Vampire Counts list discussion

So I'm going to use this topic as my sorta weblog-ish thread. I will start building up an army list as I learn the game and the army more. And I would appreciate any and all comments, especially those of a tactical nature.

Just to start it off I will post my CORE section only. Because this is all I've really had time for so far. And I think its pretty simple and solid. The characters will of course be the most changing, as the options are bewildering. The SPECIAL section will change a lot too, as I learned I could fit maybe 1.5 units in it. So you could imagine that being really hard to figure out what to put in there!


CORE 760

Zombie Horde (30) 100
-Options
--Musician
--Standard

Zombie Horde (30) 100
-Options
--Musician
--Standard

Zombie Horde (30) 90

Skeleton Warriors (20) 130
-Weapons
--Spears
-Options
--Full Command

Skeleton Warriors (20) 130
-Weapons
--Spears
-Options
--Full Command

Crypt Ghouls (20) 210
-Options
-- Ghast




It might be some time before I put more thought into this, but it's a start.

Every army needs a start my good man. My chaos army didn't spring up overnight
I think that is a good start, the numbers mean your units get max rank bonus yes?
Not to mention, killing the undead (again)is never easy.

consider getting another few Zombies to make 2x 50 zombies.... those skeleton will likely be used as a screen, and from the little i've heard, you'll maybe want to double the gouls...


looks good for a base, just have to add some big threats for smashing and maybe one scary heavy infantry block.

for the cherry on top, consider what gives army wide advantages/bubbles for force multilpliers!!

Why only 2 units of zombies? Invocation is most economical surrounded by several units. Its an area effect, I just put ma wizards throughout this big fat block of stuff. Each zombie unit can be getting around 8 or 10 or so zombies per turn. Plus one necromancer can raise sekeletons beyond starting size too.

So with one level 4 wizard, and like 2 level 1 wizards I could get (assuming all three castings are successful) 54 zombies in total can be raised. Then like maybe 7-ish skeletons. More if they were somehow damaged.

I understand that this is like a best case senario, but it shows that multiple units are better than just a few big ones.

And golly, if those necromancers are on a corpse cart with lodestones I get to reroll some dice that decide how many dudes are raised increasing my chances!

Also, I've got a unit of 30 Grave Guard. But I don't have enough room in the SPECIAL slot for my Black Knights.



In case you don't already know, I'm basically going for straight up Invoke spam. I am aware I need heavy hitters and stuff, I figured Graveguard and Black Knights would suffice.

I'm tempted to get some cairn wraiths to throw in some CORE units, but I already plan on filling the Lords n' Heroes with Vamps and Necros. Too many different combinations!

Not sure what else I can add, other than getting units you like as well. Nothing sucks more than getting units for their abilities and hating putting them together or painting them.

And heres the first stab at some characters:

LORDS AND HEROES 625

Master Necromancer 220
-Base
-Options
--Level 4 Wizard
--Master of the Dead

Necromancer 185
-Base
-Options
--Corpse Cart
---Unholy Lodestone


Necromancer 90
-Base
-Options
--Book of Arkhan

Vampire 130
-Base
-Options
--Dark Acolyte

Here is a quick 1250 point list of models I have assembled. This is a low point list for Fantasy, but shows pretty much what my CORE is going to consist of. At higher point values I'll add heavy hitters. Specific numbers of models in each unit might be shuffled around a bit with each list, but otherwise I am sticking with this.

Total 1,248 points. Both characters go in one Skeleton unit as the Vampire is there to take on challengers to keep the Necromancer alive.

LORDS 305 (24.4%)

Master Necromancer 305
-Base
-Options
--Level 4 Wizard
--Magic Items
---Black Periapt
---Talisman of Endurance
--Master of the Dead

HERO 212 (17.0%)

Vampire 212
-Base
-Options
--Additional Handweapon
--Heavy Armour
--Magic Items
---Nightshroud
---Seed of Rebirth
--Vampiric Powers
---Aura of Dark Magesty
---Beguile
---Dread Knight

CORE 731 (58.6%)

Zombie Horde (36) 118
-Base
-Options
--Musician
--Standard

Zombie Horde (36) 118
-Base
-Options
--Musician
--Standard

Skeleton Warriors (20) 155
-Base
-Weapons
--Spears
-Options
--Full Command
--Screaming Banner

Skeleton Warriors (20) 130
-Base
-Weapons
--Spears
-Options
--Full Command

Crypt Ghouls (20) 210
-Base
-Options
-- Ghast

Looking good. A nice solid core to the army, and with Counts its a pretty big core with the amount you need. Now the fun part, adding the heavy hitter

Yup, I'm stoked to get started on 'em. I got 10 black Knights or Hexwraiths. This particular combi-kit can actually swap between the Black Knights and Hexwraiths without magnets or anything. The riders for each unit are seperate, and just snug fit onto the mounts. I think a little cutting is required.

Hmmm, maybe I'll make those guys next, before the Grave Guard, since it will just give me a choice between two units to change things up a bit from game to game.