Kings of War/Tactics/The Herd

Why Play The Herd

You know that war scene from Chronicles of Narnia where the music starts playing and the Eagles fly over the battlefield, dropping rocks and shit, and there's a bunch of cheetahs and minotaurs? Why wouldn't you want that as an army? Sure, you'll get kicked out of the game store for blaring the Narnia soundtrack every time you begin the match, but it's worth it to crush your enemy without any scientific stuff like magic, bows, or sticks.

Army Special Rules

• Advanced Deployment: Units with this special rule are deployed immediately after sides are chosen, before units on either side without this special rule. These units can be deployed anywhere on the table as long as it is at least 3" from any objective or loot marker.

• Hunting Animals: A one use, 12" ranged attack that can only be used against: Heroes, monsters, war engines or troops. 5 attacks hitting on 4+ with piercing (1). For each point of damage caused, you can roll an additional attack.

• Call of the Wild: All units in this army have Pathfinder unless otherwise noted.

• Alignment: Neutral.

• Rallying: Friendly non allied units within 6" have +(n) added to their Route and Waver nerve values.

Unit Analysis 2nd Edition

Hero

• Avatar of the Father: The Big Daddy, the Numero Uno. This is the Herd's unique 'named' character, the earthly manifestation of Kyron. At first glance he could be considered a hero version of the Brutox with an additional point of speed and defence, hits on 3's, is fearless (on the same nerve) and hits with the same strength on the charge. Where it differs is giving very inspiring (9"), Elite (so should barely miss) and Iron Resolve (self heals on a successful nerve test). He also costs 50pts more. Where things get interesting is you have the option of upgrading him to get Wings (so he gets speed 10, Fly and therefore Nimble). Given how popular wings of the honeymaze are on characters, having the option on this monster is potentially huge. Further to that, there is also the option to upgrade him to give him Heal (6) to make him a super Shaman/Brutox Hybrid. Now all this doesn't come cheap. All the upgrades bump up his cost to well over 300pts. Whether he is worth it will largely depend on your play style. If you really want to take this model, take the wings forget the Heal spell. You can't heal things when in combat and this bad boy needs to be in combat as much as possible if your going to pay that many points for it, and the Heal (6) will tempt you to keep it out of combat.

• Tribal Chieftain: Is like most generic Lords in any army list, hard hitting tough individual models that inspire. Can be a fun unit, but is rather outclassed by either the options of Centaur Chief who costs a little less and is little less tougher, but gets to be way faster or just the ability to take more support shaman.

• Tribal Chieftain on Chariot: 2018 KOW update grants Chariot Heroes nimble, which may vitalize this hero since it doesn't have the Individual rule letting him hit flanks for double attacks. Movement 9, Thunder (2) and Crush (1) that could be scary. Important Note: does not have Pathfinder, Potion of the Caterpillar may be needed.

• Centaur Chief: Faster, cheaper, harder hitting, but a little more vulnerable than the Tribal Chieftain, I like this guy almost as much as the Shaman.

• Lycan Alpha: A fast character with speed of (9). Good defense and nerve values ( as well as 5+ regen) combined with a decent amount of low hitting attacks means the Alpha should not only pack a punch but should be able withstand a couple as well. The profile is very similar to that of the cheaper Guardian Champion so you are paying for the added speed and maneuverability so use accordingly. Best when teamed up with other Lycans to benefit form Inspiring. This model does not have Individual and has nimble, this guy is great at hitting flanks for double attacks goodness.

• Guardian Champion: A cheaper alternative to the Lycan Alpha, similar profile but lacking in speed.

• Shaman: This may be the best buffing caster in the game. Most wizards do not have Inspiring but ours does! This practically makes the Tribal Totem Bearer meaningless in our list. It also has starting Bane Chant (3), one better then almost any other wizard has access to. You can also mount the wizard for a small cost increasing it to Cavalry base size and Movement 9, great if you go with a high mobility list. Other good upgrades include Heal (5) and Soul Drain.

• Tracker: This guy looks neat on paper, a scouting stealthy shooter. He seems slightly out of place in an army that wants lots of combat.

• Tribal Totem Bearer: A cheap source of inspire. Very similar to the offerings from other armies. With our Shaman coming stock with inspire and greater versatility, you should probably always take a Shaman unless you are seriously short on points.

Infantry

• Harpies: The first of our chaff units and with, fly, nimble, vicious and the innate path finder skills, by far the most versatile. With the standard 9/11 low nerve they won't be hanging around, so use their speed and skills to bypass the front of main combat units and hunt down weak warmachines or hit flanks and rears.

• Tribal Spirit Walkers: You can take troop, regiment or horde options and they comes stock with fearless (no wavering), thunderous charge, pathfinder and a high nerve. They are comparable to other armies shock troops but unlike most, the Herd can take them in horde size and with 40 attacks, nerve -/23 and the normal berserker low defence there should be no reason why you wouldn't. Slap 1 or 2 hordes of these down in your lines, backed up by a Shaman or 2 and you have a solid wall that won't be going anywhere for a number of turns.

It's worth noting that the unit footprint is based on 20mm size so with a horde, if you are using your 25mm Gor from the "other" gaming system, they can be ranked 8x3 on the correct sized movement tray (tray is compulsory as the models will be 200mm * 75mm rather than 200 * 80mm) and be over the 50% minimum model count recommended. This has the advantage of not having an oversized unit footprint if you rank them 10*4 on your existing base.

• Tribal Hunters: The second of our potential chaff units. Varies from the others in so far as it is slower but mitigates this by having the Vanguard rule. Comes with throwing weapons that can be upgraded to bows for free. Pepper enemy chaff with shots and then throw them into the face of the blocks of troops to be the annoyance that all chaff should be. If used as chaff these are good for covering your slower moving infantry.

• Tribal Longhorns: The Bestigor of KOW, with the bonus of also coming on a 25mm base. Only comes in troop or regiment flavours. With ME 3 and CS 1 (as well as the standard herd TC 1 and pathfinder), they will always hit reasonably hard but an average nerve and defence means they are quite fragile.

• Tribal Warriors: This unit trades away a higher volume of attacks for a better defense and a lower point cost. In an army that likes to strike first and strike hard, Spirit Walkers may be a better bet. Especially since the rules update gave Spirit walkers even more attacks since the original Uncharted Empire book.

• Tribal Spears: Similar to Tribal Warriors but even more defensive. They give up Thunderous Charge to gain Phalanx. For similar reasons to Tribal Warriors, Spirit Walker are probably just the better unit. However, if your local meta runs a lot of Thunderous Charge units, this may be an interesting option.

Large Infantry

• Guardian Brutes: Intended to represent minotaurs and owl bear type creatures. This variation of your large infantry has Crushing Strength (1), Fury, and Thunderous Charge (2). They hit on a point less than Lycans, but they also have one point higher defense and nerve. They're cheaper as well, but are a lot slower. These are intended for more straight forward attacking vice being better at screening, so use them appropriately. Worth nothing that they don't have pathfinder, hence try to avoid charging through cover. In terrain heavy scenarios, Lycans are just better.

• Lycans: Intended to represent natural werewolves. They come with Crushing Strength (1) and Nimble, in addition to 9 speed, making them far more maneuverable than Guardian Brutes. They hit on a point higher than Brutes which makes up for a lower attack profile. Their defense is lower than Brutes but they do have regeneration. Do note they lack Lifeleech, like the undead version. They work as hammers, and move like light cavalry, do not, i repeat do not try to use them as a frontline unit or charge anything with a defense better than 4+ from the front, CS(1) can only go so far against armor and their attack volume is nothing to write home about. As flankers or supported by a shaman they can be brutal. Also always remmenber to regenerate before moving.

Cavalry

• Beast Pack: Fast and vicious. Use these as you would any other chaff. Storm forward and into the face of your opponent, setting yourself up for the counter charge with your following hammer unit or use as a screen to reduce the effectiveness of enemy fire. Alternatively run them round the flanks to get at the vulnerable warmachines or heroes, though harpies can perform this role more effectively due to the 'fly' rule. They come in troop or regiment size, though you'll only take the former. Being a 'loose' formation, they won't give you access to additional heroes or monsters

• Centaur Bray-Striders: Fast mobile archers. They can move and shoot with out penalty (go nimble). Might be good for harassing shooting, with the ability to do good damage with a side or rear charge since they have thunderous charge. Only thing that holds me back from using them is their 5+ Ra.

• Centaur Long-Manes: Hitting slightly harder than Lycans, and nearly as fast, Long-Manes make a great substitute if your just a few points short of getting that next unit of Lycans. Obviously not as tough because they lack0 regeneration.

Large Cavalry

• Giant Eagles: Compares well to Longmanes, that hit in combat a -1, but do so by gaining Fly and Fury. This is a very strong flying unit.

• Stampede: Comes in one size, Horde and boy what a horde. 30 attacks, CS (1), TC (3), pathfinder and strider married up to our second highest nerve, make this our go to hammer unit. The average hit roll should be helped by the almost compulsory Brew of Sharpness but the downside is this pushes the unit over 300 points and paints a whacking great big target on it for anyone who's ever been on the receiving end of this beating stick.

• Tribal Chariots: This unit is similar to Longmanes, but loses Pathfinder to gain Bows and +1 Sp. I suppose if you like shooting or just don't want any units with Speed 8 or less.

Monsters

• Brutox: Your large giant sized monster. With Crushing Strength and Thunderous charge (2) it will hit hard, and with 8+ 1d6 attacks it has the potential to do allot of damage. With a decent speed of 8 you should be able to get it where it needs to be. Low defense is compensated by a decent nerve value and the bonus of 5+ regen. (Giant sized monsters have a great presence upon the table and as a result can attract allot of attention, for better or for worse.) This unit all though very impressive is probably best left off the table, using Giant Eagles instead. The Eagles have a guaranteed 18 attacks instead of 9-14 and fly and pathfinder really helps them get first charge. Important note this unit lacks Pathfinder.

• Chimera: Flying monster. (Fly upgrade seems like a must take) Its a tougher but lower attack output Giant Eagle horde. The fact that this model takes up way less space then a horde, and with its higher Defense, better Nerve, and having Crush instead of Thunderous allows it to snipe asault units in enemy back ranks and/or be in prolonged fights better.

War Engines

• Great Totem: An unique war engine, so you can only have one in the army. It also restricts your base size to 75 mm x 75 mm, specifically noting you cannot take advantage of the exceptional base size rule for this unit. For 80 points you get a war engine with no attacks and no speed and height 4. So what does it do? It comes with Advanced Deployment, Inspiring and rallying (2). What this adds up to is a forward deployable source of a 12" inspiring bubble that also adds 2 to the nerve value of any friendly, non-allied unit within the bubble. It has a def and nerve value so can be destroyed but adds an interesting option especially for certain scenarios (dominate comes to mind). You can also use it as an alternative chaff, placing it between other scenery to block routes.

Tactics

The herd is primarily a melee army that uses blocks of infantry. It has plenty of cheap throw-away chaff units that can be used for various purposes (distractions/war machine hunting/road blocks/cover) and lots of solid troop choices that will hurt when combat is reached. The units generally have a defence value under average but this is offset by a faster than average speed so you should be in position to get into combat in turn 2 with all your troops.

Building a List

Any list you make will start with Regiments and Hordes as they unlock all other options.

Regiments and Hordes for General Lists I like

• Regiments of Longhorns or Spirit Walkers
• or Hordes of Spirit Walkers or Guardian Brutes

Regiments and Hordes for Fast Lists I like

• Regiments of Longmanes
• or Hordes of Lycans

For Irregular//Troop Units in General and/or Fast lists I like

• Harpies or Troops of Beast Packs as fodder, good for dead drops, setting up next turn charges, soaking up fire, hitting flanks, or hunting support characters and war machines.
• Giant Eagles - good for General lists or Fast lists.
• Stampede - Almost an auto include for every 1250 points the army has.

For Monster Units I like

• Flying Chimera - in Fast Lists maybe one per 1500 point the army has.
• Brutox - mostly just for fun, as he is kinda out classed by Stampede and Giant Eagle units.

For War Machine I like

• Great Totem - if you have 80 points you don't know what to do with, and you like the idea of placing impassible terrain to control your opponents safe lanes of the battlefield.

For Heroes I like

• Shaman - even naked are quite good, but can add Heal (5) or Soul Drain. If your army is super fast definitely buy the mount upgrade.
• Lycan Alpha - in heavy Lycan lists, this guy is good for trying to hit Flanks.

Other Hero options are mostly for goofing around.