A few months ago, I wrote a new basilean army list. For this I had to build a number of new units. As the majority of these units have been finished by now or are in the process of being finished, I can start playing it.
The units that have been built recently are:
The first tryout of the list was not great. It featured four individuals and a war machine that did not yield enough results.
Here’s them in combat with my mate’s ogres.
So I had to rewrite the list a bit:
Tactics
This is grind-heavy list with three regiments of paladin foot guards and a horde of spearmen.
This means that the list has four anvils, which is really high. Normally, I wouldn’t want to have so many, but in this case it’s worth a try. The list also features two hammers (ogres and knights) and two multi-purpose units (phoenix and scouts). aside from some chaff and the inspiring individuals.
Individuals and support
The list features a lot of heal, combined with iron resolve and high nerve. The 15/17 nerve regiments of paladin foot guard and horde of spearmen can generally withstand a charge. The heals/Iron resolve/aegis fragments/radiance of life make sure they stick around long enough to get the hammers involved.
Hammers
A unit of ogres, knights and light cavalry each is a bit on the light side, but this is offset by the grindy nature of the anvils. I’ll see if this all works.
Doggies and Panthers
Instead of Gur Panthers (for which Mantic does not sell individual models), I use a pack of warlord games mastiffs.
On the right is a WIP picture of the first troop. As I finished this one by now (and am in the process of basing the 2nd) I’m really happy with a) how they look and b) the battlefield performance. Though they only have 6 attacks/vicious, the movement 10/nimble gives them so much manouvrability that they do threaten your opponents’ units so that they have to respond to them. Just keep them away from shooting. Def 3 / low nerve is a guaranteed waver/rout when damaged.
Phoenix or ur-elohim?
The phoenix is a gorgeous model. I’m very happy with how it looks. On the battlefield, however, I feel that the role I use it for (medium flier) is much better served by using an Ur-Elohim instead of the phoenix.
Def 5+; inspire and +1 attack and a far smaller base is really good for a medium flier. If I manage to keep it around my units instead, the phoenix’ heals and radiance of life may actually matter a bit more. Maybe I just have to learn to use it.
As for now, the Phoenix stays. If only since I don’t have an Ur-elohim painted.
Vince on all things Kings of War 