Novos:
Hey all!
I have a few questions regarding how to set up a gunline some related subquestions.
1. The first is obviously how to set up your castle. Is it best to set up in the center or one of the corners? If we set up in the corner can’t the enemy just deploy their entire army on that same corner and get to us faster?
2. Line of sight. What war machines can see over our infantry. The Big Rule Book states that war machines line of sight is drawn from the part that shoots, or the “muzzle” in cannon terminology. Obviously this means that Hellcannons & Dreadquakes can easily see over our troops. But what of Magmas & Shriekers? Do we need to make openings in our castle for them to see? Even if there is a small opening will that be sufficient enough to pivot and hit who they want? This brings me to my last question.
3. Steam Carriage. I made a post about this a while ago but I’m still a little confused. Forgeworld machines come stock with it, does this not give us an unfair advantage that the enemy might complain about? After all the height boost is worth 25 points in the book, are we forced to pay for the carriage if we are using FW models? Is the price worth it to be able to see over our boys and shoot where we want? How can we even possibly know where the muzzle would be without the carriage if there is no official model for it?
Any help would be awesome. Thanks so much guys!
pedneault:
If you think the carriage gives the height to the WM then the bigger base compensate for the height advantage.
Personally, I don’t think the carriage gives height, it doubles the base size though.(easier to hit with templates). They don’t need any openings by tlos.
pedneault:
As for the gunline strategy, like sam said, the corner castle is great in an optimal setup. But you won’t have that all the time.
My alternative to that is putting a hellcannon protecting a flank/corner. Usually babysat by a carpet lord turn 1-2. Warmachines behind blunders in the center or other flank corner. I like this cause it will force the opponent to get in range of the bad 12"" blunders have to stop the wms. And the other flank/center not used, I deploy fast independant units like destroyer, bulls.
And then the goblins to fill up the space to block scouts. Khans aligned to chaff or to mess up with vanguards on the other side.
Dînadan:
Corner is best as it means one of your flanks is covered by the board edge; setting up in the centre means that you have to deploy your rank and file in a semi-circle rather than a quarter circle/diagonal meaning that you have a larger frontage, and allows your opponent to spread his units out and encircle you. In the corner your opponent won’t be able to bring as many units to bare and it’s more likely that they’ll get in the way of each other with charges. Yes your opponent can deploy everything in one corner also, but that gives you an advantage as it means his units will be clustered and therefore you’re going to hit more with your warmachines.
Vantraxx the Thrice Cursed:
I think the key to a good gunline is stopping the enemy from getting to your gunline… This is where Hobgoblins come in. Units of 20 in 5x4 with full command, shields and bows. These guys just march away from your corner castle and get in the way. Key is to redirect would be charges and get them into a position you can fire again. Khans to force them to make decisions early and then the wave of hobgobbos. You can hide your carpet priest around the place to keep them in line and get a look out sir roll. I usually deploy fast moving killy stuff on the protected corner flank. BC unit and Destroyer usually do the trick to keep units off the corner flank. Hobgobbos form the castles moat. the other open field flank is held by hellcannon or Iron Daemon.
TheHoodedMan:
In addition most opponents bring more units anyway so they see your deployment before placing their important stuff. Deploying in the corner takes away some of their possibilities.
Novos:
Thanks a bunch for all the replies!
@sam585: Hey thanks! Yeah that’s understandable, only thing is I don’t have any regular dwarf artillery and I wasn’t really planning on buying any.
@pedneault: Interesting! I always thought it was basically a mounting platform that gives a small height boost. Guess I’ll have to wait until I get them to find out. I also use a carpet lord! Beautiful and capable addition to a points denial list. Im also doing a full hobo with bows core. I will definitely try blunders for the next generation of this list. Thanks a bunch!
@Dînadan: Yeah that makes sense. Just seems like a small corner to fit such a large line. And definitely agreed on the clustered enemy bit. Thanks!
@Vantraxx the Thrice Cursed: I love the strat. I was going for the full hobo core to shoot with the gunline. 50 horde with shield and bows, then 2 groups of 30 horde with shield and bow for the flanks. Was gonna just sit back and rain fire and arrows on enemy. Guess the redirection tactic may work better though. Thanks a lot!
@TheHoodedMan: Yeah I hear that, I use that often with my O&Gs. So satisfying to deploy wolf riders on side A, have it countered with a powerful unit and then deploy the rest of your army on side B. Thank you.