Got tips and strategies that work well against the Empire? Share them here with other warlords! Since the release of the new 8th edition, the game has changed a great deal and new tactics must be developed and discussed in order for da greenskins to crump ‘em good!

Having played over half a dozen games against Empire in 8th Edition, here are a few thoughts and observations I've gathered:

Use multiple, big blocks of troops with a Lord/Hero in each. While this may seem obvious as that is intended with the new rules, it's critical for our army. I prefer Orc troop blocks with Black Orc Big Bosses to keep them moving, but I've found that horde sized Orc units are a detriment overall.

You are going to take massive casualties, so don't be surprised when that happens. Keep marching and try to get into combat as quickly as possible. Oh, a CRITICAL magic item to have vs Empire is the Ironcurse Icon. It's dirt cheap and gives the unit a 6+ ward vs war machines.

Have smaller, faster units (like Wolf/Spider riders or even Orc Boars) to counter his detachments. I've found a unit of 10 Wolf/Spiders can take on and beat a unit of 15 detachment Swordsmen. It's odd or maybe just lucky, but it's been consistent. If nothing else, it prevents the detachment counter charge.

Expect that your Empire opponent will finish deploying before you, so be a bit creative while deploying. Maybe drop your war machines first of second (Remember, both Lobba's and Diver's have "Indirect Fire" now, so they can shoot at stuff they can't see.)

Also, it's good to have a basic plan in mind while deploying. I sometimes forget to do this and it's cost me almost every time. You don't have to counter deploy what he's putting out there per se, just have a plan, put your "disposable" units out first while waiting to get a good idea of what he's doing.

Beware of the White Wolves. If your opponent isn't using them, count yourself lucky. If he is, try to pound them with Doom Divers or maybe magic. Diverting just isn't a real strategy anymore. Another possibility is to (hopefully) get a flank charge on them with a cheap but durable unit (the Wolves/Spiders I mentioned before), lose the combat, but have survivors. Then, he's faced with the choice of pursuing for the points or reforming.

Speaking of our war machines, the Rock Lobba's are great this edition, the Doom Diver's are okay and the Spear Chukkas just aren't very good unless used in mass (i.e., 4 of them all shooting at the same target).

Our magic is still pretty good, if you can get the spell off, that is. :lol: I'd go with at least one great shaman and maybe a regular one if you can afford it.

On magic, my regular Empire opponent has gone with the Life Lore every game and I can't fault him for that. I'd recommend doing everything you can to stop "Throne of Vines" from being cast. Not for it's initial effect, but due to it boosting the other spells in the Lore. (Fighting T7 Halberds is a major pain).

Well, those are my thoughts. I hope it helps!

I played Empire today, only my 2nd proper game in 8th. He had 30 greatswords with a general. So stubborn on ld 9. Which made them virtually unbreakable even with 3 of my best units hitting them.

My question therefore is how to beat Empire Greatswords?

Played a number of games against my Empire nemesis so far and have not won once.
Getting closer though, we usually play 3K games

Magic, hit the enemy magic users hard. My opponent uses lore of life which is nasty. Spells, Warmachines and items such as feed back to try to take them out.
Spirit totum helps take the sting out of the tail, I have lost half a unit in one turn to various spells one in particular that caues flaming hits then more if you move again
Magic Resistance items are also worth it for your regiments.

Warmachines, hit the motars with stone throwers then move onto volly gun.
Pray to the green gods that your oponent miss fires. As mentioned above iron cure icon is really good value for such low points.

Flanks, take out the outriders as they can make a mess of flankers. Max out on chariots and start running down the gun line facing you.

Core units, Gobo's and fanatics to soak up punishment and scare off the knights.
Wolf riders and boar boyz to get into the enemies units quickly, flanks and rear.

I will post any real results I have if I ever get a win, any other tactics greatly appreciated.

With the new book the big question for me is how to deal with the cookie cutter Empire list. Which TBH is just about the only one I will ever see. That's an Arch Lector on Altar, Lore of Light Wizard, Engineer, Warrior Priest, BSB, One (or two) big unit(s) of State Troops plus detachment(s), Outriders and/or Handgunners, two cannons, two mortars, some Knights and a Stank.

Obviously take war machines, double Rock Lobba, double Doom Diver and fire them at his war machines and the Stank. The question is do you take spear chukkas? I don't rate them personally, but I could see an argument for them if you go for a shooty Gobbo army and spam them to the max. Otherwise I wouldn't bother.

Giant can take on Stank but it's unreliable, Warlord on a Wyren with the 100pt sword, but do you want to put that in your regular list? He's probably great against the Lector, assuming he doesn't take mirror and almost everything else in an Empire list, but you'll have to spend at least one turn facing down massed cannon fire. Same with a Giant. Maybe take some other beasties to draw/split fire, run them down alternate flanks, bring some cavalry and/or fast cav to really make their gunline sweat.

Alternatively stick a big unit of Gobbos into the Stank and keep the general and BSB near enough to provide his leadership for their steadfast. Same with the Lector. He won't kill enough of them. However if you can deal with the Stank/Altar in this way then you need to deal with the Fanatics, if they get some of the LoL spells off on them, such as the speed one. Then they are just insane and will munch a single unit of almost anything easily. Maybe it's a good idea to use a nice big unit of Trolls on them (maybe the same with the Stank) they're fast, lots of attacks, have stomp and re-gen. Just so long as they survive that first round they ought to be in trouble.

What do you guys think? Any good ideas?

my regular opponent is an empire player. usually uses halberd hordes and sword blocks, 30 flags, pistols, l4 light, knights with w/p, cannons, mortars, hellstorms, the works. no stank usually thank gork, but arch lector isnt uncommon at 2400. my thoughts are;

doom diver is ace for knights, pistols or outriders. even the ol L4 if hes feeling cheeky. but that goes without saying.
souped up foot of gork is also excellent, and is why i take a l4 orc
itchy nuisance is a dream on flagellants, esp first round
wolves have a reasonable shot of nailing warmachines, empire doesnt tend to have a lot of chaff other than pistoliers/detachments etc
having great success softening things up with throwaway pairs of chariots, or spikey rolla/outrigga wagons. manglers too, of course. not much use for them otherwise vs this type of list
trolls, ah trolls. great vs flagellants if youve given them a softening up. too many s5 attacks is risky otherwise, but not impossible
blorcs, and orc unit with crown of command general can chop for a bit vs hordes, wolfbro7 is on the money there with taking huge casualties by that point. just gotta get into combat asap.
but the real breadwinner for this job has to be flanking msu sorcs. sneaky stabbing on them, and things get nasty