Warmaster Elite Units rules? (Elite Empire, Elf Phoenix Guards etc.)

[Draccan]

I know there are no official rules but did anyone do special rules for Warmaster Elite models?
Empire Elite Handgunners? Empire Elite Halberdiers? High Elf Phoenix Guards? High Elf Swordmasters? Dwarf Hammerers? Others?

[jchaos79]

Depends on the scenario/army, those units in my games are "markers" for magical objects/banners/veterany but not always, other times are just anther regular unit.

They are intersting to nominate during the game or just for aesthetical pleasure during the game.

[Stormwind]

The point of Warmaster was always streamlined rules without all the fussing and checking tables that Warhammer used.

For that reason it's generally best to keep things simple. I would generally like a single rare unit to have better stats based on a scenario, so it's fan rules all the way! =D

[forbes]

If you want them to be better, then as jchaos says, give them a magic item. Then everyone knows what extra rules they get.

[Geep]

To continue the magic item idea- would people be against seeing 2 or more of the same magic item in an army, to represent 2 or more elite units?
By the rules you can only ever have 1 of each per army (I think), but if I field 2 units of phoenix guard it'd be a pain to remember which unit has which item if they must carry different ones.

[Draccan]

I was thinking more of elite close combat units getting an extra attack or 1 reroll pr. game. Shooting units could get an extra shot or reroll.

I agree there shouldn't be too many special rules but I think there is room for a small upgrade for elite units as long as the upgrade is the same across multiple units of the same type..

Question is what they should pay to get the upgrade...

[Geep]

That's exactly why people go with the magic item idea- most magic items are very minor improvements of that sort. eg. +1A for one of the stands, or a re-roll to-hit for one of the stands.
Fore the more fancy Elite units you can look at the banners- +1 save, +1A, etc. (though they all have drawbacks).
The points of magic items are generally slightly higher than they should be, so people won't complain that you've made something broken in the game.

There are 2 main downsides to magic items though:
1) Prices are set, regardless of the unit they're attached to. Eg. The +1 save banner costs the same for a unit of Chaos Knights as it does for a unit of Night Goblins, even though it's far more useful on the Knights.
2) There are no magic items that affect shooting. Still, I'm sure most opponents would agree to let you take a combat magic item and apply its rules to a shooting attack.

[calmacil]

I worked out my own version of those units a while ago. I agree with you, I like all the slightly different stats (they even have a difference between Cold One Riders and Empire Knights in Warmaster)

My stats were....

Swordmasters .... Attack = 4, Hits = 3, Armour = 5+ ..... cost = 85
Phoenix Guard ..... Attack = 3, Hits = 3, Armour = 4+ .....cost = 85

Dark Elf Executioners (same as swordmasters)

With the Phoenix Guard the 1 extra armour represents the ward save they have
The +1 Attack for the swordmasters and executioners represents their martial prowess with a sword

We also did rules for a Chaos Mammoth

[Draccan]

I like your thinking Calmacill!

[Draccan]

Another option that I am thinking off right now is to allow a Battle Honors random upgrade (see core rulebook) to a limited number of units (say 1 pr. 1000 pts.) for a specific point cost.

That would allow a unit of Elf Spearmen to become elite and replaced by phoenix Guard or Swordmasters and gaining 1 roll on the battle honours table. Maybe at a cost of 20-25 pts.

The same could be true of Dwarf Warriors --> Hammerers or Halberdiers --> Elite Halberdiers. Orcs --> Savage Orcs. Etc.

[calmacil]

I like your idea, it adds flavour to a campaign. But your game might become complicated and slowed down with rules if you are half way through your campaign and most of your army has some sort of bonus or upgrade.

There's a Warmaster Ancients book that has campaign ideas, they have upgrades such as Mighty Blow (any roll of 6 cannot be saved) The cost may need some tweaking, because I think they are underpriced.
This book also has various upgrades for characters, this would be easier to remember than an individual unit.