So I wrote an overview of the Butcher earlier in the week. I wanted to complete the review with some synergy with `jacks and unit/solos.
Jack Synergy
I find the Butcher can run two ways when it comes to jacks. Either jack
heavy, or running a self sustaining jack with something a bit more focus
hungry. I usually run him the latter with a Kodiak and a Behemoth. The
Behemoths sub cortex gets all the focus to pick out annoying support
solo or infantry that are clogging my path. Then when its business time
full throttle goes up and in he goes with some extra attacks. Anywho,
here are some neat combos with a few jacks.
Berserkers/Drago - I personally don't run Berserkers but the Butcher
loves them. You can take a whole slew of them and simply put up Full
Throttle when the time to charge comes. This can achieve a very jack
heavy force for relatively cheap. When the do get to combat, or are
swamped by an infantry unit simply allocate them a few focus, do some
chopping and hope they explode taking everything with them.
Juggernaut - The Juggernaut works very well with the Butcher. When you
have Full Throttle up and 1 or 2 focus on them you can almost guarantee a
critical stationary result. Fury is also extremely gross on them. P+S
21 +4d6 with 3d6 to hit on the charge? Yes please.
Beast 09 - The Big Daddy. He is a big of a focus hog so if you plan on
taking him make sure you have other self sufficient Jacks to back him up
(Kodiaks, Berserkers). If you have the focus to spare the simple combos
this Beast can unleash with the Butcher are discusting. For example :
Cast FT, and Fury, he charges and Threshes. Any jacks he hits have a
good chance of going stationary and taking a P+S 21 hit. If he is
attacking living targets such as warbeasts he can use 4 dice. Infantry?
Forget about it.. they will be mowed down like a fat man in a straw hat
riding a John Deer over them. Oh did I mention he has reach and a way
to move faster? Yes please!
Behemoth - If Beast 09 is the big daddy this guys his father. He also
works extremely well under the Butcher if you are taking focus efficient
jacks to back him up. I personally use him over Beast 09 as he brings
some accurate AOE's to my army which I feel are great for popping those
pesky solos and support elements that my Cygnar and Menoth enemies bring
all the time. You can also cast Fury on him before you charge if you
want something really dead... against a typical arm 18 jack you are
halving their armor to 9, rolling 3d6 to hit with a P+S 15 + 4d6.
Kerboom. For anyone who likes a little Math Machine that's an average of
16 damage with one charge attack.. Youch... Pop the Butcher feet for
icing on a redonk cake.
Kodiak - This little guy is very welcome and is almost an auto include
in any pButcher list I make. The big draw here, he has a chain attack
that benefits from Full Throttle, and he has Pathfinder. Two very very
useful things in the Butchers Battle Group. He is what I consider a
"Focus Efficient" jack and requires almost no focus when under Full
Throttle. Use him to charge through difficult terrain/wreck markers to
hit that enemy jack and throw him to the mercy of the Behemoth, or Beast
09.... Don't forget steam when you are near some high def infantry.
Spriggan/Devastator - Two great jacks, but somewhat focus hungry. The
utility the spriggan brings can be great and Bulldoze is an amazing
ability. If you are gonna use them I suggest pairing them with something
more focus efficient so you can get the most mileage out of them.
Units/Solos
Kayazy Assassins - Great infantry to run with the Butcher. Take them
with the Underboss put Iron Flesh on them and run them into the enemy.
They are Def 19 in melee at this point. Whatever's left can pop their
mini feat and go after the enemy caster. If the situation presents
itself slap fury on them and watch them do what they do best,
assassinate.
Ironfang Pikemen - Another staple in my Army. If you take them feel free
to take a UA its well worth the mini feat they get. These guys can be
used two ways under the Butcher. Keep em just out in front of your jacks
with Ironflesh and Shield wall up. Advance at Def 16 arm 18 and watch
your opponent cry. Once in range give them fury and charge something...
anything it will die.
Winter Guard - If you are going Winterguard with the Butcher buy them
all the fixings. Give them Joe, UA, 3 Rocketeers and unleash the Grey
Tide against your enemy. With their UAand Iron Flesh they are Def 17 to
ranged attacks then for that little extra Joe makes them tough and
fearless.. mmmmm. When they are close enough to charge you can give them
Fury and the Bears strength from Joe resulting in P+S 14 Winterguard
charging the enemy with combined melee attacks. Watch those ants take
down elephants! A very very versatile infantry unit. Great to take with
almost any caster, the Butcher just makes them even better.
Manhunters/Yuri - Great for counter charges. Use AD to deploy them in
your line somewhere good after the enemy has placed. With fury these
guys can take down light jacks/warcaster no problem. Yuri gives you some
anti infantry potential which is never a bad thing. Oh and Yuri in the
woods with ironflesh on makes him def 21, in HTH Def 19... Swing and a
miss!
Wardog - Oh my lovely Dog. He is another auto include for me. He gives
the Butcher and effective Def 16 in melee, with IF 19. Ever see the
Butcher standing toe to toe with some things? Well with a Wardog, Iron
Flesh and 4 focus hes def 19, Arm 22. Groovy.
M-o-W units - I personally find MOW extremely difficult to use. I
usually leave them at home. One key thing to note about them is they are
also on medium bases so they can screen for the Butcher.
Fenris/Doom Reavers - Great infantry/solos. They don't benefit from any
caster in particular simply because they have spell ward. I felt like I
should mention them since fluff wise they are good `ol pals with the
Butcher.
~ So there you have it! Thus completes my rundown on the Butcher of Khardov. I hope you took something away from the articles! Keep an eye out for more Warmachine stuff over the next few weeks! As always feel free to shoot me an email at col.festus@gmail.com!