First attempt at a list

[Sorin Von Carstein]

Hello I crafted this first attempt at a list I would like to have some veteran input and advice, thanks in advance


++ **Pitched Battle GHB 2021** 2,000 (Death - Soulblight Gravelords) [1,835pts] ++

+ Core Battalion +

Core Battalion: Hunters of the Heartlands

Core Battalion: Warlord: Extra Enhancement: Artefacts of Power

+ Leader +

Necromancer [125pts]: 2. Fading Vigour, Mortis Staff

Vampire Lord [140pts]: 4. Aura of Dark Majesty, 5. Vile Transference, Amulet of Destiny, General, Martial, Soulbound Blades, Warlord - 1-2 Commanders

Vampire Lord [140pts]: 5. Vile Transference, Arcane, Soulbound Blades, Warlord - 2-4 Sub-Commanders

Vampire Lord [140pts]: 2. Shadeglass Decanter, Martial, Soulbound Blades, Warlord - 2-4 Sub-Commanders

Wight King [115pts]: Baleful Tomb Blade

+ Battleline +

Deadwalker Zombies [115pts]: 20 Deadwalker Zombies, Crude Weapons and Infectious Bites, Hunters of the Heartlands - 2-3 Troops

Deathrattle Skeletons [255pts]: 30 Deathrattle Skeletons, Ancient Blade or Spear, Champion's Mace or Halberd, Hunters of the Heartlands - 2-3 Troops, 2x Reinforced, Standard Bearer

Deathrattle Skeletons [255pts]: 30 Deathrattle Skeletons, Ancient Blade or Spear, Champion's Mace or Halberd, Hunters of the Heartlands - 2-3 Troops, 2x Reinforced, Standard Bearer

Dire Wolves [135pts]: 10 Dire Wolves, Rotting Fangs and Claws, Warlord - 1-2 Troops

+ Other +

Blood Knights [195pts]: 5 Blood Knights, Hooves and Teeth, Templar Lance or Blade

Corpse Cart with Balefire Brazier [80pts]: Balefire Brazier, Corpse Goad, Rusty Blades, Warlord - 1-2 Troops

Grave Guard [140pts]: 10 Grave Guard, Wight Blade and Crypt Shield

+ Allegiance +

Allegiance
. Allegiance: Soulblight Gravelords: Legion of Blood

+ Game Options +

Game Type: 2000 Points - Battlehost

Grand Strategy: Hold the Line, Vampiric Conquerors

Triumphs

++ Total: [1,835pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe (BattleScribe: Build your army list. Fast.)

 

[The Sun King]

Hi there and welcome among the dead!

Nice to see a fellow Legion of Blood general . Here some input you can consider:

• You should try to fill out the list so you get as close to 2000 pts as possible. At the moment you only have 1835 pts.
• The Amulet of Destiny does nothing on our heroes as they already have 6+ Ward saves, so you should choose another artefact.
• I would urge you not to go with Vile Transference unless you are going up against Mega-gargants or other similar big models with tons of wounds.
• Grave Guards are one of our few "killy" units so I would suggest that you use Great Wight Blades on them, as you want to maxmize their damage potential.
• In general you have too many heroes and too few troops. I would at least get the Grave Guards to 20 models in the unit.
• Your vampires on foot are quite fragile in combat so I would not recommend kitting them out for melee - which is why I would suggest that you give them all Arcane Expertise.
• I would also cut the Corpse Cart for more Zombies (they are quite dangerous if you get them in a unit of 40).
• I would cut the Wight King as he doesn't do much and you already have too many heroes.

If you want some inspiration I've written a handbook for Soulblight Gravelords that you can read here: Handbook: Soublight Gravelords - Carpe Noctem

Cheers,
Sunny

 

[Sorin Von Carstein]

I made a few changes already:
The amulet for souldbound gardments
Grave guards with two hand weapons
(thee corpsecart is good as a buff, with that -1 to wound)
Spells arent decided yet

 

[Sorin Von Carstein]

Second iteration, remember spells arent tried yet so except fading vigor I dont know wich to pick




++ **Pitched Battle GHB 2021** 2,000 (Death - Soulblight Gravelords) [1,980pts] ++

+ Core Battalion +

Core Battalion: Hunters of the Heartlands

Core Battalion: Warlord: Extra Enhancement: Artefacts of Power

+ Leader +

Necromancer [125pts]: 2. Fading Vigour, Mortis Staff, Warlord - 2-4 Sub-Commanders

Vampire Lord [140pts]: 3. Soulpike, 4. Aura of Dark Majesty, 4. Soulbound Garments, General, Martial, Soulbound Blades, Warlord - 1-2 Commanders

Vampire Lord [140pts]: 5. Vile Transference, Arcane, Soulbound Blades, Warlord - 2-4 Sub-Commanders

Vampire Lord [140pts]: 2. Shadeglass Decanter, Martial, Soulbound Blades, Warlord - 2-4 Sub-Commanders

+ Battleline +

Deadwalker Zombies [230pts]: 40 Deadwalker Zombies, Crude Weapons and Infectious Bites, Hunters of the Heartlands - 2-3 Troops, Reinforced

Deadwalker Zombies [115pts]: 20 Deadwalker Zombies, Crude Weapons and Infectious Bites

Deadwalker Zombies [115pts]: 20 Deadwalker Zombies, Crude Weapons and Infectious Bites

Deathrattle Skeletons [255pts]: 30 Deathrattle Skeletons, Ancient Blade or Spear, Champion's Mace or Halberd, Hunters of the Heartlands - 2-3 Troops, 2x Reinforced, Standard Bearer

Deathrattle Skeletons [170pts]: 20 Deathrattle Skeletons, Ancient Blade or Spear, Champion's Mace or Halberd, Reinforced, Standard Bearer

Dire Wolves [135pts]: 10 Dire Wolves, Rotting Fangs and Claws, Warlord - 1-2 Troops

+ Other +

Blood Knights [195pts]: 5 Blood Knights, Hooves and Teeth, Templar Lance or Blade

Corpse Cart with Balefire Brazier [80pts]: Balefire Brazier, Corpse Goad, Rusty Blades, Warlord - 1-2 Troops

Grave Guard [140pts]: 10 Grave Guard, Great Wight Blade, Hornblower, Standard bearer

+ Allegiance +

Allegiance
. Allegiance: Soulblight Gravelords: Legion of Blood

+ Game Options +

Battle Tactics

Game Type: 2000 Points - Battlehost

Grand Strategy: Hold the Line, Vampiric Conquerors

Triumphs: Indomitable

++ Total: [1,980pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe (BattleScribe: Build your army list. Fast.)

 

[The Sun King]

I like this list a lot more. I think it will be good and holding objectives and can take a beating. I would consider making the Necromancer your general as he is more survivable against shooting and you dont want the opponent to get Slay the Warlord too easily.

 

[Sorin Von Carstein]

Thanks I am glad you like it, I am going to acquire Lauka vai as a vengorian lord. I can see the merits of the necromancer as general, but for lore related issues I am afraid I wont (I will upload the lore as soon as I have it properly written in english)

 

[eatU4myT]

I would consider combining the two units of 20 zombies into a unit of 40, by dropping a reinforcement on one of the skeleton units. Reinforced zombies are a huge pain for you opponent, both as a tarpit and as a mortal wound threat, with the vampire's crimson feast and the necromancer's danse macabre. Un-reinforced, they are just too easy to wipe out.

In fact, I would probably do away with the 20 skeletons entirely, combine the zombies to 40, and get a second unit of 10 graveguard. Graveguard are slooooooow, so having a second unit makes it far more likely that one of them will a) be in the right part of the battlefield when an opportunity arrives, and b) actually get across the board without being shot to bits. Side note - graveguard are a good choice to keep in the grave at the start, as it saves them being shot, and popping out of a gravesite very often gets them further up the board than 1 turn of movement would have.

If you don't fancy more graveguard, you could consider a unit of fellbats for movement and objective grabbing, and perhaps an endless spell since you have a boat load of wizards. Vampire spells are not that great, so with three of them in the list there is likely to be one per turn who would benefit more from an endless spell. Burning head is better than arcane bolt, and sometimes it's nice to be able to cast both. Emerald Lifeswarm is one that I like, as it can be really dispiriting for an opponent if they think they are nearly through one of your tarpit units, and then you bring back 2d3 (Lifeswarm) + 1d3 (deathly invocation) + 3 (invigorating Aura)

Edit: final suggestion, though I suspect that the answer is for lore reasons... Have you thought of dropping a vampire for a second necromancer? The crimson feast/danse macabre combo is epic, and with 2 of each you potentially retain that threat for longer. Necromancers also have a better spell list, are more durable, and frankly are not that much worse in combat!

Edit edit: ok, final suggestion was a lie... I admire your resolve to keep a vampire as the general, it's the right thing to do even though it is clearly the weaker play in practice I would say though, don't beleive that soulbound garments and aura of dark majesty are going to help keep him alive. The thing that makes the vampire on foot such a weak general is that it only takes 5 mortal wounds from range to kill him, loads of armies can do that, and the garments and the aura will do nothing. You will actually get more benefit out of the garments if you put them on your vampire with Vile Transference. You need that vampire to be able to survive a round of combat with a monster, as Vile Transference has such a short range you can only cast it if you are already in combat with a monster at the start of the hero phase. Give him the garments, and then with a strategic all out defence, mystic shield or finest hour (or all of them!) he can have a 1+ save or better, and be suprisingly tanky in combat. He is then set up for Vile Transference the next turn. Otherwise your general will just take the garments (back?!) to the grave with him when he is mortal wounded off the board in turn 1 or 2. Ok, I think I'm done now...!

 

[Sorin Von Carstein]

Good points, and I will think about them, but I want to benefit from the bonus from LoB, but, your advice left me thinking about it.... also I am thinking of changing one of the Vampire lords (not the general) for a combo with the Soulbound gardments.....

But yweah I will put that in mind for my next tryouts

 

[The Sun King]

eatU4myT has some great suggestions here. I wholeheartedly agree with the drop skellies for double zombies and grave Guards.

 

[Sorin Von Carstein]

I will look into it, problem is, a lot of my minis are squared based, so that might be a problem......

 

[eatU4myT]

Blue tack them onto 2p coins

I understand the inclination towards skeletons to use the LoB bonus. The problem is, skeletons are not as good as zombies, and the LoB bonus (in the battletome) is not very powerful...

The LoB bonus from white dwarf, Arcane Expertise, is awesome, and totally worth using LoB for, but really the situational buff to basic skeletons is not worth taking them for. It's nice on graveguard though!

If skeletons were around the same points as zombies, they would be a fair choice - more durable but less hard hitting, an actual tactical decision to make. As it is, the cheapness of zombies means your extra numbers always counts for more than the skeletons durability, so if you are choosing for strongest list alone, zombies always win.

Fluff wise, it's all about the skeletons though

 

[Sorin Von Carstein]

2p coints?

 

[eatU4myT]

2p coints?

Yeah - don't know where you are in the world, but in the UK a 2 penny coin is a 25mm circle, and you can't buy 25mm circle bases for less than 2p! A 1 penny coin is 20mm, which is useful for other game systems

 

[Sorin Von Carstein]

Ohhh I get it, yes I could but a part of me wants to use them for homebrews.... (like the ones I posted) or old world when it launches

 

[eatU4myT]

Yes, it is a bit of a nuisance isn't it. I can't decide what to base my latest zombies on. If The Old World needs 20mm squares, then I'd want them on 1p coins, as 20mm circles can be ranked up just as easily as 20mm squares on a movement tray.

But I'm inclined to think they might opt for 25mm squares as the smallest size for The Old World - mostly because it would be challenging to physically fit most of the current GW model range onto 20mm bases! I presume they are not going to release a whole new model range for The Old World, and they'll just start packaging e.g. Deadwalker Zombies with 25mm circles AND 25mm squares. And if they do that, I'm going to feel silly putting them onto 20mm circles, as 25mm circles would be more useful!

Decisions, decisions...

 

[Unas the slayer]

eatU4myT has some great suggestions here. I wholeheartedly agree with the drop skellies for double zombies and grave Guards.

yep, that was pretty much what i was thinking when reading the list, so i'd say it's definitely the way to go.

 

[Sorin Von Carstein]

Yes, it is a bit of a nuisance isn't it. I can't decide what to base my latest zombies on. If The Old World needs 20mm squares, then I'd want them on 1p coins, as 20mm circles can be ranked up just as easily as 20mm squares on a movement tray.

But I'm inclined to think they might opt for 25mm squares as the smallest size for The Old World - mostly because it would be challenging to physically fit most of the current GW model range onto 20mm bases! I presume they are not going to release a whole new model range for The Old World, and they'll just start packaging e.g. Deadwalker Zombies with 25mm circles AND 25mm squares. And if they do that, I'm going to feel silly putting them onto 20mm circles, as 25mm circles would be more useful!

Decisions, decisions...

Yeah, fortunately I only play with close friends or at a friendly local store so bases arent an issue for now.... I am not very keen to play tournaments yet (As the constant rules arguing was one of the main reasons I didnt played anymore) maybe I could pick up some chear 3rd party models and place them in round bases

yep, that was pretty much what i was thinking when reading the list, so i'd say it's definitely the way to go.

I will, only suggestions I wont follow are the ones that go against the army`s lore and I am super gratefull (And I swaer I will commint to put in here, the lore I mean)

 

[Sorin Von Carstein]

I am thinking of changing the general to a VLoZD, can, since it is lore friendly, and give the arcane focus vampire the arcane tome

 

[The Sun King]

That is a fine choice. However, I think you benefit more from picking Martial for a Vampire Lord on Zombie Dragon. But both are viable.

 

[Sorin Von Carstein]

Yeah for the VLoZD it would be martial, for the vampire on foot, arcane + Arcane tome

++ **Pitched Battle GHB 2021** 2,000 (Death - Soulblight Gravelords) [1,985pts] ++

+ Core Battalion +

Core Battalion: Hunters of the Heartlands

Core Battalion: Warlord: Extra Enhancement: Artefacts of Power

+ Leader +

Necromancer [125pts]: Mortis Staff, Warlord - 2-4 Sub-Commanders

Vampire Lord [140pts]: Arcane, Soulbound Blades, Warlord - 2-4 Sub-Commanders
. Arcane Tome: Arcane Bolt, Mystic Shield

Vampire Lord on Zombie Dragon [435pts]: 4. Aura of Dark Majesty, 4. Soulbound Garments, 5. Vile Transference, Curse of Exsanguination, General, Locus of Death, Martial, Pestilential Breath, Snapping Maw, Sword-like Claws, Vampiric Sword, Warlord - 1-2 Commanders

+ Battleline +

Deadwalker Zombies [345pts]: 60 Deadwalker Zombies, Crude Weapons and Infectious Bites, Hunters of the Heartlands - 2-3 Troops, 2x Reinforced

Deathrattle Skeletons [170pts]: 20 Deathrattle Skeletons, Ancient Blade or Spear, Champion's Mace or Halberd, Hunters of the Heartlands - 2-3 Troops, Reinforced, Standard Bearer

Deathrattle Skeletons [170pts]: 20 Deathrattle Skeletons, Ancient Blade or Spear, Champion's Mace or Halberd, Reinforced, Standard Bearer

Dire Wolves [135pts]: 10 Dire Wolves, Rotting Fangs and Claws

+ Other +

Blood Knights [195pts]: 5 Blood Knights, Hooves and Teeth, Standard Bearer, Templar Lance or Blade

Corpse Cart with Balefire Brazier [80pts]: Balefire Brazier, Corpse Goad, Rusty Blades, Warlord - 1-2 Troops

Grave Guard [140pts]: 10 Grave Guard, Great Wight Blade, Hornblower, Hunters of the Heartlands - 2-3 Troops, Standard Bearer

+ Allegiance +

Allegiance
. Allegiance: Soulblight Gravelords: Legion of Blood

+Endless Spells

Emerald Lifeswarm (50 pts)

+ Game Options +

Game Type: 2000 Points - Battlehost

Grand Strategy: Hold the Line, Vampiric Conquerors

++ Total: [1,935pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe (BattleScribe: Build your army list. Fast.)

 

[eatU4myT]

This looks strong and cohesive, I like it! Very minor point, I think the lifeswarm should be 60pts? Also, the extra attack from a martial LoB VLoZD makes giving him the Lance quite attractive?

 

[The Sun King]

Yes this is a nice list - very cohesive as eatU4myT said. I would suggest the following:

• Give the VLoZD the lance instead of the sword. It is just better.
• Swap Vile Transference for Amthystine Pinions on the VLoZD - that unit really needs the extra movement, especially when it starts taking damage.
• Give the VLoZD the Foetid Miasma mount trait instead as Locus of Death is quite circumstanial and the buff to the Breath weapon is just really strong.
• You haven't chosen spells for the Necro and the VL. I would suggest Fading Vigour and Soulpike.
• I would cut the Lifeswarm and the Cart for 10 extra Grave Guards to add more punch to your list.

 

[eatU4myT]

It might depend on your likely regular opponents - if you will regularly be fighting gargants or other characters on big monsters, Vile Transference might be good, and the Necromancer might do better with Decrepify. If large monsters are not going to come up so much, then Pinions and Fading Vigour will help more. If you are building one list to fight them all, probably Pinions and Fading Vigour are best!
Foetid Miasma is definitely the way to go for the VLoZD!
I imagine the cart is staying in the list for lore reasons, which is excellent, but it is probably true as The Sun King says that the extra 10 graveguard would make a stronger tournament list.

 

[Sorin Von Carstein]

This looks strong and cohesive, I like it! Very minor point, I think the lifeswarm should be 60pts? Also, the extra attack from a martial LoB VLoZD makes giving him the Lance quite attractive?

It is , my ,mistake, but doesnt change anything just I have a leftover of 5 points, also thanks, I prefer the sword for aesthetic reasons

Yes this is a nice list - very cohesive as eatU4myT said. I would suggest the following:

• Give the VLoZD the lance instead of the sword. It is just better.
• Swap Vile Transference for Amthystine Pinions on the VLoZD - that unit really needs the extra movement, especially when it starts taking damage.
• Give the VLoZD the Foetid Miasma mount trait instead as Locus of Death is quite circumstanial and the buff to the Breath weapon is just really strong.
• You haven't chosen spells for the Necro and the VL. I would suggest Fading Vigour and Soulpike.
• I would cut the Lifeswarm and the Cart for 10 extra Grave Guards to add more punch to your list.

I will think about swords
Spells I put them as I go I will try and error, but is a solid argument there
Foetid masma it is
I like the soulsspike for tha vampire, as for necro I am torn between Overwhelming dread and Fading Vigour
Interesting choice I am doubtful Lifeswarm give replenish I I like the cart but is worth a try

It might depend on your likely regular opponents - if you will regularly be fighting gargants or other characters on big monsters, Vile Transference might be good, and the Necromancer might do better with Decrepify. If large monsters are not going to come up so much, then Pinions and Fading Vigour will help more. If you are building one list to fight them all, probably Pinions and Fading Vigour are best!
Foetid Miasma is definitely the way to go for the VLoZD!
I imagine the cart is staying in the list for lore reasons, which is excellent, but it is probably true as The Sun King says that the extra 10 graveguard would make a stronger tournament list.

I play mostly against Nighthaunt, Stormcast and FEC (FEC custom lore is crazy I will post it sometime) but the army compositions in the first two cases are the things that came in the mortal realms collectibles


And as for ending I will like to thank you all for your very appreciatted feedback

 

[Unas the slayer]

, also thanks, I prefer the sword for aesthetic reasons

if you're not a a tournament, no one will disagree if you say "he is equipped with a lance".
Unless, of course, your personal preference goes to WSIWYG.

I would keep the cart, but i'd drop the lifeswarm. it costs and does little for us.