8th Ed. New Army?: 1000 point Empire Iron Company

[Gor-rok]

I'm teaching a class at the community college in the evenings now, so my free time has evaporated. I've learned to appreciate a fast 1000 point game, and I'd like to try an entirely different style of play from Lizardmen (and my borrowed Ogres, who don't lend themselves to smaller games very well). I'm considering an Empire mini-gunline. My requirements:

1) Every model must be armed with, or crewing, a gunpowder weapon.
2) As many war machines as I can effectively fit, and at least one of each (cannon, mortar, volley, rocket).
3) Fluff>Competitiveness; Fun (for both players) is priority!
4) No metal models.
5) Only enough models to fill a 1000 point game. (Painting is a rare luxury these days)

I'm hoping the thrill of this army will be in trying to kill everything before it ever gets across the board, by concentrating fire and prioritizing my targets well. With no magic, and no close combat ability, the opponent can have their satisfaction if something does make it past my hail of fire.

My questions are: Will this be as fun as I think? Will the typical opponent think so?

And, how would you build this list for maximum explosive enjoyment? Outriders? Hochland long rifles? More handgunners, or another war machine? What should my engineer/ general carry? Which machine will he crew?

Sorry for the barrage of questions. As I've never actually had a war machine in any list I've played, this should be a new and interesting experience... I just hope I won't end up wishing I'd bought some Beastmen or something.

Your excellent advice, as always, is appreciated.

 

[jfoster]

Definitely sounds like an interesting list. I've no experience with the empire so can't offer much advice It sounds to me like it would be a very static army, have you considered including pistoliers or maybe even a steam tank?

 

[redeyefrog]

Careful sounds like it could be addictive. Good Idea for a fun quick game.

 

[jfoster]

This idea intrigued me so much Ive set about building an all gunpowder army. Picked up 30 handgunners for £23 on ebay and a cannon/mortar kit for £7 so its only set me back £30 so far. Now to get them painted up and on the board Im going to add some pistoliers/outriders in the near future and maybe a master engineer. Ill let you know how I get on

 

[Gor-rok]

Can't wait to hear how it works out! I'm in the process of trying to borrow enough models from a friend to make a trial version of the Iron Company; I'd hate to spend hundreds of dollars and hours of painting only to discover that I hate playing with it.

I'll definitely have to consider a Tank for larger games. It definitely fits fluff-wise, but it might not play quite the way I envision this list working. Maybe I'll try to borrow one of these as well...