MKxJump

Ah, makes sense. I'm torn now. Do I try the new stuff or just use Vyrkos? Gives me a lot to think about. Edit thought: I wonder if people will start running Black Knights to fill up battleline slots in Legion of Blood lists. Deathrattle keyword might push them ahead of the similarly priced Zombies and Dire Wolves.

Interesting that the Vyrkos Vampires are "Vampire Lords" so should benefit from the Legion of Blood bonuses, unless I'm missing something. Does the wording say they need to be "Legion of Blood" Vampire Lords? +2 Attack on Radukar the Beast, and +2 to Casting on Belladamma might be good. Whether that's any better than the normal Vyrkos bonuses though is hard to say.

Absolutely. That's why I speak about having a Horde unit in the list. Necromancer with 30 Skeletons is such a solid defensive unit

You can use Radukar the Wolf, but you'd be better running a normal Vampire Lord instead, and it's 10 points cheaper.

PERFECTING 2000PTS My goal is to try find what I think is the most optimal Vyrkos list. This is no easy feat as this army has a lot of amazing choices availible to it. I've managed to narrow the list down to some core components, but it is making this gel into the perfect list that is the challenge set before us army builders. CORE PICKS: Belladamma Volga (200 pts) - This incredibly powerful auto-general is one of the best wizards availible to us that isn't Nagash. She also benefits from the Vyrkos ability (unlike Nagash) as she is a vampire. Definitely worth picking on any list. Dire Wolves x10 (135 pts) - Neccessary cannon fodder for Belladamma, as she can transfer wounds to the unit. Bare in mind you will also need spare models for Belladamma's signature spell that turns enemies into a unit of Dire Wolves, as well as the ones you fied in this unit. Grave Guard x20 w/ Great Wight Blades (280 pts) - These bad boys are our best summonable unit and can tear up opponents when they are benefiting from the Vyrkos ability that adds 1 to Wound rolls. Bare in mind they need to be within 9" of a Vampire Hero to gain this benefit so should be backed up by an appropriate hero. Belladamma countas for this, but it's worth it to have at least one other. Necromancer (125 pts) - As we will be bringing Grave Guard to the fight, we might as well bring the best spell for them, Vanhel's Danse Macabre, which allows us to attack again in the combat phase. The Necromancer's signature spell is so potent that I think you'd be foolish not to bring him. That said, he will need back-up in the form of a big bloop of units that the necromancer can pair with to hold objectives. At this point, we've spent 740 points but are still missing a few key pieces. We need still need 2 more battleline units, one of which needs to compliment our Necromancer, and we also need at least one more Vampire Hero. VAMPIRE HEROES: Our choices here are pretty varied and will depend entirely on what you need from this unit and how many points you are willing to spend. I'd like to take at least two from this list. Vampire Lord (140 pts) - Our cheapest option here and certainly no slouch. The Command Ability offered by this Hero is great when paired with any large unit offeing +1s to Melee Attacks until the next Hero Phase. This also pairs beautifully with Vanhel's Danse Macabre meaning that both rounds of attacks are going to land in more damage. One issue though is how slow a Vampire Lord can be though. With only a move of 6" you might not always get this hero where it needs to be. Vengorian Lord (280 pts) - Fast and fierce in combat, the Vengorian Lord offers a nice balance of melee prowess and magic. Able to buff allies wound vbalue with a spell and reduce the rend of enemies within 3". Plus, we get some nice healing too. The cheapest of our fast options when you need that Vyrkos aura to be where your Grave Guard are. Radukar the Beast (315 pts) - Despite not being a wizard, this is still a great unit for hero for our army. He's fast, can summon a full unit of wolves for free once a game, and has fanatastic melee abilities. He'll be getting up close with our enemies, which is likely where your Grave Guard will find themselves too. This is right where you need him to be for them to benefit from the Vyrkos +1 to wound. Not to mention those extra wolves will help out Belladamma. On top of that, he can offer an 18" aura to units granting them +1 to melee attacks. All in all, 135 pts of free wolves, a better version of the Vampire Lords Command Ability, all on a fast and deadly hero. Mannfred von Carstien (380 pts) - A massive 240 points more expensive that a Vampire Lord but also worth it for all his abilities. His command abilities grants +1 to hit and wound rolls for ALL friendly SBGL units within 12", plus adds a further +1 to attacks if he kills an enemy with his sword. Unlike the Vampire Lord, he doesn't suffer from a mobility issue either as he can teleport to wherever he wants to go at the start of the combat phase. Pretty nice if you need to go support another unit with his bonuses. Vampire Lord on Zombie Dragon (435 pts) - Speed was an issue with the Vampire Lord, so let's mount him on a Behemoth. This difference is not just to speed but damage output too. This one Hero can go around on a solo wrecking campaign whilst the rest of your army holds objectives. It can be anywhere on the map with ease making it easier to ensure your Grave Guards are getting that +1 to wound. Sadly, though, you won't get that same +1 to attack command ability as you would with a normal Vampire Lord. Instead, this bad boy is focused on damage. Prince Vhordrai (455 pts) - What's better than a speed huge damage platform wizard? One that can deal more damage and make you other heroes get an additional fight action during the Hero Phase. This is probably the most expesive unit we will consider, but if you have another hero you can pair this with, the two can work together great and also offer another body to give your Deathrattle and Deathwalker units that handy +1 to wound. NECROMANCER'S HORDE: Deathwalker Zombies x20 (115 pts) - The cheapest and easiest pick. Fills a battleline slot whilst getting you a comfortable blob of models to benefit from the various auras and Command Abilities going around. These guys can multiply, deliver mortal wounds and hold objectives well. That do however have very little protection and fall over all too easily. You might argue you want more models in your main Necromancer-friendly Battleline though. Deathrattle Skeletons x30 (255 pts) - If you want something a little more stubborn, with more models than the zombies above, you cannot do much better than a 30-large unit of Skeletons. When chosen to fight, you can roll to bring back fallen models in this phase. Vanhel's Danse Macabre let's us fight twice giving us two chances to resurrect fallen models. Having a blob of 30 makes this frighteningly effective for holding locations. I'd be reluctant to drop down to 20 models. If you want to do this, you ideally want to most Skeletons you can get which is to double reinforce up to 30. Deathwalker Zombies x40 (230 pts) - If you want strength in numbers, the most cost effective way to achieve this is a massive horde of zombies. Twice the models, twice the fun. I hope you like painting. It's also worth noting this is both cheaper in points and the number of reinforcements used when compared to the skeletons. You lose a bit of surviability but you gain mortal wounds and more models. From here, we have hopefully decided on our second battleline to compliment our Dire Wolves and added in more Heroes to our army. The remaining points will be needed to fill out the Battleline, take even more Vampire Heroes, or add some fast and/or agressive units to take objectives or join the fight. BONUS PICKS: Grave Guard x20 w/ Great Wight Blades (280 pts) - Maybe like me you really like Grave Guard, so why not take more? A second unit gives you even more of these undead warriors to rise from your grave sites and the mortal wounds they deliver can tear down even the mightest of foes. Wight King (115 pts) - Here's the cheapest way to turn those Grave Guards we've been taking into a Battleline unit. Definitely a helpful thing to consider. Unlike chosing to go for a unit of 20 Zombies (which cost the same), the Wight King can buff Deathrattle units with his Command Ability and also is an additional hero when counting for Invigorating Aura and when given the Arcane Tomb, he is able to cast it himself. Plus, by choosing Ghost Mist, we can screen against shooting enemies and leave the Necromancer to cast Danse Macabre. Wight King on Skeletal Steed (130 pts) - Same benefits as above, but A LOT faster and with 2 extra wounds and the ability to deal mortal wounds on a charge. (it is worth noting that with the Wight King making Grave Guard a Battleline, you can reinforce them up to 30 models. This means we can return a unit of 15, not 10, with Endless Legions. This is worth considering and a unique selling point of the Wight King) Blood Knights (195 pts) - Fast with a terrifying trambling ability that deals mortal wounds. They can heal with The Hunger and re-roll Deathless Minions w/ a Stnadard Bearer. If you can spare the points, this unit is a faction favourite. Fell Bats (75 pts) - Fast, summonable and cheap. Good filler unit to chase objectives or screen from units or abilities. Better than just taking 10x Skeletons whilst being 10pts cheaper. Woth noting these do not count as Battleline. Dire Wolves x10 (135 pts) - When in doubt and you need another Battleline, it's hard to go wrong with more wolves. Deathwalker Zombies x20 (115 pts) - Needing another unit to be chaff or crawling out of gravesites? Or maybe you just want a cheap and effective batteline? These will do the job nicely. Hopefully, by now, you've got a good idea for an army you want to try. If not, here's some sample lists below. I'm also curious which ones you manage to piece together. SAMPLE ARMY 1: (2000 pts) CORE: Belladamma Volga (200 pts) Dire Wolves x10 (135 pts) Necromancer (125 pts) Grave Guard x20 (280 pts) VAMPIRE HEROES Prince Vhordrai (455 pts) Vampire Lord on Zombie Dragon (435 pts) HORDE Deathrattle Skeletons x30 (255 pts) BONUS Deathwalker Zombies x20 (115 pts) or Wight King (115 pts) SAMPLE ARMY 2: (1995 pts) CORE: Belladamma Volga (200 pts) Dire Wolves x10 (135 pts) Necromancer (125 pts) Grave Guard x20 (280 pts) VAMPIRE HEROES Mannfred von Carstein (380 pts) Vampire Lord (140 pts) HORDE Deathwalker Zombies x40 (230 pts) BONUS Deathwalker Zombies x20 (115 pts) Blood Knights x5 (195 pts) Blood Knights x5 (195 pts) SAMPLE ARMY 3: (2000 pts) CORE: Belladamma Volga (200 pts) Dire Wolves x10 (135 pts) Necromancer (125 pts) Grave Guard x30 (420 pts) VAMPIRE HEROES Radukar the Beast (315 pts) Vampire Lord on Zombie Dragon (435 pts) HORDE Deathrattle Skeletons x30 (255 pts) BONUS Wight King (115 pts) SAMPLE ARMY 4: (2000 pts) CORE: Belladamma Volga (200 pts) Dire Wolves x10 (135 pts) Necromancer (125 pts) Grave Guard x20 (280 pts) VAMPIRE HEROES Prince Vhordrai (455 pts) Vampire Lord (140 pts) HORDE Deathrattle Skeletons x30 (255 pts) BONUS Wight King on Skeletal Steed (130 pts) Grave Guard x20 (280 pts) SAMPLE ARMY 5: (2000 pts) CORE: Belladamma (200 pts) Dire Wolves x10 (135 pts) Necromancer (125 pts) Grave Guard x20 (280 pts) VAMPIRE HEROES Vengorian Lord (280 pts) Vampire Lord (140 pts) HORDE Deathwalker Zombies x40 (230 pts) BONUS Dire Wolves x10 (135 pts) Grave Guard x20 (280 pts) Blood Knights x5 (195 pts)

I'm having a difficult time pinning down a list of 2000 pts for Vyrkos. Here's the characters I'd like to run: - Belladamma + 10 Dire Wolves - Necromancer + 30 Skeleton - Grave Guard - Some kind of aggressive fast unit; I'm thinking Blood Knights and/or VLoZD. A lot of the lists I come up with don't have Blood Knights in. Is that a bad thing? Whenever I add Blood Knights, it comes at the cost of the Grave Guard or VLoZD. Should I just leave my Blood Knights unpainted for now and wait to use them in Kastelai with a Nagash? Or do those with experience using them feel they add to more for the army than a VLoZD or Grave Gaurd, despite those units benefiting from Vyrkos abilities. For context my non-BloodKnight list is as follows: - [G] Belladamma: 200 pts - [G] Wight King on Steed (Arcane Tome): 130 pts - Prince Vhordrai: 455 pts - Vampire Lord: 140 pts - Necromancer (Arcane Tome): 125 pts - Deathrattle Skeletons x30: 270 pts - Grave Guard x20: 280 pts - Grave Guard x20: 280 pts - Dire Wolves x10: 135 pts TOTAL: 2000 pts To add Blood Knights, I'd have to remove a unit of 20 Grave Guard and 10 Skeletons from the 30. I'd also remove the Steed from Wight King, and with the steed off of Wight King, Vhordrai now can just be a normal VLoZD. This gives 280+85+15+20 pts (400 pts). Enough for two Blood Knights x5 units. Worth it?

I think adding in wolves is a good idea and an oversight of mine to not include them in Option 3. I could change it up to this list here which replaces the Blood Knights with beasts: Belladamma Volga: 200 pts Wight King On Skeletal Steed (General): 130 pts Deathrattle Skeleton x20: 170 pts Grave Guard x20: 280 pts Dire Wolves x10: 135 pts Fellbats x3: 75 pts Total Points: 990 pts Or I could knock the Wight King off his horse and add the Necromancer to this list for massive GG potential: Belladamma Volga: 200 pts Wight King (General): 115 pts Necromancer: 125 pts Grave Guard x30: 420 pts Dire Wolves x10: 135 pts Total Points: 995 pts Or keep all Blood Knights and still desaddle my WK for this list that has a lot more board coverage: Belladama Volga: 200 pts Wight King (General): 115 pts Grave Guard x20: 280 pts Dire Wolves x10: 135 pts Blood Knights x5: 195 pts Fell Bats x3 : 75 pts Total Points: 1000 pts Sheeesh, I love how many options this army has! --- Edit: Now I think about it, the moment I remove the Wight King's horse it opens up the amount of points for a VLoZD which is so strong. So I think it's between finding a way to run him with a Horse and Belladama, or accept he's going on foot and the VLoZD is gonna do the heavy lifting.

Hey all, I'm new to the army and AoS in general. Wanted some advice for what I should look to pick up for 1000 pts to start learning the game with the hopes to expand in the future. I like the look of so many units in the faction, especially anything skeleton themed. Undead are just so damned cool and a joy to paint. I'd love your help with getting my lists to work well for me as a new player and also some recommendations with where to go in the future. Currently weighing up three options: Option 1: Kastelai Dynasty Prince Vhordrai (General): 455 pts Blood Knights x5: 195 pts Blood Knights x5: 195 pts Dire Wolves x10: 135 pts Total Points: 980 pts Option 2: Vyrkos VLoZD Vampire Lord on Zombie Dragon: 435 pts Wight King (General): 115 pts Deathrattle Skeleton x20: 170 pts Grave Guard x20: 280 pts Total Points: 1000 pts Option 3: Vyrkos Belladamma Belladamma Volga: 200 pts Wight King On Skeletal Steed (General): 130 pts Deathrattle Skeleton x20: 170 pts Grave Guard x20: 280 pts Blood Knights x5: 195 pts Total Points: 975 pts *edit: formatting