Warlord - Anvil Throne - All-comers - critique please :)

[Clobber in time]

Hey all - pretty new to the whole Mage Wars thing but also already pretty hooked

What do you think of this spellbook for the Anvil Throne Warlord ?

[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname][/spellbookname]
[mage]Anvil Throne Warlord[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=FWA04]1 x  Hurl Boulder[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFA02]1 x  Hurl Rock[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWA03]1 x  Hail of Stones[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=FWJ04]1 x  Garrison Post[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFJ01]1 x  Harshforge Monolith[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWJ03]1 x  Barracks[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1w04]1 x  Wall of Thorns[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j22]1 x  Tanglevine[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFJ03]1 x  Altar of Domination[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWJ02]1 x  Archer's Watchtower[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFW01]1 x  Wall of Earth[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j04]1 x  Battle Forge[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNC15]1 x  Skeletal Minion[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWC07]1 x  Grimson Deadeye, Sniper[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC13]1 x  Skeletal Archer[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFC12]1 x  Talos[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKC07]1 x  Dwarf Panzergarde[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWC06]1 x  Goblin Slinger[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWC15]1 x  Thorg, Chief Bodyguard[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC14]1 x  Skeletal Knight[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWC11]1 x  Orc Butcher[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKE01]1 x  Armor Ward[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE07]1 x  Rust[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE04]1 x  Brace Yourself[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e32]1 x  Regrowth[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e01]1 x  Bear Strength[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e21]1 x  Hawkeye[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFQ05]1 x  Harshforge Plate[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q04]1 x  Deflection Bracers[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ08]1 x  Ring of Command[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ05]1 x  Helm of Command[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ06]1 x  Horn of Gothos[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKQ06]1 x  Eagleclaw Boots[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ07]1 x  Veteran's Belt[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFQ06]2 x  Morning Star[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ10]1 x  Meditation Amulet[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q08]1 x  Elemental Wand[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q07]1 x  Elemental Cloak[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFQ04]1 x  General's Signet Ring[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1i20]1 x  Purify[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i12]2 x  Force Push[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i06]2 x  Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i18]1 x  Perfect Strike[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI03]1 x  Disarm[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i28]1 x  Teleport[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i04]2 x  Charge[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWI08]1 x  Sniper Shot[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI02]1 x  Conquer[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI04]1 x  Flank Attack[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i23]1 x  Rouse the Beast[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWI06]1 x  Power Strike[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i02]1 x  Battle Fury[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i07]1 x  Dissolve[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i10]1 x  Evade[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI06]1 x  Defend[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 120 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]


Ideas:

The main idea of this book was to be pretty flexible and be able to react to any kind of situation.
Also it has mutliple "win" options.
Keep in mind: I am new to all of this, so most of these thoughts are theory crafting

Generally: Gear gets protected by Harshforge Plate + Runes + Armor Ward

1. [mwcard=MWSTX2FFA02]Hurl Rock[/mwcard] + [mwcard=mw1q08]Elemental Wand[/mwcard] + [mwcard=mw1e21]Hawkeye[/mwcard] + Rune of Power = Cheap (only 3 Mana!) 6 Damage Spell at your disposal. (I think Warlord could actually be a cool spell slinger with his mana discount on spells)

2. Altar of Domination to apply some pressure, when the enemy mage tries to stay in his corner.

3. Possibility to build up a mana economy (but not preferred), if the enemy walls in and I can not get through quick

4. Possibility to wall in myself with earth wall and watchtower

5. In case of Forcemaster or Necromancer I can use the undead soldiers so most of their stuff is wasted (I know pretty expensive, but they come in pretty handy)

6. Helm of Command + Command Ring + Rune of Power = Most of the command spells for free.

7. Equipment for protection and / or going face to face if needed

8. Wall of Thorns combo for some unobservant mages

What do you guys think?

Greetz
Clobber

[Clobber in time]

Addion:

Ideas for rune application:

Rune of Fortification: Probably on Elemental Cloak to not make Harshforge Plate the only target.
Rune of Power: Helm of Command or Elemental Wand
Rune of Precision: Morning Star
Rune of Reforging: Probably on Harshforge Plate so my opponent has to think twice before destroying it
Rune of Shielding: Deflection Bracers ( I mean 5+ Defense? Yes please! )

[Mystery]

do you play with academy cards? that makes harshforge plate defense weaker.

What i see in general are a lot of cards but only a few multiple, as you state you want to be flexibel. But having a particular strategy in mind is better. Even if you try to be flexibile changing gear in between takes still more time then keeping to your strategy.

[Clobber in time]

do you play with academy cards? that makes harshforge plate defense weaker.

What i see in general are a lot of cards but only a few multiple, as you state you want to be flexible. But having a particular strategy in mind is better. Even if you try to be flexible changing gear in between takes still more time then keeping to your strategy.

Currently we are not playing with academy cards, but that might change in the future.

The reason why I do not have so many multiples is that most of the time I do not need a spell more then once. And some I can reuse with the helm of command or the elemental wand.

Do you have any recommendations to what to change ?

[Mystery]

i can go through it later.

Would I would do: is take a second chest piece, maybe also harshforge plate, so you can keep the cantrip rune for the elemental cloak giving you really good protection against wizard and warlock.

I am not sure if you really need the general signet ring: it will maximum bring you 5mana net till the end, if you dont cast a soldier every round better off with a mana flower instead, or even just avoid it totally. With meditating you won't have that many actions anyway. If you had more low lvl creatures it might work. A garrison post nets you with the same channel via barracks.

You dont have much armor with 3 (plate+cloak) and one situational extra so a single rust just makes you very low on armor, vet belt is not justified at so few armor

and how are you supposed to kill a mage with even medicore armor? you only have 1 dissolve and 1 rust

I'd replace the minion by a butcher

[Clobber in time]

Ok I updated the spellbook a bit.
Added some armor, also added some stuff to circumvent armor (piercing, corrode, 1 more dissolve).
Removed the ring, added a plate.
Removed the minion, added a Butcher.
And some other minor stuff.

Sadly had to get rid of teleport - it is just too expensive for the Warlord :/

How does it look know?
Anything I can get rid of to free up some points?

[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname][/spellbookname]
[mage]Anvil Throne Warlord[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=FWA04]1 x  Hurl Boulder[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNA01]2 x  Acid Ball[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFA02]1 x  Hurl Rock[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWA03]1 x  Hail of Stones[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1w04]1 x  Wall of Thorns[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFJ03]1 x  Altar of Domination[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWJ02]1 x  Archer's Watchtower[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFW01]1 x  Wall of Earth[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j04]1 x  Battle Forge[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWJ03]1 x  Barracks[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j22]1 x  Tanglevine[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWJ04]2 x  Garrison Post[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFC12]1 x  Talos[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKC07]1 x  Dwarf Panzergarde[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWC06]1 x  Goblin Slinger[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWC07]1 x  Grimson Deadeye, Sniper[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC14]1 x  Skeletal Knight[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWC11]2 x  Orc Butcher[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC13]1 x  Skeletal Archer[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWC15]1 x  Thorg, Chief Bodyguard[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE07]1 x  Rust[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE04]1 x  Brace Yourself[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e32]1 x  Regrowth[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e01]1 x  Bear Strength[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e21]1 x  Hawkeye[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKE01]1 x  Armor Ward[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e36]1 x  Rhino Hide[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1q06]1 x  Dragonscale Hauberk[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ05]1 x  Helm of Command[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ06]1 x  Horn of Gothos[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ07]1 x  Veteran's Belt[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFQ06]1 x  Morning Star[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ10]1 x  Meditation Amulet[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q08]1 x  Elemental Wand[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q07]1 x  Elemental Cloak[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFQ05]1 x  Harshforge Plate[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q15]1 x  Leather Boots[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q04]1 x  Deflection Bracers[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ08]1 x  Ring of Command[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1i18]1 x  Perfect Strike[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i04]1 x  Charge[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWI08]1 x  Sniper Shot[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI02]1 x  Conquer[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI04]1 x  Flank Attack[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i23]1 x  Rouse the Beast[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWI06]1 x  Power Strike[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI03]1 x  Disarm[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i07]2 x  Dissolve[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i10]1 x  Evade[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI06]1 x  Defend[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i06]2 x  Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i12]2 x  Force Push[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i20]1 x  Purify[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i19]1 x  Piercing Strike[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i02]1 x  Battle Fury[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 120 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]

[Halewijn]

Could you explain some possible openings? (first 3, 4 rounds) It helps understanding your book a lot.

[Clobber in time]

Could you explain some possible openings? (first 3, 4 rounds) It helps understanding your book a lot.

I try - keep in mind I am pretty new to this so - most of it is not from hands on practice and might not work (thats why I need you guys ^^):

Opening A -slow buildup, when my opponent starts slow:
Turn 1 - Barracks + Garrison (3 Mana left)
Turn 2 - Garrison or Watchtower + Meditation Amulett  ( 4 Mana left  + 2 on Barracks)
Turn 3 - Cast Butcher, Skeleton Archer, Panzergarde or Slinger from Barracks (depending on opponent),    Meditate (+3 Mana ) - Quickcast Altar of Domination

Opening B - Agressive Sniper (works better, when you do not get the initiative):
Turn 1 - Sprint to Near center - cast Watchtower (15 Mana left)
Turn 2 - Grimson Deadeye + Rouse the beast (5 Mana left )+ Shoot something important with 5 or 6 dice
Turn 3 - Wall or 2  + Hawkeye (shoot for up to 8 dice ) or Panzergarde + Ring of Command

Opening C - Forge:
Turn 1 - Move one up - cast battle forge in zone, cast hawkeye (hidden) on self (9 Mana left)
Turn 2 - Depending on Opponent either go offensive or more defensive with battleforge from here.
Offensive would be Elemental Wand + Rune of Power from Forge (bind Hurl Rock on it) - reveal Hawkyeye. Walk one up and blast someone for 12 damage dice (6 Mana left)
Turn 3 - Defensive Equipment from Forge + Creature or Armor Ward + Hurl Rock something for 3 Mana.

As said the main idea was to be able to switch gears really fast if an opportunity arises.
So most of my strategy would depend on my opponent and how he plays

[Halewijn]

It seems your 3 strategies all use very different cards, and because of it, you waste a lot of spellbookpoints in each opening. 

Examples:
In opening 1 you will probably not use your battle forge nor much of your equipment.
In opening 2&3 you don't use most of your creatures and barracks.

It's probably better to search for strategy alternatives that use at least a big portion of the same cards.

[Super Sorcerer]

ב"ה
If you want to go on a "high health low armor" build (orcs, goblins and skeletons), shouldn't the be an armory and a standard bearer in such a book?

I just didn't understand the purpose of the skeleton archer.
if you want another psychic immune nonliving creature I would just take another skeleton knight, and if you just want more archers then I would take more archers that are in school. Going out of school with creatures is usually for the amazing ones (such as skeleton knights and bridge trolls), and not for the standard ones (such as skeleton archers and goblin slingers).

[Kelanen]

It seems your 3 strategies all use very different cards, and because of it, you waste a lot of spellbookpoints in each opening. 

Examples:
In opening 1 you will probably not use your battle forge nor much of your equipment.
In opening 2&3 you don't use most of your creatures and barracks.

It's probably better to search for strategy alternatives that use at least a big portion of the same cards.

This. Pick which is the best main strategy and and build around that. A few versatile options is great, but generally not having completely different gameplans.

[Clobber in time]

I think you guys are spot on with most of your stuff. Seems I wanted too much diversity - even for my opener, which does not make much sense.

So here is the revisited spellbook part 3

- I added construction yard to have a more mana efficient start.
- Removed the forge (for reasons mentioned by you guys).
- Added some walls to have better protection.
- Added Gravikor against flyers.
- Added Standard bearer and fortified position.
- Removed armor ward.
- Added some cheap armor.
- Removed a skeleton archer and added some orks.
- Removed Thorg (way too expensive to cast in most cases) and added Gurmash to help with action management.
- Added remove curse to get rid of nasty stuff

[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname][/spellbookname]
[mage]Anvil Throne Warlord[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=FWA04]1 x  Hurl Boulder[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNA01]2 x  Acid Ball[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFA02]2 x  Hurl Rock[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWA03]1 x  Hail of Stones[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=FWJ02]1 x  Archer's Watchtower[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1w04]1 x  Wall of Thorns[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j22]1 x  Tanglevine[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFJ03]1 x  Altar of Domination[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFJ05]1 x  Construction Yard[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFW01]1 x  Wall of Earth[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWJ03]1 x  Barracks[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWJ04]1 x  Garrison Post[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKW01]1 x  Wall of Steel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFJ01]1 x  Harshforge Monolith[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWBG1J02]1 x Gravikor[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=FWC07]1 x  Grimson Deadeye, Sniper[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKC07]1 x  Dwarf Panzergarde[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWC11]3 x  Orc Butcher[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFC12]1 x  Talos[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFC07]1 x  Gurmash, Orc Seargeant[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC15]1 x  Skeletal Minion[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC14]1 x  Skeletal Knight[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWC06]1 x  Goblin Slinger[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE04]1 x  Brace Yourself[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE07]1 x  Rust[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e01]1 x  Bear Strength[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e21]1 x  Hawkeye[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWE06]1 x  Fortified Position[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWE09]1 x  Standard Bearer[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e32]1 x  Regrowth[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKQ04]1 x  Reflex Boots[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q08]1 x  Elemental Wand[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ08]1 x  Ring of Command[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFQ05]1 x  Harshforge Plate[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q06]1 x  Dragonscale Hauberk[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFQ04]1 x  General's Signet Ring[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q16]1 x  Leather Gloves[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw0000]1 x  Leather Chausses[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ06]1 x  Horn of Gothos[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ05]1 x  Helm of Command[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI03]1 x  Disarm[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i20]1 x  Purify[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI02]1 x  Conquer[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI04]1 x  Flank Attack[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i23]1 x  Rouse the Beast[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWI06]1 x  Power Strike[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i18]1 x  Perfect Strike[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i04]2 x  Charge[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i12]2 x  Force Push[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI06]1 x  Defend[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWI08]1 x  Sniper Shot[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i02]1 x  Battle Fury[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i10]1 x  Evade[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i19]1 x  Piercing Strike[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i00]1 x Remove curse[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i07]2 x  Dissolve[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i06]2 x  Dispel[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 120 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]

[Kaarin]

Offensive would be Elemental Wand + Rune of Power from Forge (bind Hurl Rock on it) - reveal Hawkyeye. Walk one up and blast someone for 12 damage dice (6 Mana left)

You can't use spell bound to Elemental Wand twice in the same round.

The bound spell can be cast as if it was one of the
spells you prepared during the Planning Phase. You
may only cast it once per round.

[Clobber in time]

Offensive would be Elemental Wand + Rune of Power from Forge (bind Hurl Rock on it) - reveal Hawkyeye. Walk one up and blast someone for 12 damage dice (6 Mana left)

You can't use spell bound to Elemental Wand twice in the same round.

The bound spell can be cast as if it was one of the
spells you prepared during the Planning Phase. You
may only cast it once per round.

Ah good to know - thx

[Super Sorcerer]

ב"ה
It say the total is 115 spellbook points.
with the remaining 5 I would add an armory and 2 more garrison posts.
The armory is because I like all board buffs, and the armor bonus is helpful for your low armor build.
The extra garrison posts are because your garrison posts will be targeted as soon as you bring altar of domination (as you only get domination tokens when you have at least 3 outposts), and with 6 life 2 armor flame +2 and close to the enemy they become a likely target.
But you might as well go wild and bring just 1 extra garrison post and 2 extra hurl boulder with these 5 points (or even 1 extra garrison post, 1 extra hurl boulder and 2 extra hurl rock), so you could sort of focus the enemy mage when he is close to death and already lost most armor to your acid balls and dissolves