For the uninformed (shame on you) Warmachine is a 30mm table top game for 2 or more players. If you ever played warhammer, or warhammer 40k the basics of the game should be familiar to you. You assemble and paint up armies of toy soldiers (or models if your sensitive about playing with small toys) and use dice to play a game. It is a fun and fast paced game that has garnered a considerable following at the shop. This post is going to focus on the factions in the game and some of the aspects that make them unique.
The first faction in the game is Cygnar. Conveniently see here .http://privateerpress.com/warmachine/gallery/cygnar)
Cygnar is the most technologically advanced of the factions in Warmachine. They bring elaborate electric weapons to the game. Storm smiths call down lightning strikes while Stormclad Warjacks use lightning powered battle blades to carve through the enemy. Cygnar’s arsenal isn’t limited to lightning based weapons and tricks. It also brings a solid selection of more conventional, but still deadly weapons to the game. Long gunners bring multi-fire rifles to add long range fire power, while Sword knights fight stoically in close combat. Any Cygnar army has access to accurate and high powered range attacks. An ideal Cygnar army should engage its opponents with long range fire power to eliminate any threats. Anything that manages to stumble through the overwhelming fire power will find rock hard close combat units ready to finish them off.
The Protectorate of Menoth is the second faction we will look at. As see here http://privateerpress.com/warmachine/gallery/the-protectorate-of-menoth
The Protectorate of Menoth is not the most advanced faction in the game. A theocratic kingdom it lags behind the other factions in terms of technology or Warjack construction. However despite these short comings the protectorate can fight on equal terms with the other factions because the protectorates god (Menoth by name) takes a personal interest in their battles. Holy Choirs chant prayers that imbue their Warjacks with divine power and protection. Shooting attacks miss their Warjacks automatically, while magic spells roll of without causing any harm. The protectorate also excels at making every aspect of the game work for them. Played right even the death and destruction of its troops can be used to the advantage of the protectorate. Wither is be using the departing souls to power their Warjacks or allowing other units to take vengeance by attacking in the other players turn.
The nightmare empire of Cryx is the faction that embodies evil in Warmachine. Once again as seen here http://privateerpress.com/warmachine/gallery/cryx
Aptly titled the Nightmare Empire brings undead abominations to the game. Endless ranks of undead thralls stand ready to fight and die (again) to further the goals of the lighlords who command them. Cyrx excels at hitting its opponents first, and hitting them hard. Cryx armies bring brutal ranged and close combat attacks. If this were not enough almost every Cryx army brings crippling and destructive magic. Many Cryx warcasters are capable of using magic to rob and cripple their opponents before delivering a fatal blow. Spells like parasite reduce the armour of enemy units, while spells like crippling grasp ruins an entire unit. Cryx armies are evil, dastardly, and hit like a runaway train. Combined with their dark magic there is little that can stand against a well organised Cryx army.
Khador is the last army this post will look at. You can look at it here. http://privateerpress.com/warmachine/gallery/khador
The Khador army brings rock hard jacks and infantry to the game. From massive Warjacks that sport the highest armour in the game to ManOwar Infantry who are just small Warjacks, there is little that can stand against the armoured wall that is Khador. Everything Khador has is built to overcome and annihilate. Where Khador traditionally suffers is its lack of speed. All the heavy armour naturally slows it down. This is a small drawback however and likely the only advantage an opponent of a Khador army can count on.
Well hope that small introduction helped you better understand the factions available for Warmachine. Other blog posts will examine these factions in greater detail.
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