I had wanted to get one of the original starting boxed sets and chose The Brotherhood, partly because they seem different in the way the play and because I like the minis, especially the blister pack of Armed Monks. So I ended up ordering the boxed set and the blister pack with 4 armed monks.
That makes it 12 different minis for the Brotherhood, with many different weapon options, so I should have that faction covered by now.
Normally I order from Firestorm Games, because the minis are slightly cheaper and with an order for £30+ shipment is free. This time I ordered directly from Westwind, because that was the only place I could get the armed monks. I did however use the opportunity to also get the Wolfen Jaeger Houndmasters from the old Vampire Wars collection. As readers of the blog will know I have the original four Wolfen Jaegers and have enjoyed playing them in EotD.
The Houndmaster problem
While I love the Houndmaster minis, I also have problems with them, because of the lack of rules that can apply to these particular minis. I have written about this on the lead-adventure forum, but have yet to find an answer to the rules that I like.
The minis
The minis are everywhere I have seen placed on a large base - meaning that a houndmaster and the wolfhound share the same base. Looking at the minis themselves this is very much how they seem to have been envisioned.
The rules
The EotD book have no special rules for this, merely stating that the Wolfen Jaegers have the option to hire wolfhounds. This seems to suggest that the wolfhound should be on a seperate base, and not share one with the houndmaster. The question is then, what to do with the houndmaster? The mini has no visible weapons only a large chain to handle the wolfhound.
Solution scenarios
I have received two suggestions for a solution, but like I said neither of them have really grabbed me, as they both suggest putting the houndmaster and wolfhound on separate bases.
1) The minis have absolutely no connection with each another and the houndmasters will be normal members, who just don't have any visible weapons.
2) Adapt the Supernatural Branch's Handler and Infernium Dog rules. Now I don't have the rules for the Supernatural Branch, but have been told that the handler and dog must stay within 8 inches of each another or something like that.
Out of the two I much prefer solution no. 2, as there is still a connection between the minis, but I still does not grab me entirely. The fact that they are on separate bases is still an issue for me, as I think the houndmaster minis will look stupid. I have not looked into whether I can convert the houndmaster, so that they are armed.
The third option is of course to come up with rules that I like, and which will keep the houndmaster and wolfhound on the same base. This is an idea that I also posted on lead-adventure, but which received no comments:
"....maybe something about movement. Dogs getting a bonus to their charge for every round they are still being handled - basically they will be more aggresive because they have been held back by the handler.
The handler is also only able to use one-handed weapons while handling the dogs.
Or maybe they should just stay together all the time. Being able to shot, but really most efficient in melee because both the hound and handler will be able to attack."
I have started wokring on the Brotherhood monks, so I have some time before I start working on them, but I need a solution soon...hmmm...
So if you have a good idea of how to use the Wolfen Jaeger Houndmaster minis in EotD, please comment. And of course feel free to comment anyway :-)
Don't forget EotD was intended to have its own miniature range. But with the use of the old Gothic Horror miniatures for different themed or re-skinned factions. People whose miniatures you may have seen most likely used different rule sets not Empire of the Dead. There are rules in the book as a Gentlemen Affiliation for Wolfen Jagars and they may take Hounds. But as discussed on LAF there's currently no benefit. They just get hounds as faction members. You could force the rules that the Supernatural Branch use on your models but I think it doesn't really reflect the difference between a real dog and a mechanical one. I think a mechanical one would require more guidance than a dog that's been trained and would do things instinctively.
ReplyDeleteI think the aggressive thing is a good idea. But I don't personally think if you include rules that cover it that the hound master should receive any attacks as he must exert his strength to control the aggressive dog. I have two Labrador Retrievers and I can assure just being a little excited they can certainly pull me and I'm not a little bloke either. So aiming a pistol whilst having an excitable dog on a lead would be quite difficult and I'd perhaps have a -1 to hit just for that. Again same would apply if they where trying to strike somebody in combat.
Sorry to have perhaps rambled on a bit.
Hi Simon,
Deleteyou're not rambling :-)
I must admit that you're right about handling a large dog and attempting to shoot. I have had German Shepperds for over 10 years now and yeah I would struggle to shoot, so the -1 would be good. Aiming would be impossible.
Nice to see you posting again Kasper, I like the armed brothers too though I'll use them as Nosferatu thralls.
ReplyDeleteHi Robert, yes I have not been too good at posting. Been playing a bit of Malifaux with my friends, but have put a lot of EotD minis on my wishlist for Christmas.
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