If i wanted to use these models, which Master is best?

[studderingdave]

I really want to paint Candy, Baby Cade and Teddy. Which Master would best utilize these three models?

[Amarel]

I've played against both Pandora and Lilith crews that used them, but I think Pandora probably runs them best.

[studderingdave]

thanks for the quick response. ill prolly save teddy for the larger games, pick up the Pandora box then and get to the brush.

[Omadon]

Teddy is kinda squishy - but when paired with a bunch of -WP flips, his terrifying makes him practically immune to melee. That, and Teddy with Lilith would be a waste of points - you can't broodmother a Teddy, nor can you transposition it.

[studderingdave]

how steep would the learning curve be for this sort of Crew? am i looking at any glaring defeats with this stuff if i choose to build on the faction later?

[Angus Khan]

Pandora has a steeper learning curve than, say, Lilith but once you master her she can be deadly. Just search the forums for some sneaky Pandora tactics... There are plenty of posts complaining about her. ;)

[studderingdave]

can you give me a general idea of how Pandora would play? im going to play a load fo games next saturday with her. im going to be using:

Pandora
Candy
Cade
Sorrow
Sorrow

[dreadpiratelynx]

Basically you're going to want Both Sorrows Linked to Pandora. Have her use Incite or Pacify on every model in her crew including Pandora herself (even though they're 0-cost actions, she can keep using the same one as long as she succeeds). Note that if you succeed in using one of them, you don't have to use it again right away. You can spend some time casting spells and then use it again. Be careful about using it on enemy models though because if you fail, you can't use it again this turn and you'll probably be stuck out in the open which is bad news for Pandora.

Every time Pandora wins a WP duel (which Incite/Pacify are) she can push up to 4". Every time she Pushes, all Linked Sorrows also Push into base contact with her. You want to move her and the Sorrows so that the Sorrows are within 3" of your target, then start casting at your target. Make sure you leave a couple of friendly models to Incite/Pacify after you're done casting.

I usually start with Project Emotions (Pity) to give the target :-fate on WP duels. Cheat it high and use a Soul Stone if you think you need to. Did it work? Good Everyone hit by the spell takes 1 Wd from each Sorrow within 3", and 1 Wd from Pandora if she's within 12" (she should be). Next cast Self-Loathing. Your target is at a :-fate for it's resist duel so you shouldn't have to worry about them resisting, just make sure your casting total is high enough for it to go off. Did it work? Good, target again takes 1 Wd from each Sorrow within 3" and 1 Wd from Pandora. Now it takes a :-fate Dmg flip from it's own weapon. Finally if your target hasn't activated this turn, cast Dementia. If it has activated, cast Self-Loathing again. Again the target is at a :-fate: to its resist, and again takes Wds as noted above for failing it. Now use Incite/Pacify to move Pandora around a corner/out of LoS, but try to keep her within 12" of the target if you used Dementia. Feel free to Incite/Pacify the target you've been casting at as well as that means more Wds for it. If your target survives all of this, when it activates and starts losing WP duels when attempting actions (from Dementia (and it should, it's still at :-fate flips)) it takes Wds just like all the spells above.

Get Baby Kade stuck in as fast as possible, and keep Candy floating around in a supporting role. Use her Sweets and Sours abilities as much as possible, and Self-Loathing regularly. Also, make sure to have them use Incite/Pacify on any model that Pandora won't be doing it to as long as the target is within 12" of Pandora (so it takes Wds of course).

Sorrows don't typically do much of anything apart from following Pandora around causing extra Wds. If you get a chance to cast one of Pandora's spells through them then by all means do, but most of the time I end up just having them "Pass" on their activations since they tend not to have LoS to anything when their turn comes up.

Now some things to be aware of:

When Pandora casts a spell, it's a Ca duel for her, not a WP duel, so Fading Memory (the ability that lets her push when she wins a WP duel) doesn't trigger off of casting spells.

In order for any model to target Pandora, it needs to pass a WP duel with her or it wastes its action. This WP duel triggers both Fading Memory, as well as Emotional Damage/Emotional Trauma (the Sorrows' and Pandora's "cause Wds for target failing WP duel" ability)

If you flip/cheat/Soul Stone a :crows when casting a spell you trigger Mental Anguish, which causes the target to fall back on it's next activation.

Incite/Pacify aren't spells, so they don't trigger Mental Anguish. Also, because they aren't spells you can't choose for a friendly defender to tie the duel (thereby losing), so you may need to cheat Pandora up, or ideally cheat the friendly's resist down.

You only have 3 significant models in your Crew, meaning Reconnoiter is impossible to get full VPs on.

[studderingdave]

wow, thanks for the help. ill order up the models right now.

[Amarel]

Very good write-up, one tiny thing, though...


Have her use Incite or Pacify on every model in her crew including Pandora herself

WeirdSketch has confirmed that Pandora can't cast Incite / Pacify on herself.

[WEiRD sKeTCH]

Very good write-up, one tiny thing, though...



WeirdSketch has confirmed that Pandora can't cast Incite / Pacify on herself.
Right.

[dreadpiratelynx]

Oops, must have missed that thread. I'll make sure not to do that anymore then

[Aldyhide]

I really want to paint Candy, Baby Cade and Teddy. Which Master would best utilize these three models?

Well, Pandora is likely the best of the triumvirate here. Since both Candy and Kade have (0) actions that impose Wp duels. Your main concern is trying to keep the opponent from being aggressive, since there's not going to be a single model in your crew that can take a decent hit. This is why I'm an advocate for Candy (Healing flips anyone?)
Your other main issue is range. You have to keep them within 12" (The radius for "The Box Opens") or they'll likely not be affected by your mind screw. (My name for killing a figure with Wp duel Dg.)