Nautica - for Warhammer fantasy battles

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 18:09:00 +0000

Nautican Design Notes Blog (for regular updates)

the origin of the Nauticans

click army book cover below to download draft 5.0 of the PDF

My other Warhammer Fantasy Battle related sites

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 02:00:00 +0000

Hi, my names Sigmar, I look after some other Warhammer blogs/forums :-

Warhammer / GW news and Fantasy Battle articles

Fantasy Battle Reports - loads of them !

Fantasy Battle forum - the friendliest there is.

Current Nautican project status

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 01:30:00 +0000

As at 6th March 2010
things to do / top priorities

playtesting, playtesting, playtesting

write up some background fluff

order Tzeentch Screamers to use as Sting Rays

order more Komodons to use as Wave Breakers

order Black Scorpion Minaitures Giant to use as The Guardian of Time

minor corrections to pdf draft 5.0 and update this blog to draft 5.0

completed

~~create Nautican promotional video~~

assembling my own 2250pt army - started ordering models

~~copying army into pdf - started~~

~~create quick reference sheet (done for pdf)~~

~~add captions to all minis on slideshow~~

~~add captions to all artwork on slideshow~~

~~add Octobipod unit~~ (see Design Notes - unit ideas)

~~list suitable miniatures on 1 page (almost completed~~

~~Tidy up home page (add slideshow link)~~

~~move miniatures to new page so army can be printed~~

~~add disqus widget for readers to easily follow comments~~

~~add recent links widget back to Design Notes blog~~

~~add new header picture to personalise the army a bit more~~

Nautican Army Warhammer forum discussions

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 01:00:00 +0000

Links to discussions on various Warhammer Fantasy Battle forums:-

Battle Reporter - Nautican home forum (preferred)

dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/215755.page (extensive analysis)

librarium-online.com/forums/general-hobby-discussion/133822-new-warhammer-army-nauticans.html

bugmansbrewery.com/A-New-Warhammer-Army-Emerges-From-The-Oceans-t23168.html

asrai.org/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=12742&p=156471#p156471

theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=157522

The Nauticans are back... almost !

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 11:45:00 +0000

For anyone following this unofficial Warhammer army project, I have some good news.

I will be updating the army book in the next month because I have a week to book off work. The army will be getting some new units, special rule simplification and a full update to 8th edition rules.

I can't wait, so I've already started work but I don't suspect I'll have time to finish it all off and give it a polish until my holiday.

I'll be bringing both the army book pdf and this blog up-to-date.

I'll keep you posted,
Sigmar

PS. Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me throughout this project. It has been going on a L-O-N-G time so thanks for your patience. It's time to put this baby to bed and present a balanced playable list so I can carry on collecting my Nautican minis and concentrate on painting them rather than writing about them :)

The Nauticans grab a new look - just in time for Warhammer 8th Edition !

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Fri, 28 May 2010 21:38:00 +0000

I found a nice-to-look at "sea view" for the finned men, mermaids and creatures from the deep.

This is it, I hope you like the new Nautican site. I'll be updating the army list soon so please don't forget my fish boys :)

Thanks folks,
Sigmar

Nautican Warhammer Army Promotion Video on Youtube

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:03:00 +0000

I pieced together a quick Nautican Fantasy promo video on Youtube yesterday to try to raise a bit of interest in the army for more feedback and hopefully play testing by someone other than me :)

Anyway, here it is... turn your volume on for the "Jaws" theme tune.

Wave Breaker base size correction and pts reduction

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 12:59:00 +0000

The Armorcast.com Komodons have a base size of 25mm not 20mm.

From looking at various forums I believed that the Komodons had a base size of 20mm. The base size is in fact 25mm so I am adjusting the Wave Breaker profile to 25mm and reducing the pts cost from 6pts to 5pts. This change will take effect in the next draft of the army list (that is, after draft 5.0) .

This is probably good news for anyone who wants to collect the army because it effectively means that people can use Komodons (which have an excellent large dorsal fin with spines and a great tail fin - see pic) as Trident Guard or Wave Breakers. Likewise, if you want to save money you can now use Saurus Lizardmen and Temple Guard as Wave Breakers and Trident Guard.

Draft 5.0 of the Nautican unofficial Warhammer army has been released

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:57:00 +0000

Nautican Warhammer Fantasy Army pdf updated to draft 5.0

(click the army book cover to view online or download pdf)

I've tried to take into account much of the feedback from various forums, in particular warseer and warhammer.org.uk

Important: I have only updated the pdf to draft 5.0. This website still contains draft 4.0. I will update this over the next couple of weeks.

The changes are mainly balancing. There are no new units or rules (except Seaweedlings that are now proper swarms). Several rules have been simplified and some special rules removed.

Here's a summary of changes:-

Army Wide Special Rules
--------------------------------------------

Water feature terrain placement
Simplified Sea Storm movement penalty
Reduced likelihood of storm continuing
Sea Storm bound Lightning Bolt spell - cast once only at beginning of battle
Removed Chanty Singer (casualty rule)

Aqua Lore
--------------------

3 - Sea Surge - removed +1 inch per magic level of the caster
5 - Water Elemental - changed desc so only 1 can be raised at any one time and must be within 18" of a water feature, increased casting power from 9 to 10, stubborn instead of unbreakable, leadership 8 instead of 10
6 - Tidal Wave - complete rewrite

Core Units
----------------------

Coral Hunters
- Safety in Numbers rule removed

Crest Riders
- Safety in Numbers rule removed
- Wave Breaking charge simplified
- Restriction on use, depends on number of Mermaids or Sirens (2 per mermaid, 1 per Siren)

Wave Breakers
- pts value increase from 5pts to 6pts

Sandgangers
- removed immunity to missile fire
- removed regen 6
- added immunity to poison (they're made out of sand !)
- reduced basic profile stats Ws2, S2
- added "Crumble" rule
- pts reduced from 6 to 5

Stingrays
- barb charge reduced to from str+2 to str+1
- restriction on use, (units after the 1st must be taken as special or rare)
- minimum unit size increased from 3+ to 4+
- leadership increased from 6 to 7

Special Units
-----------------------

Aqualops
- Seaweedlings changed to swarm bases (d3 swarm bases rather than 3d6 individual Seaweedlings)

Interceptors
- Angular Attack rule greatly simplified
- Leviathan Charge rule greatly simplified

Tripoon Battery
- pts increase from 95pts to 115pts

Rare Units
-------------------

Leviathan
-some commentary changes (reverse table under control on 2+

Fortunis
- removed leadership rerolls
- removed missile fire rerolls
- magic rerolls exclude miscasts
- pts cost reduced from 240 to 180

Magic Items
---------------------

Weapons

Sea Staff - removed minor rule (incoming magical attacks) for simplication
Swordfish Broadsword - removed "not subject to always strikes last"
Snake o' Nine Tails - reduced strength from 3 to 2,

Armour

Crystal Crown - removed "shatter rule" for simplification
Great Clam Shield - removed rebound of saved attacks

Arcane Items

Muses Harp - changed leadership test -1 to leadership test, power expended on roll of 1 or 2 (not 1)
Knowledge of Shoal Strength - removed +1 to cast from "donated" power dice
Emerald Eye of the Kraken - increased from 30 to 40pts
Coral Amulet - removed "even if fleeing"

Enchanted Items

Dream Staff - no longer bound spell just one use
Book of Maliase - power depleted on a roll of 1 or 2 (not 1)

Banners

Venomous Spine - increased from 30 to 35 pts
Sea Sponge Standard - removed extra power dice for absorbed spells

Miscellaneous Corrections:
--------------------------------------
- change Kraken Shield to Leviathan Shield (Nautican Lord, Nautican Prince, Trident Guard)
- change all references to Manta Rays to Sting Rays

Note: this army is totally unofficial and in no way endorsed by Games Workshop

Nautican Warhammer (unofficial) Army PDF released (draft 4.0)

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:20:00 +0000

The new Unofficial Warhammer Army - the Nauticans, now available as a PDF

Well folks, we made it to the first downloadable draft version of the army list. Thank you to everyone in the Warhammer Fantasy Battle community for helping to make this happen.

This draft is to encourage some play testing and feedback. The army is not yet the finished article but we think it's getting very close.

Download the free Nautican (unofficial) Warhammer Army pdf

Please feedback all comments to:-

the Nautican Project thread in the Battle Reporter forum

Note: you will need a valid email address to join the forum (which only takes 2 minutes) but don't worry you will not be spammed and nobody will ever find out your email address. We typically send out 1 forum newsletter every 4-6 weeks and you can unsubscribe in the user control panel if you want to.

You can follow my progress in building this army and thoughts on rule changes and fluff in the Nautican Design Notes site

The Nautican Army List is completely unofficial and is not endorsed in any way by Games Workshop

Aqualops

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:42:00 +0000

The strange race known to the Nauticans as the Aqualops live deep down in the oceans. They dwell so deep and are so scare that the Nauticans rarely encounter them because even the bravest Trident Guard captain would fear swimming under such deep water pressures.

The Aqualops farm sea sprouts for food, these perculiar organisms spawn from spores in laval rock. They resemble seaweeds but have been given an animate existence by the magical hot underwater vents forced open by the ceaseless incursions of chaos.

Pts/model: 80 pts

	M	Ws	Bs	S	T	W	I	A	Ld
Aqualops	6	3	3	5	4	2	1	3	7

Base Size: 40x40mm

Unit Size: 1-2

Equipment: One Spore Rock, Claws and bad wind !

Special Rules: Scaly Skin 3+, Immune to Psychology, Stubborn

Spore Rock

These rocks contain the lifeblood of the Aqualop race - sea sprouts or "Sweadlings" as they are known by the Nauticans. Aqualops eat sea sprouts, in fact they eat nothing but sea sprouts (hence the repugnant odour that surrounds them in the low pressures of the surface world).

Each Aqualop carries a single Spore Rock into battle. Their tight grip keeps enough pressure on the Seaweedling spores to keep them from exploding forth into the surface world. The Spore Rocks usually sprout very slowly, just once every few years in the deep ocean chasms but the low air pressure on land vastly accelerates their growth rate turning them into living seaweed bombs !

Shooting a Spore Rock

An Aqualops can throw the spore rock during the shooting phase at the enemy or into open ground (if there are 2 Aqualops in a unit then they must both throw their rocks at the same time although they may choose different targets).

The Aqualops can throw the spore up to 8 inches, use the small artillery template and roll the artillery and scatter dice as usual.

Any models hit suffer a str2 hit with no armour save from the exploding spore that sprays blinding acid and spreads choking toxic fumes.

If the spore rock did not cause a direct hit then move the template in the direction of the scatter dice but only half of the distance indicated by the artillery dice.

If the artillery dice indicated a misfire then the Aqualops has inadvertently dropped the Rock Spore causing d6 str 2 hits (on himself only) with no armour save.

An Aqualops cannot use the Spore Rock in a stand and shoot reaction (they are far too dim witted and slow to be able to think of such a thing !)

If an Aqualops or his unit is engaged in combat before he has thrown his Spore Rock then he will immediately drop the rock causing d6 str2 hits on himself and d6 str2 hits on the enemy that engaged him in combat (with no armour save for either the Aqualops or his enemy).

An Aqualops that flees will automatically toss the Spore Rock over his shoulder. This causes no damage to either him or anyone standing behind him ! He cannot retrieve the Spore Rock later in the game and counts as having already thrown it.

Note: an Aqualops only takes one Spore Rock into battle, once it has been thrown or dropped the Aqualops cannot throw another one.

The Spore Rock Spawning

Spore Rocks explode on impact and instantly unleash the astonishingly fast growing Seaweedlings "living" within it.

	M	Ws	Bs	S	T	W	I	A	Ld
Seaweedling	4	3	3	2	1	1	3	1	10

Base Size: 20x20mm

Equipment: none but an annoying habit of getting in the way !

Special Rules: Unbreakable, Entangle, Swarm

The Seaweed "Swarm"

Whenever an Aqualops throws a rock during his shooting phase (not when he drops it when receiving a charge or fleeing) the spores will spread and instantly turn into Seaweedlings.

Each spore will explode into 3d6 Seaweedlings on impact. If the Spore hit it's target then line the Seaweedlings up against the enemy unit with the maximum number of Seaweedlings in base contact. Seaweedlings will usually be lined up with the enemy's front rank but if the Spore was thrown from within the enemy's flank or rear arc then the Seaweedlings should be lined up against the enemy's flank or rear respectively.

If the Spore missed it's target then line the Seaweedlings' front rank (5 wide) around the centre of the small template pointing towards the enemy the spore was thrown at. Note that if the Spore missed it's target the Seaweedlings' front rank must be no closer than 1" from it's targeted enemy.

Seaweedlings erupting from rock spores which hit their target in the shooting phase count as having charged in the following combat phase.

If the Spore Rocks thrown by two Aqualops in the same unit land in the same place (ie. if the small templates are touching) then the resulting Seaweedling units can be formed up as a single unit. If the templates did not touch then the Seaweedlings count as 2 separate units and must be positioned at least 1" apart from one another.

A Seaweedling unit does NOT suffer casualties as a result of being hit by a Spore Rock.

Entangle

All models in an enemy unit in base contact with a Seaweedling unit lose the always strikes first rule (if they had it). In addition, all models in the enemy unit suffer -1 to their strength as the "weeds" tug at their legs and weapons while the suffocating "Sweadling" toxic fumes sap the enemy's strength.

Swarm

Seaweedlings are formed up as individual 20mm base models but act like a swarm. Seaweedlings are unbreakable and have the skirmisher rule, they also suffer additional wounds if beaten in combat. The Seaweedling unit suffers an additional wound for every point by which they lose a combat resolution.

New Nautican Hero Unit Added: K' Li Mare

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:03:00 +0000

New Nauticans are breaking the surface waves while some others are destined to sink into the depths of Warhammer obscurity...

I'm drip feeding changes into the army for the next week or so. I think it's the best way of progressing because sadly I don't have enough time to spend a whole weekend on the project at the moment :(

Anyway, first up, a new hero unit to lead the Octobipods into battle. I felt they needed something to provide a bit of protection from ranged (Bs) direct fire weapons (although they remain quite vulnerable to panic attacks !) and a boost to their leadership.

K' Li Mare - the Octobipod Matriarch

I have loads more changes planned but like I said I don't have time to add them altogether so please check back once every few days. In the meantime, for those of you not checking the Design Notes blog, here's a probable new Rare Unit:-

Fortunis the Giant Ethereal Sea Turtle (on my Nautican design notes blog)

New Nautican Artwork: Wereshark and Octobipod

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:39:00 +0000

Gareth Pannan has come up trumps again with some great new Nautican Artwork

The Octobipod and the Wereshark (both Rare Units, although you can take an Octobipod special unit if the army includes an Octopus Giganteus)

Weresharks do not take kindly to Empire soldiers relieving themselves in the sea ;)

Click here to see a slideshow of Gareth's excellent Nautican artwork

The Nauticans faced off against the Lizardmen 2250pts

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:47:00 +0000

A brutal Warhammer Battle, lots of ebb and flow - the Nauticans coming of age !

Read the Nautican Army playtesting findings here.

"the jungle was left silent but for the screeches of the dying and the crack of scales and bones as vermin and other scavengers feasted..."

Image used with permission of dragon rune miniatures

Nautican Miniatures Slideshow

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 19:56:00 +0000

Suggested miniatures for Nautican units

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 19:21:00 +0000

(click image to see current eBay deals or to open supplier's website if miniature is not on eBay)

Nautican Lord level Characters

Special Characters - King of the Seas, The Guardian of Time

Mermaids & Elemental

Nautican Hero Level Characters

Sirens

Zheala, Chanty Singer #1, Chanty Singer #2, Vortex, Zharc

Core Units

Crest Riders & Coral Hunters, Wave Breakers, Stingrays

possible Ignimbrite (sandganger champion) followed by possible sandgangers
(personally, I plan to use GW crypt ghouls "coated" with sand).

Special Units

Interceptors (Saurus with spears), Oceanic Trident Guard (Temple Guard), Giant Crabs

Lobstrosities, Aqualops and Seaweedlings

Rare Units

Octobipods, Weresharks, Octopus Giganteus, Leviathan, Giant Turtle Fortunis (still searching)

reapermini.com "Pearl" Mermaid painted by Marike Reimer; freebooterminiatures.com mermaid painted by Bemalt von Brenda Gosman; reapermini.com "Lilaea" water sprite painted by Alison Scheirman; reapermini.com water elemental painted by Anne Foerster. Ignimbrite painted by Matt Verzani, Sandgangers painted by Chris Smith

Crest Riders & Coral Hunters are Games Workshop Lizardmen skinks. Interceptors and Oceanic Trident Guard are Games Workshop Lizardmen Saurus and Temple Guard.

(Games Workshop Ltd miniature images are copyrighted ©. All rights reserved. Used without permission).

"Recent Nautican Design Notes" - Widget Added

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:35:00 +0000

It just got easier to keep up-to-date with Nautican Army Design News

I have added an excellent widget (see left had side bar) which shows the last 6 most recent posts (and thumbnail pics) on the Design Notes site (naut2.blogspot.com).

So now you can just check this Army List site to see if there are any updates on the Design Notes site.

Octobipods

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:54:00 +0000

Abominations, alien looking in both sea and land habitats. These creatures are extremely dangerous to land creatures, possessing neuromuscular paralysing venoms unknown on the surface world. A single touch can lead to near instant motor paralysis and almost certain death, even their Nautican masters keep a safe distance from the Octobipods.

Points/model: 48 pts

	M	Ws	Bs	S	T	W	I	A	Ld
Octobipod	6	3	0	4	4	4	4	4	6
Blue Ring*	6	3	0	4	4	4	4	4	6

(* A Blue Ring shares the same profile as an Octobipod but it's venom exudes from all it's pores and is more toxic than it's cousin the Octobipod. A Blue Ring's poison wounds automatically on a 'To Hit' roll of 5+)

Unit Size: 3+ (base size 40 x 40mm)

Equipment: none

Special Rules: Seaborn, Creatures of the Reef, Causes Fear, Poisonous (and immunity to poison), Grapple, Slippery When Wet !

Options: A unit of 4 or more Octobipods may upgrade an Octobipod to a Blue Ring +20pts (Blue Rings are very rare !)

Grapple

Eight tentacles and two arms make an Octobipod very difficult to attack. Even the most skilful of enemies will find their striking and blocking impeded by the flailing tentacles of an Octobipod that will attempt to wrest shields, weapons and armour from it's foe.

Shields are easily clasped, deflected or prised away by a creature with 8 tentacles. For the purposes of close combat, treat any enemy bearing a shield as though they do not have a shield.

Because Octobopids are so difficult to attack enemies suffer -1 to hit in close combat.

Slippery When Wet !

Octobipods have three hearts and a lot of arms that impede even the most expert killers, there are also very slippery and therefore are not affected by the "Killing Blow" rule, it counts as a normal attack*

* this does not apply to the Wood Elves' "Killing Shot" or any other "Killing Blow" ranged weapon.

Octobipods are more prevalent in warmer waters where the Octopus Giganteus abides.

A Nautican army containing an Octopus Giganteus make take a single unit of Octobipods as a special unit choice (additional units of Octobipods count as rare unit choices).

The Origin of the Nauticans

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:03:00 +0000

The deep ocean empire of Nautica was established many thousands of years ago before the inhospitable surface world was fully formed. The Nautican Empire pre-dates the histories of all the surface dwelling races and the very existence of the oldest land based creatures.

The first incursions from the realms of Chaos was almost cataclysmic for the Nauticans. Terrible underwater wars, for which the Nauticans were ill prepared, were fought and Chaos all but destroyed the once proud underwater civilisation. What remained of the Nautican people hid themselves in deep ocean trenches, protected from the outside world with what remained of their elemental magics.

As the ages passed the Nauticans established small kingdoms and provinces in secret places on the ocean beds beyond the minds or imagination of any surface dweller or even the Daemons of Chaos. The Nauticans remained a small race, never again to achieve the greatness of the old ocean empire. As the Chaos incursions ravaged the surface world the Nauticans were ever vigilant and made every effort to protect the ocean floor and keep their presence in the world a secret. For millenia the Nauticans were successful in their endeavours and they lived peacefully learning to work in alliance with ocean creatures and in unison with the natural ways of the deep.
The Nautican mages and soothsayers foresaw the tragedy before the gates of Chaos opened between the tectonic plates and the underwater world was torn asunder by submarine volcanos, devastaing quakes and grotesque underwater daemons intent on reaping their God's will on the forces of law and nature.

The deep had become uninhabitable, the Nauticans had no choice but to find safe dwellings in shallower coastal waters, their survival depended on it. It was inevitable that the Nauticans would come into contact with the surface dwellers.

The Nautican Form

The Nautican nobility and their people are bipods and are generally similar in stature to slimline humans and elves although just like other creatures of the deep their appearance is as variable as the oceans they inhabit.

Typically a Nautican will stand slightly bowed but six feet in height when fully upright. Most Nauticans have black shark like eyes that can see deep into the dark ocean depths, their hands and feet are usually webbed and they bear residual scales on their necks, wrists and ankles that all help to streamline their bodies for ocean life.

Some Nauticans living deeper beneath the ocean waves, such as the ceatures making up the ranks of the Trident Guard, are reptilian in appearance and sport tails and fins like their aquatic brethren.

Older Nauticans bear repitilian like spines on their backs and crests on their heads, these are seen as marks of knowledge, wisdom and experience that may extend for up to a millenia in man years. The Nautican's wide jaws host gills that they can use to breathe underwater or to syphon the surface air for the short hours* they can survive out of water before they need to return for vital salts and nutrients.

The Nautican seers believe their race are the ancestors of the humans and the Elves and that the Nautican people have some great part to play before the end of times when the seas will once again engulf the world.

* Nauticans are able to breathe the surface airs for several hours at a time albeit not comfortably. Their presence on land is helped by the powerful elemental magic that surrounds the Nautican army and keeps the air moist and cool.

One more for the road... err... I mean Sea !

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:31:00 +0000

A new Nautican Unit - probably

I stumbled upon a great metal miniature which seems ideally suited to the Nautican Army (see pic !)

I've started a discussion on the Nautican Design Notes site

Or you can join the Reporter forum - Nautican Units thread

Let me know what you think. Thanks everyone,
Sigmar

Edited: 20th July 2009 - 10:30pm GMT

The Octobipods have been added in place of the Man o' War:-
http://naut1.blogspot.com/2009/07/octobipods.html

see the design note for the reasoning:-
http://naut2.blogspot.com/2009/07/death-of-man-o-war.html

Needs must when the devil drives !

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:15:00 +0000

a new profile description for the King of the Seas

Axinous, a battle reporter forum member, found a great new mini for the King of the Seas recently. The mini didn't quite have the requisite armour so, because he's a great miniature, I've changed his description rather than try to look for a better mini. Profile stats stay the same.

taban-miniatures.com King of the Seas

Image used without permission (I've asked but not received a response yet. This miniature is just too good to not tell you about !)

Also, I've added a great painted pic of a model that we're suggesting will make a good Siren. The model was kindly painted by Pascal Rooze, one of the expert painters (actually, the best painter!) on the Battle Reporter forum.

The Siren pic is on the Siren Character post and will be in the final pdf and there's more on the battle reporter forum in the form of a start to finish Siren work in progress

Weresharks

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:50:00 +0000

Natural predators of the deep, quick to strike and ever more dangerous as the scent of blood pervades their senses and the insatiable hunger for fresh meat rages within them.

Points/model: 55 pts

	M	Ws	Bs	S	T	W	I	A	Ld
Wereshark	5	4	0	5	4	3	4	3	7
Tiger Wereshark	5	4	0	5	4	3	4	4	7

Unit Size: 2+ (base size 40 x 40mm)

Equipment: none

Special Rules: Seaborn, Creatures of the Deep, Causes Fear, Armour Piercing Teeth, Scaly Skin (5+), Wereshark Frenzy, Insatiable Predator

Options: upgrade a Wereshark to a Tiger Wereshark +15pts

Wereshark Frenzy

Unable to contain their voracious appetitie, weresharks become stronger and more ferocious as they get a taste for their opponents blood.

Unlike normal frenzy, the unit is not granted an automatic additional attack. Instead, the unit is granted an additional strength 5 attack for each unsaved wound inflicted on their enemy from their normal attacks in each round of combat.

Like normal Frenzy, if the unit is beaten in combat the Wereshark frenzy is lost for the remainder of the battle.

Insatiable Predator

A wereshark's natural prey is the Manta Ray, for this reason commanders are often wary of including both of these creatures in their army. When they do, all too frequently, a unit of Manta Rays will "go missing".

If a unit of Weresharks is included in the army then Manta Rays have to be selected as a rare unit choice not a special unit choice.

more Nautican type miniature suggestions added

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:14:00 +0000

It's slow work but I've added some Sirens, Chanty singers and Vortex

They are simply suggested miniatures and you're free to find and choose your own (or convert existing models) providing the base sizes are correct. All the images link to eBay auctions to give you an idea of cost in putting the army together.

I'll put some more online every few days. Check the slide show at the bottom of the page for some others I've identified as possibilities.

The Trident Guard and Interceptors will probably be GW's Lizardmen Temple Guard and Saurus while the Coral Hunters and Crest Riders will probably be Skinks.

Warhammer Fantasy Battle Report : Nauticans vs The Empire 2250 points

noreply@blogger.com (Sigmar) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:35:00 +0000

Battle Report Summary - events, Nautican tactics and findings

The Nautican Army

Nautican Lord on Royal Chariot
(scalemail + leviathan shield)

Nautican Prince on Royal Chariot
(scalemail + leviathan shield, fin flail)

Nautican Prince on Royal Chariot
(scalemail + leviathan shield, snake o' nine tails)

Core
10 Coral Hunters
10 Coral Hunters
15 Sandgangers
15 Sandgangers
20 Wave Breakers (full command, spears, shields)

Special
29 Oceanic Trident Guard (full command, Oceanic Trident upgrade)
15 Interceptors
5 Manta Rays
4 Lobstrosities

Rare - none taken

The Empire Army (writer's army)

Volkmar
Empire Captain BSB, griffon standard, warhorse, barding, platemail
Battle Wizard lvl1 (Lore of Beasts: The Bear's Anger), Orb of Thunder, Sigil of Sigmar (lore of beasts)
Master Engineer

Core
21 Halberdiers (full comand)
20 Spearmen (full command, shields)
6 Knights (preceptor)

Special
2 x Mortar
24 Greatswords (full command)
6 Knights of Inner Circle (preceptor)
6 Outriders

Rare
Volley Gun
Steam Tank

I chose a cheesy army (I was fed up with losing) and I wanted to see how well the Nauticans would stand up to some sustained pummeling !

Deployment

All the Empire Artillery occupied a hill in the centre of the Empire line (nice !). The Nauticans opted to take all Water features (2 lakes) which they could enter to benefit from soft cover - it wouldn't help them though because I wasn't planning on attacking them, I was waiting for them to slop their way over to my side of the battleground ;)

Before we begin I should state that after the battle I realised that we made a few minor errors here and there. The only major error was that my enemy took a Chanty Singer and a BSB with the Millenial Fathom banner for his Trident Guard. The rule for the Nauticans is that if you take a Chanty Singer he automatically becomes the BSB. Also, my opponent had too many Interceptors, they only ever fight in units of 15 models, no more and no less - it's the Interceptor way :)

Anyway, we shifted some Interceptors into the Trident Guard unit, making it even more scary and we let the BSB duplication stand for this game (we had already taken too much time setting up and chatting !) In any case, it would be an extra challenge for the Empire ! As it turned out, it didn't really affect the game too much, except I was even more determined to take out his Trident Guard with artillery (the Millenial Fathom makes them unbreakable)

Other mistakes we made were sometimes forgetting about scalemail and one other oversight that, in the final analysis, may have proven critical (we forgot about the Creature Origin rule for sandgangers during deployment which would have allowed them to deploy 6 inches further into the battlefield !)

Next time, I promise we will concentrate more. I was knackered and my mate "J" was hungover !

Prologue - The Night Before...

The full moon shone a pathway across the still ocean waters and the small surf that lapped onto the stony beach.

The night was cold and more foggy than usual in the small coastal inlet. A salty mist had swept inland for several miles and dampened the usual night time sounds of the nocturnal creatures or had maybe frightened the owls and foxes away.

An ominous quiet reigned.

The following day...

Hans and Johan were enjoying a stein of beer and the company of the local wenches when their Sergeant entered the Tavern.

"Drink up lads and get your backsides into the village square, you've got 5 minutes !"

The pair of Empire spearmen emerged into a hive of activity as they left the village tavern. Before them were ranks of halberdiers donning their chainmail and the venerated Greatswords carefully honing their blades with their state issued whetstones.

"Oi mates, move yourselves !" shouted a mortar team from the Engineers guild as they rolled their artillery piece across the village green.

"what's happening ?" Hans asked a helmed Halberdier sucking on his pipe..

"There's some trouble brewing at the coast 10 miles yonder" replied the halberdier gesturing towards the coast road.

"It seems the rumour of some army from the ocean was not a child's fanciful tale afterall" the halberdier muttered under his breath, little believing what he was saying.

Hans and Johan had heard the rumours last night from the barman. An army from the sea sounded ridiculous and they assumed the barman must have misheard the outrider scout who's tongue had been loosened by a couple of tankards of Bugman's finest XXXX.

The spearmen had assumed it must be another small Dark Elf raiding party that were known to occassionally harry the local fishing villages when richer pickings could not be found elsewhere.

One thing was undeniable though, while the sun was shining brightly on their village, an unseasonal mist had descended to the west and rolled ever further inland.

It looked like Hans and Johan would soon be able to see for themselves as the call to arms rang out around the village and the Empire forces adopted their marching formations.

"Westward !" shouted out Volkmar the Arch Lector as the marching drums began to beat...

Note: The Nauticans bring a Chanty Singer and summon a sea storm for forego their opportunity of going first.

Warning: I don't have the full notes for this battle and it was a couple of weeks ago now so it gets a fair dose of artistic licence and it's a bit summarised.

Turn 1 - The Empire

The Empire hold their line waiting for the army from the Sea.

A ferocious bombardment is meted out on the Oceanic Trident Guard. Raining death from above with mortars ably directed by a Master Engineer. Seven Trident Guard fall with sharpnel embedded in their hides.

Volkmar looks to the skies and hails the true Gods, his prayers are answered and he becomes unbreakable. As the Battle Wizard invokes the power of the Orb of Thunder preventing the Manta Rays from flying much to the delight of the artillery crews.

Turn 1- Nauticans

The rumble of thunder echoes across the skies and a fierce swirling wind lashes rain down upon the artillery in the center of the Empire lines as the Nautican Sea Storm assumes dominion of the skies. The artillery men dive to the ground as electricity dances along the barrels of their gunpowder war machines. With a raised hand the Empire Battle Wizrd dispels the lighning bolt that dissipates into the heavens leaving the Empire forces unharmed and the gunners extremely thankful.

As one, the Nautican army moves forward dripping sea water and trailing weeds from the sea.

Only the Manta Rays stay in position "flapping" against the ground unable to gain any "purchase" on the waves of magic.

Turn 2 - Empire

The Empire forces continue to hold their lines awaiting the onslaught from these most perculiar creatures. The men were still confident that cold Empire steel would make quick work of these "fishmen".

Volkmar inokes the power of the Griffon standard and casts burning gaze against the sandgangers but they are unaffected save they begin to shine as some sand is glazed forming a glass like crust.

Four sandgangers are blown apart like a child's sandcastle as a mortar aimed at the Trident Guard falls amongst their ranks. The second mortar is aimed more accurately by the Master Engineer and fells a further two Trident Guard. They are clearly the most fearsome looking enemy on the field of battle and the mortars are ordered to continue firing on them until not a single creature stands.

Disaster strikes the helblaster crew as it takes aim on a unit of sandgangers. The third barrel misfires but sends a volley of an extra ten shots at the enemy before the artillery machine blows up. Twenty-eight shots are fired in total and they succeed in blowing eight sandgangers to smithereens. The sandgangers are not phased, indeed the destruction of their comrades is totally meaningless to them.

The Battle Wizard once again manages to prevent the Manta Rays from moving with the Orb of Thunder. Planning to fight alongside his forces he successfully casts the Bears Anger on himself.

Turn 2 onwards....

The whole Nautican army continues to move forward, the Coral Hunters eventually come into range and unleash a volley of bolts on the Empire lines but they have little effect, felling only a handful of the Empire spearmen throughout the course of the whole battle.

One unit of Coral Hunters flees early on before making any impression on the battle as the Empire Steam tank which has advanced side by side with Volkmar makes steamed fish soup with them. Volkmar becomes embroiled in a combat against a depleted unit of sandgangers that manage to hold him up for the course of the battle as the other Nautican units maneuver to charge.

Volkmar receives the charge of the Interceptors, the elite Trident Guard who are tasked with protecting their people from the feared Leviathans. This was not the best use of the Interceptors and despite the fearsome reputation of their javelin throwing charge they were only able to deliver a single wound to Volkmar who continued to be unbreakable. Volkmar also continued to use the Golden Griffon which the enemy was forced to save his dispel dice for allowing the Orb of Thunder to keep his Manta Rays almost permanently "floored".

The Steam Tank was held up by Lobstrosities who managed to see off a unit of knights. The Lobstrosities tore at the tanks hull unable to get to the crew or harm the vehicle. Next, the Steam Tank bore the full brunt of a Royal Chariot charge (which luckily did not destroy the chariot itself !) but continued to battle on, although it was seriously damaged by the clash and ultimately doomed through the loss of safely generatable steam points.

The Outriders harried the enemy flank throughout the battle and felled several Trident Guard and some Cortal Hunters and remained unscathed at the end of the battle - there was no way the Nauticans could have got to grips with them given their position and the proximity of the Royal Chariots which were the only threat.

In the center the Spearmen continued to protect their artillery crew and advanced on the enemy in the later stages with the intention of delivering the killing blow to the Trident Guard. The halberdiers and greatswords had engaged the Interceptors alongside Volkmar and gradually beat them back, only the Interceptor's stubborn demeanor saved them from fleeing.

Throughout the whole battle the Mortars rained death down upon the beleagured Oceanic Trident Guard. Coupled with the outriders repeater handguns the trident guard suffered over 20 dead before they were even in a position to engage the Empire forces.

Both sandganger units were eventually destroyed but they proved very valuable at holding up Volkmar and one unit almost penetrated the Empire line to launch an attack on "Artillery Hill".

The game ended early because we simply ran out of time. I added up the points and despite the hell that the Nauticans had been through it was only a minor Victory to the Empire. I think the Creatures of the Deep special rule for certain units (5+ regen save) helped to keep the Nauticans standing - but only just !

Empire vs Nauticans - battle findings

We learnt a lot during this game. The Nauticans were seriously hampered by not having taken a magic user and thus not having enough dispel dice to give them a chance of dispelling both the Golden Griffon and The Orb of Thunder. As a result the 5 Mants Rays were out of the game, a loss of 150 pts and a serious impairment because the Nauticans did not have anything else to threaten "Artillery Hill".

A magic user, even just a Siren might have made a difference. Indeed, a Siren on The Eternal Wave would have provided 2 additional dispel dice and the ability for the Siren to add a +1 to combat res and be able to move easily between units and, perhaps, cast the Sea Surge spell to propel the Nautican army into combat sooner.

That was the biggest problem my friend faced, getting the Nauticans into combat as quickly as possible while incurring minimal casualties to missile fire and artillery. I think he might choose Crest Riders if we were to play the game again. Positioned behind a unit of sandgangers they would be fairly well protected from missile fire (except anything on a hill) and once within range could ride their wave 20" into combat against the artillery crew. Even if they were targetted by the artillery fire before hand, with their General in close proximity they probably wouldn't have panicked and, even if they did, they would have diverted some mortar fire from their essential Trudent Guard unit.

One other error was using the Interceptors to charge against the Arch Lector. They were not going to be able to rout him (he was unbreakable at the time) and due to all his saves they probably were not going to kill him. The Interceptors come into their own against rank and file, denying them their rank bonus and causing mayhem when they charge with javelins (the wounds get added to the combat res in the first round) and might have been better deployed against my greatswords. That said, he was a bit enclosed and there was little room for movement so he might have felt it better to take the initiative rather than wait another turn moving out of the way of the chariot and Wavebreakers.

There was one last thing, the 3 Royal Chariots (which came as a big suprise to me) were an attempt to get into combat quickly and provide some much needed punch on the charge. However, they were positioned behind the lines and entered the fray too late into the game. One chariot did not get to charge at all and was a waste of points (it contained a "tooled up" Nautican Prince).

So, the real lesson against the Empire was the importance of closing the gap over "no-mans land" and getting to grips with the enemy at the soonest chance. The Creatures of the Shore rule would have helped (certain units can be deployed 6" further into the battlefield - if we had remembered to use it !) and so might a unit of Crest Riders. Also, at this stage I'm feeling that spellcasters need to be integral for the Nautican army and are almost a "must" choice given some of their benefits over and above some other magic users.

Well that's it, apologies I did not have full details of the remainder of the battle and sorry to "J" if I have missed anything out or misrepresented anything. I should have written this straight after the battle.

Edit: 13th June 09 - I forgot to mention that the Chanty Singer worked quite well. The Sea Storm prevented 2 mortar shots from firing (due to wet gunpowder) and he also managed to prevent the Interceptor unit from fleeing due to his song "echoes of mighty glories". Also, the timing was spot on, when the Sea Storm stopped (at the end of turn 3) the bulk of the Nautican units had just become engaged in combat and so were able to benefit from the Chanty Singers songs which previously could not be heard above the storm.

One last thing, I'm happy to report that my opponent believes we now have a workable and balanced army.