The Hunter’s Talon

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Blackwood
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The Hunter’s Talon

Post by Blackwood »

Disclaimer: I am brand new to WH Fantasy and I’ve yet to play a game.

I keep looking at The Hunter’s Talon write up and I have to admit I’m intrigued, yet apprehensive at the same time. Intrigued because it seems like it could have a really pesky, maybe even destructive effect during game play. But apprehensive because I haven’t heard from any WE players touting it as a nice Magic Weapon to use…

So is this bow worth it’s points? What’s the best way to use it, specifically attached to what unit? And is it worth a try at least in friendly/less competitive games?
I'm also Rocketsauce on the MWG forums. http://www.miniwargaming.com/forum/
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unicorn
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Re: The Hunter’s Talon

Post by unicorn »

It is way too random and you need to spend pretty much points on it (that + noble).
Usually Taloins if fielded is combned with Shrikes. That makes your noble to have 2 sniping attacks.

But they are way too unreliable. I was testing it for some time and hey - there where battles where it snipes down 4 enemy mages in 6 turns. But there was much more of such battles (or even whole tournaments) where he fail in doing anything at all.

I believe Talon/PoS are nice things, but they are way too weak and so unreliable to be used extensively. Tough against certain armies there are relatively strong, if you can (and are) tailor your rosters.
Unicorn's conversions (updated 1st Jun)
Painted
BSB, mounted noble, WD noble, Branchie, Alter, Treeman, 12 WR, 10 WD, 10 GR, 10 WW, 5 Dryads, 5 WhR, 6 Tk, Altar of Khaine
Finished
Treeman, 10 WD, dragon lord, Alter, 9 WhR, 5 GR, DE sin, OK Butcher, Beast heroes x5
Kulgan86
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Re: The Hunter’s Talon

Post by Kulgan86 »

The combination of Hunter's Talon + Pageant of Shrikes is sureley worth a try! It's much better if you know your opponent's armylist ( roughly ). If you're facing any of the T3 no armour save mages ( humans, elves, goblins etc ) it's a lot better then when you'll be shooting at T4, or even worse T4 with armour save mages. Also mages tend to take a wound from a irresistible force cast spell now and then. This works very good in synergy with the sniping effects.

If I were to use it I would maybe use them on a Noble in a unit of Glade Riders. Glade Riders, being fast cavalry, are ideal to escort such a character.
Another option would be to use them on a Highborn on Eagle, using the remaining 50 points magical allowance on protection.


Highborn on Eagle
Hunter's Talon + Pageant of Shrikes
Armour of Destiny

Spear
Shield

3+ armour save
4+ ward save


This set up if offcourse gambling : if your opponent concentrates shooting and magic on this lad he'll bite the dust with a few bad rolls. On the other hand, if your opponent is unaware of this character's abilities, you might get a window of opportunity on your first turn to place him so enemy shooting/magic will be very ineffective while he still can target a mage. After first turn finding a window like this is always easier because troops will be locked in combat, destroyed or fleeing.
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unicorn
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Re: The Hunter’s Talon

Post by unicorn »

Kulgan86 wrote:If I were to use it I would maybe use them on a Noble in a unit of Glade Riders. Glade Riders, being fast cavalry, are ideal to escort such a character.
They also are costly and squishy. And with 140 pts point 2-wounds no-protection noble isnide, they are something like "open me please free victory points inside" gif for your opponent, especially with 8th ed LoS rules.
Another option would be to use them on a Highborn on Eagle, using the remaining 50 points magical allowance on protection.

I am sorry to say this, but sniper highborn will never ever make his points back. He can do much more for your army that running around trying to snipe something. And great eagle? Well, considering that a) that highborne is your general and b) he can not march and shoot; it is very bad idea. So many free points for your opponent, sniper who can only move 10" and then shoot, and general who is like never ever where his Ld10 is needed? Wow.
On the other hand, if your opponent is unaware of this character's abilities, you might get a window of opportunity on your first turn to place him so enemy shooting/magic will be very ineffective while he still can target a mage.
Well, you have window for use 1 S3 shoot and 1 S4 shoot. The chances to take mage down with this are pretty slim, and here I am speaking from 1st hand experience. Not to mention that once you reveal the items you have, you will make the nice target from yourself no matter what.
Also, gambing with hope that "your opponent is unaware about something" - in this case about pretty juicy target - is really big gamble.

I was experimenting with sniping in both 7th and 8th ed a lot. In 7th, he was decent, as he can snipe out the crew from warmashines while he can use LoS rules to hde from any threats. He was barely worth his points and there was better places where to invest them.
In 8th, he is... weak. Not worth his points generally because of new rules, and with better mage-protection items from general items, even actually. Of course, unless you are tailoring your lists, then against certain opponents, they can be decent. But decent at best.
Unicorn's conversions (updated 1st Jun)
Painted
BSB, mounted noble, WD noble, Branchie, Alter, Treeman, 12 WR, 10 WD, 10 GR, 10 WW, 5 Dryads, 5 WhR, 6 Tk, Altar of Khaine
Finished
Treeman, 10 WD, dragon lord, Alter, 9 WhR, 5 GR, DE sin, OK Butcher, Beast heroes x5
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Blackwood
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Re: The Hunter’s Talon

Post by Blackwood »

Kulgan86 wrote:If I were to use it I would maybe use them on a Noble in a unit of Glade Riders. Glade Riders, being fast cavalry, are ideal to escort such a character.
That was my first idea, a minimum GR unit running around with a Noble as his escort. Hunter's Talon + Pageant of Shrikes, I just like the thought of it. :D
I'm also Rocketsauce on the MWG forums. http://www.miniwargaming.com/forum/
fantasius
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Re: The Hunter’s Talon

Post by fantasius »

Hunter's Talon + Pageant of Shrikes is a very good combo for a BSB. put him in a GG unit to shield him.....
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Shandrakor
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Re: The Hunter’s Talon

Post by Shandrakor »

Really, the best place for this Noble would be with Scouts or Waywatchers, him/herself with Scout kindred. That way he/she can start sniping first turn and march and shoot.

I've also tried this Noble before and to say I wasn't overly impressed is putting it mildly.
Well, my ideas for the next book turned out to be a bust.
But it was still fun working on something of this scale.
For those who care:
http://www.asrai.org/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=22620
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