Often times I hear people wanting to start Warmachine and don’t know what to purchase, or sometimes people will want a second or third faction and need some advice where to start. Well, with the help of some Komitatus members, I made a quick guide to start a Khador army. Since I’m an all painted all the time kind of guy, I also took into consideration modeling and painting.
If you are a casual player, or a competitive player (or both), the priorities may change slightly. I’m both, so I will try to strike a balance between the two. Whether you are a beginner or veteran to the game, the box set is an efficient place to start. You get two excellent models, Sorscha and Destroyer, and they come with a relatively inexpensive Juggernaut (point and price-wise). These two jacks are also a good place to try out your color scheme, since they are fairly simple to paint, and are not overly detailed. Also down the road it’s good to be able to run demos with the box set if you are so inclined.
I decided to prioritize the rest of the models into steps (consider the Box set to be Step 0). This list only includes models that are out as of September ‘06.
Step 1:
Vlad
Butcher
Marauder
Kodiak
With these models, you can add variety to your mangled metal games. I highly encourage a good number of games at the 350 point level with these models to get a good feel for the game, and how Khador plays. There are many combinations in which you can field these 3 casters and 4 jacks so you shouldn’t get bored easily. It’ll help you learn the different casters, and teach you how to setup different combinations with casters and jacks. Also you can continue to experiment with color schemes, since slight variations in color with these models will not adversely affect the overall look of your army.
Step 2:
Widowmakers
Ironfang Pikemen (IFP) x10 + unit attachment
Man-O-War (MoW) Kovnik
19 models in one step may seem like a lot, but by the time you get them all done, you will be tired of mangled metal games, and want to try out some 500 point games. These models will get you to that level with a reasonable warjack/warrior distribution. Widowmakers are simple yet beautiful models, and you will use them frequently if not every game. The IFP are a bit cumbersome to assemble (especially if you decide to replace the pikes with brass rods), and paint. As such they are good to get out of the way early. With Shieldwall, they are quite survivable, they hit hard, have a good threat range, and are relatively easy to play. Whenever purchasing units of 10, if you have the extra cash, consider buying two box sets, instead of one box and two blisters. This is more likely to give you a better variety of poses, and gives you the option to field two minimum units if you feel the urge, or you can use the extra bits for future conversions or basing. I opted not to do this though for my IFP since I’m not all that fond of the models. Assembling the Kovnik will teach you the elements you need for future MoW, as well as getting a scheme down for the rest of your MoW. And if you decide to change it slightly, again it’s no big deal, since your Kovnik won’t mind being a little different. He is a great help to warcasters, to lighten up their focus load by marshalling a jack.
Step 3:
Irusk
Devastator
Mortar x2
Manhunter
Eiryss
This lot will get you on your way to more competitive games and scenario play. While technically you have enough points at this time to play 750 point games, I wouldn’t delve into that realm just yet. Also this lot doesn’t have any particularly difficult modeling and painting challenges. With the mortars you can start settling down for a scheme for any future winterguard.
Step 4:
Spriggan
Behemoth
Man-O-War Demolition Corps (MoW DC) x5
Greylords
Gorman
Bokur
The two new jacks will bring some freshness to the table. They take a bit longer to assemble and paint due to number of parts and size, but are not particularly difficult. The MoWDC hit like a ton of bricks, and can either do the job of the IFP, or a jack. Greylords and Gorman are like swiss army knives and can play many roles. The Bokur is another great model when objectives are important, and also a fun non-human to paint.
Step 5:
Old Witch & Scrapjack
Vlad the Dark Champion (eVlad)
Ironfang Uhlans (IFU) x5
Kossites x10
By now you may already have started playing some 750 point games, and are probably itching to try out an epic caster. Epic Vlad is an excellent start in many ways. Also the Old Witch is a fun model that plays a bit differently than every other Khador caster. Step 4 was really a preparation for these models. MoWDC and IFU are excellent candidates for eVlad’s feat, and the Old Witch benefits greatly from Gorman and Greylords. Kossites can also compliment the Old Witch well, and are another unit good with objectives. In the case of Kossites I got two box sets (as opposed to a box and two blisters), because I both like the models, and feel they can be effective in two minimum units. I may even get another blister in the near future to be able to have two units of 7.
Step 6:
Forward Kommander Sorscha (eSorscha)
Winterguard x10
Jozef Grigorovich
Alexia & Risen
By the time you get to this step, you may want to add the various Winterguard attachments to the list as well since they will be available, and it’s easier to paint them all at the same time. You are possibly tired of using the IFP and MoWDC as your melee beat-sticks at this point, and may want to try different non-melee options. I personally love the winterguard and use them about 60% of my games. But I seem to be among a very few, and that’s why I left them to this later stage. Alexia is a popular and competitive model, but I left her for this stage because the larger the game level, and the more warrior models you can field, the better she becomes. When purchasing Alexia, buy 2 box sets. It’s only $2 extra (compared to buying additional 3 blisters of risen and an additional thrall warrior). You can sell/trade the extra 2 Risen you don’t need, and your extra Alexia (or you can keep them for future conversions, basing, etc). Many painters will jump on this opportunity to get Alexia without the box set. You will also end up with two Thrall Warriors which is good, and you probably won’t need a third.
Step 7:
Well, I’m not going to list any more models, because at this point, you should be more than educated enough to make decisions for what you like. There are Shocktroopers, Doomreavers, Mechaniks, Karchev, eButcher, Berserker, as well as a plethora of Mercenaries you can add to your collection, not to mention second units of Greylords, MoWDC, more jacks, and the list goes on…
There are of course many paths to a worthy Khador collection, but this should be one that will give you a good direction from the beginning. Happy modeling and painting, now go make the Motherland proud!
What do you think? helpful? any changes you would make if you were starting a new Khador army? tell us about it Here.
