Waldo's Weekly - Hunters in Harmony

[Hobby Wyrd]

This week, Waldo showed up in the office with a new “friend” in tow, a very scared and confused bat. While we get our helmets and bat-catching gear on, let’s take a look at an enigmatic hunter and their winged friend!

 

Kainhearse

Kainhearse is a model that walks a tightrope between two very different Keywords. Cadmus is focused on Parasite Tokens, ping damage, and Web Markers while Apex is all about big hits and Pit Trap Markers. To balance this, Kainhearse makes the best of both options. Their Create Trap Action has the Silken Strings Trigger to Drop Web Markers instead of Creating Pit Trap Markers. Similarly their Sword can either Push models towards Pit Trap Markers or give the target a Parasite Token.

Beyond adding functionality to both Keywords, Kainhearse is a good long-range threat. Their Custom Firearm can be deadly with Focus and when paired with a Beast, Scent of Blood can rack up extra hits. 

In Apex

In Apex Kainhearse is almost tailormade to support Lord Cooper, Huntmaster. Lost in the Hunt allows Kainhearse to temporarily grant the Beast Characteristic to other Apex models. This means that Scent of Blood will proc a lot more often. Even without the Beast synergy, Cheating for the Enrage Trigger is a great way to spend moderate Rams.

The Custom Firearm is less valuable in Apex as most of the models have solid guns already, but its built-in Trigger, Paired Hunter (Ahool), provides unique utility. This Trigger allows Kainhearse to Place the Ahool into base contact with the target, resolving the Ahool’s Pack Sickness Ability and potentially putting out Adversary (Apex) en mass. Placing the Ahool into melee range of an enemy also gives Kainhearse a convenient Scent of Blood target.

In Cadmus

In Cadmus Kainhearse is exciting as they are another piece for the Cadmus gunline. Gaining Focused from a Nexus, One of Many, means that Kainhearse can do a lot of damage with their Custom Firearm. Since Kainhearse has We Are Legion, they easily fit in a Crew leaning heavily into We Are Legion. Evasive is particularly useful in this type of Crew as one of the biggest weaknesses to a swarm Cadmus We Are Legion build is Blasts.

Ahool

Simply being another Beast added to the Apex and Cadmus roster is enough by itself to make the Ahool noticeable, but the Ahool is a potent model in its own right. A model with Hard to Kill and Hunting Partner is very valuable to any Crew that wants to pair guns with melee threats. Combining that Hard to Kill with a Df 6 and a built in Drink Blood Trigger will keep the Ahool alive for longer than most enemies expect

In Apex

In Apex, like Kainhearse, the Ahool plays very well with Lord Cooper, Huntmaster. As another sturdy Beast it can help set up Scent of Blood chains for Lord Cooper or Kainhearse. While Drink Blood is still amazing on Tear Apart, in an Apex crew the Hold Down Trigger can generate a lot of shots, including those from the .950 Nitro Express Rifle. 

Outside of his Beast synergy, the speed from Withered Wings allows the Ahool to move around the board quickly, making him a nice By Your Side target for Ullr. Terrorize is also great for moving enemy models away from scoring zones, into Pit Trap Markers, or out of engagement with Lord Cooper.

In Cadmus

In Cadmus, Ahool is a wound sponge. While it doesn’t have We Are Legion to transfer Healing to other friendly models, his built in Tear Off a Bite means damage transferred to him can be recovered quickly. While Cadmus isn’t known for their guns as much as Apex, Hunting Partner still puts in work when paired with Spelleaters or Kainhearse.

The Ahool is fantastic at Pulsing out Parasite Tokens when enemies group up. Both versions of Nexus are able to easily activate Pack Sickness. Nexus can use Exoskeletal Connection to Place the Ahool into the fray and Nexus, One of Many can use Will of the Many to tell the Ahool to Place itself with a Charge once the Ahool has turned on its Withered Wings Action.

Using the Pair

Kainhearse and Ahool are partners so playing them as a pair is definitely a solid choice. For those interested in the Prey Slain box, here’s a possible Cooper, Huntmaster list to maximize the number of Beasts on the board. The list focuses on Beasts and triggering Scent of Blood attacks. Additionally, it has a Vatagi Huntsman for card draw and possible extra hits with Set Up the Kill. Model 9 takes the place of the Rex to both get the most out of Lost in the Hunt and as a surprise for those who’ve grown to expect the Rex in Cooper, Huntmaster lists.

Thrill of the Hunt (Explorer's Society)

Size: 50 - Pool: 7

Leader:

  Lord Cooper, Huntmaster

            Hidden Agenda

Totem(s):

  Runaway A

  Runaway B

  Runaway C

Hires:

  Kainhearse

  Ahool

  Artemis

  Ullr

  Vatagi Huntsman

  Model 9

 

That’s all for this week Wyrdos! What schemes and strategies are you looking to use this parasitic pair for?

[Chou]

love the Bloodborne vibes Kainhearse gives, can't wait to see the actual model!