Summer Rampagin'

Summer Rampage is nearly upon us, so I've been thinking about lists.Theorymachine after the jump!


The rules for Summer Rampage are super interesting, requiring large numbers of jacks/beasts, and encouraging crazy finishing moves.  Without getting into details, the most important thing to keep in mind with lists for this event, is that you need 10 points of jack/beast for every 5 points of warrior models (basically everything not a jack/beast). This of course means that jack/beast casters are at a premium here.To that end, I've just painted up eDoomshaper, Trollblood Beast Caster par excellence.

I'll be posting my painted model and more details about eDoomy later. For now, suffice to say he likes lots of beasts, particularly heavies. Unfortunately I don't have Mulg (that mountain of a character heavy behind him there), who has an affinity with Doomshaper. Still, I've got several heavy hitter options. My current thought is:

System: Hordes
Faction: Trollblood
Casters: 1/1
Points: 35/35
Hoarluk Doomshaper, Rage of Dhunia (*6pts)
* Pyre Troll (5pts)
* Troll Axer (6pts)
* Dire Troll Mauler (9pts)
* Earthborn Dire Troll (10pts)
* Trollkin Runebearer (2pts)
Kriel Warriors (Leader and 5 Grunts) (4pts)
Janissa Stonetide (3pts)
Troll Whelps (2pts)

This gives me a pair of heavy hitters- the Mauler and Earthborn. The Mauler provides an amazing Strength buff, and the Earthborn animus can be both defensive and offensive. I have a speed/pathfinder animus from the Axer, and the Pyre provides damage buffs. Three of my four beasts have double open fists, giving me lots of opportunities for cool power attack and finishing attack bonuses available in these rules.

The Warriors are there to provide a speed bump, nothing more. Janissa can protect beasts and/or Doomshaper, and even get in a scrap if needed. Runebearer and Whelps provide fury management.

Options here include dropping the Runebearer, allowing me to fill out the Warriors. I could drop the Earthborn for a second Mauler. I lose out on speed and flexibility, but gain pure damage output. The extra point can buy Swamp Gobbers for more protection, add a caber, or in addition to dropping the Runebearer, allow for a combat solo of some type. Decisions, decisions.

Other caster options I'm considering are pMadrak and Grim Angus. Madrak, with some fury management, can actually be a decent beast caster. He's low Fury, but his Surefoot spell can turn a group of beasts into a total brick. His Carnage spell provides a great MAT buff as well. Unfortunately his feat is mostly wasted in this beast/jack heavy environment.

Grim on the other hand has slightly higher fury, and a buff that can completely slow down an opposing force and make them far more vulnerable to attack. Both options are intriguing for sure.

This event is going to be super fun. If you're nearby, and play Warmahordes you should definitely check it out!

p.s. Pics of the new plastic Pyre Troll sculpt were just released! It looks super sweet!

This dude is up for preorder at Gamers Sanctuary, for well below MSRP. I just painted my metal Pyre, but I will get this guy for sure.