So let's ignore how long it's been since I've posted something here and just jump on in!
Sepulcher follows the standard statline of the Kraken (including boxes) at 1 point cheaper, so it'll take some Dark Shroud and one of the many damage buffs (or ARM debuffs) Cryx casters have to bring it to true colossal levels of melee threat. As for its "tech," an extremely robust necrosurgeon isn't too bad, though the 5'' collection range on Body Snatcher is an order-of-activations issue if you're keeping the McThralls close by. The potential of creating Brute Thralls is currently unquantifiable in my head, as the ability for the Sepulcher to place them aggressively will be a game state situation more than anything else. Finally, the main focus of the Sepulcher is definitely in its firepower. With an AoE 5, Arcing Fire, Critical Paralysis unicorn stub, the Desolator creates a whole slew of ranged assassination potential that makes me nauseous. This is a faction with access to Puppet Strings. Privateer Press please. That, compounded with the obscenely strong Spiker guns, represent a truly dangerous ranged threat to nearly anything on the table. Some quick napkin math will show you what it does to a Angelius. Assume three focus and Puppet Strings to have a reasonable chance of garnering a crit on the Desolator. First, boost to hit Desolator, hitting with a crit. POW 13 + 2d6 = 3. Each Spiker then hits on a 3+, so assume all hit. Spending the two remaining focus for the extra ROF on each Spiker, you then get POW 13 + 2 (burst fire) + 2d6 = 5 x 4 shots = 20 average damage. 23 points of damage at range 11, and that's assuming the only buff you've given the Sepulcher is Puppet Strings. Everything else on the Sepulcher is just gravy after that. A great addition to Denny123 (debuffs galore), Skarre2 (Black Spot), and Goreshade3 (feat Siphon Bolt assassinations). On a scale of Conquest to Stormwall, I'd give it a Judicator.
Coming in at the standard turkey cost of 4 points, the Shrike is the Razorwing Griffon of Warmachine. I'm not sure how many Cryx players have ever felt they need more non-AoE infantry removal, so I'm gonna place this into the "playable but questionably so" territory of models. Though I will point out that at MAT 7, it performs it's job reasonably well - though the POW 11 might not be enough in the age of Iron Zeal Iron Fangs. A relatively uninteresting addition to Cryx IMO. On a scale of an Argus to a Gorax, I'd give it a Razor Worm.
With the straightforward purpose of being a front line soul collector, this 1 point cutie wish it had five boxes. That's not to say it's bad in its current form, but I see this solo being a fill in for lists with an extra point. Basically, build a cryx list. Does it have an extra point? Yes. Do you even McThrall? Yes? Scarlock Commander. No? Do you have anything that collects souls? No? You're playing Cryx, remember? Yes? This guy. You just took a ride on my stream of consciousness. But I digress. Fantastic (sometimes) as a filler, mediocre as a support solo, I probably would've given it ghost shield. This would've been fantastic for a Testament3 unit where you would have 5-9 of these dudes in a CMD 10 unit with him. On a scale of a Accretion Servitors to a Vassal Mechanik, I'd give it a Feralgeist.
Barruuuuum, baruuuuum, the ents march to war. I'm not entirely sure what shovels is supposed to be. He feels like an aggressive heavy, as Soul Drive, Counter Charge, and double POW 17's seem to indicate. With POW 17 and feedback on the Talons, the plethora of damage buffs in faction makes him one of the most potent non-colossal cryxian warjacks. Yet on the other hand, he has Dig In and Drag Below, making him a mobile, high DEF melee platform that wants to skirt the edges of zones, serving as a hard-to-remove contesting piece. Perhaps the most questionable part of his entire rules set is Special Issue [Terminus]. If anyone can draw connections between the two, let me know, because I'm baffled as to how this guy is Terminus' jack. Anyways, on a scale of Scourge of Heresy to the Avatar of Menoth, I'd give him a Fire of Salvation.
So let's get down to business. To destroy the Huns. Or not.
So let's start with her base stats. As as SPD 9 cavalry battle engine with flight, her ability to maneuver around the battlefield in order to dominate, fight, or just cast spells is one of the best in the game. The only way it could've been better is if she were on a large base - but the rule of cool for skeleton dragon things is 3good5me. At MAT 6 and a reach POW 13, her melee potential needs help in order to get anywhere. On the same note, her RAT 4 Spray 8 POW 10 with cont. corrosion also needs help. Her 15/16 statline leaves a lot to be desired, as she has no other real defensive mechanic on her card other than cull soul (if you can call that defensive). This is a caster that definitely waits on baited breath for the Inflictor's inevitable arrival. If we weren't playing Cryx, I'd discuss the CMD.
Her feat is elegantly simple: here's seven soul tokens. Soul Mastery multiplies each soul by 3 focus, whether it be in battlegroup allocation or spell casting. If you ever needed a 28 focus turn to help your self-esteem problems, Denny3's your girl. But on a more serious line, the most likely application of her feat is creating a turn where your army gains Battle. Assassination potential abounds with Scourge and 9 focus to a slew of Cryxian ranged jacks (*cough* Sepulcher). Another interesting part of Hell Gate is that the souls are converted into focus next turn via Cull Soul, affording you two back to back turns of enhanced focus output if you don't need all of it in one turn. It makes my heart happy to see powerful feats have different playlines, lines that require careful thought in order to maximize your resources to the fullest. Soul Weaver seems pretty circumstantial, and I very much doubt that it'll be essential to her play. It's definitely nice to have, but I wouldn't build a list around it.
Now for her spell list. Ghost Walk is always nice to have, allowing you to save Saxon for another list. Grave Wind will likely always be on her, though placing it on Nightmare could be pretty interesting if they don't have any upkeep removal and you have an Inflictor (or two). Mortality is the obvious money maker of her spell list, and I'm happy to see it on another caster other than Hunter's Grim. It's important to emphasize the Mortality isn't an upkeep, allowing her to debuff numerous units. Scourge allows for a lot of assassination plays, and I'm always fond of have those options on the table.
In comparison to other Cryxian casters (especially her other iterations), Denny3 definitely doesn't have the same feeling of raw, overwhelming power. What she brings is a more controlled and careful game, one of ranged control and attrition. Potential lists in my mind usually have a Sepulcher, Inflictor, Nyss, and McThrall packages for screening and melee threat. Granted, I'm not a Cryx player, but the playstyle seems to function much in the same line as Protectorate gun lines: you carefully peel the layers of your opponent's army while maintaining your lines better than they can, followed by a burst of power via your feat in order to bury them completely. Though she appeals to me, I'm doubtful she'll dethrone the more popular staples of Cryxian play. Overall, on a scale of Venethrax to Denny2, I'd give her a Skarre2.
BUT WE AIN'T DONE YET. I actually really like this tier list. Soulhunters are obviously powerful with Mortality, and they were one of my favorite cav units in the game already. Here's a sample list that I'd play:
Denny3 (+4)
- Sepulcher (18)
- Leviathan (9)
- Nightwretch (4)
Soulhunters [max] (9)
Soulhunters [max] (9)
Withershadow Combine (5)
= 54
Thanks for reading. As always, let me know what y'all think in the comments. Peace out, nerds.
No comments:
Post a Comment