Pavic Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 So, I played a game last night using the Cult of December, and I have to say, I was terribly disappointed with the Ice Golem. I knew that his slow speed would be a considerable reliability, but his defense of 2 made him almost useless. Even his Armor 2 did not make up for his lack of speed or defense. I tried to use terrain to limit some of the ranged damage he suffered, but this tactic was even somewhat foiled by his Ht 3. Also, since Statue is a (1) cost action, I simply could not use it or he would never have made it in to combat, where he quickly died due to the considerable damage he had suffered on the way in. Every other model of similar SS cost seems superior to the Ice Golem, and I have to say, there are a number of models that cost a few SS less that I think are far more effective. Is there anyone else out there that finds the Ice Golem lacking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightdrake Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 http://www.wyrd-games.net/showthread.php?t=7664 Stacked Armor from December's Touch can be helpful in lasting long in addition to using hard cover. I use him much and it takes it lumps but can get the damage in. I like using a totem to help Rasputina to assist in the castings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerousBeans Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 As cool as he is, I think he'd be far more useful in a larger game. Tina needs a bodyguard and this guy can take a lot of punishment. In a smaller game however, I'm beginning to think he loses some of his usefulness. He is hideously slow, especially when you need to get statue going, against a melee army he could be worth it. Just keep your dudes close so if the enemy engages something the Golem can get in there. Against a ranged army, this doesn't help much though. His ranged attack is pretty decent with a gamin running "bite of winter" nearby. For smaller games when you can't afford to have 9ss lumbering about, try using a cerberus. With "December's Touch" and a Gamin nearby, these guys can dish out some serious hurt, and they're amazingly fast if you've got the cards for "leap". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nerdelemental Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 At the game sized levels most of us are still playing many of the models we have available to us aren't the best choices, possibly. Consider one year from now when we have the entire book available to us. Everything will take on a completly different review. Totems alone will change the gameplay. Currently, at SS games of 30 and below, I'd barely consider the inclusion of a 9+ SS model with a few exceptions. At 45, though, try the Steamborg and Ice Golem again. Arcanists shine at the lowest SS end and the Highest. Guild shine right in the middle at 7 and 8. That sort of thing. The ice golem loses power when it's much easier to run around him and ignore him. Add three or four models on your side and it's harder to ignore the big statue because you can control the board even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kealios Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 Yea, it bugs me that 'Tina can get more damage out of Beasts than Marcus can. Blah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fool Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 Marcus can heal the beasts, and howl is great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kealios Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 See my Marcus Tactica about how difficult Primal Flame is able to be pulled off, how silly it is to have a melee Master sitting back casting difficult support spells, and why Howl may be good but cannot be easily combined with other spells/abilities that rely on Wp to do much good. Sure, he has some neat abilities, but in this game, +damage is one of the most valuable assets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pavic Posted September 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 Well, it sounds like I am not alone then. I have to say that using Rasputina to increase the Golem's armor would be helpful, but I don't like the idea that to make a model useable, one has to rely on additional effects from other models. Bonuses provided by other models should simply be icing, not something that is necessary to make a model effective. I guess I need to pick up some beasts or December Acolytes to fill in the for Golem for now. Now if we can just get a restock of the box sets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nerdelemental Posted September 8, 2009 Report Share Posted September 8, 2009 It's all very relative to your point of view, too. I've got a bazillion proxied games under my belt and I have no incredible respect for the Dec Acolytes but the Ice Golems scare the poopies out of me. How your opponent uses them, how much you focus on them, size of the game... it just changes the discussion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maverickman5 Posted September 9, 2009 Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 It's all very relative to your point of view, too. I've got a bazillion proxied games under my belt and I have no incredible respect for the Dec Acolytes but the Ice Golems scare the poopies out of me. How your opponent uses them, how much you focus on them, size of the game... it just changes the discussion. blah blah blah... you cheat and still win Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AoM Posted September 9, 2009 Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 The Ice Golem is the best "turret" in the game. get him where you need to defend, and sit him still. you're going to have a hard time cracking that armor, and he's got to take his 1 shot against you. You want to come in and hit him up close? Well, you'd better not kill him, because Shatter is cool. Yes, he's slow. Yes, he's easy to hit. But rest assured, he doesn't suck anywhere near as much as you guys are worried about. Like Nerd said, he's a bit harder to get a lot from in smaller games, but with only 2 or 3 more models on the table, he's suddenly able to get where he needs to be with less abuse, and then he just sets up camp and kicks ass. The Gamin suck just as much. You just don't notice it because you've got more of them on the table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paperbag4 Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 I've found mine to be a house. Good ranged attack, cool triggers, high armor. I've only been playing multiplayer games, though, so people having all kinds of room to run around him hasn't been a problem for me. He makes a good bodyguard, as his ranged attack is powerful enough to matter and he's the same speed as Rasputina. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pavic Posted September 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2009 Well, I think I might be giving him another shot, but I have to say, I found the Razorspine Rattler to be a much more effective model in my most recent game and 2 SS less to boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kealios Posted September 13, 2009 Report Share Posted September 13, 2009 How did you use the Rattler? I have found that I dont get much mileage out of him, even with his supposed long threat range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nerdelemental Posted September 13, 2009 Report Share Posted September 13, 2009 Between the last three posts, I think you guys are discovering EXACTLY what we all need to learn and keep in mind. Everyone will find a piece that works better or worse for them. We get PaperBag say it's a house with good this or that and then we get Pavic who's more drawn to the rattler to Kelios that doesn't get good mileage out of the rattler. I really came to understand this when my gaming buddy threw that stupid Ice Golem at me and I could NEVER get around him and it drove me crazy. Then I ran him and I'm feeling crippled on my side of the board wondering if I'd ever get anywhere and wishing and wishing I had a rattler instead. That's the problem with the tactica threads coming out so early. There's just not enough experience to put everything in perspective but there's a lot of bubbling energy that wants each of us to play and communicate our findings. So, I'm in the boat that I find the Ice Golem extremely powerful when I have to play against it, not very powerful when I'm using it. I just can't shift his gears at the right moment to make him truly versatile. The snake and cerebrus, though, just click with me and I know when and where to move them to maximize their potential and when they fall I'm usually pretty ready for them to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pavic Posted September 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2009 (edited) How did you use the Rattler? I have found that I dont get much mileage out of him, even with his supposed long threat range. I basically kept him in cover of ice pillars until I was absolutely sure that I could do some serious damage with him. Having the ability to charge for a single action point is simply incredible, and this allowed him to get around the ice pillars with a walk and then charge in. Once he was in combat, he did great and I never looked back. On a side note, I have decided to give the Golem another shot in my next game and I have already decided on a new strategy for using him, which essentially requires that I completely change the way I have approached the game thus far. I will definitely being lacking maneuverability and I will have to keep my models fairly close together, but I think this new approach will work. I have also come to accept the fact that Rasputina is one of the masters that requires a lot more finesse and has a higher learning curve, but with additional practice, I think I can turn the Golem into a huge threat with her assistance. At least I hope so Edited September 14, 2009 by Pavic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capcap Posted September 14, 2009 Report Share Posted September 14, 2009 Ice golem can rock but he needs to get set up for the kill. If you put down the ice pillars between your oppenent and him every turn he will get across the board. Try him with Joss as you will have two heavy hitters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sushicaddy Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 Between the last three posts, I think you guys are discovering EXACTLY what we all need to learn and keep in mind. Everyone will find a piece that works better or worse for them. We get PaperBag say it's a house with good this or that and then we get Pavic who's more drawn to the rattler to Kelios that doesn't get good mileage out of the rattler. I really came to understand this when my gaming buddy threw that stupid Ice Golem at me and I could NEVER get around him and it drove me crazy. Then I ran him and I'm feeling crippled on my side of the board wondering if I'd ever get anywhere and wishing and wishing I had a rattler instead. That's the problem with the tactica threads coming out so early. There's just not enough experience to put everything in perspective but there's a lot of bubbling energy that wants each of us to play and communicate our findings. So, I'm in the boat that I find the Ice Golem extremely powerful when I have to play against it, not very powerful when I'm using it. I just can't shift his gears at the right moment to make him truly versatile. The snake and cerebrus, though, just click with me and I know when and where to move them to maximize their potential and when they fall I'm usually pretty ready for them to. Which is the hallmark of great game design. In many other TT games, when you take the right (read: power)list, you win. That does not seem to be the case so much with Mx. My boxes cannot come fast enough. Maybe i can will them here faster with my mind *uses mind powerz*. I have the Rasputina box set in there, but after I get a few games in with her and the ice constructs I plan to try her out with some beasties. I don't know what I will like more ATM, but I'm sure looking forward to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momethesis Posted October 4, 2009 Report Share Posted October 4, 2009 I like to use him to finish off my opponents half dead models. He seems to work great after I have used lesser (cheaper) models to soften things up. I usually have him activate last so my opponent will have fewer activation to take advantage of his lower defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srdjan Stankovic Posted October 21, 2009 Report Share Posted October 21, 2009 Hi, I'm a new player, and I have a question (as most new players do). Ice golem does not have book (tome) next to his DF characteristic, but he has his tome gray, not bold in his "DF (gray tome) Sub Zero" trigger? Do I need tome card to trigger "Sub Zero" with him or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IGman3977 Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Good question on the defense trigger. I have had it myself, but i believe it is based from his CB having it. Not sure. I have looked through the book and have seen a few others like this. Hardly any have a suit nexxt to their Df. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paperbag4 Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 The stat card is a mis-print. In order to trigger sub-zero your defense flip needs to be a Tome. I keep low Tomes in my hand just for doing that. Pulled it off on a Cerberus tonight, no extra attacks for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonB Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 The stat card and the rule book are both misprints. Will it be in the list of errata soon then? So far I notice it isn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WEiRD sKeTCH Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 The Tome printed next to the Subzero Trigger is supposed to be solid black not grey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrottoKnight Posted November 27, 2009 Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 No His Ranged attack is where it is at. Be aggressive at first 2xwalking then move and statue. Next turn Focus Ice burst at anything. The ability to throw down double muchroom clouds is nasty for a regular model. I only play Raspy currently. I use him as a more forward option to take the brunt of the enemy and protect Joss, Gunslinger, Cerebrus, and other melee/range easier to kill models. He then can be ice mirrored through and can deal nasty damage when in melee, but most won't engage. I prefer him over two Ice gamin and a SS unless I am building and going to be below 6ss for Raspy. but..... I take Joss first then the Ice Golem and I may even put the Steamborg in front too. Raspy Joss 1 Golem and Steamborg 28ss I think it is very lame that they made these guys Rare 1 (how bout 2) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.