First VC Purchases

[Aristo]

Now that I'm certain I want to build a VC army, I'm getting ready to grab some kits to start out with. I've done a bit of lurking around, looking at army lists and so forth, and have a rough idea of some strong builds. Considering it's pretty natural for core units to be a first purchase when building an army, I figure I'd start with one of ours.

However, I'm still perplexed by the core available to us. I've read the many zombie vs skeleton threads, read up on ghouls, and I'm just not certain what I want to focus on while getting my army together. Aesthetically, I like our skeletons best, and I have some themes in mind already. However, I want to buy what I'm certain to use each time I put my army on the table. Of course I love building an army with a theme and putting some fluff together that wraps it all up nicely, but I also want to hold my ground if I find myself in a hobby store with a notoriously competitive crowd.

That said, I'm probably over-stressing it, but what should my first VC kits be if I want to have a fun, yet competitively-sound army?

 

[Kromul]

First of all wellcome to the VC Army Aristo!!

I started building my own army last year and the best advice I can give you to resolve that problem of decision is: go for the ones you like more aesthetically. You will enjoy more the game if you do this than if you only look at the very best winning combination (unless you really really need to win, in that case don't read my comment >_<).

Apart from that, since you talk about to play in a store competitively, I would buy a box of zombies at least because you won't be able to cast our 4th spell which can be game-changing if used properly.

Edit: If you search on this sub-forum, you will find some threads of mine on where people gave me advice on purchase too

 

[Seneschal]

You can never go wrong with a box of ten wolves.

 

[Bloody Maria]

Skeletons and Zombies both work very well.
Zombies though are much cheaper points wise and can tie up anything for a long time, provided a caster backs them up so they get to keep coming back.
However, skeletons are 66% more expensive, but leaving them blank offers them a 5+ armour save and a 6+ parry save, which is by no means bad, but you'll notice that against
anything more than S4 your numbers will start to dwindle just as fast as if you've had zombies.

Also, as for aesthetics, I really dislike zombies as well, so as a result, I use bits and models from other armies to fill in for Zombies.

There's much to be said about our core, but I think your best bet would be is to start out with a Battalion Box and maybe a box or two of zombies.
Otherwise, if you don't like the investment, you could always opt for Mantic models instead a very nice (and cheap!) alternative.
Most, if not all GW stores will frown upon your purchase and quite possibly deny entry to certain events if you bring Mantic Models, though. :I

 

[Praise_Sotek]

I would say keep an eye on ebay. I picked up most of my army on the cheap!

 

[spazmatik]

^^^ I purchased most of my vamps on ebay to. I also went down the mantic route for skellies and zombies. A much cheeper alternative given i only play against my circle of friends. I may replace them with gw models one day but to get it started mantic was a no brainer for me as to get a vamps army up and running you need quite alot of models.

 

[Fodderboy]

You can bulk out your units with unit fillers too. They look cool and can take the place of 4 or more models.

My next one is going to be a siege tower.

 

[The Dead Rat]

+1 for Mantic Zombies! Mine double as Skaven Slaves, I just stuck a packmaster at the back, put him on a big rock and voilla!

 

[Skittelz1981]

If you start out with core my advice would be:

1. Lots of wolves, they are going to be your winner.
2. Zombies, cheap tarpitters and redirectors
3. Skeletons, slightly better tarpitters/redirectors but far more useful as a bunker due to the availability of banners (like Lichebone banner) increasing your safety against spells (thats my opinion and my use of a skeleton unit)


Ghouls are the option i never take and actually id advise against them, far too expensive in points for what they can do. only marginally better at tarpitting, only marginally better at doing any kind of damage (yes poisoned attacks slightly helps but its still s3 which is nothing better than their ludicrously cheaper counterparts) also no armorsave,/parrysave etc makes them only a slight bit better at surviving due to t4. But in general i find them no where near as good as their 10pts/model would suggest.

My standard issue core is always lots of wolves, assisted by 2 units of zombies and 1 unit of skeletons.


After having built core, i would definately focus on our Monstrous infantry special choices; Vargheists/Crypthorrors. the spirit host is a must have (at least 2 or 3) the blackknights/hexwraiths.
Things like fell bats, bat swarms, corpsecarts, graveguard are accessory with the most use lying in the bats of both kinds.

Rare choices would primarily be Mortis Engines, Tbats, Varghulfs. All three being exceptionally useful (even with my dislike of the Tbat) The black coach is fun, the bloodknights (wait till GW produces them in plastic instead of the overpriced finecast) are great but i find it hard to field, for some reason ive never played with Cairn Wraiths.

Heroes obviously Necromancers and babyvamps, banshees/wightkings/von carsteins/krell are accessory

Lords, forget about Von Carsteins, only Mannfred and kemmler are worth anything but obviously Master Necros/vamplords are the things u want.