Yes, I really used Longstriders! > maxminis.com- D&D minis, 4th edition D&D

Subject: Yes, I really used Longstriders!

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Kypdurron
Underboss

1206 Posts

Broken Hill

01/09/2006 9:21 PM
I recently took out second place in the Sydney Challenge 200pt constructed tournament with the following band: Inspiring Marshall Longstrider x3 HEBI Wild Elf Raider x2 Xeph Warrior x3 Catfolk Quite a few people have shown an interest in this band, asking me how it worked, but more importantly, why? While it doesn't look all that impressive on paper, I've found it to be a tight, effective band when piloted correctly, so I thought I'd share some thoughts on how. Firstly, there are a few things I keep in mind when I'm building a warband: 1. It needs to be well rounded and able to adapt to different conditions and opponent. 2. It needs to fit my style of play! Even if it's a 'tier one' band, if it doesn't fit my style, I won't win. 3.The band needs to have a surprise factor, such as a rarely used piece or an unexpected use of Tactics or GMA, that puts my opponent on the back foot and allows me to control the flow of the game. 4. Most importantly, it has to be fun to play! After all this is a recreational game and If you aren't having fun then what's the point? Now, onto the band: Longstriders. I know a lot of people are unconvinced about this piece, but Speed 12 is the key here. In my opinion, Longstriders really come into their own as pack attackers. Once you hit speed 12 on maps, you can basically be anywhere you want, dictate when and where the fight occurs, and it's nigh impossible for your opponent to guard everything. With +13 to hit, they can hit most things easily, and flanks aren't to hard to pull off at all. Ten damage a swing isn't stellar, but adds up quickly in a GMA pack attack. However, their AC isn't that great, and the flipside of speed 12 is that they usually won't get a chance to rally. HEBI. This guy can outrange almost any other piece in the game, which allows me to control the flow of battle and make my opponent want to close with me. He is awesome at clearing out fodder to gain an early activation advantage. When melee starts, I don't worry about getting off those three shoots a round. Instead, I use him as a fourth hitter with a great melee reach. Inspiring Marshall. What can I say? This guy takes the other units in the band and make them better. He gives the Longstriders the ability to move 12 and hit twice, move 24 and hit once or move a staggering 36 squares in a round. A well timed GMA can trigger a Longstrider assault and let the HEBI really open up on valuable pieces. Also, the GMA can allow your Longstriders to withdraw to safety, running far enough away that they cannot be caught. He also gives my archers +1 to hit due to commander effect. Wild Elf Raider . In my opinion, one of the best low point pieces in the game. Fifteen Fearless HP (when in command) means that he'll always win the fodder war, and a ten damage swing with high speed means he can make a difference to the main slugfest as well, especially when you're up against chaotic beaters. Xeph Warrior. Cheap fast tile grabbers or blockers. They do it well. Catfolk (don't laugh). With speed 8 the Catfolk can really cut down enemy fodder and is perfect for shooting and scooting. With only one shot, you're never caught exposing him by standing still for two shots when you should be running!( As a side note whenever I need this guy to perform and yell "Claws of Doom" as I role he often gets a crit ) My usual gaming group hate this guy! Alright, now a little on piloting the warband: Divide and Conquer. This is not the kind of band that can make a full frontal assault. If you just run all your troops in and start swinging, it'll end in tears. The key is to use your speed and ranged firepower to thin out your opponent, and strike them in key areas when the time is right. The Kill Zone. When you're packing speed 12 and a GMA, you can start to get tricky. Spread your hitters into a wide semicircle, about 10-12 squares from each other, with the Hebi and IM a little bit behind. Advance fodder to take out their little guys. This gives the illusion that you're band has been placed randomly and that you are in a position of weakness. In fact, with speed 12 and a GMA, as soon as an enemy enters the 'kill zone' semi-circle, the entire band can descend upon it in one activation and destroy it. It also keeps you out of being breath-weaponed. Shoot, Scoot and be Merry! Say you're facing Quad (which I have defeated with this band). I would maintain the semi-circle while scooting around the board, evading my opponent while popping fodder. Activation control can give you the edge you need. Once you've picked a target for assassination, try to isolate them from the rest of their band for a round or two with your fodder. Eventually, one of their hitters will base one of mine and BLAM, suddenly I've hit them with everything, often killing them before they can retaliate. Don't get hung up on getting three shots every round out of the HEBI, keep moving or you'll lose it. However, if you're within 12 of the Longstriders, shoot away! If someone rushes to base the HEBI you can fold the whole band around them and they're toast. So, there you go! Feel free to post any comments questions or the like! and let me know If you try it out and how you go...

my trade data email Completed trades:Nixlord,Lexander , DarkFather x2 ,minotoman38 x2, Mojoical, Smilin Irish, Smithmeg, Bugsy, Doone, gmd316,Bossman.Dargoth Bad Trades:Chaotic Good , ,Champion Of Plush Wrackspawn

vudumumu
Sneak
Sneak

83 Posts

01/09/2006 9:38 PM
Was this a maps tourney? 8 figs tourney? You have only 9 activations. Also, you mention Catfolk, where are they in your band?

azuretide
Sergeant

407 Posts

01/09/2006 9:43 PM
Interesting I too have used the longstrider but usually as a tile grabber that is harder to kill. I do think the overall weakness of the band is the low damage potential that you pointed out. Good players put more than one big damage dealer in their band and could take out a strider or make one run pretty easily before you can do much damage. The HEBI is good too but again good players can place their pieces so they cant be seen or enter them into coverable melee combat giving them AC +8 against ranged attackers which is problematic. I do think you have a good foundation though. Maybe you could swap the HEBI for a better comander initiative and rating than 3 from the marshall. Just my 2 cents.

Completed trades: bonelock, noilo x2, greylord78, Altayr, Shadow Lord x3, qillan_dvra, symbiotesx2, devasque, smetzger, dulsin, Sir Bozak The Damned, Ironfist Boulderbender x3, tallcar24, Tactician x2, Okay McKay, skwave, dariustad,Eprosen,hung4treason,dog of the underworld,FeranEldritchKnight,Jerry_Damage01,vtloon

Kypdurron
Underboss

1206 Posts

Broken Hill

01/09/2006 9:51 PM
quote: Originally posted by vudumumu Was this a maps tourney? 8 figs tourney? You have only 9 activations. Also, you mention Catfolk, where are they in your band? Sorry fixed I knew I should have proof read it! It was 12 figs and maps

my trade data email Completed trades:Nixlord,Lexander , DarkFather x2 ,minotoman38 x2, Mojoical, Smilin Irish, Smithmeg, Bugsy, Doone, gmd316,Bossman.Dargoth Bad Trades:Chaotic Good , ,Champion Of Plush Wrackspawn

robbdaman
Underboss

2380 Posts

01/09/2006 9:56 PM
I've always felt the Longstrider had potential though mostly because players wouldn't know exactly how to handle a warband such as yours. Once it's been around a while it'd be easier to beat. So what other warbands did you face off with? You mentioned Quad which is often pretty fast and much harder hitting than Longstrider. What did you find to be effective in tactics against it and for other Tier 1 warbands such as LE's assortment (Chraals, Duergar Champs, Helmed Horror, Justicator, etc) or LG's (Githzerai Monk, Justice Archon, Justicator, etc) or other CG power pieces (Frenzied Berserker, Aspect of Kord, Rikka)? R~

Champion of the Titan ****************************************************************************************************************************************************** Successful trades with: Tickparasite, Iyceman, Faragdar The Wise's friend, avrivah, Drakkengi, brucemc, Krush, maniacal_mini_monger, hung4treason, Gandy, NarlethDrider, Kunimatyu, etc, etc, blah, blah, blah.....

Kypdurron
Underboss

1206 Posts

Broken Hill

01/09/2006 10:07 PM
quote: Originally posted by robbdaman I've always felt the Longstrider had potential though mostly because players wouldn't know exactly how to handle a warband such as yours. Once it's been around a while it'd be easier to beat. So what other warbands did you face off with? You mentioned Quad which is often pretty fast and much harder hitting than Longstrider. What did you find to be effective in tactics against it and for other Tier 1 warbands such as LE's assortment (Chraals, Duergar Champs, Helmed Horror, Justicator, etc) or LG's (Githzerai Monk, Justice Archon, Justicator, etc) or other CG power pieces (Frenzied Berserker, Aspect of Kord, Rikka)? R~ You hit the nail on the Head this bands surprise is its biggest asset When facing it there are too many variables to consider I can fight any piece I want on the Grid usually when I like due to the speed and GMA. When I've got some more time I'll write a bit about the tactics I'd use against other Tier 1 bands.

my trade data email Completed trades:Nixlord,Lexander , DarkFather x2 ,minotoman38 x2, Mojoical, Smilin Irish, Smithmeg, Bugsy, Doone, gmd316,Bossman.Dargoth Bad Trades:Chaotic Good , ,Champion Of Plush Wrackspawn

Gunthar
Commander

2938 Posts

01/09/2006 10:17 PM
I like it. I LOVE Catfolk.

Champion of Prit(Wemic vindication is here) Minneapolis/St. Paul area Completed trades: Aspect of Cheese (Love that moniker), Tickparasite, Elderthing, Lalato, Sodj, Grimoire, SmilinIrish, Zeb, RWarehall,Link, wikkawikkawa, Auramancer, Rommers, HK, Ivid5,Qillan_dvra, Puggins, Arcabius, Ironfist Boulderbender, Robby, Corim Danex, monster_slayer, DNDJUNKIE, Kelemvor, Krush, ckissee, Massawyrm, hockey fan, Wish, Uninspiring Lieutenant, vtloon x2, Vrecknidj, Darthpoke, WakeXX, AnarionZell, lycusmike, papabear5 and umpteen local trades with board members

Gristlemane
Sergeant

623 Posts

01/09/2006 10:43 PM
I've used dual Longstriders with a HEBI before simply because they are fairly tough and fast enough to reach the choke point on the drow outpost. It seemed fairly resilient, but a killer if you don't get the right map. I dalso on't think it can hold up to most warbands that can put out lots of fast damage.

It's deja vu all over again.

Myghtyfrog
Sneak
Sneak

167 Posts

01/10/2006 12:37 AM
Nice use of some rarely used pieces. If you like the surprising facts, you may want to try this once in a fun game. I've tried it and finished 3rd (when quads and frenzied and low ac stuff were popular). Xephs Revenge Moon Elf Fighter Scorpion Clan Drow Fighter 5x Xeph Soulknife +fodder (xephs and wild elves) Vs low Ac bands, i've pratically killed 2 hitters and spred out with loosing about 1 hitter. The main force about this is : speed, damage output (ok, +7 for 15 magic damage on range 6, for 5 times, and +9 for 10 dmg with commander). Even when your based Souls are not lost, because they deal 10 m dmg at +5/+5. But you don't go that far with that. I found it very fun to play, and main surprise was that opponents don,t know what to do and usually make big mistakes.

ickthegreat
Warrior
Warrior

291 Posts

01/10/2006 11:46 AM
i love this warband, the main reson is the longstriders and Inspiring Marshall. i have been trying to build a band with them and make it work. and i think it can and you help proved that the longstriders are really a piece to deal with in CG

trades pending: (0) everything is perfectly going out of control

rhane
Underboss

1412 Posts

01/10/2006 12:18 PM
Very nice writeup. I've always liked the Longstriders, but thought they were unusuable due to their damage potential. Its nice to see that there is definitely hope. Very good points on "surprise factor". The first time I played against a 2xFB, 2xIM variant I was a little hesitant on how to proceed. Even though its a "weaker" option, I made some mistakes when playing against this surprise variant. My opponent also made a mistake in not capitalizing on what I thought was a glaring opening - he would have won easily.

Rhane "The focus is sharp in the city..." Have/Want List Reference thread Avatar Thread

andytum
Sergeant

400 Posts

01/10/2006 1:03 PM
I've used a longstrider a few times with a great success. Great unit that offers flexibility to the warband... I like to team it with Greenfang Druid and a Dire Bear...

Luisjoey
Underboss

1704 Posts

Caracas Venezuela

01/10/2006 3:29 PM
Longstrider is an excellent piece, i use it for early combat because his high movement rating, if he had weakness are that he run a lot when demoralized and he have and awfull Ac, but still nice piece.

Knight of the Quori Champion of King Kaius III of Karrnath Purple Knight of Venezuela Venezuelan Site For D&D minis Calabozo Criollo Venezuela Venezuelan Site for SW minis VeneMinis.com

Prince o the Raven Banner
Sergeant

606 Posts