Auto includes!

So, i just wanted to ask you what units are auto included in your lists and why? The reason could be fluff, nicely painted model, or simply a strategically amazing unit.

Mine are 3 solo sabretusks, i never leave them at home.
Also my Firebelly, I love the model and whether he is naked or lvl 2 stacked with items he always makes my games enjoyable.

The Stonehorn.  It's big, fun, usually works pretty well, and I'm happy how the paint turned out on it.  At 1000 points, it gets added.

I'm going to buck the trend with my auto-include:

Nothing!

Every time that I get into the habit of taking a unit or item, I realise that I'm becoming predictable, and that I won't ever really adapt and evolve as a player/ general. I try to constantly change tactics and army lists to a) get the most out of the Ogre army and the miniatures/ rules that we have access to (so many fun toys!) and b) if I win, I'll change so that I can make sure it's my skill as a player, and not luck/ cookie-cutter-ing/ a rock-paper-scissors scenario of beating my opponents list because my list had all the answers to it; if I lose a game then I want to adapt my strategies to try something new and unexpected.

Perhaps the only item this doesn't include is the Dispel Scroll. I always end up taking a Hellheart in my original list, then dropping it down to a Dispel Scroll to free up points; I feel like any competitive list needs one or both of those items and I can't remember the last time I played without a DS- still haven't gotten around to using the Hellheart yet, as I always have to shave it off to save points! (Pun intended) I find that Ogres are definitely a very points-hungry army.

The dragonhide banner. A BSB. Ironguts.

Thus far - a BSB is the only thing I auto-include and can't conceive of building a viable list without.

Things I virtually always run : Ironblasters, Ironguts, Firebelly, Slaughtermaster

Things I like to include : Sabertusks, Gnoblar Trappers

Things I wish I ran more : Tyrant

My Leadbelcher-riding-a-Grimhorn-Rhinox Ironblaster.

BSB, + some form of magic. Butcher at low point games, but ASAP I up it to Slaughtermaster.
3 Sabres are a must, too.

Nothing!

I wish I could say this! But I do mostly use BSB, as that re-roll have saved me so many times. And lately I have been very fond of stubborn, so Crown of Command and Stubborn on Maneaters have been used quite often. Also at least 1 sabretusk finds his way to my lists almost every time. Ironblaster is no stranger either..

But I'm trying to get rid of these auto includes too. Pretty much for the same reasons as Ultra-Mega Bob here explained. Last game I left IB home and took giant instead, it was fun

BSB and at least 2 solo sabretusks. The only equipment I auto-include is the Grut's Sickle when I run a Slaughtermaster.

I always take my one ironblaster. It was the first ogre model I painted and it came out quite nice. Also the cannon just solves so many problems, even if it does blow up on occasion.

BSB. I also include Bulls but mostly just because I don't have the models for multiple Irongut blocks.

Man Eaters ; )

.. and Ironguts.

These two units create the flexible backbone of my armies. The options for magic banners here are essential.

+1 Ld, +1M, flaming, AP just changes the whole dynamic of the army.

I wish I would find uses for my ogre-horde more often though. I'd like a meta where it would be an auto-include ; )

25% minimum Core!

That's my auto-include!

...after that, whatever I feel like

BSB. I also include Bulls but mostly just because I don't have the models for multiple Irongut blocks.

Yeah, I 'only' own 24 Ironguts Not enough.

At 2000 points - 4nr Mournfang with heavy armour, ironfists and Dragonhide banner

scares the hell out of any opposition

I'd say the only things I truly consider auto-includes are lone Sabretusks and Ironblasters. I have preferences which range from personal taste (Irongut-only Core) to complementarity-dictated taste (Flaming Poison Pistoleaters), but they can be done away with. I would not field an Ogre list at the points totals I play at without Sabretusks and I-Blasters. I just wouldn't.

I would amend my earlier statement, just to say that in the majority of games I run with a BSB and a single Ironblaster; I do like to shake it up and try lists without them, but I do so in the knowledge that said list will be generally less competitive.

Running a BSB-less list requires a Tyrant + Standard of Discipline at the very least, and means you have to bubble up a lot more, or take more self-sufficient units (Gnoblars, Giants, Ironblasters, Maneaters/ Mournfang + Gleaming Pennant etc.)

Running without an Ironblaster is much more risky. After several games I tried playing with one, with two and without any. Good luck taking on Skaven with Doomwheels + Warplightning Cannons + Abominations if you don't have any Ironblasters, that's all I'm saying...

Greasus Goldtooth.  That dude is OP!!!  I mean, M4 AND he forces stupidity tests... sorry... i'll stop drooling.  But aside from him:

Sabertusks at any level.

Ironblaster at 2K or higher.

Maneaters at 2.5k or higher.

Mournfang HA IF BoDH seems to be the auto include you see in everything. Irongut's as core is my auto include

However i am totally a hipster >.> imnot.... so im going to say Leadbeltchers. I don't make an army list without at least 4 of these. They clear chaff, they murder monsters, and if you run enough of them they can make big dents in main units. With the 8 I run i continually reduce blocks of Warriors...Templeguard...heck even a lot of cavalry to nothing. And as I always say, end of the day they are still ogres, and that's not to shabby for a ranged unit.

Sabertusk,Ironblaster,Slaughtermaster.. these are also things you should probably add.

My only auto-include unit so far has been the Leadbelchers, those guys can just tear up so much I can't leave em at home.

But my biggest auto include has to be the Dragonhide Banner. It is just so useful and a real bargain for the points.

Lately I've been playing 2500-3500 points and the thing that is always a great success is a HUNTER atop a STONEHORN with the OBSIDIAN BLADE and ARMOUR OF SILVERED STEEL.

Lately I've been playing 2500-3500 points and the thing that is always a great success is a HUNTER atop a STONEHORN with the OBSIDIAN BLADE and ARMOUR OF SILVERED STEEL.

Your hunter can't have both armor of the silvered steed and the obsidian blade...