Not sure how many Warmachine/Hordes players there are here but figured I would post anyways. Warmachine MkII is out, the first big rules update for Warmachine.

I must say it seems pretty good so far, though the points system is now a little weird.

The Advantages seem nice, but I think for the first little while I will find myself with a cheat-sheet for all the symbols.

Thats VERY good to hear, TrintLord. I signed up but have not had time to look at it yet. From what I understand, casters no long cost points and the point system has been greatly changed. To the point that what was once a 500 point game is now about 35 points. I'm all for simplicity, though, so if that makes it a better game, it works for me!

The points are weird to get used to at first. Infantry (troopers) are bought in min or max squads. Warcasters are free and bring Warjack points. So although you may be playing a 100 pt game you may end up with 120 because your Warcasters brought extra points for warjacks.

Each encounter level has three point values, the first for example went from 350 to being 25/30/35. The big problem with the points if that two units may both cost 5 points, but are they really worth 5.00 points?

Warjacks got better, all got at least +1 RAT and MAT, some got more. They can still get killed by charging infantry if unlucky but overall a bit better. I think they should be able to do Sweep attacks, hitting all infantry in range once.

. Going with the High Quality version makes a huge difference.

The Auld Grump

was hoping they would show the whole game, but nice battle report.

I am going to be playing my first game with the Mk. II rukes later this week.

I... am going to get slaughtered.

Straight up Battlegroup from the starter sets - in my case Styker (I really do not like the fellow - nothing to do with how good or bad he is, I just don't like the man), an Ironclad (a good, heavy hitting, close combat warjack,) a Lancer (it's all about the arcnode, baby!), and a Charger (wait, what?! I'm doomed!).

His team is Sorscha, a Juggernaut, and a Destroyer. Two really good warjacks, and a really good warcaster to boot.

The Auld Grump, dooomed! I'm doooomed!

Figure out what kind of Faction and Warcaster you're playing, and playing against. Any game can be won by killing the opponent's warcaster, which with you being the newb is likely what they will do to you. So, sand bag the warcaster with troops, cross your fingers, and let him have it. Tie up his big troops with wimps, and go for the enemy 'caster.

By the way, have I shown you my nice environmentally friendly Cryx Death Jack? It has zero carbon emmisions! (It runs on the souls of troops stupid enough to try and stop it.)

Congrats on the win, Grump. I'd take Cygnar vs. Khador any time in Mk II for box battles. With shake effects making Sorscha's feat purely offensive and the Charger being able to hit her now, it's not nearly the uphill battle it used to be.

Also, I'm really curious how you guys manage to do alternating activations in WARMACHINE. CCotD, would you explain your house rule?

As a side note, regardless of whether pure turn-based or alternating activations is better, the Mk II field test still felt like WARMACHINE. If they went to alternating activations, it wouldn't be anything close to the same game.

So, anyone else try the rules yet? They seem workable, and possibly better balanced, but I have still only gotten the one game in. And, thinking it over, I do have to say that while I am still not a huge fan of the Charger it is much improved. Just not as good as the Hunter in one direction, or the Sentinel in the other.

The Auld Grump, the Destroyer still rocks on toast.