A few thoughts on Khemri

[Ullis]

So a question for all you Khemri coaches,
What is it that has drawn to to play, and keep playing this roster? I'm a Nurgle fan, so I can see some "control" crossover there. I know Chance loves the theme (I enjoy it too), and now with those sweet Willy Mummy's I am actually tempted to invest. So what would you say to a coach considering taking the plunge?

At least for me, the allure came from the disciplined approach a Khemri team must take on both offence and defence. When you can corral in an offence on one side, halt it's advance and then crumple the cage with your mummies. And when your cage keeps intact and reaches the point where your thro-ra can shamble in for the td.

Also, there's little thrills and joys like succeeding in picking up the ball or dodging as well as bigger things like passing and scoring with the guardians.

[SunDevil]

Ullis said it very well, I'd agree with all of that, Lunchabl1es!

I would only add (and I am stealing this from Plasmoid's Khemri Guide) that Khemri can only grind but start with almost nothing to do it well. Their ballhandling is an adventure at best, a joke at worst, and it takes them forever to get ramped up. Even built up to bash/control, they get no Claw and Pile On is more of a risk with them than any other hitting team because their TZs are so crucial.

In short, they play exactly like a team of Mummies and Skeletons would. They are also, as you mentioned, one of the more purely thematic teams out there.

Lastly, when they have a really good drive, when things go their way, it seems like your guys just shambled out there and it was their destiny to find the endzone - they just slowly trudge forward, everyone in the stadium knows what they're doing, but NO ONE - not Chaos, not Orcs, not Dorfs, not Elves - NO ONE can stop them. Doesn't happen a lot but it sure feels good when it does.

[swilhelm73]

Their ballhandling is an adventure at best, a joke at worst, and it takes them forever to get ramped up. Even built up to bash/control, they get no Claw and Pile On is more of a risk with them than any other hitting team because their TZs are so crucial.

I've played perhaps 8 games against Khemri with my Necro and my opponent has *never* failed a pickup roll. 75% vs the standard 84% for ag3 teams with SH isn't as much of a difference as you might expect.

[Hitonagashi]

Their ballhandling is an adventure at best, a joke at worst, and it takes them forever to get ramped up. Even built up to bash/control, they get no Claw and Pile On is more of a risk with them than any other hitting team because their TZs are so crucial.

I've played perhaps 8 games against Khemri with my Necro and my opponent has *never* failed a pickup roll. 75% vs the standard 84% for ag3 teams with SH isn't as much of a difference as you might expect.

It's not the pickup that's the problem.

It's the re-pickup. The times when you pop the ball off an elven opponent and want to stop him just getting it back. The times when you get taken out on a -2d with tackle/wrestle and need to pick it back up. The times when you need to score in 2 turns, and you need a quick pass.

With AG 3, an emergency move (1tz esque) is on a 4+, which isn't terrible. A dire move is on a 5+, which with a rr, is about a 50% chance. With Khemri, all that's shifted. Your primary game plan is indeed a good one. Your ball related fallbacks however, are almost non existent.

[Glowworm]

Ive played 1 game with khemri as a tester, Im keeping the team!! Why?

First they are a million miles away from any other team i play (Dark Elves/Zon's/Slann & of course Goblins) and im find that quite a challenge. Ive played gobbo's for many games now altho' Im currently playing Slann and my results are aweful (I know its a often said but my dice hate me with this team, even my last opponent agreed when I called a double skull before rolling, no other result would have suited him!!) Its all about positioning, something Im not to good at, with gobbo's and Zons (to some degree) you can reposition or disengage with relative (?) safety each turn, Khemri dont get this, If your based your stuck in most instances so I have to think before I rush in....So hopefully they will help with this rather than the "go anywhere on a 3+ gobbo mentality!!

Secondly, someone here (Sundevil?) said the theme of the team is pure, some dark sorcerer raising his minions to dance to his tune on the field of (dis)honour. Skeletons and Mummies shambling down the pitch with those grinning skulls and clacking mandibles (Thats how I see it, not a bunch of static bits of metal) The absence of cheering or support or noise from thier assembled fans almost deafening........Just got to love that, imagine half a stadium of Khemri, the other half full of gobbo's......

Thirdly, the challenge, why not play a team considered to be sub-optimal? Im a sub-optimal coach so that sits nicely with me!!

Fourth, Ive got some sweet figures, Malifaux skeletal pirates (IIRc) and the four warriors from Impact! for my TG's all loving painted by Cornish Mikey. What could be better than fielding a great looking team against another great looking team ,that always adds to the game for me.

I have no idea how Ill get on with them, I drew my 1 match so far against CD's IIRc, however Im following this thread with interest as Im using them in at least 1 Tournament next year (Gertbowl, thank you liam ) maybe the NAF as well (now its "open" to non GW models,) so any and all advice welcomed.

[Ullis]

I've played perhaps 8 games against Khemri with my Necro and my opponent has *never* failed a pickup roll. 75% vs the standard 84% for ag3 teams with SH isn't as much of a difference as you might expect.

Really? It's 89% to work for AG3 teams. Only 14 percentage points but in terms of odds of failure the difference is massive. 1 in 4 for AG2 and 1 in 9 for AG3. Even 1 in 9 happens too often for comfort.

[fidius]

My best moment with near-rookie Khemri came online a few weeks ago vs Skaven. Turn 8, down 1-0, ball in a tacklezone, no rerolls. Blitz-Ra picks up, dodges out, hands off to the other Blitz-Ra, who GFI's twice for the score... IN THE RAIN! 6+ pickup, 4+ dodge, 5+ catch, 2+ 2+. Awesome. Game is here:
http://fumbbl.com/FUMBBL.php?page=match ... id=3343876

Yes, the team name is 'Silent But Violent'. I'm juvenile that way.

Fidius

[Overhamsteren]

They are the highest strength team and the worst agility team, that is instant flavour right there.