My First Monster: Planet Eaters

This article is going to be part of an ongoing series exclusively focused on new players!  I'll be doing a short, concise write-up for each faction that gives people interested in buying into Monsterpocalypse an efficient starting point to a competitive list.  Some Monsters are more optimized than others, so I'm going to select only one Monster per faction.  First up is the Planet Eaters!

Planet Eaters are chitinous energy monsters that are here to consume Earth.  Their playstyle is hyper aggressive in both their Units and Monsters.  If capturing and defending your half of the city isn't really your thing, then Planet Eaters is the faction for you!  This faction can happily abandon ship and push your opponent onto their back foot.

Starting Monster: Gorghadra

Gorghadra is a beat-stick Monster that embodies the Planet Eaters well.  As a bonus he comes in the starter box!  He's got great stats, and has a straightforward plan: Smash the city.  In Hyper form he  gains extra damage and gains Power Dice when your units are destroyed.  This is what lets you continue to generate Power Dice for your monster turns without relying on building captures.

Choosing a Partner

Gorghadra does well as your offensive force, and could use a little support to help out.  Cthugrosh is great for building and removing screens, and is defensive enough to hold the line while Gorghadra does the punching.  Rogzor is another option if you prefer a stronger ranged game.  Rogzor can spend his time blowing up the enemy power base while Gorghadra hands the enemy Monsters.

Units and Buildings

A mix of Belchers and Chompers is the essence of any Planet Eater list.  One Explodohawk is important as a utility piece.  A blister of Lords of Cthul units can help round out your forces with some much needed support and gives you Summon targets for Cthugrosh!

The Harbinger Comet works to enhance your power generation and is a must buy for the faction.  Industrial Complex helps your "pedestrians" (Monsters and Units that don't have high mobility) get around the map.  A Power Plant can work both offensively and defensively depending on your preference.  If you love rerolls, the GUARD Defense Base is good in any list.

Can I Go Mono-Faction?

Yes!  Planet Eaters have a very strong faction pure identity that can win games without any outside help.  The one nuance here is a lack of flying units outside of the Explodohawk.  If you're planning to include NO other factions, you'll need 3 Explodohawks for standing in impassable terrain to capture buildings.  Then again, Planet Eaters typically aren't interested in sitting in the back holding buildings anyway.....

Sample List

Here's the good stuff: Someone telling you exactly what to buy and where to start.  This section in future articles will give you a competitive starting point for each faction that will start your collection with smart purchases that have viable competitive options.

Gorghadra | Cthugrosh: Harbinger Comet, Industrial Complex, Power Plant

- Elite Belcher
- Belcher
- Belcher
- Belcher
- Crawler

- Elite Chomper
- Chomper
- Chomper
- Explodohawk
- Destructomite

- Elite Squix
- Squix
- Squix
- Meat Slave
- Meat Slave

Total cost comes to $144.43 at online retailers like DicountGamesInc.