Our Muster the Troops contest has come to a close. We asked you to tell us who your favorite warcaster and warjack was. With almost 400 entrants, there were some amazing, creative answers. It’s awesome to see how much our fans love the characters who inhabit the Iron Kingdoms and their loyal warjacks! It’s with great pleasure that we announce the winner of our first Muster the Troops contest, “Splinter!” Here are his answers. . .
Splinter
Favorite Warcaster
My favorite warcaster is Kommander Strakhov. When I first started playing WARMACHINE about a month ago, I was really torn between choosing Cygnar and Khador. While I was trying to choose, I was looking through my friends older WARMACHINE books. After awhile, I started really liking the warcasters of Cygnar, but didn’t really like any of their ‘jacks, however, I loved the Khador ‘jacks, especially the Kodiak, but there really wasn’t a warcaster that stood out to me. After awhile I decided to check out the Privateer Press Website to look at the warscasters that I was trying to choose between and found one that wasn’t in any of the older books I was reading. So i looked him up and found out about Kommander Strakhov. Not only was his model one of the coolest in the game, but his rules made him an excellent warcaster for the type of player I am trying to become.
After finding Strakhov, I was sold on Khador. He was one of two additional models I bought with my battle box, and so far is my favorite warcaster to put on the table.
Favorite Warjack
My favorite warjack is definitely the Kodiak. I had never played a tabletop game before WARMACHINE, and the model that really sold me on the game as well as the whole hobby was the Kodiak. As soon as I saw the Kodiak, I thought the model was awesome, and when I started to read about the rules, I realized how useful of a ‘jack he really could be.
My favorite play in the entire game is completing a chain attack with the Kodiak and double-handed throwing an enemy ‘jack to my waiting Juggernaut. Not only is it a good attacking ‘jack, but running without focus and pathfinder has saved me more than once already.
Since its model is awesome, its abilities are great, and it sold me on the game, the Kodiak will always be my favorite warjack.”
Splinter has won a new-in-box 35 point WARMACHINE army of the faction of his choice! Congratulations!
Splinter wasn’t the only one to have great answers though, here’s just a few more of the hundreds of awesome entries!
Razialx
Although choosing a favorite caster is no easy task, when pushed to choose the first name that leaps out at me is Goreshade the Bastard.
Goreshade is great for many reasons. When running him he can cause so much aggravation for your opponent that losing still feels like winning! He may not be the most offensive caster, his spells may have a high price and his medium base may make him more vulnerable than others, however none of that matters. Why? Because he shuts you down. And then, he summons banes from Urcaen and shoves them into the heart of your army!
But, lets set this aside and cover the place where he really shines. Every other Cryx caster became Blighted through Toruk. The Dragonfather corrupts everything, but he doesn’t have his talons in Goreshade. Goreshade’s relationship with Cryx is one of more symbiosis than subjugation. In fact, if you look at his motivations he is the closest thing to a “Good Guy” that Cryx has!
Goreshade, your race is in peril! What will you do? Kill your Gods. A plan that might even surprise Nietzsche. All the other Elves being serious downers? No worries, just become an Eldritch! Those jerk Elves hunting you down? Forget about it, just shack up with the Nightmare empire.
Yeah, Goreshade is my favorite caster. And I like to believe that he is most other peoples least favorite to see on the battlefield.
Jetsetneo
What better example of Khadoran ingenuity than the Spriggan? He we have all the telltale marks of a typical Khadoran jack.
Powerful Damage Potential in a giant skewering lance.
Enormous Armor, supported by the sturdiest of shields, capable of shrugging off the most powerful of blows.
Utility in the form of anti-personnel grenades and targeting flares.
All these are a testament to the Spriggan’s capability. It can take even the toughest jacks in a pinch, ramming its powerful lance through the inferior machine like a hot knife through pelemeni. Much like the Khadorans who built it, it needs to last in the harshest of conditions. It regularly takes blows that lesser jacks would crumple under. Even if it didn’t have its mighty shield would you think that the motherland would make a jack if it wasn’t built to last? It takes a lot of effort and power to bring down this rampaging bear of the Empire. Lastly, and the best part of all, its the utility this jack brings to battle. Most enemies to the empire would think Khador foolhardy, bring jacks like bulls to simply charge at them, only to be brought down under fire from their weapons. Well the Spriggan thins their foolish lives with twin grenade launchers, meaning that even if his Lance cannot reach, his payload will. For those who think themselves clever, able to hide themselves from us, are soon met with a barrage of fire and death as the Spriggan reveals them for cowards they are with its all-seeing flares.
A Sprggan much like our soldiers and our land proves one thing: Nothing escapes the Motherland. We have met our enemies and we will destroy them! If they run our lances will run them down. If they turn and fight they will find futility. And if they hide…
and they do…
We will find them.
Glory to the Motherland!
Thunderwave
Favorite Warcaster you say?
I’m going out on a limb here and say Captain Kara Sloan.
I read the quote at the top of her entry in the Cygnar book and loved it. Her fluff is the kind of stuff I love to read, and her attitude in the fiction hits spot on. I love the commander apart that’s hiding a secret.
As for game play, she fits my style of aggressive shooting. Of finding that one weak spot in the enemy’s force and ramming a large bullet shaped wedge into it and applying as much force as I can muster to it.
Joedj
My favorite is Cryx’s newest heavy: The Corruptor
Super-Versatility, and oh so fluffy. Shoot an opposing grunt then: watch it explode in a gory mess, or steal his bones to make our bread (heal the Cryx Warcaster), or best yet, make that enemy be an engine of his friends’ destruction (temporary arc node!!). And one of these abilities triggers in melee combat also!
Is there another ‘jack with that much versatility?
Full disclosure: I’m a dentist and the thought/visual of giving injections (aka ‘shots’) via a Warjack is somehow job related…
Kingbarbarossa
My favorite warcaster is Kaelyssa. Her back story is fantastic and she has spells that can make your opponent scream in rage, and then cry as their caster melts. She’s also really great for me as a novice player, because her high focus stat allows me to change my plans when I screw something up. And she also works very well with a variety of different units and solos, which means i can make lots of different armies with her. I’d recommend her to anyone who is just starting out playing.
Baron von Chaos
My absolute favorite and the best Warjack has got to be the Castigator
Nothing is more devastating than a warjack that bleeds fire out of his fists. Every attack sets the heretics alight. A construct that has a direct connection with its boiler to keep the flames lit and the heretics burning. A brawler by nature that doesn’t bother with the smaller targets, and is primed for the handling of hard targets. The rain of fire and death that this model spews will melt even the sturdiest of opponents. The Castigator thrives in the fight. Fights against even the most hardened targets. If you can’t take the heat, get out of the Castigator’s way.
The Castigator’s reign of terror knows no bounds when on the battle field with me. Absolutely love that jack.
Great anti-troops jack. Great anti-heavy jack. Easily buff-able to become its own Engine of Destruction. A total favorite in any list I have.
Vash1321
Kreoss of course. He is the perfect encompassing of an exemplar knight. All parts of his history are impressive and yet somehow stand with and apart from menoth.
First is his blood, in the iron kingdoms knight hood is not made by bloodline, so the fact that he was born into a poor family was irrelevant. But still the story of hardships he fought through to become what he is, is still impressive. To reaching knighthood and then attaining warcaster abilities he has propelled himself to become a strategic and still fierce leader.
Second is his current personality. Despite growing under Garrick Voyel he lacks the same inquisitional zeal. There is an awkward soft side to him that the rest of menoth (minus the harbinger) lack. In a faction based on religious hate, kreoss can fight with a burning zeal to “cleanse” all that oppose him, and yet there are times when chivalry comes out. He can be impressed by the different. Despite Voyal showing much favor towards the violent and aggressive exemplars Kreoss was probably the first of all menoth leaders of his time to acknowledge the importance of Dartan Vilmon. I remember is one of the mk1 books there is a quote to the degree where kreoss says he wishes more of his exemplars fought with the pride and courage that Vilmon does.Then again a soft time in this Inquisitional fire of a knight when he stops Feora from renewing the attack after Voyal is slain. He understands the moral of his people and even under the worst conditions can except a time of grief. Of any character in menoth he has found the true balance between kindness and harsh inquistionalism <-(not a word). He seems to find a spot right in between the exemplars and paladins, a balance between voyal and the harbinger.
Finally his spell list.
Where all other caster either have a use of menoths name for protection or hate, or simply a list of pure burning and ash kreoss stand apart. With his only close comparison being the harbinger. The point is, is that it is expected from the harbinger. Kreoss on the other hand does not justify his actions with menoths name, like servious might. Kreoss has spells that covers menoths anger, hate, sadness, and love.
Lamentation, a combination of sadness and anger, almost a punishment to prevent sinners from doing anymore terrible deeds. This spell inconveniences the target without actually giving it pain. (unexpected from an exemplar)
Purification- again a love, hate spell. Menoths might clears away all sins in the area friend or foe. It is a punishment to all for using his powers only to hurt.
Cleansing fire and Immolation- The pinnacle of menoths hate and anger through kreoss, it shows the true exemplar in him and hate for his enemies.
Defenders Ward- a awkward spell to throw in his list. giving protection to his men but not justifying it in menoths name. Almost a taking of responsibility for his own actions, this spell reeks of the order of the wall and yet it is on his card.
Finally his feat.
A counter to the rest of his card, his full wrath comes out, despite it goes against the battle on his personality that i find so interesting it shows the imperfection in his personality. A loss of temper and all of his rage come out at once. A true showing of exemplar force rages out of him literally knocking everyone back. It is the anger kreoss tries to contain and the fact that it is a feat shows how rare he lets it out.
This has been my much over read into rant.
Barnaby
The Cankerworm!
Its like a bloated Maggot slithering across the battlefield. Serpentine and Insectoid, with a humanesque face to top it all off. Its creepy, it has some dirty dirty tricks, and people always underestimate its base form- an Armor Penetrating attack from a stealthy pathfinding eldritch thing should never be underestimated!
Also i just love the imagery of it- and i can actually hear the noise it makes in my head- that click/clack/click/clack like a Jacobs ladder toy slithering down- except much more menacing.
Finally it lets you do what all Necromancers love: take your enemies best, most loved toy, and make it your own. Who else gets to do that? Renegade Rockets from Magnus, Ice Axes from Sorcha, Thunder Cannons from Nemo- the Canker Worm gets to do something different every game you play him. The only part better than taking the weapon is trying to figure out how something with no arms is using it!
For me it adds an entire joyous strategy to the game: rather than looking across the table and seeing potential threats in my enemies biggest, most beautifully painted jacks, i see potent weapons that i can add to my own arsenal- after i kill them with Acid.
Click clack click clack: Cankerworm go!”
Brickrock121
As I place the miniature down on the table before me I feel a familiar sensation… My head tells me to put him back into the gaming case, to hide him deep away so that the yearning cannot penetrate my being, but my heart urges me once more to succumb to the madness.
Every turn presents it’s own epic struggle, a heroic effort of will to hold back the rage; and yet there it lies just beneath the surface, waiting. It is a torment barely controlled and kept in check, only to be released at precisely the right moment, when each element is in position bearing down on the enemy, whoever it may be. Every manoeuvre leads to that one exquisite moment of terrible release, a torrent of destruction that drives every ‘jack, every soldier to become a blunt instrument of unparalleled destruction.
The enemies of the motherland are driven back in shock and fear as the red tide crashes in, the giant madman who wields a massive axe at its centre cutting bloody swathes through their ranks. And I, the architect of it all cannot help but laugh as my enemies are crushed utterly, for in that moment I too have succumbed to the infectious insanity of my favourite caster: THE BUTCHER.
James Harrison
Phoenix
Take a moment to visualize:
The blazing power field encasing this mighty myrmidon sends a brilliant surge of energy into the enemy, incinerating them, before absorbing retaliatory barrages in a intimidating display of Iosan might. Seemingly it dies to a flicker, before flaring back in a crescendo of furious blue-white fire. The Phoenix strides into the midst of enemy lines, bodies charring to ash, while it brings its massive thermal blade, alight with liquid fire, crashing into the hulls of lesser constructs. Tossing aside the remnants of its foe its gigantic arc nodes roar with power as they bring down the rage of the Retribution of Scyrah!
Why do I love it more than the others? Isn’t it obvious?
Traitor4coin
My Favorite caster is Magnus the Traitor. He is a sneaky SOB who despite many injuries has managed to not only elude Cygnar’s authorities, but has also been able to further the goals of his “boss” Vinter. He is the arch rival of pretty boy Stryker, has a mechanikal arm, and is one of Cygnar’s most wanted. He does lots of shady back alley deal, but still has a Mercenaries code of honor. He has many spies and other mercenary companies indebted to him. He is great at feigning, and sneak attacks.
From a game play stand point Magnus is awesome! He is hard to kill, and can dish out the damage when he needs to. He has a great spell list, and the ability to upkeep spells on models in his battle group for free makes focus manipulation an easy task. His feat allows balls-to-the-wall assault without fear of repercussion,or the chance to tie up solos, units, casters, and jacks with suddenly speedy manglers and renegades. I challenge anyone to come up with a caster who is as well rounded and as infamously awesome as Magnus.
* A loyal subject of the True king of Cygnar
Bnf
My favourite warcaster is the Witch Coven of Garlghast. These witches are very different from all other casters. They have a LOT of focus at their disposal, but that drops to average or below average if you lose one or two witches. So, while losing a witch won’t lose you the game right away, you really don’t want that to happen. They’re very fragile but they have some nice tricks up their sleeves. It’s also different to have multiple caster models that activate separately even though they’re just one caster. I really like the models too. Having the three ladies stand in a triangle around the Egregore, performing their rituals looks very cool on the tabletop.
ImpactHammer
The hands of Man crafted the parts for this holy vessel.
The hands of Man blessed the parts for this holy vessel.
The hands of Man put the parts together to create this holy vessel.
The Creator of Man imbued the holy vessel with his light.
The True Law now marches alongside the Soldiers of Faith in its holy vessel.
Heathen magicks simply unravel against the earthly form of the True Law.
The holy vessel is guided by his Light, guided by his Will, and needs no directions.
Nonbelievers and heretics suffer His wrath in fiery death when their companions are cut down.
None of the Warmachine models represent its background and fluff better than the Avatar.
From the workbenches to the blessings received by the Harbinger, the Avatar looks and plays
the part it is supposed to.
He receives D3+1 focus automatically, is not part of a battlegroup and cannot be targeted by
enemy spells. When the Gaze of Menoth falls upon his foes, they cannot move away.
With a high MAT, ARM and almost ridiculously large sword, it is a terror to behold.
The Creator of Man truly walks with his blessed Children through this awesome warjack!
Theummhmmguy
A grizzled old Pirate, sails right into his quarry seemingly outgunned and outnumbered. His crew is efficient by pirate standards, as they work tirelessly to load and re-load Deck Guns mounted along the ships rail as well as under the arm of each Mariner in a row along the deck. Spaced between the Mariner’s are the Mules with a shorter range but much more deadly explosive rounds, the Mules begin to build pressure in their steam tanks to extend their range. For the time being the old pirate’s quarry think they have the upper hand knowing full well the slow rate of fire of the old Pirates War-Jacks. The Pirate stands with one leg on the deck rail surveying his enemy and waiting to signal his cannons to fire. He beings his barrage and by sheer force of will compels his men to load the faster and the Cannons on the War-Jacks to shoot at nearly twice their normal speed blanketing his quarry in a hail of explosive cannon fire. The guns do not relent as the old Pirate’s ship closes with its quarry and the Sea Dog Crewman begin to board the enemy ship. Once again the old Pirate uses his unearthly ability to summon a Storm the blow his enemies over and even send their shots off with the wind. Into the fray the Pirate goes taking three men down with one shot from his gun Ace. He begins a swashbuckling dance of death through his enemies seemingly gaining strength and momentum from each foe that falls by his blood drenched sword.
His enemies recognize him now and know their fate is sealed as they cry out in fear the name of the old Pirate, “Broadsides Bart!”
From his look right down to his abilities this Warcaster is easily my favorite. The ability to make his battlegroup fire so many extra shots softens up any enemy he faces. Then he closes into melee reducing the enemies chance to hit while wading through them with ease. This guy makes scenario play a nightmare for anyone facing him. He has great support for the ranged Mercenary Jacks and can get the job done in melee when get finally gets there.
skarreslave2
What is my favorite warjack? Many will point to the devastating power of Deathjack, the murderous rage of Beast 09 or the stalwart resilience of the Avatar. I disagree. What is really best about a warjack? It is 10 tonnes of crashing steel barreling through enemy lines? Well yes, but I think simple is better. My favorite warjack is the humble Slayer. It epitomizes all that is Cryx and warmachine. The Slayer dashes forward across the field of battle to claw, smash and gore everything in its path like a gigantic murderous beetle. It doesn’t use weapons or guns, no magical fields of protection or shields, no clouds of choking ash. Just a murderous desire to get to the other army and let its talons express its desire for blood. Then even if its arms are gone, its legs disabled it can still fight on, using its tusks to lash out at its foes for one final vindictive strike. The slayer is cheaper than many infantry units that play on the table, it moves fast and fights really well against both heavy armor and units. Versatile in the roles it can play for a warcaster it is easy to use and easy to fit into almost any list.
Nothing better expresses “Warmachine” than the Slayers single minded desire to join the fight!
Commander Y
Kommandant Gurvaldt Irusk.
In a war game, how can you not love the man who literally wrote the book on warfare? Even his enemies have read it, and respect him.
But really, he’s my favorite warcaster because he is the first one I ever played, in my very first game of Warmachine, at GenCon about 3 years ago. And that’s where I learned that Warmachine is simply the best damn tabletop miniatures game out there.
In that game, through the casting of Superiority, he allowed one Kodiak to pick up another Kodiak, and chuck it into a mass of Magnus’s Long Gunners. The thrown and Superiority-d Kodiak then went to town on the ones he didn’t squish coming in. And that cinematic moment made me fall in love with the game.
So – thanks, Gurvaldt. I appreciate it.
Lordbubonicus
For me, it has to be a Cryxian warjack. They are what first grabbed my attention when I saw someone reading the Original Prime rulebook way back when. I just love the aesthetic of the original helljacks and bonejacks, so sleek and elegant in their deadly way, and the newer chassis designs also tickle my fancy. But which one to pick?
I’m going to have to go with the Helldiver. It’s a great concept that really encapsulates what the faction is about to me – being tricky, striking at the enemy from unexpected directions, keeping them guessing as to where that deadly attack is coming from, and hitting them just when they think that they’re safe. The idea of a burrowing warjack fits into this mentality perfectly, and the unit background in Superiority really captures the horrific idea of fighting something that could be waiting just beneath your feet…
It doesn’t hurt that when I think that the model looks pretty great either, and really fits the Helldiver’s purpose and description.
Magi
There are so many great warcasters, but I would have to say my favorite is Dawnlord Vyros of the Retribution of Scyrah. Well, not of exactly of the Retribution… more like using the Retribution. His ambition and duplicity are what I appreciate most about his character. He gives the outward appearance of being a loyal and upright commander that embodies the ideals of the Dawnguard, but secretly his work with the Retribution is only to fuel his ambition to become Narcissar of a stronger, greater Ios. I find this very compelling, and it makes me anxious to find out where his tale goes from here. His love of falconry and his desire to finish what he started when he battled Ghyrrshyld are also quite intriguing.
In the game itself, his ability to hit extremely hard and accurately are useful game-ending qualities. In addition, his ability to support both jacks and infantry equally as well, with a feat that allows his jacks to use the hitting power of the infantry under his command to reap massive destruction on enemy lines. He works extremely well with the Griffon light myrmidon, a great little jack with amazing speed that he can make go even faster, through most terrain without penalty. He also has great synergy with the Phoenix heavy myrmidon, using its arc node to extend his assassination range through liberal application of Eliminator and tearing things up with the Phoenix’s sword on his feat turn. Mobility just adds to this threat potential.
All in all Vyros is a singularly powerful Iosan warlord with ambition to match. Gotta have the cojones to go with that massive ego!
JackF
Well, after doing much thinking, I’ve finally come to a decision. The Warmachine world is one of blood, sweat and turmoil. It’s a very grim and grimey setting that has several heroes struggling for each of their factions. While I am a Khador player at heart, through and through RED, I’d have to say my favorite warjack is Ol’ Rowdy. I know, I know.. traitor they cry! I was torn between Beast – 09, Drago and Ol’ Rowdy. While Beast – 09 and Drago are both admirable, full of personality and just plain win, I admire Ol ‘ Rowdy from afar.
Throughout the MK I books we see the transformation that takes place within Stryker as his morale starts to waiver. The Menites and Khadorans wage a campaign that break the rules of warfare; meanwhile Stryker is bound to fight by Cygnar’s “rules.” As Stryker gets darker, Ol’ Rowdy is right there beside him, watching his back like a loyal hound. This warjack is tough, tenacious, and has a battle lust that any Khadoran could admire! The warjack has developed his cortex to unprecedented levels and he has learned not only how to fight, but to fight intelligently – arriving where he’s needed without goading by Stryker.
Ol’ Rowdy was there when Stryker rescued Haley from the clutches of Sorscha. He was there through thick and thin, throughout his campaigns against the enemies that would threaten his country. He was there when that witch Feora tried to collapse a temple on her own countrymen in a cowardly attempt to escape. Despite saving those who hated him, Stryker is crushed beneath the rubble and it is Ol’ Rowdy that is there to rescue and carry Stryker back to safety. This event leads to Stryker current incarnation – a change within him, a renewed sense of self. This ultimately leads Stryker to the final showdown where he ends Voyles plans and saves Cygnar. An event which changes the face of Immoren. And Ol’ Rowdy was right there by his side. The epitome of loyalty and tenacity. He will not let anyone near Stryker and would give itself before seeing harm come to him.
That loyalty has not gone unheeded as Stryker has put quite an investment in protecting his warjack. Ol’ Rowdys model has a dynamic pose and awesome rules, too. The ability to Counter Charge is plain awesome, and shows the warjacks character quite well. Both he and his warcaster have their scars, but they are still fighting on. The bond those two share is quite special and as someone looking over the fence, I admire that quality as well as the warjacks ability to keep going no matter what, even in an enemy.