2000p VC fun

[Texhnolyze]

Fantasy Army: Vampires

I'm sort of on the limit model wise. I got everything of the below, except the hellsteed vampire, but he is on the to-do list now, I really want a flying hero, so he is not going to get dropped
But otherwise the only spare models I have over is 3 Vargheists, and a terrorgheist/zombie dragon, and 10 more skeletons. But me and my friends want to start going up to 2000-2500 pts

Vampire Lord:396
Lv3(vampire), Heavy Armour, Enchanted Shield, Red fury, Talisman of protection

Vampire:214
Hellsteed, Heavy Armour, Shield, Dragonhelm, Dawnstone, Quickblood, Lance, lv1(vampire)

Necromancer:65
Lv1(vampire)

30 Skeleton Warriors:180
Full Command

30 Skeleton Warriors:180
Full Command

5 Dire Wolves: 40

5 Dire Wolves: 40

20 Zombies: 60

18 Grave Guards: 246
Full command, Heavy Armour, Great Weapon

6 Crypt horrors: 228

Varghulf: 175

Varghulf: 175

So the general plan is to bring the skeletons and zombies up the center to try and slow things down a bit. Grave guards will be flankers for for the Crypt horrors working together to bring the hurt on some of the heavier enemy units.
Varghulfs will land their weight to any combat that really needs it, and clear up some chaff, they will also be prime targets for cannons ^^

The Vampire lord will go either among the skeletons in the start to try and cover most of the army with the march bubble. The necro will stay with the Zombies or on his own, depending on the enemy army.

The Vampire on hellsteed will be hunting warmachines/chaff/missile troops/lone heroes. He will take cover behind the crypt horrors/varghulfs in the start if cannons are non flaming. The reason for quickblood is to make sure he really hit when he charges at str 7. Also, would it be worth throwing him into a hellcannon, would it keep it from firing a turn or 2 before the vampire is toast ? What about a Chaos sorc on disc or 5 chaos knights ?

Thanks for any input!

[Kayosiv]

I feel like all of your units are too small. I'd combine the skeletons into a unit of 60, really. I started out with units of 30 myself and they just died quick and useless deaths. I kept upping the unit in consecutive games and found anything under about 50 doesn't last long enough, although in a 2000 point game (i play mostly 2500) you can probably get away with 40.

Definitely invest in SOME kind of weapon for your Vampire lord. 20 points for a +1 strength magic sword or 10 points for a great weapon (swap the enchanted shield with the flying vampire and his dragon helm) seems mandatory. If you're paying 50 points for red fury, you can sure as heck pay another 10-25 points to make sure you get the most out of it.

The flying vampire is neat, but I wouldn't give him a dawnstone. With the dragon helm and the dawnstone you're up to 35 points in protection. Get him a 4+ ward save heavy armor for a little more and he'll be MUCH more survivable against anything higher than strength 4 for like 14 more points. No, he will not be able to defeat a hellcannon, nor will a varghulf. Get the 2 of them in there together (or just both varghulfs) though and it is highly likely that they will crush it in 1 round.

You could consider dropping 1 of the varghulfs for your 3 Vargheist models so your flying vampire hero has some support to take on tougher targets (hellcannon).

18 grave guard with great weapons does not work. Especially without the +1 to hit banner to increase their killyness, they will be reduced to 10 or less models after 1 combat with a semi-decent opponent. If you are going to take such a small unit, with with shields. I'd say a size of 30 is minimum, but you don't have the models for that, so just try going more defensive.

[Death Korp]

I agree with most of what Kayosiv says, but I'll add my own thoughts. i know you're on a limit of models as we all are, but the suggestions I make could be a help for future purchases :

*The Lord needs a rethink. I'd consider creating this version instead:

Vamp Lord: Lvl 2-3, Heavy Armour, Shield, Dragon Helm, Tal. of Preservation, Red Fury, Quickblood.

Its more points, but he'll have more chance of slapping something stupid. If you're going to get a Vampire Lord, you'll have to spend the points on him to make him effective. Its either go all in or nothing for Vampire Lords. What you COULD do for 2000pts and save points, is using a Necromancer Lord, with Level 4 and other stuff, then increase your unit sizes with the saved points.

*Give the Necro a Dispel Scroll for some Magic defence, its so damned handy!

*I like the flying Vampire, never thought of that... may consider it myself! But I'd consider giving him a 4 or 5+ Ward save, and the Charmed shield, that give a 2+ chance to ignore the first wound. So, that could stop a cannonball taking out your flying missile. Give him a lance and heavy armour, and jobs a good 'un.

*The Skellies need more bodies. Maybe 2 units of 40 (proxy an extra 10 skellies?) to give some meat to your army.

*Varghiests would be ideal for your Flying Vamp to fly with. I'd try and stick a unit of these guys instead of the Grave guard. They're too small to be of any use. In 2500pts, try and increase the unit to about 35-40 with Great Weapons and the Banner of the Barrows, and they'll be mean and cruel and nasty and any other evil verbs I could think of.

Hopefully, that helps!