Dragon Guard Additions

[Battlegrinder]

I'm working on building a semi-medieval army, and since you and Lord Mercat have the largest and most battle hardened medieval armies, I figured you'd be able to help. The main question I have is about the mix between ranged and melee infantry? I'm leaning towards a roughly 50/50 mix (current plan is about 3 squads of basic melee, 3 of basic ranged, and then 1 squad each of specialist troopers), but I've noticed that most people don't have that kind of ratio, and was wondering way.

The other question I had was about support weapons/artillery weapons, like the ballista you and mercat both use. I've got a fair amount of heavy armor, but most of it is armed to engage similar threats, not infantry. I've been thinking of building one or two largish vehicles and mounting a huge missile rack on it to suppress hostile infantry and light vehicles (I'll definitely do that on my SHDT, though it's missile pods will be less "keep infantry away" and more "Macross Missile Massacre"). I'm not certain as to whether or not that would be a good idea, compared to building something smaller like a catapult. I think in larger battles I'll be able to deploy everything I need, but in smaller conflicts I'll have issues (though with any luck I can compensate with man portable weapons and some of my special forces squads).

[Rev. Sylvanus]

The main question I have is about the mix between ranged and melee infantry? I'm leaning towards a roughly 50/50 mix (current plan is about 3 squads of basic melee, 3 of basic ranged, and then 1 squad each of specialist troopers), but I've noticed that most people don't have that kind of ratio, and was wondering way.

Army composition largely has to do with tactics and play style. Chess is a tactical game but army composition is identical. Brikwars and other wargames allow for customization, and any given army configuration will have strengths and weaknesses based units, deployment, and army size. One of my recent opponents played with a 50/50 force as you suggest. That make up is a solid choice against other infantry/minifig heavy armies but struggles against heavy armor, explosive artillery, and supernatural-dice-protected things.

My own play style prefers mostly melee infantry supported by artillery, few archers, and cavalry. This is weak to range-focused strategies. Ranged focused strategies suffer against armor. Armor suffers against high-damage/mobility (cavalry), cavalry suffers against the CP efficiency of infantry...and round and round it goes. Just choose what you like and have fun!

The other question I had was about support weapons/artillery weapons, like the ballista you and mercat both use. I've got a fair amount of heavy armor, but most of it is armed to engage similar threats, not infantry. I've been thinking of building one or two largish vehicles and mounting a huge missile rack on it to suppress hostile infantry and light vehicles (I'll definitely do that on my SHDT, though it's missile pods will be less "keep infantry away" and more "Macross Missile Massacre"). I'm not certain as to whether or not that would be a good idea, compared to building something smaller like a catapult. I think in larger battles I'll be able to deploy everything I need, but in smaller conflicts I'll have issues (though with any luck I can compensate with man portable weapons and some of my special forces squads).

To compare a SHDT to the ballistae in my medieval army...I feel like we're trying to compare apples and oranges. I'm not sure I can help you with this 'question' other than to say takes lots of explosives. Like OF THE EXPLOSIVES. Seriously. They are good against everything if they are big enough.

~Rev.

[Battlegrinder]

The main question I have is about the mix between ranged and melee infantry? I'm leaning towards a roughly 50/50 mix (current plan is about 3 squads of basic melee, 3 of basic ranged, and then 1 squad each of specialist troopers), but I've noticed that most people don't have that kind of ratio, and was wondering way.

Army composition largely has to do with tactics and play style. Chess is a tactical game but army composition is identical. Brikwars and other wargames allow for customization, and any given army configuration will have strengths and weaknesses based units, deployment, and army size. One of my recent opponents played with a 50/50 force as you suggest. That make up is a solid choice against other infantry/minifig heavy armies but struggles against heavy armor, explosive artillery, and supernatural-dice-protected things.

My own play style prefers mostly melee infantry supported by artillery, few archers, and cavalry. This is weak to range-focused strategies. Ranged focused strategies suffer against armor. Armor suffers against high-damage/mobility (cavalry), cavalry suffers against the CP efficiency of infantry...and round and round it goes. Just choose what you like and have fun!

The other question I had was about support weapons/artillery weapons, like the ballista you and mercat both use. I've got a fair amount of heavy armor, but most of it is armed to engage similar threats, not infantry. I've been thinking of building one or two largish vehicles and mounting a huge missile rack on it to suppress hostile infantry and light vehicles (I'll definitely do that on my SHDT, though it's missile pods will be less "keep infantry away" and more "Macross Missile Massacre"). I'm not certain as to whether or not that would be a good idea, compared to building something smaller like a catapult. I think in larger battles I'll be able to deploy everything I need, but in smaller conflicts I'll have issues (though with any luck I can compensate with man portable weapons and some of my special forces squads).

To compare a SHDT to the ballistae in my medieval army...I feel like we're trying to compare apples and oranges. I'm not sure I can help you with this 'question' other than to say takes lots of explosives. Like OF THE EXPLOSIVES. Seriously. They are good against everything if they are big enough.

~Rev.

Ok, thanks for the advice.

[DeltaV]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it was my impression that it was only electricity that didn't work on Medivo. machineguns would work, but none of the locals have the tech base or science to produce them yet.

They could go magitek I guess. Like, machineguns that are made of basic materials but still manage to work through the use of spells.

[Zahru II]

Technically a machinegun would/could work (my closest creation to that is the volley gun right now, although that is more of a gatling gun tbh), but I don't think Medivo tech would be able to recreate it at reasonable firearm-size (I mean sure there is tech to forge and smith metal but not at a highly sophisticated level). So they would probably end up with some warmachine-y thing of the same function.

At least that's how I could see it work.

As for army composition, I am sort of using the same template as Rev. right now: I cut back the number of ranged troops greatly, because I prefer fantasy games to be more "bashy" than "shooty", and the old 7-fig ranged squads often became these deathballs that could wreck entire melee squads.

[Bragallot]

Really? My masses of ranged units always seem to be completely underwhelming (especially the Bulls' crossbowmen, I actually split them into two different units since their last battle). Unless they combine fire on bigger stuff, then they're just over the top deadly. But then I guess larger creations / heroes should be armoured. Maybe it's because more of my units have shields, or maybe I just can't roll dice properly. I do agree melee combat is more fun.

[Rev. Sylvanus]

Alright, so OP updated again. Now that I've greebled out the figs from the Dragon Master sets I acquired not too long ago, the army count now gets to 115!





The Dragon Guard now have 4 Majistick clones in the ranks. They are kitted out with special thanks to Brickforge for the wizarding staves, as well as a trunk full of the websites awesome line of potions!



Custom Crazy is an international custom mold company that I've recently been turned on to. Here are 3 Grimfang Lieutenants dual wielding the deliciously sharp axes (Heavy Weapon). These figs have normal body armor, compensating specialty, and ancestral capes (granting a size 1 energy shield).



These ninjas have joined the fight; once again custom equipment from brickforge.





A closer look at the archers. There is a new squad of skirmishers with crossbow and hand weapon; also notice that the squad leaders of the archer units have OTC Longbows.



Dragon Cleric showing off his handy healing potion from brickforge!

All the best,
~Rev.

[Zahru II]

Looking good!

[Bluefog]

Every time I look at these pics I just notice more and more impressiveness.

[Coriolanus]

All this stuff is so nice. Even though my Roman army is only half the size of the Dragon Guard (or it will be once I affix the decals to the II Legion) It is a shame we are too far away for a battle.

[Bragallot]

Maybe we should put some of the money we put into Lego into airline tickets instead... nah.

I'm still waiting for the next phase of the virtual environment.