I'm thinking of starting a bretonnian army. Not very large, my gf and currently play at 1500pts. Anyone have any tips and tactics so I can get a general sense of what to look for in army creation and how the army works. Thanks alot. 
Brets!
- Thread starter Slightlychris
- Start date
-
The masquerade of murder returns! A new game of Vampires Amongst Us has begun. Unmask the killers, trust no one, and try to survive the night. Find out more and sign up now!
Well I would suggest using knights :tongue:
Seriously though, Brets can have an awesome magic phase if you let them and the damsels can sit in the second rank. Always pray ... always, the 6++/5++ is completely worth it. Trabuchets are pretty solid, so is the Grail Relique (The best tarpit you have). Don't worry about giving your BSB an awesome banner, just use him as a paladin with a big ole flag. Hope that helps a bit, I've played against Brets a ton so I know what I hate the most, although I don't actually play the army.
Seriously though, Brets can have an awesome magic phase if you let them and the damsels can sit in the second rank. Always pray ... always, the 6++/5++ is completely worth it. Trabuchets are pretty solid, so is the Grail Relique (The best tarpit you have). Don't worry about giving your BSB an awesome banner, just use him as a paladin with a big ole flag. Hope that helps a bit, I've played against Brets a ton so I know what I hate the most, although I don't actually play the army.
This is my normal list:
LORDS:
Prophetess of the Lady: Dispel Scroll, Level 4 Wizard Beast, Bretonnian Warhorse
Bretonnian Lord: Armour of Agilulf, Virtue of Confidence, Sword of Anti-Heros, Gauntlet of the Duel, Barded Bretonnian Warhorse, Grail Vow
HEROES:
Paladin: Sword of Might, Gromril Great Helm, BSB, Grail Vow, Barded Bretonnian Warhorse
Paladin: Dragonhelm, Dawnstone, Barded Bretonnian Warhorse, Grail Vow, Shield, Lance
CORE:
12 Knights of the Realm: FC, Banner of Swiftness
12 Knights Errant: FC, Errantry Banner
12 Peasant Bowmen: Braziers, Skirmish
12 Peasant Bowmen: Braziers, Skirmish
SPECIAL:
5 Mounted Yeomen
5 Mounted Yeomen
3 Peagasus Knights
RARE:
10 Grail Knights: FC, Banner of Eternal Flame
Field Trebuchet
Field Trebuchet
Total Army Points: 2496pts
LORDS:
Prophetess of the Lady: Dispel Scroll, Level 4 Wizard Beast, Bretonnian Warhorse
Bretonnian Lord: Armour of Agilulf, Virtue of Confidence, Sword of Anti-Heros, Gauntlet of the Duel, Barded Bretonnian Warhorse, Grail Vow
HEROES:
Paladin: Sword of Might, Gromril Great Helm, BSB, Grail Vow, Barded Bretonnian Warhorse
Paladin: Dragonhelm, Dawnstone, Barded Bretonnian Warhorse, Grail Vow, Shield, Lance
CORE:
12 Knights of the Realm: FC, Banner of Swiftness
12 Knights Errant: FC, Errantry Banner
12 Peasant Bowmen: Braziers, Skirmish
12 Peasant Bowmen: Braziers, Skirmish
SPECIAL:
5 Mounted Yeomen
5 Mounted Yeomen
3 Peagasus Knights
RARE:
10 Grail Knights: FC, Banner of Eternal Flame
Field Trebuchet
Field Trebuchet
Total Army Points: 2496pts
I came up with 1500pt army that I felt was ok. I'll post it when I'm not using a phone to post, but I had some questions.
1. Effectiveness of large units of Men at Arms with a wizard holding the prayer icon?
2. Uses for the different Knights. I get Knights of the Realm and Grail Knights, but what about Errant and Questing? I don't really see the usefulness of Errants running off unsupported. I get +2 str all the time on Questing but they then lose 1 armour save. Doesn't that make it harder for ASL units to survive or is it not that big of a deal?
3. Trebuchet upgrades are they worth it?
1. Effectiveness of large units of Men at Arms with a wizard holding the prayer icon?
2. Uses for the different Knights. I get Knights of the Realm and Grail Knights, but what about Errant and Questing? I don't really see the usefulness of Errants running off unsupported. I get +2 str all the time on Questing but they then lose 1 armour save. Doesn't that make it harder for ASL units to survive or is it not that big of a deal?
3. Trebuchet upgrades are they worth it?
1. It's worked in the past. A number of Bret players on the Round Table forum have used it but in today's environment I would be careful due to the amount of fast hard hitting units out there (monstrous cav, flying monsters, the entire WoC army).
2. EK's are immune to psych and some people really enjoy that part of their profile. They are also the cheapest so you can fit them in if you need to squeeze some points for something else.
QK's see less use since the advent of 8th due to the great weapon rule. I don't see them being used as much.
3. Nah, keep 'em cheap. Turn 1 they can benefit from their vow so it's not a total loss if you don't upgrade.
2. EK's are immune to psych and some people really enjoy that part of their profile. They are also the cheapest so you can fit them in if you need to squeeze some points for something else.
QK's see less use since the advent of 8th due to the great weapon rule. I don't see them being used as much.
3. Nah, keep 'em cheap. Turn 1 they can benefit from their vow so it's not a total loss if you don't upgrade.
In my experience Brets benefit from Cheap characters more than anything else.
Don't be afraid to field 4 Paladins in the army, they are dirt cheap.
With Trebs, two is always better than one.
Grail Knights are a point sink, decent but expencive and don't do what others can.
If you get stuck in a combat where you need the +2 strength turn after turn, you are in trouble when using a cav force.
Peasants can be good when ran in blocks but they are only for holding, Knights should be your bread and butter but should never really be more than 9 strong including characters, the flanks get huge beyond that and tend to hurt which is why I run a LV 4 life in my brets, not beasts but this preference as both work well.
Don't be afraid to field 4 Paladins in the army, they are dirt cheap.
With Trebs, two is always better than one.
Grail Knights are a point sink, decent but expencive and don't do what others can.
If you get stuck in a combat where you need the +2 strength turn after turn, you are in trouble when using a cav force.
Peasants can be good when ran in blocks but they are only for holding, Knights should be your bread and butter but should never really be more than 9 strong including characters, the flanks get huge beyond that and tend to hurt which is why I run a LV 4 life in my brets, not beasts but this preference as both work well.
Here is 1500pt list that I'm finally getting around to posting. It seems close to alot of your suggestions. Keep in mind I never have a chance to go to store to play (to far away for someone with limited transportation) so my opponent is always my girlfriend and we only play for fun not super duper competitive. I built it only with the armies we play regularly in mind; Vampire Counts, Dwarves, Dark Elves, in that order. With that said here we go.
Prophetess: General, level 4, Lore of Life, Crown of Command, Prayer Icon of Quenelles.
285
Damsel: level 1, Lore of Beasts, Warhorse.
80
Paladin: BSB, Barded Warhorse, Sword of Might, Gromril Great Helm.
126
Paladin: Barded Warhorse, Charmed Shield, Birthsword of Carcassonne.
114
9 Knights of the Realm: Champion, Standard.
232
46 Men at Arms: Polearms/Halbreds?, Full Command.
257
10 Peasant Bowmen.
xx
3 Pegasus Knights: Champion.
xxx
2 Trebuchets.
xxx
1499 total
The idea was the Prophetess goes with the Men at Arms hopfully getting Thone of vines, Dwellers, and Flesh to Stone. Any of the others as a 4th spell is fine. I thought S4 T7 stubborn horde was kind of a scary road block.
The paladins are pretty much mirror of each other with +1 str and a 2+ save. The BSB rerolls failed saved and the other forces opponent to reroll his saves. Both of them along with the Damsel go with the knights (duh). Damsel is just there for the Lore of Beasts Sig spell.
The Trebuchets hang in the back with the bowmen to help defend them and the Pesagus Knights just seemed mobile and effective while filling in the last bit of points.
I have a baby girl on the way so I wanted to collect a "pretty" army that was also fun to play. While Bretonnias are pretty I don't know much about them. Thanks for tips so far and keep 'em coming.
Prophetess: General, level 4, Lore of Life, Crown of Command, Prayer Icon of Quenelles.
285
Damsel: level 1, Lore of Beasts, Warhorse.
80
Paladin: BSB, Barded Warhorse, Sword of Might, Gromril Great Helm.
126
Paladin: Barded Warhorse, Charmed Shield, Birthsword of Carcassonne.
114
9 Knights of the Realm: Champion, Standard.
232
46 Men at Arms: Polearms/Halbreds?, Full Command.
257
10 Peasant Bowmen.
xx
3 Pegasus Knights: Champion.
xxx
2 Trebuchets.
xxx
1499 total
The idea was the Prophetess goes with the Men at Arms hopfully getting Thone of vines, Dwellers, and Flesh to Stone. Any of the others as a 4th spell is fine. I thought S4 T7 stubborn horde was kind of a scary road block.
The paladins are pretty much mirror of each other with +1 str and a 2+ save. The BSB rerolls failed saved and the other forces opponent to reroll his saves. Both of them along with the Damsel go with the knights (duh). Damsel is just there for the Lore of Beasts Sig spell.
The Trebuchets hang in the back with the bowmen to help defend them and the Pesagus Knights just seemed mobile and effective while filling in the last bit of points.
I have a baby girl on the way so I wanted to collect a "pretty" army that was also fun to play. While Bretonnias are pretty I don't know much about them. Thanks for tips so far and keep 'em coming.
Congrats on the little 'un!
It looks like a solid fun list, fitting a level 4, a level 1, and 2 fighting characters with the 2 trebs! It's gonna be a tough list to play against.
It looks like a solid fun list, fitting a level 4, a level 1, and 2 fighting characters with the 2 trebs! It's gonna be a tough list to play against.
Congrats on the little one!
I don't know if one knight unit will cut it. I'd consider dropping the level 1 and a paladin. At this point level, you shouldn't worry about having so many heroes.
Take Lore of Heavens, it has excellent synergy with Brets.
I don't know if one knight unit will cut it. I'd consider dropping the level 1 and a paladin. At this point level, you shouldn't worry about having so many heroes.
Take Lore of Heavens, it has excellent synergy with Brets.
Thanks guys this ones my first!:O
Hmm, Sen I can see the potential with all the rerolling, assuming you meant to swap Life for Heavens. When we play it is usually Vampire vs. some other army. In my example list I didn't really have sure fire answers for a TG and Heavens has 2 if not 3 S6 magic missiles. BUUUUUUUT In my list the prophetess is using Throne of Vines for miscast protection more than anything else since with it up I can 6 dice whatever I need to go through. Soooo yeah idk.
More food for thought. (Bare with me I'm combining advice)
Crown of Command: Is it really worth it in this list? As long as I don't lose steadfast I'm stubborn anyway right?
More Knights?: Pegasus Knights don't count? It is quite possible to drop them for another unit of 6 Knights of the Realm. Same amount of wounds, more killing power, better armour save by 1, but only M8 and not "M10".
Swaping Life for Heavens: This makes my Men at Arms alot less tanky. Should my prophetess then be mounted and added to a Knight unit? (Gained by dropping the Pegasus Knights)
Men at Arms: The other side of the coin from the above thought. Moving the Damsel here and giving her the Prayer Icon and after finding the points I could make her level 2. But does that added with the small chance for Transformation of Kadon really help?
Knight units of 9: I could drop 3 from the original Knight unit and that would give me some points to play with. Namely buying a better ward for the level 4 wizard no longer using Life.
Okay okay yes it's wordy but this has been tons more helpful than watching batreps on youtube. I'm getting a better idea about this army. So thanks alot!
Let me know what you guys think. I'll post a revamped list after your thoughts and find some models I can use to proxy so I can get a real feel for the army.
Hmm, Sen I can see the potential with all the rerolling, assuming you meant to swap Life for Heavens. When we play it is usually Vampire vs. some other army. In my example list I didn't really have sure fire answers for a TG and Heavens has 2 if not 3 S6 magic missiles. BUUUUUUUT In my list the prophetess is using Throne of Vines for miscast protection more than anything else since with it up I can 6 dice whatever I need to go through. Soooo yeah idk.
More food for thought. (Bare with me I'm combining advice
)Crown of Command: Is it really worth it in this list? As long as I don't lose steadfast I'm stubborn anyway right?
More Knights?: Pegasus Knights don't count? It is quite possible to drop them for another unit of 6 Knights of the Realm. Same amount of wounds, more killing power, better armour save by 1, but only M8 and not "M10".
Swaping Life for Heavens: This makes my Men at Arms alot less tanky. Should my prophetess then be mounted and added to a Knight unit? (Gained by dropping the Pegasus Knights)
Men at Arms: The other side of the coin from the above thought. Moving the Damsel here and giving her the Prayer Icon and after finding the points I could make her level 2. But does that added with the small chance for Transformation of Kadon really help?
Knight units of 9: I could drop 3 from the original Knight unit and that would give me some points to play with. Namely buying a better ward for the level 4 wizard no longer using Life.
Okay okay yes it's wordy but this has been tons more helpful than watching batreps on youtube. I'm getting a better idea about this army. So thanks alot!
Let me know what you guys think. I'll post a revamped list after your thoughts and find some models I can use to proxy so I can get a real feel for the army.
@ Duke Danse Macabre: I disagree on the Grails... they are amazing, and almost for one reason alone: Initiative 5.
Yes they are fast but only have strength 4 and are nearly double the cost of a regular knight.
Its like the whole Blood Knight vs Black Knights argument.
Its like the whole Blood Knight vs Black Knights argument.
True, they are expensive but the difference in the Bloodknight/Blackknight arguement is that there aren't really many other things competing for the rare points. Where VC has TG's, ME's, and Vargulfs, Brets only have trebs that are worth their points in rare.
Corien has the right of it, the comparison doesn't work that well since you just grab 2 trebs and have the rest of the points for Grails. The only thing that annoys me about the Grails is that they are T3. Other than that they are the bomb.
True statement. I don't play Brets, but I play against them enough to know that the grail are where spells, TG's and banshee screams are going. But I will not let him get a solid charge on my main hitty unit if I can help it. 2A at 6S from 7 of them plus 1 from the 2nd rank. so you're looking at 15 S6 attacks at Init 5! (I don't know what their WS is although I would assume it would be 5?) That is a hard hitting unit.
Corien Sumatris said:
I have to disagree as where this is a loose comparison the BK are still over pointed for what they do and BK are a better option being two to one.
Grail knights are expensive and bring nothing but a medium hitting high initiative cav unit to the game, nothing very wow.
Seeing them used and using them they have been nothing but a over priced disappointment.
I think this is just going to be a matter of personal preference.
Well I guess you can say it's preference, they have performed very well in all my games(I play Brets) and I've come to value them more than any other unit in the army book.
I think it really depends on who you play against and if they know what the grail can do. I have dwarves and I will drop grail before anything else in that book, Especially if they're running life, I don't want to try to kill them suckers then have them come back!! Each player with their different army will react differently to them.
I have a question about the Blessing. By choosing to pray you are going 2nd, but do you have the bonus for the otherside's 1st turn?
I would redirect and or tarpit that unit all day long and take out the rest of your army. Why so many points? Have you ever placed your general/pallys in another unit to give them punch? I'd spread the damage potential around to force the opponent make tough decisions.
I'm still undefeated with my Brets I think it's easier said than done to outchaff something with movement 8 which will be deployed at the very last. But yeah, it can be done, but then again with 2 Trebs and a Comet-casting Prophetess I often have ranged superiority and can just hang back and let the enemy come to me
I think it's easier said than done to outchaff something with movement 8 which will be deployed at the very last. But yeah, it can be done, but then again with 2 Trebs and a Comet-casting Prophetess I often have ranged superiority and can just hang back and let the enemy come to me
And good luck tarpitting that unit for more that 1 round of combat. You should be doing what 15-20 wounds a round? Odds are you're going to be in the flank and that unit won't be losing combat any time soon! You're going to have the BSB in that unit also I would assume?