Vampire Counts assistance required

[Hammerthorn]

Yo guys,

You may have recently noticed my semi-return in the painting and modeling section, and now, on the back of that I need some more help from you folk. Before I ask, i'd just like to say, sorry for asking questions so much, yet not actually helping others so much, as you will see, with Vampire Counts, i'm hardly one in a position to give advice.

Now, onwards with the problem(s). As 8th Edition has been released, and I am exam free, it is my time to get back into the Warhammer flow of things. Now, this is the first of my problems; "Which army".

I currently have a mass of High Elves and Vampire Counts yet to be formed into an army. I also have a (now) sizable Orc & Goblin force with much to painted and completed. My question is this; Which army should I build up and complete over the summer? Obviously I expect some biased as this is a Vampire Counts forum, but rest assured I posted this on a High Elf forum I 'frequent' (equally as much as I frequent here).

The thing that really killed my enthusiasm for Vampire Counts is that the first unit of Zombies I painted, I wasn't really happy with. I'm not a bad painter, however, i'm not fantastic. I had the feeling the zombies seemed too 'wet'. See, I had no idea how to paint them, and was advised by a GW managed to try red inking the flesh, then highlighting over it in the flesh tone of choice. I just feel they look too wet, and i'm happy to take some pictures if anyone cares enough to spend some time advising me on what I could do to try and make my army look a bit more beautiful (or horrible, as we're undead).

I don't play heavily competitively, mainly for fun. I like a list that is good, but still fun, and not neccessarily predictable. This can be worked on later, but I get the feeling Vampire Counts could be very fun to play. (I mean, c'mon, just spawning some Zombies around the feel sounds pretty awesome to me).

On a related note, if I do start going for Vampire Counts, I'll probably start reading the Steven Savile 'Inheritance' series (as the first book is infront of me right now) and as a final queery, i'd just like to ask, is it a good book? Especially for getting into the Vampire Count 'mood'?

I'm sorry to return just to bother you with such questions, but all replies are really really appreciated.

I'm starting assembly/painting of whatever army on Monday, so if possible, i'd love you to help me by then.

Thanks a load,

Hammerthorn.

 

[Capt Rubber Ducky]

I think VC would be a good army, we took quite a hit by the new rules so arn't top tier any more, making it a less competative army now. If you need help with the painting of zombies i'm sure someone will be able to help you out in the Dark arts section (painting and modeling). As for the books I can't really help you on that, haven't read any vampire count related books really.

 

[witchking1980]

The question is which army inspires you more! Maybe you are not satisfied with your painted zombies but that is not a serious reason to leave your army in the closet. Here you can "steal" some ideas and ask anything you want either for painting or for tactics.

 

[Trevy the Great]

I second Witch King's statement - the choice is really up to you when it comes down to it. Which army do you like the models of, the rules of, the feel of the most?

 

[Hammerthorn]

I think VC would be a good army, we took quite a hit by the new rules so arn't top tier any more, making it a less competative army now. If you need help with the painting of zombies i'm sure someone will be able to help you out in the Dark arts section (painting and modeling). As for the books I can't really help you on that, haven't read any vampire count related books really.

I'm really hoping someone will be willing to help me there, haha. I read the Zombie guide posted up here last night actually, and I may test it on a model myself...

The question is which army inspires you more! Maybe you are not satisfied with your painted zombies but that is not a serious reason to leave your army in the closet. Here you can "steal" some ideas and ask anything you want either for painting or for tactics.

That's the real issue~ I love the Vampire Counts history, but the sheer mass of models is daunting. The main thing that puts me off of the Vampire counts is the lack of 'individual' Vampires. I'm not into using Manfred as a plain Vampire, and I really wish GW had done a commander/BSB kit like they have for so many other armies. This can be avoided though somehow, i'm sure. And thanks for being so willing to help with tactics too, it's nice to have such a friendly community about.

I second Witch King's statement - the choice is really up to you when it comes down to it. Which army do you like the models of, the rules of, the feel of the most?

Models wise, I love both High Elves and Vampire Counts really. I do dislike the new skeletons on the grounds that, they look so fragile, and im seriously worried about those torso's snapping, but barring that, they both have wonderful models. I wish I could comment on the feel of the armies but, i've not played either in 8th, and only a few games with High Elves in 7th (I lost them all...). I just need persuasion and motivation. I'm far too lazy with these things, and I suppose, am just too happy to be depressed about not doing very well when painting and playing. That's why i'm hoping to post up a painting blog, and probably a games blog just so I have that motivation to keep going.

Thanks for all the replies so far guys, keep 'em coming if you can

 

[bahamutzer0]

I'm actually in the middle of Inheritance right now. Its good so far, most of it so far is about two hunters and Vlad for the most part, Isabella is in it/mentioned once in a while. I have the Vampire Wars book, Inheritance is one of the stories in it, read Death's Cold Kiss and The Court of the Crimson Queen, both of those were good in my opinion. I got The Vampire Genevieve omnibus as well, I'd have to say that Vampire Wars (von Carstein Trilogy) definitely gave me a better picture of VC compared to TVG.


Here is a thought, ever thought about converting your High Elves into Dark Elves. One of my friends is going to be doing just that once the HE vs Skaven battle comes out, I'm getting the Skaven and he is getting the HE.


As far as GW's lack of "individual" vampires goes, there is always conversions and getting vampires from somewhere else like reaper or maelstrom. Of course the problem with the latter is trying to use a non-GW figure in the store, but I personally rarely play there so whether I have a GW vamp or not is no problem.


As far as the Skeletons being fragile goes, I have around 80 Skeletons, only one is broken and that was at the ankles. I play Necrons as well as VC and the problem with them breaking was the same, the ankles area, out of about 70 Warriors, I think 6 have broken that way in about 5 years. I've never had the torso break on either VC or Necrons so I wouldn't worry to much about it.


In the end the choice is up to you, I personally would rather play VC, I like the fluff, I like the vampires and the undead, raising zombies to block charges, Fear, a bunch of different things. For me its just personal preference, I didn't choose VC so I can win all the time or something like that, I like VC and I have fun playing them is all. Maybe play a few small games with the new rules and see which you like playing better.

 

[Hammerthorn]

Ah cool, the book sounds decent then. If I go with Vampires, i'll definitely give it a read simultaneously.

And no sorry, I wouldn't consider converting my High Elves, simply because I have Lion Chariots etc. that'd be a hassle to change, and moreso, the Dark Elves have fantastic models. No way would I want to use High Elves instead.

Yeah, the individual Vampire thing can be rectified via some converting and so on~ It's not a real issue if i'm honest. Just a niggle.

You say your Skeletons are fine? I assume you mean the 'new' skeletons now, not the old ones right? I have a mix, so my Vampire Counts will look ca-raaazy lol.

The fluff is what really bothers me. I've not actually had a chance to read up on the fluff for either much, but over the weekend i'll read some of the bits in the army books. There aren't other places online with fluff, are there? And I don't have time to play test games with the armies sadly, i'll be starting assembly and painting on Monday. I've only played a few 500-1000pt games with High Elves (in 7th). They're both massively different from my Orcs & Goblins, so they'll take some adapting to anyway. Thanks for the replies though, especially about the book!

 

[Hammerthorn]

Yo guys, sorry to semi-ressurect this nearly-dead thread (Rhymes ;D) but I was just wondering something after browsing the forum;

How hard are Vampire Counts to play? And more importantly, are our units any fun at all to use? I know the second question there seems odd but, let me try to explain~ In my experience playing Orcs & Goblins, there were so many units that where enjoyable (Even if not necessarily great) to use. Chariots, Boar boyz, Night Goblins, Squigs (<3) and so many more were just a joy to field, it made the army a really good laugh to play.

I've been reading around and seen a lot of Skeleton and Zombie hate, so figured I wouldn't get much fun there. I'm seeing Ghoul love, which is good, but daaaaamn do I hate painting those guys. I can not do a goob job on them until I've found a good way of doing the flesh (Any help on this GREATLY appreciated ).

Now, I love the Fell Bat models. Infact, their some of my favorite models, but I understand they kinda... suck. Well, from what i've read here anyway. Grave Guard seem enjoyable to use from what i've read, but overall, this leaves 2, maybe 3 (Varghulf) that are very enjoyable to use. It concerns me because, I'm gonna be painting a lot of Skeletons and Zombies, that are potentially useless by the looks of it.

I will get around to it, but with the High Elves also looking at me with puppy dog eyes, I really don't know what to do. I prefer the Fluff of the Vampires, but the High Elves units seem nice to use. Phoenix Guard, Swordmasters, White Lions, they're all strong and nice looking units. I know I can't expect the kind of fun that you'll get from Orcs and Goblins, but I'd really like something enjoyable here.

Sorry for ressurecting this, hope someone can help before I decide which army to progress with tommorow! (Also, if I do choose High Elves, can I still do a painting blog here, or not?)

Thanks for any replies guys,

Hammerthorn.

 

[Tharkad]

Vampire Wars Trilogy is the best source of VC fluff I have found. That and the previous edition AB.

From the sounds of it you have already made your choice. VC are a very adaptive army and can be built around any them you like and be made to work for what you want. My current arm (WIP) does not have any ghouls, as I don’t like the model and their fluff. Plus my VC Lord kills them at sight as he considers them vermin

I have a suggestion that you can try. As you like the look of the HE models why not base your VC army off them? A HE lord turned Vampire that converts his guard and citizens into the undead. Combining the HE models with the VC range would provide you with some interesting looking undead and tons of conversion possibilities.

With the release of the new Starter set their will be a crap-ton of HE players popping up. I say go against the call of the "new" shiny.