Viable/fun game with 1000 pts O&G army list?

[Indy]

Hi,

I was hoping to get some feedback on minimum army sizes for playing fantasy games with O&G.

In an attempt to clear out a backlog of 40K and Fantasy models, I signed up for a painting challenge with some friends. While the majority of the models I'm working on are 40K based, I did start grabbing some of my Fantasy O&G models (characters, war machines, etc). While I've been picking away at my Fantasy army for awhile (long while), it seems that I either don't have enough models painted for an enjoyable game, or that the models that I do have don't seem to function well against other "tailored" armies (i.e. Orc boyz against fear causing units. Can you say 25 boyz run down).

I'm trying really hard to only play with models that I have painted (something about if I use unpainted models, I'll never go back to finish them), so at the moment, it does limit what I can use for games.

So, for a Fantasy game with Orcs & Goblins, can you play a "fun/reasonable" game at 1000 pts, or is it really 'just too low' to have a fun game? If it is too low, what's a reasonable pt range to be aiming for? Any comments and opinions are welcome.

Thanks,

Mike

BTW: Painted units that I have to work with right now are:

25x Orc Boyz with musician, standard bearer, and champion
25x Orc Boys with musician, standard bearer, and champion
25x Night Goblins with spears, musician, standard bearer, and champion
1x Fanatic
5x Wolf Riders
1x Orc Chariot
1x Black Orc Boss
1x Night Goblin Boss
1x Orc Shaman
4x River Trolls

I've got many 'unpainted' models to work with, ranging from Night Goblins, to war machines, to Black Orcs. I have to admit, I'm not really certain where to even go from here. I know that they swear by Fantasy, but I'm thinking that by the time I get a 2000 pt functioning army, it may be 2012.

[Iron Curtan]

Mike,
Looks like you have a good "core" selection of troops, so it's really up to you. With what you have listed, a fairly generic Orc army can easily be put together, though I would recommend another Fanatic or two for your Night Goblins. The unit sizes don't seem too bad, with the Goblins being a bit on the small side. At 25 they *should* be ok, though I wouldn't make them any smaller...and seeing as they're goblins, so not the most skilled of troops, netters are always a worthwhile investment.

I guess a "fun" game size is a personal preferrence, however I think that you can have a great game at 1000 pts. They go by quickly, and, for someone who's fairly new to the game, they don't overwhelm you with number of units/variables to manage. Sure, you don't get the showy lord level power-house characters, but that'll come with time.

Matt.

[tatz_101]

I agree with Iron, a couple more fanatics and netters will upgrade that night goblin unit form "speed-bump" to "pain in my ass" I'd suggest those be the next things you work on.

Another good addition to your army would be a unit of black orcs they are very versatile and can handle just about anything you will encounter in 1000pts(they will also make for a good home for that black orc warboss)

As for the optimal game size, I prefer 2000pts it's just big enough for me to field that big centerpiece model I spent 8-hours painting, also it makes it very hard for one unit to dominate the game like what may happen in lower games.

Aside from that I can't give any more advice until I've seen how you play, would you like to play a game?

[Indy]

Thanks for the info. I need to look through my rubbermaid bins (always seems like Christmas when digging through ziplock bags full of "unfinished" models), but I do think that there's a few old metal netters and fanatics floating around. They'll have to wait until I finish my models from the painting challenge, but at least it gives me a focus on what to do next.

I also need to dig through and see what I have for metal Black Orcs. I seem to remember having a cmd set (musician, BSB, and champion) along with 2 standard Black Orcs. 5 models probably isn't enough to be a threat, but at least it would be a start to a special unit.

So I think a plan for after I finish the painting challenge is to work on Fanatics, Netters, and Black Orcs.

For my Orcs, I don't actually have any *big* model for a center piece of the army. I want to play a few games first before I decide to go out and sink a bunch of $$$ into a new model. From what I've seen of the army books though, a Lord character plus upgrades, and it wouldn't take very long to jump from 1500 to 2000 pts. Certainly a lot easier than 40K.

I'd love to get in a game, but it will have to wait at least until next week. Things are quite busy this week leading up to Easter. I can send you a PM next week and we can set something up. I'll also throw up an army list and get some critiques from you and Matt.

Thanks,

Mike

[Death_by_Taxes]

Hey Mike, when you're ready I have 2 boxes of Black Orcs that I could let go for cheap or trade.

James

[Indy]

Hey James,

Thanks for the offer. Let me get in a game or two first and give my Black Orcs a try to see how they handle. How many Black Orcs would you normally run in a unit?

Mike

[tatz_101]

Honestly Mike,

a unit of black orks should be at least 20 strong 25 would be preferable though

and the new black orks are plastic and much cheaper than the metal models so it will be really easy on your wallet to get a unit on the board(especially if death by taxes is selling them cheap )

as for the game just send me a PM when you have time and we'll work something out, I usually play at the GW in bayshore they have really nice tables there and it's a great place to meet other gamers and just hang out and paint