Starting a Brotherhood Army
The Brotherhood is something of a split force. Most of their Elite forces are geared towards fighting the Dark Legion, being mostly specialized in close combat. Their Grunts, on the other hand, are rifle troops par excellance. (sp?)
If you're playing vs a Corporation force, I would recommend a force of Troopers, Elite Troopers, Pilgrims, and Arch Primates. If you are playing against Dark Legion, I would bring in some Valkyries, Sacred Warriors, and possibly Fury Elite.
Unlike some others, I really like the Blessings spell list. I find that taking a Mystic along with Blessings of the Cardinal (I think that's the +2 RC spell, correct me if I'm wrong) and Shield of Faith or whatever it is that gives +2 armor makes for some incredible rifle troops.
The Exorcism spell list just kicks Dark Legion butt. Definitely take along somebody with a spell or two if you fight the DL.
As for the Mortificators, I haven't used them yet. I like their stats, but 53 points each is a bit much to pay for me. I definitely think they are worth it, but I just tend not to add them unless I'm playing with a lot of points already.
- Cirdan [kamarsh@erols.com]
---- Mortificators are dangerous due to the Machine Pistols they carry and their h2h abilities combined with Stalk. At 53 points each, I agree they are pricy but not overly so. When used right, they can be a real factor in a battle (remember, if one attacks from stalk, that model is the only 'visible'; his buddies are still in hunting mode untill they attack) in ways that belie their cost. They really cannot tangle with the tougher DL critters too well but they at least have a shot.
As for the rest of the things you suggest, I personally have no quibbles with em- although an Inqisitor is a valid choice against Corps as well; he is a pretty decently skilled indie and not too expensive.
My pair of cent-crowns' worth.....
- John Tinney: who feels Crenshaw w/the flamer exorcism is just brutal to the DL.....
- [jtinney@anacomp.com]
---- Gotta have an Inquisitor. A Brotherhood army just isn't a Brotherhood army without the threat of the Inquisition present. And they have neat hats.
- Mutt [mutt@flaprider.vnet.net]
- neophyte underling who prefers background and fluff to number crunching
---- Make it an Inquisitor Majoris, you can't beat the FAR for defense, pick off a model here or there at longer range with the AR, then waste the whole squad if they get enough for the flamer.
- CyberBlaine [MikeBlaine@yahoo.com]
---- Brotherhood is still a good force and much of what is said is still valid (geared towards fighting the DL).
I originally put together an Imperial Army but later added a Brotherhood Army as my main opponent played DL.
Any models with the Art are good. The Art always lends an added surprise to a game. Try Valkyries with Exorcism's "Blinding Light". Use cover to advance, cast it on a DL unit and charge the buggers!
The Elite Troopers are dead good support troops (now with all the specialist figures available).
Dare I say it, but I use GW Sisters of Battle as Brotherhood Troopers. They fit the style of the army and lets face it, they are the fodder.
Arch Primates add reasonable ranged combat skill but superior CC.
Pilgrims have no heavy weapons or Sergeant, but they are okay for standing around and guarding or holding something.
Much of the rest is close combat orientated (Fury Elite Guard, Mortificators, Sacred Warriors), but if like my group of opponents, you use lots of scenery, lack of ranged firepower is not a problem. (Which may have something to do with why I did a Wolfbane Army originally!)
I am working on some vehicles for the Hood and these will be visible soon on my web site.
- CorpHQ [chrisgilders@yahoo.com]
---- I'm playing Brotherhood myself and can surely say, that Elite Troopers rock!
In general I'm using lots of 'em plus some Pilgrims (even though I really don't think they are good enough to field more than one small squad) as my grunt squads.
Troopers are only useful, when you are short on points, otherwise Elite Troopers are simply better for +2 pts. And you need Elite Troopers anyways to field the Elite Trooper Individuals (RL, GL, Sniper).Elite Squads are a bit more tricky:
Arch Primates are too expensive, since they are no better offensively than Elite Troopers. They are great defensive troops though, when fighting close quarters oriented armies (e.g. Wolfbanes or Mishima). Handle with care!
Valkyries' only use is casting Gladius Cardinalis IMHO. Therefore Anti-DL only!
Fury Elite sux. Sacred Warriors are decent Troops - about the best CC unit in the game!
Mortificators are nice, when you can use them, but it's not easy to make them worth their cost! I would recommend fielding 2 of those (not more!) and try out your own...There are many decent Individuals in the Brotherhood army:
Crenshaw is way ahead the best model in the list... It's close to being cheesy on it's own! :) But since Brotherhood has a definite lack of heavy firepower, he is still not overdone, considering that!
All Inquisitors are worth it, as is the Crucifier (but latter one is CC oriented and therefore you need a dense battlefield).
The Death Angel is also very good, if you know how to use it (NOT all out offensive!).
All Elite Trooper Individuals are good support (personally I like the Sniper the most).
Pilgrim Executioner is cheap, but that's it for the good side.
I don't like the Assassin, a standard Mortificator is almost as good as that one!
The Watchman is stupid. As is Vestal IMHO.
Mystic is useless (2pts more for a Keeper).
The Keeper of the Art is a nice Model, when you use the Art (see below).
Dominic is way better in using the Art though, and the other advantages of a Keeper are pretty much neglectible.And last but not least... Laura is cute, and that alone is a reason to field her! :) :) :)
The Art:
Almost all Art spells suck! You can only use them properly when you build your force around it, and this is not what I feel appropriate!
Guiding Hand of the Cardinal is by far the best Art spell, but you should have at least one large squad to cast it on (Elite Troopers are a good choice, but Arch Primates also qualify, when and only when their SGT has the spell!).
Shield of Faith also rocks on a large frontline unit!
The other Blessings are not worth it in my book! (Perhaps Righteous Speed, but don't think so)
Gladius Cardinalis is decent against DL, and that's it for Exorcism. The Flamer spell is funny, but too expensive. Crenshaw is wasted with that spell, since he is good enough on its own!
Blinding Light sounds useful, but I doubt that it is... Never tested though!General Advice on Art:
Don't overdo it with Art... You should not take as much Art as possible... It's really not THAT good!
Never take more than one spell for one model (unless you are fighting DL and can throw in a Gladius for 6pts!), if you want 2 spells take 2 casters for them.
The Arch Primate SGT is very nice to cast Guiding Hand of the Cardinal on his own unit, since it stays for the current and the next activation, which makes it a lot more efficient!
If you use Personalities, Dominic is by far superior to any other spellcaster, when it comes down to supporting spells (Blessings)!
Inquisitors and other combat oriented spellcasters don't qualify for using spells too much, since they already are good use as they are. Keeper/Arch Primate SGT/Dominic are good bet for Blessings, Valkyries are good use for Exorcism, except for a Gladius here and there!
- Shade [tew@gmx.de]
---- Heres a general rundown of what I play.
We usually do 500-750pt games.I always have 2 squads of elite troopers. I almost always go for the lmg, but having some grenadiers for special scenarios is good too.
If I want to play with hth I go with Sacred Warriors and Mortificators. Unless I'm playing DL then I take the Valkryies.
The arch primates are pricey. But if you give the sergeant the armor of god spell then you can walk around with a 10 man squad of dudes with 13 armor cc guruu and decent fighting skills. Very frightening to some people.
I don't have much use for the regular brotherhood troopers right now. I usually only take pilgrims when fighting dl, otherwise their immunity to fear is wasted.
Sacred warriors are the BEST hth unit in the game, nobody comes close to their close combat stats. The only worry is their low damage (9 on the charge 8 otherwise).
Fury Elite, don't do it, just say no, they suck, no reason to use them EVER.
Valkryies, good troops, a little pricey so I will usually go with the Sacred Warriors if I'm looking at points, but if I'm going for army "look" then I go with them. Their 11 damage on the charge is impressive.
Mortificators, good troops, expensive as hell so you need to be careful with them.
As far as individuals go.
The elite trooper specialists are good. Rocket launchers are a must. The Brotherhood sniper is probably the best sniper in the game. The grenade launcher would be mainly for fun, he just never hits anything.
Must have 1 inquisitor for every game.
The basic inquisitor is good if you want to do blinding light on your enemies. If you are using the inquisitor majoris don't take spells just have him go up with the cc units.Crucifier, lotsa fun to use but beware of his low armor, and low damage. Definately a guy to be used on low armor grunt troops.
Pilgrim Executioner, he's cheap and okay for the price but I would rather use some other individual.
Assassin, Okay, but still has that limit of a damage 8 attack and he has no ranged combat.
Mystic, get the keeper, no reason for this guy.
Keeper, fine if you wanna use the art, but if you do you may want to go with larger unit sizes to get more bang for the buck.
Deathangel, I hate everything about that vehicle it looks way too DUMB.
Watchmen, go get an inquisitor you'll get more use out of him.
Special Characters:
Crenshaw is GOD. Nasty Nasty fellow.
Blessed Vestal. Is very cool, only figure besides the cardinal who can get both art and exorcism spells.
Nikodemus, Is better than the average inquisitor, but I like the other figure better.
Cardinal, I never take him, unless you're going real spell heavy leave him at home.
I think that covers everything, but I don't got my books in front of me.
I will usually play with 2 squads of elite troopers and 1 elite squad, with a rocket launcher a sniper and an inquisitor. If I have more points, then I would put in another rocket launcher or sniper or maybe a special character.
- Inquisitior Vulk, aka Richard [rjohnson@gfds.com]
---- Buying Valkryies powers against corporations isn't a very good idea. If you like blinding light then I would just take an Inquisitor Minors and give him the ability. The blinding light spell will help you to get h-t-h troops into position.
Against corporations the blessings are a bit more useful. My favorite is to take a full sized squad of arch primates and give the sergeant the shield of faith spell. You then have a ten man squad with machine pistols assualt rifles and a flame thrower with an armor of 13, (15 if they are in hard cover). That is a very frightening thing for you're opponent to behold. I usually walk mine up the middle and you should see the amount of fire they draw.
If you really like the valkryies then i would suggest leaving them as is but buying the blessed vestal, she can cast both exorcism and blessings and is a combat monster. I prefer her over the cardinal, you can then do a blinding light, righteous speed combo (+1 move and blind you're opponents). Or there is also the combat spell.
The blessings allow you to tailor a fighting force to suit your needs. If you just want to sit back then buy elite troopers and have a keeper casting the guiding hand on them.
As a side note never buy the mystic he's just not worth it. I much prefer my inquisitor over the watchmen. Inquisitor Nicodemus is of course better, but I like my inquistor figure more.
-Inquisitior Vulk, aka Richard [rjohnson@gfds.com]
----
Page by PMMJ (paul@otd.com)
Back to Nero
Back to my Vice page
Back to my home page