Warband: 'Scourge of Witches' the Witch Hunters

That was a close one! Mordheim is full of dangers and yet we came out of it without a scratch once more. That made me think lad - as we have our sacks filled with gold, then it is about time to mount some proper warband. There's plenty of strong and pugnacious champs scattered around nearest settlements, but we need some really tough bastards. Witch Hunters lad - that is exactly what we need. There are no sons of a whore more fierce and headstrong than those and i think that i know where to find them. Just follow the stench of burned meat and cries of the dying men... 

 Warband: Witch Hunters

'Scourge of Witches'

I use this opportunity to introduce you to one of my favorite warbands: the Witch Hunters. Many times i had a plan to win a tournament or to be a competitive player in a campaign. If that was the case - i choose Witch Hunters. These grim fellows got advantages and drawbacks just like all warbands, yet there is one thing that for me places them above all others. 

Advantages:

- Flexibility, (that special one thing)

Like all human warbands, the Witch Hunters have a variety of options to choose from. Every player may construct his starting band to fit his gaming style. For instatnt, there is a choice of build:
- Long range shooting. Heroes with crossbows, Zaelots with bows to amass fire, and some muscle to withstand eventual combat. Tilean Marksman, or Roadwarden for a HS.

- Midrange shooting. Some heroes have crossbows or pistols, henchmen are choosen from Flagellants and Warhounds.  Tilean Marksman, or a Pit Fighter for a HS.

- Combat & maneuver. Heroes are equiped with close combat weapons or mobile shooting weapons, while henchmen includes five Warhounds and two Flagellants. Imperial Assassin or Pit Fighter for a HS.

- Close Combat. All Heroes equiped for close combat, two to three Flagellants, Zaelots with two weapons. Ogre Bodyguard - there's no one better than this fellow.

Personally i preffer to buy five heroes (more heroes = more loot), equip them with crossbows and a mix of CC weapons (shooting means 'live to see another day'), field max Hounds (speed) and two Flagellands (for extra punch), and then spent some coins to hire Tilean Marksman (more dakka). 

- Powerfull Magic,

Prayers of Sigmar are so good that I have difficulty with making choice of the best one of them.  Hammer of Sigmar literally changes your Priest into a killing mashine, while Healing Hand may be an ace in the hole in case of some shooty weather (facing Dwarf Treasure Hunters for example). Armour of Rightenousness is good for tanky close combat build, and Soulfire leaves many dead when used in dense combat. That makes it 4 to 2 (Shield of Faith and Heart of Steel are crap). 

- Hounds,

Warhounds are not only wonderful companions of man. These nasty beasts are fast, strong and cunning, allowing you to outmaneuver your opponent, get wind of hidden prey and then get rid of it with sharp claws and teeth, not to mention strength of 4. 

Weaknesses:

- Low number of warriors,

Number of warriors in your band may never exceed 12, that means you will almost always be outnumbered. It also means that you'll have to play cautiously not to loose one of your heroes. You will need gold to pay the upkeep of Hired Swords - the only way of keeping enemy numbers at bay.

- High starting XP, 

Your heroes start with 58 experience points. That is a lot - they will be advancing slower than other warbands. Additionally there is no Witch Hunter hero with 0 starting XP and even with lower number of fighters you will still be above your opponents rating, especially if you hire some Hired Swords - which is actually must have.

 

Witch Hunter Captain: Melkior Brenner

Priest of Sigmar: Balthazar

 

Witch Hunter: Kornelius

 

 Witch Hunter: Gaspar

 Witch Hunter: Duke Tredd & Zealot Monkey: Pako

 Flagellants: Brazier (hero) & Flagellants

 Warhounds (big and mean)

Warband: Witch Hunters 'Scourge of Witches'
Cost: 500gc,
Rating: 132,

Witch Hunter Captain: Melkior Brenner 88gc,
Crossbow, Mace, Dagger,

Priest of Sigmar: Balthazar 48gc,
Hammer, Axe, Dagger,

Witch Hunter: Kornelius 53gc,
Crossbow, Mace, Dagger,

Witch Hunter: Gaspar 53gc,
Crossbow, Mace, Dagger,

Witch Hunter: Duke Tredd 43gc
Pistol, Mace, Dagger,

Flagellant 55gc,
Flail, 

Flagellant 55gc,
Flail

Warhounds (5) 75gc,

Tilean Marksman: Gioseppo Pecatore 30gc,
Crossbow, Light Armour, Sword, Dagger,



Nazroth,