Hello once again First Blood Fanatics!
Clash! sets arrive in First Blood. At the head of each Warband is a brand new Legendary Character- A bespoke Warlord that bears truly Unique Items and Special Rules, earned from their triumphs and tribulations across the world of Eä. For those looking for new Characters to lead their existing forces, all the Legendary Characters in these Clash! Boxes will be able to be included in your Faction’s standard Warband, they are not limited to only their Clash! box.
Some will be familiar to long-time players as they have been active participants in the Lore of the Living World, finally being rewarded with representation on your tabletop; while others are brand new, making a grand entrance into the narrative. Let’s take a dive into who these new Characters are and what tricks and tactics they bring to your Warband.
Eleanor of Aquilea- Hundred Kingdoms
A Priory Commander of the Order of the Sealed Temple and now the fated herald of the Empire, Eleanor bears the Imperial Banner in efforts to reunite the Hundred Kingdoms once more. Eleanor combines the prowess you come to expect from a warrior of the Orders with the rousing oratory and leadership of an Imperial Officer. Eleanor boasts a mighty Command Range, pushing your Imperial Warriors to greater heights.
Eleanor also serves as an improved Standard Bearer for your Army, even allowing your Warriors to test their Resolve while Broken! However, if she would fall on the Battlefield- Eleanor plants her stand in a final act of duty. Granting all Friendly Warriors near it the Dauntless Special Rule. Although, fighting for the banner is a must; if no Friendly Warriors are near it then the Enemy automatically wins any Supremacy Roll as your Warrior lose morale!
Alekhaneros, the Fire Thane- Dweghom
An unorthodox visionary, Alekhaneros sees the flaws in Dweghom society and the toll of Dweghom lives lost at the cost of Aghm. The tactics Alekhaneros has employed on the battlefield are viewed as downright disgraceful to his kin, for he firmly believes discretion to be the better part of valor. On a journey to reclaim the Lost Dragonblade of Ghe’Domn, Alekhaneros seeks to usher in a new future for the Dweghom- one where tradition no longer stands in the way of triumph.
As opposed to the typically obstinate and inevitable nature of the Dweghom, Alekhaneros provides flexibility and maneuverability uncharacteristic to the rest of the roster. However, do not confuse his purposeful mindset for placidity- for whenever you lose the Roll for Supremacy, he immediately performs a Clash Action. He is not called a firebrand for nothing! Alekhaneros is best when accompanied by his elite band of Flame Berserkers, where he focuses their unbridled rage to break the Enemy the most assuredly.
Timoleon the Lion- Nords
Ancient, wise, and a Shaman without equal- Timolean is arguably the single most powerful human spellcaster in all of Eä. Timolean is an ancient figure, bearing witness to the tyranny of the Jotunn over the Nords firsthand- it should come as no surprise that he refuses to include any Jotnar in his Warband.
Timolean’s mastery of Wind and Ice manifests on the battlefield into a mighty storm that follows him wherever he walks, growing in power throughout the game. He is also able to shield allies with pillars of ice that erupt from the ground, blocking blades and bowshot alike. Most frightening of all, Timolean is able to freeze Enemies-stopping them from being able to Move or act until they are freed. Timolean achieves victory by stopping the enemy dead in their tracks, allowing his warriors to focus on slaying their foes without resistance.
Anveshak the Outcast- Sorcerer Kings
A mysterious figure, Anveshak has slipped so far into the Elemental planes that he is no longer a man. Even yet, no single Element calls to his soul- a pariah amongst both Elementals as well as the Enclaves of the Sorcerer Kings. Although bearing no court of his own, Anveshak can use the Elementals around him to channel the power of their realms to conjure rituals.
Anveshak is also able to pierce the primordial plane himself to channel a single Element, terraforming the battlefield into that of the chosen realm. Anveshak prefers a host of Elementals, to use as conduits to the primordial or to even pawn unwanted damage off to. Anveshak is the premier conjurer of Rituals in the Sorcerer Kings, able to bend their uses regardless of their Court. Anveshak allows creative generals to better bend the battle to their whim.
Ikasukoro, the Iron Daimyo- Yoroni
Brutal, Bold, and Brash- Ikasukoro is a mighty Warlord of the Yoroni. Ikasukoro is a terrifying combatant but cares little for micro-managing his comrades, leaving the responsibility to his shikigami herald Zako. As Ikasukoro carves a bloody path through the Enemy battleline, Zako barks out his orders to his Warband. Cunning enemies that focus their efforts on slaying the fragile herald will earn themselves a temporary reprieve from his Command Abilities, only for Zako to reappear to continue his servitude.
Ikasukoro are an unprecedented dynamic on the battlefield, creating a new minigame of cat and mouse that both players must compete in to claim victory. Do you slay Zako to gain a temporary edge in leadership? Or do you focus your efforts into Ikasukoro himself to finally banish them both.
With this wide new array of Warlords, your battles will undoubtedly become more Legendary. But this is only the beginning! Next time we will discuss how their Warbands wage war on the battlefield. Until next time!