Question about Were creatures in Dragon Rampant

[Rob_bresnen]

I am a bit confused about the cost for Were Creature in Dragon Rampant

Here is my thoughts- tell me if I am wrong or not

Werebears

They start off as Elite foot- 3 models= 6 Strength points  (this costs 6 pts)
Add 1 point for Were Creatures fantastical ability, then add 4 points for lesser Warbeast (again 3 models =6 strength points)

This means the unit costs 6+1+4 points= 11 points (which is not legal as there is a limit of 10 points per unit)

Werewolves

They start off as Bellicose Foot (6 models = 12 Strength points) costs 4
Add 1 point for Were Creatures fantastical ability, then add 4 points for lesser Warbeast (6 models =6 strength points)

This costs 4+1+4= 9pts- so this is a legal unit (although one that seems a bit over priced)

Am I right to add the costs together? And is there any way I can have my Werebears in a legal army?

[throwsFireball]

Personally I'd say that werebears are bellicose foot (bringing the total cost to 9pts) whereas werewolves are light foot (possibly with the offensive rule for a total cost of 10pts).

[Rob_bresnen]

The problem with that is that I only have three werebear-in-human-form figures- and it seems a bit much to try to pass off three figures as 12 strength points of bellicose foot.


Your suggestion about the Light foot for the Werewolves is a good idea though.

[throwsFireball]

The problem with that is that I only have three werebear-in-human-form figures- and it seems a bit much to try to pass off three figures as 12 strength points of bellicose foot.


Your suggestion about the Light foot for the Werewolves is a good idea though.

If you're playing at 15mm then I'd say they'd be fine. They're big guys.

[Elbows]

Yes you've got the idea right...in essence you can really waste points using it.  Firstly you have a unit which doesn't end up on the board for several turns (possibly never) and you lose the remainder of a unit when it fails its were test. It's (along with almost all of the fantastical elements) overpriced and relatively useless.

This is a shame.  We love Dragon Rampant/Lion Rampant...but the fantastical elements are pretty crap.  Almost none of them are worth the cost when you would be better off taking more units.

As such we've discussed doing the points values in a game differently, namely 24(12), where an army would consist of 24 points with 12 points free for fantastical upgrades.  If you use this method I'd argue the creature cost of what your unit turns into could be absorbed in the 12 fantastical points rather than the initial 24 (giving some vague purpose to using the trait).  We all agreed this is probably the way to go.  There's little reason in having, for instance, a magic user when his points cost could be used for a full unit of heavy foot!

I wouldn't have any issue using three bears as a twelve point unit either.  That's precisely why strength points are used.

Regarding the points and how you have it laid out...I think for this instance you can ignore the 10 point limit.  That's for a single unit.  Technically a wereunit is costing you to purchase two units, so I wouldn't worry about  the 11 point cost.

If you just want to field werebears right out, use the greater warbeast profile and call it a day.