Help picking a starting force

[paradox]

I've taken a look over teh site here an talked with some of the locals. I'll probably grab a starter box, but I'm trying to decide between a few.
Based on models, I like the following:

Death Marshals
Rasputina
Lillith
Victorias

Based on the write ups and talk about how they play, they also all seem like good options. Each sounds to have things I'd enjoy. When I get a chance, I'm going to try a game or two, but I'd appreciate some more in-depth discussion about each set.

[HenryWard]

What kind of play style are you after, and what's worked for you in other miniature games as a general army vibe? Do you want close combat, ranged combat, board control, lots of fodder, fewer heavy-hitters, or what?

[Angus Khan]

Death Marshals:

As with any Guild crew, The death Marshals are a straightforward, direct damage force. The whole crew is definitely good at keeping things dead. Lady J is a meat grinder in melee...She has some good abilities against undead, but mainly she just kills things. The Judge and the DM are also geared towards fighting the Res, but most of their abilities are pretty straightforward.

Rasputina:

The Ice Witch is a very straightforward master, having a lot of direct damage spells/abilities. However, what sets her apart is her capacity for board control. Her ice pillars spell and freeze over ability both help funnel enemies into killing zones for Rasputina's minions.

Lilith:

Again, an easy master to use. the idea with Lilith is to get her into melee as fast as possible. Good thing she and her Neph are one of the fastest crews out there. They run, fly, and use spells to get to the enemy quickly, then destroy them in melee.

Victoria's:

They are a little sneakier masters, however both are still proficient in combat. When using an outcast crew, there are a lot of unique specialists which can be purchased, Hans, Johann, Taelor, etc... each bring something new to the table. meanwhile, the Vic twins just kill people.

Hope this helps! :D

[paradox]

Thanks!
I wouldn't say I'm looking for a particular playstyle per se, but I am a bit more of a direct player in general.

Rasputina sounds like she is ranged/magic with melee followers?
Lillith sounds all melee.
The Outcast look like a mixed bag.
What about Death Marshals? More melee? Ranged? Mixed?

[Angus Khan]

What you said above sounds correct:

Rasputina has a lot of ranged/direct damage magic and some nice melee intensive minions.

Lilith is all melee and speed.

Outcasts are mixed, each having individual strengths/weaknesses.

The Death Marshals are mostly melee, however also have ranged attacks. They are more specialized in the "killing undead" department than anything else.

[paradox]

So with Death Marshals, they kill undead, but mostly in melee? Ranged options being limited/supplimental?

[goblyn13]

So with Death Marshals, they kill undead, but mostly in melee? Ranged options being limited/supplimental?

They have Peacebringers so they have range and melee, however their big nasty is those coffins they swing around allowing them to entomb the opponent.

[nilus]

So with Death Marshals, they kill undead, but mostly in melee? Ranged options being limited/supplimental?

I would say supplemental. There ranged combat is actually pretty good, but its 2nd to there massive melee output. They are best against undead but they are still really good across the board.

[paradox]

Nerd Elemental gave me a demo tonight. I had Death Marshals vs Rasputina. I made it out with one wounded Marshal.
Figure I'll pick up a Death Marshals box down the line here. We'll see where it goes from there.

Thanks Dave!

[Grimwolf]

Death Marshalls Rock!! Nice choice.