Mierce Miniatures

Thanks to SH2, I've decided to add the Albainn to my list of kindreds. To maximise the bang for my buck (so to speak), it seemed to be a no-brainer to get the three hosts available (including SH1); infantry, support and monstrous infantry.

This gives me (apologies for missing diacritics!):

Dungal
10 Gairlom
Savage Oghuruc

Itaina
15 Elbharu
3 Oghurithne Hunters

Bagseg
7 Oghurithne

I also intend to pick up Umaer Drast (as I love the sculpt), Skullcap Domnech and Drast the Hound.

With the Goat-Eater deal, based on my pledge (and already factoring what I want for my Ker-Ys), I also intend to pick up an Oghurigg and a Goghu.

I think this gives me a fairly rounded force with a couple of extras that I love the artwork/sculpts for (Oghurigg/Goghu/Umaer Drast). Is there anything I'm very obviously missing to make this a fun muster? Any 'must haves' I've not got yet?

(there's likely to be similar posts for my other kindred soon - just warning you!)

How much Gold are you aiming for

I was advised to aim for 2000 ideally.

Just bumping in case anyone has any advice?

Decided I want an Ogmops cause the sculpt is awesome!

The giant is a good choice for a big monster to bash around. Do you just want a fun force or would you want to go more competitive with the harder combos?

Thanks Jonathon, I'm all about fun and rule of cool.

I'm thinking some of the larger Oghur(xxx) minis would be a cool addition.

In which case I'd follow the rule of cool pick the models you like the look of or a theme eg all MI or bigger kind of thing.

The Albainn are a interesting kindred as you could go for mad butt naked beserkers for the humans with the wild/feral bigger models to get a real highland look

I'm pretty certain I'll end up 'all in' on albainn. First model I painted for the faction was gomagg. He's amazing to paint and looks so cool.

I like the sound of the oghur and quite liked the models but as not in a bundle I've not picked them up as yet.

Agreed Dave, a sweet Oghur bundle on a KS would seal that deal

I cracked in the Easter sale and picked up a unit.

I most likely won't be adding any more Albainn now. This will become a slow-burn painting project (if it gets round to being done at all).

Just realised I'd posted about what other factions over on Erainn and now spotted that like me you're into both of them.

I'd say don't be too disheartened, there is still the option to make these factions work with your model collection. Were you planning on basing the Erainn & Albainn the same? I had assumed I would so I could put them together as allies, this will give me the ability to (in the shorter term) just work round the mainstay restrctions by using my Errain as proxy Albainn troops to get a muster allowed force on the table.

eg

Dungal (mormaer) 113 (uncommon)
10 Gairlom - command (free) 100 (mainstay)
10 Gairlom - command (free) 100 (mainstay) [Use Erainn Men of Clochar as proxies, if you wanted could make them Gairmorlom so the two units were different to go with the diff looks, more points but still mainstay]

Bagseg (Oghurithne Umaer) 83 (Common 2)
5 Oghurithne - command (free) 225 (mainstay)

And that now gives you all of the muster requirements for the force and only takes up 621 gold leaving you plenty of room to take all the other stuff you want.

It's not perfect but it means you can keep playing with the models you have rather than totally shelving the faction which is where you appear to be heading.

Dave, I truly appreciate your comments.

haha, lets just say I've been where you are but had a bit of advance notice as got pulled into the playtest group by Jon Chester.

I've now decided to just bite the bullet and actually buy multiples of those units because I really like the models and as I play saga too it give me an easy cross over force for playing that as well and I'd need more bodies anyway to do that!

I understand the reasoning behind the change, I just don't think it's for me now is all.

I'll be sticking to Skirmish level games for Darklands, it'll keep my interest high and means I'll get to still enjoy a variety in my list.

So this is my Skirmish list:

Umaer (Shield) 59 - common
10 Gairlom (command) 100 - mainstay
Oghurigg (beaten armour) 114 - common

Oghurithne Umaer 83 - common (2)
Oghurithne x6 (command) - mainstay
Oghurithne Hunter x2 - common

Sagart 42 - uncommon
Goghu 192 - rare

974 - so 25 gold for dominants for the Sagart.

Does that look OK to more experienced eyes?

Nice - like it.

I'd drop the Oghurithne to 5 so that you can have more invocations, but that's a personal choice. Looks good though, you have some infantry, some monstrous infantry and a monster. Great!

Cheers

Thanks for the feedback- that's an option for sure depending on what dominants I decide on.

It's been a while, but the delivery of the first miniatures of my Albainn have arrived which has re-ignited my passion!

Here's my current 2000gc host - I worked out that by adding only a couple of things I can get it up to this size, so that's what I'm hoping to do as I progress:

Mormaer (Uncommon)
Gairlom x10 - full command (Mainstay)
Savage Oghuruc (Rare)
Oghurithne Unund (Uncommon 2)
Sagart - Block, Shard Stones, North Wind (Uncommon)

Umaer - Shield (Common)
Oghurigg - Heavy Armour (Bound)
Gairlom x10 - full command (Mainstay)

Sagart - Oghu Power, Stone Shatter, Shard Stones (Uncommon)
Goghu x2 (Rare)

Umaer - Crossbow (Common)
Elbharu x12 - champion (Uncommon)

Oghurithne Umaer (Common 2)
Oghurithne x7 - full command (Mainstay)
Oghurithne Hunters x3 - champion (Common)

I've got a theme in my head of human/Oghurithne Oghu Stone Worshippers defending the land against invaders - which is why I went with the Oghurithne Unund instead of a Hound Umaer. Also after getting Rob to include Goghu in most of the Albainn Dominants I had to include a couple - fits the theme well too I think.


To learn the game I'm thinking the following 499gc list:

Umaer (Common)
Oghurigg - heavy armour (Bound)
Gairlom x10 - full command (Mainstay)

Sagart - Shard Strones (Uncommon)
Gairlom x7 - full command (Mainstay)
Oghurithne x2 (Common 2)

This allows for a bit of infantry, a bit of monstrous infantry and some magic. When the Elbharu arrive I might switch out the second Gairlom for a small unit to add in some ranged combat to practice that. It's an approach I'm trying to take across all three of my Kindred to get to grips with the game while I work through all the awesome miniatures I have/have coming!

Hi Alex

Yeah! Looks good! A good mix. You've got two wizards, a big beast, two Goghu, lots of infantry, and Oghurithne... cracking!

The 500 gold Encounter host looks like a good one too, you can get plenty of Gairlom in 500 gold!

Cheers
Rob

That's the plan, it's the mix of infantry, monstrous infantry and big beasts that is a big appeal of Darklands for me!

OK, as people might have seen from my update on my Érainn post, I'm taking a 499-1500 escalation style approach to DL now. Here's my Albainn lists:

499
Umaer (C) - shield
Oghurigg (Bound) - Beaten Arfis
8 Gairlom (M) - banner and herald

Sagart (U) - Shardstones, Stone Shatter
10 Gairlom (M) - full command
3 Oghurithne (C2)

999
Mormaer (U)
Oghurithne Unund (U2)
10 Gairlom (M) - full command

Umaer (C) - shield
Oghurigg (Bound) - Beaten Arfis
10 Gairlom (M) - full command

Oghurithne Umaer (C2)
5 Oghurithne (M) - full command
1 Oghurithne Hunter (C)

Sagart (U) - Shardstones, Stone Shatter, Oghu Power
1 Goghu (R)

1500
Mormaer (U)
Oghurithne Unund (U2)
10 Gairlom (M) - full command

Umaer (C) - shield
Oghurigg (Bound) - Beaten Arfis
10 Gairlom (M) - full command
Savage Oghuruc (R)

Oghurithne Umaer (C2)
5 Oghurithne (M) - full command
2 Oghurithne Hunter (C) - champion

Sagart (U) - Shardstones, Stone Shatter, Oghu Power
2 Goghu (R)
9 Elbharu (U)

Yea that's a good approach - escalation! I like it. I'd possibly get a Savage Oghurüc (or at least a Wild one) in the 999 host, but other than that, I think it's all looking good!

Cheers
Rob

So, thanks to the ridiculously good value Grab Bags I have an Aurogg and a Wild Oghuruc now... well, what do you know, with a few bits and bobs that'll take me up to 2000! Theme remains the same - Human and Oghurithne Stone Worshippers against the world now with added mega-cow.

Umaer (U)
10 Gairlom (M)
Oghurithne Unund (U2)
Aurmaer (C)
Savage Oghurüc (R)

Umaer (C)
Oghurigg (bound)
10 Gairlom (M)
Aurogg (U)

Oghurithne Umaer (C2)
7 Oghurithne (M)
3 Oghurithne Hunters (C)
Wild Oghuruc (U)

Sagart (U) Shard Stones, Stone Shatter, Oghu Power
2 Goghu (R)

Umaer (C)
10 Elbharu (U)

few bits and bobs of equipment but didn't think anyone would be interested in Beaten Arfis or a Shield here and there!

OK, so with the new muster rules comes a new list. I think this is OK...

All Fortriu realm.

Mormaer (U)
10 Gairlom (M)
10 Elbharu (C) champion
1 Savage Oghuruc (R)

Host Command
Oghurithne Unund (U)
Aurmaer (C)
Sagart (U) Oghu Power, Block, Stone Shatter

Oghurithne Umaer (C)
7 Oghurithne (M)
3 Oghurithne Hunter (C)
2 Goghu (R)

Umaer (C) shield
1 Oghurigg (bound)
10 Gairlom (M)
1 Wild Oghuruc (U)
1 Aurogg (U)

For a total of 2000 gold... if that's all OK...

Hi Alex

Hmmm... again, I like that one. I'd perhaps have two Savage Oghurücs instead of the Wild, and remove the Aurogg, but other than that, cracking...

Cheers
Rob

Hi Rob,

thanks for that - it's based on what I actually have in hand (once I order a component and some bases...) but I quite fancy switching the Wild Oghuruc and the Aurogg out for a Feral Oghuruc at some point!

Yeah, he's nasty, is Gorugg... used him to good effect a few times!

Cheers
Rob

So here's my current 2500 gold list - this is my aim for any kindred as I think it gives that bit of extra wiggle room to fit in some extra monstrous stuff.

Mormaer - morarfis
10 Gairlom - full command
12 Elbharu - champion
Savage Oghuruc

Host Command:
Oghurithne Unund
Sagart - Block, Oghu Power, Stone Shatter)
Aurmaer - Woad

Oghurithne Umaer
5 Oghurithne - full command
2 Oghurithne Hunters
2 Goghu

Umaer - shield
Oghurigg (bound)
10 Gairlom - full command
Aurogg

Golgog Goat-Eater
2 Sleanbera
Cocwocor
Felljotun

Comes to 2496 gold.

The overall theme remains the same - stone worshipping men and Oghurithne uniting against invaders - but Golgog was too incredible a miniature to not use in a list and I've been acquiring his 'super friends' for a while (gives a chance - well, excuse! - to paint some bits from other kindred!).

Haha love it! Golgog comes to the party with a vengeance.

I would swap the Aurogg for a Savage Oghurüc - for me a must-have in any Albainn host. Too flexible not to use.

Cheers
Rob

Alex (ÉgB) wrote:
Decided I want an Ogmops cause the sculpt is awesome!

Agreed! Although with my current list of minis i think he'll be the one character i can't squeeze into my 1500 with the 2nd Ed muster...

Oh well, best I order some more soon

Just for comparison (since i've not long discivered Darklands), here is what i'm planning for my first 1500:

Mormaer
20 Gairlom w/cmd (mainstay)
Oghurigg
Mosagart (undecided on dominants still)

Umaer w/crossbow
10 Elbharu w/cmd (manistay)
10 Elbharu w/cmd

Oghurithne Umaer
5 Oghurithne w/cmd (Mainstay)
3 Oghurithne Hunters (bound)
Oghurithne Unund
Giant

Comes to 1424 before i add any magic spells or extra armour.

If anyone has any hints, thoughts, or criticisms i'm open to suggestions...

Looks like a nice mix, to me. It's a shame you're so far away, I'd be interested to see the oghurrigg in action!

From my previous couple of games, I can tell you he looks scarier than he is. Although in all fairness, setting him lose on entire squads of Tarvax was probably not the best plan.

Probably not... I think any of those 'mid-sized' individuals need to have their targets chosen pretty carefully.