Faithful Masses analysis

Hello faithful Menoth players,

Thanks to your support Privateer Press noticed Qualigeeks as a blog that can publish your opinion on one of the new Theme Force - redesigned Faithful Masses. Also Special Thanks to Will Hungerford and Jeff Handley, who I’ve contacted from PP and they helped me to receive this goody ;) 

Few words about my self and I will start with Theme Force. I’ve started playing Warmachine during MK1 (around release of Escalation) and I’m playing this game ever since. Right now I’ve only two main factions, but actually I’ve owned a lot more of them. At one point during MK1 I’ve started to play Protectorate of Menoth and it has became my main love. This is why I’ve received a chance to tell you about this particular spoiler.

So here we go…

Army Composition

Faithful Masses is a theme force, which allows a big range of models: paladins, zealots, deliverers, idrians, reclaimers. Basically everything, that didn’t have main theme force at the beginning of MK3, was put here. Faithful Masses, because of this is really diverse and it is very interesting, but before we will go to the main changes we will mention one change, which was showed here.

With the release of Oblivion we will be able to play FM Menite Archon Solos. His final rules have not yet been confirmed, but it is known that he will be a solo who will be able to hit pretty hard and for 8 points he will have 15 HP, 13 DEF, 19 ARM and Ashen Veil. We will probably learn more about him at Gencon, where he may be available for pre-sale. It is still a very nice addition, which may be liked by some warcaster (Harbringer anyone?;))

So after this short intro I will show you new Requisition Options for this theme force with four different lists.

Requisition Options

I will start with elephant in the room… Initiates of the Order of the Wall will be still available as a free option, which is great news for us. It confirms, that Faithful Masses is still on of the few theme force, which can reach 21 points and help with survivability of our warcasters. This is very good news, but not the only one. We’ve access to two new Requisition options, which were spoiled in Guardians of the Temple:
- two reclaimer gatekeeper as a free option,
- Two vassals as a free option.

But what are Requisition Options?

It’s a new system, which allows you to take free models just for building certain theme force. You no longer have to collect X amount of points in paladins or units. Right now, when you will start to play you will get three Requisition Options in your 75 point games for free (1 RO for each 25 points of whole army size).

I will show you few lists, which I’ve prepared and show you how you can use this requisition Options. First we’re going to start with one of Marcin Mycek’s list from WTC2019 (I've changed it a little bit to fit more models ;) ):

Protectorate Army - 75 / 75 points
[Theme] The Faithful Masses

[Reznik 2] Servath Reznik, Wrath of Ages [+29]
- Crusader [10]
- Crusader [10]
- Crusader [10]
High Paladin Dartan Vilmon [0(6)]
Initiate Tristan Durant [4]
- Indictor [14]
Wrack [1]
Vassal Mechanik [1]
Choir of Menoth (min) [4]
Deliverer Skyhammers (max) [13]
Deliverer Skyhammers (max) [13]
Idrian Skirmishers (min) [9]
- Idrian Skirmisher Chieftain & Guide [0(5)]
Idrian Skirmishers (max) [15]
- Idrian Skirmisher Chieftain & Guide [0(5)]

COMMENT: This one has pretty standard RO selection of free models, which we’ve had before we’ve received Initiates. Still it’s really good option, which can you give 16 free points. There is a lot list building options, which are still available (free initiates instead of Vilmon, free vassals to support more Crusaders etc.).

But we’ve more options. For example this Amon 1 lists:

Protectorate Army - 75 / 75 points
[Theme] The Faithful Masses

[Amon 1] High Allegiant Amon Ad-Raza [+29]
- Crusader [10]
- Crusader [10]
- Crusader [10]
- Crusader [10]
- Dervish [7]
- Dervish [7]
- Devout [9]
- Indictor [14]
- Indictor [14]
Vassal Mechanik [1]
2*Vassal of Menoth [0(6)]
Wrack [1]
Anastasia di Bray [3]
Choir of Menoth (min) [4]
Choir of Menoth (min) [4]
Initiates of the Wall [0(7)]
Initiates of the Wall [0(7)]

COMMENT: Here we’ve different approach on this theme force. We’ve free 2 Vassal of Menoth and 2 free units of Initiates. Solos will be used to power up warjacks with additional focus points, while Initiates will be responsible to safetly deliver warjacks and caster to combat. They might be also good way to trigger “Hand of Vengance” for our warjacks. This might be really good alternative for Exemplar’s Interdiction and Creator’s Might, which we’ve not had before.

Here is another list, which may be considered, Durst 1 with a lot of ARM:

Protectorate Army - 75 / 75 points
[Theme] The Faithful Masses

[Durst 1] Anson Durst, Rock of the Faith [+28]
- Crusader [10]
- Indictor [14]
- Indictor [14]
- Templar [15]
- Hierophant [3]
Champion of the Order of the Wall [8]
Champion of the Order of the Wall [8]
Hand of Silence [7]
2*Reclaimer Gatekeepers [0(6)]
Choir of Menoth (min) [4]
Holy Zealots (min) [7]
- Monolith Bearer [3]
Holy Zealots (min) [7]
- Monolith Bearer [3]
Initiates of the Wall [0(7)]
Initiates of the Wall [0(7)]

COMMENT: Of course we’ve Initiates, which are really cheap unit and they can make sure, that some important parts of this lists will be delivered. But we’ve also two reclaimer gatekeepers. These solos will play pretty well with Durst’s Bulwark (this spell + ashen veil can give +4 DEF against living models) and also helps with Durst’s low FOC points (Future Sight will help with better management of focus points during warjacks’ activations). One unit of Initiates can be even swapped with vassals of Menoth. They will drastically help with focus management on one of the flanks.

We’ve gunline (Reznik2), spam of warjacks (Amon1) and one lists with few warjacks, some units and solos (Durst1). We are still missing elephant in the room… Harbringer 1…

Protectorate Army - 75 / 75 points
[Theme] The Faithful Masses

[Harbinger 1] The Harbinger of Menoth [+27]
- Crusader [10]
- Crusader [10]
- Devout [9]
- Hierophant [3]
Allegiant of the Order of the Fist [3]
Allegiant of the Order of the Fist [3]
Champion of the Order of the Wall [8]
Champion of the Order of the Wall [8]
Hand of Silence [7]
The Covenant of Menoth [4]
Choir of Menoth (min) [4]
Horgenhold Forge Guard (max) [16]
- Attendant Priest [3]  HERE I'VE MADE A MISTAKE -> WE CAN'T NO LONGER TAKE RANKING OFFICERS
Idrian Skirmishers (min) [9]
- Idrian Skirmisher Chieftain & Guide [5]
Initiates of the Wall [0(7)]
Initiates of the Wall [0(7)]
Initiates of the Wall [0(7)]

COMMENT: Basically we’ve here the same list as we could see right now. Free Initiates, a lot of solos. Pretty boring list 😉 All casters can choose same requisition option, but all Harbringer lists will suffer from now on, because this theme force gives right now only two big benefits…

SPECIAL RULES

So first one is Hand of Vengeance. We are really familiar with this ability and right now it opens a lot of new possibilities to build jack heavy lists. One of the example is mentioned Amon. This rule and Requisition options ensure us, that this theme force is probably most versatile one. You can build jack spams, you can build gunlines with heavy punch and you can build infantry spam.

Please check ruling for Hand of Vengeance below.

But we still we’ve second benefit and it is … possibility to field Initiates of the Wall as Requisition Option :P I might be pretty evil, because there is NO additional second special rule on the card. We’ve only Hand of Vengeance and this is all. But still free Initiates of the Wall are really huge bonus. We’ve one of the few armies with potential to get 21 free points. It will be also really good option to take for example two vassals instead of one paladin unit.

To emphasize this even more I will say it directly: WE HAVE LOST THEME FORCE BENEFIT, WHICH GAVE AS FREE WALL TEMPLATE. This is huge change, which will open possibilities to play more caster. Harbringer right now won’t feel safe in the middle of the table. She is still pretty strong caster and I think, that we will still see her on the table, but other casters might also be really interesting right now. Cyrenia right now ill become pretty interesting caster (as she can cast her own rock wall) and we will see some come back for other casters.

I want to prepare another article about how changes in this theme force alone will influence list building in Protectorate of Menoth. If you would like to see such article, then please let comment below or on Facebook!

Thank you very much and have a great day ;)