Seems to me that FFG's next Runewars announcement will be the 4th "regular" unit (i.e. neither hero or command figure) for the Latari . So far, all FFG's unit expansion releases (Daqan crossbowmen and Waiqar knights) were already hinted at in the Lore Guide.

Checking back at the Lore Guide for the Latari we get:

• Darnati spearmen (page 29: "How swiftly they shift their steps, facing any foe with a forest of razor tips.")
• Swordmasters (page 29: "In full armor, with great blades made heavy to carve through mounted foes...")
• Archers (announced)
• Mages and mystics (mostly nature-based)
• Aymhelin scions (announced)
• Leonx riders (announced)
• Yeron riders (the yeron being a flying horse, as I understand it)

So, if we rely on this, I would expect that new unit to be either the Darnati Spearmen or the Swordmasters, considering that the Latari lacks a melee infantry unit.

Which one do you think it will be?

Personally I would love the introduction of some kind of counter-measure to cavalry units, so I would bet on the Swordmasters (since the fluff suggests they are especially good against it). So maybe we'll get the first special action/mechanic that specifically applies to a unit type (in this case cavalry)?

What would you like as a cavalry counter-measure mechanic?

Spearmen would seem like a clone of Daqan, while two-handed swords would be unique, so I'm also betting Swordmasters.

Swords as well, we have.spears, and axes(and swords) but that is most unique.

Swordsmen, all the way.

I'm still used to the Rune Age units "Darnati Warriors," which wielded swords in the card art. Strange that they give them Spears in this game. *shrug*

I, too, think swordsmen, but I don't think there will be any overt counter to cavalry. Most cavalry have some kind of impact, so the only counter-cavalry thing I could think of is one that reduces panic. I'd hate to see something that says "if the target is cavalry, do X." It's just too rock-scissors-paper for my tastes. It should be designed in a way that they're good against all the game's cavalry, but not because they are cavalry. It needs to be a good counter to cavalry tactics and movement. Unfortunately, I'm not convinced Cavalry are that mechanically different from infantry.

2 minutes ago, Budgernaut said:

I, too, think swordsmen, but I don't think there will be any overt counter to cavalry. Most cavalry have some kind of impact, so the only counter-cavalry thing I could think of is one that reduces panic. I'd hate to see something that says "if the target is cavalry, do X." It's just too rock-scissors-paper for my tastes. It should be designed in a way that they're good against all the game's cavalry, but not because they are cavalry. It needs to be a good counter to cavalry tactics and movement. Unfortunately, I'm not convinced Cavalry are that mechanically different from infantry.

That's a good point. I agree. I think having an early initiative shift action could be a soft counter, allowing them to dodge charges if they are deployed well. This also can be used to defend against infantry, as you hinted at above, but it avoids Impact and can put the opposing cavalry in a bad position.

Having an early initiative melee attack action could also be cool, allowing them to easily take advantage of File Leader.

Probably spearmen because the swordsmen sound elite-like rather than common troops.

Just now, Vineheart01 said:

Probably spearmen because the swordsmen sound elite-like rather than common troops.

But there is no "elite" figure in this game. Even if you had "elite" infantry and regular infantry, they'd both be infantry figures and sit in infantry trays. If you want to make them seem elite, you give them smaller configuration sizes, higher cost, better defense, and better abilities, they will feel elite, even if they are mechanically just infantry. I see no reason why they couldn't do that. Why do they need to be "common troops" at this point?

Not the point.

I know they'd still be considered Infantry, but i'd wager the spearmen would be the bulk tray unit, as in cheap and spammy but no real perk on their own, while the swordsmen would be fairly expensive and probably limited to the same numbers cavalry are (the max cavalry ive seen anyone want to run is 6 trays, either in MSU or one big unit)

Never know they may just give us that anyway and leave the archers as the "main" force. Proper tanks for the archers instead of more mass bodies.

47 minutes ago, Vineheart01 said:

Not the point.

I know they'd still be considered Infantry, but i'd wager the spearmen would be the bulk tray unit, as in cheap and spammy but no real perk on their own, while the swordsmen would be fairly expensive and probably limited to the same numbers cavalry are (the max cavalry ive seen anyone want to run is 6 trays, either in MSU or one big unit)

Never know they may just give us that anyway and leave the archers as the "main" force. Proper tanks for the archers instead of more mass bodies.

After all, it's the archers that we're getting 4 trays of in the core set. That leaves Elf players to buy their melee infantry 2 trays at a time, at expansion prices, so it would be a mercy if FFG made them a high-quality low-quantity unit.

9 hours ago, Vineheart01 said:

Not the point.

I know they'd still be considered Infantry, but i'd wager the spearmen would be the bulk tray unit, as in cheap and spammy but no real perk on their own, while the swordsmen would be fairly expensive and probably limited to the same numbers cavalry are (the max cavalry ive seen anyone want to run is 6 trays, either in MSU or one big unit)

Never know they may just give us that anyway and leave the archers as the "main" force. Proper tanks for the archers instead of more mass bodies.

I see what you're saying. The Deepwood Archers max out at 2x3 like the other archers, so the Latari should have an infantry unit that can be at least 3x3. I confess I was still thinking of Deepwood Archers as being the main infantry force for the Latari.

While I agree that the swordsmen seem like they would be more elite, it would be too same-y to have spearmen for both good factions. I really think they'll do swords.

EDIT: And they could always do "Swordsmen" now and "Darnati Warriors" later, thus having regular swordsmen and elite swordsmen.

I was thinking, it'd be neat if they got a REALLY unique unit in the form of what I'm about to explain -

Archers that are good in close combat and ranged. Sorta like the elves from the Lord of The Rings that had bows that could be used as swords.

----
Although, I think the swordsmen will probably be what the Latari get as their infantry unit.

Crossbowmen are actually pretty decent in melee. Already got that covered (though they clearly prefer range)

5 hours ago, Vineheart01 said:

Crossbowmen are actually pretty decent in melee. Already got that covered (though they clearly prefer range)

Are they?

They roll one blue die, have one damage modifier, and have a max threat of three, none of their formations can even be increased to four with hawthorne.

Only at 3x2 can they take a weapons master to make melee a red/blue, so literally the MAXIMUM melee damage they can possibly deal is 12, and that's with an upgrade, with a modifier, and with a perfect roll otherwise.

I guess they're technically better at melee than reanimate archers, but that's not saying much.

Also attack at init5.

Nonhero that can be deadly in both melee and range would probably be limited to a Large model only, where things that cause mortal strikes can counter it easily.

Like i said, they prefer ranged but they CAN melee lol

I could see a spear unit that has deadly x for each tray in the front rank when being charged on the front face. But I think that would make Daqan players angry lol.

Thats kinda the point of spearmen, they deter headon charges and cavalry. I found it odd from the getgo that spearmen were the main force...get up in a spearmen's face and his spear isnt that useful

Not to mention combined with the tower shield lol. Even being made of wood, thats not a light thing to lug around. All youre going to do with the spear is hold it out and tilt it as needed while hanging onto that big shield.

But, tis fantasy. Where people tote giant shoulderpads and 1h weapons almost as big as they are (1h weapon irl longer than 2ft wasnt very common, usually 1.5ft is the norm)

I have a ninja sword, one and a half feet, it's totally awesome

8 hours ago, Ywingscum said:

I have a ninja sword, one and a half feet, it's totally awesome

Another reason for me to ignore the leonx

Haha, the sword stays home, it doesn't come to tournaments. Or I would be in jail haha

Depends on the area really. I brought a Katana to my gaming store (was unable to fine a ninjato for some reason lol) and had no issues, but i wouldnt do that in a legit city (i live in Lincoln, NE, which despite being the capital still isnt THAT big of a place)

Man a rapier at a foot and a half would be worthless...

57 minutes ago, jek said:

Man a rapier at a foot and a half would be worthless...

Rapiers are also a completely different kind of sword, theyre not used even REMOTELY the same way.

Theyre long and thin with a point. You dont do cutting strikes with a rapier, since it doesnt have the weight or the edge to actually gain from that. It does however have the reach to pierce your opponents' heart quickly before they can reach you with their shortsword. Depending on the style some rapiers dont even have an edge at all. Yes they can get ridiculously long (45" or longer) but they still are very thin compared to any other sword.

/nerdoff

2 minutes ago, Vineheart01 said:

Rapiers are also a completely different kind of sword, theyre not used even REMOTELY the same way.

Theyre long and thin with a point. You dont do cutting strikes with a rapier, since it doesnt have the weight or the edge to actually gain from that. It does however have the reach to pierce your opponents' heart quickly before they can reach you with their shortsword. Depending on the style some rapiers dont even have an edge at all. Yes they can get ridiculously long (45" or longer) but they still are very thin compared to any other sword.

/nerdoff

/nerdgasm

I like my non shield 1 handers but that could be because fencing was one of the few sports I enjoy...