CMON have released a teaser video and an article showing a few details and clearing up queries for the new House Bolton Faction for A Song of Ice and Fire Miniatures Game. We will break down what has been said and how this will impact the new version of House Bolton and the future of the game as well. CMON’s article is up on their ASOIAF website, and the teaser video is on their YouTube Channel.
Faction
“House Bolton will be a mini-faction, with a Starter Set and a few dedicated units to go with them.”
Mini-factions are said to have a starter and a few boxes including a heroes box. This was what was described at their presentation at the Super Regionals. I would expect maybe an additional unit now and again but not nearly as often as a main faction like starks. CMON did say in their panel that the door is open for other Mini-factions that already exist in the game.
“This is because while these units can be used as Neutral mercenaries by other factions, they also have unique Bolton Faction cards as well.”
So, the prediction from the contents article was correct. Anything that is currently usable in Neutrals that is Bolton will remain available as Neutrals but will have new Bolton versions. We do know that Roose and Ramsay will have very different Bolton versions of themselves from the teaser video which we will get on to later.
Girls and Flayed Men
“The Starter Set includes House Bolton versions of the stat cards for Bastard’s Girls and Flayed Men. While those units aren’t available in the box, their Bolton-exclusive stat cards are included, for players that already own the units. Future reprints for House Bolton units that can be used as both Neutral and House Bolton units will contain two copies of their unit card.”
The contents of the starter box were off a little with having too many combat unit cards, however this announcement does solve that mystery. Thankfully you don’t have to spend your Neutral allowance on Bolton units and is a welcome addition. Glad that they are future proofing with reprints however when this will hit shelves is another question entirely.
Tactics Cards
Base Deck: Cruel Methods
This card is with the Ramsay Commander and within the Bolton Faction has now become a part of the base deck. It has slightly changed for both good and bad reasons however, with the heal effect no longer restricted to Bolton units but now affecting any infantry units. This is useful for your Neutral units to gain a possible benefit but can no longer affect the Flayed Men.
An interesting question to raise though is whether you can take a Neutral Commander Ramsay in the Bolton faction, like Neutral Daario being a preferred choice in Targaryens. If you can take the Neutral version, then you will have essentially four Cruel Methods which lore wise isn’t enough for Ramsay.
Ramsay, Spiteful Heir: Skin Collection
Speaking of Ramsay, his new Commander version is known as Spiteful Heir and comes with a brand-new card to the game called Skin Collection. This is a quest card where you need to achieve an objective to gain bonuses. In this instance for each rank the unit kills it gains an order token, for each order token on the unit engaged enemies suffer -1 to Panic Rolls up to a max of 2.
The timing on the card will mean you gain the benefit before the Panic Roll will happen like the timing of Pillage from Greyjoys like the Silenced Men.
I can already see a strong synergy with having an Intimidating Presence attachment in the unit, and then shooting the enemy with the Dreadfort Archers getting a sweet -3 to that Panic Roll from their volley whilst getting their re-rolls and Precision for having an enemy unit engaged.
Roose, The Leech Lord: Whispered Threats
This card and Roose’s title are the same as his Neutral variant. CMON has said there will be a new version of Roose for the Bolton faction so perhaps his other cards are different? Or perhaps this was in reference to his NCU version or even a new non-commander attachment.
Cutthroats
New models including the Dreadfort Captain Attachment. There will be two of these units in the starter box with no rule changes from their current Neutral card.
Blackguard
New models including the Bolton Flayer Attachment. There will be two of these units in the starter box with no rule changes from their current Neutral card.
Dreadfort Archers
Rules were officially revealed on the CMON teaser; however no points have been shown. It is theorised they will be 6pts as they are quite similar in rules to the Stark Bowmen.
“The one difference in the Starter Set is the Dreadfort Archers. This new ranged unit is used exclusively when taking an all-House Bolton army.”
It is confirmed that the Archers will be in the Starter Set and both the Starter and their separate box will not feature an Attachment. The unit will not be Neutral which is a relief to a lot of people out there worrying that they could be like the Ironborn Bowmen.
Jeyne Poole and Walda Frey
Jeyne 5pts, Walda 4pts.
“They are not ones to hire themselves out, so they can only be used when taking a House Bolton force.”
Neutrals really need some new NCUs especially in the 4pts range. This was an opportunity for there to be some new NCUs, but it is confirmed that Walda, Jeyne and also Tybald will be Bolton only. Jeyne is said to have an ability where either she controls an enemy unit or she is controlled by the enemy, nothing has been clear other than it is very strong which is why she is 5pts.
No hints to the Walda rules but I am disappointed that there is no reference to the ‘weight in silver’ deal that Roose made with Walder Frey.
Heroes Box and Spearmen
“These will both be exclusive for Bolton players and not be playable as Neutrals as indicated by their box colors.”
Bolton Heroes 1 and Dreadfort Spearmen are both Bolton Faction only and will not be usable as a Neutral unit. This is annoying for Neutral players, but their faction might not be a faction for long if mini-factions start popping up everywhere.
Summary
“We’ll have more about the upcoming House Bolton releases. Stay tuned.”
I assume this is just more on rules like the Dreadfort Spearmen’s mysterious new mechanic or revealing the NCUs and Commanders in more depth.
This was about all that I think was new or clarifying information for the Boltons. Make sure to check my previous article about the presentation at the Super Regionals, there were a lot of awesome little bits of information not mentioned.
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