Waldo's Weekly - Brace for Impact

[Hobby Wyrd]

Hey Wyrdos!

This week, Waldo got locked out of his “office” (really just a storage closet for the mops). He ordered the door to open. When that didn’t work, he decided to take a very direct approach by using his horns as an ineffective battering ram. While we wait and see how this Imp v. Door battle works out, let’s take a look at an upcoming release that does something very similar…

As with all our Starter Boxes, the Guild Starter Box includes 4 new Versatile models with cards and Upgrades, 10 Scheme Markers, Measuring Widget, and a Faction-themed Deck!

 

*And in case you didn’t know, the shield effects on Commander Bura and Bracer come in see-through red plastic!

Vanguard Overview

Vanguard is the Keyword for the new Guild Starter Box and they are a great way to showcase the Guild. Vanguard models follow the Guild Faction trend of having solid defensive and offensive capabilities. In addition to these features, Vanguard models are known for interacting with the Shielded Condition. 

For newer players, the Vanguard models provide two things: a taste of the Faction and a peek at how Keyword synergies work. As stated above, Vanguard models are a good example of what a person will see in the Guild Faction. The Vanguard models are sturdy thanks to using Shielded, and have both ranged and melee options on their cards.

 Additionally, Vanguard models contain Actions, Abilities and Triggers found on other Guild cards, such as the Resupply Ability, the Collier Pistol Action, and the Field Kit Trigger. These shared items allow a newer player to understand Keywords in the Guild Faction. As Malifaux is a synergistic game, the Vanguard Shielded synergy allows a newer player to see how the models bring out the best in each other. Utilizing Commander Bura’s Under My Protection Ability to give Shielded to a Battering Ram or using Take the Fight to Them to increase Bracer’s Charge range are a few examples of how the Keyword supports one another.

The Vanguard Keyword isn’t only for newer players. The Vanguard Keyword is known for speed and durability, which experienced players will appreciate. Commander Bura enhances friendly models’ defensive power with Under My Protection, “This Will Numb the Pain” and Field Kit. On the movement side, Bracer excels at claiming objectives thanks to On the Move and Heroic Intervention, while Battering Rams can quickly move through terrain with Breaching Charge combined with the Take the Fight to Them Action.

Commander Bura

 

 

Commander Bura is a toolbox model whose draw is how she can support a Crew. In Crews that have a lot of TNs, Resupply allows Bura to guarantee important Actions succeed, like Lady Justice’s Leap. In Crews that have access to a lot of Shielded, like Witch Hunter, Shielded Bullets allows them to use the Condition offensively. Commander Bura also brings Remember the Mission, allowing her Crew to Interact while engaged, which is great for Stuff the Ballots or Ensnare.

Bracer

 

 

Bracer is a model who focuses on speed over raw damage. Her movement stat isn’t especially amazing, but she makes up for it with Herald and On the Move. Herald allows Bracer to move up to 6” at the start of the game, and On the Move allows her to move 3” when she Activates. This means that she can start 9” away from her Deployment Zone. On the Move is also very helpful in getting her out of engagement to score. In addition to personal movement options, Bracer can also support the movement of her Crew by helping them get out of jams. Heroic Intervention is a wonderful way for friendly models to escape engagement to score or shoot enemies and the built-in “Stay in Formation!” Trigger allows Vanguard models to keep up with Bracer.

Battering Rams

 

Battering Rams are workhorses for the Keyword that get the most out of being activated early in a Turn. Battering Rams can easily generate Shielded +3 on their Activation thanks to Building Momentum, Shield Generator, and the Defensive Reflexes Trigger. Breaching Charge and Heavy Impact give them two different reasons to Charge at enemy forces. Rounding out the card is Take the Fight to Them, which is a great way to speed up a Guild Crew’s unpack. 

That’s all for this week, Wyrdos. How are you going to be including Bura, Bracer, and the Battering Rams into your Guild forces? Tell us in the comments below!

[Chou]

Commander Bura with those shields looks like it's going to be a grateful model to paint!!