Despite my main focus being on Skorne at the moment, I'm still paying attention to what the Protectorate are up to. If the spoilers on the PP forums are to be believed, then Reznik's new theme list in No Quarter looks something like this:
Allowed models/units:
Non-character 'jacks
Scourge of Heresy
Vessel of Judgement
Flameguard Cleansers
Deliverer units
Choir of Menoth
Steelhead units
Vassal solos
Stannis Brocker
Kell Bailoch
Tier 1: Take only these models in return for Advance Deploying Sunbursts.
Tier 2: Take one or more small-based Steelhead unit. Each one gets a free Attendant Priest
Tier 3: Take at least two Vassal solos. In return, Reznik starts with upkeeps in play
Tier 4: Take at least 3 heavy 'jacks in Reznik's battlegroup. Deploy 2" further up.
I think this looks quite fun, actually. Reznik's original list didn't really appeal, mainly because I don't have any Cleansers to run with him. By contrast, I've already been thinking about getting some Steelheads to make up a Magnus the Traitor theme list. Their cavalry could be lethal under the combination of Brutal Charge and Ignite, and they can happily screen Reznik until he's ready to start wrecking(/wracking) stuff.
The big battlefield advantage to me here is the ability to start with upkeeps in play. This means that he can have Iron Aggression and Ignite already set up for turn one, allowing him and his 'jacks just to run up the field on the first turn. Being able to place Sunbursts not only in range, but also after your opponent has set up their squishy Winterguard/Thralls/etc, is a nice bonus too.
Some people seem less than impressed about the free Attendant Priest. It's understandable - what's the good in having a Ranking Officer making the mercenaries count as faction models when Reznik doesn't have any faction-only abilities? Thinking again, though, remember that they're FREE, and can still hand out Spell Ward, Pathfinder, or Magical Weapons to suit the situation. Consider having Reznik's entire army either being untargetable by spells or (in the case of his battlegroup) posing the threat of Witch Hound. I can think of a fair few Cryx 'casters who wouldn't like that one bit.
A few other complaints seem to be based on the requirement for three heavies with Reznik's meagre 6 focus. Having played Magnus, I know full well that it can be done, and done well. That's before you add the Choir into the mix. Between the Choir, Vassals, and Rezniks feat and spell list, you've got lots of ways to make sure that you get the first (significant) punch, and probably survive the initial counterattack. In this respect, it's very much like playing Magnus. In fact, I see this theme list as basically being a Magnus list with a Choir, rather than a Reznik list with Steelheads.
Off the top of my head, I think this 35pt list could be fun to try out:
Reznik
Crusader
Templar
Vanquisher
Steelhead Rifles (min) + Priest
Steelhead Rifles (min) + Priest
Vassal of Menoth
Vassal of Menoth
Choir of Menoth (min)
Deliverer Sunburst
How might it work? Well, the Steelheads, Sunburst and Vanquisher are there to remove troublesome infantry and solos, while the other 'jacks and Reznik attempt to batter a hole in the opposing defenses to allow Reznik to get through and do what he does best. With careful use of Enliven, you can probably play a Magnus-style hit-and-run game, in which case a Reckoner might be a better choice than the Vanquisher. I guess it's going to take some playing to get a feel for it.
That just about wraps it up for now. There's just one more thing that's bugging me. Where are the wracks?
UPDATE: Having now seen the list 'in the flesh', Reznik can take Wracks in his new theme force. That's alright then.
No comments:
Post a Comment