Snakes and Spiders and area control.

Basic idea is to use lots of restrained effects to catch the opponent's creatures and take advantage of the spiders' taint and eggs.

A couple of straywood scouts because they should frankly be in every deck as a re-directable Marked for Death.

Kralathor is there only for the occasional encounter with a Necromancer or perhaps for flyer-heavy builds.

Basilisk is out of school but the cripple ranged effect is a very nice one for this strategy. 

[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname]Creepy Crawly Forest[/spellbookname]
[mage]A Druid Spellbook[/mage]
[mage]built by http://www.spellbookbuilder.com[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=lg1]1 x Chitin Armor[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ04]1 x Druid's Leaf Ring[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKQ06]1 x Eagleclaw Boots[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKQ01]1 x Sunfire Amulet[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ08]1 x Vinewhip Staff[/mwcard]
[mwcard=lg14]1 x Waterfall Cloak[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWA01Q10]1 x Wychwood Ironvine[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNJ02]1 x Corrosive Orchid[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1J13]2 x Mana Flower[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ08]1 x Seedling Pod[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ10]3 x Stranglevine[/mwcard]
[mwcard=pvs_conjurations10]1 x Swamp[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1J22]6 x Tanglevine[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ12]1 x Vine Tree[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1W04]4 x Wall of Thorns[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWA01C04]2 x Darkfenne Asp[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1C13]1 x Fellella, Pixie Familiar[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKC09]2 x Giant Wolf Spider[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC05]2 x Ichthellid[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC06]1 x Kralathor, The Devourer[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1C35]1 x Stonegaze Basilisk[/mwcard]
[mwcard=awl18]2 x Straywood Scout[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC17]1 x Tataree[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC21]2 x Thornlasher[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1C37]2 x Thunderift Falcon[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC20]2 x Vine Snapper[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNE01]1 x Barkskin[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1E05]2 x Cheetah Speed[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1E10]1 x Decoy[/mwcard]
[mwcard=lg9]1 x Demonic Bloodlust[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWE03]1 x Falcon Precision[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWE04]1 x Force Crush[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWA01E07]2 x Gator Toughness[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1E29]2 x Nullify[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWA01E16]1 x Wolf Fury[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNI02]6 x Burst of Thorns[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWA01I01]2 x Crumble[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1I06]2 x Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1I17]2 x Minor Heal[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1I24]1 x Seeking Dispel[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKA01]2 x Surging Wave[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 120 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]

This is a build for multiplayer domination I've been playing around with.

[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname]Grab and Hold Wizard[/spellbookname]
[mage]A Wizard (Air) Spellbook[/mage]
[mage]built by http://www.spellbookbuilder.com[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MW1Q01]1 x Arcane Ring[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKQ05]1 x Dispel Wand[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1Q09]1 x Enchanter's Ring[/mwcard]
[mwcard=awl7]1 x Leather Belt[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1Q18]1 x Mage Staff[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1Q19]1 x Mage Wand[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1Q33]1 x Wind Wyvern Hide[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=pvs_conjurations2]1 x Consecrated Ground[/mwcard]
[mwcard=pvs_conjurations9]1 x Steep Hill[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWBG1J03]1 x V'Torrak Gate[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1W02]1 x Wall of Stone[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKC08]1 x Gargoyle Sentry[/mwcard]
[mwcard=awl11]6 x Goblin Legionnaire[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWA01C05]3 x Jade Gremlin[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWC10]1 x Ludwig Boltstorm[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWBG1C06]2 x Usslak, Greater Orb Guardian[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWA01E02]1 x Arcane Ward[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1E14]1 x Enfeeble[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1E15]1 x Essence Drain[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWA01E06]1 x Exile[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE05]1 x Fumble[/mwcard]
[mwcard=afm20]1 x Galvanize[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWA01E08]2 x Giant Size[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWA01E12]2 x Minor Essence Drain[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1E29]2 x Nullify[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWA01E14]2 x Shrink[/mwcard]
[mwcard=lg10]1 x Summoning Circle[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1E38]1 x Teleport Trap[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWBG1E04]1 x V'Tar Force Sentry[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MW1I01]1 x Banish[/mwcard]
[mwcard=lg11]1 x Clear Mind[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI06]1 x Defend[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1I06]2 x Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1I07]1 x Dissolve[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1I12]1 x Force Push[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWI04]1 x Force Wave[/mwcard]
[mwcard=pvs_incantations1]1 x Lesser Teleport[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWA01I04]2 x Mend[/mwcard]
[mwcard=pvs_incantations4]1 x Overextend[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1I23]1 x Rouse the Beast[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1I24]1 x Seeking Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1I25]1 x Shift Enchantment[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1I28]1 x Teleport[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWBG1I03]1 x V'Tar Suppression[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MW1A02]1 x Chain Lightning[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWBG1A04]1 x Sandstorm[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWBG1A05]1 x V'Tarrian Energy Wave[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWA01A05]1 x Voltaic Discharge[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWBG1A06]1 x Windstorm[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 120 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]

It is designed to have one orb by the end of turn 2, with plenty of mana in the bank and defences ready to be thrown up. The idea is to get a jump start on the opponents and, through taking and holding other orb zones while hampering the opponents, keeping that lead. It is really intended for games that go to around 11 VP and take about 8 turns.

Turn 1:
Lesser teleport (preferably next to an Usslak with 2 orbs, but a Sslak with 1 will do)
Ludwig Boltstorm

Turn 2:
Boltstorm triplestrikes the defending Usslak/Sslak.
(Wizard QC Overextend if defender is not dead)
Wizard moves and touches orb.

Turn 3 (option1)
Usslak
Boltstorm moves into square and touches any second orb
(QC) Steep Hill

turn 3 (option2 - if one or more opponent is nearly through a defending Sslak)
Giant Size a Sslak (x2 if both opponents are close)
Usslak

From there it is a combination of sending Usslaks through Summoning circles/gates to other Vtar orbs, fumbling, teleporting enemies, exiles/banishes getting in their way with easily defendable Jade Gremlins and so on.
The Goblin Legionnaires are there for a quick boost to action numbers (cast on turns before you have the initiative).

A work in progress, but I think it has potential. It probably needs an additional Usslak and another wall.

EDIT: I need to point out that in my local group Galaxxus is forbidden since not all of us have the Domination set, and we don't want to have that big of an advantage over those that don't.

Now I've got this set I see lots of potential in it. A couple of questions, though, if I may:

1) Is there a range to the Straywood Scout's special power to mark an enemy creature for death? Is it unlimited (as is, for instance, the Gate to Voltari)? Or is it the 0-1 of his shortbow?

2) The Harshforge Knight can clearly not have a formation attached to him, but does he still benefit from a revealed formation's power?

Looking forward to trying these new cards out. 

A slower but hopefully surprising delayed aggro build.

[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname]Artillerypriestess[/spellbookname]
[mage]A Priestess Spellbook[/mage]
[mage]built by http://www.spellbookbuilder.com[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKQ06]1 x Eagleclaw Boots[/mwcard]
[mwcard=lg2]1 x Gloves of Skill[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1Q13]1 x Ivarium Longbow[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1Q19]2 x Mage Wand[/mwcard]
[mwcard=pvs_equipment7]1 x Radiant Breastplate[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MW1J19]1 x Deathlock[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1J15]1 x Mohktari, Great Tree of Life[/mwcard]
[mwcard=pvs_conjurations7]1 x Pillar of Righteous Flame[/mwcard]
[mwcard=pvs_conjurations9]1 x Steep Hill[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=pvs_creatures1]1 x Alandell, the Blue Knight[/mwcard]
[mwcard=pvs_creatures16]1 x Light of Dawn[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWAPRC07]1 x Meditating Monk[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE02]1 x Akiro's Favor[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWBG1E01]1 x Astral Anchor[/mwcard]
[mwcard=pvs_enchantments5]2 x Eye for an Eye[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1E21]1 x Hawkeye[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1E23]1 x Jinx[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1E29]1 x Nullify[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI03]2 x Disarm[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1I06]2 x Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1I12]2 x Force Push[/mwcard]
[mwcard=pvs_incantations1]1 x Lesser Teleport[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1I17]1 x Minor Heal[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWI07]1 x Repulse[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1I24]1 x Seeking Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWI08]2 x Sniper Shot[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1I28]1 x Teleport[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWBG1A02]2 x Dragon's Breath[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWBG1A03]3 x Hurl Meteorite[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MW1A13]2 x Thunderbolt[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 120 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]

So, the basic idea is to take the first two turns walking slowly to the near centre square, casting Akiro's, Hawkeye and the boots on the way.
Turn three, the bombardment of the opponent mage begins with the range 3 attack spells, with the quick cast for force pushes, teleports and so on to keep approaching creatures off.
The hill and astral anchor come into play if they get too close, with the repulse if they actually get to the top.

Planned strengths:
a) a secure base that is very hard to break into (or pry out of)
b) an element of surprise (hopefully opponents would not expect a priestess to start lobbing bombs)
c) sheer damage output (meteorite + hill + hawkeye = 11 dice)

Noted Weaknesses:
a) A counter-bombardment. Hopefully the damage output of the meteorites will outrun anything else.
b) Defenses. This is what sniper shot + mage wand (x2) are for.
c) Failing to get the kill shot in. Move to phase two (Alandell and bow support)
d) healing-heavy opponents such as another priestess. This is what Deathlock is intended to counter (tucked away behind the hill)

Potential surprise:
a) opponent's reverse attack met with an eye for an eye...
 
I thought about making this a Warlord or Druid book. Both would have strengths, but the +1 channelling of the priestess and the slower starts either of those two would have kept me looking at the priestess.

Thoughts?

I have suggested this in another thread, but it really belongs here.

The canonical fantasy goblin is a disposable minion of the dark lord. They breed in large numbers, are cowardly and servile and are the cannon fodder in many an army that gets slaughtered by the elves, dwarves and humans.

Enter the Mage Wars Goblin Grunt. It has a casting cost of 4, 4 hit points, has a quick melee attack of 3 dice with no bonuses.

Sounds about right.

However, the full round casting cost really lets it down and typically prevents it from swarming effectively like Goblin Grunts really should.

So, to my suggestions:

1) make the Goblin Grunt a quickcast rather than a full round action. 
2) make the Goblin Grunt a pest.
3) make the Goblin Grunt a cantrip.
4) to provide a bit of balance, add 1 dark school point to its SBP.

In essence, the purpose of all these would be to encourage warlocks, necros and warlords to spit out an army of one-shot, one-kill mooks who serve little real purpose other than to tangle up the hero mages and their larger creatures, get the occasional hit in and generally serve as a nuisance. And there is a never-ending supply of them...

And add a touch of Dark to the mix to keep them from falling into the wrong (Paladin) hands.

I think this in particular would serve to bolster the BW Warlord a little bit, make Slaknir more useful and give the Orc Sergeant some underlings to kick around.

Thoughts?