2250 VC for US GT Circut (New Book)

[Firbolg]

Hello, and greetings.

I've been doing a bit of lurking around here, and was wondering if I could get some opinions on my Vampires, and maybe see if I can get some feedback or suggested changes that people have for my list. I'll be taking it or some version of it to Quake City Rumble in april, and then probably to Vegas in September.

I've been doing pretty well with it, about 16 games played so far, losing one to a second gen slann (stupid double one's breaktest) and I've gotten the winning side of a draw against all forest spirit/alter wood elves. Other than that, it's been crushing victories against tough dwarfs, ogres, high elves O&G, and tzeentch beasts.

So, here's my list:

Heroes:
Vampire Lord w/ Lvl 3 Upgrade, Crown of Command, Wristbands of Black Gold, Master of the Black Arts, Dark Acolyte and Master of the Dead
-410 pts

Vampire w/ Talisman of the Lycani, Book of Arkhan, Dark Acolyte and Avatar of Death (GW)
-195 pts

Necromancer w/ Black Periapt, Dispel Scroll
-95 pts

Wight King w/ Black Axe and BSB upgrade
-150 pts

Core:
19 Skeletons w/ Full Command
-172 pts

10 Skeletons
-90 pts

20 Zombies w/ Std and Musician
-92 pts

3 x 5 Dire Wolves
-40 pts ea (120 total)

2 x Corpse Cart w/ Balefire
-100 pts ea (200 total)

Special:
20 Grave Guard w/ Full Command, GW and Banner of the Barrows
-335 pts

Rare:
8 Wraiths
-400 pts

Power Dice: 11 (12)
Dispel Dice: 6 (7)
Model Count: 98

It's sort of got a necarch feel going with it, although the martial vampire doesn't fit the bill quite as well. I might have to drop avatar of death for something else...but it's so damn useful to be able to nail a chariot with S7 and Mv. 9.

I realise it's top heavy with the big unit of wraiths...and I've been thinking about dropping them for two vargulfs or one and a black coach. I'm definitely looking for opinions on this one.

Any comments are appreciated, thanks!

 

[Nedar]

Looks good. I like the lord, though I'd suggest the skullstaff instead of wristbands and keep him out of combat...depends on how often you find him in the open and exposed to shooting.

I don't see anything wrong with the GW vamp...good support how you picture his use.

Necro on CC and hide in a unit? I kinda like that strategy myself. I also really like your Wight. For tournaments, having that axe around can be very helpfull against bigger opponents. I think i'll chance my BSB loadout of Stirgos banner to this particular kit.

Core is good, GG are king, and I agree with your assesment on the Wraiths. I like the Vargulf better than wraiths, and a Black Coach will help a lot against certain armies and might be my standard 2nd rare instead of a second Vargulf.

 

[VladtheLad]

Like it.

I would like to see the specific tactics you use and maybe if you have the time a battle report.

Oh and how does this big unit of wraiths fare? Any highlights?

 

[Firbolg]

The wraiths work really, really well. I've been field testing them to see exactly what they can do. They've kill some pretty gross stuff, including:

7-wide sword masters w/ Am. of Light (they were WS7, and he rolled so-so)
numerous blocks of dwarfs, hammerers, longbeards, and iron breakers
Several blocks of knights
Three units of dryads, a treeman AND a unit of treekin, all in one game.

All around, they're probably the nastiest CC unit in the game, bar none. Though I'm not looking forward to having to play against Plagueriders....

I can try and write up a battle report this week if I play on wednesday. I think for the games this weekend, I'll make the following changes to the list:

Swap the GG for BK, and mount the BSB (8 Bk w/ FC, BotB) and swap the Wraiths for two Vargulfs and another unit of dogs.

Thanks for the replies so far, very helpful!

 

[Nedar]

Wraiths do have a huge advantage against armies with very little magical stuff in them...though are vulnerable to magic on the otherhand.

Love to see a battlereport Firbolg...next 2250 battle I do i'm going to take notes so i can do a batrep wrighup. Mabie steal dads camera to take pictures.

 

[N.I.B]

Why Wristbands on the lord? He shouldn't be leaving his bunker.

Wraiths do have a huge advantage against armies with very little magical stuff in them...though are vulnerable to magic on the otherhand.

Take a look at his magic defense...

 

[Caerdrath]

Wight King w/ Black Axe and BSB upgrade
-150 pts


I thought you could'nt take a BSB with a greatweapon? Or was this changed 7th ed?

 

[VladtheLad]

Why Wristbands on the lord? He shouldn't be leaving his bunker.

I am thinking that instead of the typical skullstaff he prefered the wristbands cause he gets the lord out of the unit to avoid him entering close combat and then he is targetable for shooting.

Firbold: I am not sure the Banner of Barrows is the best for BK's. Maybe warbanner or banner of strigos would be better?
Oh an if you mount the King the Great weapon will not be that Great.


Caedrath: Yes High elves and Vamps can take BSB with shield or great weapon.

 

[Firbolg]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Why Wristbands on the lord? He shouldn't be leaving his bunker.

I've actually had him blasted from his bunker. The wristbands are there for insurance's sake, to make sure that if I do need to move around, i feel like I can do it without feeling guilty or worried. I've only lost him in one game so far as well, when the slann baneheaded him, and since he had the flayed haubrek, rule of burning iron was cast on him every turn...wasn't pretty. That will not be happening again.

Firbold: I am not sure the Banner of Barrows is the best for BK's. Maybe warbanner or banner of strigos would be better?
Oh an if you mount the King the Great weapon will not be that Great.

I really like the banner, because if you combine it with WS7, you're hitting on twos on the charge. Very handy. In addition, it works past the first round, unlike the Hatred.

I know the great weapon won't be great, but it'll still be S5 and D3 wounds, which helps the unit a lot if they have to fight multiple rounds of combat, like against dwarfs and such.

 

[N.I.B]

Why Wristbands on the lord? He shouldn't be leaving his bunker.

I've actually had him blasted from his bunker. I've only lost him in one game so far as well, when the slann baneheaded him, and since he had the flayed haubrek, rule of burning iron was cast on him every turn...wasn't pretty. That will not be happening again.

Sounds more like you made a mistake, as you could've moved forward 3" (if needed) every turn and then just turned the bunker around facing away from the Slann. No LOS = no Rule of Burning Iron. Your spells don't need LOS.

 

[Lord Fear]

Slanns are large targets and can see over stuff...