Waiqar the Undying is well known for conscripting into his army those who possess the ability to blight the opponent, removing dice, and weakening their defenses (as seen in the Carrion Lancers). However, there are some in the Mistlands who would use these powers against other undead legions. My question is this: as a Waiqar player, how do you handle facing opposing Waiqar players, specifically those who specialize in blight? The main reason I ask is because the 4x3 Reanimate block seems so tasty, but a single, 2-tray unit of Reanimate Archers can lock down that 64+ points unit for the entire game. Conundrum.

The Daqan Lords have Lord Hawthorne to pass out inspiration tokens, and also have access to Rallying Cornicen.

The Latari Elves also have Rallying Starling, but rather than build up inspiration tokens, it seems to me that their other tactic is to race into combat or attack on the flanks to avoid the firing arc of Reanimate Archers and Carrion Lancers.

The Uthuk Y'llan , once again, have Rallying Shrieker, and blistering speed to rush into combat and engage the blighting unit.

Waiqar the Undying has...what? I've come up with only three ideas:

1. Counter blight. Manage the approach so that your own Reanimate Archers can blight the opposing Reanimate Archers, allowing your bigger units to retain their dice and their lethality. In other words: play your opponent's game better than they do.
2. Liberal use of Carrion Lancers and Death Knights to rush in. These are among the fastest units in Waiqar's employ, and can probably engage opposing Reanimate Archers and Carrion Lancers effectively. I do worry about Close-Quarters Targeting on the Reanimate Archers, though.
3. Cursed Signets [ducks for cover from @Tvayumat throwing something at me]. I know, I know, it can seriously backfire by making a 2x1 of Reanimate Archers deal consistent damage to your behemoth. But I'm thinking the trade off is that we can then rip through whatever is trying to screen those archers, and then rush forward to crush them, too. Alas, probably not a great call against Uthuk who hand out panic tokens like candy. Sure, Reanimates regenerate, but not fast enough to keep up with armies that dealing ubiquitous banes.

These are my thoughts on the matter. What are yours? Do you have war stories to share about adventures (or misadventures) facing opposing Waiqar armies?

6 hours ago, Parakitor said:

Liberal use of Carrion Lancers and Death Knights to rush in. These are among the fastest units in Waiqar's employ, and can probably engage opposing Reanimate Archers and Carrion Lancers effectively. I do worry about Close-Quarters Targeting on the Reanimate Archers, though.

I wouldn't worry about Close Quarters on a 1x2. If he has it (not guaranteed), you'll still have 1-2 dice per turn, which can knock down the archers in 2-3 turns. And while he's targeting your cavalry, he's not doing anything to the zombie horde.

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Cursed Signets [ducks for cover from @Tvayumat throwing something at me]. I know, I know, it can seriously backfire by making a 2x1 of Reanimate Archers deal consistent damage to your behemoth. But I'm thinking the trade off is that we can then rip through whatever is trying to screen those archers, and then rush forward to crush them, too. Alas, probably not a great call against Uthuk who hand out panic tokens like candy. Sure, Reanimates regenerate, but not fast enough to keep up with armies that dealing ubiquitous banes.

I don't have the dislike for Cursed Signets that Tvayumat does. That would probably by my pick.

You can also run a second, smaller block of reanimates with profane banner bearer, forcing his archers to shoot at someone else. It would be pricey (31 points for a 2x2 with the banner), but if he's not trying to use blight to lock down your big stack, you can use it as a regular unit instead of archer bait.

2 hours ago, Xelto said:

You can also run a second, smaller block of reanimates with profane banner bearer, forcing his archers to shoot at someone else. It would be pricey (31 points for a 2x2 with the banner), but if he's not trying to use blight to lock down your big stack, you can use it as a regular unit instead of archer bait.

Now that is an excellent use of Profane Banner Bearer. It is expensive, though. Hmmm. I'm going to try putting an army together with that in mind.

I think the 4x3 Reanimates is the only unit that can really support the Profane Banner Bearer.

Might have to give this list a run sometime, and adjust as needed. Adjusted as I wasn't paying attention. Wanted Cursed Signets not Profane Banner Bearer.

Reanimates [64] 4x3
Necromancer [3]
Front Line Carrion Lancer [5]
Cursed Signets [2]
Trumpets [2]
Lingering Dead [3]
Total Unit Cost: 79

Reanimate Archers [18] 2x1
Combat Ingenuity [6]
Total Unit Cost: 24

Reanimate Archers [18] 2x1
Combat Ingenuity [6]
Total Unit Cost: 24

Death Knights [24] 2x1
Obcasiums Gauntlet [5]
Rank Discipline [4]
Total Unit Cost: 33

Carrion Lancers [15] 1x1
Rank Discipline [4]
Total Unit Cost: 19

Carrion Lancers [15] 1x1
Rank Discipline [4]
Total Unit Cost: 19

Reanimate Archers can also take Raven Standard Bearer, dropping their attack initiative.

I default to simply playing the initiatives better. Cursed signets on a unit with 8 models is a death sentence against Uthuk.

1 hour ago, Tvayumat said:

Cursed signets on a unit with 8 models is a death sentence against Uthuk.

Which isn't terrible if Uthuk haven't been picked up by anybody in your area (as is the case in my local scene).

Raven Standard Bearer on Archers is a good call. I'm finding that Ardus' Host of Crows ability is so helpful that I'm trying once again to make him with, but it's not going well.