Gurmash, Orc Sergeant

[Arlemus]

Subject:


I've been trying to work in him in to my build since I got my hands on FiF, but I can't seem to get it down in a way I like, so I'm wondering what your guy's experience with him is.  I'm looking for a more concrete way to fit him in, or if it's not a good idea that kind of advice too.  I'm really only looking for opinions based on experience.

My opening is usually:

Turn 1: rax + construction yard
Turn 2: deploy butcher/slinger + general's ring
Turn 3: deploy butcher/slinger + command ring

I'm thinking I could get Gurmash in on turn 3 instead of deploying something else + the 2nd ring (same cost).  Sortof don't need the 2nd ring that early if Gurmash is out anyway.

Post your Gurmash experiences below, plz 

[barriecritzer]

I honestly have him in my spell book but have not used him yet, I really want to like the new Warlord but am still having a hard time finding a balance that lets me get creatures out while still having enough mana to cast equipment and command spells.

[sIKE]

I found during play testing that he is more of a mid-game play. You get Construction Yard out and some mana built up on it then, you can bring him out. My problem was I always had a hard time using him in a support role vs. using his attack. My goals were to use him to buff Talos but never managed to make that happen.

[Wildhorn]

Gurmash is good to buff ranged units and to defend them. With the bowmen, they make a fantastic combo.

[ChimpZilla]

So far, I've tried all-in Forge/Gurmash rush openings, equipping and feeding my Throne Lord commands. Results have been decent, but in other news, the big, bad dwarf has been surprisingly effective at eating the other mage's face as solo or part of few big.

[blackirishguilt]

I found during play testing that he is more of a mid-game play. You get Construction Yard out and some mana built up on it then, you can bring him out. My problem was I always had a hard time using him in a support role vs. using his attack. My goals were to use him to buff Talos but never managed to make that happen.

Talos needs buffing??   

[sIKE]

Yeah give him Charge and a Battle Fury and see what he can wreck.....

[Wildhorn]

Yeah give him Charge and a Battle Fury and see what he can wreck.....

Havock?

[Laddinfance]

Yeah give him Charge and a Battle Fury and see what he can wreck.....

Faces?

[Lord0fWinter]

Yeah give him Charge and a Battle Fury and see what he can wreck.....

Everything

[blackirishguilt]

Ooooh, I am sorry but the #1 answer was "All of the Above."

BIG for the steal!   

[Arlemus]

I found during play testing that he is more of a mid-game play. You get Construction Yard out and some mana built up on it then, you can bring him out. My problem was I always had a hard time using him in a support role vs. using his attack. My goals were to use him to buff Talos but never managed to make that happen.

This is kindof what I'm thinking, that he's mid game.  He doesn't seem to fit in early, but I feel compelled to try to play him early because of his channeling...

[Arlemus]

Gurmash is good to buff ranged units and to defend them. With the bowmen, they make a fantastic combo.

Yeah I want to try using more ranged; I usually only end up a 1-2 slingers and a bowman on average.  The only problem with range heavy focus is if someone goes heavy on the melee early..

When do you usually get him out?  after 2+ ranged?

[Elessar]

An idea that I had for him was to bring him out fairly early so he can build up some mana and then focus on getting your dwarf warlord decked out with tons of equipment and enchantments (if you're into that sort of thing) and maybe get a creature or two on the field.  Then charge in with the warlord and wreck shop and have Gurmash follow at a safe distance to buff him further with some command incantations.

I've had limited success with it so far, but haven't quite found the right tempo.   

[BoomFrog]

Grumash isn't worth it just for the channeling or just for the attack.  And if he is attacking right after being summoned you would have been better off summoning a buffer creature.  So the only time he is good is when you want him to immediately start casting commands the next turn.  Unfortunately most commands are not worth casting in the first 2-3 turns when you are generally investing in something more long term.  However, the warlord battle orders can become very efficient once you have 3+ creatures to cast them on.  So I think Grummesh's nitch is to be your forth creature.  There are defiantly better channeling boosts for turn 1 and 2.