So I'm trying to suss out the 9 try unit of spearmen. So for 59 cost, you get the siege, which unlocks front line golem ( http://runewars.wikia.com/wiki/Front_Line_Rune_Golem ) for 7 more. So for 66 points - you have what looks like an obscene starting point (adding in additional upgrades like for an army. Am I reading that wrong? It looks OP especially with Citadel Weapons Master.
Front Line Golem
It's very strong! So far the challenge has been actually getting it into melee combat, as my opponents have tried to avoid engaging with it at all costs.
Once it gets to attack, it is a monster. Your opponent will blight or kite it as best as they can and try to kill everything else.
Double Fire Rune archers will tear it up though.
It is deadly, but the issue is its one big block of units.
This game has several mechanics that are minor issues to a small unit but a drastic problem in a large unit. Blight tokens being a big one, its really difficult to properly blight multiple small units to keep their dice down or offer Lancer's the chance to mortal strike. However, its very easy to keep 1 big unit blight-spammed and since in this game a larger unit does NOT roll extra dice, that blight hurts more.
Thing people dont realize is the giant deathball has drawbacks, and isnt even as deadly as you may think.
A true Deathstar of 3x3 spearmen has Weapons Master (+1 Red Die), Golem (Brutal 1-2), Shield Wall (why would you not take this on a big unit?), and 2-6pts of Banner/Music to flavor for a total of 79-85pts. This unit can reliably do 20 damage with a max of 30, has 2 rerolls, and a failsafe in case a BIG hit lands on them (shield wall). Ive ran it, it hits like a truck, but its one unit so it can be focused and little things add up quick on a big unit. The other drawback is its size DOES impact its mobility, it cant go around terrain that easy and its super easy to flank.
However, a 2x2 with a mere Weapons Master, Tempered Steel, and i enjoy Metered March to mess with people is 43pts and has a damage cap of 16 if Tempered Steel is available. You can fit two of these for 1pt more than the 3x3, which means more targets for your opponent to pay attention to and if one gets utterly hammered the other is probably just fine. 2x2 can skirt around things much easier than a 3x3 and its pretty difficult to flank by anything more than a single tray.
There are reasons to go with the 3x3 though since deathstars in this game seem to have a "prey on the oblivious" perk to them, and so early in the game's life thats pretty potent. If you dont know how to deal with them, theyre insane. If you do, theyre not that bad.
Edited by Vineheart01
It's definitely a dangerous unit. Nothing but my 4x3 block of reanimates or a 3x2 of lancers can facetank its damage potential.
But, as mentioned, it is ONE unit, making ONE attack, and is more vulnerable to blight stacking than multiple units are.
Add agressive Cornicen and you can get a +1 defense when you charge into an enemy
