When fielding Dryads, take large units. By large I mean it will have
an effect on the game that you’re playing. 12 Dryads
is good for a 3, 000 point battle, but a unit of that size isn’t
necessary in a 1, 000 point game.
Negative Points: For their high points cost, Dryads don’t
have the extra movement of cavalry. They also can’t
take armour to improve their armour save, which they need because,
along with Treemen, Dryads attract the most heavy fire
(i.e. spells and War Machines).
Positive Points: They are very good at stopping units that have one
attack. They can do this with their Willow Aspect. Their
other aspects can be amazing if you know when to use them.
Tactics: Even with their special saves, Dryads need to be shielded.
So, you may be asking: How do I shield my main combat
unit when I want it ready to charge at every turn? Easy. Don’t
charge. Use Dryads to lure elite units with one attack into
charging (they are female after all!), then, use Willow Aspect to tie
them up in the next turn. In the next turn, use Oak Aspect if
they have high saves (e.g. cavalry), or use Birch Aspect if you’re
aiming to kill as many models as possible (e.g. High Elf
Spearmen, who can fight in three ranks). In this turn, while your Dryads
are attacking you should aim to hit the opposing unit
with everything you’ve got, so that you don’t let
it fight again next turn, and let it wear you down. Charge with
Warhawk Riders to the rear, Hand a Glade Guard unit with good rank
bonus should make a charge to the flanks. With all this,
the final combat bonus should be enough for your opponent to turn tail
and flee, and then you can pursue with your Warhawk
Riders (providing that you didn’t charge from flying high).
As an option, you may want to field a character with your
Dryads (like Drycha). This character should be able to go toe-to-toe
with any enemy characters. If you make a challenge when
the unit charges, then the rest of the unit is saved from being attacked
by the character when they use Willow Aspect. Drycha is
a special character however and if you keep using her your opponent
will start turning up with shaving foam and a razor to shave
your beard. If you don’t take a character, you must hit hard
and fast, using the right aspect and charging in with other
units.
DRYADS (5/8/10)
OPPONENTS: Heavy cavalry like Knights of the Realm or Silver Helms.
ORDERS: When the enemy charges use Willow Aspect (or Oak Aspect if they
have more than one attack). Next turn, charge
in with some flyers to the rear to cause a panic test and take away
rank bonus, or get a flank charge with a large Glade Guard
unit that has an equally large rank bonus. If you can combine Glade
Guard rank bonuses, flyers negating enemy rank bonus, and
Dryad killing power, you should see off the enemy in most cases.
DEPLOYEMNT: On the flank of a Glade Guard unit. Against an enemy with
no missile fire (such as beastmen) deploy as far
forward in your deployment zone as possible. Against high movement,
good missile troops (such as High Elves), deploy on a
flank, if possible behind cover, (Fiery Convocation hurts). In this
way you can wheel in to the centre and charge units in the flank
when they come too close to your prized archers.
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Cya
Nik