Some thoughts about my army list

As I've never played Warhammer (and maybe never will), it may seem strange to try to build an dwarf army list. Actually, considering that I keep buying stuff on eBay whereas I have enough models to field a 4000 or 5000 points army, I think it's rather a sound idea :o)  So, my goal is to build an efficient and balanced list in order to define my purchasing and painting priorities...

Rank and file

Let's start with the shooting troops. Up to now, I have completed a unit of 10 crossbowmen and the second one is still waiting for its two last quarellers.

Since I have some extra models (can't help buying them!), now I'm considering adding a third ten crossbowmen (the two warriors with an axe have also a crossbow attached in the back).

So, unless somebody tells me it's a big mistake, I'm going to forget the idea to field a unit of thunderers: first because firearms don't exactly fit with my idea of an army of the Crusades, and second, because I'm afraid it could be really boring to fight against so many shooting troops...

And now, fighters. For the moment, I've simply painted a regiment of 20 dwarf warriors with double-handed axes and light armours. On second thought, maybe it would be wiser to buy an extra protection for them: that means aligning on the first rank the few guys carrying a shield... not my favorite models, but you have to make the best of things!

As you can see, I'm also thinking about strengthening this regiment with new warriors to make me paint some recent acquisitions. So, if you have any hints on the ideal size of a fighting unit (5x5, 6x4, 8x3...), let me know!


For my second regiment, I intend to equip my dwarf warriors with shields and spears. Not sure about their tactical interest, but since I've painfully collected about two tens of  spearmen, I feel obliged to use them. So let us consider 20 warriors including a standard bearer, a musician and a level 5 hero to lead them.

Now the 'improved' fighters. First and foremost, I want to include some of the beautiful imperial dwarfs designed by the Perry brothers. I think they'll make perfect veterans or 'Longbeards' for my army. I will align the maximum of them (meaning 20), including standard bearer, musician, and a level 10 hero.

And finally, the elite warriors: hammerers. I hadn't planned to include them until now, but I've recently started to work on dwarves equipped with double-handed hammers for a painting contest, so... I think I'll use them as bodyguards for my army general. Again, I'm not sure about their number: maybe 16, including the level 20 hero and a standard bearer.

So, if we sum up:

• 390 points for 30 dwarf crossbowmen, 
• 325 points for 23 dwarf warriors with double-handed weapons, shields, standard bearer and musician, 
• 252 points for 19 dwarf warriors with spears, shields, standard bearer and musician,
• 394 points for 19 longbeards with standard bearer and musician,
• 256 points for 15 hammerers with standard bearer,

which makes 1517 points, half the budget in rank and file... seems reasonable to me, doesn't it?

War engines

First, the war machine I have already painted: a fire thrower.

Then, what needs to be done: again, nothing to 'modern', considering the medieval look of my troops. So, I'll take a second fire-thrower, a stone-thrower (actually Haekel's Gob Lobber), a bolt-thrower, an old bombard and the flame cannon, which gives a total of 440 points:

• 120 points for 2 fire-throwers, with light armour for crew,
• 60 points for a 3-man bolt thrower, with light armour for crew,
• 125 points for a flame cannon, with light armour for crew,
• 75 points for a cannon, with light armour for crew,
• 60 points for a stone-thrower, with light armour for crew.

To be honest, I have some doubts about the second fire-thrower and the flame cannon: the models are not very well sculpted and are difficult to paint. I hope they're worth the effort in terms of lethal power!

Characters

As mentioned before, my general will be a level 20 hero with heavy armour, shield and double-handed weapon.

The longbeards will be led by a level 10 hero with heavy armour, shield and double-handed weapon.

And the two last units will receive one level 5 hero each, equipped with heavy armour, shield and double-handed weapon.

Ah... I almost forgot the wizard: just one Level 15 for the moment, but considering the number of models I have,  I will proably replace him by two lesser sorcerers in the future.

So, let's do the math:

• 174 points for the army general
• 203 points for the wizard
• 94 points for the Longbeard leader
• 72 points for the two champions of the units of dwarf warriors
• TOTAL = 543 points

Which gives me about 350 points left for improvements such as magic artefacts, additional heroes, war engines or units. Any suggestion?

Are mithril armours worthwhile for instance? Would it be a good idea to add a fast moving unit to this dwarf army? I have only two dwarf knights left to paint to add an Old World contingent of 5 'count as' Imperial Templars (291 points)...

Any advice is welcome ;-)