Retainers

[Belladamma Voltaire]

Greetings one and all,

One of the things most Heroes have is a small bodyguard of Retainers, usually elite troops, who keep them 'safe' and provide a retinue. Perhaps having a small group of retainers is keeping in the feel of the project would help balance issues such as Dwarven strength?

My suggestion would be that the general of the army would get a small few retainers who supplement him like thus:

Black Orc Warboss
Retainers: Black Orcs

Vampire
Retainers: Grave Guard

This could go on for ages but you get the idea. The retainer size unit would be dependant on the points costs of the character in question so cheaper characters (say Goblins) would get more retainers where as a Vampire or Dwarf Lord would only get a few.

In terms of rules they would be a skirmishing unit around the 'Hero' which ALWAYS allow a 'Look Out Sir' save against any wounds, close combat or otherwise.

What are your opinions on this idea?

- V

 

[Trevy the Great]

I like this idea. The idea of a few powerful characters accompanied by their loyal guards is really cool. Being able to buy upgrades and abilities fro retainer units might be a cool addition.

 

[Taylor]

Hey Guys,
That's totally the approach we are taking with this, but you get to choose your retainers. We did extensive playtesting yesterday with good results - Dwarves vs. Orcs, and High Elves vs. Dwarves, and both games went very well.
I should have clarified the basic rules. Essentially, they are as follows:

EDIT: Rules moved to stickied thread. This thread is about retainers.
-Grishnakh99

Cheers!
T. [/b]

 

[Trevy the Great]

What are the 'Talents' to choose from? Are they different than Bloodline Powers (can a Vimpire Lord take 200 pts. o' Magic Items, 100 pts. o' Talents and 100 pts. o' Bloodline powers?)

 

[Taylor]

Oh.. sorry.. I can post them.. here they are (please note that these are not final numbers. Please playtest these numbers and let us - Mark and Myself - know if you run into any snags):

EDIT: List already in previous threads. Perhaps a locked down thread with current rules/talents would be better.
Locked down thread added. Please keep this thread on topic about the cool idea of retainers! =)
-Grishnakh99

Please note that this cost is for the first time the ability is chosen. If you want to take it a second time, then it costs double (x2), if you want to take it a third time, it's tripled (x3). One character cannot take multiples of talents EXCEPT for "Retainers", which is an exception to all of the rules mentioned above.

Thanks again guys! Let me know how it works out for you!
T.

 

[Trevy the Great]

Very nice. I have some suggestions for these talents:

For 'Reckless' there should be very high to hit penalty.

Beast Master (15 pts): Your character may ride a creature with a unit strength of 3.

Could you not anyway?

I think some of the abilities like 'Warrior' and 'Endurance' should be able to be taken more then once. This is about creating uber-characters! Isn't it?

 

[Taylor]

Kinda... we want to keep the characters reasonable though... we're still in the midst of playtesting. 5 wounds is a lot, remember.
As for the riding a creature of a unit strength of 3 - you can't because you can only have a max US of 3 without the talent (if you are riding a creature, your US is 4).
I'm not sure what you mean about the reckless talent.

T.

 

[Grish]

Hey guys, this thread is to talk about retainers... make your own! =)

I love this idea of retainers, good call Voltaire! Small unit of elite troops. Possible to upgrade them as well, and possible to make your elite guard carry your Battle Standard? (Like a battle standard bearer but having properties of a standard bearer, that it cannot be killed per se).

The look out sir save is a nice idea to protect wizard heroes,goblin and skaven heroes and the like. The not so brave. Unsure how this would work with challenges. Perhaps all elite units get a blood knight type power where any could accept a challenge?

I would also think they would get the Raider type rule; that they function as skirmishers but when engage in combat get rank bonuses. I think this would be necessary for such things as goblins that would not win combat any other way.