Érainn collection

[Alex (ÉgB)]

It was the introduction of the Érainn that convinced me to take the leap and make Darklands the final miniatures wargame I take up.

I picked a few bits and pieces up over NK, MA and SH (apologies for missing diacritics!):

Cormac
Caitrin
Nuala
10 Tuanagh
2 Fen Beasts

Slinger Caitrin
15 Maiobhanagh
3 Fir Bolg Hurlers

Rudraige
10 Tuannagh
Bog Beast

Helmed Rudraige
Masked Nuala
Dairdubh
Grisly Araigh
Cormac on Gabrax
Bladdered Cormac

With SH2 I also intend to pick up:

Helmed Caitrin
Daghda Lug
Criostoir

My thinking so far is three commands of men and a heavier support using Araigh and whatever Beasts I can cram in. Is there anything I need more of? Anything obvious I'm missing out on?

[Rob Boyce]

I'm starting Erainn too and although I haven't played with them yet, I feel like two things will be key: making your infantry units relatively large and keeping up your activations. To that end I probably wouldn't run three commands of infantry from that list as I would think you will need at least 15+ per unit. To counter balance that I would then take smaller units of bog beasts and trees so that you still have a good amount of activations and can out maneuver your opponent, and so buffs like the double activation spell are easier to get off. One thing I think Erainn will benefit greatly from eventually are spear infantry to get more attacks out of a big unit and also maybe cavalry to give them a bit more mobility.

Bear in mind though that this is all theory at present and really I'm pretty bad at the game so probably shouldn't be giving advice

[Alex (ÉgB)]

Good points there!

I'm looking forward to the Sleanagh for sure, I'll probably go as big with those as I can. I can easily make a 15 man unit of Tuanagh for now though at least.

I think I'll have to grab some more Fen Beasts at some point; two just isn't quite enough is it!

[Dave Fraser]

New muster rules means you'll need min Ri tuath/taoiseach and 3x10 tuanagh for mainstay or an ancient fen beast and 3x3 fen beasts to fulfill the mainstay requirement.

[Alex (ÉgB)]

Sigh at mainstay rules :/

Seriously though, while I completely understand the intent and purpose of the new mainstay rules, I'm really not inspired any more.

[Dave Fraser]

There will be more diversity to come for erainn, rob has said as much, so it's an issue of them being one of the newer kindreds. Still frustrating for now.

I've just bought up to min requirement for erainn, albainn & khthones as actually don't mind how it will make them look on the table.

[Alex (ÉgB)]

It's the same with my other kinder though. I never intended a min-max approach, just a nice mix on units on the table. Won't happen now though.

[Dave Fraser]

Which kindreds are you going for? Most can be worked around using the characters ability to unlock stuff. Erainn are more heavily restricted due to the Ancient Fen beast having to be the general to unlock the mainstay and not just a commander.

So I end up with:
Erainn - 3 x 10 infantry
Albainn - a wide choice of options, all infantry, all MI, mix of the two as characters allow you to have commanders making Oghurithne mainstay, or general makes Oghur mainstay (thought that's more limiting), the one I'm waiting for are the Aumue Boa mentioned under the Skyclad Mormaer, these appeal as crazy woad wearing naked folks just sounds cool. So I'm pretty glad I backed these guys in the end as I'd considered not going with them at one point
Khthones - I did these guys because models were available now rather than waiting for a KS, as you only need 3's of MI for their mainstay they're still pretty flexible.

I was initially disheartened when I saw these changes too but after actually writing out a few lists of what is a legitimate army I'm not put off. The Erainn are the most restricted faction I've seen by these changes but by all accounts it's just down to needing to wait for more releases to come for them, hopefully it shouldn't make them a one dimensional force. Admittedly painting 3x10 of the same unit doesn't fill me with joy but coming from a Warhammer background I've done way more than that in the past to put an army on the table so I'm going to lump it.

Totally understand where you're coming from though, as someone that is primarily a painter the loss of flexibility of choices is really frustrating. Without a release schedule we can't know when the other options will come for Erainn, but there are bound to be (if nothing else) options which fit with the historical Irish elements, so spear or sword and shield type infantry too, so depending on whether you see them as a gaming force in the shorter term or not you could wait it out to get the variety of things to paint and just game with your other forces and just use the Erainn as allies (if you're able with the factions you're playing).

[Alex (ÉgB)]

You make very good points, but my enthusiasm has just completely gone for all this now. :/

[Alex (ÉgB)]

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 even with Érainn.

[Dave Fraser]

Cool, glad you've found a way to make it work for you. If you are writing up any lists though would love to see them up here particularly with any feedback on issues/constraints you feel are hurting the faction as it's worth noting the Musters are still not 100% locked down with the latest release so anything which helps with balance is really useful to discuss.

[Alex (ÉgB)]

I'll be thrashing out lists in more detail later, but the Érainn really need models more so than necessarily tweaks to the muster lists.

Having more than 2 10 man tuanagh blobs doesn't fill me with enthusiasm after all!

[Alex (ÉgB)]

Here's my current Skirmish list:

Taioseach (shield) 62 - common
10 Tuanagh (command) 140 - mainstay
10 Tuanagh (command) 140 - mainstay
2 Fir Bholg Hurler 226 - Uncommon (2)

Taoiseach (sling) 65 - common
12 Maiobhanagh 216 - common
Bog Beast 171 - uncommon (2)

999

Would have liked a Drui buy can't fit her in

[Rob Lane]

Alex, if you Bind the Fir Bholg to the Tuanagh their ubiquity is swallowed - so you can fit the Druí in if you wish. Although I'm not sure you have the gold!

Cheers
Rob

[Alex (ÉgB)]

I thought the Fir Bholg binding ability had disappeared a couple of muster updates back... Just checked and can't see it, I'm probably being dense, what am I missing?

[Rick_Boer]

Right under the name together with all special rules

[Alex (ÉgB)]

Thanks Rick - I remember it being a whole separate bit under the unit options and admit is assumed it had gone! Time to re-jig!

[Alex (ÉgB)]

So now my list is:


Taioseach (shield) 62 - common
10 Tuanagh (command) 140 - mainstay
10 Tuanagh (command) 140 - mainstay
2 Fir Bholg Hurler 226 - Bound

Taoiseach (sling) 65 - common
7 Maiobhanagh 126 - common

Drui (Gae Bulga, Life of the Land) 87 - uncommon (2)
Bog Beast 171 - uncommon (2)

996

Something like that anyway is my current thinking.

[Alex (ÉgB)]

As those who've seen my Albainn and Ker-Ys posts already, here's my Erainn 2000gc list based mostly on what I already have (or have on order). There's a couple of things I'll need to add (and this list will switch up a lot when the Fiannagh finally see the light of day). Anyway, here's the list:

Taioseach - shield (Common)
Tuanagh x10 - full command (Mainstay)
Fir Bholg Hurler x2 (Bound)
Oak Beast (Rare)
Taioseach - banner (Common)
Curadh - mailshirt, shield (Common 2)

Taioseach - tua (Common)
Tuanagh x10 - full command (Mainstay)

Ancient Fen Beast (Uncommon)
Fen Beasts x3 - champion (Mainstay)

Taioseach - sling (Common)
Maiobhanagh x10 - champion (Common)

Drui - Gae Bulga, Life of the Land (Uncommon 2)
Bog Beast (Uncommon 2)

As with the others, I've also worked up a 499gc list - found it difficult to fit in any magic for this one though:

Taioseach - shield (Common)
Tuanagh x10 - full command (Mainstay)
Fen Beast x2 (Uncommon)

Curadh - mailshirt, shield (Common 2)
Tuanagh x7 - full command (Mainstay)

Will probably switch in some Maiobhanagh when they arrive to learn shooting, but in the meantime it gives me some infantry and monstrous infantry to get to grips with.

[Alex (ÉgB)]

Got an alternative 499gc list:

Taioseach (common)
Tuanagh x10 - full command (mainstay)
Drui - Gae Bulga (Uncommon 2)

Curadh - mailshirt, shield (common 2)
Tuanagh x6 (mainstay)
Fir Bholg Hurler x1 (bound)

Let's me fit in some magic while keeping a monstrous infantry mini too

[Rob Lane]

Hi Alex

The 2,000 gold list looks ace. I'd happily play with that one! Maybe a bit light on the Bog Beasts (at least 2 for me!) but great all the same.

Yeah, I prefer the second 500g list, simply because you've got a bit more in it - a Druí, and a Fir Bholg... like it.

Cheers
Rob

[Alex (ÉgB)]

Cheers Rob - I'd like a second bog beast but can't see how to free up enough points I'm afraid! Maybe something for the next 500gc I add

[Alex (ÉgB)]

OK, new musters means new lists! Aiming for 1500, 999 and 499 lists across my armies now - with the idea being start with the 499 and assemble/prep models to go up to each level (Escalation League style). Anyway here's my Érainn lists:

499
Ri Tuath (U) - Helmet
Taioseach (C2) - Banner
10 Tuanagh (M) - full command
1 Fir Bholg Hurler (Bound)

Deais (C) - Axe
9 Tuanagh (M) - banner and herald
1 Fen Beast (U)

999
Ri Tuath (U) - Helmet
Taioseach (C2) - Banner
10 Tuanagh (M) - full command
2 Fir Bholg Hurler (Bound)

Deais (C) - Axe
10 Tuanagh (M) - full command

Drui (U2) - Gae Bulga
5 Maiobhanagh (C) - champion

Ancient Fen Beast (U)
2 Fen Beast (M)

1500
Ri Tuath (U) - Helmet
Taioseach (C2) - Banner
10 Tuanagh (M) - full command
2 Fir Bholg Hurler (Bound)

Deais (C) - Axe
10 Tuanagh (M) - full command
Oak Beast (R)

Drui (U2) - Gae Bulga
5 Maiobhanagh (C) - champion

Ancient Fen Beast (U)
3 Fen Beast (M) - champion

Points I note - I wish I could take a Deais with a sword so I could use a Caitrin model.

[Rob Lane]

Looking good mate, I like all three. Lots of Fen Beasts to suck off your opponents ;o)

Good point about the Deais, I'll sort that.

Cheers
Rob

[Alex (ÉgB)]

After getting my Érainn grab bag I can now take this up to 2000 gold:

Ri Tuath (U)
Taioseach (C2) - Banner
Curadh (C)
10 Tuanagh (M)
2 Fir Bholg Hurlers (bound)

Deais (C)
10 Tuanagh (M)
1 Fir Bholg Hurler (bound)
Oak Beast (R)

Drui (U2) Gae Bulga, Life...
9 Maiobhanagh (C)
Bog Beast (U2)

Ancient Fen Beast (U)
3 Fen Beasts (M)
2 Fen Beasts (M)

Pretty happy with this - now to plan up to 2499 in case that becomes a new standard!

[Alex (ÉgB)]

OK, new muster rules means new muster list. Not sure I'm right, but here's what I've done:

Ri Tuath (U)
10 Tuanagh (M)
1 Fir Bholg Hurler (bound)
1 Oak Beast (R)

(host command)
Deais with Banner (C)
Drui with Gae Bulga, Life... and Twisting Roots (U)
Curadh (U)

Deais with Sword (C)
10 Tuanagh (M)
1 Fir Bholg Hurler (bound)
6 Maiobhanagh (C)

Ancient Fen Beast (U)
5 Fen Beasts (M)
1 Bog Beast (U)

comes to 1992 or thereabouts depending on exact equipment taken by some of the commanders.

Does this look right, or have I misunderstood any of the new rules? (Mainstay in everything, no 2 U + R in a command).

[Rob Lane]

Alex,

The problem with the first command (the general's command) is that if he is from Connacht, he can't have the Oak Beast in his command as that's Uí Néill... so it would have to double its authority.

Also, the Fir Bholg Hurlers can't be Bound by the Tuanagh unless they're from Connacht... and you've found a loophole! I need to specify that both the Bind unit and the Binding unit must be from the same realm - I'll do that in the muster rules (although it should be an errata too).

The last command is perfect, the other three have realm issues...

Cheers
Rob

[Alex (ÉgB)]

Oh well, at least I found a loophole...

[JediCat]

Rob, couldn't the General in that list be Ui Neill, and the Deais w/ sword be a realm commander from Connacht? All those units have a Connacht realm list, either as an option or single.

The first two commands are Ui Neil, with only the fir bholg out of place. The middle one is Connacht. The last one is Ui Neill. Then everyone is fine and dandy.

Did I miss something?

[Alex (ÉgB)]

If that's right I could just bung the Fir Bholg from the first (now pure Ui Neill) command and stick it in the Deais (now Connacht) to bump up their bound Fir Bholg and the list would be good to use? Or am I still not getting it?

[Alex (ÉgB)]

So, had a look at it again:

(Ui Neill realm command)
Ri Tuath (U)
10 Tuanagh (M)
1 Oak Beast (R)

(host command - Ui Neill of course)
Deais with Banner (C)
Drui with Gae Bulga, Life... and Twisting Roots (U)
Curadh (U)

(Ui Neill realm command)
Ancient Fen Beast (U)
5 Fen Beasts (M)
1 Bog Beast (U)

(Connacht realm command)
Deais with Sword (C)
10 Tuanagh (M)
2 Fir Bholg Hurler (bound)
6 Maiobhanagh (C)

That seems to make sense now... and by the looks of it my Erainn is still good to go! Thanks JediCat for spotting the solution I was missing!

[Rob Lane]

Hi Alex

Yeah, that's better...

Cheers
Rob

[Alex (ÉgB)]

Brilliant - the new rules really help the Erainn (now my realms are sorted) - the uncommon(2)s were tough to make work sometimes!

[Rob Lane]

I'm very glad you feel that way - it was getting way too unwieldy and cumbersome.

There'll be graphics and so forth to make it even easier in the Savage Hordes book.

Cheers
Rob

[Alex (ÉgB)]

So, working on 2500 gold lists for all my kindred as it gives that extra space for monstrous goodness. Here's my revised Érainn list

Ri Tuath - helmet
10 Tuanagh - veteran, full command
Oak Beast

Host Command:
Deais - banner, sword
Drui - gae bulga, life of the land, twisting roots
Sathach

Ancient Fen Beast
5 Fen Beasts
2 Bog Beasts

Taioseach - sling
10 Maiobhanagh
5 Peat Beasts

Taioseach - axe (Connacht realm)
10 Tuanagh - veteran, full command
2 Fir Bholg Hurlers - bound

2495 gold of course - and all Ui Neill realm except where specified!

[Rob Lane]

Excellent, plenty of all-round ability; but I'd try to get another wizard in there - the Érainn rely on them a lot, and if your Druí dies, that Oak Beast is on his own...

Cheers
Rob