this list lacks.
Reaper Soul Drinker - Hero with the lifeleech ability, or could have an ability that makes him better vs other heroes (more attacks, better quality?)
Butcher Fleshripper - butcher hero
Dream Hunter - this could be another change to do something cool, I've been planning on using a Freddy Kruger model for this unit in KoW, and while he's not that interesting in KoW, it would be cool to have a Freddy Kruger in AoF, so something like an ability to be moved within 6" of any unit that fails a morale check. Could also do something more basic like, bonuses against pinned or damaged units, or a penalty to enemies morale tests, but something movement based would be cool for a 'dream hunter'
Mindthrist - This is one of the defining rules for this army in KoW and most units have it. Though there isn't a great way to convert this, it could go: If this unit fails a moral test in melee combat it may test off of its enemies quality instead of suffering undead, but if failed roll as many dice as remaining models/tough in the unit, and for each result of 3 or less the unit takes one wound, which can’t be regenerated.
Maybe too complicated, but just looking for ways to make the list more interesting.
Pumpkin Master: Effectively +1 quality to scarecrows, but in effect, since they are undead, this is just +1 melee and seems way, way over costed at 90 points. Using the points calc page, a double unit with great weapons only cost 60 more points to boost to +4 quality. This seems like it would be a cool opportunity to make it expensive and have it do something cool and unique, like bring back d6 models each activation, moving models engaged with 6 inches away or something that makes them unique. You know its only going to be scarecrows, so it's not like you are bringing back butchers or something.
No command options? Why? I've seen command models for some of these type of units, and their aren't much option in the list in general.
If this is meant to be Mantic's Shadow Stalkers, there are few units missing: Dopplegangers, Bloodworms, Horror Riftweavers, Planar Apparition, Fiends, Soulfayers, Portal of Despair, Dread Fiend, Void Lurker, Reaper Soul Drinker, Dream Hunter, Butcher Fleshripper. I suspect this is because there probably aren't models for all of these, but this leaves holes in the AoF list, so I have some suggestions below:
Bloodworms/Lifeleech - this unit is similar to scarecrows, but has lifeleech, an ability in KoW that give X 'life' back as long as at least X damage is dealt in combat. This seems like this could be roughly translated to AoF as for each wound dealt, recover a wound/model on a 6+ or 5+.
Dopplegangers - similar to bloodworms, there KoW ability could also be translated to an attack ability: Doppleganger - attack chooses one enemy model's melee attack and has its abilities (but not number of attacks)
Planar Apparition - a true wizard monster (Mind-screech is one, but its not really a match to a standard list's monster units, like Mummified's Icon or Wood Elves Queen), maybe with an ability or upgrade to get a free counter spell action. This could also just be upgrades for the Cthulu Terror, but with the rule of 3, that would really limit Shadow Stalker lists.
Fiends/Dread Fiend - a fast cavalry monster unit/hero
Soulflayers - fast flyer
Portal of Despair - Could reduce undead back to only 1's within a radius? could also give near by units fear, or make fear d3+1?
Void Lurker - a flying Cthulu type monster, basically the dragon this list lacks.
Reaper Soul Drinker - Hero with the lifeleech ability, or could have an ability that makes him better vs other heroes (more attacks, better quality?)
Butcher Fleshripper - butcher hero
Dream Hunter - this could be another change to do something cool, I've been planning on using a Freddy Kruger model for this unit in KoW, and while he's not that interesting in KoW, it would be cool to have a Freddy Kruger in AoF, so something like an ability to be moved within 6" of any unit that fails a morale check. Could also do something more basic like, bonuses against pinned or damaged units, or a penalty to enemies morale tests, but something movement based would be cool for a 'dream hunter'
Mindthrist - This is one of the defining rules for this army in KoW and most units have it. Though there isn't a great way to convert this, it could go: If this unit fails a moral test in melee combat it may test off of its enemies quality instead of suffering undead, but if failed roll as many dice as remaining models/tough in the unit, and for each result of 3 or less the unit takes one wound, which can’t be regenerated.
Maybe too complicated, but just looking for ways to make the list more interesting.