Battle Report #476: Stryker1 vs Sloan

:: Prologue ::

The very last game of the mirror dojo session saw Stryker1 doublewall play vs Sloan. Let's jump right in!

:: Lists ::

Cygnar:

"Immovable Object"
[Theme] Heavy Metal
(Stryker 1) Commander Coleman Stryker [+30]
- Firefly[8]
- Stormwall [39]
- Stormwall [39]
- Squire [0]
Captain Arlan Strangewayes [0]
Journeyman Warcaster [0]
- Charger [9]
Lieutenant Allison Jakes [0]
- Charger [9]

Opponent:

"Firing Solution"
Theme: Heavy Metal
Captain Kara Sloan - WJ: +28 Armory
- Squire - PC: 0
- Hunter - PC: 11
- Hunter - PC: 11
- Hunter - PC: 11
- Hunter - PC: 11
- Stormwall - PC: 39 (Battlegroup Points Used: 28)
- Lightning Pod
Captain Arlan Strangewayes - PC: 0
Journeyman Warcaster - PC: 0
- Firefly - PC: 8
Allison Jakes - PC: 0
- Hammersmith - PC: 12

:: Pre-Battle Thoughts & Deployment ::

Outlast again and I play Stryker due to more experience. The idea is quite simple: Scenario. Try and force Sloan away from "my" zone and just pew pew from there.

:: Game ::

Sloan sets up.

Easiest first turn of my life. Stuff runs and I feat.

The Charger on my left gets torn to pieces despite my feat. Some good shots from Sloan and Hunters. The Hammersmith stays out of LoS from the left 'wall and blocks LoS from it to important support models.

I move up and try and shoot stuff. Not a lot happens.

So this is what happens in return: Sloan feats, kills my jamming Firefly and Charger. This lets her 'wall charge my 'wall and contest the zone. Hunters pick off Arlan. I lose Squire to electro leaps.

However not much of this matters. What matters is that the enemy Hunter runs to jam my left 'wall. This means I have a wall-on-wall fight where the other 'wall charged first and has superior shooting backup. I can't one-round it and my other 'wall can't help it out. I try and see if I get lucky dice but I don't. In the ensuing turn my opponent kills off my right 'wall and the Hammersmith jams the left 'wall. The long term effects of all of this combined means that scenario is dead. I'm also down on attrition and there's no assassination angle. I concede the game.

Sadly, a Loss for the Swans. 

:: Evaluation ::

Well this went south real fast. This is an example of what happens when you face someone who knows how to play vs double biggies. You get jammed out and shut out of the game with your models taken out one by one. It might not look like it on paper but Sloan feels like she has the tools for.

A play I maybe could/should have gone for was to save my feat for another turn. Just eat a round of shooting. In hindsight it feels like the better play.

A string of mirror matchups with lots of learning points and issues to consider. So many casters, so many viable builds! 

Battle Report #475: Haley3 vs Sloan

:: Prologue ::

Haley3 is a caster we can never rule out. Very versatile, crazy attrition game, different playstyle compared to Cygnar's other popular builds. How does Sloan play into her?

:: Lists ::

Cygnar:

(Haley 3) Major Prime Victoria Haley [+25], Bunker
- Grenadier [9]
- Grenadier [9]
- Thorn [13]
- Defender [16]
Storm Lances (max) [20]
Trencher Infantry (max) [16]
Journeyman Warcaster [4]
- Charger [9]
Ragman [4]

Opponent:

"Firing Solution"
Theme: Heavy Metal
Captain Kara Sloan - WJ: +28 Armory
- Squire - PC: 0
- Hunter - PC: 11
- Hunter - PC: 11
- Hunter - PC: 11
- Hunter - PC: 11
- Stormwall - PC: 39 (Battlegroup Points Used: 28)
- Lightning Pod
Captain Arlan Strangewayes - PC: 0
Journeyman Warcaster - PC: 0
- Firefly - PC: 8
Allison Jakes - PC: 0
- Hammersmith - PC: 12

:: Pre-Battle Thoughts & Deployment ::

I took Haley3 here due to more experience with her. We wanted quality games and although we openly discussed most plays throughout this session it's important to play what you know best when we are trying to understand the true nature of a matchup. Anyway! The scenario was Outlast and my idea was to slow-push one zone. I went first which is kind of shit vs Sloan, but oh well. I guess second isn't that much better in this particular matchup due to the nature of Echoes.

I pushed my things up, cast Distortion, summoned echoes, cast Arcane on Lances and had everything in the DEF bubble with Trenchers and Grenadiers dug in. Your move!

:: Game ::

Long story short: Sloan feats and takes out Thorn, half the Defender, a couple of Lances and some boxes here and there if memory serves. Covering Fires go down in front of Trenchers.

I had anticipated the covering fires and that was why I was spread out so much. My opponent found his feat couldn't prioritize Trenches despite aiming with the Hunters. I think that's fair, there are more important targets as the Trenchers will sooner or later come within zzzap! range of the Firefly and until then, they don't do a lot explicitly. I keep pushing the zone on the right, move Arcane to Haley, spread out Trenchers and keep digging in stuff.

Sloan's Stormwall stays just outside of Past's charge threat range. A Hunter scores a point on the left. Clumsy of me to have a Trencher out of command, he could probably have contested otherwise. I lose the Defender's Cortex and more Lances.

Ragman is too far back so I can't apply death field to the 'wall. Yet I have to get work done so I feat and load the Grenadiers with focus. Repudiate and shots dig into it but it survives on ~20-ish boxes I believe.

My opponent commits the Hammersmith and goes to 2 CP. Not much else noteworthy happens.

I kill the 'wall with shooting. Past takes out the Hunter with help from Ragman. I contest with Future but it's dicey. Sloan can aim and Arlan's still up and running. I simply don't have that many models left to get work done with so I have to try and keep the echoes alive and keep doing work gradually while scoring in the right zone. 2-2.

Sloan takes out Future. Hammersmith kills a Trencher. Firefly contests. 2-3.

Trenchers and the remaining Grenadier run to contest. I move Prime out of my zone to spawn Future, getting a couple of models in range of Distortion. Past tries to kill the Firefly so I move to 3 as well, but rolls are miserable.

Sloan and the remaining Hunters clear the zone and I lose on scenario.

Sadly, a Loss for the Swans.

:: Evaluation ::

This was a game between two strong attrition casters. Before we started I had this hypothesis that Sloan's threat ranges are too great for Haley3 to effectively deal with, sans very favourable terrain. This proved to be my undoing in this game, after Sloan's feat I effectively do nothing for a full other turn and when I finally get to go at something it's the Stormwall and it simply doesn't die. To be fair the Stormwall probably overplayed its position as well, keeping it outside of 16" of Prime would've been trivial (it was 15.5" away) and at that point I just don't know what Haley3 does.

I should arguably have hugged the left zone instead with ample cover. Experience has shown me that hugging a side that hard with Haley3 can turn problematic from a contest point of view though and since I go first I can see Sloan grabbing the Trench on the right flank for example. In hindsight I think I made the right play. With better terrain it's probably more playable for Haley3. Sooner or later you need to advance to a place where Sloan can literally aim her entire army and feat though. On top of that there's the Hammersmith and Stormwall to deal with, neither are trivial for sure.

Interesting game. Sloan is strong!

Battle Report #474: Haley2 vs Stryker1

:: Prologue ::

Following Sloan vs Stryker1, it was time to try out Haley2. Half the idea behind the Technical Death Metal variant is that it should be able to fight stuff like Ferox. How much harder are Stryker1's Lances? I was about to find out!

:: Lists ::

Cygnar:

"Technical Death Metal"
[Theme] Heavy Metal
(Haley 2) Major Victoria Haley [+25]
- Charger [9]
- Hammersmith [12]
- Stormwall [39]
- Thorn [13]
- Squire [0]
Captain Arlan Strangewayes [0]
Journeyman Warcaster [0]
- Charger [9]
Lieutenant Allison Jakes [4]
- Stormclad [18]

Opponent:

[Theme] Storm Division
(Stryker 1) Commander Coleman Stryker [+30]
- Firefly [8]
- Stormwall [39]
Storm Lances (max) [20]
Storm Lances (max) [20]
Journeyman Warcaster [0]
- Charger [9]
Major Katherine Laddermore [8]
Captain Arlan Strangewayes [0]

:: Pre-Battle Thoughts & Deployment ::

Extraction and I move first again. My overall strategy this game is largely like the last: Slow the game down, chill out, let my shooting work for me.

:: Game :: 

I run up Haley's Charger and the 'wall on the right. The Charger is largely to negate scenario plays.

My opponent puts two Lances in the trench. Arcane on them + 'wall, Blur on the other Lances (notice them hugging cover).

I don't want to feat and I don't think I have to. I keep my 'wall aiming and it kills the Lances in the Trench with aid from the Charger. Haley moves up and the rest just move into position.

Stryker has to do something so he feats and runs up.

I counter-feat and start TK-ing stuff, taking out a thing or two and committing the Hammersmith which kills 2 Lances.

My opponent cannot commit the 'wall because I have too much melee power nearby. He makes a passive play...

...and when my next turn finishes it's clear that this game is effectively over.

Victory to the Swans!

:: Evaluation ::

In this game Stryker was unable to do two things: He didn't get the Lances up the table fast enough and he didn't concentrate a lot of power on one point. Failing these two meant he bled continuously, both in terms of models and in terms of table presence. Notice how I gradually built up my decision without rushing anything.

I think that if Lances get into a more dominant position at the right time then he'll have a lot more game here. Applying pressure on the right flank might've been doable for example after he saw my deployment.

I love this Haley2 list and when it works, it's just awesome!

Battle Report #473: Sloan vs Stryker1

:: Prologue ::

Cygnar mirror is a nightmare to figure out these days but you gotta start someplace, right? Yesterday I played a string of mirrors with a friend. First up: Sloan vs Stryker1!

:: Lists ::

Cygnar:

"Firing Solution"
Theme: Heavy Metal
Captain Kara Sloan - WJ: +28 Armory
- Squire - PC: 0
- Hunter - PC: 11
- Hunter - PC: 11
- Hunter - PC: 11
- Hunter - PC: 11
- Stormwall - PC: 39 (Battlegroup Points Used: 28)
- Lightning Pod
Captain Arlan Strangewayes - PC: 0
Journeyman Warcaster - PC: 0
- Firefly - PC: 8
Allison Jakes - PC: 0
- Hammersmith - PC: 12

Opponent:

[Theme] Storm Division
(Stryker 1) Commander Coleman Stryker [+30]
- Firefly [8]
- Stormwall [39]
Storm Lances (max) [20]
Storm Lances (max) [20]
Journeyman Warcaster [0]
- Charger [9]
Major Katherine Laddermore [8]
Captain Arlan Strangewayes [0]

:: Pre-Battle Thoughts & Deployment ::

The scenario was Extraction and I won the roll-off, electing to go second. Why second? In most cases Sloan loves going second. Slows down the scenario, gives the other player a big dilemma (do you advance in range of everything? Do you give Sloan space?).

:: Game ::

Stryker is super-cautious with Lances and the 'wall is the only piece which runs high up. Stryker puts up Blur on himself and moves to cover.

I advance towards the left flank. I put up Refuge on a Hunter which shoots the 'wall and then moves back behind my objective (armory). My own 'wall runs up. I figure Stryker will feat next turn. Hammersmith defends the non-Stormwall flank. The idea is that any jamming Lances will face some serious melee power and I doubt Stryker can apply his feat that far up. I'm a little worried about all his shooting to be honest but there's not a lot I can do about it I fear.

As predicted the feat comes out. The Stormwall on the right one-rounds my Hunter (!!!) with its 2 big gun shots. Just.. Wow. On the left some shooting targets a Hunter but it's not disastrous.

I can sell the Hammersmith now to buy time. With energizer and full focus I can have it hit the Lance at the front and if 3 attacks hit (6+, two of which are boosted) I slam it into the next guy, effectively taking them both out even if they survive. I miss the unboosted 6 and no slam action. I also roll horribly for damage so a pretty shitty result. Arlan repairs a Hunter and the rest of my forces back off, apart from the Firefly which scores a point for me.

My opponent focuses on the Hammersmith and brings it very, very low. POW16 assault shots and PS15 charge attacks put some hurt even on ARM19, something I well and truly know from experience. However the shooting overall elsewhere isn't that bad.

I feat and clean a large portion of the table. I stay outside of 10" of his 'wall and wipe out tons of Lances.

At this point in time I'm 2-0 with a vast attrition lead. There are no assassination angles and since we have a lot more games we want to try out my opponent concedes and we move on.

Victory to the Swans!

:: Evaluation ::

Close game! A Hunter more down and this would've been iffy. I feel as though my opponent should've tried to abuse the combination of Blur + Cover to greater effect, trying to take the fence on the left flank on his feat turn for example. He relied too much on Arcane Shield and the Lances on the left flank indeed had Blur and thus died horribly on my feat turn.

The matchup feels even-ish. Dicey for both parts. We discussed feating top of and running full speed for Stryker. I'm not sure whether Sloan can get out of that situation or not, but in most cases I think she can swing to a flank and be fine.

Battle Report #472: Haley2 vs High Reclaimer

:: Prologue ::

For our second and last game of the Protectorate dojo this time around, I brought out the good ol' vanilla division because it's such a common build to face. Also, while electro leaps are problematic for HR, Idrians murder Lances no end. We were both interested to see how this would play out.

:: Lists ::

Cygnar:

(Haley 2) Major Victoria Haley [+25], Storm Division, Fuel Cache
- Thorn [13]
- Stormwall [39]
- Squire [0]
Storm Lances (max) [20]
Storm Lances (min) [12]
Journeyman Warcaster [0]
- Firefly [8]
Major Katherine Laddermore [8]

Opponent:

The High Reclaimer - WJ: +32
-    Eye of Truth - PC: 20 (Battlegroup Points Used: 20)
-    Castigator - PC: 12 (Battlegroup Points Used: 12)
Allegiant of the Order of the Fist - PC: 3
Choir - PC: 4
Idrian Skirmishers - Leader & 9 Grunts: 15
-    Idrian Skirmisher Chieftain & Guide - Chieftain & Guide: 5
Idrian Skirmishers - Leader & 9 Grunts: 15
-    Idrian Skirmisher Chieftain & Guide - Chieftain & Guide: 5
Knights Exemplar - Leader & 5 Grunts: 9
-    Knights Exemplar Officer - PC: 5
Knights Exemplar - Leader & 5 Grunts: 9
-    Knights Exemplar Officer - PC: 5

:: Pre-Battle Thoughts & Deployment ::

This game we played Take and Hold. Again, I went first. The Idrians on my right preyed the Lances and the other ones preyed the Stormwall.

:: Game ::

I want to make this a slow game, which is usually fine on Take and Hold, and make long-ranged spells and leaps force HR to commit before I do. I take care to stay outside of Idrians' threat range, lessons learned!

HR shifts his forces left.

Laddermore takes a shot at the Monk. Taking him out opens the flank completely for me. I get some work done on the left with long-ranged shots, pod, leaps and spells. I stay defensively, hoping to make HR commit, somehow.

My opponent spots a cheesy play: I have accidentally left 0 models contesting my own flag so he can run the Castigator there, swarm the table and take his own flag with a running HR for a 2-0 start. Legit? We discuss the opening. I don't believe he can get to 5 before it's game over because I have my feat intact, the left flank is weak (from a PoM point of view) and there are too many electro leaps set up in too strong positions. Anyway we decide to play it out because it's crazy to try and out-scenario Haley2 on Take and Hold!

This turn plays itself basically. Engage, feat, kill stuff.

HR counter-feats Idrians but dice are poor and Haley's feat is Haley's feat. 0-3.

I get another turn of carnage and it's looking really bad for HR. The Stormwall has suffered 0 boxes.

My opponent tries to get some kind of work done, unfortunately it's not happening. He gets his 4th point...

...but he never gets the 5th.

Victory to the Swans!

:: Evaluation ::

The game took a very weird turn bottom of 2 because of me not even remotely thinking about a scenario angle. I very much doubt HR could have set up much better for scenario so my conclusion is that the opening was not worth going for. I couldn't have said it was a trap because I was completely oblivious to the fact that it was even an angle so there's that.

Given the turn this game took I'm not sure whose favour it's in. Leaps feel better overall but the Idrians never got to put pressure on the Lances here. They need more time to set it up, specifically because the Knights and Jacks need to buy them space.

A very different game though and it was interesting to see whether the Lances could get enough work done before HR could get his 5th point. Luckily for me, they could!

Battle Report #471: Haley2 vs High Reclaimer

:: Prologue ::

I dojo. A lot. With most of my opponents I discuss lists every now and then. I ask them to put up stuff for me to test my lists into and I'll happily return the favour. Lately the Protectorate as a faction has struggled to find a good pair for Amon. I've been dojoing a troop spam build for HR with one of my regular opponents. This week we got to try it out, and I must say we had two very interesting games!

:: Lists ::

Cygnar:

"Technical Death Metal"
[Theme] Heavy Metal
(Haley 2) Major Victoria Haley [+25]
- Charger [9]
- Hammersmith [12]
- Stormwall [39]
- Thorn [13]
- Squire [0]
Captain Arlan Strangewayes [0]
Journeyman Warcaster [0]
- Charger [9]
Lieutenant Allison Jakes [4]
- Stormclad [18]

Opponent:

The High Reclaimer - WJ: +32
-    Eye of Truth - PC: 20 (Battlegroup Points Used: 20)
-    Castigator - PC: 12 (Battlegroup Points Used: 12)
Allegiant of the Order of the Fist - PC: 3
Choir - PC: 4
Idrian Skirmishers - Leader & 9 Grunts: 15
-    Idrian Skirmisher Chieftain & Guide - Chieftain & Guide: 5
Idrian Skirmishers - Leader & 9 Grunts: 15
-    Idrian Skirmisher Chieftain & Guide - Chieftain & Guide: 5
Knights Exemplar - Leader & 5 Grunts: 9
-    Knights Exemplar Officer - PC: 5
Knights Exemplar - Leader & 5 Grunts: 9
-    Knights Exemplar Officer - PC: 5

:: Pre-Battle Thoughts & Deployment ::

We are playing Recon and I get first turn. The Idrians both AD centrally and prey the Stormwall. I run some numbers in my head and realize they are dangerous. I also figure I have to deal with them ASAP.

:: Game ::

I run stuff up. I contemplate having the 'wall outside of the Idrians' threat range but figure if they commit I might get an early feat to catch tons and then maybe pressure scenario.

The Idrians indeed go for the play. I had forgotten about Reposition which makes them a lot harder to deal with than I had thought. The rest of the Protectorate forces advance and I've lost half the 'wall in terms of boxes.

Bad start, lesson learned: Don't do that again. My opponent hasn't placed one Idrian very far back so an aggressive feat and careful target selection can wipe out the entire unit. I manage to do this and have Thorn + Hammersmith in decent positions. 

My opponent goes for the kill on the Stormwall. He comes very close but I survive on a little more than a handful of boxes. 

Arlan's within 7" so if Haley TKs him I can repair the 'wall to get all important systems working again. This enables me to probably take out Eye and maybe get some collateral damage. It will basically cost me my entire stack though so my other jacks won't be doing much lifting.

Reality check. Wall is going down. HR will probably hold his feat. I need to keep stuff intact to play the long game here. I withdraw the other jacks as best as I can and the 'wall kills Eye. I should also note that I managed to wipe out a unit of Exemplars this turn as well. A Charger angle my opponent didn't see combined with a pod took out the last ones hiding in the back.

Wall goes down, but not much else is in threat. Idrians shift Prey to Hammersmith and do a number on him.

2 positional mistakes here: Junior cannot apply Arcane where I want him to and Haley is 8.5" away from the flag. Ugh. Nevertheless I've gotta start putting some scenario pressure on my opponent so Haley casts TK + TA on herself, moves to the flag and puts out a couple of shots. With HR's feat intact I need to protect her so I get a wall of 'jacks up while the Hammersmith tries to contest, assuming it survives (Arlan healed it).

HR is within 5" of the zone but not the flag. I figure my opponent either has to run (and thus not feat) or slow the game down, or expose himself in the zone. He chooses the latter. As expected, HR's really, really exposed...

...this is Haley2 after all and a couple of TKs and a TA later we have an exposed HR and a fully-fueled Stormclad in his back.

Victory to the Swans!

:: Evaluation ::

Wow, is HR back? This game was really close and tense. In hindsight my T1 move with the 'wall was over-confident, but then again I wiped out 2 units in 2 turns and thus largely ignored HR's feat potential until it was too late for him to make an impact.

Obviously the lack of electro leaps and volume of attacks make it tricky to play against this many dudes, many of which can get back. Eye of Truth is also positively crazy against Cygnar so lots of issues here.

If this turns out to be a viable build for Protectorate then I foresee a lot of interesting games for us in the future! The list my opponent brought in this game feels legit into a lot of Cygnar armies. 

Thoughts On The Current Meta

:: Introduction ::

As the regular readers of this blog know I make these meta posts every now and then. The last time was a little over a month ago and you can find the piece here. It's crazy how quickly this game changes now!

Since last time we've gotten more themes, more command books, more models and a few important tournaments. This has shaken things up quite a bit. Very interesting! I love the state of the game right now. So many things to consider and nothing is really way out of line. As per usual I feel that what the game needs most is a buff to the ones at the bottom. Still though, Warmachine and Hordes is better than it's ever been!

:: Faction Ranking ::

S-tier: Legion, Cygnar, Mercs, Khador
A-tier: Circle, Skorne, Convergence
B-tier: Protectorate, Retribution, Cryx
C-tier: Minions, Trollbloods

Legion's back with the top dogs after they got a really, really strong theme force in Oracles of Annihilation. AdeptiCon showed this pretty well with strong performances from Legion throughout the weekend. An added bonus for Legion is that their new theme plays very well into a couple of the other top dogs, which ensures them a spot in the S-tier.

I've also upped Convergence a bit. They are really finding their stride with Destruction Initiative. I said it when the theme forces were revealed that Convergence got the biggest boost, relatively speaking. I still stand by that. A couple of problematic matchups, Legion for example, keep them from going S-tier. Ironically I made this ranking just before AdeptiCon happened so it was a perfect fit for Convergence to make such a strong showing in that event (one of the semi-finals in the Masters was Convergence mirror).

Protectorate has dropped a tier. It boils down to no good pair for Amon, on top of Amon now suddenly struggling with e.g. Legion. I had hopes initially that Amon would find a suitable partner but I haven't seen anyone solve this yet.

Time for the sample lists!

:: Legion ::

(Lylyth3) Theme: Oracles of Annihilation
Lylyth, Reckoning of Everblight - WB: +29
- Succubus - PC: 0
- Seraph - PC: 14 (Battlegroup Points Used: 14)
- Nephilim Bolt Thrower - PC: 11 (Battlegroup Points Used: 11)
- Naga Nightlurker - PC: 8 (Battlegroup Points Used: 4)
- Carnivean - PC: 19
- Angelius - PC: 17
- Angelius - PC: 17
- Angelius - PC: 17
The Forsaken - PC: 0
The Forsaken - PC: 0
Blighted Nyss Sorceress & Hellion - PC: 0
Blighted Nyss Shepherd - PC: 1

(Fyanna2) Theme: Oracles of Annihilation
Fyanna, Torment of Everblight - WB: +28
- Succubus - PC: 0
- Naga Nightlurker - PC: 8
- Neraph - PC: 12
- Neraph - PC: 12
- Neraph - PC: 12
- Raek - PC: 8
- Angelius - PC: 17
- Angelius - PC: 17
- Seraph - PC: 14
Blighted Nyss Sorceress & Hellion - PC: 0
The Forsaken - PC: 0
The Forsaken - PC: 0

Shepherd - PC: 1

Shepherd - PC: 1

Spell Martyr - PC: 1

(Absylonia2) Theme: Oracles of Annihilation
Absylonia, Daughter of Everblight - WB: +28
-    Succubus - PC: 0
-    Carnivean - PC: 19 (Battlegroup Points Used: 19)
-    Carnivean - PC: 19 (Battlegroup Points Used: 9)
-    Carnivean - PC: 19
-    Shredder - PC: 4
-    Proteus - PC: 19
-    Seraph - PC: 14
-    Naga Nightlurker - PC: 8
The Forsaken - PC: 0
The Forsaken - PC: 0
Spell Martyr - PC: 1
Blighted Nyss Shepherd - PC: 0

Legion jumped up a lot with Oracles. It's an amazing theme force for theme which allows some truly brutal lists. In addition to the caster above, I think Vayl2 and Thagrosh1 will still be fairly popular. The latter might indeed surprise us, with Typhon as his character warbeast I can definitely see him making a solid list or two.

:: Cygnar ::

(Sloan) Theme: Heavy Metal
Captain Kara Sloan - WJ: +28 Armory
- Squire - PC: 0
- Hunter - PC: 11
- Hunter - PC: 11
- Hunter - PC: 11
- Hunter - PC: 11
- Hunter - PC: 11
- Stormwall - PC: 39 (Battlegroup Points Used: 28)
- Lightning Pod
Captain Arlan Strangewayes - PC: 0
Journeyman Warcaster - PC: 0
- Charger - PC: 9
Archduke Alain Runewood, Lord of Fharin - PC: 0

(Haley2) Theme: Heavy Metal
Major Victoria Haley - WJ: +25
- Squire - PC: 0
- Thorn - PC: 13 (Battlegroup Points Used: 13)
- Stormclad - PC: 18 (Battlegroup Points Used: 12)
- Stormclad - PC: 18
- Avenger - PC: 17
- Firefly - PC: 8
Captain Arlan Strangewayes - PC: 0
Journeyman Warcaster - PC: 0
- Firefly - PC: 8
Lieutenant Allison Jakes - PC: 0
- Stormclad - PC: 18

(Stryker 1) [Theme] Storm Division Commander Coleman Stryker [+30]
- Charger [9]
- Stormwall [39]
Storm Lances (max) [20]
Storm Lances (max) [20]
Journeyman Warcaster [0]
- Charger [9]
Captain Arlan Strangewayes [0]
Major Katherine Laddermore [8]

Sloan is the big new-comer! I expect we'll see a lot of her in the time to come. Cygnar is in a great spot right now. There are so many viable approaches! Storm Division is already fading in my opinion because the rest of the top dogs in the meta naturally come with great counters to Storm Lances: Legion, Mercenaries and Khador all have lists which deal with Warmachine's most hated cavalry unit quite well. Stryker1 has the defensive tech to allow Storm Lances to weather a lot of this, but against the new Legion for example I am pretty sure even he struggles. Darius might be a caster which is playable with a doublewall setup, Stryker2 is popular and the good old Haley3 build is still solid. On top of these casters and the sample lists above, there exists a myriad of builds for Cygnar now. Narrowing them down inevitably boils down to personal preference and experience.

:: Mercenaries ::

(MacBain) Drake MacBain [+30], [Theme] The Kingmaker's Army

- Galleon [39]
- Buccaneer [6]
Trencher Infantry (max) [16]
- Trencher Infantry Rifle Grenadier (2) [4]
Steelhead Halberdiers (max) [11]
Steelhead Heavy Cavalry (max) [18]
Steelhead Heavy Cavalry (min) [11]
Kell Bailoch [0]
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor [0]
Stannis Brocker [0]

(Ossrum) General Ossrum - WJ: +28
- Reinholdt, Gobber Speculator - PC: 4
- Ghordson Driller - PC: 10 (Battlegroup Points Used: 10)
- Ghordson Driller - PC: 10 (Battlegroup Points Used: 10)
- Ghordson Driller - PC: 10 (Battlegroup Points Used: 8 )
- Grundback Gunner - PC: 6
- Grundback Gunner - PC: 6
- Grundback Gunner - PC: 6
- Grundback Gunner - PC: 6
- Grundback Gunner - PC: 6
- Grundback Blaster - PC: 6
- Grundback Blaster - PC: 6
Eiryss, Mage Hunter of Ios - PC: 7
Lady Aiyana & Master Holt - Lady Aiyana & Master Holt: 8
Horgenhold Artillery Corps - Gunner & 2 Grunts: 6
Horgenhold Artillery Corps - Gunner & 2 Grunts: 6

Ossrum is still the de facto Mercs caster and the bunnies are as terrifying as ever. Now you have the option to go in theme. I'm not sure which is better yet, what Eiryss1 and Aiyana + Holt bring to the table is so valuable. MacBain has sailed up as a really solid caster and I expect we'll see a lot more of him in the time to come. Magnus2 still sees some play as well. I struggle to understand why but I might be biased from a Cygnar point of view, Thexus still sees a lot of play and the humble Damiano is a force to be reckoned with.

:: Khador ::

(Vlad1) Vladimir Tzepesci, The Dark Prince - WJ: +28, Winterguard Kommand
- Juggernaut - PC: 12 (Battlegroup Points Used: 12)
- Juggernaut - PC: 12 (Battlegroup Points Used: 12)
- Marauder - PC: 10 (Battlegroup Points Used: 4)
- Marauder - PC: 10
- Marauder - PC: 10
Kovnik Jozef Grigorovich - PC: 4
Winter Guard Rifle Corps - Leader & 5 Grunts: 8
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
Winter Guard Rifle Corps - Leader & 5 Grunts: 8
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
Winter Guard Rifle Corps - Leader & 5 Grunts: 8
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
Winter Guard Field Gun Crew - Gunner & 2 Grunts: 0
Winter Guard Mortar Crew - Gunner & Grunt: 0
Battle Mechaniks - Leader & 3 Grunts: 3

(Harkevich) Kommander Harkevich, The Iron Wolf - WJ: +28, Winterguard Kommand
- Kodiak - PC: 13 (Battlegroup Points Used: 13)
- Kodiak - PC: 13 (Battlegroup Points Used: 13)
- Kodiak - PC: 13 (Battlegroup Points Used: 2)
- Juggernaut - PC: 12
- Juggernaut - PC: 12
- Marauder - PC: 10
- Marauder - PC: 10
Kovnik Jozef Grigorovich - PC: 4
Winter Guard Infantry - Leader & 9 Grunts: 10
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
- Winter Guard Infantry Officer & Standard - Officer & Standard: 0

Khador is very versatile and, like Cygnar, in a great spot right now. They have too many builds to list them all here. I recently wrote an in-depth post on them, check it out here. To summarize their interesting casters briefly I believe all of the Vlads, Butcher1, Butcher3, Kozlov, Zerkova1, Sorscha1, Karchev and Irusk2 are all potentially viable competitive choices.

:: Circle ::

(Krueger 2) Krueger the Stormlord [+27]
- Loki [19]
- Pureblood Warpwolf [17]
- Megalith [20]
- Woldwyrd [9]
- Woldwyrd [9]
- Gorax Rager [7]
Sentry Stone & Mannikins [5]
Sentry Stone & Mannikins [5]
Shifting Stones [3]
Gallows Grove [2]
Gallows Grove [2]
Blackclad Wayfarer [4]

(Wurmwood)
Warpwolf Stalker
Feral Warpwolf
Pureblood Warpwolf
Woldwyrd
Woldwyrd
Sentry Stone & Mannikins
Sentry Stone & Mannikins
Shifting Stones
Wolves of Orboros (max)
Wolves of Orboros UA
Swamp Gobbers

I don't believe Circle has fully landed following the Una2 nerf. On top of that Wurmwood is no longer the powerhouse he used to be because of meta changes. Combined these two mean that Circle is currently a little "all over the place". Krueger2 has sailed up as the number 1 Circle caster in my experience, but the question is who does he pair with? In addition to Wurmwood I see people experimenting with Kaya3, Una2, Baldur2 and even Morvahna2 for a pairing spot. I think we might not see Circle land properly before SR2017 is out.

:: Skorne ::

(Makeda 2) Supreme Archdomina Makeda [+27]
- Despoiler [19]
- Molik Karn [19]
Mortitheurge Willbreaker [4]
Mortitheurge Willbreaker [4]
Tyrant Rhadeim [9]
Paingiver Beast Handlers (min) [5]
Praetorian Ferox (max) [20]
Praetorian Ferox (max) [20]
Swamp Gobbers Bellows Crew [2]

(Makeda 1) Archdomina Makeda [+29]
- Basilisk Krea [7]
- Mammoth [38]
- Molik Karn [19]
- Titan Gladiator [15]
Extoller Soulward [3]
Gremlin Swarm [3]
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor [5]
Swamp Gobber Chef [1]
Legends of Halaak [8]
Paingiver Beast Handlers (min) [5]

Skorne seems to be all about Makeda as far as competitive builds are concerned. In my experience the second iteration of this caster is the best one. Makeda1 arguably handles ARM-skew better, but the Ferox train Makeda2 brings is surprisingly good at dealing with quite a lot of ARM as well. Other casters are experimented with of course but I have yet to see any of them rival one of the Makedas for a spot in a top pairing.

:: Convergence ::

(Lucant) Father Lucant, Divinity Architect [+28], Theme: Destruction Initiative
- Conservator [12]
- Conservator [12]
- Conservator [12]
- Conservator [12]
- Corollary [6]
- Diffuser [6]
Optifex Directive [4]
Transfinite Emergence Projector [19]
- Permutation Servitors
Transfinite Emergence Projector [19]
- Permutation Servitors
Lots of free bots

(Iron Mother) Directrix & Exponent Servitors - WJ: +27, Theme: Destruction Initiative
-    Iron Mother Directrix & Exponent Servitors Cont.
-    Assimilator - PC: 16
-    Assimilator - PC: 16
-    Assimilator - PC: 16
-    Diffuser - PC: 6
-    Corollary - PC: 6
-    Prime Axiom - PC: 38 (Battlegroup Points Used: 27)
Attunement Servitors - 3 Attunement Servitors: 0
Elimination Servitors - 3 Elimination Servitors: 0
Elimination Servitors - 3 Elimination Servitors: 0
Elimination Servitors - 3 Elimination Servitors: 0
Optifex Directive - Leader & 2 Grunts: 4

Convergence has a couple of really solid builds now. Father and Mother still seem to be leading the way, with arguably Axis rivalling the former. The main reason I haven't included Axis is because I haven't found a non-ADR list version for him. I've been told Destruction Initiative was a big help and my experience against Convergence certainly confirm that. Interestingly enough they are suddenly a very strong faction vs Cygnar now.

:: Protectorate ::

(Amon) Theme: The Creator's Might, High Allegiant Amon Ad-Raza [+29]
- Dervish [7]
- Dervish [7]
- Dervish [7]
- Dervish [7]
- Devout [9]
- Templar [15]
- Crusader [10]
- Crusader [10]
- Crusader [10]
- Crusader [10]
- Hierophant [0]
Choir of Menoth (min) [4]
Choir of Menoth (min) [4]
The Covenant of Menoth [0]
Vassal of Menoth [0]
Vassal Mechanik [1]
Vassal Mechanik [1]
Wrack [1]
Wrack [1]

(High Reclaimer 1) The High Reclaimer [+32]
 - Eye of Truth [20]
 - Crusader [10]
Knights Exemplar [9]
 - Knights Exemplar Officer [5]
Knights Exemplar [9]
 - Knights Exemplar Officer [5]
Idrian Skirmishers (max) [15]
 - Idrian Skirmisher Chieftain & Guide [5]
Idrian Skirmishers (max) [15]
 - Idrian Skirmisher Chieftain & Guide [5]
Choir of Menoth (min) [4]
Wrack [1]
Wrack [1]
Vassal Mechanik [1]

Following the nerf to High Reclaimer my experience is that the Protectorate has yet to land on a stable pairing. Amon is the number 1 caster now but with recent buffs to Legion in particular he's suddenly behind, or so it feels. High Reclaimer might still be the best to run with him, with a more troop oriented approach. I don't know, the faction is trailing a bit unfortunately. Feora3 and Severius2 are some of the more popular ones I see people testing outside of Amon and HR.

:: Retribution ::

(Vyros2) Vyros, Incissar of the Dawnguard - WJ: +27, Theme: Forges of War
- Sylys Wyshnalyrr, The Seeker - PC: 0
- Imperatus - PC: 22 (Battlegroup Points Used: 22)
- Phoenix - PC: 18 (Battlegroup Points Used: 5)
- Griffon - PC: 8
- Griffon - PC: 8
- Griffon - PC: 8
- Griffon - PC: 8
- Griffon - PC: 8
- Griffon - PC: 8
- Griffon - PC: 8
Arcanist Mechanik - PC: 2
Arcanist Mechanik - PC: 2
Arcanist Mechanik - PC: 2
House Shyeel Artificer - PC: 0
House Shyeel Artificer - PC: 0

(Kaelyssa) Kaelyssa, the Night's Whisper [+29]
- Banshee [18]

- Banshee [18]
Elara, Tyro of the Third Chamber [4]
- Discordia [18]
Arcanist Mechanik [2]
Dawnguard Sentinels (max) [18]
- Dawnguard Sentinel Officer & Standard [4]
Dawnguard Sentinels (max) [18]
- Dawnguard Sentinel Officer & Standard [4]

Ben Fuzi recently won the Netherlands Masters with Retribution. This undoubtedly shows his skills as a player and it also shows how small the gap is between top dog and factions lacking just a bit right now. Vyros2 in Forges of War seems to be a staple choice now and the list above is a direct copy of Ben's from said event. Kaelyssa of various flavours is a very common Retribution caster as well and in pair with Vyros2 you have a pretty solid combo. Apart from these two it is my experience that Helynna and Rahn are the most common Retribution casters at the moment. Retribution has a lot of goodies coming right around the corner and with SR2017 I fully expect this faction to change drastically over the next few months in terms of competitive builds.

:: Cryx ::

(Skarre1)
Skarlock Thrall
Inflictor
Inflictor
Scavenger
Blackbane's Ghost Raiders (max)
Darragh Wrathe
Machine Wraith
Machine Wraith
Machine Wraith
Necrotech
Scrap Thralls
Wraith Engine
Wraith Engine

(Deneghra1) Warwitch Deneghra - WJ: +28
- Deathripper - PC: 6 (Battlegroup Points Used: 6)
- Deathripper - PC: 6 (Battlegroup Points Used: 6)
- Kharybdis - PC: 19 (Battlegroup Points Used: 16)
Wrong Eye - Wrong Eye & Snapjaw: 17
- Snapjaw
Hellslinger Phantom - PC: 7
Pistol Wraith - PC: 5
Pistol Wraith - PC: 5
Warwitch Siren - PC: 4Satyxis Gunslingers - Leader & 2 Grunts: 7
Satyxis Raiders - Leader & 9 Grunts: 16
- Satyxis Raider Sea Witch - PC: 3
Cephalyx Overlords - Leader & 2 Grunts: 8

(Coven) The Witch Coven of Garlghast [+26]
- Egregore
- Deathripper [6]
- Deathripper [6]
- Stalker [8]
- Stalker [8]
- The Withershadow Combine [9]
Satyxis Raiders (max) [16]
- Satyxis Raider Sea Witch [3]
Satyxis Raiders (max) [16]
- Satyxis Raider Sea Witch [3]
Soulhunters (max) [18]
Machine Wraith [2]
Machine Wraith [2]
Ragman [4]

Cryx is an interesting faction which has seen a roller-coaster ride the past year. From being one of the best in Mk. 2 they took a dive in Mk. 3 but have gradually gotten better. Players figured out the powerful Deneghra1/Coven combination, only to have releases like Una2 and Cygnar Storm Division say a big "no". With the most recent releases Cryx looks to be back in style again. Some might argue they deserve a higher tier rating than I've given them here. While that might be true, I think it's too early to say. One of the main weaknesses I see with Cryx now is that their pairings tend to struggle to achieve stability. That is, against a variety of opponents they will have a lot of really bad matchups, which inherently hurts the faction as a whole from a competitive point of view. The lists above showcases a few of the different approaches Cryx can take now. With the command book stuff being so fresh, and again SR2017 around the corner, I expect the Cryx community as a whole to develop a lot of interesting and new lists in the time to come.

:: Minions ::

(Rask) Rask - WB: +27
- Targ - PC: 4
- Blackhide Wrastler - PC: 16 (Battlegroup Points Used: 16)
- Blackhide Wrastler - PC: 16 (Battlegroup Points Used: 11)
Wrong Eye - Wrong Eye & Snapjaw: 17
- Snapjaw
Dahlia Hallyr - Hallyr & Skarath: 17
- Skarath
Totem Hunter - PC: 6
Bog Trog Mist Speaker - PC: 4
Rorsh - Rorsh & Brine: 15
- Brine
- Battle Boar - PC: 7

Minions suffer from the fact that not a lot of people play them. On top of that they have fallen drastically, from being one of the top dogs last fall to being one of the worse factions. I think there might be hidden value in Minions which has yet to be revealed, but as of now it's hard to give them a lot of credit. Dr. Arkadius and the new gator theme both seem like interesting choices for Minions. Carver can still present a very durable and hard-hitting force. That being said, these things might look good on paper but without results there's not much to speak of.

:: Trollbloods ::

(Doomie3) Hoarluk Doomshaper, Dire Prophet & Scroll Bearers - WB: +26, THEME: The Power of Dhunia
- Hoarluk Doomshaper, Dire Prophet & Scroll Bearers (Cont.)
- Dire Troll Mauler - PC: 15 (Battlegroup Points Used: 15)
- Mulg the Ancient - PC: 19 (Battlegroup Points Used: 11)
- Earthborn Dire Troll - PC: 15
- Troll Axer - PC: 10
- Storm Troll - PC: 9
- Storm Troll - PC: 9
- Dire Troll Mauler - PC: 15
Northkin Shaman - PC: 0
Troll Whelps - 5 Whelps: 0
Troll Whelps - 5 Whelps: 0
Krielstone Bearer & Stone Scribes - Leader & 3 Grunts: 6
- Stone Scribe Elder - PC: 3

(Gunnbjorn) Captain Gunnbjorn - WB: +28, THEME: The Power of Dhunia
- Mountain King - PC: 36 (Battlegroup Points Used: 28)
- Dire Troll Bomber - PC: 19
- Dozer & Smigg - PC: 18
- Earthborn Dire Troll - PC: 15
Janissa Stonetide - PC: 0
Northkin Shaman - PC: 0
Northkin Shaman - PC: 0
Krielstone Bearer & Stone Scribes - Leader & 3 Grunts: 6
- Stone Scribe Elder - PC: 3
Dhunian Knot - Leader & 2 Grunts: 6

Trollbloods are in my opinion still at the bottom, trailing hard. Their builds look ok in a vacuum, but they struggle against so many other factions and have very few, if any, matchups where they feel downright up. I hope Privateer Press acknowledges this problem soon because this is the number one faction in the game I feel needs more love right now.

To finish off this blog post I'd like to note that it's unlikely to remain relevant for long. On top of the usual stuff we are missing (Skorne and Retribution command books for example), I fully expect SR2017 to fundamentally alter the way this game is played. Although the document itself isn't coming out until June (I believe?), it was confirmed by Pagani on Twitter to enter CID mid-late April, according to schedule. Given that a lot of people prepare for the WTC I expect tons of playtesting and perhaps even some tournaments with the tentative SR2017 ruleset from early May. As per usual, this post is just a snapshot based on how I view the meta right now. I hope you find it useful, or at the very least interesting!