https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2018/6/26/defending-the-borders/

I'm going to be snagging some of the skirmishers, myself.

Elves hit parity! Woo!

Wow, two in one article. Didn't expect that!

**** yeah, the skirmishers we discussed some time ago

Very nice. That is one mobile hero and the inspiration boost will allow elves to just get stuck in from the word go.

Looking closely at the image for the centaurs, they have a training card called Flank Fire that seems to mention the firing arc - this could be a very mobile harrying unit.

As a Latari player, this is exciting.

Do you still take archers when you can get these skirmishers? The 2x2 blocks are equal price?

4 minutes ago, tall thin climber said:

As a Latari player, this is exciting.

Shoot, as a non- Latari player this is exciting! Every time something new comes out for this game, it's harder to stick to one faction. Such cool stuff!

1 minute ago, Glucose98 said:

Do you still take archers when you can get these skirmishers? The 2x2 blocks are equal price?

I'm thinking the key is figure upgrades. None of the Infantry Command Pack upgrades work for the Ventala, but if you don't want those upgrades anyway, I'd pick the Ventala for sure! (Maybe that's just because they're new).

RAPTOR ATTACK!

Kinda makes me excited for the next Uthuk hero article.

We might see a new UY unit alongside Worm bros.

Ventala seem like a fun option to bring in with Maro.

You can move and shoot, get an option to shoot from your side arc while setting up to flank later and can take Tempered Steel, Shield Wall or some rune which the Leonx cannot.

Tabletop Admiral updated

22 minutes ago, Glucose98 said:

Do you still take archers when you can get these skirmishers? The 2x2 blocks are equal price?

Skirmishers not only have different upgrades, they don't come with precise. Which isn't as important when you have a second rank, but it still is a nice boost. The archers also have full dice at all ranges, while the skirmishers have to be closer in.

I'm planning on running both at the same time. Probably archers with fire rune, and skirmishers with flank fire and metered march.

Just now, Xelto said:

Skirmishers not only have different upgrades, they don't come with precise. Which isn't as important when you have a second rank, but it still is a nice boost. The archers also have full dice at all ranges, while the skirmishers have to be closer in.

I'm planning on running both at the same time.

Good call on the precise -- also they do full damage at range 5, and can dial in a surge to tempered steel with.

Reform and then range attack!? Where do I shove my money?

Can someone read the last of the Spirit sword?

Two surges to gain an inspiration token.

When defending you may spend one inspiration token to [?] 1 [?] dice [?] Of your choice.

I guess it's spend 1 inspiration to ignore one dice icon?

I'm loving the focus on weird and wonderful woodland creatures!

Oh god the other card is Flank fire! We are getting it! Yay!

4 minutes ago, Xquer said:

Oh  god the  other card is Flank  fire   !

If I read it correctly then it allows attacks from side flanks with the effect of column tactics.

I'm imagining that on a 2x2 block of archers to give them a 270° field of fire at threat 2. I'm sure I can find a use for that...

Not sure on the Chocobo thing Faolan is riding, but the models have a history of looking way better in the flesh. The infantry model is pure boss though. Centaur skirmshers have me inappropriately excited. So much mobility and so many options

Flank Fire
You may draw line of sight and perform [ranged attacks] from your side firing arc
[Ranged attack] If you drew line of sight from your side firing arc, or terrain you occupy , your threat is equal to the number of your partial and full ranks. Your number of ranks for rerolls is equal to the number of trays in your front rank.
5 points

The Spirit Sword
[Melee attack] [surge] [surge]: Receive 1 Inspiration token.
While you are defending, you may spend 1 of your Inspiration tokens to remove 1 dice icon of your choice.
6 points

3 minutes ago, tall thin climber said:

If I read it correctly then it allows attacks from side flanks with the effect of column tactics.

I'm imagining that on a 2x2 block of archers to give them a 270° field of fire at threat 2. I'm sure I can find a use for that...

That's what read as well. I am surprised that it allows you both options, I kinda assumed if we got it it would be locked to the flanks vs front and flanks.

I would favor the 1x3 with flank fire. Combined that with a unit holding the warsong to get the reroll will be fun and add a nice punch.

Metered march is going to be nice on these guys, let's you effectively lock down an area and late shoot incoming units.

1 hour ago, Glucose98 said:

Do you still take archers when you can get these skirmishers? The 2x2 blocks are equal price?

1 hour ago, Parakitor said:

I'm thinking the key is figure upgrades. None of the Infantry Command Pack upgrades work for the Ventala, but if you don't want those upgrades anyway, I'd pick the Ventala for sure! (Maybe that's just because they're new).

I can definitely see using Ventala and Darnati vs. Archers and Scions. Darnati can provide the figure upgrades and serve as tarpits instead of cheap blockers, and the whole package is more agile on the field, at the cost of some durability, punch, and range.

6 minutes ago, Xquer said:

Me tered march is going to be nice on these guys, let's you effectively lock down an area and late shoot incoming units.

Metered march feels redundant. They can already reduce a march's speed by one at will...

2 minutes ago, kaffis said:

I can definitely see using Ventala and Darnati vs. Archers and Scions. Darnati can provide the figure upgrades and serve as tarpits instead of cheap blockers, and the whole package is more agile on the field, at the cost of some durability, punch, and range.

Good point. I still forget about Darnati sometimes...BECAUSE THEY'RE STILL ON THE BOAT! It's killing me, man. I'm trying to be patient for my Wraiths, but I just want them now! Oh, there I go bringing Waiqar into a Latari discussion. For shame. ?

3 minutes ago, kaffis said:

Metered march feels redundant. They can already reduce a march's speed by one at will...

But you can't turn if you reduce your speed. You also can't do the very-late-in-the-turn 0.5 mm move with a three-threat flank fire attack without metered march.

Just now, kaffis said:

Metered march feels redundant. They can already reduce a march's speed by one at will...

Its more about not moving at all and controlling the initiative that you shoot at. I have had occasions where my opponent waited to move until after I revealed a shot to move into range. I know the 8 init changes that but still... also I am horrible with maneuvering a 1x3, so there's that too...

Has anyone weighed in on Faolan's ability to replace 1 speed-3 march with 3 speed-1 marches? Is that just to increase the range? Or is there added utility that I'm missing? It seems like a very strange ability to me.

EDIT: Figuring things out.

I just realized his first ability applies to this. He can march 180 degrees and then charge! That's AWESOME!