Dwarven Deathstar: The Basics of Facerolling

For some of you who may not know me, my name is Bruenor Bronzehammer, and I am a huge fan of something I have called the Dwarven Deathstar. I used this trick to secretly outdo my opponents, but it has become a very well-known tactic in my area now so I thought it was about time that I wrote up a report the benefits and troubles of this particular strategy.

What you need:

Dwarf Lord, Tanky BSB, and at least one Runesmith
1 Unit of Longbeards with Great Weapons (usually 21,26, or 31 models)

1) Why longbeards with great weapons and not something else:
a. Good question kind stranger. Why longbeards and not something like ironbreakers or hammerers. They are the best our infantry has to offer! Yes, yes they are. However, a couple things you should think about when making your lists is that while ironbreakers certainly make a better deathstar, they also take up points in special where longbeards take up points just in core. It also means that you are spending less points on a better hammer for your anvil and hammer strategy. A core of longbeards is good, by all means, but hammerers deliver way more hurt than longbeards.
2) What about other, lesser core choices?
a. Another excellent question! Why not use warriors, quarrellers, or even thunderers? Well, longbeards have the ability to take a runic banner. The rune of stoicism to be precise. Why is that important? Well, this strategy literally has a 1000 points in one very tasty, but deceptively strong, basket. Things can go wrong and this is a dice game. Better to be stubborn 10 all day long then only leadership 7/8 reroll able when you lose. That stubborn role has saved me more times than I care to count. Warriors, Quarrellers, and thunderers don’t have that extra fail safe. Master Rune of Groth one eye can help, but I would still rather have rune of stoicism over that for my deathstar.
3) Why not shields?
a. Great weapons are just…well great weapons. Something else to consider is that you will have some very tanky heroes taking a lot of hits for you. The majority of unit will actually be very safe from harm. Plus great weapons wound many things on (at worse) a 4+. Plus if you get the charge, with armor piercing, all sorts of shenanigans happen.

Dwarf Lord
1) Why not just take some tanky thanes?
a. Two reasons for the lord. One is that he takes up two spots. This is a huge denial of points for the unit behind him. It helps him massively. Another reason is he packs a whallop for anything that can issue a challenge (depending on the kit). He can outfight/outlast a hell of a lot of punishment while his unit of great weapon wielding longbeards provide some much needed support
2) What Kit would you use?
a. The kit that I would use would be as follows, although there are several that may work
i. Shield, Shieldbearers, Master Rune of Snorri Spanglehelm, Rune of Parrying, Rune of Might, 3x Rune of Warding
ii. Shieldbearers, Rune of Ironx2, Rune of Stone, 3x Rune of Warding, Great Weapon
These Kits are very defensive and very powerful. I love the first build and have done a lot of research and this kit is the best suited for my style of play. The object for this list is not to overpower an opponenet but to outlast. This deathstar does not win based on killing everything, but making it fail on static combat res by a good 6/7 points. I feel the first build offers a lot of real answers for things like demon princes, frost phoenixes, vampire lords, chaos lords, and other nasty T5 monsters. But he struggles with t4 or lower. A great weapon is better against the squishy little elves, but has a tougher time with the big baddies.

3) Common, he’s got to die against something…
a. Nope. Dwarf Lords are hands down one of the most powerful combat characters in the game at the moment. But keep in mind that they still have a lot of weaknesses with things like magic, thunder stomps, and all sorts of other goodies like that. Under the right conditions a Dwarf lord will protect his 300ish points without giving up a single one. The trick is setting up the right fight, and with artillery and gyros, it is a very doable thing.

Thane BSB
1) Ok, so super tough lord, what kit could you use for a thane?
a. The kit to use:
i. Great Weapon, Master Rune of Gromril, Rune of Ironx2
The kit to NOT use:
ii. Anything with Master Rune of Grungi
Now I know there are a lot of people who adore the Master Rune of Grungi. And rightfully so. It is a damn powerful rune. BUT remember, you are a proud member of the Dawi race. If you have been outshot, you have done something terribly wrong (or playing someone with equal or greater artillery to your own, which is rather rare in most cases). The trick for this unit to work is to have a tough character, and a T6 1+ 3W model is very hard for most characters to chew through in one or two rounds of combat, where as a T5, 3+/4++ 2W model is more likely to get offed by things with higher strengths.
2) So…strollaz for Grungi?
a. …currently in testing. Results may vary
3) Two super tough characters? Is that really necessary?
a. Nope. We need 3
i. …MADNESS!

…Yep

Runesmith/Runelord
1) Runelord or Runesmith, which should we take?
a. Most games I play with a runesmith, as in 2500 points it is better to have 2 scrolls then a 1 runelord. However, I will say that a runelord makes a much better option.
2) What Kit should we give them?
a. Runesmith Kit: Spelleater, Rune of Stone, Shield
i. This gives him a 2+/6++ (5++ on the charge), usually very survivable for a round or two of combat against S5 or lower
b. Runelord Kit: Spelleater, Rune of Stone, 2x Rune of Fortitude
i. Yeah, at this point he is just as survivable as your BSB and Lord, and only some real tough characters can crack his level of armor and toughness. I love this build, but alas it takes up too many points in a 2500 point list
3) Why stick a runsmith in there? He seems like he’s easy dragon food.
a. This character is the final piece of the puzzle, and makes your wall of characters virtually immune to a one turn route. Monsters, while certainly able to kill the runesmith, will only do 2 wounds in one round of combat (minus the stomps/if he survives the dwarf lord and friends attacks). You will likely win on Static combat res by a longshot, especially if they are foolish enough to challenge out your dwarf lord.

In a fight:
Ok, here is where I show you how a fight plays out:
Lets say you were going against another infantry unit 5 wide:

X X X X X
DL DL BSB RS C

Notice where your opponent can attack? Two of his models HAVE to hit the dwarf lord. And lets face it, if they are regular joe smoes, they won’t hurt him. A total of 9 attacks can go on your BSB. Nine! At toughness 6? With a 1+? Good luck making a dent on him. The runesmith has the best chance of biting it. He has a 2+ 6++ (or a 5++ if you were charged) and only two wounds at T4. If enough fire goes here, he might be in trouble. But he still has a very above average chance to stay alive. The champ. He will die. But Gloriously! And your unit will be virtually untouched (minus the champ…)!

So let’s take a look at the damage you will take on the turn your opponent swings (worst case scenario being a S6 something):

Maybe 1 wound on the lord or the BSB (which is unlikely)
Maybe 2 wounds on the Runesmith (also unlikely)
Champion bites it (VERY LIKELY!!!)
A total of 5 wounds.

Now let’s say that you are fighting the same something WS4 T4. OK, so you have

4 S4 always hit on two attacks, wounding on 4s
4 S4 3+ hits, wounding on 4s,
8 S6 3+ hits, wounding on twos (9 attacks if your champion, by some miracle, survives!)
A total of 10ish wounds on average

So you are up 5 wounds. Plus you knock a rank or two off your opponent. Plus you have a BSB, 3 ranks, etc…

Yeah, you win combat by a lot, they are taking a break test on a very low number
Monsters/chariots (especially thunderstomps) are a huge issue for this particular build. It biapasses the defenses of the heroes and the damage is distributed to the unit. However, most monsters and or chariots that are worthwhile (Warrior of Chaos) are T5, which means your dwarf lord with the rune of might packs a big hurt on them. The deathstar is tough, but keep in mind that multiple charges with monsters that thunderstomp will kill it.

A lot of people underestimate the power of dwarven characters. But some, who are wise to the ways of crafty longbeards, will avoid them like the plaugue. Here is what you need to do:

-Redirect them, or shoot the units that try and avoid you off the table. This is key for trying to win points war

Make sure that you give them no good options. Set it up so that you get the charge off of them, so that it will be your unit with the bonuses. Also make sure to set up options to flank your opponents.
Don’t overextend. Keep in mind that if you run to far to fast, you troops will be in danger and it will be you who loses. Taking on a unit or two is fine, but leaving the deathstar out in the wind will end up costing you greatly.

That's all for now, I'll update this eventually with some more information