Help for new player

[chancesz]

Hi

I’m new to Vampire Counts.
After reading the army book,I’m a bit confused and I hope someone can give me a bit of information.
From what I understand you need 3 core choices for a 2000 point army?
Only crypt ghouls, zombies and skeletons count towards this choice?
I’m thinking of having 2 units of 25 skeletons as my core plus 10 crypt ghouls. Is this feasible?
Can you raise skeleton units beyond their starting size? If so, how?
Also with the raise dead spell, when a unit of zombiesis raised while the game is in progress, is that just a bonus for your army?
What happens if you roll “raise dead” spell to start with and you have no zombie models?
Hope someone can help me
Thanks in advance

 

[Bug16]

From what I understand you need 3 core choices for a 2000 point army?

3 core as an absolute minimum. You can have more if you want.

Only crypt ghouls, zombies and skeletons count towards this choice?

Without the armybook to hand I think you're correct.

I’m thinking of having 2 units of 25 skeletons as my core plus 10 crypt ghouls. Is this feasible?

Yep.

Can you raise skeleton units beyond their starting size? If so, how?

You have to buy a power that allows you to do this.

Also with the raise dead spell, when a unit of zombiesis raised while the game is in progress, is that just a bonus for your army?

Yep.

What happens if you roll “raise dead” spell to start with and you have no zombie models?

They don't get raised.

 

[ScreamEchoes]

Can you raise skeleton units beyond their starting size? If so, how?

Vampiric power - Lord of the Dead

Page 83 @ army book

 

[chancesz]

Thanks for the prompt responses.
So if I have 2 units of 25 skeletons, how many would you need to keep in reserve to raise during the game (what's a safe number?)
Cheers

 

[ScreamEchoes]

Well, if you are going for mass summoning then loads. I think i never needed more than 20 extra skellies

 

[Reincus]

Depends on the points level, the list, and how you play.

I'd suggest at least 20 extra skellies and 30 extra zombies in 2000-2250 games, to start with. You can always add once you figure out how you use them.

 

[Bug16]

I agree with the others on how many spare figures you'll need.

It's very easy before the battle to think that you'll be raising unit after unit and you'll need loads of spare figures, when in reality you usually spend your time healing units rather than raising them.

 

[Dethail]

While I to have played games where I was mainly healing units and not making them bigger I more often find that I am raising a lot of troops, by then again I use manfred and have 13+ pd.

By the way if you play in a friendly gaming group just proxy the models. Any infantryman could be a zombie etc. Just explain to your buddies that you are getting a feel for the army before you run out and spend hundreds of dollars of figs you may never use.

 

[The Dark Lord Mr Fluffy]

Well I raise far too many zombies per games, seeing as I feild no less then 80 per match, then raise up the same amount if I'm lucky. Then again, having 200 zombies is a real pain to paint

 

[Aeschere]

The newly raised zombies are worth 50 VP if the opponent wipes them out.
So they are not completely free, but kinda free ;-)

And I agree on the raising models. It all depends on your play style. It is possible to summon 150+ zombies per turn. But that means that you need to cast everything successful, roll maximum on the amount summoned and have a corpse cart nearby. Off course the change of that happening is 0.0% but it is possible.
But when summoning skeletons and Ghouls usually double the amount of the starting unit is good enough, slightly more if you start with a small unit. So that would be 50 extra skeletons and around 15 Ghouls in your case. But that is the maximum. Troops will die so you will get some models from that as well.
But better be on the save side. Some opponents allow you to use dice to keep track of summoned models, others insist that you use models.

Welcome to the grave.

 

[Nathanial Von Carstein]

Comes down to playstyle. I don't raise my skellies past their start (20). I just don't. I have 40 Zombies, and that seems to be enough (I never field them, just raise them).

Best advice has already been given. Proxy for awhile, if your group lets you. Get a feel for how your army plays...as well as how *you* play it. After awhile, you'll know how many models you need.

In their current form, I have used a lot more care in raising zombies. 50 vp does add up, and a new/fresh unit is fragile. As such, I end up using fewer zombie models then I did with the last army book. Then again, I am seeing the idea behind fielding them in blocks of 20 from the start.

Raise dead *is* a bonus, making the VC the only army that can summon new regiments to the table. As for core...VC needs a good, solid infantry block. For 1000 points, I use a unit of 20 skellies, 15 Grave Guard, and 10 Ghouls (2 Core). For 2000 points, I add a second unit of Skellies.

Also remember, you can reraise fallen troops. 25 skeletons is a lot, especially since the last rank can't even contribute. So, there may be no reason to spend the point to get the ability to raise past it.

Good luck, and welcome...
-Nathanial Von Carstein

 

[Countess Ashyln]

25 skeletons is a lot, especially since the last rank can't even contribute. So, there may be no reason to spend the point to get the ability to raise past it.

You could give them the Banner of the Endless Nightmare. Though that still means it's pointless raising past 25.

 

[Passmossis]

Sorry to bring up an older thread, have been on the prowl for the answer to my question. I've been looking for the VP's gained for defeating summoned undead.

The newly raised zombies are worth 50 VP if the opponent wipes them out.
So they are not completely free, but kinda free ;-)

I've been looking through the VC armybook and have yet to stumble across the info. So my questions are pretty much:

Is it a set 50 VP per newly raised zombies, no matter the size?

Does my opponent receive extra VP for defeating Skeleton/Ghoul packs raised beyond their starting cap?


A page reference would be great, and thanks!

 

[Master Vampire]

I've been looking through the VC armybook and have yet to stumble across the info. So my questions are pretty much:

Is it a set 50 VP per newly raised zombies, no matter the size?

Oooh somebody hasn't been paying attention at the Undead tactics classes :mrgreen:

It's on page 38 of the Vamp AB. Under 'Raised models and Victory Points'.

 

[Passmossis]

I figured it would be right in front of my face, and alas, it was! Thanks for the help MasterV.