Obviously the army (which was running at 5k points all in) has been made smaller by the removal of a large number of daemon troops and characters.

Thankfully it looks like the shaggoth and trolls are safe as these appear to be in this book.

So lets look at whats likely to change.

Rules:
- Army wide re-roll panic
- Mark of Khorne causes Frenzy, has different effect for Giant
- Mark of Nurgle causes -1 penalty to the WS or BS of a model attacking
- Mark of Slaanesh benefits the unit with Itp, also gives ASF to characters and rare choices
- Mark of Tzeentch gives +1 to ward save (6+ ward to models without one), also +1 to cast for sorcerers
- May be other effects for different units but if there are, they are currently unknown
- Gaze of the Gods table, roll 2D6 for the following:
- Characters roll every time they win a challenge
- Chosen roll once at the start of the game
- Trolls roll every time they successfully regenerate two or more wounds at once
- 2 on the table causes stupidity, 7 does nothing, 11 makes unit fear causing, 12 gives a 4+ ward save and stubborn. The remainder of results are various benefits, some of which are MR3, hatred, and stat boosts.
- Chaos characters may now take Chaos Gifts on top of Magic Items, much like the VC's Vampiric Powers
- Lore of Slaanesh returns virtually unchanged

The army wide rule is likely to apply to undivided armies only, so as most of my stuff will be nurgle marked, I'll be having -1 to hit at range and in hand-to-hand. Not sure if this is favourable to having fear but as much as I cry about my plaguebearers not having it, I'm now happy to finally have it back. Although no points decrease is mentioned, I imagine nurgle markings will now be cheaper across the board.

The gaze of the gods table harks back to the good old bad days (4th edition I think it was) but now is randomised a bit more. Not sure how realistic this might feel, your entire army mutating over the course of a day long battle, but it does add to the chaotic feel.

Onto the core/special/rare choices and it looks like most of my existing stuff is reusable, the knights will now be given an upgrade option of a lance (I still have some of the older knights in my bits box for the lance option) which may mean either a new unit of knights or modifying the current ones to have interchangable weapons which are both big time sinks.

My chaos warriors are still valid, when making the older ones up I decided to arm them very differently to give them a ragged look. Ever since, what ever weapon they are carrying is shown on the models at the front of the unit.

Hounds look like they can be given poisoned attacks or scaly skin. I hope you can do both for that 'nurgle' feel. I understand they are doing them in plastic but I have 10 metal ones so have enough.

Thankfully Shaggoths and Trolls are still in for extra options, the trolls as always will be in the army, the shaggoth not so often. Trolls look like their points have dropped but no indication of their stats dropping also. We can only wait and hope.

Chariots are now special choices. If you remember back to some of my earlier posts about damon chariots, I have a standard nurgle chariot, a converted 'daemonic' steam tank chariot and a damon chariot currently with no riders. Although I'll probably never use them all together, at least I have the option without too much work involved.

So really thats it at the moment in terms of what I have or may need to change. There is always the new things being mentioned. There are a ton of special characters to match the newer army books. Archaon and Gulrach remain and now there are others. I'll probably buy the models if they're good, or convert them if they aren't but wont expect to be using them that often.

The forsaken look like something I've always wanted, with 2 attacks each I'll finally have soemthing to outclass those free company (damn them). Give even the worst troops 2 attacks each and finally they'll bring something good down.

The other new addition that made me wet my pants with excitement is the chaos war alter. Not too bothered by the rules, current suggestions is that its like a much better corps cart, but the modelling possibilities could be endless. In fact, as I write this I think I may have found something for my daemonic steam tank to be used for.

As always, the stuff you hear on the internet is always somewhere between close to the truth and complete bullshit, but as the spearhead is rumoured to be out next month sometime (this could also be complete bullshit) and white dwarf have started with their sneak peaks, I imagine the info is fairly solid give or take a few stats etc.

I've got a choice of about three armies, either a full nurgle army, nurgle army with flamers and flesh hounds for more 'punch' and flexability or the one below, a mix of Tzeentch, Khorne and Nurgle.

Herald of Nurgle, Slime trail, Noxious vapours, Palanquin, BSB, Banner of Sundering 275pts

In all the time I've been playing Daemons, a BSB is essential for those critical re-rolls on a really bad combat. Usually I'd run the herlad of Nurgle as my general, but with the points drain of the banner and other VPs I think I need the staying power of this guy in the middle,

Herald of Khorne, Armour of Khorne, Firestorm blade, Juggernaut  190pts

This guy will be the army general. Not sure if this is the final spec for him, I prefer the obsidian armour due to hardened characters running around issueing challenges.

Blue Scribes 81pts

I've been using these guys in the last few battles and they make a big difference when facing a magic heavy army. I'll probably keep them in the final list. The other crucial part of running these guys in the list is their bound spell. Its great when you roll in a great spell that the opponent can't plan for.

Herald of Tzeentch, Flames of Tzeentch, Master of Sorcery 165pts

A bit more magic firepower plus the flames should add a bit of offense to my army in that phase. I'll put him in one of the units of horrors to keep him safe.

14 Plaguebearers, Full command, Icon 218pts

A bit of points denial, with the herald in this unit they should make a solid centre. I just can't play a daemon army without plaguebearers, I feel naked without them.

5 Furies 60pts

For so little points you just can't not include them. War machine hunters, mage hunters, throwaway troops.

10 Horrors, Icon of Sorcery 145pts

10 Horrors 120pts

Still debating in my head whether I should make this one big unit or not. I've yet to playtest horrors properly so this is still in flux.

13 Bloodletters, Full Command 186pts

5 Fleshounds 175pts

One of the best units in the army. Hard hitting on the charge, especially if you can get them in the flank. These guys have held up a chariot charge, wiped out units of slayers and generally caused a big headache for people. Still debating whether Karanak should be included for his hitting power but not sure what to drop.

5 Flamers 175pts

These are a no-brainer really

2 beasts of nurgle 200 pts

I love these guys. So much staying power against everything and great infantry killers. Get these boys into zombies and empire state troops (of which I expect they'll be a fair few of) and they will take a turn or two to break them or make them completely useless.

I've playtested this army once at 2500pts with the addition of a great unclean one and it worked out ok. I really want some slaanesh elements, especially the fast cav element and siren song, but you can't have everything. I'm still to familiarise myself with the three new scenarios but this army should quite easily be able to cope with the annialation scenario.

The original army list called for two units of twelve gaunts, all armed with fleshborers. In light of the new edition, I've instead opted for two units of ten gaunts, one unit armed with fleshborers, the other with devourers. Both units now have now gained without number.

Authors Note: For those who have not read the new rulebook, only units of troops can claim objectives in the new mission. As without number allows units of gaunts to return to the table after being destroyed... At the very least, this will enable me to contest any objectives near my starting board edge, and deny the enemy their use (what possible use any other race would have for a Tyranid spawned objective, I don't know...)

So why Devourers? Well, one of the other changes in fifth edition is how wounds are allocated. It's far more realistic, in that a trooper with a special or heavy weapon is just as likely to be torn limb from limb by all manner of grisly living ammunition Tyranid weapons can spew forth. The argument that "if a trooper with a heavy weapon dies, another member of his unit can pick it up and use it" has finally been removed, and replaced with a far more realistic (and amusing, for an army with no special or heavy weapons in a unit, aside from a few exceptions) rule, that states that a trooper is likely going to be the only chap in the unit trained to use the weapon.

Devourers. The very name strikes fear into the heart of guardsmen everywhere (although, to be fair, so does everything involved in a Tyranid army, from a humble gaunt, to the massive carnifex). Despite being at -1 strength, it fires at double the rate of most other weapons (Tyranid weapons are usually assault X, and/or strength X, where X relates to the relevant characteristic on the Tyranids profile). In the case of a gaunt, this means the weapon is firing at strength 2, at assault 2. Now, compared to a fleshborer, which fires at strength 4, assault 1, the devourer might not seem that attractive. The main advantage it has is the rate of fire, when combined with the re-rolls to wound granted by the living ammunition special rule, can result in an unusually high amount of wounds. Of course, it would be mad to put all my spore mines in one biovore, so one unit is retained with fleshborers. Strength 4 with re-rolls to wound means that even space marines will be forced to take a number of armour saves.

Authors Note: Any weapon with the "living ammunition" special rule can re-roll failed rolls to wound. Both the fleshborer and the devourer have this special rule.

In addition to the two units of gaunts, a unit of fourteen hormagaunts have been added, to get to grips with the enemy as fast as possible. To hit hard in an assault, nine genestealers with scything talons (+1A) and rending claws have been added. Despite rending being taken down a notch in the new ruleset (rending is now on the roll to wound, not the roll to hit), this means that they will be perceived as less of a threat. Of course, this means less incoming firepower, so more 'stealers will reach the enemy alive. Granted, even with rending being less effective, a strength 4 model with 3 attacks (4 on the charge) is still very dangerous (especially when, on the roll of a 6 to wound, it negates armour saves).

To lead the army, I've taken five warriors, all armed with rending claws and devourers. Four shots each, at strength four... To back up my lesser troops, I've added two Zoanthropes with Warp Blast (mostly to scare space marines and tanks), and thrown in the obligatory carnifex with two sets scything talons.

There is some losses like the god specific banners and some of the ward save items, but some point reductions and the cost of running a nurgle army has reduced. I've not given it a good look over yet, so not sure what other implications there are.

Additionally, at the bottom is the phrase "peregrinus of septumdecim flamma" which is supposed to be latin for Cruasade of the 7th Flame.  However, knowing how online translators work it probably says "Walk of the seven hotties"!

As for the application of the banner, sadly my painting skills are not really up to doing this from scratch so I was thinking of printing it out and gluing it with PVA onto a black banner.  Id then painting the edges to that it blended in etc.  I "might" try painting one from scratch if I have a spare to see how I do.  We'll see.

Army Selection

When creating a new army I look to balance four elements:

1. Will the army look nice? I have to enjoy the models.
2. Does it have any fun units? The army has to have several ways of playing.
3. Will the army play well? I have no time to paint up a force only to find the list is a dodo.
4. Is it affordable? I know the hobby is expensive - but there is no need to spend $600 if $300 will do.

I think a Muslim force may meet all of these goals. The units are well priced for both calvary and infantry. In the absence of any true heavy cavalry in the game, skilled horse archers will need to take care of my need to play with horses. The list has access to Elephants and flame throwing archers - how cool is that! The Arab style units with robes and turbans will allow for natural color choices and keep metallics to a minimum. I've also been advised that the list covers about 800 years, making it an easy army to keep in period. Finally, the list can also be allied to a Crusader force - a good way to recycle units if the list does not work out.

Arabs and Saracens 1000 points

General - composite bow, light armor, shield, Warhorse 152 pts
Arab Light Cav #6 with Thrusting Spear, Light Armor and Shield. Leader, Standard, Musician 135 pts
Turkish Light Cav #6 with Composite Bow, Leader and Musician 118 pts
Turkish Light Cav #6 with Composite Bow, Leader and Musician 118 pts
Arab Spearmen #24 with Leader, standard, musician, Thrusting Spear and Shield 183 pts
Religious Volunteers #23 with Leader, Standard, Musician, Hand weapon and Shield 153 pts
Auxilliary Infanty #7 with Javelins, Shield and Naffatun 62 pts
Arab Archers #10 with short bow, Musician and Naffatun 79 pts

Miniatures Choices

Arab/Moor forces are produced by a variety of companies, most of whom are based in the UK but have retained US distributors for those of us who like to shop in dollars and want nothing to do with customs roulette.

Perry Bros on sale at War Store : Well done figures in the Crusades - Islam army, but I've been advised that the figures are a true 25mm and may not fit well with other figure lines.

Musketeer Minis on sale at Little Wars: More pleasant looking figures in the Armies of the Caliphates line, price is similar to the Perry Brothers with $6 horsemen and $2.50 infantry.

Gripping Beast on sale at Old Glory 15s: This group may well be the winner. Not only are the figures recommended, but the line prices well with $4 horsemen and $1.50 infantry. One slight problem, Old Glory has the Moors product line on their web site, but not the Armies of Islam line. I may need to do a bit of mix and match if I can't get cavalry in the US.    edit:  Appears that Old Glory 15 is no longer carrying Gripping Beast - the product is no longer posted on their web cart.

Artizan Designs on sale at BrigadeGames: Forgot to mention this line of Moors. The infantry are attractive, the calvary not so much. But to their credit, Artizan is one of the few to post large, clear photos of their figures. Price point is $2.50 infantry and $6.50 calvary.

One minor rant - I had trouble finding lines on the US retailers at both War Store and Old Glory 15. For reasons know only to themselves, the product lines are re-titled in the US listings, causing all sorts of confusion for a WAB rookie like me. Fortunately, both stores promptly returned emails detailing were the product was listed.

2 x Boxed Tactical Squads - £18ea - This would give me one large squad (close combat) and two smaller specialist squads. 10 Models per box.

1 x Boxed Scout squad - £12ea - 5 Models - This would give me a few Neophytes to add.

3 x Black Templar Chapter Upgrades - £15ea - These give me all sorts of stuff like weapons, shoulder pads, vehicle markings and such. These will do for now though Ill also be ordering brass etchings from Forgeworld.

So, total cost £93. I wish I hadnt have added that up now! Anyway, that will be a good place to start. I'll get those order this weekend once the house move is done and should make a start on them next week.

Edit 22/4/08:  Ordered these today and also got some black templar shoulder pads, total value was £108! Yikes!  However, I also bought some odds n sods from forgeworld.  These were land raider doors, rhino doors, various brass etchings, black templar dreadnought with two arms, twin linked lass-cannon and missile launcher.  Terminator storm shields, terminator shoulder pads, purity seals.  So, that little lot including delivery was another £123.  Ouch.  See what happens when you have some money left over from moving house!  This will largely make up an extra's box and be some needed accessories when I move on to do the dreadnought, terminators and vehicles.  So, they'll keep for a while yet.

I'll be able to make my first start when these come maybe late in the week.  Already thinking about basing.  Not sure what kinda bases to put these on yet.  Considering urban.

The Sword Brethren (Veterans) are a must. Mainly as the models are fantastic. These will likely be another close combat squad with infiltrate or with a Razorback etc to get them into action quickly.

Type one. Crusader squad for close combat thrown into a land raider crusader. Ouch.
Type two. Smaller squads (5 man), each with bolters, missile launchers and lascannons etc. This is where some of my fire power might come from.

Type one Id need to get into combat as soon as, while type two offer fire support.