Game: Hordes

Thread: Re: Stormsmiths vs Stealth

matthewjhoskins — 2008-07-21T16:58:55+00:00

THe Stormsmith's attack is a special ability. It isn't a ranged attack so it doesn't care about Stealth.

Thread: Stormsmiths vs Stealth

Kitescreech — 2008-07-21T12:57:42+00:00

Fighting against a Stealthed Lord of Feast (no attack from beyond 5"). My Stormsmith was 8" away; could the Lord be attacked? Is the Stormsmith's attack (lightning) ranged or not?

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Kiour_gr — 2008-06-12T08:42:53+00:00

Gnarlhorn Satyr - Heavy Warbeast for Circle of Orboros

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Kiour_gr — 2008-06-12T08:41:12+00:00

Pureblood Warpwolf- Alpha Warbeast from Circle of Orboros

Thread: Re: Why a "wargame"?

masaakunokouchi — 2008-05-29T17:31:03+00:00

no on the historical, a game does not need to be historical to be a wargame, and magic in no way one way or the other makes a game a war game or not, it has no bearing on that matter. At least, the fact that there is magic, how the magic is used/portrayed is what might or might not define it as a wargame.

Thread: Re: Why a "wargame"?

Philip Thomas — 2008-05-29T17:22:16+00:00

Arlecchino wrote:
It's not important the historical background?
How is possible that a game with magic combo powers is a wargame?

BGG uses the 'wargame' tag for games which involve war. The war can be science fiction or fantasy. For example, War of the Ring is a very popular wargame.

Thread: Re: Why a "wargame"?

watcher_b — 2008-05-29T17:15:20+00:00

Arlecchino wrote:
It's not important the historical background?
How is possible that a game with magic combo powers is a wargame?
Ok then, let's start with what is your definition of a war game?

Thread: Re: Why a "wargame"?

Arlecchino — 2008-05-29T16:41:05+00:00

It's not important the historical background?
How is possible that a game with magic combo powers is a wargame?

Thread: Re: Why a "wargame"?

DarrellKH — 2008-05-29T16:31:33+00:00

If the primary focus of a miniatures game is war, how is it not a wargame?

Thread: Re: Why a "wargame"?

masaakunokouchi — 2008-05-29T16:02:39+00:00

you fight battles no? The game is a small part of a larger war no? It's just a changed up version of war machine no? It is most certainly a wargame, on a skirmish scale.

Thread: Why a "wargame"?

Arlecchino — 2008-05-29T15:29:20+00:00

I know this game, and i've played 3-4 match. It don't seem to me a wargame... why in the description is called a wargame?

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Ghool — 2008-05-14T17:54:04+00:00

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Ghool — 2008-05-14T17:53:34+00:00

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Mr_Dove — 2008-04-09T05:10:14+00:00

Circle Orboros art by Andrea Uderzo

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Mr_Dove — 2008-04-09T05:09:09+00:00

Bronzeback Titan concept art by Andrea Uderzo

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Mr_Dove — 2008-04-09T05:08:07+00:00

Agonizer concept art by Andrea Uderzo

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Mr_Dove — 2008-02-21T16:11:57+00:00

Woldwarden with thematic moss growing on him

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grimbergen — 2008-02-20T05:51:59+00:00

Pyre Troll (Trollbloods) - the first of my army that will be completed somtime...soon.....

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JayAdan — 2008-02-10T17:35:42+00:00

One of the entries in the Gencon painting contest

Thread: Light Review of a great Miniatures Wargame

artproducts — 2008-01-01T16:25:55+00:00

Introduction/Topic
Hordes is a 30mm Tabletop Miniature Wargame, the latest release from the well-known company Privateer Press (published in Germany by Ulisses-Spiele). The game is settled in a fantasy, steampunk world named "Iron Kingdoms", where also the predecessor of Hordes, the miniature game Warmachine takes place. It is a setting where beside fantasy and magic elements, also technology has its place. Nevertheless the focus here is set more on the wild countryside of the Iron Kingdoms, where Warbeasts and Warlocks of different factions try to establish their power.

Components/Factions
In Hordes you can choose one out of four different factions. The Trollbloods are a collection of various troll breeds, and the The Circle Orboros is a collective of powerful druids. The Legion of Everblight is an army of transformed and twisted creatures, and The Skorne are a warlike race of nomads.
To start with the game it is recommended to get a so-called Warpack (available for all factions, Quickstart-Rules included), which contains a couple of miniatures of one faction - definitely enough for your first battles. One miniature comes in a few tin parts, which have to be glued together and painted afterwards. Even if you are not used to this (as I am), it is great fun to assemble the figures and paint them afterwards. Believe me, the finished miniatures are really amazing and worth the efforts.

Gameplay
In each turn (wich are taken alternating by the players) the units can be be moved and afterwards actions are carried out - actions include melee attacks and ranged attacks, but it's also possible to cast magic spells. Each miniature comes with a stat card, showing its profile and abilities (Stats for Speed, Strength, Attack, Defense, Armor and so on). Resolving of combat is rather simple as first you basically just have to compare values for Attack and Defense (including a 2d6 dice roll) and if successful (which means that the target model has been hit), you then have to add 2d6 to the Strength value of the attacker, subtract the Armor value of the Defender, and you have the damage points caused by the hit. What makes Hordes really special are the fury points, which can be used by a Warlock (who is leading the Warbeasts around him) to cast magic spells or carry out special attacks. Fury points are generated by the Warbeasts, when forced to perform special actions by the Warlocks.

Conclusion
The rules are quite clear, although offering a lot of depth in gameplay - after your first plays you know what's going on in Hordes pretty well. Nervertheless it is necessary to deal with the specific units in detail and read carefully through their stat cards (and that's also an aspect of what makes the game so appealing), to find out about the advantages and disadvantages of the models, also in combination with the other units in your army. In my opinion also the setting and the background story of Hordes is really attractive and quite unique. Hordes is an overall great miniature game that plays fast and agressive, and which offers lots of possibilities and will guarantee exciting battles in the Iron Kingdoms.

Thread: My first Hordes game

Thegreatrob — 2007-05-15T16:47:29+00:00

Hordes
Not completly accurate title, I've played against hordes list many times. (being a long time warmachine player) I finally broke down and pulled out my Everblight army, I hadn't played it yet, but had been collecting/painting it for several months. We decided to play a 3 person free-for-all at the 500pt level. I sported Everblight (duh!), My friend James rocked out the Skorne, and Lil Nick trugded forward with Trollbloods. Like idiots we let L.N. setup terrain, and of course there's NO forest, and a huge lake in the middle of the board.

My List:

Vayl
2- Carnivians
3- Shedders
Striders
Forsaken

James:

Hexerius
Cyclops Savage
Titan Gladiator
Titan Cannoneer
Cataphact Aqauri
Paingivers

Lil Nick:

Madarack
Dire Troll Mauler
2 units of Champions
Fell caller
Kreel Stone Bearers
Totem Hunter

First turn:

I went first after setup, I sent the striders to shoot down some trolls. And reorganized the rest of my army to perpare for the skorne. Making sure to get enough fury for Vayl, and let my forsaken consume 4 fury of one my carnivians.

As I figured here comes James with a Cyclops(soul slave) and the Cataphract(Death March). Horray! The Cyclops charges and one shots one of my shredders (i forgot about the 2" reach) Luckly Hex and the titans when to squish some trolls.

Due to poor setup (lake) L.N. sends Maddy twords the skorne and his mauler after my striders (whoops Mauler outta control area) No rilling for you. Totem hunter also comes after the striders. Everything else wants to clobber the hell out of some titans.

Turn 2:

Vayl centers in her battle group casting incite Zaps the Savage w/malice leaving 2 fury leaving one to shunt dmg. Needing vengance for my shedder I send my forsaken to Shroud that savage sitin with 3 fury on it, could have done more damage but the two shredders should finish the job. First shredder goes nuts and leave the savage with 3 life left, second shedders charges in and hits beautifully and on dice -5 rolls three ones ! One Carny assaults the Cataphract killing the one he charged and leaving the unit leader with 1 life. Death march hurts my Carny. Swing with talon and finishes off the savage. I position the other carny between Vayl and the skorne making sure he's in Dark sentinal range. Striders run from totem hunter back to the group.

Cataphract charge killing my Assaulting Carny, and my forsaken. Cannoneer misses the Fell caller. The rest is reposistioning towards the Trolls. Throws up dimish on both titans.

Trolls crash into both titans fell caller and both units of Champs, all do minimal damage (dbl dimish hurts) Maddy throws sure foot on the center most troll in the mix. pops stone aura. Mauler runs to rejoin Maddy. Totem hunter runs to catch my striders.

3rd turn:

Striders turn around to face the hunter doing a total of 4 dmg to it among the whole unit. Shredders and 2nd Carny finish off the Cataphract (death march kills the shredders and wounds the carny severly) Vayl dumps 7 fury on healing the Carny away from death.

Hex pops feat and kills a champ that made 3 tough rolls. Titans attemp to kill trolls killing about 4 champs, troll buffs/tuff is a pain. Pain givers kill one. Trolls tough kills another feat turn.

Totem hunter kills two striders with the spear and misses with the shield. The cannoneer and the gladiator takes a major pounding from the champs, leaving the cannoneer just enough dmg to be cut down by the fell caller. Maddy pops feat (useless against two beast and a warlock) splits a paingivers in half with the thrown axe(mauler buffed) and the gladiator falls to the ricochet. Sure Foot's himself. Stone Scribes charge in leaving Hex with 5 life.

4th turn:

Stiders kill the Totem hunter. Vayl and her remaning 2 beast go to join the caster fray. The Shredder charges and kills a champ, then Vayl pops feat and hoarfrost killing the fell caller and the rest of that champ unit. She also dumps 4 more fury to heal the carny.

Hex suicide bombs himself killing alot! James is removed from game. Leaving Maddy, the mauler (which gets it's body knocked out), and two stone scribes for the trolls. And myself with Vayl, a Carney (full health now), a shredder, and 4 striders.

Rest of the game:

My Carney chased maddy around. The Mauler ate 2 of my striders right after the finished off the Stone Bearer and Scribe. Evetually the carney charged the mauler in the back and ripped it appart, Maddy killed the shredder right before the carney turned around and devoured his soul.

Everblight is totally victorious with 4 models left! And I was pleased with winning my first game as a hordes player. I wish I'd have taken a seraph instead of the striders, but I guess I'll try that next time.

Thread: Everblight Overview

Thegreatrob — 2007-05-08T21:14:33+00:00

The Good and the Bad about my favorite Hordes faction.

Ch.1 Warlocks

Lylith: The most underated warlock that everblight has.

Bad: She needs to avoid melee at all cost, only 3 base spells, only 5 fury stat.

Good: Her bow gives all her spells an instant 12" range, if played correctly you should never have to use her fury stat for spells. Speed 7 w/pathfinder and bushwacked which makes her the most mobile caster in the game. Her feat can be used early in game to cripple your oppenent (Assaulting or Trampling Carnivian, Charging Warmongers).

Thagaroth: Very Scary to see on the other side of the table.

Bad: Slow, and doesn't work well with ranged units. His feat is limited.

Good: Everything else, excellent spell list most important of which is Death Shroud, which gives every model within 14" of Thagy concealment and -2 STR to enemy models. Good in melee and a pretty good ranged attack. Many list with this caster' consist of all Warbeast and one or two Forsaken.

Vayl: The most fragile warlock.

Bad: Super easy to kill, most spells don't have the range they should, no melee attack. You must take 2 Carnivians to play her competativly.

Good: 8 fury, lot's of beast and spell casting. Dark Sentinal is arguably one of the best abilities in the game, I don't think anyone wants a boosted P+S 20 attack to hit them on their turn.

Thread: regress and let your savagery rule supreme!

Oni no board — 2007-04-30T01:28:31+00:00

Hordes is another 30mm tabletop miniatures battle game by Privateer Press set in the world of the Iron Kingdoms. The starters are one of 4 factions: the Trollbloods, Circle of Orboros, Skorne, and the Legion of Everblight. Each starter comes with a warlock, about 2 light warbeasts and a heavy warbeast. Each starter also contains a quick play guide that gives you enough rules to get you started playing right away (well, as soon as you can put the figures together fast enough). There is also a much more comprehensive rulebook for those who liked what they saw and want more.

The rulebook is in full, glorious color. Each faction is introduced with a very engaging short story along with an overall short story tying Hordes with WarMachine. There are artwork peppered througout the book and all of them are of high quality. There are also photos of beautifully painted figures showcasing the figures of each each faction.

The miniatures are of high quality, 100% metal, and very detail oriented. Painting them is such a joy. Putting them together, on the other hand, can sometimes get very frustrating. Because of the heaviness of many of the pieces, pinning is pretty much a requirement and I've also had to learn how to use molding clay to get the pieces to fit right.

The game mechanics follows the same format as WarMachines. Now, instead of Warcasters and Warjacks, we have Warlocks and Warbeasts. The game still rewards the aggressor and penalizes those who hold back. Movement, formation, line of sight, melee, and ranged attacks follow the same rules as found in WarMachines. For those not familiar with WarMachines, the basic flow of the game is this:

A player turn has 3 phases: Maintenance, Control, and Activation.

During the Maintenance Phase, he removes any effects that expire at the beginning of his turn, removes excess Fury Points (needed to fuel a Warlock's spells),resolve any compulsory effects on his models, check for any continuing effect(s), and activate fleeing models, in that order.

During the Control Phase, each of his Warlocks may leach any number of Fury Points up to that Warlock's Fury stat from friendly warbeasts in his control area. Each Warlock may then spend the necessary Fury Points to pay for his upkeep spells. He then makes a threshhold check for each warbeast that still retains a Fury Point and if it fails, the warbeast immediately frenzy. Finally, he resolves any other effects that occur during this phase.

During Activation Phase, each model or group of models (units) first moves (or forfeit movement) and then perform one action.

Each model's stats consist of command, speed, strength, melee attack (MAT), ranged attack(RAT), defense, armor, and some further consist of fury and/or threshhold. Models with multiple damage capacity have rows of damage circles for tracking damage received.

The game is resolved by using 6 sided dice. In combat, whether melee or ranged, you roll 2d6 and add your MAT/RAT. If the attack roll equals or exceeds target's defense, it hits. A roll of all 1s on the dice is an automatic miss and a roll of all 6s is an automatic hit regardless of the attacker's MAT/RAT or his opponent's defense rating. Combat is made more complicated with the combination of the type of movement chosen and the type of attack or special ability chosen after said movement. One example that exemplifies Hordes is a Power Attack called Rend. It must be performed by a heavy warbeast, cannot charge during movement ,and must be forced (it gains a Fury Point). The heavy warbeast rips apart a smaller based model. The heavy warbeast makes one melee attack against a living model with a small or medium base. If the target is destroyed by this attack, enemy models within 5" of the attacking warbeast must pass a command check or flee.

For those familiar with WarMachines, there are enough differences to make this a totally different game and not a rehash of WarMachine with just new factions. One, is the difference between Focus Points and Fury Points. One big difference is that a Warcaster receives Focus Points every round whereas a Warlock must leach Fury Points from his warbeasts. Focus Points left on the Warcaster adds to his armor but Fury Points do not add to the armor of a Warlock. Instead he may transfer damage to his warbeasts. While both can spend their respective points to heal themselves, a Warlock can also spend Fury Points to heal his warbeasts.

Another is that though a Warcaster has fewer tactical options as he loses his warjacks, he retains his overall power. The power level of a Warlock, on the other hand, wanes as his warbeasts are slain. A Warcaster retains the same number of spells throughout the game. A Warlock gains additional spells for each warbeast in his horde.

Finally WarMachine is a game of resource management whereas Hordes is a game of risk management. A Warcaster can allocate Focus Points without his warjacks going out of control or turning on him. A Warlock must be constantly aware of the Fury Points generated by his warbeasts. Too much and they will frenzy, not enough, and the Warlock will lack the Fury Points necessary to do what he wants.

Hordes has many of the qualities that made its predecessor popular. It also has enough differences to warrant a separate game and not just as an expansion of WarMachine. While You can field a large army, the game runs best in skirmish type games (fielding only one Warlock). While WarMachine is a joy to play, the chaotic nature of Hordes makes the game more exciting in my opinion. The fear that your warbeast can potentially bite you in the ass makes the outcome more unpredictable.

Thread: Re: User Review

Stradk — 2007-02-14T14:05:37+00:00

Very good review!

just wanted to thank you for writing about all the questions I had about this game.. Now all there is left for me to decide is what faction I should start with

Thread: Re: Factional Differences

matthewjhoskins — 2006-09-07T14:52:51+00:00

smittenkitten wrote:
The Legion are really, really fast. I almost view them as Cryxian in speed. Alot of their beasts avoid terrain effects which is really awesome

True! The Wolds are very interesting. Legion are a very interesting faction when it comes to mobility. They also have some very good infantry.

Thread: Re: User Review

matthewjhoskins — 2006-09-07T14:51:02+00:00

emceekhan wrote:
Nicely written review.

I have watched a lot of Horde games lately, just because the game seems to generate as much FURY in the players as in their Beasts. It looked like a lot of fun. Now it sounds like a lot of fun from the review.

I also found from talking to one of the Horde players and it sounds like, to me, that the game can be as simple or as complex as you want. If you want, you can forego some of the more advanced options/rules until you get the basics down. You can gradually learn the game in stages, if you chose to do so (and have a willing partner to play with you in this manner).

I've always liked the Iron Kingdoms background, and I'm just starting to read about the Hordes. It sounds like a really interesting and fantastical story. I'll have to try the miniatures game sometime.

Hordes can be a lot of fun even when playing with basic rules. The rules have a lot of depth. The game gets tactically more involved when you add infantry and the the rules get slightly more involved. However, the game has a pretty slight learnging curve. After a few simple battles using only Boxset vs. Boxset you'll quickly want to play more involved games.

This is a super time to pick up Hordes.

The Iron Kingdom setting is very cool. I recommend reading the No Quarter Magazine or even picking up some of the RPG books for more IK background material.

Thread: Re: User Review

emceekhan — 2006-09-02T02:25:26+00:00

Nicely written review.

I have watched a lot of Horde games lately, just because the game seems to generate as much FURY in the players as in their Beasts. It looked like a lot of fun. Now it sounds like a lot of fun from the review.

I also found from talking to one of the Horde players and it sounds like, to me, that the game can be as simple or as complex as you want. If you want, you can forego some of the more advanced options/rules until you get the basics down. You can gradually learn the game in stages, if you chose to do so (and have a willing partner to play with you in this manner).

I've always liked the Iron Kingdoms background, and I'm just starting to read about the Hordes. It sounds like a really interesting and fantastical story. I'll have to try the miniatures game sometime.

Thread: Re: User Review

csc14us — 2006-08-12T22:01:56+00:00

Great review - really helped a lot. Thanks!

Thread: Re: User Review

LionElJonson — 2006-07-11T14:21:39+00:00

I've read quite a bit about this game and it seems VERY interesting. I really do want to play it, but unforetunately I cannot paint to save my life...*sigh*

Thread: Re: User Review

Anfo — 2006-06-23T11:03:33+00:00

awesome review, just what i was looking for. I am curious about the game, glad to see a popular alternative to GW that has alot of strategy and difference in armies even if chosen the same faction.

the rules do look very nice, i almost bought them based on the artwork. just put off by the rules, they look a bit complicated, but looks worth it!

i might get a box, just have to convince my group to get a box too, but they like to save money, man... bummer.

meh, stuff it. i'll get it anyway.

looks like warmachine stood the test of time, should be better than flames of war.

nice cat Jenny!

Thread: Re: User Review

matthewjhoskins — 2006-06-04T05:29:17+00:00

Geosphere wrote:
Excellent write up. I've never played this nor Warmachine.

How complex are the core (basic) rules themselves compared to something like Warhammer? .)

The basic mechanic is 2d6+ a stat compared to another stat.

There are a couple categories where a player will be faced with large numbers of options:

Casting Spells
Using Power Attacks

Spells - each warlock has a few spells to choose from. Many players spend their first few games trying to figure out which spells to cast, when to cast them. Some spells are very usefull and have very intuitive uses. Some spells are subtle.

Warbeast have an Animus, which behaves in most ways like a spell. Friendly warlocks can use warbeast Animi like spells. Different combinations of warlocks with warbeasts will behave differently ( from a strategic sense) For example, you and I may both play the Skorne faction. If I field a force using Cyclops and Morghul, it will offer different strategic choices and options that your force with Makeda and Titan Gladiators. This is one of the best things about the game in my mind. I can collect 500-700 points of troops and warbeasts and 3 warlocks. Simply changing warlocks while using the same troops and warbeasts provides the feeling that I'm playing something very different each time.

Choosing which models to field is often as important as how you use the models on the tabletop.

Power Attacks - warbeasts have a common pool of power attacks. These range from slams to headbutts to armlocks. Some power attacks are very effective, while others have more subtle effects. Knowing when to execute a power attack instead of a normal attack routine is another skill to develop.

The decision making process is probably the most complicated part of Hordes games.

Geosphere wrote:
How long does a game take?

(All of this looking to see if my 7 year old mini fanatic would fare well with it.)

Box set games will take 25 minutes to 50 depending on how familiar both players are with the rules and the models.

500 point games are playable in 50 minutes to 3+ hours.

Thread: Re: User Review

Elyot16 — 2006-06-02T13:32:40+00:00

Geosphere wrote:
Excellent write up. I've never played this nor Warmachine.

How complex are the core (basic) rules themselves compared to something like Warhammer?

How long does a game take?

How much math is involved?

(All of this looking to see if my 7 year old mini fanatic would fare well with it.)

The rules are pretty simple, though there are some more advanced actions that can be a bit complex at times. Overall though it is really easy to grasp. I haven't played Warhammer, so I can't answer that, but I know that it took about 15 minutes for me to get a complete understanding of the basic mechanics of the rules.

The complexity of the game comes in the strategy aspect. As I mentioned in my review, it takes a great deal of thought to figure out how you are going to order things to get the combinations you are looking for. Because the game is set up so you can't go back to an individual piece after you have activated it then moved to another piece, it can be very difficult for a beginner.

People will argue over the length of the games. My most recent Hordes boxed set game took a shade under and hour to play. I've also played some 500 point Warmachine games that have taken 6 hours. It is real dependent on the models you field. I would say that Hordes is a bit more in your face, so games should take a little less time. Basically the more points you play, the longer the game. A lot of people use timers for turns, allowing only 15 minutes per turn per person. You can pretty much count on turn 3 as being the turn where armies really start mixing it up. I've found most games are done by turn 6.

The math is simple. All addition and subtraction of numbers between 2 and 30. Shouldn't be a problem there.

Thread: Re: User Review

smittenkitten — 2006-06-02T11:30:39+00:00

The basic core rules are insanely simple! You can open a starter kit and be playing within the day. The rules you need to play are summarised on a poster (which is what Privateer Press issue every starter kit with).

The maths is also simple. Extremely simple additions and subtractions with easy to remember modifiers.

Without the ability to pick magical items/artefacts/weapons for your characters/units - Warmachine/Hordes becomes a really simple, quick game.

Thread: Re: User Review

Geosphere — 2006-06-01T19:12:10+00:00

Excellent write up. I've never played this nor Warmachine.

How complex are the core (basic) rules themselves compared to something like Warhammer?

How long does a game take?

How much math is involved?

(All of this looking to see if my 7 year old mini fanatic would fare well with it.)

Thread: User Review

Elyot16 — 2006-06-01T17:29:52+00:00

I have played Warmachine (the older sister of Hordes) for about a year and truly loved that game. When Hordes was getting close to release I felt a bit betrayed by my friends who had already pre-ordered their Hordes battleboxes in anticipation of this "same as Warmachine" new game. I stood firm claiming I was not going to shell out more money for another army when I already had a Warmachine army that was perfectly functional. Knowing that Hordes could still be played against Warmachine furthered my resolve, at least until release day.

I of course buckled and purchased a box set on the day of release, so swepted up in the excitement generated by my gaming group. I'm glad I did because while Warmachine is a great game, it is inherently flawed when compared to Hordes. Let's start from the beginning...

The Stuff: Hordes is a 30mm tabletop miniatures game. While Warmachine was a more steampowered, heavy metal type game, Hordes is much more primal, living character based game. It is focused around monstrous warbeasts and the warlocks that control them. Each battlebox generally contains all you need to play a friendly game with each faction (there are 4) balanced so that you and your buddy can each pick up a box and be playing each other in short order. The battleboxes run about $40-$50. Each battlebox also contains a quick start rules poster which while limited, gives you just about everything you need to play. I would suggest purchasing the companion rulebook, Primal, in order to give you a full understanding of the mechanics. The book comes in both hard and soft covers. Do yourself a favor, spend the extra $10 and get the hardcover. It is gorgeous and with the amount of reading you will do and referencing back to the rules, it will hold up much better than the softcover version.

When you purchase a battlebox the first thing you will discover is that the game is far from ready to play the moment you open the box. Most of the miniatures you purchase require some degree of assembly. Even the smallest of figures (in this case, my warlock) came with multiple pieces. This can be tedious and annoying. I've spent hours pinning (drilling holes into the pewter and inserting metal pins in order to stabilize bond between pieces) and gluing my figures in order to keep them from falling apart on the battlefield once the games actually began. I also don't feel as if my army is complete and ready to play unless the figures are painted (they come out of the box their natural pewter color). It is not necessary to do this, but thye asthetics of a game are important to me and while the miniatures are beautiful, there is something about an unfinished mini that makes me uncomfortable when playing a game (says the guys who spent hours painting his Shadows Over Camelot playing pieces).

Once you've got your miniatures ready to go you will need a few more things: a ruler or flexible tape measure (seamstress tapes are nice because they are small and flexible), a handful of six sided dice, and some counters that can be used to track fury. It is also recommended that you place the stat cards that come with the game in plastic card protectors and use a dry erase marker to tally damage directly on these card protectors.

All in all you can see that there is quite an investment when it comes to playing this game. In fact, Hordes (like Warmachine) is as much a hobby as it is a game. All told, in the 40 days since Hordes was released I have spent approximately $200 (which includes all the expansions to date, the battlebox, the rulebook and various materials to assemble, paint and flock my miniatures). By year's end Privateer Press plans even more expansions, so I will likely spend a lot more before I'm done.

Now, how do the game components rate? Everything is beautiful and well done. The book, Primal is incredible. There is beautiful artwork, including photographs of the miniatures fully painted and fielded. The fiction that is written to explain why the four factions are warring is incredibly well written and provides a perfect backdrop for the game. The rules themself are easy to understand and are backed by examples of game play with illustrations. As a guy who has made a career of technical writing and the development of industrial work instructions, I have to say that Primal is one of the best "rulebooks" I've ever read. Because the fiction is woven into the rules themself, it makes the reading much less tedious and actually very enjoyable. Those who skip the "fluff" are denying themselves a great read.

The miniatures are well sculpted and highly detailed. My only complaint is that occasionally you will find pieces that don't fit very well together making assembly difficult. When assembled and painted however they are amongst the best miniature sculpts I've ever seen. The Skorne Titan (a huge elephant-like warbeast) is amazing to see. Others, like the Circle Warpwolf or the Legion's Carnivean are just as magnificient.

The stat cards that come with each miniature are now in full color (a change from the early release of Warmachine miniatures) and are also well done. The life spirals (where you tick off the warbeast hit points) are a pain in that they can be difficult to read and seem to overlap themselves. Otherwise the cards are legible and organized.

The Mechanics: Hordes, like Warmachine, is best played as a two player game. It is possible to play with additional players, but increases the time taken to complete a game. Furthermore, any odd number of players tends to result in one player getting beat up on by the other two (or more) and can be very discouraging. For the purpose of this review, I will consider the game being played with 2 players.

Before battle both players need to agree on the army size. Each figure as a specific point value assigned to them. Battleboxes are prebalanced, so technically you can skip this part and just agree to play battlebox vs. battlebox. I enjoy playing larger games, so my group normally plays 500 point battles. At this time, with the figures that have been released there is barely enough to each the 500 point mark. A battlebox has approximately 280-300 points.

The point system is nice in that it allows players to build their army the way they want it. There is a certain degree of flexibility to be found in piecing together an army. It also allows the game to grow over time as more figures are released and new combinations are discovered. This also allows each game to be unique as players field different armies each time they play. While Hordes is still in it's infancy, the periodic releases (there have been two since the intitial release) allows the game to change often enough to keep it fresh and exciting.

Once players have decided on their armies, they set up the battleboard (typically a 4x4 board with terrain features representing forest, lakes, buildings, rocks, etc.) and choose sides (usually by rolling a die). The players then take turns setting up in a deployment zone, 10" from the edge of the board. Once this occurs, you are ready to begin.

An army is made up of 4 different types of miniatures: Warbeasts, Warlocks, Units and Solos.

Warbeasts are savage beasts, tamed by the warlocks and represent your frontline forces. They are generally large creatures with special abilities and powers. Giant werewolves, huge trolls or armor plated cyclopes are just a few of the examples. These beasts can have innate abilities which make them each unique and powerful in their own ways. Each warbeast is driven by the warlocks to perform certain tasks. These can include running at full speed, charging into a fight, casting a spell (called an animus), or attacking with increased accuracy/damage (called boosting) in order to take out the opposing player's creatures. Each action like this causes the warbeasts to generate fury, as they are pushed to perform these acts. This fury can cause warbeasts to lose control and frenzy, turning the beasts into veritable killing machines (capable of turning on even their own allies).

Warlocks are the driving force behind every army. To kill the opponent's warlock is to win the game. A warlock draws energy in the form of fury from their warbeasts in order to fuel their spells and spell abilities. Each turn a warlock can leach fury from their warbeasts, effectively keeping them from frenzying. This fury can also be used to heal the warlock or it's warbeasts, grant the warlock extra attacks or use the animus or any of the warbeasts it controls. Warlocks vary and are unique characters in the game. Just changing out a warlock can completely alter the way a game is played. A warlock is the only miniature that has the ability to perform a feat. A feat can be a game changing ability (more powerful than most spells) that is unique to each caster. While a warlock has their feat available you need to be vigilant, as it is capable of altering the way a game plays out and turn the tides of battle. For example, Lylyth of the Legion has the ability to grant an extra die for all attack rolls for any friendly model in her control area for one turn.

Units are groups of men or creatures with likes abilities that work as a cohesive group. The Wolves of Orboros are a group of spear wielding warriors that support the Circle faction. While units as individuals may not be as effective as a warbeast, they are extremely effective as a group, occasionally getting special abilities that further increase their value. A unit can neither generate or receive fury, and as a result cannot boost their attacks or damage or cast an animus. A unit can be a ranged or melee unit (or both) and serve as a nice compliment to the warbeasts.

Solos are unique characters with special abilities. These can be used to flesh out an army and generally work by themselves. Like units, they can neither generate or receive fury. Solos can be extremely powerful and like units, work to compliment the warlock and warbeasts.

Each model in a Hordes army has a stat card which presents them with unique statistics used in the game. These include movement, strength melee attack, ranged attack, defense, armor, command, threshold and fury. I won't go into a great deal of detail just to say that these stats determine how well a model does in combat. The higher the value for each stat, the better you are.

The game alternates back and forth with each player taking a turn and moving their individual pieces. One of the most difficult things to manage is the turn structure of the game. A figure or unit must perform all of its actions prior to any other figure acting. This takes a great deal of strategy as a player tries to figure out how to unfurl each of the tactics necessary to perform the combination they are looking for. For me this is the highlight of the game and presents a unique way of interacting all of the pieces of the army. This is probably why the larger armies are more applealing, as they give you additional opportunites to perform complicated tactics.

The Gameplay: Gameplay is exciting and where Warmachine failed, Hordes gets it right. While I love Warmachine, the mechanics are flawed. In Warmachine, a warcaster (the equal to Hordes warlocks) maintains their power throughout the entire game. It is possible to have every piece on the board wiped out and still win with your warcaster. In Hordes, a Warlock is reliant on their warbeasts. Without them, they tend to weaken. With none, they are practically powerless. It is the warbeasts that generate fury, which the warlocks leach off in order to fuel their spells and abilities. Furthermore, if you cannot control the fury on your warbeasts, you tend to lose control of them as they frenzy and attack at random. The management system in Hordes is far superior to that of Warmachine. Each turn you are left with the decision to save fury, burn all the fury, force or not force your warbeasts, etc. It is beautiful in its balance and can careen out of control if not done correctly.

The warbeasts in Hordes seem relatively weaker than the warjacks found in Warmachine, but are much more versatile. In Warmachine, I might might be able to perform special actions with one or two of my warjacks. In Hordes, every one of my warbeasts can perform a special action (at the risk of creating so much fury that they all frenzy). This adds up to some pretty dicey decisions and forces a player to take risks.

In Hordes warbeasts are essential, in that without warbeasts your warlock has nothing to fuel their spells and abilities. In Warmachine, many times you did not even need to field a Warjack. Warmachine was supposed to be built around the titanic monstrosities but because of the game mechanics, have been relegated to a supporting role behind the units and solos. This was corrected in Hordes and the result is a much better game. Warmachine is still a wonderful game, but Hordes is just better.

Horde games seem to run bit shorter. This is likely because we are currently playing with fewer points, but can also be attributed to the fact that as warbeasts die off, options become fewer and fewer. Hordes also pushes the players to mix it up. Agression is rewarded, where conservatism does nothing.

The game itself is not very complicated, but as I mentioned earlier, the strategies are. It is not an easy game to master, and because of all the combinations of armies, there are very few cookie cutter combinations that are employed every game. This keeps the game fresh. It also encourages players to try new things. Throw that together with the fact that every board is typically set up different and you get a game that is unique every single time.

My only real criticism of the game is that there are times when the results hinge on a simple die roll. A lucky die roll can win you a game just as easily as a bad die roll can lose it. However, with the amount of strategy that is employed, this is a minor thing and certainly shouldn't deter anyone from playing.

Hordes, like Warmachine, is a game that you cannot just dabble in. It is a game that requires time and some degree of dedication. It is a lot of fun and is amazing in it's "simple complexity". I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys tabletop miniature gaming and also to anyone who is looking for their first miniatures game.

Thread: Re: Factional Differences

smittenkitten — 2006-05-06T13:26:34+00:00

The Legion are really, really fast. I almost view them as Cryxian in speed. Alot of their beasts avoid terrain effects which is really awesome

Thread: Re: Factional Differences

matthewjhoskins — 2006-05-04T19:47:23+00:00

anarchy wrote:
What are the gameplay differences between the various factions?
My (incredibly basic) understanding is:

Trollblood
Mixed melee and ranged. The "standard" race.

Skorne
Erm, not really sure how they fit into this.

Circle Orboros
Heavy melee, minimal range. Lots of regen. Can do tricky stuff with terrain.

Legion of Everblight
The ranged specialists.

In Terms of Gameplay

Trolls are resilliant. Trolls universally have toughand many regenerate.Trolls tend to be a blunt force on the battle field.

Skorne have a mix of elite infantry and solid warbeasts. The Cyclops' Animus - Precience is amazing, simply amazing. Skorne tend to be heavily armored. The Tormentor is a finesse, support warlock (who looks like a front-line warlock but isn't) while Makeda is superb at supporting troops.

The Cirlce have a variety of combos and tricks. Most factions have a few combos. The Circle have a host of them. Many of their infantry are fast and have melee reach 2. They are currently the only faction in Hordes or Warmachine that have melee reach greater than 2 ( via a warlock spell that adds 2" to reach) In addition to fielding fleh and blood warbeasts they have constructs (Woldwarden) which don't frenzy. The Woldwarden uses magic differently than standard warbeasts.

The Legion have Shredders. These small,effective inexpensive warbeasts allow the Legion to field a true horde of models. Legion has some heavy hitters and some unique tricks.

Thread: Factional Differences

anarchy — 2006-05-04T04:08:31+00:00

What are the gameplay differences between the various factions?

From the Privateer Press website:

The Factions:
HORDES is based in the wilderness of the Iron Kingdoms, a sharp contrast to the steam-powered, man-made armies featured in WARMACHINE —and it will launch with four all-new playable factions. The initial release will feature the resilient Trollblood, the vicious Skorne, the mysterious Circle Orboros, and the tainted Legion of Everblight.

Trollblood
For centuries they have seen their sacred lands taken and their numbers diminished. Now the human nations have brought war to their last refuges in western Immoren. Banding together with their less civilized kin, the trollkin are on the warpath united with heavily armed trolls and the wild dire trolls. The Trollblood march to war to claim what is theirs.

The Circle Orboros
A mysterious and secretive group, few know of this ancient order of druids. Though few in number, they wield great power and influence wherever the shadow of wilderness falls. Capable of summoning the forces of the storm and stone, their will is rarely contested. Now they command the beasts of the wild to fight any who would dare.

Legion of Everblight
The dragon Everblight was thought defeated by the Iosans centuries ago, but one does not so easily stop the immortal scions of the Dragonfather. Everblight has returned from his prison in the Top of the World and unleashes his newly massed legion of blighted beasts upon the world.

The Skorne
From beyond the treacherous Bloodstone Marches, the savage race of the Skorne now march on western Immoren with but one purpose: the utter subjugation of all its nations under their dreaded touch. With this army of sorrows come warbeasts the likes of which the nations of men have never seen.

My (incredibly basic) understanding is:

Trollblood
Mixed melee and ranged. The "standard" race.

Skorne
Erm, not really sure how they fit into this.

Circle Orboros
Heavy melee, minimal range. Lots of regen. Can do tricky stuff with terrain.

Legion of Everblight
The ranged specialists.

Thread: Basic Description

dboeren — 2005-11-30T21:00:07+00:00

Hordes is the new expansion to Warmachine planned to be released around March of 2006. It consists of 4 brand new factions, and is fully compatible with the existing Warmachine factions. The publisher expects to have the quickstart rules and boxed set figure stats available online within the next week or so. The theme is meant to be that of tribal powers, rather than the civilized nations of Warmachine. The technology level is low and they use warbeasts instead of steam-powered warjacks.

The 4 new factions are:
Trollbloods - Trolls, trollkin, and their allies
Circle Orboros - Druids and primal beasts like werewolves, etc...
Everblight - Mutated beasts and subjugated elves controll by a dragon
Skorne - A savage people from across the desert

The game system is virtually identical to Warmachine with a single key difference.

In Warmachine, your warcaster starts with a certain number of focus points each turn. This focus can be used to cast spells, enhance combat, heal, boost armor, or be allocated to your jacks.

In Hordes, there is a similar concept where a warlock may use fury points to do many of the same things that a warcaster can do with focus. However, instead of starting with a full tank each round, fury is generated by your warbeasts and siphoned off by the warlock. The harder you push your beasts the more fury they generate and the more carnage they will be able to cause. However, you can only siphon off a certain amount and any excess left on the beasts results in them having to take a frenzy check. If a beast frenzies, it will attack anything nearby - even friendly models.

In short, Warmachine is more about resource management and Hordes is more about risk management. For more information, read the Privateer Press forums at http://forums.privateerpress.com/.