Well, here we are again - I'm still writing and you still have nothing better to do than read my drivel. Let's see... what were we supposed to do this time? Oh, yeah! An army for Warhammer Fantasy!

So you don't think I'm on Games Workshop 's payroll, we'll do something for either BattleTech or Ogre Miniatures next time (unless, of course, they do send me a check). I'm also playing with Legions of Steel, BattleSystem and who knows what else far future columns. If you don't see your favorite miniatures game on this list, send me a note (no, I don't care to write material for out of print games).

I am going to assume that you readers have a certain amount of familiarity with the Warhammer Fantasy rules, since I don't really have to include them.

One of the interesting WFB armies to run, in my book, is an Orc and Goblin army. While the army has a few minor disadvantages, like animosity test that can set your units against each other and spell casters that tend to blow up (like I say, minor disadvantages), there is a huge variety of unit types and methods of play.

This army can focus on fast, mounted units; on heavy foot troops; on massive war engines; or on a combination. In case I didn't make myself clear in my last column, I favor a balanced army - it's the only way that you can cover yourself, regardless of what the enemy fields.

The army will be built to 3,000 points, a typical tournament-sized army for the local conventions. This means I can spend a maximum of 1,500 points an characters (leaders), which is especially important for an Orc and Goblin horde. I must spend a minimum of 750 points on regular troops and may spend up to that amount on allies, monsters and/or war machines. No problem.

I suggest putting the troops together first, then picking appropriate characters to lead them, so let's pick out some units.

A heavy hitting cavalry unit would be good for starters, so I'll take an Orc Boar Boyz unit of ten (plus the characters to be added later) and pay the extra points for spears and a magic standard (25 points), for a total cost of 344 points. Ouch! That's an expensive unit, but it will be the heaviest and toughest.

I'll also want same missile support, so a unit of twenty Orc Arrer Boyz is a necessity, at only 150 points. I could upgrade them to crossbows, but then I lose the ability to move and fire in the same round - and it costs more. The hallmark of a good Orc leader is - weez cheep!

Next, the army needs some reasonable foot troops and I'm fond of the savage Orcs, especially if they get the armor bonus for having a Savage Orc shaman. A unit of twenty Savage Orcs, with shield and extra hand weapon ought to make the enemy sweat a little! For only 190 points, how can I go wrong?

I also need to toss in some night Goblins. I do this because it gives the enemy commander ulcers wondering if I've hidden Goblin fanatics in them. Two units of Goblins, each forty in strength, will take a lot of damage before they fall apart. One will have short bows (basically stickas from WFB) and the other will have spears, for only 120 points each - another 240 total.

That brings us to only 924 point. Plenty left for a unit of Black Orcs. The advantage of getting Black Orcs is that, with a unit of Black Orcs in the army, I can select Black Orc leaders.

They have a higher leadership, and unit lead by a Black Orc is immune to animosity (ah-ha, an equalizer!) I don't want too many points tied up in a big Black Orc unit,, so I'll only get ten, for 90 points. It won't turn the tide of the battle, but it could provide an effective and cheap flank attack.

A giant is a must in my army! Not only is it effective in battle, it's hilarious outside of battle and I have a giant figure the I just love to see on the table. That's 200 more points, so we're finally starting to feel a bit tight in the old wallet.

What's an Orc and Goblin army without war machines? I think two small rock lobbers should provide a threat without tying up too many points in a low percentage unit. When it hits, it hits! But it doesn't hit very often (only about 28% of the time).

That brings our total points spent up to 1347. Not bad for what we've got so far.

I also like having the Chaos Sorcerer ally, for a couple of reasons. One, it's a character paid for out of ally points (up to 25%, remember) not character points. Two, the Chaos Sorcerer is a user of Dark Magic and therefore gets an extra magic card each turn and generally has a better spell selection than Orcs. He will also feel better about life if he has a good mount, like a chaos steed. So, for the level 3 Chaos Sorcerer on chaos steed, I've just spent another 244 points for a total of 1591.

Now for the characters. Black Orc warlord and army standard bearer, plus boar will cost 248 and I'll plan on another 275 points in magic (including a 100 point army standard). These guys will lead the Boar Boyz and make it one tough unit.

A Savage Orc big boss with a magic tattoo and sword will lead the Savage Orc unit (128 points), a Black Orc big boss will lead each of the Goblin units (119 points each, including 25 point magic weapon and equipment).

A level 2 savage Orc shaman will go with the Savage Orc unit (thus improving their save) and he will cost 122 points, but we'll plan on him carrying another 100 points in magic.

Finally, another Black Orc big boss for the Orc Arrer Boyz.

He costs 95 points with equipment. That leaves 203 points, unless I've added wrong - and that's entirely possible because it is past my bedtime.

I noticed that I haven't purchased night Goblin fanatics yet, so I will buy six of them (three for each Goblin unit) at a cost of 180 points, leaving a few spare points to buy minor magic items for my big bosses.

I haven't picked magic for them because there's a whole different strategy for that. We'll cover it in a few issues. In the meantime, write and tell me what you think of the column and what you'd like to see in the future. If you have any questions regarding any of the current miniatures games , send them along as well.

Before I punch out for this issue I'd like to mention that, even as I write this, the staff of Ral Partha is having a social get-together with the action-figure guys from Kenner (now doesn't that sound like an unholy alliance). But I do want to wish RP's Larry Snelley good luck in his new calling as a staff artist at White Wolf. So, while he may not be working on your favorite figs, you'll soon be able to see the ravings of his psychotic mind in Mage:The Ascension and other WW products.

KC

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