Dwarf Rangers - Equipment and use

Paboook · **Joined:** Sun Feb 05, 2012 8:41 pm **Posts:** 172

As a newbie, I am wondering about the use of dwarf rangers. The longbows and throwing axes seem to me as obvious choice. But I have a little doubt about the two-handed weapons. They seem to me vulnerable (for dwarves), so the -1 in fight could be quite bad for them.

I will use all types of them in any case, as I love the models, but I would be happy to hear your opinion. Which weapons do you prefer? And how big warbands of DR do you field? What are the uses for them? Thanks

The Horde Lord · **Joined:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 6:58 pm **Posts:** 301

I've never used them, but their eqiupment seem overpriced.

Draugluin · **Posted:** Mon Mar 12, 2012 5:25 pm

Their equipment is so much because they also have increased accuracy. The only reason to use the ones with regular axes as having 2handers is because they're cheaper than standard dwarves with 2handers, so the regular dwarves can win the fight and give you a hard center, while the rangers can kill the enemy a bit better.

hobbitsrule22 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 12, 2012 5:26 pm

when i play dwarves i use them as support troops to "lap round" the enemy and surround them or just to give them a bit more range when shooting, but no they're not really that useful as a force, but comparing to many models they still have high defence and the usual rugged toughness of the dwarves

. the two handed axes are quite useful for lapping as they enemy will be up against a shield wall of dwarf warriors to the front so will be out-numbered or atleast out-skilled by that so the two handed weapons should be fine, but you need the points to be high for this army to work and i have'nt played with them since warbands were introduced so tactics might have moved onwards and upwards. hope this helps.

The Horde Lord · **Joined:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 6:58 pm **Posts:** 301

Draugluin wrote:

Their equipment is so much because they also have increased accuracy. The only reason to use the ones with regular axes as having 2handers is because they're cheaper than standard dwarves with 2handers, so the regular dwarves can win the fight and give you a hard center, while the rangers can kill the enemy a bit better.

Elves are just as accurate as dwarf rangers, but they pay one point less for throwing weapons, and one point less for elven bows, which are superior to dwarven long bows.

Chris GoM · **Posted:** Mon Mar 12, 2012 6:54 pm

I personally prefer Dwarf Warriors to Rangers. Rangers have a lower defence, and their equipment is more expensive than it should be. If you're going to use Dwarf Rangers, I'd recommend using them as a flanking unit. In my opinion, Dwarf bows are superior to normal bows, especially in some of the new scenarios with warbands starting closer to each other. Something like this could work for your basic warband structure:

8 Dwarf Warriors with Shields
4 Dwarf Rangers with Throwing Weaepons and/or Two-Handed Axes

I still think Khazad-Guard are better than Dwarf Warriors/Rangers with Two-Handed Weapons, although you may not have access to Khazad Guard. And Elves are better than Dwarf Rangers with Throwing Weapons/Bows

If you're only playing friendly games, ask your opponents if they'll let you use "correctly" costed Bows/Throwing weapons

Paboook · **Joined:** Sun Feb 05, 2012 8:41 pm **Posts:** 172

Thank you all for your advice. I am still wondering about some special use for the rangers. So it seems like flankers or second wawe hitters? No use for the longbows than?

Draugluin · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 1:16 am

The Horde Lord wrote:

Draugluin wrote:

Their equipment is so much because they also have increased accuracy. The only reason to use the ones with regular axes as having 2handers is because they're cheaper than standard dwarves with 2handers, so the regular dwarves can win the fight and give you a hard center, while the rangers can kill the enemy a bit better.

Elves are just as accurate as dwarf rangers, but they pay one point less for throwing weapons, and one point less for elven bows, which are superior to dwarven long bows.

Yes, but rangers are 1 point less than the warriors, yet have better accuracy. They're paying 2 points for the bow/throwing weapons and 1 point for the accuracy. Is 3 points overpriced for a point of accuracy and a standard bow, yes, for a throwing weapon and better accuracy, no.

Lord Hurin · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 1:22 am

Typically, Shoot Value didn't affect points value. Take a look at Rangers vs. Warriors of Minas Tirith; same points, Ranger has 1 better Fv and Shoot value and 1 less Defence. It's far from balanced now though. Haradrim and Wood Elves have to pay 2 points per model just for increased Shoot value. Totally not worth it.

Draugluin · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 1:29 am

Actually, the Ranger has the same defense, better shoot, better fight AND better courage. Dwarves and elves are incredibly underpriced. Compare the ranger to a dwarf warrior, and you have one point less for the ranger for 1 point less defense and 1pt better accuracy but he has no ranged weapon. Give him a ranged weapon and the accuracy upgrade is built into the cost for the weapon.

Lord Hurin · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 1:37 am

Draugluin wrote:

Actually, the Ranger has the same defense, better shoot, better fight AND better courage. Dwarves and elves are incredibly underpriced. Compare the ranger to a dwarf warrior, and you have one point less for the ranger for 1 point less defense and 1pt better accuracy but he has no ranged weapon. Give him a ranged weapon and the accuracy upgrade is built into the cost for the weapon.

Whoops, I should've stated Rangers of Gondor/ Arnor. They compare favourably to both WoMT and Rohirrim.

GothmogtheWerewolf · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 10:56 am

Draugluin wrote:

Dwarves and elves are incredibly underpriced.

They certainly are (in SBG).

Though, unless its an Upgrade like Thranduil's archers or Dol Guldor Orcs, shoot value is free. Compare Orc Trackers to Orc Warriors with bows.

Draugluin · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 1:37 pm

That's true in most cases, but those are the difference between a 5+ and 4+. It seems that the difference between 4+ and 3+ is actually worth something, least ways with some factions. It is wierd how random it is though.

Draugluin · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 1:40 pm

Lord Hurin wrote:

Draugluin wrote:

Actually, the Ranger has the same defense, better shoot, better fight AND better courage. Dwarves and elves are incredibly underpriced. Compare the ranger to a dwarf warrior, and you have one point less for the ranger for 1 point less defense and 1pt better accuracy but he has no ranged weapon. Give him a ranged weapon and the accuracy upgrade is built into the cost for the weapon.

Whoops, I should've stated Rangers of Gondor/ Arnor. They compare favourably to both WoMT and Rohirrim.

OK. If you compare them to WoMT archers, they are far superior, same price, less defese, more fight and more accurate. The only reason to take WoMT archers is because they come in plastic. But I get your point.

WayUnderTheMountain · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 4:31 pm

Rangers of Gondor are in plastic.

Draugluin · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 5:09 pm

Yes, but you generally won't base an entire army around them. If you base an army around WoMT, you'll end up with a lot of spare archers.

Dwarf Rangers - Equipment and use

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