Valiant Insanity

[RolftheRuf]

I revisited my original warband Valor/Madness design and upgraded it with new units. Check this out:

VALOR:
Pearlthorn Castle - 3VV Thanks to Char for the correction
Scarab Warcharm - 4V
Inspired Samurai - 4V
Knight of Tomorrow - 5V
Twilight Scout - 5V
Lunar Handmaiden - 6VV
Hawk-eyed Instigator x2 - 7VV
Brighthammer Avenger - 8V

MADNESS:
Spellbound Scissors x2 - 2M
Gun-possessed Killer - 6MM
Faceless Stalker x2 - 7M
Chrysalis Spinner - 8M
Doomsinger - 9MM

I don't think this is quite as tough as my VALOR/FEAR warband -- but it is a whole lot more fun to play with and it has fared pretty well in a few trial matches.

[Charninja]

Personally, I am not much for Inspired Samurai. I would much prefer a second Scarab Warcharm... but I can see him playing... bodyguard for the two of them. Probably take out Chrysalis Spinner OR Lunar Handmaiden/Knight of Tomorrow to fit the second Warcharm.

Also, while I know you like it, I am still not much of a fan of Pearlthorn Castle. You missed one Valor aspect cost, but for a converted cost of 5 in Valor there is: (a second) Inspired Samurai), or (a third) Scarab Warcharm. For one V less there is Ardent Zungar and Runetagged Brawler. If you want extra damage, go for Zungar, if you want some better Life and Defense, go for Brawler.

[RolftheRuf]

Umm.... This isn't a virtual warband. It is based on figs I actually own. Trust me, if I had another Scarab Warcharm, it would be in there. The samurai is there to keep the warcharm around a little longer.

Yeah, the castle is okay -- generally I'm not crazy about locations. But in this case I think it helps a lot. It's like a free move for every other unit. I tend to discount the aspect costs to a large degree, in most cases you don't have to pay them. Especially with a location, which depends on units already in the Dreamscape to place it. The Zungar? Meh. The Brawler? Worse. Based on what I have, if I replaced the castle, it would probably be to add either a Falcon Soldier or a Relentless Eviscerator. But I like the movement advantage the castle gives and it keeps a 3-point option in my mix.

[King_Sephiroth]

I would consider taking out the second Faceless Stalker for another Samurai if you're absolutely set on playing Madness/Valor. In addition, I'd take out the Twilight Scout for a Spellbound Scissors to even up the Madness-Valor count again.

The Samurai's are invaluable in a warband of Madness. They prevent your Madness troop from being disrupted so easily, giving you much better field presence and more chances to use those neat abilities that they have.

Again, the Scissors are just to maintain the Madness-Valor count, but they also allow for a very good first-turn opening move if the roll is 7 or higher. You might want to think of adding a Pick-Pick though to fill your 3-Drop spot, as the Castle would cost you 5 first turn, seeing as the Scissors are what you're going to want to spawn first.

[RolftheRuf]

I'm not necessarily set on playing it. I know I can build something deadly with Valor/Fear and need no further convincing of that. But I really like the figs in Madness and wanted to see if I could come up with something nearly as effective or at least fun to play.

Some good suggestions here. I see your point about the samurai -- makes sense. However I am reluctant to take out a Faceless Stalker. I really love the piece. When you have lots of blade abilities, she is invaluable.

I may consider swapping out the Scout for another Scissors. That makes sense in one regard, although I would be losing a movement unit. But the one thing that was bugging me is I felt I was a little on the heavy side of the curve costwise. I looked at the Pick-Pick for a long time, but I just can't seem to justify it. I agree, I wanted to get a pure 3-spotter in my line-up, but I can't bring myself to play a unit based on cost alone, regardless of how sucky it may be. Nevertheless, I sense you have a good point here. I may simply have to do some playtesting with it to prove to myself that the warband has better synergy with a Pick-Pick.

As for the castle... I expect to drop it on the second or third turn, and possible end up paying 4 for it, if necessary. It will take me into the second turn just to get a unit into the spot I want it.