Monday Mercenary Mutterings: Mercs State of the Lists 2017

It's been a while since I've done one of these, but I figured it was about due. There have been a lot of changes in the faction since Mk III came out, mainly from themes and couple new models, but also some errata changes.

The biggest change is that you can no longer power attack friendly models - meaning it is now much more difficult to knock down enemy models by using your own models to line up the slam. This is a huge benefit for high-DEF warcasters such as Ashlynn and Constance Blaize, and should (theoretically) let them take better advantage of their rather absurdly potent melee abilities without the constant knock-down assassination run fear.

The next biggest change for my lists is the Rhulic Hammer Strike Theme - it's awesome! An additional +2" deployment zone, free Artillery Corps or Bokurs, and 3" reposition on all Heavy 'Jacks and Artillery Corps. Artillery Corps and Heavies form the core of my Ossrum lists already, so the benefits line up really well.

But enough talk - on to the lists!

General Ossrum 75pts

THEME: Hammer Strike
General Ossrum - WJ: +28
- Wroughthammer Rockram - PC: 14 (Battlegroup Points Used: 14)
- Ghordson Driller - PC: 10 (Battlegroup Points Used: 10)
- Ghordson Driller - PC: 10 (Battlegroup Points Used: 4)
- Ghordson Basher - PC: 9
- Grundback Blaster - PC: 6
- Grundback Gunner - PC: 6
- Grundback Gunner - PC: 6
- Ghordson Avalancher - PC: 17

Thor Steinhammer - PC: 4

Horgenhold Forge Guard - Leader & 9 Grunts: 16
Herne & Jonne - Herne & Jonne: 5
Horgenhold Artillery Corps - Gunner & 2 Grunts: 0

The Hammer Strike benefits (free artillery corps, Reposition: 3, and 2" extended deployment) are amazing, and do a lot to make up for missing out on most of the useful merc solos. With 3 very powerful, large/scattershot blasts backed up by Artillerist (on Herne), Fire for Effect, Snipe, and Tune Up in addition to gun bunnies, it makes for a rather nasty ranged package.

Plus, 6 models are benefiting from the 3" reposition, which is pretty impressive. The Avalancher is staying on Ossrum because 1) a 5" reposition isn't that much better than a 3" reposition, 2) it can benefit from Energizer, and 3) a single boost to directly hit is more useful than an extra +2 to hit and damage while aiming for when Tune Up is needed elsewhere. Plus, Thor is super squishy and it's not half bad as a last ditch heavy so loading it with Focus in the late game is an option.


Ashlynn 75pts
Ashlynn d'Elyse - WJ: +29
- Sylys Wyshnalyrr, The Seeker - PC: 4
- Gallant - PC: 17 (Battlegroup Points Used: 17)
- Nomad - PC: 11 (Battlegroup Points Used: 11)
- Freebooter - PC: 9 (Battlegroup Points Used: 1)

Harlan Versh, Illuminated One - PC: 4
Major Harrison Gibbs - PC: 4
Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord - PC: 4
Sergeant Nicolas Verendrye - PC: 4
Gobber Tinker - PC: 2

Horgenhold Forge Guard - Leader & 9 Grunts: 16
Steelhead Halberdiers - Leader & 9 Grunts: 11
Thorn Gun Mages - Leader & 2 Grunts: 9
Thorn Gun Mages - Leader & 2 Grunts: 9

Probably my favorite of the two non-Rhulic lists, it really packs a ranged punch thanks to the 2 units of Gun Mages, who give the Freebooter a better chance of at Trash thanks to how Ashlynn's feat boosts chances to crit.

Gibbs is a pretty good model all around, since he can protect Sergeant Nick, Ashlynn, and/or the Gun Mages, depending on where he might be needed. Rhupert can also give one unit concealment, which will trigger their Prowl.


Blaize 75pts
Constance Blaize, Knight of the Prophet - WJ: +30
- Sylys Wyshnalyrr, The Seeker - PC: 4
- Gallant - PC: 17 (Battlegroup Points Used: 17)
- Nomad - PC: 11 (Battlegroup Points Used: 11)
- Talon - PC: 7 (Battlegroup Points Used: 2)

Harlan Versh, Illuminated One - PC: 4
Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord - PC: 4

Steelhead Halberdiers - Leader & 9 Grunts: 11
Steelhead Halberdiers - Leader & 9 Grunts: 11
Precursor Knights - Leader & 9 Grunts: 15
- Precursor Knight Officer & Standard: 4
Thorn Gun Mages - Leader & 2 Grunts: 9
Lady Aiyana & Master Holt: 8

A bit different from my Connie lists, the principle is the same - the Steelheads screen everything, jam and charge in thanks to Crusader's Call, and then (hopefully) start dying in droves under the feat. This will let the Precursors, jacks, and surviving Steelheads smash the ever loving tar out of just about everything.

Even if the enemy doesn't fall for it and kill a bunch of my models under feat turn, the Thorn Gun Mages and Holt can help clear out enemies from the front line after the charge, and there's a unit of potential weapon master, high-ARM infantry waiting to follow up. This list might be slightly stronger at attrition than the Ashlynn list, but I suspect it's a lot less able to deal with scenarios beyond a "throw literal bodies at it" approach.

I like all 3 lists, but I'm not sure the Blaize and Ashlynn lists fill diferent enough roles, so one might need to be swapped out for a MacBain or Magnus2 list (no Kingmaker, but only because I lack Cygnaran infantry models).