Crow Master

[punkrabbitt]

Has anyone used a Crow Master to any good effect? For 100gc, it seems pretty underpowered.

[Digitarii]

The theory to get the most bang for your buck with the Crow Master is to unleash the crow and then use the Crow Master to pick up treasure or act as a meat shield for your wizard. I've not used one or seen anyone actually use one in game as yet.

[Wyrmalla]

What're they? 200GC? They must have some use...

As written I interpret them as being used due to the crow's flight. However, the crow's crappy stats don't really make it a good ambusher.

In combination with that Wizard Eye item which lets your wizard look through the eyes of another model they may be useful?

Maybe they're like the Javelin armed fighters? For early games before you have loads of Knights, etc? That doesn't really mesh with the high cost though.

But aye, maybe there's something we're missing. To me they're too expensive for what they do, even if I'd like to use one.

[Darkson71]

In combination with that Wizard Eye item which lets your wizard look through the eyes of another model they may be useful?

That's not what Wizard Eye does.

[Like_Clockwork]

What're they? 200GC? They must have some use...

As written I interpret them as being used due to the crow's flight. However, the crow's crappy stats don't really make it a good ambusher.

In combination with that Wizard Eye item which lets your wizard look through the eyes of another model they may be useful?

Maybe they're like the Javelin armed fighters? For early games before you have loads of Knights, etc? That doesn't really mesh with the high cost though.

But aye, maybe there's something we're missing. To me they're too expensive for what they do, even if I'd like to use one.

100gc to hire a Crow Master, but another 100gc for a roost per Crow Master, so in a sense, yes 200gc, and the item you're thinking about is the Eyes of Amoto, but you can only use it to look through the eyes of the other ONCE per game, plus the Blood Crow wouldn't be able to wear it, because it cannot hold items.

I personally would say the use of a Crow Master can vary on the user. I have used War Hounds in my war band, but their only use is to attack or block off enemies to stall them, while I grab treasure. The Crow Master seems to be a more efficient  example of that. Blood Crows are more or less better than a War Hound, and it comes with a figure that, as said above, can run and grab treasure. However, Crow Masters cannot have any other items, only carrying treasure. But, why choose a Crow Master/Blood Crow over a Warhound and any other figure? A Crow Master/Blood Crow counts as ONE member of your war band (correct me if I am wrong) so you can have 8 Crow Masters, along with 8 Blood Crows.


Thank you,
Like Clockwork

[Wyrmalla]

That's not what Wizard Eye does.

Wizard Eye "like" item from Thaw of the Lich Lord.

[Pseudok]

One player from our group uses them, and the Crow can indeed be a terrible nuisance to other players. In a lucky case where your bird rolls the 18+ on the dice and opponent 3- they even do actual damage, and if the dice go the other way around... you're still not down one pair of potentially treasure carrying hands.

In a good spot the bird even prevents picking up treasures with little danger to itself, at least from missile fire.

They're probably subject to the diminishing returns effect that every aspect of Frostgrave seems to obey. You'll just have to deal with that. But by now you should have already learned that

[Azzabat]

Crows are great for tying up Wizards in combat. It may only be for a turn, but it stops them casting spells, and if you get lucky they cause damage, or last 2 turns. Believe me, denying your opponent the chance to cast for 2 turns in a 6 turn game is a BIG deal!

They're also handy as mentioned for stopping people targeting your thieves as they pick up treasure, or for adding the +2 in combat.

[Coenus Scaldingus]

Got one, would immediately re-hire if she went down (which rarely happens, as she would indeed usually grab the nearest treasure and run off with it). Those crows are incredibly fast, able to get nearly anywhere within a turn or two. Want to intercept (or at least slow down) an enemy treasure caddy? Send the crow. Looking to tie up that marksman hiding in a tower? Send the crow. Prevent a wizard from casting magic, need something for a randomly arrived monster to chase, just interested in a +2 for a combat somewhere? Crow does it all. Sometimes, they'll die after a single round of combat, but that probably was all you really needed them for anyway. And sometimes, they'll keep a barbarian occupied for 5 turns, eventually killing him, move on to a wizard and then eat him too. Because crows are terrific.

[punkrabbitt]

Thank you all. You have made me reconsider the Crow Master. In my mind, they would seem to work best with at least two in the warband, so when my next group gets together 400gc I might bump out a few Thugs for these guys.

[Azzabat]

When does the Crow actually separate from the Crow Master, and does it take an activation?

I.e. do you move the Crow Master, then "Launch" the crow? Or is it more fair to treat them as both as separate entities?

If the former than that would give the crow a mighty 19.5" move on that turn.  
(6" for the Crow Master, 9" and 3.5" for the Crow)

EDIT: Just had a thought ... can you "feed" a Blood Crow (or a war hound for that matter) an Elixir of Speed ??

[Like_Clockwork]

When does the Crow actually separate from the Crow Master, and does it take an activation?

I.e. do you move the Crow Master, then "Launch" the crow? Or is it more fair to treat them as both as separate entities?

If the former than that would give the crow a mighty 19.5" move on that turn.  
(6" for the Crow Master, 9" and 3.5" for the Crow)

EDIT: Just had a thought ... can you "feed" a Blood Crow (or a war hound for that matter) an Elixir of Speed ??

I believe Crows and Crow Masters are already separate figures from the start. Also, I would love the idea of "feeding" pets potions, unfortunately the only figure that can apply a potion to another figure is the Apothecary, and only Healing Potions. Also, who's to say the Crow or Hound would even drink it? As they say, you can lead a horse to water...But I'm sure there'll be more things in the future that will let us customize our figures.


Thank you,
Like Clockwork

[Azzabat]

Can anyone recommend a good miniature to use for a Blood Crow? I'm thinking maybe some Warmaster Eagles but I'm not sure on the side/scale.

[Like_Clockwork]

Can anyone recommend a good miniature to use for a Blood Crow? I'm thinking maybe some Warmaster Eagles but I'm not sure on the side/scale.

I personally don't use crows, I use bats


Thank you,
Like Clockwork

[Digitarii]

Can anyone recommend a good miniature to use for a Blood Crow? I'm thinking maybe some Warmaster Eagles but I'm not sure on the side/scale.

Reaper has lots of options in their Familiars selections.