Hey all,

What are your views on special characters? Have you used them, and if so how did they perform?

I used to have a view that they were just wrong: I've had an unassembled orion model for probably about 10 years now. They always had their purpose, to show off the people who epitomised the race, and it is worth taking 5-10 pages out of every army book to tell their stories. They also make great models: I have seen that 5th edition orion model win so many golden demon awards around the world, and staff tournaments etc. I guess the 6th edition special character (who has become famous for winning painting awards) would be archaon, or at least his horse. However, it just didn't seem appealing to use them in game. I'd rather develop my own characters. There were also concerns of balance, with the strict "must tell opponents in advance" rules of 5th edition.

However recently I've come around. They do make great models, GW has assured us they are now properly playtested and balanced, and AFAIK they are tournament legal. Some are even compulsory for some "Appendix lists" such as Grimgor's / Archaons's bodyguards. And who can resist taking Orion or Archaon on a rampage of destruction, ripping through hordes of enemies on their own (though orion's "undead" rule is a worry).

What are the rest of your thoughts, and how well have you played with special characters?

I mostly play 2000pts or 2250pts games so i don't use them because they cost so mutch. And i would rather have more units then a speacial character i my army.

They're cool, but most of the time you pay a lot for something you don't need. Good for a characterful army (no pun intended), but not always worth it. And some of them will never be seen in any game under 3000...

I once used a special character, the Green Knight. Since he cannot be the general, I had to take a Ld8-paladin to lead the army. The Green Knight was not quite as effective as I would have liked, but he did manage to divert my opponent's attention for a while (he resurrected 3 times and was still alive at the end!).

Once I took Gotrek and Felix (they count as a Rare choice, so technically they're not characters). Because of their M3, they never reached close combat. ^_^

I've never used any but I would like to try out Grimgor Ironhide; he's just the ultimate Black Orc...

I think the observation above, though, is a fair one. In games of 2000 points (most tournies or casual games) it seems silly. But in games of 3500pts upwards, it would seem most justifiable.

I'd love to take part in a huge battle, something I've still never done, and I wouldnt object at all to special characters; it would add to the 'epic saga' feel of such a big game.

Meh, I've never had much of an incentive to take 'em. Lord Kroak is overkill (a 2nd Gen gives you more bang for your buck in any case) and only really viable if your opponent has the tiniest titchiest army in the world in games under 3000pts, and Kroq-Gar is worse than most Carnosaur Oldblood combos, and costs more. Thanquol looks a wee bit tempting, but I haven't even managed to get a 2000pt game with my Skaven army yet, and he would distract attention from The Bell.

What with their bringing back more varied special characters for 7th, I'd be tempted to take one - particularly if they start bringing back some of the more low-powered ones. Tichi Huichi particularly. And if they 'serious-ise' his name like they did with Tenehuini I will cry.

I have never used one and probably wont in any near future anyway. I still think they add to the warhammer world and it´s fluff. Although I have done some theoryhammer with special characters. I think they have their own place in the warhammer world and in bigger battles perhaps.

A lot of Dwarf Anvil players use Theork for his bonus casting powers on the anvil. Rerollable 3+ for ancient power is really nice.

I myself have never done so. Opting to have my own so I can but some dispell scrolls on it without having to buy another runesmith is good.

High King Thorgirm you need the model, and is really unreasonable under 3000.

I do however see myself using Bugman possibly in the future...

But the questions is have you used them, and I have not.

Burro Boskov

What do you think about Lord Kroak?

To me he looks like an enormous waste of points. Sure, with a 3+ (or 2+) ward, T6 and 8 wounds he is nigh-unkillable, though with Ld9 he could be broken.

He is the most expensive special character I know of (1250 pts!) and there's no doubting he's a powerful wizard, however ruination of cities is practically uncastable (14+ power) and otherwise, he isn't that much better than a couple of slann or multiple skink priests.

I mean, am I missing something?

Nothing is uncastable for a 2nd Gen Slann (or 1st, in Kroak's case). He can roll up to five dice to cast the spell as per the normal rules; he can add a die for free to each casting roll he makes as per the 2nd Gen rules, has not +1 (as per the normal Slann rules) but +2 to cast, and is immune to miscasts as per the 4th Generation rules. A spell would have to be a 39+ to be impossible for him to cast.

I'd say Kroak has his uses: he is actually a significant step up from a Second Generation, and with a Second Gen, you already own the magic phase.

Kroak's key advantages are his 'detachable ghost' rule, which means that if you buy a couple of skink priests (or another Slann), he becomes much more mobile (and therefore deadly) in his spellcasting than a regular Slann, while not putting himself at any increased risk. One of the big disadvantages of Slann as spellcasters is that they tend to be rather lumbering, with 90 degree arcs of sight, and the enemy can manouevre out of sight and range - with a good dispersal of mages, Kroak can basically hit the opponent anywhere on the board, which is a huge tactical bonus. He's nearly impossible to kill (as long as he has Temple Guard, breaking isn't really an issue, particularly if you're sensible and invest in a BSB), and makes Teclis look something of a wimp in terms of raw power. And the Ruination of Cities is one of the deadliest spells I know (although it has a high element of risk, if you roll too low a radius for the effect).

I'd consider taking him in 3000pt games or higher (only if we had agreed on special characters beforehand, because he's really not fair to spring on an enemy), or in a siege (if the enemy was OK with big-points special characters and/or was taking one himself, I'd say Kroak was probably compulsory in any Lizardman siege army). Plus, I do like his model.

I played in a small 2000 point tournament last week and someone took kroak, he did very well with it coming 3rd overall, against some seriously nasty lists, though i personally think its kind of unfair to take such things in tournaments.

Personally I like developing my own characters anyway. Far more fun in my opinion.

Indeed. One day I'd love to play a game with an agreement that each player brings his own custom special character. Obviously all players must agree on each character, to make sure none of them is cheesy.

Welcome back, by the way, Gandalf. It's been quite a while. :)

It has indeed been busy getting my degree and whatnot, not back to the more serious matter of wargaming :lol: