WarmaHordes Lists (RoS): Rahn Loves Ninja Elves

So, first off, War Room is an amazing app. For anyone that doesn't know what it is, War Room is a rules compendium, card catalog, and list builder all in one for Warmachine and Hordes. Oh, and it lets you track card stats and damage during a game too, so you don't have to use your physical cards. And it lets you see your opponents cards during a game too (if they also have the app). You can even steal their army list and study it later at your leisure. In short, it is a worthy investment if you are serious about the game.

Anyway, I have been busy building lists and am going to try and post a list per week. So without further ado, here is my first list:

Rahn Loves Ninja Elves
Adeptis Rahn - WJ: +6

• Sylys Wyshnalyrr, The Seeker
• Phoenix - PC: 10

Elara, Tyro of the Third Chamber - PC: 3

• Aspis - PC: 4

Dawnguard Sentinels - Leader & 9 Grunts: 9

• Sentinel Officer & Standard - PC: 2
• Manticore - PC: 8

House Shyeel Battle Mages - Leader & 5 Grunts: 5 Mage Hunter Assassin - PC: 2
Mage Hunter Assassin - PC: 2 Narn, Mage Hunter of Ios - PC: 3 Arcanist - PC: 1
House Shyeel Artificer - PC: 3
Lanyssa Ryssyl, Nyss Sorceress - PC: 2

56 / 56 (50+6)    Warcaster(s) : 1/1    Warjack(s) : 3    Battle Engines : 0    Solos : 7    Units : 2

This list is a straightforward assassination list. The idea here is to have 2 main groups; an assassin delivery group, and strong center group to control the opponent's movement and keep the enemy caster pinned in place.

The delivery unit is centered around Elara's battlegroup protecting Narn and one of the Mage Hunters with assistance from the Artificer. This will make them very resistant to shooting (Aspis + Artificer), and their speed will help them outflank. Once they have closed with the enemy caster, the Aspis and Artificer can help to open up charge lanes for assassination runs for the Mage Hunter. Narn, with his insane suite of abilities, doesn't need charge lanes as he can charge through models with no penalties. He also has crazy threat range...2 inch Telekineses from Rahn, a potential 2 inches from Lanyssa, plus a 10 inch charge, kills something, and then gets to move another 7 inches (through models) to engage another model or find cover. That is a 21 inch threat range that your opponent has to deal with on their turn, or risk Narn sending them home early.

The center group has the Sentinels acting as a screening unit with the Manticore offset to my weak flank. Vengeance moves will help put pressure on the enemy advance, and with the officer's Pronto ability, the Manticore will have no problem keeping up with the unit. The Manticore's gun can also help either provide covering fire, or help keep my exposed flank clear. Also, I plan to upkeep Polarity Shield on the Sentinels, so they will almost always be able to get the charge bonus. The Arcanist will stick with the Manticore to provide it with focus.

Behind the screen is the second part of my center block; Rahn's group, a Mage Hunter, Lanyssa, and my Battle Mages. On Rahn's feat turn, they should able to destroy anything that would be too much for the Sentinels to handle. Afterwards, their job is to open lanes for the Phoenix and Mage Hunter to get a caster kill. Also, Rahn becomes exceedingly dangerous with an arc node behind enemy lines.

So, I know the list is rather one dimensional, but my army is full of fanatical ninja elves, so it kind of fits the fluff. I think in order to win, this list has to be played aggressively. With this list, I want to say you should always let your opponent deploy first, so that you can place your models with the most favorable match ups. While the army as a whole is resistant to shooting, there really aren't any defensive elements and the units will crumble in a protracted fight. I would say, ideally, I would want feat on turn 2 to wipe out the enemy front line, and try to charge my sentinels in deep. By turn 3, I want to get the kill, or at least put my opponent in a position where in the following turn, they have to choose from a list of really bad options.

With any luck, I will try this list out on Thursday night, so I will post a follow up and let everyone know how it goes!