My friend and I want to fight a scenario at the weekend. The noble dwarven clan led by King Valrik is determined to protect Broxin the Beer Lord's brewery against the evil army of vampire count Dracul.
We agreed that I create the two armies and he chooses the one he wants to use. Ive made two lists now. I only played with dwarves once and Ive never used vampires before. So Im not sure if the lists are balanced.
The lists should not only have about the same chances of winning, they should also be evenly matched to provide an exciting battle. So I tried to keep things like unit sizes and magic in fair proportions.
Also, the armies are supposed to be stylish.
So please tell me if you think if the lists fulfil these aspects!
Dwarves:
King Valrik
Rune Axe (Swiftness, 2x Cleaving), Gomril (Stone), Talisman (Spite), Shield
265
Ungor the Runesmith
Talisman (Balance, Spell Breaking), GW, Gomril, Shield
154
Broxin the Beer Lord
BSB, Rune of Stromni Redbeard, Gomril
188
------
19 Warriors, command, H.A., S., GW
234
19 Warriors, command, H.A., S., GW
234
12 Crossbowmen, S.
156
12 Thunderers, S.
180
------
19 Hammerers, command, S., Rune of Kadrin
365
Cannon
100
2 Bolt Throwers
90
------
Gyrocoptor
140
Flame Cannon
140
Total: 2.251
DD: 6, 1 scroll
Vampires:
Von Carstein Bloodline
Count Dracul
Level 2, Walking Death, Aura of Dark Majesty, Ring of the Night, GW
336
Zaratuz the Wight Lord
Sword of Kings, Ench. S., Nightmare/b, GW, H.A.
111
Necromancer Cher'myan
Book of Arkhan, Power Stone
150
Necromancer Az-kor
Black Periapt, Power Stone
140
------
25 Skeletons, command, L.A.
275
25 Zombies, mus, st.
165
10 Ghouls
80
8 Dire Wolves
80
8 Dire Wolves
80
2 Bat Swarms
120
------
10 Black Knights, command, barding, Banner of the Barrows
335
2 Spirit Hosts
130
3 Fell Bats
60
------
2 Banshees
180
Total: 2.246
PD: 8, 2 stones, 1 bound spell
I'd pick the vampires: but I think the whole battle will come down to cannon vs. Dracul (ie: whether it can successfully snipe).
Barring that, the undead would probably win eventually (though I don't know the conditions you are playing in: probably some sort of barricaded position): they have the numbers, the magic, characters, psychology, and movement on their side.
looks pretty balanced to me at least :) those necros, they are level 2 right? does the undead benefit from "look out sir!"? if they do, then the vampire should be safe :) otherwise one could change the ring for the wristbands of black gold. 3+ ward vs all kinds of missiles. but I dont think it will be needed. the ghouls would maybe be better of in 2 units of 5, but then again 10 makes them more resilient against missile fire.
looks like pretty standard armies, have fun :)
Im quite sure that characters can use the "look out Sir" rule against cannons. And if they cant, we'll let them ;)
Tyrion: Good thought about splitting up the ghouls. I'll consider that.
Swords: We dont have any set conditions yet, but we will agree on terrain that provides the dwarves with a defendable position, with a hill or a cliff.
And you are right about the superior factors in the vampire army. But the dwarves are extremely tough at defending and I hope that breaking them wont be an easy task. The skellies and zombies are extraordinarily weak compared to dwarven warriors and they dont have an uber vamp (e.g. an upgraded strigoi or blood dragon) to support them. The Black Knights are strong with the Wight Lord, but the dwarves have the gyrocoptor to slow them down and their artillery pieces to weaken them before they charge.
That said, Id also rather play with the vampires. I guess because they will determine the flow of the battle, while the dwarves will probably stay back and wait.
By the way, the thought just came to me that I could include some rangers in the dwarven army (never used those guys). To do so I could raise the points of the armies to 2.500 and give the vampires another skellie block in exchange. Any thought about that?
