Is the War Altar underpriced compared to other chariots

[vorac]

i've played at least 6 games with a friend using his empire and i've come to the conclusion that the War Altar is totally underpriced for what it does.

Unbreakable,4+ ward, free spell which really hurst when you play undead and he chooses the last light spell, magic resistance 2 all for 100 points

i need to send the black coach to Exhibit to pimp my ride because the coach is a p.o.s.

[druchii]

i've played at least 6 games with a friend using his empire and i've come to the conclusion that the War Altar is totally underpriced for what it does.

Unbreakable,4+ ward, free spell which really hurst when you play undead and he chooses the last light spell, magic resistance 2 all for 100 points

i need to send the black coach to Exhibit to pimp my ride because the coach is a p.o.s.

I honestly think it is too. Taking into consideration all the usual chariot weaknesses, it is incredible. I just don't understand why you would NOT take this beast. Especially against army like mine (Bretonnians), when you're not expecting the waralter of doom, it's just an absolute killer.

Paired with the two bound spells from the archlector(and possibly another Warrior priest) and the random mages, you're going to see some gigantic magic heavy empire lists..

If the WA lost ONE of it's abilities, I'd be happy with it being 100pts..but as it is, it seems just like a no brainer.

d

[larabic]

As a dwarf player it just looks like a really exspensive bullseye...a str 7 bolt or cannon ball awayf from making it a non issue...4+ ward save or not. Basically a tricked out black coach...

[vorac]

well the point of the thread is to compare it to other chariots not bring up the fact like all chariots it can be destryed by str 7 which is stupid to begin with.

[jullevi]

War Altar is definitely way underpriced for its abilities. On the other hand, given the fact that the only way to include one is to take it as a mount for 125pts+ lord level character, it's suddenly not that cheap anymore.

If we could have war altars at 100pts a pop, then yes, it would be a serious issue with game balance. However, taking one (and only one) costs some 300pts in reality.

[Baindread]

You have to take a character with WS4, S&T 4 and 2 attacks to get it. Enough said.

[Voltaire]

To add to Baindreads point - look at the ridiculously overpriced Chariot in the Empires rare section that is known as the Steam Tank.

[Hywel]

War Altar is definitely way underpriced for its abilities. On the other hand, given the fact that the only way to include one is to take it as a mount for 125pts+ lord level character, it's suddenly not that cheap anymore.

Perfectly said.

Furthermore in any battle below 3000pts, that guy is going to be the general of the army, which means he's going to be performing a very predictable role (sitting in the middle of the infantry line).

That is of course unless its one of those empire generals who chooses to go wandering all around the board with his only Ld9 model.

[loveless]

To add to Baindreads point - look at the ridiculously overpriced Chariot in the Empires rare section that is known as the Steam Tank.

The Steam Tank is more of a War Machine than a Chariot - it just has some Chariot-like qualities.

The War Altar is cheap because it comes as an upgrade to a Lord. Not unlike the Casket of Souls or the Anvil of Doom/

[The Blue Knight]

I have to say as a new Empire Player I will not be taking this item as it is not worth the lord slot that I have to take in games less than 3000pts. The Arch Lector is not whom I want leading the troops and especially not in a chariot.

The Blue Knight

[kyussinchains]

nearest thing I can think of that directly compares to the war altar is the skaven screaming bell, which costs twice as much, and you have to buy an even more expensive character to use it.

I definitely think the war altar is very underpriced for what it does!

[Tili]

Its also nice in combination with a steam tank. The lore of light has a spell to heal 1 wound from a model withing 24"...

It's really icky

[loveless]

nearest thing I can think of that directly compares to the war altar is the skaven screaming bell, which costs twice as much, and you have to buy an even more expensive character to use it.

I definitely think the war altar is very underpriced for what it does!

And when was the last time you saw a War Altar ring a bell and force half of the opponents cavalry off of the board in the first turn?
Or let the character hide during a challenge while the enemy character taps at the Altar in vain?
Or cause fear at a ring? Or have a 3+ Ward save? Or give a giant rank bonus to the unit it's in?
The Bell beats the snot out of the War Altar.
It's easily worth double the points of the War Altar, even without being Unbreakable. The Bell has the potential to knock out the opponent's army in just a couple rings - the War Altar isn't quite that amazing.

I'd rather face a War Altar than a Screaming Bell.

[loveless]

Its also nice in combination with a steam tank. The lore of light has a spell to heal 1 wound from a model withing 24"...

It's really icky

No dice, I'm afraid.

"HEALING ENERGY
...
This spell has no effects on Undead, Daemons, war machines and chariots."
-Rulebook, page 117

You're not gonna be able to use Healing Energy on the Steam Tank. Besides, the Steam Tank is immune to all spells without a strength value anyway.

It'd be mean, but it just can't be done.

[druchii]

You have to take a character with WS4, S&T 4 and 2 attacks to get it. Enough said.

Or give him the speculum and the shield of "you lose one attack" and suddenly you've got a unit that's challenging some pretty mean characters, and religating them to one attack/turn.

And I know you're just going to say "sure, but refuse the challenge!" Well, that's not always an option (a character in just about any cavlary unit will get sucked not the speculum). Not only that, but being unbreakable, that 300 pt war alter can hold up any unit in the game! 300 pts wellspent, IMO.

Especially if you play an aggressive style of empire, with knights, 2-3 infantry blocks, and fast cav.

d

[NakedFisherman]

...(a character in just about any cavlary unit will get sucked not the speculum).

Nothing stops players from accepting with a champion. Also, since the War Altar is only 50mm wide, a challenge can be refused as long as the cavalry unit is at least 5-wide.