Let's talk about Von Shill...

[tedwin183]

First off, this is my first post on here! I got drawn to Malifaux by a large group of Warmachine/Hordes players who have taken up this game. It's surprisingly different and refreshing.

Anyways, I am normally a Perdita/Sonnia player, but love the concept and rules of the Freikorp.

So with that being said, what are some important tactics to keep in mind with Von Shill? Additionally what are some essential models to move up to 30ss and 35ss?

I have read the Student of Conflict but I am not sure on anything else worthwhile for Von Shill.

Also, how many normal Freikorpsmen/Specialists/Trappers would you typically bring?

[The Madman]

Well

the specialist is limited to one in a scrape

the librarian is 7 points and somewhat fragile, good but fragile

the student is great for this squad to help with the pieces that have mobility and range issues ala the Specialist

the troops are "OK" IMO, but I often find an excuse to throw in a Ronin or the Gunslinger

I've played 3 solid games with Vonschill/Freikorps

and I've been very happy with them

[Gremlin Swarm]

It took me half a game to realize something obvious--they're good when grouped together, since they don't have to worry about blasts and such.

They do have to worry about getting tied up in melee that way, but things that go 'boom' aren't a big fear for them. That lets them get boosts and such from the Librarians.

You might even fiddle around with actual formations for the Freikorps. They're the crew best suited to benefit from that sort of thing.

[Werecat]

Von Schill is all about the raw damage potential. Getting as many shots with that clockwork seeker is what it's all about. If Von gets tied up, use augmented jump, move away with his nimble move, then unload.

The librarian is an interesting piece, but it hasn't done anything for me that's justified it's cost, so far.

The freikorpsmen are... Ok. Nothing stupendous about them. I look at them, and I look at the death Marshals, and I get a tad confused.

For me, it's all about the specialists and the trappers. That's where it's at. I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but I think the way to go is to use Von with other masters. The Victorias, a few Ronin, then von schill, a specialist, and two or three trappers. I think that may be just the ticket.

Von Schill is great. I just don't think he has the juice to run his own crew.

Edited October 10, 2010 by Werecat

[Poko]

Haven't palyed with him yet, but hes high on the list.

The basic korpsmann is very solid for 4SS, the specialist is fantastic when coupled with the freikorps armour and solid on his own. The scout is just phenomenal as far as I'm concerned. It seems to me the key is keeping the army around Von Shill for the StDie aura, with the trappers slightly behind, picking off weak targets or weakening strong ones. Slow to die and specialist's flamer overheat attack is really strong combo IMO.

At 30SS I'd take VSHill, 3 of his freikorpsmen, 2 specialists and two trappers, using all the SS availible.

[Werecat]

Specialists are Rare 1.

[Poko]

Carp, I guess another corpsmann then. Or maybe some other merc, like the ronin or convict.

[kbdrand]

I've only played one game with Von Schill, and I did not use any of the Freikorp, I ran him with Taelor, Bishop, Hans, etc. He's pretty effective but a little fragile. If you have a strategy where you have to move around a lot he is great.

I'm super excited about his box set coming out in November. You can bet I'm going to get them painted up quick.

[Iamwyrd]

Von schill IMO is pretty good by himself but I brought him with the Vic's and I could have not been happier. I brought Vic's, Von, specialist, trapper, librarian, and a student at 35ss and they performed pretty good. I got 6 out of the 8 VP in that game, I didn't get to kill the tot as he matured it to a young. But it was fun, and clumping them together and sitting the trapper back alittle and giving him fast with the student was cool too.

[Dumb Luck]

Would you guys say that the Student is pretty much mandatory then? And if I had to pick between a Librarian or a few basic Troopers, which should I go for?

[MrNybbles]

He's pretty effective but a little fragile. If you have a strategy where you have to move around a lot he is great.

Fragile? He has Slow to Die and Use Soulstone so he can do a Healing Flip as a Slow to Die action. I'd say he's between Colette and Leveticus as far as being nearly unkillable. Well, as long as he has a supply of Soulstones he has a high survival rate anyways. Under 4ss for the Encounter and he starts to look killable.

Why not pair him up with Colette and let her make Soulstones and Mechanical Doves and have Von Schill do all the dirty work?

[Iamwyrd]

@dumbluck. The student is okay, but if you ever have to move the student it is a whole turn that he doesn't give fast.

As for troops over librarian, I would go librarian as they grouped with the rest of the freigkorps is good. But I guess it can also depend on the strategy you get as well.