Hey everyone, we are back from our holiday break with Episode 4 of Initiative One! We had a bunch more questions from listeners about armies, play styles, strategies, and things of that nature. Plus, we try to address why we dissed Reanimates so hard...and maybe we have a change of heart?

We'll be back on our regular recording schedule now, and we hope everyone had a good holiday whatever you celebrate.

Keep an eye out for Twitch links coming soon here and on our Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/InitiativeOnePodcast/ ) - we have a tournament at our local store on January 20th, and we'll be streaming it, and plan to have some commentary as well. Tune in and watch a few games of Runewars and chat with us!

Let us know what's on your mind about the game, tell us about your local tournament or your experience at Store Champs, or throw some questions our way - we want to hear from you!

http://initiativeone.libsyn.com/website/episode-4-is-initiative-one-cancelled

Another good episode guys, keep it going, I can’t get enough content. Appreciate the the walkthrough of your factions and armies/playstyles, gives great context for where your experiences are based in and coming from.

A few initial reactions:

really intrigued by the file leader/raven banner combo you were talking about on reanimates, I’ll have to try that out, might make a embed Maro regen list more viable. I’ve tried making that list work ( AT Ardus, 3x2 Reanimates w/ SCL and trumpet, 2x2 w/ Maro, 2x2 DK, 2x1 CI Archers) and definitely need a few more reps with it, but my initial thoughts are that it’s a lot of points to invest centering around a regen mechanic. Something I haven’t seen discussed too much discussed in RW forums yet is that like with many FFG games, (Armada the most comparable) Offense > Defense as a central design mechanic. While regen is slightly different and usually better than just defense, I think at least opportunity cost to make it work evens that out. Can’t help but think you’re better served focusing more on damage output.

Also shout out to trumpets, while fairly underwhelming on most units, I think it really helps reanimates. Yes you can’t charge with it, but I think it really helps make up for the early game maneuver, don’t underestimate that speed 2 wheel!

Last thing, also largely concur with the “plastic over cardboard” mentality. Personally, I rep a lot of games solo so less upgrades means less to forget, but I think this also applies for long tournament days and just a general the less you rely on conditional upgrades and abilities, the less your adapting your tactics to make a gimmick work and the more you focus on just sound tactics.

Caveat is I do think some units (Oathsworn, DK, etc.) are much more efficient platforms, and are better left as light as possible. Whereas I think all four melee infantry units benefit much quicker with a few upgrades. You’re 30/40 point infantry now costs 40/50 points, but spec’ed right can double its combat value.

Sorry so long, keep up the great work!

cheers

Thanks much for doing this. Just started listening to your podcast about a week ago.

Reanimates.

I played two games last Saturday, and I'm trying to write up a battle report, but I'm finding it difficult to make time. I brought a 12-tray unit of Reanimates with only non-figure upgrades, just because I was nervous about losing the upgrades. I ended up trying out File Leader + Lingering Dead. It was good. Sure, I could get charged at Initiative 3 before I attack, but I don't lose anything by that because I have Lingering Dead, so I hit back just as hard. I think I was too cautious with my Reanimates, because I ended up losing only 2 trays in both games. I need to get my Reanimates engaged sooner. Problem is, Reanimates don't want to charge because they can get counter-charged, and the opponent doesn't want to charge because they can get hit by File Leader. So in one of the games I sat there doing Melee attacks for 4 rounds while my opponent just sat there doing Rally with his Infantry. There were other intense things going on that game, but that one little piece of the battle looked like an old western movie where we just stared at each other for hours.

Also, @jcshep19 , that's a great idea about Trumpets. I used Triumphant Cry, expecting to just slaughter unit after unit, but the opponent is (understandably) quite nervous about engaging a threat 4 unit of skeleton warriors. Trumpets would allow me to play the mind games better, sometimes charging instead of preparing to be charged with File Leader.

My biggest problem with File Leader is that I don't get to take Mistlands Saboteur. I'll have to keep playing and see which one is more useful.

How did you get Master-crafted weapons on your Reanimates? It's an equipment upgrade, or did you mean Moment of inspiration?

3 hours ago, Sirdrasco said:

How did you get Master-crafted weapons on your Reanimates? It's an equipment upgrade, or did you mean Moment of inspiration?

Busted!

That is totally something I would do...

Can you post a link to your YouTube channel? Don't think I'll be able to watch the live stream of the games

Thanks for the listens everyone! Some great discussion here, and we'll definitely chime in with some thoughts soon.

I wrote another post about our tournament with all the links, but here's our YouTube where the games will be after we get them uploaded: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOzBvBKj7v_rEqWrtcEf-Iw?view_as=public