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Vrecknidj
Warlord
10252 Posts
    
United States
 | | 01/20/2007 7:19 AM |
| Last year at this time, everyone, it seemed, was working on Marut builds, and this lasted until about April. I remember at the Ypsilanti qualifier, I think more than a quarter of the bands were Marut bands. Heck, I knew four players who brought Marut bands, and we all faced at least two opponents with Marut bands.
Once Kord and GAS bands rose to destructive prominence, it was all but over for the Marut.
However, I don't see much talk about Kord or GAS anymore, so it's got me thinking that the Marut might be a nice piece to talk about again.
With Blindsight and a +20 attack bonus, he's not worried about Gnome Trickster builds. With a two available bodyguards, Marut bands have some nice options regarding shrugging off damage. And, with a Couatl, he can ignore quite a lot of elemental damage, provided that Countersong isn't too prevalent. His saves aren't too good, but a Cleric of Order can fix that, so he's not entirely at the mercy of slide and push effects.
He can ignore the sneak attack pieces that are prevalent right now, and though a Defensive Roll or Retributive Strike might slow him down, a second attack against a Shadowdancer will probably force a morale save.
So, what do you think? What's your best Marut band today?
Dave
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Knowledge Arcana editor issues 5-9, Phoenix Lore Magazine editor, assistant editor for Rite Publishing;
My Trade Thread and My Reference Thread; Winner of WBC IV, IX and XIII; Rule #0: bshugg is always right! | |
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Faragdar the Wise
Commander
3467 Posts
Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | 01/20/2007 8:04 AM |
| I don't know what my best band would be, but I'll throw out a few ideas for fun and maybe figure out which is actually best later:
74 Marut
41 Maug
29 Sword of Heironeous
42 Couatl
06 Mialee
05 Timber Wolf
03 Man-at-arms
74 Marut
48 Arcane Ballista
42 Couatl
18 Sacred Watcher
05 Timber Wolf
06 Mialee
04 Aasimar Fighter
03 Man-at-arms
148 Marut x2
21 Dwarf Wizard
24 Cleric of Order
04 Aasimar Fighter
03 Human Commoner
74 Marut
34 Dragonmark Heir of Deneith
33 War Weaver
24 Cleric of Order
22 Halfling Veteran x2
10 Standard Bearer
03 Human Commoner
All these ideas include a support piece who gives the Marut extra opportunities to attack. I still think that's a vital include in a Marut band, but maybe some other folks have different ideas. | |
"Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish." - Albert Einstein
Champion of Myopic Half-Orcs
Winner, WBC X | |
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Longbow
Warrior
236 Posts
| | 01/20/2007 9:02 AM |
| I like Marut with two Maugs.
Marut 74
2 x Maug 82
War Weaver 33
Timber Wolf 5
2 x Human Commoner 6
Marut 74
2 x Maug 82
Cleric of Yondalla 14
Sacred Watcher 18
Timber Wolf 5
Aasimar Fighter 4
Human Commonor 3
Marut 74
2 x Maug 82
Cleric of Order 24
Mialee 6
2 x Timber Wolf 10
Assimar Fighter 4
Map: Hellspike
Three large bases could be too much of a hindrance. Maybe a Kolyarut instead on one Maug?
Marut 74
Kolyarut 45
Maug 41
Sacred Watcher 18
Cleric of Yondalla 14
Timber Wolf 5
Human Commoner 3
Or a swarm:
Marut 74
Maug 41
4Â x Sacred Watcher 72
Mialee 6
Timber Wolf 5
Marut 74
Maug 41
3 x Sacred Watcher 54
Cleric of Lathander 27
Aasimar Fighter 4
Marut 74
Maug 41
3 x Sacred Watcher 54
Cleric of Yondalla 14
2 x Warforged Scout 16
These bands mostly have a weaker or no commander, no Snake´s Swiftness and no Bodyguard. Instead you have several fearless beaters. (I especially like one or more Sacred Watcher in the band as a screener against ranged attacks and their known qualities.)
I guess those warbands are not really "Marut-bands" because the usual, typical support is not there and the Marut has to fight "alone" (not really, but get the idea).
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German championship 12.05.07 in Berlin
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Vrecknidj
Warlord
10252 Posts
United States
| | 01/20/2007 9:09 AM |
| This is probably too fragile:
Marut
Tordek
Cleric of Order
Dragonmark Heir
Human Commoner x3
With only 7 activations and no dedicated VA grabber, it's probably far too weak. I could convert the Dragonmark into a Warforged Bodyguard, freeing up space for a Timber Wolf, but, that energy immunity will probably be crucial.
I have been thinking of a Marut/Kolyarut combo. That paralysis would be devastating.
Dave | |
Knowledge Arcana editor issues 5-9, Phoenix Lore Magazine editor, assistant editor for Rite Publishing;
My Trade Thread and My Reference Thread; Winner of WBC IV, IX and XIII; Rule #0: bshugg is always right! | |
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Longbow
Warrior
236 Posts
| | 01/20/2007 9:48 AM |
| | You could downgrade the CoO to a Village Priest or a Cleric of Yondalla. That would give you a real tile grabber. | |
German championship 12.05.07 in Berlin
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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Sirohk
Commander
3779 Posts
USA
| | 01/20/2007 11:23 AM |
| I was thinking of something similar:
Marut 74
Assamir Favored Soul 20 (for Magic Weapon, Bless, Illuminator ability versu invis/conceal)
Couatl 42
Cleric of Order 24
Sacred Watcher 18
Aramil 13
T Wolf 5
Assamir Fgt 4
8 activations, 200 pts
Buff the Marut. Use the AFS to hedge out invisible enemies and ruin Conceal.Â
Optionall, replace the Couatl with the Dragonmark (still get some energy protection) and upgrade to a second Sacred Watcher.Â
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Sirohk, the Bard of Heartstone
Knight of the Rahshasa's
And Crusader of the Zakya, Ak'chazar, Naztharune, and Naityan Rakshasa's | |
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Faragdar the Wise
Commander
3467 Posts
Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | 01/20/2007 11:26 AM |
| Posted By Sirohk on 01/20/2007 11:23 AM
Buff the Marut. Use the AFS to hedge out invisible enemies and ruin Conceal.Â
But with blindsight, the Marut doesn't care about that.
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"Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish." - Albert Einstein
Champion of Myopic Half-Orcs
Winner, WBC X | |
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Low Key
Underboss
1231 Posts
| | 01/20/2007 12:27 PM |
| I'd go with a pretty traditional M/B/C, utilizing one new Blood Wars piece.
Marut, 74p
Couatl, 42p
Dragonmarked Heir of Deneith, 34p
Cleric of Order, 24p
Standardbearer, 10p
Warforged Scout, 8p
Aasimar Fighter x2, 4p each
The only reason why I'd use Dragonmark over Warforged is obviously the protection from energy it offers. That way you wont be completely screwed when your Couatl gets countersonged. The added damage via Sidestep + Sneak Attack wont hurt (you) either. It's still a good warband. The largest problems arethe Korducopia that can outdamage it and Dragonmar'ks protecting against its Sonic damage. | |
Champion of the Sarrukh | |
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Vrecknidj
Warlord
10252 Posts
United States
| | 01/20/2007 1:31 PM |
| Posted By Low Key on 01/20/2007 12:27 PM
The largest problems arethe Korducopia that can outdamage it and Dragonmarks protecting against its Sonic damage. And, frankly, I haven't seen much talk on Korducopia in a while. I don't by any stretch think it's out. But, with Bralanis and slippery terrain, it's not as easy to run that band as it used to be. A Dragonmark is a big deal, but that elimination of sonic damage is only going to be against one piece, and if the bodyguard doesn't choose herself, then it's only going to get distributed so far.
Dave
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Knowledge Arcana editor issues 5-9, Phoenix Lore Magazine editor, assistant editor for Rite Publishing;
My Trade Thread and My Reference Thread; Winner of WBC IV, IX and XIII; Rule #0: bshugg is always right! | |
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Temysry
Sergeant
462 Posts
| | 01/20/2007 5:43 PM |
| I'm actually quite fond of a flying Marut:
CoO
Couatl
Marut
Mephling
Aramil
Mialee
M@A
Map: King's Road
If you win your map, you won't need a tile grabber. Marut can get to the shared area from either side. With AC 31 in the woods and the Couatl's energy protection, there's very little that will be able to bring him down. Of course, this variant doesn't need to stand toe to toe either. It can still dish out max damage on the move since Marut and the Couatl both have F8 and should be in the woods.
At our most recent local tournament a commanderless Marut band took the day:
Marut
2x Kolyarut
Cleric of Moradin
Eberk
2x Commoner
Map: Dungeon of Blood
Marut's AC was 28 and the dual Kolyaruts enervate everything pretty fast. It has a problem against autodamage but fares quite well against most other things. | |
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www.gelatinousdudes.com
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calvar
Warrior
226 Posts
| | 01/20/2007 7:38 PM |
| I've had some success with this band:
Couatl
Marut
Kolyarut
Dwarf Artificer
Mialee
Aasimar Fighter
Timber Wolf
Man at Arms
I has tile grabers good AC and not so bad damage, plus fearles beaters. I lacks from initiative bonus, and the Archmage is not a good matchup. | |
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Vrecknidj
Warlord
10252 Posts
United States
| | 01/21/2007 6:29 AM |
| Posted By Temysry on 01/20/2007 5:43 PM
I'm actually quite fond of a flying Marut:
CoO
Couatl
Marut
Mephling
Aramil
Mialee
M@A
Map: King's Road
My son played a very similar band in the Ypsilanti qualifier and placed in the top 8 (out of more than 32).
At our most recent local tournament a commanderless Marut band took the day:
Marut
2x Kolyarut
Marut's AC was 28 and the dual Kolyaruts enervate everything pretty fast. It has a problem against autodamage but fares quite well against most other things. I've been looking at this core myself.
Dave
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Knowledge Arcana editor issues 5-9, Phoenix Lore Magazine editor, assistant editor for Rite Publishing;
My Trade Thread and My Reference Thread; Winner of WBC IV, IX and XIII; Rule #0: bshugg is always right! | |
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Janos M.
Underboss
1015 Posts
Hamburg / GErmany
| | 01/22/2007 7:53 AM |
| Marut 74
Arcane Ballista 48 / 122
Couatl 42 / 164
Cleric of Order 24 / 188
Mialee, Elf Wizard 6 / 194
2x Human Commoner 6 / 200
Map Dragondown Grotto
A friend of mine played it last year on the EC and went 5-1. I played a variant in Gencons Grinder. And all I can say is...
...it's a warband of DOOM!!! | |
My Haves and wants:
http://www.maxminis.com/hw_list.asp?user=Janos_M.
Champion of Elan Psions
Proud Owner of the "Aura of cursed dice" | |
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Ryoga
Underboss
1124 Posts
Coquimbo - Chile / Italia
| | 01/22/2007 9:13 AM |
| Posted By calvar on 01/20/2007 7:38 PM
I've had some success with this band:
Couatl
Marut
Kolyarut
Dwarf Artificer
Mialee
Aasimar Fighter
Timber Wolf
Man at Arms
I has tile grabers good AC and not so bad damage, plus fearles beaters. I lacks from initiative bonus, and the Archmage is not a good matchup.
Hi Calvar, nice to see you again. I like your warband, but I think that is difficult to put the Greater MAgic weapon, because you need to increase the attack bonus of Kolyarut and Marut sometimes needs magic damages........ Maybe the next time we can test this warband sounds interesting to use..... the final AC of the marut is 29!!! sounds great.
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Dealing with new life... new country and life without DDM :(
Some day I will be back in board | |
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calvar
Warrior
226 Posts
| | 01/22/2007 11:36 AM |
| | Hi Ryoga. Mialee provides mw to the Marut, so no problem with magic damage. | |
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