playing an Avatar...

[phatheadaf]

So, I thought I posted this, but apparently the thread must not have gone thru. I have been trying to play Criid's avatar (albeit at low soul stone games) and I have found a couple of observations that I wanted to ask the forums about:

1. seems that playing an Avatar is not just including a 2 point model in the list, it feels like I should be building the list to play the Avatar; help it manifest faster, and take advantage of what it does when it does manifest. Is that correct?

2. feels like it's likely to be better in higher soul stone games; am I correct?


A.

[i_was_like_you]

Basically yes to both questions, depending on the avatar in question.

Ramos, for example, can sit back, doing what he normally does, making spiders and electrical constructs, and meet one requirement turn 1, manifesting turn 2 if he wants. Other masters have just as easy of requirements. It's where and how the avatar's playstyle takes that sidestep from the master's original abilities that determine which models might best complement them, to help manifest and to continue to be useful afterwards.

[Barnaberible]

it really depends on the Avatar. For Sonnia I dont think it matters what the game size is, its an auto include for me whatever. shes pretty easy to manifest turn 4 (which I think is aboout the right time to put her out) just by casting inferno, its also pretty easy to get the wounds from flame burst in the first 3 turns to give you the option of what ap's to use to manifest.

I dont tend to buld a crew round the (Sonnia) avatar

[Finnegan]

I should be building the list to play the Avatar; help it manifest faster, and take advantage of what it does when it does manifest

In most cases I would disagree. Nearly all Masters have the option to Manifest early in the game with minimal effort, so you don't have to build a large portion of your crew around making it faster. Sonnia really only needs a Desperate Merc to be able to Manifest, and any crew she'd usually take would fare just as well with her Avatar. You have the option to build a crew specifically tailored to make the Avatar stronger, but then again you have the option to build a crew to make any model better.

it's likely to be better in higher soul stone games; am I correct?

Again, not necessarily correct. From memory, Sonnia's avatar makes her even better at dealing damage, both to large amounts of ennemies and to single models. That would probably be better at higher soulstones, yes. Ramos, on the other hand, I can see being a monster in low soulstone games since he can spawn in a (damaged) Large Steampunk Arachnid every turn (again, from memory), which can ovverrun the opponent rather easily with the right support.

[phatheadaf]

In most cases I would disagree. Nearly all Masters have the option to Manifest early in the game with minimal effort, so you don't have to build a large portion of your crew around making it faster. Sonnia really only needs a Desperate Merc to be able to Manifest, and any crew she'd usually take would fare just as well with her Avatar. You have the option to build a crew specifically tailored to make the Avatar stronger, but then again you have the option to build a crew to make any model better.

Why the desperate Merc? Just curious, as i've heard that before...

A.

---------- Post added at 02:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:28 PM ----------

it really depends on the Avatar. For Sonnia I dont think it matters what the game size is, its an auto include for me whatever. shes pretty easy to manifest turn 4 (which I think is aboout the right time to put her out) just by casting inferno, its also pretty easy to get the wounds from flame burst in the first 3 turns to give you the option of what ap's to use to manifest.

I dont tend to buld a crew round the (Sonnia) avatar

Turn 4, really? I have had no trouble getting her out by then, but it 'felt' like it was too late in the game, to be honest; tho I'm not sure what I'm basing it on other than feel of the game. Seems like my LGS counter parts are popping their's out early and often (namely Ramos whom is mentioned in this thread and Marcus).

Perhaps turn 4 is fine, and I'm too concerned w/ making it happen faster. Thoughts?

A.

[Mordeqai]

One word:

[Inquisitor Wall]

I would say that both of your questions rely on the master in question. I love using Seamus's avatar in most games as he dramatically changes the game once manifested, and he becomes a combat master on the later turns when you will be more heavily engaged in combat.

Most of the avatars manifest requirements are things you would be doing anyway so I haven't really had to build a list around them. Manifesting really seems to be a matter of the strategies and schemes involved in the game.

[i_was_like_you]

Most of the avatars manifest requirements are things you would be doing anyway so I haven't really had to build a list around them. Manifesting really seems to be a matter of the strategies and schemes involved in the game.

Depending on the game and the avatar, I'll take one less scheme to recoup the 2ss and to be able to focus on my strat, my scheme, and manifest requirements, or at least the threat thereof.