Captain. Worth it?

[Gabbi]

We've introduced Captains in our campaign by a couple weeks and I'm still wondering if he's worth the 10% share he takes on everything. I mean, if it was just the gold... but also taxing money earned by selling stuff seems a bit overkill to me. I mean, he has nice stats, he rolls on Wizard's table and he has the Tricks, but he just took 50gp out of a two grimoires sale. The very reason I keep him it's because it's the only other member of the warband that gets experience and somewhat develops throught the campaign (giving me a bit more of that Mordheim feel that Frostgrave is a tad too simple to fully offer). If it was just for what he brings to the table, I'd seriously consider abandoning him to a freezing death the next expedition to ol' ruined Felstad.

[Malebolgia]

One word: YES!
My Captain is my main killer...he has killed so many soldiers and creatures by now. He has 300XP, has Fight 3, Mail Armour and the Club of Battering and smashes everything into oblivion. I think I like him the most in my warband
Okay, he has eaten up more than 1000gc I think, but that's okay. As long as he keeps murdering as he does now, he's my best friend.

[JohnDSD2]

I love mine too.
I think the 'build' options are pretty flexible, so you can make one to fit in with your playing style.
I went for a heavy armour and health option and then my Summoner habitually Possess him in the first turn.
Once Possessed he has F+4, A15 H14 makes him really tough.
He's a bit of a drain on resources but he more than makes up for it in entertainment.

So in short try one out, build him to fit into your style and see how you like him.

PS I didn't start with a Captain but geared my band to be able to hire one after the first game (Kept 50gc back and crossed my fingers I would get enough cash from the first game to be able to buy one, it worked)

[Coenus Scaldingus]

Purely on basic stats, a captain may not seem very impressive, but once geared up they can become a formidable force indeed. More importantly, they add another real character to your group, whose exploits to follow and failures to mourn. He may well end up costing a lot of gold, but on a per-game basis, I tend not to notice it too much: if finding very little gold, you lose little, and when you acquire a veritable hoard, you still have a lot left. I even started with a captain in my initial band in the last two campaigns, just so that he can get experienced a bit faster (as that tends to be a very slow process).

[Roger]

Hmm, I admit Im not sold on the captain at all. We've had to limit the number of treasure hunters though,
fight +4
magic weapon +5
strength +7
is a pretty formidable force and doesn't need wages

Roger

[Azzabat]

But you're forgetting a Captain can Group Activate.

[Gabbi]

But you're forgetting a Captain can Group Activate.

I admit it's an option we seldom use. Apart the fact that you can engage an opponent with two (or more) models and then attacking it with maximum bonus with every of them, I don't see other benefits. And the one mentioned it's very situational.

[Malebolgia]

Disagree. My opponent uses that tactic all the time and it works very well. Having +2 for 2 guys is terrific. This way his Treasure Hunter had Fight +6 in a lot of fights with a +4 Fight Captain (with tricks) to back him up. Very effective move.

[Azzabat]

They're not just good for combat either. Being able to move multiple bowmen out of cover and shoot at a single target can give them a very bad day.

Personally I add all the speed buffs I can to my Captain, then give him a pair of Warhouinds and send him off Wizard/Apprentice Hunting. The Warhounds act as a meat shield, and give you that all important bonus when in combat.

If your opponents Spellcasters are suddenly worried about being Beaten and Eaten ... they are no longer getting into good positions to cast spells. Usually they are hanging so far back they're practically out of the game.   

[giles the zog]

If used properly they are worth it, both JP and I have taken them.

Now I've had some games I can break silence, but my Captain is equipped with mail armour and shield, which gives a high Armour rating. As he/she* is working for Lady Catherine an Enchanter, so their mail armour has been magicked up, along with the shield, so all of a sudden I have an Armour of 15 ! So that's two of the items they can carry, their magic sword (3), and then to keep up with the rest of the war band Boots of Speed (4) that I found. So I have a character with Fight 4, Armour 15 and a Move of 6. Add in Coup de Grace and Furious Attack, and they can deal out a heck a lot of pain, and they're only a level 2 Captain. As you will see from my bat rep, this Captain trashed a Greater Demon, Bear and opposing Captain and came through without barely a scratch. Being able to automatically activate a second model really helps in combat too, even a wounded archer that just gets in the way gives them the edge...wait until they get the next Trick and have group activation....


* I'm using a Mordheim figure, but am painting up a female AD&D fighter to fit the war band's vibe...

[jp1885]

Whereas my captain is f*****g useless and will probably get fired.

[giles the zog]

Whereas my captain is f*****g useless and will probably get fired.

Well if Thadeus (who is EVIL, and must be destroyed) didn't meddle in the dark arts of Necromancy and Demonology, and instead showed some interest in wholesome magic like Enchanting, you might be able to gear up the hapless wretch.

Though me rolling 20's for an inanimate object's fight roll probably didn't help !