Given what we know about the darnati I am really struggling to find a reason to put the darnati in over leonx riders. The leonx riders dial is better, they don't loose a dice, they can surge a mortal strike, and they are cheaper.

There are two things that kind of help level the field: the darnati can dial in a hit and their upgrade slots are better.

But dialing in that hit is more than offset by the leonx red dice so that is largely a non-element as well.

So unless some amazing darnati only upgrade card comes out you can say I am not impressed.

What is everyone elses thoughts?

The models are awesome though which that alone will get me a box.

EDIT: Lethal two cost two surge on Darnati and one hit cost two surge on leonx. Those two balance each other out.

55 minutes ago, Tarliyn said:

Given what we know about the darnati I am really struggling to find a reason to put the darnati in over leonx riders. The leonx riders dial is better, they don't loose a dice, they can surge a mortal strike, and they are cheaper.

There are two things that kind of help level the field: the darnati can dial in a hit and their upgrade slots are better.

But dialing in that hit is more than offset by the leonx red dice so that is largely a non-element as well.

So unless some amazing darnati only upgrade card comes out you can say I am not impressed.

What is everyone elses thoughts?

The models are awesome though which that alone will get me a box.

EDIT: Lethal two cost two surge on Darnati and one hit cost two surge on leonx. Those two balance each other out.

Being lazy, what's the cost difference?

You are right that it strongly comes down to upgrades. There are a ton of options that they have over the leonx, especially now since the command is out. Warsong, blackthorn, storm, etc can't be added to leonx however much I keep wishing.

Darnati are also better candidates for moment of inspiration / hunters guile than leonx since column Tactics fits the latter better.

For me the question is darnarti or deepwiod archers

I too have been wondering if I might give the Darnati a miss. I kind of see them a threat projector whilst sitting in the middle of a few archer units. I usually lose at least 1 set of archers to cavalry so maybe rather than giving up this archer unit you might use Darnati as a way to blunt the cavalry charge.

Here's an example unit (with Maegan in the list). This unit will swing no matter what and gets in those awesome stuns. But 50 pts v a unit of well tooled up archers at 30 pts...

Darnati Warriors x4 [31]
--Champion: Avenger of Latariana [5]
--Equipment: Tempered Steel [3]
--Training: Moment of Inspiration [5]
--Sorceress: Dreamweaver Sorceress [6]
----------Total Unit Cost: 50

On 17/10/2017 at 11:13 PM, Thornoo1 said:

Here's an example unit (with Maegan in the list). This unit will swing no matter what and gets in those awesome stuns. But 50 pts v a unit of well tooled up archers at 30 pts...

Darnati Warriors x4 [31]
--Champion: Avenger of Latariana [5]
--Equipment: Tempered Steel [3]
--Training: Moment of Inspiration [5]
--Sorceress: Dreamweaver Sorceress [6]
----------Total Unit Cost: 50

Here's an example, with Maegan by herself (for the Malcorne's Bequest ) and Aliana running about (with the spear and Ambush):

Darnati Warriors x6 [43]
--Equipment: Wind Rune [6]
--Training: Moment of Inspiration [5]
--Music: Marching Starling [2]
--Heraldry: Warsong Herald [3]
----------Total Unit Cost: 60

The unit can do a Rally Action + Skill two turns in a row. That way, they can shore up 2 Inspiration and shift forwards (and pivot if needs be). This way, by the time they charge they can use MoI 3 times (charge use, token, 2nd turn, token, 3rd turn). Yes a bit pricey, but I see it as a good investment.

Another, more MSU set up could be:
Darnati Warriors x2 [19]
--Equipment: Wind Rune [6]
--Training: Moment of Inspiration [5]
----------Total Unit Cost: 30

Love me some wind runes

White skill modifier, infantry upgrades, and tray configurations. Darnati are WAY better at using skill-based upgrades and objectives, and get access to simultaneous orders. Plus, Leonx kind of pay a "column tactics" tax with their wonky tray configurations - not that a skinny unit isn't without its advantages, but the training slot is VERY valuable. Plus, Darnati have the option of doubling their defense, making them WAY harder to shoot off the table.

So you're basically right, Leonx are better in a straight stats sense, but Darnati get to DO more stuff.

I feel like this is true for spearmen as well. It's probably better to take naked cavalry vs naked infantry in general. (Though maybe not for death knights versus reanimates, as their price equivalence is a 2x1 death knight vs a 2x2 reanimate)