With winter rolling around the Warmachine events are pretty quiet. The first big convention is TempleCon, but I'm not flying out to Rhode Island or Connecticut so that one doesn't matter for me directly. So the first big convention for me is going to be Adepticon here in Chicago. I'm currently signed up for 2 events. Hardcore and the Team Event. Team Event is more or less decided that its going to be Krueger2 and Nemo3 and more on that later. The other thing is that the Masters is 8 people, top 8 of Hardcore and top 8 of the theme force event. Masters is 3-list divide and conquer, 50-points. So we'll need to explore that more too.
So leading into this event I think that I need to narrow down my lists to see what I can get the right amount of practice in for. I had originally narrowed it down to Kromac, Cassius, Krueger2, Baldur1, Kaya2 and Mohsar for Hardcore. I've been thinking about it and I don't like the bad matchups for Kaya2 and Mohsar, so they're off the Hardcore consideration. Also, for purposes of SR2013 I'm going to be playing Morvahna. Only thing that might throw a wrench into this would be the imminent release of Epic Morvahna, but presently there's no timetable for that.
So, with that in mind lets investigate some lists. First, Kromac is a pretty straight forward one for me. Will Pagani's Kromac list just seems too good to ignore honestly. I've looked at it, and I like everything about it. Here it is...
Kromac the Ravenous
- Ghetorix
- Warpwolf Stalker
- Feral Warpwolf
- Gorax
- Druid Wilder
Shifting Stones
- Stone Keeper
Shifting Stones
Druid Stoneward & Woldstalkers
Druid Stoneward & Woldstalkers
Gallows Groves x2
Swamp Gobbers Bellows Crew
Kromac has the tools to handle a TON of stuff. He can play an attrition game with some hit & run, he's got a lot of assassination potential too. I don't think he's the strongest at scenario, but I don't actually care for Hardcore. He's got the tools to deal with almost every faction in different ways. I'd say his weaknesses would be against shooting and Purification is not a good time for Kromac either.
So then we move on to someone who's got a lot of game against shooting and doesn't have any upkeeps ... Krueger2. Krueger2 with Storm Wall is quite possibly at his strongest with how much the environment is now focused on shooting and with Menoth being all over the place. The biggest thing I'm not super sure about with him just yet is the ability to crack heavy ARM. That said I think he's still got a solid amount of game. Here's the list I'm going to be playing
Krueger the Stormlord
- Woldwrath
- Pureblood Warpwolf
Celestial Fulcrum
Shifting Stones
- Stone Keeper
Gallows Groves x2
Druids of Orboros
- Druids Overseer
Totem Hunter
I'd say that spot with the Totem Hunter is definitely up for some debate, as are a few of the things in that list, but by and large its something like that I would go with. If a 2nd Fulcrum were to get painted in time, it'd likely make its way into the list as well.
So from there we move on and we've got tried-and-true Baldur to look at. He's just so good in his theme force that I can't imaging not putting that on the table. There are a few different versions that I'd play around with, but here are the lists.
Baldur the Stonecleaver
- Megalith
- Wold Guardian
- Woldwarden
Shifting Stones x2 + UA
Druids of Orboros
- Druid Overseer
Blackclad Wayfarer
Sentry Stone & Mannikins
Druid Stoneward & Woldstalkers
Druid Stoneward & Woldstalkers
I've played this list a decent amount as well, not 100% its the final product I'd throw down for hardcore, but its a list that's been around for a long time. I'd say its also entirely possible that I'd play it with 2 Woldwardens or 2 Wold Guardians instead of one and one. A second Guardian or Warden in place of the Druids unit is a distinct possibility as well. The list does a decent job at a lot of things. I sort of worry about its ability to handle a colossal. I might be able to work out a list with Woldwrath and Baldur1 as well but since he can't benefit from Stone Skin either I'm hesitant. He also does rely on a couple of upkeeps, animi and spells quite a bit for me to feel great about his Protectorate matchup. I've been seeing some are still having success with him though, so I can't ignore his potential.
That brings us to a "dark horse" of consideration for Hardcore: Cassius. Cassius has a lot of things that don't work like how people think of when they think Hardcore, especially for Circle. He's putting infantry on the table, he's got some specific bad matchups namely looking at Siege, and a decent portion of Legion. I think he's got decent matchups otherwise though. Purification doesn't really hurt, and most of the things that seem like a bad match can be mitigated. Here's the list as I'm seeing it presently.
Cassius the Oathkeeper
- Wurmwood, Tree of Fate
- Warpwolf Stalker
- Gorax
- Woldwarden
Shifting Stones
- Stone Keeper
Shifting Stones
Tharn Ravagers (max)
- Tharn Ravager Chieftain
Wolves of Orboros (max)
- Wolves of Orboros Chieftain and Standard
Wolf Lord Morraig
Swamp Gobbers Bellows Crew
Gallows Groves x3
Cassius' spell list is absolutely bonkers. Hellmouth does a ton of things and if you thought the spell was good with Epic Deneghra you haven't seen anything after you see him throw it out there. Stranglehold is great at holding off a heavy target while other things are dealing with it. Curse of Shadows kind of speaks for itself too. He's not an easy warlock to pilot obviously because he's all about positioning Wurmwood to get souls and also not die. Another big issue with him for Hardcore (and lesser extent for Adepticon in general) is that much of this is not done being painted. I love the work my fiancé does painting my stuff, but takes time and April could likely sneak up pretty fast. Only possible adjustment to this list would be that Farrow Bonegrinders might be a better fit than the Gallows Groves.
Then finally, my last list. This one isn't for Hardcore at all, but likely will be one of my SR2013 lists that I'd want to be bringing to Masters should I manage to get in, and that's Morvahna! I've got a couple of possible lists I'm going to give a go, here's the first
Morvahna the Autumnblade
- Woldwrath
- Pureblood Warpwolf
Shifting Stones
- Stone Keeper
Gallows Groves x3
Tharn Bloodtrackers (max)
- Nuala the Huntress
Warpborn Skinwalkers (max)
- Warpborn Alpha
This is a variation on what I had been playing. First change you'll notice is the Woldwrath. He's got a great gun, he hits like a truck, has auto knockdown. Nothing bad I can say about him at all. The Pureblood gets the nod to start with because I think providing Wraithbane to Woldwrath is going to be very useful. Not 100% on this list yet, but I do like it in principle. Another variation on this list has the Gnarlhorn Satyr and then the ability to cut a Grove to get in another 2 points (probably a Blackclad).
Another variation looks something like this
Morvahna the Autumnblade
- Wold Guardian
- Wold Guardian
Shifting Stones
- Stone Keeper
Shifting Stones
Gallows Groves x2
Tharn Bloodtrackers (max)
- Nuala the Huntress
Warpborn Skinwalkers (max)
- Warpborn Alpha
Blackclad Wayfarer
Gatorman Witch Doctor
Tharn Bloodweavers
The last 4-5 points of this list is up for debate, but being able to add in the Witch Doctor I think would be a massive boon to Morvahna's list. Bloodweavers, Lord of the Feast, Thrullg, Totem Hunter and Scarsfell Griffon all have potential in that last spot. There's also a possibility of dropping the 2 Guardians for a more "traditional" battle group of Stalker, Feral, Gorax and playing it that way. She doesn't like Purification at all, but damn is she just too much of a monster not to be putting on the table IMO.
