Pathfinder Pete

So, here we are preparing for the imminent release of the Kings of War Hardback Rulebook, and at the end of Mantic’s 3 year mission to bring a fully balanced mass-miniature fantasy wargame that is also very affordable to the Table Top Wargame market.

And to celebrate this release, and also to prepare for the upcoming tournament in February, we also have the Clash of Kings- a series where you can all follow us, the Mantic Pathfinders, as we build and paint 1800pt tournament armies in preparation for the tourney to follow.
Each month we will all be writing up our exploits, our triumphs and woes, as we seek to compile the ultimate KoW army and you get to take that journey with us.

Of course, what would be really great is if you don’t just read our Blogs, but actually join in with us, and start building your own 1800pt army to play us in the tournament! I know I for one would love to see what you can all do!

So, Mantic came to us and said “We want you to build an army. You can choose from Elves, Undead, Dwarfs, Orcs and Abyssal Dwarfs. You then need to get one of the Warhost sets, and on a budget of £25 per month build your tournament army ready for February!”“Easy!” says I. The voice in my head said “We’ll see!”

So what do I choose to build for February?
I have already worked on Undead- I have a 2,500pt and still growing army at my disposal, and it is tempting to add another 1800pts to it, I won’t deny.

I also already have a 1300pt Dwarf force, built for last years tournament that I unfortunately couldn’t make it to. Yet again, building some reinforcements and expanding this force is tempting.

Elves? Well, I did a bit of work on my twin son’s Elf army- and there’s lots of them- so I have no real “feel” for building my own 1800pt force of the pointy eared ones. A challenge for another day perhaps.

That leaves Orcs and Abyssal Dwarfs. Now despite my other twin son already having a sizable Orc army at home, the thought of doing Orcs is very appealing, especially as I love the gorgeous Gore Rider models, and the image of regiments of them crashing into the ranks of the opposing armies sends chills and thrills down my spine. But the fact that I’m going to struggle to make the Chariots and Fight Wagons I would want to support the Gore Riders, especially on the £25 budget, unfortunately kind of ruled them out, at least until another year.

So, I’m left with only one choice. An army I nor my family have collected yet, and one I have no real experience with, the Abyssal Dwarfs! (Brave or what?) But knowing that in just a few short months time there will be some sexy new Abyssal Half Breeds coming, and “something that goes BANG!” (Ronnie’s own words!) the question becomes more a matter of “Why wouldn’t I?” and my mind is made up!
SO… given that I don’t yet have access to the 3^rd Edition of the rules and army lists, I set about piecing together a provisional army list- a template if you will, so I have some idea of what I’m working towards.

Let’s start by looking at how I go about building an army.
Now, I’m no tournament player. I have always been drawn to an army, and war gaming in general, by those epic tales of confrontation, the battles and clashes of arms between two opposing forces, one often beleaguered or vastly undermanned yet snatching triumph from the jaws of defeat! This being so, my first thought is of how the army is going to look on the tabletop. I know I want to have at least two units of Half Breeds. I’ve always been a massive fan of cavalry charges that hit the enemy like a breezeblock wall, so these are a MUST! Plus, the chance to include those sexy new models and show them off to everyone is too good to pass up!! This also means that I get to include the Half Breed Champion. I see this section of the army being a roving warband of Half Breeds that can be drawn into service of the Overmaster that will command the entire army.Speaking of which, I do intend to take an Overmaster. Having an uber bad guy to rule over the entire force, and represent me on the battlefield, is a must in my eyes. I know there are some who will insist that in tournaments they’re either not worth the points, and that you could squeeze another unit in- but remember, I’m a more traditional gamer, and an army without a general just isn’t cricket!
Knowing that I’ll feature at least two Katsuchan Rocket Launchers, I’ll also include the Iron Caster and complete the hellish Abyssal Trio of Doom! Anything that can help keep my units in the game is a good thing, and his Inspiring (war engines only) rule means they stand a slightly more than average chance of sticking around to hamper the foe with devastating rocket fire. I also intend to include a “Thing That Goes Boom” so the Iron Caster will definitely earn his place here! I can also envisage situations where Zap(3) is going to come in handy- come here assassins!!

So, that’s one side of the army sorted, the Hammer if you will and my army's leaders. But what of the Anvil that the enemy shall be broken upon?

Well, I know in the Battlehost set I get 10 Decimators and 10 Immortal Guard, which is a great start. I’ll keep the Decimators as a Troop and give them a banner for some added help in combat- remember! when attacking a unit, they’re just as effective as Blacksouls, and I have no qualms about using them as such!The Immortal Guard I’ll bump up to a regiment, and pair up with a Regiment of Blacksouls. Two solid blocks of these Abyssal brick walls should stop all but the most devastating of units in their tracks, buying time for the Half Breeds to swing into the flank or rear.

Finally, as I mentioned above, my attention is drawn to those truly devastating enemy units. What can stop them? Only the very mountains themselves. If only the Abyssal Dwarf army had walking mountains to choose as a unit…. WAIT A MINUTE!!!! They do!

One Regiment of Lesser Obsidian Golems should round out the force nicely. Now, if only they had models…..

Funny thing about me is that I can't sit on my hands for long, and inbetween writing this blog post, and publishing the blog, all my models turned up, and lo and behold! I have them all built and painted already. I'll go into more detail about what I've done in my next installment, along with how my list breaks down with the 3rd Edition rules and army list- but for now, feast your eyes on what is finished so far....

The Abyssal Dwarfs emerge from the depths and muster for war!