Going to Plunge into the Frozen City - eventually a plog

[TheWorker]

Right, so, I don't have the rulebook (yet) because I am skint, but this is what I'm planning:

Wizard and Apprentice (from North Star's Fantasy World line)
4 tough as nails sword-and-shield toting womenfrom Brother Vinni's SAGA range
And some archers and stuff.

What is a decent starting Warband? I mean at the minute that sounds like I'm backing up Anja and Aelsa with four infantrywomen... and I'm pretty sure I need some bows or maybe a healer or something.

[ImhotepMagi]

Generally speaking, quantity trumps quality when you start out. And bows are pretty fantastic. So archers and thieves/thugs to taste. You can always upgrade them later when you get more gold.

Of course if you value style and want to risk it, you can take more expensive troops and learn to play around it. For example I take 3 crossbows and a Templar. It may not be the smartest move but I love the way they look on the table.

[tyrionhalfman]

As already said you definitely want quantity to start with so thugs would be better than shield armed soldiers, then when you have spare gold in a campaign replace your thugs with shield warriors if that's the look you want.you might indeed want some archers to add ranged attacks or to cover some treasure but if you're playing a series of one off games just experiment with combinations to find one that suits your own style of play or what provides you with the most interesting games

[TheWorker]

Ah, the old Stalin approach.

Well, as this is all just a thought experiment at the minute:

Wizard (Elementalist)
Apprentice - 200gc
Knight
Thug
Archer
Archer

Would I have any crowns left over?

[mister c]

Think you could add some more thugs and or thieves

[Philhelm]

Ah, the old Stalin approach.

Well, as this is all just a thought experiment at the minute:

Wizard (Elementalist)
Apprentice - 200gc
Knight
Thug
Archer
Archer

Would I have any crowns left over?

You'd have 80 gold remaining, which would allow you to purchase four Thugs/Thieves and have a full party of ten models.  I would argue that for 100 gold, the Knight and the other "elite" choices aren't all that worthwhile for a starting force.  The rulebook even states that the elites aren't the equivalent of five thugs, and I believe that to be true.

[TheWorker]

I quite like the idea of a slightly 'arder, less 'gamey' band though. I'll definitely throw in a thief though!

[tyrionhalfman]

Part of the reason for wanting cheaper soldiers is to have a meat wall in front of your wizard, while another part is to carry off any treasure you can get your hands on.you don't want your knight to be down to half speed creeping off the board with treasure before doing anything spectacular for your 100GC. As TheWorker said with your 80 remaining GC you could get four more thugs or thieves giving you more expendable soldiers to guard your wizard or carry treasure.
If your wanting an 'arder band then you could get a 50 such as an extra missile attack soldier or an infantryman and a thief and warhound

[TheWorker]

So my new thoughts are:

Wizard
Apprentice
Knight
Knight
Archer
Archer
Thief
Thug
Thug
Apothecary

I don't know if that comes into 500 gc or not. I'm going to try and pick up a copy of the rules if some sales go through soon.

Speaking of sales, I'm going to be sticking a load of stuff in the Bazaar later if anyone's interested in helping out a cash-strapped wizard :p

[ChaosChild]

That would be 660gc. Knight and apothecary are 100gc each, so you'll struggle to take more than one if you have an apprentice. I'd recommend a knight, 2 archers (I prefer crossbowmen, they're the same cost, but popular opinion is against me), and a mix of 5 thugs and thieves. That'll give you a tank, some ranged support and the numbers you'll need.

Alternatively (and this is my favourite option), make your wizard a witch. You can take a smaller, more elite warband, then take the Animal Companion spell and fill two of the soldier slots with bears.

[Philhelm]

The Apprentice, two Knights, and two Archers alone would equal 500 gold.

Someone made a Frostgrave warband creator/calculator for your enjoyment:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1c0WNlIfzD6Qzarto2pemd9ypiMKoDCyEOsw-HSv_v6Q/edit#gid=0


**Considering that people were creating warbands before the game was released, I don't think that they have a problem sharing points like GW does (or providing the Skaven Slave points equivalent  ).

[TheWorker]

That warband calculator is ace!

Actually, I'm thinking of using crossbows in my first band because I think it'll fit with the theme I have in mind...