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Undeath Archmage on Star Dragon

Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 10:30 pm
by Tullarion
Archmage (Undeath): Level 4, Book of Hoeth, Talisman of Preservation, Star Dragon... 710

This seems like it might be a fun, effective way to put an archmage on a dragon. Flying around raising units of zombies and wights behind enemy lines seems like a great way to screw with people.

What most people fear about the archmage is that he doesn't want to get into close combat... but I would bet that a lot of people don't want to get into combat with anything that can reliably cast Hand of Dust on one die that strikes at ASF... that's also riding a Star Dragon. There are certain fights he still won't want to get into, of course, but people likely won't want to send any tooled up lords or monsters against him (bar a 3++ Tzeentch). I think his worst fights will be monstrous infantry/cavalry... but that's what Soul Stealer is for.

I'd say his ideal spells would be Ryze, Hand of Dust, Soul Stealer, and other summoning spell of choice. Backed up by a Shadow Armor Loremaster with Shadow warriors and a Wayshard Noble (Handmaiden?) with archers/spears... that could be a lightning quick army that surrounds an entire force... plus, undead units give us something we lack as a race: the ability to fight a battle of attrition.

Is this an idea worth exploring? Is this a way to effectively use a dragon archmage? Let me know your thoughts!

Re: Undeath Archmage on Star Dragon

Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 4:25 am
by Koval
I like it, especially leading an avoidance list in a bigger game. Double dragon is a very real and effective list, and both undeath and the bigger dragon warrant consideration now that they're options. I'm going to disagree with you on spells, though. Most notably, I think hand of dust is the worst of the seven. Yes, it gives you a chance to bring down a big nasty in an instant. But most things you want to use it on have some combination of WS 4+, some way to negate your rerolls, and enough wounds that you need a high result on that d6. And all of them can kill you on their turn, even with a 4+. Instead, his best spell is soul stealer. It's the same short-range armor- and toughness-ignoring damage that makes death so scary. Of course, your other three spells should be filled with free unit generation.

Saying all of this, it's important to remember that, for the same or fewer points, you could take the same wizard with the same benefits on an eagle as well as a fully loaded flying prince that I'm much happier sending into combat. Unless you want the dragon for points denial, it's probably not worth it.

Re: Undeath Archmage on Star Dragon

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 1:05 am
by pk-ng
Short answer no - You have no offensive capabilities in your spells. Your movement will be dedicated by cannons, small arms fire and DD magic such as Tzeentch will smash you and smash you bad.

Re: Undeath Archmage on Star Dragon

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 6:23 pm
by Tullarion
Well, I definitely see those as risks, but I guess that's why we can't consider the dragon archmage in a vacuum. He needs support, definitely a lot in the backfield. That's why I was thinking of a shadow armor loremaster with shadow warrior escort. They can engage cannon crews with shooting, magic and close combat, leaving the archmage free to be threatening. Also, while I hate Tzeentch DD (glean magic is a terrible possibility, especially rocking Undeath), the loremaster's death snipe could possibly be a solution, and if nothing else, provides another threat that that sort of wizard will have to consider during target selection. Also, a book archmage and scroll loremaster are about as good a magical defense as exists in fantasy. Another way to control the backfield to mitigate threats to the dragon archmage is a Wayshard hero with archers/spears. I don't think that the average army is prepared to have large units of scouts and ambushers hitting their artillery at the same time... compounded by summoned units. If all goes reasonably, you may force your opponent not to leave his deployment zone in order to deal with constantly recurring threats to his backfield, leaving any firebase that exists in your deployment zone free reign to deal with unengaged units.

And while undeath does not have any unit deletion spells like some lores, Soul Stealer is a great spell for dealing with the kinds of units that might actually threaten the archmage. Also, while hand of Dust has been poopooed by some people, I definitely think it limits most characters and monsters from wanting to engage him. If there is a character who wouldn't be intimidated by that, then perhaps a good solution is a large horde of zombies for them to spend a few turns hacking through. It certainly isn't foolproof, but I think it may be viable by a competent player at anything other than the highest competitive levels.

I've just been trying to find ways to utilize unused elements of our book (dragon archmage, shadow armor loremaster, Wayshard heroes) in a playstyle that is unique, and I feel the best way to do that is to use them more or less all at once. Maybe I'll write up a full army list and post it in the other forum to really see the full strategy, as I'm not sure the simple consideration of the dragon archmage alone really demonstrates it's full viability. However, you both have completely valid points that can't be ignored... I just hope they can be mitigated.

Undeath Archmage on Star Dragon

Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:51 pm
by KennethPn
Vampire Lord and Zaborg are my usual targets. Dont forget Fiend Skull Dragon in your 5-star fusions slot.