How are folks using the Abomination?

[Repeter]

Hey all, I've been playing a few games of Dark Age with my Skarrd now and I am unsure how to effectively use one of my favorite models--the Abomination. He is minutes away from being fully painted and I want him to hit the table soon. I originally just bought him blind because I loved the sculpt so much, and I assumed he would work with my St. Johann grafted force. Since that isn't the case, how does he fit, both thematically (always an important element to my forcelists in any game) and tactically?

I am not seeing any real synergy with the rest of the Skarrd, aside from the whole faction being relatively low on range assaults. That noted, I am seeing the Abomination as a high-priority target (suck my opponent in) that can cover the advance of someting squishy, such as Buzzblades and the like. I guess if he had access to the Grafter's repair or the Weaponsmith's Superior Maintenance, it could be ugly?

Anyway, I'd appreciate any advice from some of you vets. Thanks!

[Vaxillus]

The abomination's advantage is that he's relatively tough and at the same time well rounded. While not the most accurate weapon ever, the pod gun fires enough lead to do some damage, and is ideal for taking out lightly armored troops, or hoping to get a lucky 1 on something heavy. His real specialty is his Ion Cannon, however, as streams are often nasty and his packs both high damage and cauterize (one of the few weapons the Skarrd have that does so).

Basically, he's one of the Skarrd's heavy hitters, and one that can do so from a distance. On the down side, he can't hit quite as hard as a solid charge from Raze (when Raze doesn't MAL and fall on his ass) nor does his have the crowd control abilities of a Warhead, but he can lay down a constant stream of damage that puts pressure on the enemy to more carefully screen their units.

[Kyle]

The Abomination, Bolas, and Toxic Mistresses are all the fire support that the Skarrd have at present. I use the Abomination as suppressive fire while the main body of Skarrd troops advance. I also try and have infiltrators and Harpies hit the enemy at about the same time as the main force. The Abomination is a must against the Forsaken who often fire and withdraw forcing the Skarrd to run an ever lengthening gauntlet of death.

The current St. Johann is not yet the Skarrd version but represents him early in his career.

[Repeter]

The current St. Johann is not yet the Skarrd version but represents him early in his career.

This comment in no way satisfies my inclination to run the Abomination and St. Johann together. Not ony do they stack thematically, but they also compliment together nicely as melee and range badasses. Plus, I really want to spend 360pts on two models (three if you count the Grafter!).

Seriously though, I do like the method of using the Abomination as an unignorable piece of cover fire that allows the other elements of my forcelist to advance. This is how I will usee the model this weekend--wish me luck...

[Kyle]

There is much I wish I could tell you about the Abomination, young Padawan.

Good luck this weekend!

[Repeter]

So here is what I ran with against my brother's St. Mark list:

Abomination: 155
Toxic Mistress x 2: 108
Bolas x 3: 99
Chitin: 77
Saber: 76
Harpy x 3: 99
Drillhead: 85
Grafter: 50

Total: 749

First off, I am still pretty unsure how to effectively list build with this game. I think that is what I like about it so far. After six games, I think I like everything I've tried. On the flip side, everything I've liked has, at times, failed me miserably. MALs are a real bitch.

My Bolas all got killed before they did anything of note (last game they held two Hounds in check), my Harpies didn't land well and a Toxic Mistress killed herself and her squadmate (and a Coil!!). Oh yeah, I also put my Superior Maintenance tokens on models that never needed them or got the chance to use them.

The Abomination, however, scared the crap out of my brother and got some good action in. Not only did he take up alot of attention, but he put some hurt out. He killed two Coils with the pod guns and crushed the life out of the freaking Warwind! I put an exclamation point there because it pissed my brother off (he didn't see the ED coming); the Warwind had been ripping through my stuff up to that point. Unfortunately for the Skarrd and me, St. Mark, his nurse and his Weaponsmith were able to limp home with the victory.

As to the Abomination: I like the model's versatility. It seems to have an AG for any situation. I didn't get to use the Ion Cannon, but man am I itching to. The Abomination's very high DEF is understandable, but really is the biggest liability in tying up 155pts in one model. I still can't decide whether I should use it as bait/cover fire to get my other stuff up the field or use it as a centerpiece that my other stuff protects.

[Varagon]

You are right in regards to the Abom. He is a prime target for opponents, and he's likely to be the focus of a lot of attention.

If you can use him as a distraction to bring in your other units for a kill, that would be great. You might have to sacrifice him, though, in order to seal the deal.

[gunslinger]

ONE OF THE best parts of the game is that you can't completely rely on anything.. st. mark is just as likely to blow himself up with his weapons and st.john is just as likely to smash himself into oblivion as either of them are of killing the enemy..

the other best part is when your own unit tears you a new hole when you decide to be a coward and run from combat. nothing better than beating your own army with it's own units..

in my opinion, those are the most endearing and ironically the most frustrating issues of the game.. that's why i've kept at it so long.

[bj]

There is much I wish I could tell you about the Abomination, young Padawan.

Good luck this weekend!

But I can

Blood cult and Toxic cult will get their own versions

[gunslinger]

There is much I wish I could tell you about the Abomination, young Padawan.

Good luck this weekend!

But I can

Blood cult and Toxic cult will get their own versions

that's really not much.. that's kinda like a little..