Magnus The Warlord - how to make best use of his Feat?

[precinctomega]

I'm very (very) new to WM. I took the plunge when I was able to pick up a nearly-new 35-point eMagnus force for a knock-down price, and, having painted it (I know, I know; real WM players don't paint their armies, but I have a reputation to maintain) I've played a grand total of two 15 point games.

Obviously, I've got lots to learn. But one thing I feel like I ought to be able to grasp is the value of his Feat. The Feats of other casters seem really obvious as to how and when they are going to be useful. But his seems much more subtle and situational.

So what have I missed? How can I really mess up an opponent by using eMagnus's Feat?

R.

[Falkman]

I think the most obvious thing that you can do is prevent charges or troops moving towards your army. For example, say you pop your feat. You choose your table edge and your opponent's table adge. Now enemy models that start their move in Magnus' control area can only go directly sideways. They can't move any closer to your table edge or your opponent's table edge, so you've basically locked them in.
I think it can be a really powerful feat, but it's definitely not a no-brainer and it takes some real practice and familiarity with the game to put to good use.

As an aside, while 15 points is a great level to learn the game at, it's not very balanced. Some warcasters have feats or abilities that are better with fewer models on the table (eSkarre comes to mind right away) while some have feats and spells that becomes better when there are many models on the table. eMagnus' feat definitely feels like a feat that becomes better and better with more models to affect, so don't sweat it if you don't seem to find good opportunities to use it at 15 pts. If you can use it to stop a single heavy warjack or warbeast at 15 points that's definitely good enough.

[precinctomega]

OK, that's pretty much what I was expecting and good advice. I was worried that I couldn't see an obvious use of his Feat, but it sounds like that will come out in larger games over I'm more comfortable with the rules.

R.

[Deadnight]

I'm very (very) new to WM. I took the plunge when I was able to pick up a nearly-new 35-point eMagnus force for a knock-down price, and, having painted it (I know, I know; real WM players don't paint their armies, but I have a reputation to maintain) I've played a grand total of two 15 point games.

R.

*looks at fully painted khador, and circle armies* thats... thats actually quite an insulting statement to make.

Obviously, I've got lots to learn. But one thing I feel like I ought to be able to grasp is the value of his Feat. The Feats of other casters seem really obvious as to how and when they are going to be useful. But his seems much more subtle and situational.

So what have I missed? How can I really mess up an opponent by using eMagnus's Feat?

scenarios. eMagnus is a scenario master. pop feat and the other guy cant move closer, cant get/contest/threaten scenarios. gives you the advantage, and the initiative. in games like gauntlet, where all you need are 2 SPs, you're half way there. i lost out first place in a tournament to eMagnus. simply because he popped his feat, and took control of the game.

[precinctomega]

that's actually quite an insulting statement to make

Then I withdraw it with sincere apologies.

I'm yet to play any scenarios, so it'll be interesting to see their effect.

Having listened to podcasts, browsed forums and read articles, my impression has been that most scenarios ultimately still default back to caster-kill. If eMagnus can win by pursuing scenario objectives instead, I'll be a happy man.

R.

[paddyalexander]

Most scenarios have caster kill as a secondary win condition. Privateers' tournament scenario pack, the steam roller system, contains scenarios that make it possible to win a game very quickly if your opponent holds back which is balanced by the caster kill rule. I've often found myself in a situation where a flank has collapsed and an opponent will win on scenario points unless I clear his models off of the control point he is holding or pull off an assasination run before the end of my turn.

I recently pulled off a win where the dice gods had abbandonded me (or were really in favour of my opponent) and all I had left was my caster - Magnus1 - and an arc-node - a damaged Renegade. My opponent was set to win the game at the end of the turn due to the scenario. I was able to pull off a win by very luckily one shotting Caine2 with an arced obliteration. There was no way I would have been able to clear his models off of the objectives.

[Falkman]

I've had a fair amount of wins (and losses) decided by scenario victory, it's not as uncommon as you might think.
Even if you don't win on scenario scoring, scenarios still force you to play more aggressive to contest zones (because if you don't, your opponent will win on scenario) so it forces a more involved playstyle. You can't play a gunline and just hang back, you have to fight for the middle or lose. Which I really like.

[Dyrnwyn]

I'm very (very) new to WM. I took the plunge when I was able to pick up a nearly-new 35-point eMagnus force for a knock-down price, and, having painted it (I know, I know; real WM players don't paint their armies, but I have a reputation to maintain) I've played a grand total of two 15 point games.

Obviously, I've got lots to learn. But one thing I feel like I ought to be able to grasp is the value of his Feat. The Feats of other casters seem really obvious as to how and when they are going to be useful. But his seems much more subtle and situational.

So what have I missed? How can I really mess up an opponent by using eMagnus's Feat?

R.

I particularly like eMags for his theme force. That said, his feat is not about damaging the other caster so much as completely controlling the battlefield. You use it to prevent an enemy from taking control points, and/or to prevent retaliation after multi-charging a few of his units/jacks/beasts. When playing Bad Seeds it also can be used to ensure you get another turn of shooting before melee troops arrive.

I recommend picking two opposing edges rather than two adjacent edges, because that will force enemies along a single axis of movement, where picking adjacent board edges gives them a 90 degree cone to work with. Make sure when you position eMags for his feat that:

A)You are able to catch models in the feat while simultaneously preventing them from charging him. I.E. pick what board edges you plan to use before positioning him, or you'll find that he can be gotten to on both axes of movement. Don't forget about models with reach - sometimes they can move along a straight line to the left or right and still reach him RoS Magehunters are particularly nasty because of the 4" reach on their activation.

B)You are not sitting in the open to get shot. eMag's feat only prevents movement toward him - if you plonk him in front of Kraye and a trio of Hunters, the Hunters will just stand still, get the RAT bonus for aiming, and shoot the Warlord to death. I recommend being in cover/concealment with Bullet Dodger up. Position one of your jacks in front of Magnus to help block LOS. If you are using his Bad Seeds theme, Sentinels are ACE at this, since they can also take a shot for him.

C)Remember that the feat only affects those that start their activations inside of his Control Range. Keep threat ranges in mind to feel secure when activating the feat - It wouldn't do to feel safe popping the feat leaving a Warpwolf just outside Mag's CTRL and have him warp speed, have Bounding thrown on him, and have him charge you from outside the feat. This is also something to remember when you have Bullet Dodger up - if someone shoots at you and misses, you can use that miss to jog 2" over and catch other models in the feat.

[Havock]

Also, be wary of stuff that has place effects.
Like, say, Kromac's bounding leap

Make sure Mags ends up well protected, preferably with a screen around him