What to get for my New Dwarf army?

MorannonChief · **Joined:** Fri Mar 22, 2013 2:10 am **Posts:** 9

So i'm going to be starting a Durin's Folk army and I was wondering what I should get for a 600pt army. I would like to stick around the normal warriors and rangers, but I would be willing to try some grimhammer's or Erebor dwarves. I would also like to try out using the dwarfs stronger S 3 bows. Thanks if you reply.

JamesR · **Posted:** Fri Mar 22, 2013 3:54 am

Dwarves are my main army and I own literally all the Pre-hobbit dwarves (and Thorin's company).

Dwarf Rangers use Dwarf Long Bows (DLB's) that only have a strength of 2 just so you know.

For 600 points I'd get some Khazad Guard, Dwarf Warriors, Rangers, Dwarves of Erebor and a few Dwarf Heroes (Murin & Drar are a must!). Here's an example list

War-band 1
Balin w/Durin's Axe
3x Khazad Guard
4x Dwarf Rangers w/DLB's
5x Dwarf Warriors w/Shield
Points :203

War-band 2
Murin & Drar
7x Dwarf Warriors w/shield
4x Dwarf Warriors w/Dwarf Bow
Points :299

War-Band 3
Dwarf Capt w/shield
3x Dwarf Warrior w/2h-axe
Points : 92
Army Total: 594 points
26 Warriors
4 Heroes
11 Might!

It's a pretty good force, you can always swap out a few units here and there but a few Khazad Guard go a LONG way (they can use the 2h-axe or the normal so they are versitile). You also get a mix of longer ranged weaker bows and closer ranged stronger ones led by Drar who is the only Dwarf who may fire twice in a turn (w a bow, I know Ori can w his sling shot). And of course you have a good sized block of troops with shields and a few more 2h-axe men to bulk out the force.

I'd also recommend Vault Wardens (they are ridiculous at 9 Def!) and a few Iron Guard. Dwalin is also a very capable Dwarf hero, and for larger a battles the King's Champion is as good as it gets. Just look at how cheap he is considering he comes w two banner bearers...

That's my quick advice. Good luck w your Dwarves

Hashut's Blessing · **Joined:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:41 pm **Posts:** 1279

I would say if you use the above list, switch the Dwarf Warriors with Dwarf Bows for Dwarf Rangers with Dwarf Longbows.

You have the points spare and the extra range and accuracy will be much better than the extra strength. S3 shooting can be fun, but it's not as effective as a Shoot value of 3+ with an extra 6" of range.

The only time I'd say to not take Balin with Durin's Axe is if you take Durin. Gimli is pretty darn decent to have as well and Dain is a bit costly, but very effective. I can't really comment on Murin and Drar as I haven't had the pleasure of using them just yet, but Drar should be great and Murin's not bad, pretty good against particular foes.

I personally despise two-handed weapons - they're too prone to losing the fight and their defence means they'll die to S2 shooting on a 6, instead of a 6/4+. Drop the two-handers for more shields: especially since the Khazad Guard have their two-handers.

I've also heard a lot of praise for Iron Guard, but I've never found them to be of any use. With the option of piercing strike or feint, they are more useful than before, but they don't work for me.

Thermo · **Posted:** Fri Mar 22, 2013 12:51 pm

Hashut's Blessing wrote:

I would say if you use the above list, switch the Dwarf Warriors with Dwarf Bows for Dwarf Rangers with Dwarf Longbows.

You have the points spare and the extra range and accuracy will be much better than the extra strength. S3 shooting can be fun, but it's not as effective as a Shoot value of 3+ with an extra 6" of range.

The only time I'd say to not take Balin with Durin's Axe is if you take Durin. Gimli is pretty darn decent to have as well and Dain is a bit costly, but very effective. I can't really comment on Murin and Drar as I haven't had the pleasure of using them just yet, but Drar should be great and Murin's not bad, pretty good against particular foes.

I personally despise two-handed weapons - they're too prone to losing the fight and their defence means they'll die to S2 shooting on a 6, instead of a 6/4+. Drop the two-handers for more shields: especially since the Khazad Guard have their two-handers.

I've also heard a lot of praise for Iron Guard, but I've never found them to be of any use. With the option of piercing strike or feint, they are more useful than before, but they don't work for me.

From experience playing Hashut (above; who uses dwarves against me regularly)

1) His point about dwarf bows vs dwarf longbows I would agree with. When he's brought dwarf bows to the table, they been shot to pieces before even being able to fire a response. The Dwarf rangers on the other hand seem to have performed admirably.

2) Balin has always performed well in these games...

3) Use Khazad as your two handers and just like with Iron Guard, your goal is to get them into combat. So use terrain as well as Dwarves with shields (which require 6/4s ) to give them plenty of cover as they advance. As Hashut said, strange as it is, models like Iron Guard end up being referred to in our games as the squishies and get targeted as rolling a 6 seems much easier than rolling 6/4+

Hashut's Blessing · **Joined:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:41 pm **Posts:** 1279

Not so much Khazad Guard being squishies as I've never used them and they have the same defence as the shield guys, but using the shield guys for a 4+ ItW roll is a wise choice nonetheless.

P.S. If you take Balin, ALWAYS take Durin's Axe. Thank me later

JamesR · **Posted:** Fri Mar 22, 2013 2:25 pm

The only reason I chose to place a few Dwarves w Dwarf Bows is Drar only has the 18 inch range and they have a higher str bow and better defense. I have run that 'split' before and it's been effective

Hashut's Blessing · **Joined:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:41 pm **Posts:** 1279

JamesR: I can garauntee it's more effective to switch them for Dwarf Rangers. if you're weorried about the Defence, stick Dwarfs with shields in front of them. But a S2 bow will kill both just as easily and you're trying to avoid getting them into combat anyhow.

JamesR · **Posted:** Fri Mar 22, 2013 4:27 pm

It may very well be more effective. I was just speaking to my own experience, and as to the Defense I was referring more of when they have to engage in CQC than anything

fritskuhntm · **Posted:** Fri Mar 22, 2013 5:46 pm

one word: spears

Hashut's Blessing · **Joined:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:41 pm **Posts:** 1279

In response to that, with another word (and an addition in parentheses): can't (without using allies or lots of vault Warden teams, leaving lots of Tower Shields at -1 Duel roll with no benefit to them like two-handers).

Goldman25 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 22, 2013 7:50 pm

Use Iron Guard as your veterans/elites. They have a higher strength than a regular dwarf, two different weapon strikes, throwing weapons and more attacks.
If you want to use the new Grimhammers, Erebor dwarves or Thorin and Company, you need to ally in from the Army of Thror list for those guys. I'd recommend allying Hobbit-era Balin (his special rule is good) as the leader of a warband of Erebor dwarves with spears, so you can get some support in your ranks.
Vault Wardens are useful in holding a point, but not so much on the assault. Their defence is higher than basically anything a foe can throw at you, so they suit holding an objective.

JamesR · **Posted:** Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:21 pm

Not a huge iron Guard fan personally cuz of the new penalty for shooting on the move. And I don't get why people say Vault Wardens are an exclusively defensive unit, I'm normally the aggressor and they always dominate, even When theyre the ones charging. I'm like 19-0 with the Dwarves lol and a large part of its thanks to them

rkruse · **Joined:** Thu Nov 22, 2012 6:15 pm **Posts:** 48

I thought in the new free people's source books, the khazad gaurd have to use two handers, thier option to use one handed weapons was no longer listed in thier equipment. :roll:

JamesR · **Posted:** Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:45 pm

rkruse wrote:

I thought in the new free people's source books, the khazad gaurd have to use two handers, thier option to use one handed weapons was no longer listed in thier equipment. :roll:

The profiles for all units no longer include "hand weapon" in them. The main rules say that it is implied unless otherwise stated. So Khazad Guard have both.

Goldman25 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 23, 2013 9:48 am

JamesR wrote:

Not a huge iron Guard fan personally cuz of the new penalty for shooting on the move. And I don't get why people say Vault Wardens are an exclusively defensive unit, I'm normally the aggressor and they always dominate, even When theyre the ones charging. I'm like 19-0 with the Dwarves lol and a large part of its thanks to them

I consider them exclusively defensive because that's how I use them. The reason I use them defensively only is because they carry humongous shields and spears, and I think they couldn't logically run/move fast with this much gear on. It's one of the cases for me where theme dictates strategy.

What to get for my New Dwarf army?

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