Ant's new non SoC cult list 2250pts *Updated: Game 1: Asur*
Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 11:18 pm
Now that Pompey and the Dutch GT are over, I'm starting to consider what to do with my Cult for 7th edition. Since the cult isn't always going to be legal I've been working on a Slaanesh themed vanilla list. My kipper will have a summoning circle built around him in order to act as a cauldron of blood, and my devoted can act as exes (they're made from sisters repentia, so look more like they have great weapons than xtra hws).
I can't get a 2000pt army that I like at the moment, so I'm leaving that for now (I've got plenty of other stuff at 2k I can use anyway). However, I have got a 2250pt list that I am happy with. It is a little unconventional, and goes against the wisdom of D.net in a few areas (most obviously the highborn; Ras, you ain't gonna like him mate!), but bear with me.
Here's the list:
Highborn, rides a Dark Pegasus, Heavy armour, SDC, enchanted shield, talisman of protection,
VENOM SWORD (yay!) 295pts
Beastmaster on manticore, light armour, SDC, seal of Ghrond 267pts
Sorceress, 2 scrolls 140pts
21 spearelves, shields, banner 178pts
13 rxbelves, shields, muso 161pts
5 DRs, rxbs 120pts
16 Witchelves, banner, hag, witchbrew 257pts
11 executioners, draich-master, muso 139pts
6 COK, banner, warbanner 217pts
5 shades 70pts
rbt 100pts
rbt 100pts
Cauldron of blood 205pts
Total 2249pts
92 models
3PD/4DD+2 scrolls
Right then, I will now attempt to answer the obvious key question about the list before it is asked (it is also convienient that the rest of the selection follows on fairly naturally from this question too).
What the hell is up with that highborn?
OK, before I wrote this list I was determined to use the venom sword. This meant taking a highborn and giving it to him. The rest of his magic item slots were spent on as much protection as I could get. I know it's not much and if anyone's got any better ideas than a 6+ ward and 2+ armour save for 25pts I'm open to suggestions.
With the venom sword I had myself an ogre or larger size monster hunter. I now needed to make him reliable. Hence the cauldron of blood. with the cauldron's reroll I can be reasonably confident of making at least 2 wounds stick on T4 stuff or 1 on T5 stuff. With the venom sword's ability this is all that should be needed to generate the kills. It's not all that unlikely to be able to kill a dragon either, although given the choice I'd rather skewer one with rbt fire.
So I've increased the venom sword's power potential and made it worth taking. Now I need to deliver it. So why have I chosen a DP over a steed or manticore, (especially since i want a manti in the list anyway)? Well I can't go for the manticore because of the cost really. It puts over 400pts into one model and gives the enemy an obvious target that will ruin me if I lose it. Also, the manticore is best used as a rank breaker, but I want my highborn fighting monsters (and going in the front a lot of the time), so much of the manticore's potential is lost. Much better to have the highborn on his own and a seperate rank breaker in the form of the beastmaster, giving the enemy 2 threats to worry about (I also think that the cheaper manticore rider is likely to attract more fire than my highborn). I could have gone for a dark steed, but then what happens if I fluff my attacks, or don't beat the toughness of the monsters with the venom sword's roll? The enemy attacks my squishy highborn and kills him. With a DP I have the small cushion of the DPs 2 S5 attacks, but more importantly, when the enemy attacks back, they are likely to hit the DP, thinking it to be an easier target than the highborn (something I've found to be of use with my chaos exalted on deamon steed; people always chose to hit the steed rather than the rider, despite the rider being easier to hurt!). I also have an effective 3+ ward against shooting as well since if the DP dies I can just run around and join an infantry unit or use my 10" move to charge some monsters anyway.
So that's it really, the rest of the army is there to complement the rest really. The rbts and manticore can help draw enemies into the rfz of the cauldron as well as kill shooting or draw fire away from my highborn. The scroll caddy is nessecary since I only have the single slot left for a caster. Since I've seen the new ruling I'm tempted by the armour of darkness on the BM but at the moment think the 4th DD is needed. Witches and exes work really well with the cauldron. The exes will go either 6-5 mostly or 5-5-1 depending on the amount of enemy shooting. The witches will go 5-5-5-1. I've gone for witchbrew over the conventional manbane for 2 reasons: 1, it's unexpected, and 2, with only one unit of DRs, frenzy could prove a problem (plus it will be easier to get flanked in 7th). With witchbrew and 4 witches on the side (assuming I haven't lost any to shooting of course), I can be pretty confident of holding for the turn or so that will be needed. I almost gave this unit the warbanner instead of the COKs, but decided it was already costly enough and it would be just as useful on the COK (thoughts?). Saddes are always useful, although harpies could be good too. The shades won because I already have the models! The COK will either act as a reserve or as a hammer type threat to push up with the characters depending on if I decide to go offensive or defensive. The spears are there to add some reliable static combat res that isn't going to go away because there are already plenty of tasty targets for the enemy before they even start to think about whittling down the spears, and the rxbs arethere because they've performed great in my cult army; a real multi purpose unit, it's resilient, gives me a real firebase, protects rbts and can handle themselves up close or even take a flank. Never leave home without em.
So, what do you guys think? Will these strange seletions work or does it need a rethink? How many of you want to strangle me for putting the venoom sword in a serious list? All feedback is welcome, just try not to insult me too much (please?!)!
I can't get a 2000pt army that I like at the moment, so I'm leaving that for now (I've got plenty of other stuff at 2k I can use anyway). However, I have got a 2250pt list that I am happy with. It is a little unconventional, and goes against the wisdom of D.net in a few areas (most obviously the highborn; Ras, you ain't gonna like him mate!), but bear with me.
Here's the list:
Highborn, rides a Dark Pegasus, Heavy armour, SDC, enchanted shield, talisman of protection,
VENOM SWORD (yay!) 295pts
Beastmaster on manticore, light armour, SDC, seal of Ghrond 267pts
Sorceress, 2 scrolls 140pts
21 spearelves, shields, banner 178pts
13 rxbelves, shields, muso 161pts
5 DRs, rxbs 120pts
16 Witchelves, banner, hag, witchbrew 257pts
11 executioners, draich-master, muso 139pts
6 COK, banner, warbanner 217pts
5 shades 70pts
rbt 100pts
rbt 100pts
Cauldron of blood 205pts
Total 2249pts
92 models
3PD/4DD+2 scrolls
Right then, I will now attempt to answer the obvious key question about the list before it is asked (it is also convienient that the rest of the selection follows on fairly naturally from this question too).
What the hell is up with that highborn?
OK, before I wrote this list I was determined to use the venom sword. This meant taking a highborn and giving it to him. The rest of his magic item slots were spent on as much protection as I could get. I know it's not much and if anyone's got any better ideas than a 6+ ward and 2+ armour save for 25pts I'm open to suggestions.
With the venom sword I had myself an ogre or larger size monster hunter. I now needed to make him reliable. Hence the cauldron of blood. with the cauldron's reroll I can be reasonably confident of making at least 2 wounds stick on T4 stuff or 1 on T5 stuff. With the venom sword's ability this is all that should be needed to generate the kills. It's not all that unlikely to be able to kill a dragon either, although given the choice I'd rather skewer one with rbt fire.
So I've increased the venom sword's power potential and made it worth taking. Now I need to deliver it. So why have I chosen a DP over a steed or manticore, (especially since i want a manti in the list anyway)? Well I can't go for the manticore because of the cost really. It puts over 400pts into one model and gives the enemy an obvious target that will ruin me if I lose it. Also, the manticore is best used as a rank breaker, but I want my highborn fighting monsters (and going in the front a lot of the time), so much of the manticore's potential is lost. Much better to have the highborn on his own and a seperate rank breaker in the form of the beastmaster, giving the enemy 2 threats to worry about (I also think that the cheaper manticore rider is likely to attract more fire than my highborn). I could have gone for a dark steed, but then what happens if I fluff my attacks, or don't beat the toughness of the monsters with the venom sword's roll? The enemy attacks my squishy highborn and kills him. With a DP I have the small cushion of the DPs 2 S5 attacks, but more importantly, when the enemy attacks back, they are likely to hit the DP, thinking it to be an easier target than the highborn (something I've found to be of use with my chaos exalted on deamon steed; people always chose to hit the steed rather than the rider, despite the rider being easier to hurt!). I also have an effective 3+ ward against shooting as well since if the DP dies I can just run around and join an infantry unit or use my 10" move to charge some monsters anyway.
So that's it really, the rest of the army is there to complement the rest really. The rbts and manticore can help draw enemies into the rfz of the cauldron as well as kill shooting or draw fire away from my highborn. The scroll caddy is nessecary since I only have the single slot left for a caster. Since I've seen the new ruling I'm tempted by the armour of darkness on the BM but at the moment think the 4th DD is needed. Witches and exes work really well with the cauldron. The exes will go either 6-5 mostly or 5-5-1 depending on the amount of enemy shooting. The witches will go 5-5-5-1. I've gone for witchbrew over the conventional manbane for 2 reasons: 1, it's unexpected, and 2, with only one unit of DRs, frenzy could prove a problem (plus it will be easier to get flanked in 7th). With witchbrew and 4 witches on the side (assuming I haven't lost any to shooting of course), I can be pretty confident of holding for the turn or so that will be needed. I almost gave this unit the warbanner instead of the COKs, but decided it was already costly enough and it would be just as useful on the COK (thoughts?). Saddes are always useful, although harpies could be good too. The shades won because I already have the models! The COK will either act as a reserve or as a hammer type threat to push up with the characters depending on if I decide to go offensive or defensive. The spears are there to add some reliable static combat res that isn't going to go away because there are already plenty of tasty targets for the enemy before they even start to think about whittling down the spears, and the rxbs arethere because they've performed great in my cult army; a real multi purpose unit, it's resilient, gives me a real firebase, protects rbts and can handle themselves up close or even take a flank. Never leave home without em.
So, what do you guys think? Will these strange seletions work or does it need a rethink? How many of you want to strangle me for putting the venoom sword in a serious list? All feedback is welcome, just try not to insult me too much (please?!)!