Druchii.net

Hello All:

I'm working on army lists and it seems at first review that I don't see power stones/power scrolls being used in lists (the ones I have seen anyway).

Is this the case? Are they rarely used, and if so what is the rationale? Seems like they would be useful for the odd 3-4 dice WOM roll.

Thoughts?

Greetings,
I've taken both of these items in the past in friendly games and this is what I can glean about their use:
Power Scroll: I use it on one of the #6 spells if I think that I need to push the spell through or if it could have a devastating effect. The type of list that I would include this in is a double level 4 list at 3k+ points so that if I ended up losing my wizard to the miscast then my casting and magic defense aren't butchered.
Power Stone: The way I see this one is a worse version of the Power Scroll, as it is just throwing two more dice in to seemingly provoke an irresistible force, which the Power Scroll seems to simply do better. In addition, if the spell isn't cast with IF then your opponent can simply scroll it and make this into 20 points for little gain.

Yes. I think both items are great, but usually take a second spot behind the dispel scroll. The problem is that I prefer to spend the points on Warlocks instead of taking second caster and getting, and thus a second arcane item. If I took a second caster, I would probably take one of these items.

The most interesting way I have heard it used is on lvl 2 dark mage in an infantry unit who can also cast power of darkness. This way there is even greater opportunity to produce extra dice.

This was actually just used against me. Skaven player drew out all my dispell dice on dreaded 13th, then ate two warp stones and used a power scroll to get plague off on my witch elves with two dice. Killed 19 of them that way. ( felt bad until the 5 that were left + cauldron and assassin took out 25 storm vermin.)

I've considered taking them, but normally opt to use the Sacrificial Dagger. Given the liberal amount of PD, and the fact that we can toss six of them.. it just doesn't seem worth taking (for me, that is). I'd be likely to take one in a magic-heavy list though would be hard pressed to take it over a Dispel Scroll and the SD.

I hardly even use them when playing with my Dark Elves...
I have on occasion used them when using a friends Skaven list... and for the spells they use the Power Scroll is a god send.

Example...having already lost my dispel scroll to stop a dreaded 13th that was cast without IF.
Next turn..I use all my dispell dice to stop Wither and Plague....he then power scroll to cast Dreaded 13th on a unit Black Guard....wiping all 20 of them in one turn...

My main issue is that I love running with just one Sorceress and so I'm often limited to that one arcane item, which is preferably a dispel scroll. Though I have always looked at these other scrolls like.. yummie.. got to try that some day!

I consider a dispel scroll to be a crutch in my game. A crutch that I still use, but a crutch nonetheless. I think that the book of Ashur (+1 to cast and dispel) is more nuanced and effective -- Espeicially with Hakarti's blessing -- giving +6 to cast dark magic with a level 4. Unfortunately, I am not skilled enough for this yet. So I run a level 4 with dispel scroll and some warlocks.

More experience and I think that the Book of Ashur will be superior. I just need the balls to throw away my crutch.

70 points for the Book of Ashur though is a lot. No points left for any kind of protection for your level 4

I´ve used the Power Stone a few times, it gives me another boosted fireball at the end of a long magic phase. Arcane Item slots isn´t a problem if you bring three lvl 2 wizards. It´s still a second pick after Dispel Scroll. About which to take between Power Stone and Power Scroll, I think the Power Stone is better, it eliminates the risk of failing to cast due to a 1 or 2 total result even if you start with just 1 PD, you can boost it and a higher casting value is harder to dispel. The Power Scroll doesn´t change the PD/DD balance so if you want to use it then you need to draw dispel dice with another spell first.

I don't take them. But I run Dark magic, and the casting values on that are stupid easy to make with a level 4 with the exception of the boosted Black Horror and Doom Bolt, but you can't use the scroll on boosted spells so never mind that.

I've used the power stone with a modicum of success. It's best if you've drawn out their dispel dice, then with 1-2 dice left you can get off a reasonably strong spell at the very end of the magic phase... Wyssan's anyone?

Dragon9 wrote:I don't take them. But I run Dark magic, and the casting values on that are stupid easy to make with a level 4 with the exception of the boosted Black Horror and Doom Bolt, but you can't use the scroll on boosted spells so never mind that.

Is that in a FAQ?

Yes it is. Power Scrolls can only be used on the unboosted level of a spell.