Mortar
Type- Warmachine Grade- D- (50)
Once again, the engineers have let us
down. The theory behind the mortars is sound, but their performance on
the battlefield leaves much to be desired. In power, accuracy, and damage,
it can be compared to the small catapults used by the Orcs and Goblins.
Now, had our engineers been able to provide these abilities in a machine
that was cheaper to build, or safer to fire than the Orc’s machine, I would
be satisfied. This is not the case though. In fact, it would be possible
to build three of the Orc’s machines for the cost of two mortars. When
our best ‘thinkers’ are less efficient than Orcs, well I guess I need not
say more. Their only use is against horde armies (Orcs and Goblins, Skaven,
Beastmen) as we have no other choices for such mass destruction machines.
Great Cannon
Type- Warmachine Grade- A (85)
Ah, finally my faith in the engineers
has been restored. Here is the answer for many of the biggest threats to
our forces. The first and most important is to destroy those foolhardy
individuals who believe that by riding a large monster they can singlehandedly
rout our forces. All cannons should be trained on such a threat. Deployment
is key to their use though. If being used in a battery ensure that they
are accompanied a suitable guard. If not deployed in a battery, the gunners
should carefully note the distance between machines so that they can cover
each other. Generally, one cannon can be too inaccurate to be of much use-
I use at least two or none at all. The final thing to remember is that
cannons (using normal shot) were not designed for use against large enemy
units and these should be lowest on the list of possible targets.
War Wagon
Type- Chariot Grade- C (65)
Well, after one moment of glory, the engineers
are back with another idea which just doesn’t quite succeed on the battlefield.
Perhaps, we should allow the men of Nuln more say in the engineer’s school,
so that we may get more weapons of the quality of the Great Cannon. In
some ways the War Wagon resembles a chariot, but it is hurt by a lack of
focus. Despite its size, its charge is not as devastating as that of a
chariot, and though there are 6 crew inside, they are not exceptional warriors,
and half of them are armed only with swords. Of the other three, two have
useful weapons, but the engineer who ‘invented’ the hook halberd should
be used as the target for all new weapons (after the body of the engineer
who order the Outriders to wear barding has been blown away). Of the three
missile weapons, the Hochland Long Rifle is the most useful and should
be trained on enemy battle standard bearers and low level wizards- if neither
of these targets present themselves, shoot unit champions or the steeds
of enemy chariots. The Blunderbuss is useful, but the range is very restricted.
Once again, the Repeater Handgun is hurt by the inaccuracy of its user
so that only one time in six, under most circumstances, will it function
as anything but a normal handgun with restricted range.
All of this combines to give a machine which can be useful
in restricted roles (a decent flanker or coverage unit, using its speed
and small frontage to co-ordinate combined charges with other units). It
is for support only though and unlike chariots, should not be the focus
of an army.
Helblaster Volley Gun
Type- Warmachine Grade- A (85)
It had to happen eventually and here we
have the engineers one success that they obtained alone. Against enemy
units, the Helblaster is potentially the most devastating device in the
known world. Most enemy generals are aware of this fact though (those who
aren’t rarely get a second chance) and will avoid or attempt to destroy
your guns. Use this to your advantage. Place the volley guns to channel
the enemy’s advance, or place your troops in a position to threaten anyone
who charges the volley guns. The volley guns can also be used to cover
your cannons or instead of a unit to punish the enemy for a failed charge.
Simply use the Trap technique describe in the Field Tactics section and
consider the Helblaster a unit with a charge range about equal to the Knightly
Orders.
Halfling Hot Pot
Type- War Machine Grade- B- (70)
Once again the little men of the Moot
have made a contribution to our army far in excess of what would be expected
if we judged them by their size. The Hot Pot is not a very complicated
‘machine’ but it serves its purpose well. Always include one when facing
a horde army, and give it due consideration when facing any heavily armoured
army (Brettonia, Chaos Warriors, even Dark and High Elves). Though the
crew may seem more vulnerable than most, in my experience, this has not
been the case. Perhaps it is because they are defending food, but the Halflings
rarely panic, and usually stay in combat until help arrives. In my army
Colonel Saunders has, on at least three separate occasions, successfully
defended his machine from the winged horrors known as Harpies. The only
downside is that if one tries to field more than one Hot Pot, the chefs
invariably argue about which produces the best stew and all Halfling regiments
forget about the battle to conduct taste-tests and give their expert opinions.
[Most of you will have noticed that I did not mention the Steam Tank. This is because, with my emphasis on story and feel, the Steam Tank is simply too silly to exist, let alone include in the army. So, I urge all of you to boycott this abomination and maybe those great designers in the sky will give us something that makes sense.]