I've always loved the idea of being able to field an entire army of just one unit type (I purchased eight tie fighters before I got almost any other expansion in x-wing), but this is much more difficult (and expensive) in Runewars. Just for fun I've been trying to calculate just how many Reanimates I'd need to have to be able to field everything. Unfortunately, Maru makes this much more complicated. Here's a couple different calculations.

Reanimate Army 1:

12x Unit Reanimates: 64 Points

12x Unit Reanimates: 64 Points

4x Unit Reanimates: 26 Points

Maru: 40 Points + Violent Forces: 6 Points

= 200 Points

Since I'm calculating for a max number scenario I'm assuming I get 4 chaotic runes cast on the first turn. Maru takes four wounds to grow an additional 4 trays of Reanimates to the back of the 4x Unit. The next two turns exactly match each other; Two Stable runes are rolled, giving Maru two white die. He attacks the enemy which has foolishly rushed forward, rolling nothing but double surges and healing himself back to full health. Turn four gets 4 more chaotic runes and Maru takes 4 more wounds to add an additional 4 trays of Reanimates to the back of the first 12x Unit. Turn five and six are the same as two and three, lots of Stable Runes healing Maru back to full health. Turn seven gets those 4 chaotic runes again and Maru takes 4 more wounds to add 4 trays of Reanimates to the back of the second 12x Unit. Turn eight, the entire army of skeletons (which has been holding back until now) rushes forward to vanquish the enemy!

TOTAL: 40 Trays of Reanimates or 160 Skeletons

Reanimate Army 2:

12x Unit Reanimates: 64 Points

12x Unit Reanimates: 64 Points + Maru Upgrade: 20 Points

4x Unit Reanimates: 26 Points

4x Unit Reanimates: 26 Points

= 200 Points

This one is much easier to calculate. Two Stable Runes are rolled each of the first six turns. Each turn Maru kills off two skeletons from his tray to add two trays to a fellow unit except for the VERY last turn, where he takes the two wounds himself. This winds up with 10 skeletons killed and 12 new trays added. The skeleton army charges forward and enjoys two turns of slaughter compared to the previous example.

EDIT: @Curlycross pointed out that I'd OF COURSE also be rolling two natural runes each turn, so all the wounds inflicted by Maru would be healed.

TOTAL: 44 Trays of Reanimates or 176 Skeletons

Reanimate Army 3:

12x Unit Reanimates: 64 Points

12x Unit Reanimates: 64 Points

6x Unit Reanimates: 35 Points + Maru Upgrade: 20 Points

2x Unit Reanimates: 16 Points

= 199 Points

This scenario is exactly like the previous one, except we get seven turns of Stable Runes and Reanimate generation (Maru once again taking the last two wounds himself because he's just that swell a guy). (EDIT: once again the skeletons regenerate themselves with natural runes) The skeletons are back to only getting one round of fighting, but they don't mind because their total is now...

TOTAL: 46 Trays of Reanimates or 184 Skeletons

So that's it! We have a winner! I need to buy 23 Reanimate Expansions or 12 Core sets ($575 or $1200 respectively) and a Maru ($25) to handle these circumstances EVERY TIME THEY COME UP!

Anyway... if you guys notice math or rules issues, let me know! ALSO, if you can figure out a way to get more Reanimates I'd like to hear your method. I can't think of anything to get that number any higher.

I feel like you're forgetting the natural reanimation of the undead. If they have 2 stable runes and 2 natural runes every round Maro upgrade creates two trays and doesn't lose any trays. theoretically you can gain two trays every round so you can add 16 trays and lose no reanimates if there is 2 stable and 2 natural runes every round. So the maximum would be probably be:

12 tray + maro: 64+20=84

12 tray: 64

6 tray: 35

2 tray: 16

= 199 points

The above, plus adding 16 trays (8 rounds of 2 stable runes) (4 onto the 12 tray, 6 onto the 6 tray, and 6 onto the 2 tray; filling all three of those units)

You would end with 48 trays or 191 skeletons and Maro

This is obviously assuming you never get attacked and EVERY round you get 2 stable and 2 natural runes.

If you're running Maro, might you as well have Necromancers in every grouping as well?

51 minutes ago, Waywardpaladin said:

If you're running Maro, might you as well have Necromancers in every grouping as well?

The points lost won't add more trays and if you never lose more than you gain anyways there is no point.

No one wants to paint 200 skeletons, not even you.

22 hours ago, Curlycross said:

I feel like you're forgetting the natural reanimation of the undead. If they have 2 stable runes and 2 natural runes every round Maro upgrade creates two trays and doesn't lose any trays. theoretically you can gain two trays every round so you can add 16 trays and lose no reanimates if there is 2 stable and 2 natural runes every round. So the maximum would be probably be:

12 tray + maro: 64+20=84

12 tray: 64

6 tray: 35

2 tray: 16

= 199 points

The above, plus adding 16 trays (8 rounds of 2 stable runes) (4 onto the 12 tray, 6 onto the 6 tray, and 6 onto the 2 tray; filling all three of those units)

You would end with 48 trays or 191 skeletons and Maro

This is obviously assuming you never get attacked and EVERY round you get 2 stable and 2 natural runes.

You're right, I completely forgot about natural runes! I'm getting 46 trays as the max though... Am I missing something?

35 minutes ago, Darthain said:

No one wants to paint 200 skeletons, not even you.

Oh man... Yeah. Painting reanimate archers are absolutely my least favorite, but reanimates are a close second.

21 minutes ago, Hepitude said:

You're right, I completely forgot about natural runes! I'm getting 46 trays as the max though... Am I missing something?

12 tray, 12 tray, 6 tray, 2 tray, 8 rounds of 2 stable gives 16 trays. the 12 tray can have 4 trays added, the 6 tray can have 6 trays added, and the 2 tray can have 6 trays added; that's 6, 6, and 4, or 16 (all trays from stable runes).

So in total, 12, 12, 6, 2, 6, 6, and 4 = 48.