So I usually play Reiklanders, and I'm a big fan of the way crossbowmen look, especially compared to bowmen or handgunners. I enjoy the range and strength bonus of the weapon, but the move or shoot rule is probably the biggest pain in the butt. It's good for game balance, yada yada, but not so good when playing such a dynamic game.
My question is, then, what are your preferred missile weapons and why? And what are the strengths/weaknesses of your choices, in your experience?
Personally, I like packing a lot of pistols - short range threat if you need it, and they're still good in melee.
For your Reiklanders, though, I think you should probably stick to crossbows. Sure, move-or-fire hurts, but that's not different than handguns. For heroes, learn "Nimble." For henchmen, unless they get a BS advance you probably don't want to suffer the -1 to hit penalty for moving if you can avoid it, and the crossbow is stronger and has longer range than a traditional bow anyways. Just position them well and you'll be able to get at least a few shots off throughout the game.
I use bows on my non-ranged heroes because they are the longest range move-and-shoot weapon they can have.
All my ranged heroes (including my leader) will start with crossbows and get Nimble at the earliest opportunity. I will specialise one to use black powder and the other to use bow and crossbow.
For my close-combat heroes I will often get either knife-fighter or pistoleer. Knife-fighter if they are high-initiative, pistoleer if they are low initiative.
Its all about the Blunderbuss, Nimble, Superior Black Powder combo now thats a street sweeper. As Middenheim I can only have that on 2 guys my leader, and a Lads got talent but its totally worth it.
Personally the Handguns are completely useless unless u put it on a Hero so you can give him Hunter but even then you have the chance of blowing up so the rewards of a Crossbow are much better plus you can take quick shot.
Hunting Rifles are totally worth it if especially on an Engineer with Hunter, and Trick Shooter nobody is safe with even a hint showing. Had that happen in one campaign it is OP
Hunting rifles can be really good, with the appropriate skills, but they're expensive and rare - you have to more or less dedicate a character to that role from day 1 (start with a handgun, replace it if/when you find and can afford the hunting rifle). In a limited-run campaign, you'll probably only be able to pull it off for the last few games (or not at all, if you're unlucky). So, whether or not it's "worth it" depends mostly on the length of the campaign, I'd say.
Blunderbusses are really good, too, if you use them right. Even if you don't get an opportunity to use it on multiple opponents, people are scared of them. It gives you a degree of battlefield control because your opponent will avoid grouping his models together if he thinks they'll be vulnerable to a blunderbuss. And if a single target presents itself and you don't think you'll get a better shot, it still poses some threat.
I forgot to mention how good Duelling pistols are if you have the chance to take them do it. I love the +1 to hit, and if you combine it with a brace in the first round 2 Strenght 4 shots into your opponent are pretty powerful. Then take Pistolier as soon as you can so that you can reload a pistol every turn.
Yes Whitwort you are very right about the Hunting rifle. But like many other things in this game it all depends on the length of the Campaign and how well your character, and warband performs
Very true!Originally Posted by thebaz
Duelling pistols + Pistolier + Eagle Eyes + Trick Shot makes for a very formidable short-range shooter.
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