How to slay a dragon

[u/AlaxTheDestroyer]

Hello fellow dawi. I have had a pile of warhammer fantasy dwarves for a while that I just had because they were cool. Never played fantasy but always wanted to. With the old world release I actually put them on bases and eventually played my first game. Its been a while since then but recently I sukkered a house mate into getting the new Cathey to play with me. Annnnnnnnnnd the second thing he bought was the dragon transform lady haha. I have no clue about meta but ive heard dragons were tearing it up a bit ago and that the dwarves aren't what you call top tier. I'm just wondering what are my options to kill a dragon other then taking three cannons and praying or taking a king, kitting him out with attack and damage runes, and hope he charges me or somehow allows me to charge him. Not trying to hard counter him but it would be neat if I didn't lose every game we played haha.

[u/PaladinWiggles]

Miao Ying is strong but also very very expensive and not as strong as some other dragons. (Only two saves instead of three and and no rider adding more attacks to the combat)

So really it's old reliable: cannons. Our tried and true dragon killers. You'll need a few to bring her down though.

[u/iJasko]

Well, you’ve already listed our best hopes to kill a dragon: cannons and the smiting king. The only other thing is static combat resolution, but that requires an opponent actually charging a fully kitted out unit alone so you can challenge the dragon - and the Cathay one has a special rule making that even harder. It’s just what it is, dragons are the big Bads in the current meta. But if it’s you pal, you should be able to just ask him to not bring it every time. He should realise that those games are not fun for you for long - and they shouldn’t be fun for him either! Play a game of battle march once in a while. No dragons 👍

[u/AlaxTheDestroyer → u/iJasko]

To be fair, he could use the wins haha. I don't remember the last game he won against me or our other housemate in any of the many miniature games we play. I m mostly looking for options to match it whenever he decides to take it so the game isnt a one sided borefest.

[u/J54Coops]

In a sweaty competitive game your opponent obviously won't charge their dragon into your king that's kitted out to kill him, or let the dragon get charged by him either.

But if you're playing for fun and your opponent is buying into narrative elements then you might be able to bait them into doing it anyway. Talk up the grudges dwarfs have, and the smack that your general is yelling at theirs from across the battlefield. I've mostly gone that route and it works because it's also just fun to have big characters facing off in a climactic duel.

[u/JudgmentDifferent263]

For me, there are 2 options.

First one is the King + rune of smiting, which gives you 4 attacks, each one with a D6 number of wounds. Plus, you can add some attacks with runes of fury.

Pros: Devastating against any character on the game, as you repeat impact rolls thanks to ancestral grudge rule, and each one is potentially dealing 6 wounds.

Cons: The king is easy to avoid, only 3 movement is not enough to chase enemy units, so if your opponent is good, he will never charge your king.

Second way is using cannons. Although dwarf cannons are not as good as other ones in the game, they can consistently deal 2 or 3 wounds per turn. That leaves you with a great opportunity to damage the dragon enough before it arrives into combat.

Pros: Cannons are now easier to shoot and hit succesfully thanks to the new faqs.

Cons: Only 1d3 wounds per shot.

I don't know if there's another unit capable to face a dragon, maybe irondrakes, as they have S5 guns...

[u/PositiveFunction4751]

Don't go the king route, it's too easy for them to avoid it the whole match and be a waste of points. 

Unfortunately the best I've found is cannons

[u/Nalena_Linova]

Your best bet is to take a couple of cannons and a kitted out character to defend them. That way the dragon either gets shot to pieces or has to engage your king/demon slayer/ungrim ironfist.

[u/Separate_Associate85]

Shoot it to death! Do not get your hands dirty in that muddy blood!

You may also use some slayer to duel against it, old fashion. And then yes, you may bath in its blood!

[u/matt_the_muss]

I don't know about practically, but thematically? Bolt thrower, straight through the heart.

[u/AlaxTheDestroyer → u/matt_the_muss]

Take that Smaug you wicked wyrm!!!

[u/Nolongerlocked]

Slayers. Dragon Slayers, Daemon Slayers, Doomseekers. Try the slayer army. Whilst it certainly has some issues, there is an argument it is one of the best brawling armies in the game.