Warhammer Fantasy Battle Reporter Forum

Am new here but not to warhammer. Have returned to the game after 10 hiatus and fathom the new rules. Am invited by some buddies to join a escalating conflict. First month is 600 pts, 2nd month 900 pts, then 1500 pts, then 2000 pts.
I am unfamiliar with the other races abilities now. What are some tactics to use vs Dwarves, High Elves, Dark Elves, Skaven, and Wood Elves. There are bound to be a couple more armies involved in this but I just am looking for some good tactical ideas to use with the Beasts low leadership and good toughness. I am getting more chariots!! But I also roll dice terribly!! I am not playing to lose but usually do in part to dice but also perhaps to tactics or lack of adequate knowledge of my enemy.

Any info is good info

mbmin

well if you could post a bit of the list you are planning to use, i would be able to give you some advice, as of right now, minotaurs!!

Before replying, I'll just shift this intothe Beasts of Chaos forum and leave a shadow topic in the Warhammer Chat forum.

I have no Minotaurs, as of this time. It is something for the future however I am shy on funds. I do use a Bestigor unit or two, and of course herds. I do have around 130 Beastmen pieces to use for whatever. and around 40 ungor. Currently I own one chariot and am using a friends model plus am purchasing another chariot besides having two custom built models in the works. My goal is 4-5 chariots. I also currently own a couple self-made spawn and have three ogres and four dragon ogres. I do have 36 dog/hound models (not Citadel but they work). Also, there are four trolls available for my use. I own 3-4 command units and a couple of shaman and charactors.

I have enuff 'army' to give some real concerns - its often my lousy dice rolling that does me in. Perhaps some tactics might help balance things or even turn things around when the rolling gets bad.

Hi mbmin, good question !



Ok, I'll respond to this in several parts.

Firstly, the armies in warhammer 7th edition and what you might need to know because you haven't been around for a few years.

Secondly, your forces for small games (which we'll call the 600+900 pt games) and for larger battles (1500+2000 pt)

Thirdly, what you can do to improve your chances of winning - without resorting to loaded dice


Dwarfs
-----------
The are still short, fat and ugly - no change there They are the most dependable and toughest fighting units in the game, probably the same as you remember them.

They also now have access to the frightening Thorek and his ever present gunline. This is basically a difficult to kill runesmith and anvil that cowardly Dwarf commanders place behind a long line of handgunners, quarrellers and other ranged artillery weapons.

If you have agreed to allow special characters you can expect Thorek and a gunline in a 2000 pt game - he's a very popular choice.

In smaller games your Dwarf opponent will most likely be cowering in the corner of the battle ground in an impregnable castle type of formation. Very tough to break into but a nice ambush target to attack from multiple sides



High Elves
-----------
These pointy ears now have the best array of Magic defence and offence in terms of spellcasters, spells, arcnae items and useful magicky things. 2000pt games often include Teclis (the High Elf "voodoo" master !)

These armies also always take repeater bolt throwers (they're too useful to ignore) irrespective of the pts size of the battle.

They often will take Eagles or Eagle riders against fast moving enemies (for march blocking), esp if they're expecting warmachines (for artillery hunting).

Expect White Lions (move through woods), Swordmasters (elite up close fighters) and, for more defensive armies, Phoenix Guard, difficult to kill.

The whole HE army has been made stronger and more armoured than it used to be. Also, it always strikes first in combat irrespective of initiative and weapons.

Because Dragon mounted characters have been so successful on the tournament circuit everyone seems to be taking them these days so you'll need a "dragon slaying" plan.


Dark Elves
------------
I don't know enough about them yet (having only played against them twice and only having read the book a couple of times).

However, of the armies you are going to face I'd say this is the most dangerous one for Beasts of Chaos. There's so much shooting and direct offensive magic it's scary. You'll be forced to use ambush to attack from several sides just to stay out of the way of shooting.

Dark elves now hate everyone in the first round of combat (they hate High Elves all the time !) and so they get to re-roll missed hits. They have a lot of good magic items too and their characters are impressive. All round they are a lot more powerful than Beasts in my opinion.


Skaven
------------
I'm no Skaven expert so it would be best to get someone like Dims (another forum member) to answer. Skaven are a gadget army now, even more so than before I think. They're still a horde army too, ie. buckets of rank and file units / outnumber / flank charges etc.

You should be able to outmaneuver them but you're going to be seriously outnumbered all the time.



Wood Elves
-------------
Another pointy missile threat for your Beasts. These guys have probably now been outclassed in the bow fire department by Dark Elves now (esp if you include not only their repeater bows but also the repeater bolt throwers).

Wood elves can now mess around with tree-hugging all day long by moving the woods around the battlefield while hiding in them (yes, they can opt to add wooded terrain if it doesn't already exist).

Still, Beasts and their skimish stye are ok in Woods so that shouldn't be a problem. Also, you have the might to take on the Treekin and even a Treeman with your hardest troops/characters.

I reckon Wood Elves are probably the least of your worries.

---------------------
That's all for now, I have to get back to work. I'll follow this up later.

Sigmar is crazy. BEWARE THE TREEMAN! lol

Careful with your chariots vs dwrfs, cos theyl probably bring artillery that has the potential to take out chariots in a single shot.
Against any army try to keep your general close. Remember, even though the elf armies may pack a lot of shooting, this will predominantly be strength three, and not as effective vs your minimum strength four, and skirmishers.

Use the terrain and ambush as best you can, as this is a direct advantage for beast herds, of which your army is primarily made of.

The chariots are cool, and have the ability to be great in adjacent charges with your infantry units. Dont send em in alone!

You could use some hounds to screen your good infantry units eg bestigor, so there still fresh for the fight. And of course when you get those minataurs!

What kind of heroes do you like to take? Keeping in mind you wont want to take too many in those smaller games.

Hi mbmin,

If you can take Special Characters in the larger 2000 pt games you might want to check out the great analysis of Beasts of Chaos characters that Smack wrote here:-

Beasts of Chaos Special Character Advantages / Tactics

Its a shame you only have a couple of Spawns. I'm itching to try that Morghur plan with lots of spawns, or just read a battle report on it happening in general!

Nothing much to add to what Sigmar said. I'd recommend Kahzak or whatever hes called in the bigger games of 2000 points if you plan on using a few Beast Herds for ambushing. Apart from that be prepared to lose. Beasts are woeful at the moment and you'll be at a disadvantage against everyone you play.