What are mercenaries worth really?

[benvoliothefirst]

Don't take too many though, as some will just trail around with nothing much to do, and that is a waste of money. We have found 4-8 to be a reasonable number.

That's god to know! Meshes well with rules I've heard about only letting heroes start hiring mercenaries after they've completed a certain number of quests. I think Busby's rules say they can hire one after they're champions and two after some other benchmark.

[The Admiral]

Don't take too many though, as some will just trail around with nothing much to do, and that is a waste of money. We have found 4-8 to be a reasonable number.

That's god to know! Meshes well with rules I've heard about only letting heroes start hiring mercenaries after they've completed a certain number of quests. I think Busby's rules say they can hire one after they're champions and two after some other benchmark.

Yeah, we started using henchmen after the initial 14 quests.

[Stoner81]

I tweaked the Henchmen a little bit for own purposes and allowed the players to purchase them once they reach Champion status. So either after the first 4 quests assuming they don't keep the gold from the Emperor OR after they finish the first 14 original quests (well 15 since I added The Maze before The Trial).



Stoner81.

[Pancho]

In my opinion they are a massive boost. Once the Heroes have all their equipment there is little to spend their gold on other than very expensive potions. One or two henchmen are relatively cheep, and the extra attacks really helpful. And if the EW player attacks them, fine, it's potential BP's the Heroes won't lose. Don't take too many though, as some will just trail around with nothing much to do, and that is a waste of money. We have found 4-8 to be a reasonable number.

Agree on all of this except maybe the last bit. If playing a quest pack that has no return to the surface, and therefore no opportunity to buy mercenaries, I would if I had the money as a Hero buy the full complement of hired helpers.

[The Admiral]

In my opinion they are a massive boost. Once the Heroes have all their equipment there is little to spend their gold on other than very expensive potions. One or two henchmen are relatively cheep, and the extra attacks really helpful. And if the EW player attacks them, fine, it's potential BP's the Heroes won't lose. Don't take too many though, as some will just trail around with nothing much to do, and that is a waste of money. We have found 4-8 to be a reasonable number.

Agree on all of this except maybe the last bit. If playing a quest pack that has no return to the surface, and therefore no opportunity to buy mercenaries, I would if I had the money as a Hero buy the full complement of hired helpers.

I was only talking about single quests. When we play prolonged linked quests the Heroes may take max henchmen, but choose how many of them to take on each part of the quest, as in our play the number of henchmen on the board effects the rate at which Evil Wizard cards are drawn.

We also now have a huge variety of different henchmen available across different races.

[Anderas]

What do you have as additional mercenaries? I'd love to see them.

I've made an swordsman alternative, the Vanir Warrior, for 75 gold, AT 3, DE 4, BP3. A little weaker and cheaper.

The Aesir Warrior has 70 gold, weaker again with AT 3 DE 2 and 2 BP, but with the nice extra that he can prevent adjacent models from moving.

I have the cheapie, a pirate with AT2 DE2 BP1, 40 gold. The "Hero Goblin".

Likewise there is a cheap variant of a crossbow, AT 3 DE2 BP1, 50 gold.

And finally I made up a stronger variant: Black Dragon Knight, 5 move, AT 4, DE 6, 3BP. 150 Gold. Yes it is an even stronger, even slower swordsman.

After my simulation of post 3 in this thread, I seriously doubt I have them priced correctly. Even the game system mercenaries could be more expensive. But what would be the right price?

[The Admiral]

What do you have as additional mercenaries? I'd love to see them.

So many:
Wood Elves: Gladeguard (Archers, Spearmen, Swordsmen), Wildwood Rangers, Eternal Guard.
High Elves: Militia (Archers and Spearmen), White Wolves, Shadow Warriors.
Dwarves: Clansmen, Axemen, Thunderers, Quarrelers, Miners, Slayers.
Halflings: Archers.
Humans: Archers, Halberdiers, Men-at-Arms (Swordsmen and Spearmen), Sergeants, Kossars, Greatswords, Rangers, Handgunners, Flagellants, Peasants.
Animals: Bears, Wolves.
Half Orcs: Archers, Warriors.

Most are 75gc each. 3BP Henchmen are 125gc. Weak Henchmen such as Peasants are 50gc. If I get time I'll put them all in one doc and post it.

[Maurice76]

I'm very much interested in a detailed overview of each of those. The idea to design multiple ones is great! If I am going to implement this, I'd reduce all of them to a single unit present during gameplay each, so the Heroes will hire a mix and match of different Hirelings.

[knightkrawler]

In my system, each mercenary is an individual, with staggered stats and staggered prices, and each with their own card.
Like, there's a weak crossbowman, a medium crossbowman, and a strong crossbowman.
I added apprentices to the list (wizard apprentices, that is) and archers and a captain.

Various races are integrated into the different mercenary types (as in cliché, I know...).
The scouts are Dwarfs, the swordsmen are Humans, the archers are Élves...

[Thor-in]

They are worth enough that I bought a set of four off Evil-Bay the other day.