Joshmohr:
Okay, recently i have been trying to get a new army. I was either thinking “Beasts of Chaos, Vampire Counts, or tomb kings” What do you guys think? I’m having major trouble deciding.
Border Reiver:
For competitive purposes - you really can’t get better than VC other than DoC at the moment. VC have the ability to make very challenging lists for your opponent and if you like the random nature of traditional magic, this would be the army for you. Or you just may be a G. romero fan.
TK take some planning on your part and are not overpowered. thyey do benefit from having lots of characters, and have all the benefits of being undead, but without the smell. The nature of TK magic and the generally non-elite troops of the TK favour a general who is able to wrap their head around the slow and steady nature of the troops and how to get the army properly co-ordinated.
Gotta admit that my knowlege of the Beasts is purely theoretical, and I’m not going to comment here - just cause I have never played or fought them.
Joshmohr:
Thats my main choice, Strigoi vampires.
Swissdictator:
If you do it right you can cross use A LOT for VC and TK.
Skeletons, and the Horsemen cross over easily. If you give a little bit of armor to the TK cav… they could be crossused as Black Knights (and it’d be cheaper!).
If the skeletons are more generic or slighty TK themed you could be Lahmian vampires.
Tomb Guard could be used as Grave Guard in a Lahmian theme. You could also use the cheaper plastic Grave Guard the other way around if you used the right color scheme.
It’s really the supporting units that differ model wise.
It depends.
There’s the game viewpoint. VC are more powerful, and while TK are waiting an update it isn’t fair to advise based on that. VC are more character heavy though. TK have more… reliable magic as in they always cast and never miscast though. Both rely on one dude not getting killed though.
There’s the fluff/feel viewpoint: VC are much more character heavy. They’re more classical undead, and can have many different themes. TK are more skeletons, and have the Egyptian theme. VC are more evil… while TK are debatable.
Hobby wise: In terms of painting (or converting) TK is pretty straight forward. Drybrushing white (or inking black if you prime white) will be your big thing… or however you want to paint bone. If you do it quick, it can go by fast. VC are colorful, but tend to be rather drab. TK can be bright or drab.
TK will have a lot of the same, VC will have some variety depending on what you take.
Hope it helps.
Astranagant:
I’d go for the Tomb Kings, but I must admit I’m a bit biased. Their main obvious benefits:
-You can justify being the “good guy” on many occasions
-Bone Giants and Screaming Skull Catapults, 'nuff said
-Chariot Squadrons
-Rock-solid melee heroes with cool magic item choices (Destroyer of Eternities is my favorite, assuming I got the name right)
-Limited but reliable magic as well as the Casket of Souls
Other than that, I hope you don’t get bored of painting skeletons, as that’s all you’ve got. Skeleton champions are also generally not worth it.
Kera foehunter:
I say wait to see what the new tomb king army will look like .It should be cool
pluss being a new army it rules will be tweeked up
Joshmohr:
I figured that i could just be ‘both’, pretty easy. Skeleton’s are easy to convert, but everything els seems a bit difficult.
I like the VC because: -New figures -powerful magic, AMAZING vampiric abilities -Heroes are nearly invulnerable
I like TK’s because: - Squads of Chariots -Never-failing magic -Hoards of vultures
Weakness: VC- If hero dies, whole army slowly go’s with him
TK- Crumple!!!
BilboBaggins:
MY thoughts on the armies are biased, they are cool but I can’t see myself playing them.
Beasts of Chaos - Skirmishers with Rank Bonus.
Vamps - Kill the general, kill the army
Khemri - Kill the Hyraphant (not the general), kill the army.
Two of the armies are needing new books (not sure when they are getting them.)
What armies do you currently play? I tend to see people playing their second army that is similar style to their first, a minority does play a second army that is completely opposite to their first.
Joshmohr:
Actually, I’m working on a Strigri hero, themed as a Balvarine from Fable
With Skeleton’s i can make huge units with the bitz.