It's been a while and I think it's time for another meta analysis piece. The last such piece I wrote was back in March and you can find it here. Note that this analysis is based on SR2017, more specifically the last version which was in CID.
Since last time there have been multiple releases and quite a few builds in the themes we've known for a while have stabilized somewhat. As always there's a lot ahead of us as well. In other words this piece is unlikely to be 100% relevant for very long. Furthermore I expect a lot of players out there to sit on answers which have yet to be publicly known.
:: Faction Ranking ::
S-tier: Cygnar, Cryx, Khador, Mercenaries
A-tier: Legion, Retribution, Convergence, Skorne
B-tier: Circle, Protectorate
C-tier: Minions, Trollbloods
Cygnar's really strong right now with multiple exciting and viable builds. Cryx has taken a big step up with Ghost Fleet claiming many events recently. To be fair I think a lot of this success comes from people not expecting those kinds of builds. As the meta adapt I believe Ghost Fleet will be less dominant. Khador feels very strong and flexible, in many ways like Cygnar. I also believe Mercs are still top-tier, they frequently place very well and have a range of viable approaches.
Legion's fallen down a notch because they struggle with Ghost Fleet and because Cygnar players have found pretty stable answers to them. Retribution got an expected boost from their Command book and jumps up a notch. This might be a little early yet, we'll see. Convergence is surprisingly strong now. They are quite rare but I won't take their success away because of that: I find them really hard to play with some amazing lists. Skorne is still in the A-tier but only barely, they have a distinct weakness against Ghost Fleet with their current popular lists for example.
Circle has fallen a bit, they seem to really struggle these days. It's not that they don't have answers but more that their answers are kind of specialized. Thus their pairings often have a lot of holes. Protectorate sits in the same bracket because they have yet to find a solid pair for Amon.
At the bottom sadly I believe we still have Minions and Trollbloods. I hope both of these factions receive some love ASAP.
And now, what you've all been waiting for: Sample lists!
:: Cygnar ::
(Haley2) 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]
Theme: Heavy Metal
(Sloan) Captain Kara Sloan - WJ: +28
- 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
Alain Runewood - PC: 0
Theme: Heavy Metal
(Caine3) Caine's Hellslingers - WJ: +20
- Caine's Hellslingers (Cont.)
- Squire - PC: 0
- Ace - PC: 12
- Charger - PC: 9
- Charger - PC: 9
- Charger - PC: 9
- Charger - PC: 9
Since last time there have been multiple releases and quite a few builds in the themes we've known for a while have stabilized somewhat. As always there's a lot ahead of us as well. In other words this piece is unlikely to be 100% relevant for very long. Furthermore I expect a lot of players out there to sit on answers which have yet to be publicly known.
:: Faction Ranking ::
S-tier: Cygnar, Cryx, Khador, Mercenaries
A-tier: Legion, Retribution, Convergence, Skorne
B-tier: Circle, Protectorate
C-tier: Minions, Trollbloods
Cygnar's really strong right now with multiple exciting and viable builds. Cryx has taken a big step up with Ghost Fleet claiming many events recently. To be fair I think a lot of this success comes from people not expecting those kinds of builds. As the meta adapt I believe Ghost Fleet will be less dominant. Khador feels very strong and flexible, in many ways like Cygnar. I also believe Mercs are still top-tier, they frequently place very well and have a range of viable approaches.
Legion's fallen down a notch because they struggle with Ghost Fleet and because Cygnar players have found pretty stable answers to them. Retribution got an expected boost from their Command book and jumps up a notch. This might be a little early yet, we'll see. Convergence is surprisingly strong now. They are quite rare but I won't take their success away because of that: I find them really hard to play with some amazing lists. Skorne is still in the A-tier but only barely, they have a distinct weakness against Ghost Fleet with their current popular lists for example.
Circle has fallen a bit, they seem to really struggle these days. It's not that they don't have answers but more that their answers are kind of specialized. Thus their pairings often have a lot of holes. Protectorate sits in the same bracket because they have yet to find a solid pair for Amon.
At the bottom sadly I believe we still have Minions and Trollbloods. I hope both of these factions receive some love ASAP.
And now, what you've all been waiting for: Sample lists!
:: Cygnar ::
(Haley2) 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]
Theme: Heavy Metal
(Sloan) Captain Kara Sloan - WJ: +28
- 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
Alain Runewood - PC: 0
Theme: Heavy Metal
(Caine3) Caine's Hellslingers - WJ: +20
- Caine's Hellslingers (Cont.)
- Squire - PC: 0
- Ace - PC: 12
- Charger - PC: 9
- Charger - PC: 9
- Charger - PC: 9
- Charger - PC: 9
- Hurricane - PC: 39 (Battlegroup Points Used: 20)
Captain Arlan Strangewayes - PC: 0
Journeyman Warcaster - PC: 0
- Firefly - PC: 8
Theme: Heavy Metal
Captain Arlan Strangewayes - PC: 0
Journeyman Warcaster - PC: 0
- Firefly - PC: 8
Theme: Heavy Metal
I really had to make a choice here because there are so many choices! I'm obviously biased here but I truly think the above 3 are probably our strongest. In addition to these the Welsh Masters finals recently featured a Cygnar mirror where one player had Stryker1 in his pairing and the other had Haley3. In my opinion these 2 casters are still very strong and have multiple approaches. I also think Nemo3 is still worth considering, he is a very strong caster in many, many matchups.
:: Cryx ::
(Deneghra1) Warwitch Deneghra - WJ: +28
:: Cryx ::
(Deneghra1) Warwitch Deneghra - WJ: +28
- Deathripper - PC: 6 (Battlegroup Points Used: 6)
- Deathripper - PC: 6 (Battlegroup Points Used: 6)
- Stalker - PC: 8 (Battlegroup Points Used: 8)
- Stalker - PC: 8 (Battlegroup Points Used: 8)
Wraith Engine - PC: 15
Captain Rengrave - PC: 0
Hellslinger Phantom - PC: 0
Pistol Wraith - PC: 0
Blackbane's Ghost Raiders - Blackbane & 9 Grunts: 17
Revenant Crew of the Atramentous - Leader & 5 Grunts: 9
- Revenant Crew Rifleman - PC: 2
- Revenant Crew Rifleman - PC: 2
- Revenant Crew Rifleman - PC: 2
Revenant Crew of the Atramentous - Leader & 5 Grunts: 9
- Revenant Crew Rifleman - PC: 2
- Revenant Crew Rifleman - PC: 2
- Revenant Crew Rifleman - PC: 2
Revenant Crew of the Atramentous - Leader & 5 Grunts: 9
- Revenant Crew Rifleman - PC: 2
- Revenant Crew Rifleman - PC: 2
THEME: The Ghost Fleet
(Coven) The Witch Coven of Garlghast - WJ: +26
- Egregore
- Deathripper - PC: 6 (Battlegroup Points Used: 6)
- Seether - PC: 13 (Battlegroup Points Used: 13)
- Nightwretch - PC: 7 (Battlegroup Points Used: 7)
Wraith Engine - PC: 15
Captain Rengrave - PC: 0
Hellslinger Phantom - PC: 0
Pistol Wraith - PC: 0
Blackbane's Ghost Raiders - Blackbane & 9 Grunts: 17
Revenant Crew of the Atramentous - Leader & 5 Grunts: 9
- Revenant Crew Rifleman - PC: 2
- Revenant Crew Rifleman - PC: 2
- Revenant Crew Rifleman - PC: 2
Revenant Crew of the Atramentous - Leader & 5 Grunts: 9
- Revenant Crew Rifleman - PC: 2
- Revenant Crew Rifleman - PC: 2
- Revenant Crew Rifleman - PC: 2
Revenant Crew of the Atramentous - Leader & 5 Grunts: 9
- Revenant Crew Rifleman - PC: 2
- Revenant Crew Rifleman - PC: 2
THEME: The Ghost Fleet
I don't want to dwell on Cryx too much. Ghost Fleet pretty much sums up Cryx right now. However the Bane theme is just around the corner and I fully expect that to shake things up, including an Asphyxious2 revival (to the joy of all Mk. 2 Cryx players). The lists above are incredibly strong and they cover eachother's weaknesses quite well.
:: Khador ::
(Vlad1) Vladimir Tzepesci, The Dark Prince - WJ: +28
- 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
Battle Mechaniks - Leader & 3 Grunts: 3
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 Mortar Crew - Gunner & Grunt: 0
Winter Guard Field Gun Crew - Gunner & 2 Grunts: 0
THEME: Winter Guard Kommand
Karchev the Terrible - WJ: +30
- Devastator - PC: 14 (Battlegroup Points Used: 14)
- Devastator - PC: 14 (Battlegroup Points Used: 14)
- Juggernaut - PC: 12 (Battlegroup Points Used: 2)
- Juggernaut - PC: 12
- Marauder - PC: 10
- Marauder - PC: 10
- Marauder - PC: 10
- Marauder - PC: 10
- Marauder - PC: 10
Greylord Forge Seer - PC: 0
Greylord Forge Seer - PC: 0
Manhunter - PC: 0
Manhunter - PC: 0
Battle Mechaniks - Leader & 3 Grunts: 3
THEME: Jaws of the Wolf
Khador has a ton of strong builds these days, I think it's hard to choose just a couple. In the end I went with Vlad1 and Karchev because I see them a lot, they've been around for a while and they are pretty terrifying in the right matchups. The pair also has answers to most things in the meta. Apart from these I see Zerkova1 Steel Legion, variants of Butcher1 and Butcher3 in Winter Guard Kommand, Vlad2 Steel Legion, Sorscha1 Winter Guard Kommand and still the occasional Harkevich build. Khador's in an excellent spot!
:: Mercenaries ::
(Thexus) Exulon Thexus - WJ: +29
- Wrecker - PC: 14 (Battlegroup Points Used: 14)
- Wrecker - PC: 14 (Battlegroup Points Used: 14)
Cephalyx Agitator - PC: 3
Cephalyx Agitator - PC: 3
Cephalyx Mind Bender & Drudges - Mind Bender & 9 Drudge Grunts: 11
Cephalyx Mind Bender & Drudges - Mind Bender & 9 Drudge Grunts: 11
Cephalyx Mind Bender & Drudges - Mind Bender & 9 Drudge Grunts: 11
Cephalyx Mind Slaver & Drudges - Slaver & 9 Drudge Grunts: 12
Cephalyx Mind Slaver & Drudges - Slaver & 9 Drudge Grunts: 12
Cephalyx Mind Slaver & Drudges - Slaver & 9 Drudge Grunts: 12
Cephalyx Overlords - Leader & 2 Grunts: 0
Cephalyx Overlords - Leader & 2 Grunts: 0
THEME: Operating Theater
(MacBain) Drake MacBain - WJ: +30
- Galleon - PC: 39 (Battlegroup Points Used: 30)
Kell Bailoch - PC: 0
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor - PC: 0
Stannis Brocker - PC: 0
Dirty Meg - PC: 3
Greygore Boomhowler & Co. - Boomhowler & 5 Grunts: 11
Steelhead Heavy Cavalry - Leader & 4 Grunts: 18
Steelhead Heavy Cavalry - Leader & 2 Grunts: 11
Steelhead Halberdiers - Leader & 5 Grunts: 7
Trencher Infantry - Leader & 9 Grunts: 16
THEME: The Kingmaker's Army
(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
Mercenary lists are so different, I had to include 3 to properly show the choices they have. The above lists are all really solid and scary to play against, and on top of that we also see variants such as Ossrum in theme and Damiano or Magnus2 running Kingmaker's instead of MacBain.
:: Legion ::
(Fyanna2) Fyanna, Torment of Everblight - WB: +28
- Succubus - PC: 0
- Angelius - PC: 17 (Battlegroup Points Used: 17)
- Angelius - PC: 17 (Battlegroup Points Used: 11)
- Neraph - PC: 12
- Neraph - PC: 12
- Neraph - PC: 12
- Seraph - PC: 14
- Naga Nightlurker - PC: 8
- Raek - PC: 8
Blighted Nyss Sorceress & Hellion - PC: 0
Blighted Nyss Sorceress & Hellion - PC: 0
The Forsaken - PC: 0
Spell Martyr - PC: 1
Blighted Nyss Shepherd - PC: 1
Blighted Nyss Shepherd - PC: 1
THEME: Oracles of Annihilation
(Absylonia2) 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
- Seraph - PC: 14
- Proteus - PC: 19
- Naga Nightlurker - PC: 8
- Shredder - PC: 4
Blighted Nyss Shepherd - PC: 0
The Forsaken - PC: 0
The Forsaken - PC: 0
Spell Martyr - PC: 1
THEME: Oracles of Annihilation
(Lylyth3) Lylyth, Reckoning of Everblight - WB: +29
- Succubus - PC: 0
- Angelius - PC: 17 (Battlegroup Points Used: 17)
- Angelius - PC: 17 (Battlegroup Points Used: 12)
- Angelius - PC: 17
- Carnivean - PC: 19
- Naga Nightlurker - PC: 8
- Nephilim Bolt Thrower - PC: 11
- Seraph - PC: 14
Blighted Nyss Sorceress & Hellion - PC: 0
Blighted Nyss Shepherd - PC: 1
The Forsaken - PC: 0
The Forsaken - PC: 0
THEME: Oracles of Annihilation
Fyanna2 seems to be the hotness in Legion still. Her feat is a big pain to play against so I can definitely see this. Absylonia2 still has beyond crazy damage output while Lylyth3 is a strong cookie-cutter with Oracles. In addition to these three I see some Vayl2 builds and variants of Thagrosh1 and Thagrosh2. Legion currently struggles with Cryx and Cygnar the most I believe so I'm interested to see what answers they'll find here.
::Retribution ::
(Vyros2) Incissar of the Dawnguard - WJ: +27
- Sylys Wyshnalyrr, The Seeker - PC: 0
- Helios - PC: 34 (Battlegroup Points Used: 27)
- Griffon - PC: 8
- Griffon - PC: 8
- Griffon - PC: 8
- Griffon - PC: 8
- Griffon - PC: 8
- Imperatus - PC: 22
Arcanist Mechanik - PC: 2
Arcanist Mechanik - PC: 2
Arcanist Mechanik - PC: 2
House Shyeel Artificer - PC: 0
House Shyeel Magister - PC: 0
THEME: Forges of War
(Ossyan) Lord Arcanist Ossyan - WJ: +28
- Banshee - PC: 18 (Battlegroup Points Used: 18)
- Hypnos - PC: 18 (Battlegroup Points Used: 10)
Arcanist Mechanik - PC: 2
Arcanist Mechanik - PC: 2
Eiryss, Mage Hunter of Ios - PC: 0
Mage Hunter Assassin - PC: 0
Narn, Mage Hunter of Ios - PC: 0
Mage Hunter Infiltrators - Leader & 9 Grunts: 13
Mage Hunter Strike Force - Leader & 9 Grunts: 16
- Mage Hunter Strike Force Commander - PC: 4
Mage Hunter Strike Force - Leader & 9 Grunts: 16
- Mage Hunter Strike Force Commander - PC: 4
Spears of Scyrah - Leader & 2 Grunts: 9
- Soulless Escort - PC: 1
THEME: Shadows of the Retribution
The new Command book brought some much needed love back to this faction! I'm not yet sure where it all lands as it's early days yet. Vyros2 in Forges seems to be a solid start. With or without Helios depends on preference I believe. I'm personally not a fan but from what I've gathered it appears to be the more popular choice. Ossyan can build scary Shadows lists which seem quite well suited to take on Cryx for example and probably also Cygnar. Rahn and Helynna are still popular and I fully expect Retribution players to find interesting lists with Issyria and Kaelyssa as well. Their battle engine might also become a thing depending on where it ends up following CID.
:: Convergence ::
Iron Mother Directrix & Exponent Servitors - WJ: +27
- Iron Mother Directrix & Exponent Servitors Cont.
- Assimilator - PC: 16
- Assimilator - PC: 16
- Assimilator - PC: 16
- Corollary - PC: 6
- Diffuser - PC: 6
- Prime Axiom - PC: 38 (Battlegroup Points Used: 27)
Elimination Servitors - 3 Elimination Servitors: 0
Elimination Servitors - 3 Elimination Servitors: 0
Elimination Servitors - 3 Elimination Servitors: 0
Attunement Servitors - 3 Attunement Servitors: 0
Optifex Directive - Leader & 2 Grunts: 4
THEME: Destruction Initiative
Father Lucant, The Divinity Architect - WJ: +28
- Conservator - PC: 12 (Battlegroup Points Used: 12)
- Conservator - PC: 12 (Battlegroup Points Used: 12)
- Conservator - PC: 12 (Battlegroup Points Used: 4)
- Conservator - PC: 12
- Inverter - PC: 15
Transfinite Emergence Projector - PC: 19 - Permutation Servitors
Transfinite Emergence Projector - PC: 19 - Permutation Servitors
Algorithmic Dispersion Optifex - PC: 2
Reflex Servitors - 3 Reflex Servitors: 0
Reflex Servitors - 3 Reflex Servitors: 0
Attunement Servitors - 3 Attunement Servitors: 0
Elimination Servitors - 3 Elimination Servitors: 0
Reflex Servitors - 3 Reflex Servitors: 0
THEME: Destruction Initiative
I suppose Axis has strictly speaking been the more popular alternative than Father lately. My main reason for not including him is that I've just about only seen his lists with ADR, which this analysis doesn't take into account. Father and Mother make for a pretty solid pairing regardless, having game into the majority of other factions for sure.
:: Skorne ::
(Makeda2) Supreme Archdomina Makeda - WB: +27
- Despoiler - PC: 19 (Battlegroup Points Used: 19)
- Molik Karn - PC: 19 (Battlegroup Points Used: 8)
Mortitheurge Willbreaker - PC: 4
Mortitheurge Willbreaker - PC: 4
Tyrant Rhadeim - PC: 9
Praetorian Ferox - Leader & 4 Grunts: 20
Praetorian Ferox - Leader & 4 Grunts: 20
Paingiver Beast Handlers - Leader & 3 Grunts: 5
Swamp Gobber Bellows Crew - Leader & 1 Grunt: 2
(Makeda1) Archdomina Makeda - WB: +29
- Basilisk Krea - PC: 7
- Mammoth - PC: 38 (Battlegroup Points Used: 29)
- Molik Karn - PC: 19
- Titan Gladiator - PC: 15
Extoller Soulward - PC: 3
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor - PC: 5
Gremlin Swarm - PC: 3
Swamp Gobber Chef - PC: 1
Legends of Halaak - Valgesh, CIdaar & J'Deth: 8
Paingiver Beast Handlers - Leader & 3 Grunts: 5
These builds have been stable for some time and I have not seen Skorne come up with something else to rival these yet. That being said I fully believe that to be just around the corner now: I believe both these lists were comparatively stronger in SR2016 and Ghost Fleet steamrolls the both of them. If I were to guess the answer's in their shooty theme list somehow. I played against a variant of this with Xerxis2 a while back. He didn't seem like the right choice but Skorne have a lot of other interesting casters for this role.
:: Circle ::
(Baldur2) Baldur the Stonesoul - WB: +30
- Loki - PC: 19 (Battlegroup Points Used: 19)
- Megalith - PC: 20 (Battlegroup Points Used: 11)
- Pureblood Warpwolf - PC: 17
- Ghetorix - PC: 21
- Woldwyrd - PC: 9
Gallows Grove - PC: 2
Swamp Gobber Chef - PC: 1
Sentry Stone & Mannikins - Leader & 3 Grunts: 5
Sentry Stone & Mannikins - Leader & 3 Grunts: 5
Shifting Stones - Leader & 2 Grunts: 3
Shifting Stones - Leader & 2 Grunts: 3
(Krueger2) Krueger the Stormlord - WB: +27
- Feral Warpwolf - PC: 18 (Battlegroup Points Used: 18)
- Loki - PC: 19 (Battlegroup Points Used: 9)
- Pureblood Warpwolf - PC: 17
- Megalith - PC: 20
- Woldwyrd - PC: 9
Blackclad Wayfarer - PC: 4
Gallows Grove - PC: 2
Sentry Stone & Mannikins - Leader & 3 Grunts: 5
Sentry Stone & Mannikins - Leader & 3 Grunts: 5
Shifting Stones - Leader & 2 Grunts: 3
Popular Circle builds these days seem to all be "Heroclix" variants: You load up on character beasts outside of theme and play with all the tricks and shenanigans in the world. The problem is that in a lot of matchups this simply isn't what you need. I believe Circle's answers probably exist in theme forces as well, e.g. Baldur2 with lots of stones and Krueger2 with lots of infantry. Other casters which I expect to see include Wurmwood, Una2, Morvahna2 and Kaya3. I hope for Circle that a strong pairing emerges soon. The Fulcrum's promising in CID so this might be an enabler as well.
:: Protectorate ::
(Amon) High Allegiant Amon Ad-Raza - WJ: +29
- Hierophant - PC: 0
- Dervish - PC: 7 (Battlegroup Points Used: 7)
- Dervish - PC: 7 (Battlegroup Points Used: 7)
- Dervish - PC: 7 (Battlegroup Points Used: 7)
- Dervish - PC: 7 (Battlegroup Points Used: 7)
- Dervish - PC: 7 (Battlegroup Points Used: 1)
- Dervish - PC: 7
- Dervish - PC: 7
- Dervish - PC: 7
- Dervish - PC: 7
- Dervish - PC: 7
- Dervish - PC: 7
- Dervish - PC: 7
- Dervish - PC: 7
The Covenant of Menoth - PC: 0
Wrack - PC: 1
Vassal of Menoth - PC: 0
Vassal Mechanik - PC: 1
Vassal Mechanik - PC: 1
Choir of Menoth - Leader & 5 Grunts: 6
Choir of Menoth - Leader & 3 Grunts: 4
THEME: The Creator's Might
Sadly, I have no idea what to pair with Amon. Part of the reason why I elected not to include a second list is that the Exemplar theme is right around the corner and -that- looks super promising! Once that's out I think we'll see some new and cool builds which will help out the Protectorate again. Interesting casters include Severius1, Severius2 and Harbinger for starters.
:: Minions ::
Rask - WB: +27
- Blackhide Wrastler - PC: 16 (Battlegroup Points Used: 16)
- Blackhide Wrastler - PC: 16 (Battlegroup Points Used: 11)
Wrong Eye - Wrong Eye & Snapjaw: 17
- Snapjaw
Bog Trog Mist Speaker - PC: 0
Bog Trog Mist Speaker - PC: 4
Feralgeist - PC: 2
Totem Hunter - PC: 0
Gatorman Posse (Blindwater) - Leader & 2 Grunts: 10
Gatorman Posse (Blindwater) - Leader & 2 Grunts: 10
Gatorman Posse (Blindwater) - Leader & 2 Grunts: 10
Gatorman Posse (Blindwater) - Leader & 4 Grunts: 17
THEME: The Blindwater Congregation
The crocodile spam with los-denial shenanigans and the usual Rask stuff seems to be about the only stable and sort-of-strong build Minions have these days. It might be the fact that Minions simply aren't that popular as well, I don't know. From my point of view they seem really, really weak.
:: Trollbloods ::
(Doomshaper3) Hoarluk Doomshaper, Dire Prophet & Scroll Bearers - WB: +26
- Hoarluk Doomshaper, Dire Prophet & Scroll Bearers (Cont.)
- Trollkin Runebearer - PC: 0
- Earthborn Dire Troll - PC: 15 (Battlegroup Points Used: 15)
- Dire Troll Mauler - PC: 15 (Battlegroup Points Used: 11)
- Dire Troll Mauler - PC: 15
- Mulg the Ancient - PC: 19
- Troll Axer - PC: 10
- Storm Troll - PC: 9
- Storm Troll - PC: 9
Northkin Shaman - PC: 0
Troll Whelps - 5 Whelps: 0
Krielstone Bearer & Stone Scribes - Leader & 3 Grunts: 6
- Stone Scribe Elder - PC: 3
THEME: The Power of Dhunia
(Gunnbjorn) Captain Gunnbjorn - WB: +28
- Trollkin Runebearer - PC: 0
- Dire Troll Bomber - PC: 19
- Dozer & Smigg - PC: 18
- Mountain King - PC: 36 (Battlegroup Points Used: 28)
- Earthborn Dire Troll - PC: 15
Janissa Stonetide - 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
THEME: The Power of Dhunia
Trollbloods still feel like they're at the bottom with Minions. They have so many bad matchups, a lot of them downright unplayable. Their biggest strength these days seems to be that people don't expect them and thus don't know the matchup. The Kriel theme is coming up and maybe their third gargantuan might help them out. I really think this faction needs a significant buff.
In the time to come I expect most factions to work on the matchups against the perceived top dogs. Many will disagree with what I've written here and some will disagree with nearly all of it. In any case we all have our problematic matchups which we're trying to solve. With tons of stuff in CID and more releases coming up I expect the summer to be highly dynamic meta-wise. I'm excited!
I don't want to dwell on Cryx too much. Ghost Fleet pretty much sums up Cryx right now. However the Bane theme is just around the corner and I fully expect that to shake things up, including an Asphyxious2 revival (to the joy of all Mk. 2 Cryx players). The lists above are incredibly strong and they cover eachother's weaknesses quite well.
:: Khador ::
(Vlad1) Vladimir Tzepesci, The Dark Prince - WJ: +28
- 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
Battle Mechaniks - Leader & 3 Grunts: 3
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 Mortar Crew - Gunner & Grunt: 0
Winter Guard Field Gun Crew - Gunner & 2 Grunts: 0
THEME: Winter Guard Kommand
Karchev the Terrible - WJ: +30
- Devastator - PC: 14 (Battlegroup Points Used: 14)
- Devastator - PC: 14 (Battlegroup Points Used: 14)
- Juggernaut - PC: 12 (Battlegroup Points Used: 2)
- Juggernaut - PC: 12
- Marauder - PC: 10
- Marauder - PC: 10
- Marauder - PC: 10
- Marauder - PC: 10
- Marauder - PC: 10
Greylord Forge Seer - PC: 0
Greylord Forge Seer - PC: 0
Manhunter - PC: 0
Manhunter - PC: 0
Battle Mechaniks - Leader & 3 Grunts: 3
THEME: Jaws of the Wolf
Khador has a ton of strong builds these days, I think it's hard to choose just a couple. In the end I went with Vlad1 and Karchev because I see them a lot, they've been around for a while and they are pretty terrifying in the right matchups. The pair also has answers to most things in the meta. Apart from these I see Zerkova1 Steel Legion, variants of Butcher1 and Butcher3 in Winter Guard Kommand, Vlad2 Steel Legion, Sorscha1 Winter Guard Kommand and still the occasional Harkevich build. Khador's in an excellent spot!
:: Mercenaries ::
(Thexus) Exulon Thexus - WJ: +29
- Wrecker - PC: 14 (Battlegroup Points Used: 14)
- Wrecker - PC: 14 (Battlegroup Points Used: 14)
Cephalyx Agitator - PC: 3
Cephalyx Agitator - PC: 3
Cephalyx Mind Bender & Drudges - Mind Bender & 9 Drudge Grunts: 11
Cephalyx Mind Bender & Drudges - Mind Bender & 9 Drudge Grunts: 11
Cephalyx Mind Bender & Drudges - Mind Bender & 9 Drudge Grunts: 11
Cephalyx Mind Slaver & Drudges - Slaver & 9 Drudge Grunts: 12
Cephalyx Mind Slaver & Drudges - Slaver & 9 Drudge Grunts: 12
Cephalyx Mind Slaver & Drudges - Slaver & 9 Drudge Grunts: 12
Cephalyx Overlords - Leader & 2 Grunts: 0
Cephalyx Overlords - Leader & 2 Grunts: 0
THEME: Operating Theater
(MacBain) Drake MacBain - WJ: +30
- Galleon - PC: 39 (Battlegroup Points Used: 30)
Kell Bailoch - PC: 0
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor - PC: 0
Stannis Brocker - PC: 0
Dirty Meg - PC: 3
Greygore Boomhowler & Co. - Boomhowler & 5 Grunts: 11
Steelhead Heavy Cavalry - Leader & 4 Grunts: 18
Steelhead Heavy Cavalry - Leader & 2 Grunts: 11
Steelhead Halberdiers - Leader & 5 Grunts: 7
Trencher Infantry - Leader & 9 Grunts: 16
THEME: The Kingmaker's Army
(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
Mercenary lists are so different, I had to include 3 to properly show the choices they have. The above lists are all really solid and scary to play against, and on top of that we also see variants such as Ossrum in theme and Damiano or Magnus2 running Kingmaker's instead of MacBain.
:: Legion ::
(Fyanna2) Fyanna, Torment of Everblight - WB: +28
- Succubus - PC: 0
- Angelius - PC: 17 (Battlegroup Points Used: 17)
- Angelius - PC: 17 (Battlegroup Points Used: 11)
- Neraph - PC: 12
- Neraph - PC: 12
- Neraph - PC: 12
- Seraph - PC: 14
- Naga Nightlurker - PC: 8
- Raek - PC: 8
Blighted Nyss Sorceress & Hellion - PC: 0
Blighted Nyss Sorceress & Hellion - PC: 0
The Forsaken - PC: 0
Spell Martyr - PC: 1
Blighted Nyss Shepherd - PC: 1
Blighted Nyss Shepherd - PC: 1
THEME: Oracles of Annihilation
(Absylonia2) 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
- Seraph - PC: 14
- Proteus - PC: 19
- Naga Nightlurker - PC: 8
- Shredder - PC: 4
Blighted Nyss Shepherd - PC: 0
The Forsaken - PC: 0
The Forsaken - PC: 0
Spell Martyr - PC: 1
THEME: Oracles of Annihilation
(Lylyth3) Lylyth, Reckoning of Everblight - WB: +29
- Succubus - PC: 0
- Angelius - PC: 17 (Battlegroup Points Used: 17)
- Angelius - PC: 17 (Battlegroup Points Used: 12)
- Angelius - PC: 17
- Carnivean - PC: 19
- Naga Nightlurker - PC: 8
- Nephilim Bolt Thrower - PC: 11
- Seraph - PC: 14
Blighted Nyss Sorceress & Hellion - PC: 0
Blighted Nyss Shepherd - PC: 1
The Forsaken - PC: 0
The Forsaken - PC: 0
THEME: Oracles of Annihilation
Fyanna2 seems to be the hotness in Legion still. Her feat is a big pain to play against so I can definitely see this. Absylonia2 still has beyond crazy damage output while Lylyth3 is a strong cookie-cutter with Oracles. In addition to these three I see some Vayl2 builds and variants of Thagrosh1 and Thagrosh2. Legion currently struggles with Cryx and Cygnar the most I believe so I'm interested to see what answers they'll find here.
::Retribution ::
(Vyros2) Incissar of the Dawnguard - WJ: +27
- Sylys Wyshnalyrr, The Seeker - PC: 0
- Helios - PC: 34 (Battlegroup Points Used: 27)
- Griffon - PC: 8
- Griffon - PC: 8
- Griffon - PC: 8
- Griffon - PC: 8
- Griffon - PC: 8
- Imperatus - PC: 22
Arcanist Mechanik - PC: 2
Arcanist Mechanik - PC: 2
Arcanist Mechanik - PC: 2
House Shyeel Artificer - PC: 0
House Shyeel Magister - PC: 0
THEME: Forges of War
(Ossyan) Lord Arcanist Ossyan - WJ: +28
- Banshee - PC: 18 (Battlegroup Points Used: 18)
- Hypnos - PC: 18 (Battlegroup Points Used: 10)
Arcanist Mechanik - PC: 2
Arcanist Mechanik - PC: 2
Eiryss, Mage Hunter of Ios - PC: 0
Mage Hunter Assassin - PC: 0
Narn, Mage Hunter of Ios - PC: 0
Mage Hunter Infiltrators - Leader & 9 Grunts: 13
Mage Hunter Strike Force - Leader & 9 Grunts: 16
- Mage Hunter Strike Force Commander - PC: 4
Mage Hunter Strike Force - Leader & 9 Grunts: 16
- Mage Hunter Strike Force Commander - PC: 4
Spears of Scyrah - Leader & 2 Grunts: 9
- Soulless Escort - PC: 1
THEME: Shadows of the Retribution
The new Command book brought some much needed love back to this faction! I'm not yet sure where it all lands as it's early days yet. Vyros2 in Forges seems to be a solid start. With or without Helios depends on preference I believe. I'm personally not a fan but from what I've gathered it appears to be the more popular choice. Ossyan can build scary Shadows lists which seem quite well suited to take on Cryx for example and probably also Cygnar. Rahn and Helynna are still popular and I fully expect Retribution players to find interesting lists with Issyria and Kaelyssa as well. Their battle engine might also become a thing depending on where it ends up following CID.
:: Convergence ::
Iron Mother Directrix & Exponent Servitors - WJ: +27
- Iron Mother Directrix & Exponent Servitors Cont.
- Assimilator - PC: 16
- Assimilator - PC: 16
- Assimilator - PC: 16
- Corollary - PC: 6
- Diffuser - PC: 6
- Prime Axiom - PC: 38 (Battlegroup Points Used: 27)
Elimination Servitors - 3 Elimination Servitors: 0
Elimination Servitors - 3 Elimination Servitors: 0
Elimination Servitors - 3 Elimination Servitors: 0
Attunement Servitors - 3 Attunement Servitors: 0
Optifex Directive - Leader & 2 Grunts: 4
THEME: Destruction Initiative
Father Lucant, The Divinity Architect - WJ: +28
- Conservator - PC: 12 (Battlegroup Points Used: 12)
- Conservator - PC: 12 (Battlegroup Points Used: 12)
- Conservator - PC: 12 (Battlegroup Points Used: 4)
- Conservator - PC: 12
- Inverter - PC: 15
Transfinite Emergence Projector - PC: 19 - Permutation Servitors
Transfinite Emergence Projector - PC: 19 - Permutation Servitors
Algorithmic Dispersion Optifex - PC: 2
Reflex Servitors - 3 Reflex Servitors: 0
Reflex Servitors - 3 Reflex Servitors: 0
Attunement Servitors - 3 Attunement Servitors: 0
Elimination Servitors - 3 Elimination Servitors: 0
Reflex Servitors - 3 Reflex Servitors: 0
THEME: Destruction Initiative
I suppose Axis has strictly speaking been the more popular alternative than Father lately. My main reason for not including him is that I've just about only seen his lists with ADR, which this analysis doesn't take into account. Father and Mother make for a pretty solid pairing regardless, having game into the majority of other factions for sure.
:: Skorne ::
(Makeda2) Supreme Archdomina Makeda - WB: +27
- Despoiler - PC: 19 (Battlegroup Points Used: 19)
- Molik Karn - PC: 19 (Battlegroup Points Used: 8)
Mortitheurge Willbreaker - PC: 4
Mortitheurge Willbreaker - PC: 4
Tyrant Rhadeim - PC: 9
Praetorian Ferox - Leader & 4 Grunts: 20
Praetorian Ferox - Leader & 4 Grunts: 20
Paingiver Beast Handlers - Leader & 3 Grunts: 5
Swamp Gobber Bellows Crew - Leader & 1 Grunt: 2
(Makeda1) Archdomina Makeda - WB: +29
- Basilisk Krea - PC: 7
- Mammoth - PC: 38 (Battlegroup Points Used: 29)
- Molik Karn - PC: 19
- Titan Gladiator - PC: 15
Extoller Soulward - PC: 3
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor - PC: 5
Gremlin Swarm - PC: 3
Swamp Gobber Chef - PC: 1
Legends of Halaak - Valgesh, CIdaar & J'Deth: 8
Paingiver Beast Handlers - Leader & 3 Grunts: 5
These builds have been stable for some time and I have not seen Skorne come up with something else to rival these yet. That being said I fully believe that to be just around the corner now: I believe both these lists were comparatively stronger in SR2016 and Ghost Fleet steamrolls the both of them. If I were to guess the answer's in their shooty theme list somehow. I played against a variant of this with Xerxis2 a while back. He didn't seem like the right choice but Skorne have a lot of other interesting casters for this role.
:: Circle ::
(Baldur2) Baldur the Stonesoul - WB: +30
- Loki - PC: 19 (Battlegroup Points Used: 19)
- Megalith - PC: 20 (Battlegroup Points Used: 11)
- Pureblood Warpwolf - PC: 17
- Ghetorix - PC: 21
- Woldwyrd - PC: 9
Gallows Grove - PC: 2
Swamp Gobber Chef - PC: 1
Sentry Stone & Mannikins - Leader & 3 Grunts: 5
Sentry Stone & Mannikins - Leader & 3 Grunts: 5
Shifting Stones - Leader & 2 Grunts: 3
Shifting Stones - Leader & 2 Grunts: 3
(Krueger2) Krueger the Stormlord - WB: +27
- Feral Warpwolf - PC: 18 (Battlegroup Points Used: 18)
- Loki - PC: 19 (Battlegroup Points Used: 9)
- Pureblood Warpwolf - PC: 17
- Megalith - PC: 20
- Woldwyrd - PC: 9
Blackclad Wayfarer - PC: 4
Gallows Grove - PC: 2
Sentry Stone & Mannikins - Leader & 3 Grunts: 5
Sentry Stone & Mannikins - Leader & 3 Grunts: 5
Shifting Stones - Leader & 2 Grunts: 3
Popular Circle builds these days seem to all be "Heroclix" variants: You load up on character beasts outside of theme and play with all the tricks and shenanigans in the world. The problem is that in a lot of matchups this simply isn't what you need. I believe Circle's answers probably exist in theme forces as well, e.g. Baldur2 with lots of stones and Krueger2 with lots of infantry. Other casters which I expect to see include Wurmwood, Una2, Morvahna2 and Kaya3. I hope for Circle that a strong pairing emerges soon. The Fulcrum's promising in CID so this might be an enabler as well.
:: Protectorate ::
(Amon) High Allegiant Amon Ad-Raza - WJ: +29
- Hierophant - PC: 0
- Dervish - PC: 7 (Battlegroup Points Used: 7)
- Dervish - PC: 7 (Battlegroup Points Used: 7)
- Dervish - PC: 7 (Battlegroup Points Used: 7)
- Dervish - PC: 7 (Battlegroup Points Used: 7)
- Dervish - PC: 7 (Battlegroup Points Used: 1)
- Dervish - PC: 7
- Dervish - PC: 7
- Dervish - PC: 7
- Dervish - PC: 7
- Dervish - PC: 7
- Dervish - PC: 7
- Dervish - PC: 7
- Dervish - PC: 7
The Covenant of Menoth - PC: 0
Wrack - PC: 1
Vassal of Menoth - PC: 0
Vassal Mechanik - PC: 1
Vassal Mechanik - PC: 1
Choir of Menoth - Leader & 5 Grunts: 6
Choir of Menoth - Leader & 3 Grunts: 4
THEME: The Creator's Might
Sadly, I have no idea what to pair with Amon. Part of the reason why I elected not to include a second list is that the Exemplar theme is right around the corner and -that- looks super promising! Once that's out I think we'll see some new and cool builds which will help out the Protectorate again. Interesting casters include Severius1, Severius2 and Harbinger for starters.
:: Minions ::
Rask - WB: +27
- Blackhide Wrastler - PC: 16 (Battlegroup Points Used: 16)
- Blackhide Wrastler - PC: 16 (Battlegroup Points Used: 11)
Wrong Eye - Wrong Eye & Snapjaw: 17
- Snapjaw
Bog Trog Mist Speaker - PC: 0
Bog Trog Mist Speaker - PC: 4
Feralgeist - PC: 2
Totem Hunter - PC: 0
Gatorman Posse (Blindwater) - Leader & 2 Grunts: 10
Gatorman Posse (Blindwater) - Leader & 2 Grunts: 10
Gatorman Posse (Blindwater) - Leader & 2 Grunts: 10
Gatorman Posse (Blindwater) - Leader & 4 Grunts: 17
THEME: The Blindwater Congregation
The crocodile spam with los-denial shenanigans and the usual Rask stuff seems to be about the only stable and sort-of-strong build Minions have these days. It might be the fact that Minions simply aren't that popular as well, I don't know. From my point of view they seem really, really weak.
:: Trollbloods ::
(Doomshaper3) Hoarluk Doomshaper, Dire Prophet & Scroll Bearers - WB: +26
- Hoarluk Doomshaper, Dire Prophet & Scroll Bearers (Cont.)
- Trollkin Runebearer - PC: 0
- Earthborn Dire Troll - PC: 15 (Battlegroup Points Used: 15)
- Dire Troll Mauler - PC: 15 (Battlegroup Points Used: 11)
- Dire Troll Mauler - PC: 15
- Mulg the Ancient - PC: 19
- Troll Axer - PC: 10
- Storm Troll - PC: 9
- Storm Troll - PC: 9
Northkin Shaman - PC: 0
Troll Whelps - 5 Whelps: 0
Krielstone Bearer & Stone Scribes - Leader & 3 Grunts: 6
- Stone Scribe Elder - PC: 3
THEME: The Power of Dhunia
(Gunnbjorn) Captain Gunnbjorn - WB: +28
- Trollkin Runebearer - PC: 0
- Dire Troll Bomber - PC: 19
- Dozer & Smigg - PC: 18
- Mountain King - PC: 36 (Battlegroup Points Used: 28)
- Earthborn Dire Troll - PC: 15
Janissa Stonetide - 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
THEME: The Power of Dhunia
Trollbloods still feel like they're at the bottom with Minions. They have so many bad matchups, a lot of them downright unplayable. Their biggest strength these days seems to be that people don't expect them and thus don't know the matchup. The Kriel theme is coming up and maybe their third gargantuan might help them out. I really think this faction needs a significant buff.
In the time to come I expect most factions to work on the matchups against the perceived top dogs. Many will disagree with what I've written here and some will disagree with nearly all of it. In any case we all have our problematic matchups which we're trying to solve. With tons of stuff in CID and more releases coming up I expect the summer to be highly dynamic meta-wise. I'm excited!
