“…Those that are left undergo a brutal training regime to enter the Vanguard regiments. This first training regime focuses on physical development and martial arts training. By the end of their third year of conditioning and training, a Vanguard clone is equally comfortable with killing using bows, snap bows, blades, and limbs. Their training has been skewed to emphasizes evasion and speed over raw power but raised to peak physical condition and trained in combat for three years, the average Vanguard Clone is more than a match for even a veteran man-at-arms, capable of going toe to toe with the combat elite of the Dweghom and W’adrhŭn.”
Their Role on the Field
Vanguard Clones are the epitome of Spire military infantry engineering and training, fully sentient and capable of complex tactical thought. These elite Clone soldiers act as a literal vanguard, preparing the ground for the arrival of the full might of a Spire Army. Let’s take a closer look:
Vanguard Clone
The rapier and shield Vanguard variant act as an elite melee Regiment designed to assault and hold key Objectives against enemy elite Regiments. When deployed with a Ward Preceptor their Defense of 4 makes them very effective at defending against most Regiments, whereas their Evasion of 2 allows strikes from even the mightiest of Dragonslayers to be avoided all together. When the time comes to strike back, an Inspired Clash of 3 with 2 attacks per Clone will hurt even the most dangerous and enduring foes.
Vanguard Clone Infiltrators
As their melee oriented brethren are holding the enemy lines, the Infiltrators are a force to be reckoned with when firing at the flanks of a pinned foe. Fast and very agile the Infiltrators can quickly make up their way to support friendly Regiments with overwhelming salvoes of crossbow bolts. While being as agile as their melee counterparts, however, they are not nearly as well armored. Beware of fast melee flanking Regiments as they can end the Infiltrator’s reign of flanking-shot terror. The Vanguard Clones provide unique playstyle opportunities for the Spire forces. From head-on assaults against enemy melee Regiments to delicate flanking maneuvers, this elite infantry force is bound to change the way you play your Army.
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