Last year we focused on a very creative rule in the game that appears in every faction, Affiliation. We spent most of our time looking at the Stark faction, one of which was House Reed and their debuff playstyle. We spoke about how they needed a new unit to bring their forces front and center in list building and look at how our faith has been rewarded. Crannogmen Bog Devils have shaken the game, let’s find out why.
Bog Devil Rules
At 7 points, the Bog Devils are competing against a lot of other units for a place in Stark lists. Would you want to take them instead of Rickon in Mormont Veterans, or the Bolton Bastard’s Girls? Or the 8-point cavalry units dominating the scene in the Bolton Flayed Men or Tully Cavaliers? They bring a semi-decent profile that is weaker than most for the Abilities they are given. The trade-off is well worth it in this instance.
Scout Openings – This ability can increase the potency of the Crannogmen Trackers or other ranged units such as the Stark Bowmen. However, you can also combo this with the Cavalry to ensure a 1-charge kill even over terrain. I think this ability alone makes them viable in lists and opens some powerful avenues for the Starks
Poisoned Tridents – This is the first unit to receive the Poison mechanic outside of Martell’s and it is glorious. Being the first to attack using this unit and applying Weakened to reduce the effectiveness of a counterattack is crucial to support the staying power of Reed units. Without this they would crumble fast. However, you can instead apply a poison card to the unit that damages the enemy unit every time they perform an action, and it becomes deadlier if there is a condition token on the unit. This defines this unit’s identity and beats out on most other units for flavour in the game.
Swift Retreat – This rule seems to be a staple for Reed units since it appears on both. Good luck trying to tie down Reed units specifically alongside a Robb Commander. This has become more unique due to the Crannogmen Survivalist and the Poisoned Tridents. Charge with the Devils, apply Crannog Poison, when that unit attacks they suffer a wound, retreat with reroll and apply weakened, any further actions cost the unit 2 wounds per action. You can increase the effectiveness of this with Roose Bolton putting out his Panic tokens or even Rodrik NCU with the Swords and the Vulnerable token which can in addition activate the Assault Orders for the Charge in the first place.
There are some sweet combinations just from the unit card alone, but how does it blend with the rest of House Reed?
Affiliation
Howland Reed’s Tactics Cards aren’t crazy good by any means but all of them assist the Crannogmen Bog Devils to some degree. The Threat Unseen card is normally a throw away card or something that does very little, however now it can help increase the potency of Crannog Poison by applying the condition token when you need it most. It could also play well with Northern Ferocity which gives a unit Vicious. Bog Devil Ambush works in the same way, applying a Weakened Token out where needed. This Card has a lot of value in a Reed list and is usually utilised for the additional attack from a ranged unit, I don’t believe people will trade this extra attack to increase poison damage but if there are not ranged units to use this card then it will be invaluable to keep the Devils alive or to increase damage.
Howland’s Superior Flanking rules will be a no-brainer if the Devils can hit the flank and gives you plenty of choice with how to use the additional condition token. Hidden Traps from the Crannogmen Trackers and Meera Reed can help dissuade a poisoned unit as the damage could stack enough to deter the opponent. Jojen could be useful but would be better placed in the Stark Bowmen or another long range unit. We have already spoken about the Survivalists’ role and the Warden is worse than useless.
Lore
“Just as dangerous were its people, seldom seen but always lurking, the swamp-dwellers, the frog-eaters, the mud-men. Fenn and Reed, Peat and Boggs, Cray and Quagg, Greengood and Blackmyre, those were the sorts of names they gave themselves. The ironborn called them all bog devils.” – thoughts of Theon Greyjoy
Faction: Stark
Commander: Howland Reed – Lord of the Crannogs
Points: 40 / 40
Activations: 7
Combat Units
• Stark Bowmen ( 6 )
Howland Reed – Lord of the Crannogs ( 0 )
• Crannogman Trackers ( 5 )
• Crannogman Trackers ( 5 )
• Crannogman Bog Devils ( 7 )
Crannogman Survivalist ( 1 )
• Crannogman Bog Devils ( 7 )
Non Combat Units
• Rodrik Cassel ( 4 )
• Robb Stark ( 5 )
This list is based around a more book accurate build. During the War of the Five Kings, Howland Reed was commanded by Robb to defend the North by protecting the Neck from a Lannister invasion if it were to take place. When the Ironborn invaded the North, they had plenty of issues from the Crannogmen when they assaulted Moat Cailin.
The plan of this list is to assault with the Bog Devils to apply the poisons, then retreat into a safety net of the ranged units and hidden traps. One of the Trackers will be held off by Robb to come on from a flank to pressure objectives or flanks of units. Rodrik will help with a token/order refresh as well as Robb’s unit and Howland’s abilities/cards applying the tokens for the poison. At the safety of range, the opponent must hurt themselves to come to us and anything they do make contact with will retreat away from harm.
Comp
Faction: Stark
Commander: Robb Stark – The Wolf Lord
Points: 40 / 40
Activations: 8
Combat Units
• Crannogman Bog Devils ( 7 )
Robb Stark – The Wolf Lord ( 0 )
• Stark Bowmen ( 6 )
Crannogman Warden ( 1 )
• Crannogman Trackers ( 5 )
• Grey Wind ( 3 )
• House Mormont She-Bears ( 6 )
Non Combat Units
• Rodrik Cassel ( 4 )
• Catelyn Stark ( 4 )
• Arya Stark ( 4 )
The idea of this list is to utilise Robb’s unit as the main fighter in the force, using the retreats to heal if he is ever caught. Arya and his Tactical Reposition should get him to where he needs to go, followed by a kill box of the Trackers and Bowmen, with the Warden to dissuade from moving too close. Grey Wind is an obvious pick to increase activation count, back him up with a solid unit of Mormont She-Bears and they should hold a flank for a little while. Catelyn is used to offset damage; the Crannog units fall far from grace when they start losing ranks so she can help in this regard. Rodrik feels like a no-brainer when there are so many orders in a Crannog army. Another Overwatch from the Warden? Maybe some more traps or retreating? Perhaps you would like to use the Scout Openings again? He is often slept on but is great in this list.
House Reed Lives
With House Reed still a strong force in the books, it uplifts my spirit that CMON have not left them behind in terms of rules. I am unsure what the future holds for the Crannogmen other than some Solo/Monster Lizard Lions but for now we have a brand-new unit that has injected serious flavour into the playstyle of Starks. We will let you know when the Crannogmen are available but in the meantime why not bolster the North with some Mormont Bruisers that have just become available.
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