News of Updates and Models are reaching the players of the A Song of Ice and Fire Miniatures Game. Whilst we wait for the future updates to the existing rules, a Store in Australia uploaded descriptions and images of several brand-new boxes for the game that seems to cover all the factions. It is said these are to come out July to September so not long to wait. Let’s have a look at what is to come for the next wave of the game.
Neutral Heroes 3
“The Neutral Heres Unit Box gives players of any House various new attachments, commanders and NCUS that can be included in their armies.
This pack contains iconic characters such as Arya Stark, Shae, and Sandor Clegane that were bound for the wall under the watchful eye of a Night’s Watch recruiter. It also features the two commanders of the Stormcrows, allowing players to bring their band of mercenaries onto the battlefield.”
The most anticipated box for the game currently is Neutral Heroes 3. This is a long overdue box for the neutral faction and has the potential to put them back on the map as a faction if they ever were at some point. One of the biggest struggles for the Neutrals is their inability to go beyond seven activations with a decent list. This tends to be due to the NCU issue where Roose Commander removes a 4pts NCU and Walder is limited in when they can activate. The description of this box states there will be multiple NCUs, which I think is a safe bet to assume Shae and one of the two Stormcrow captains will be. Just having another 4pts NCU no matter what their rules are will be game changing.
The description of the box contradicts the contents of the box. There is 1 NCU card, 6 Tactics cards, and 8 Attachment cards. So various new Commanders and NCUs are not true, which is a big letdown since this is where Neutrals are lacking.
Shae has to be the NCU as there is no reason why she would be an Attachment. However, there are only 6 other miniatures, so 6 Attachment cards and the 1 Commander card still leaves 1 card left over. Could this mean that the two Stormcrow Commanders might have a dual commander playstyle like Doran and Aero? But with both on the field since there isn’t another NCU card. The idea is interesting however it could also mean there are different versions of Arya/Hound maybe together and separate.
Literally it does not matter what the rules are for this box, anything is going to be helpful for the Neutrals. Further to this, they will likely be usable by all factions with Targaryens possibly getting new Commanders in addition.
Baratheon Halberdiers
“The Baratheon Halberdiers Unit Box gives Baratheon players a new frontline unit to field in their army.
Tough new unit – This pack a new vanguard unit that Baratheon players of any allegiance can field in their army. They are a resilient unit that draws their foes attention, keeping them away from the Baratheons commanders more valuable units.”
There are a lot of theories on what this Unit’s stats will be since we have a lot of similar units in the game to base it off. They have similar armour to the Baratheon Sentinels but with Shields so the consensus is that this unit will be a 3+ armour. Couple that with the attack dice statline most spear/halberd units have, and they will be hard to reduce their effectiveness.
My only concern is what their abilities will be. From the description it sounds like Taunt which is not great. But to be fair if they came with Set For Charge, they would be a unit most will choose to stay away from.
The best thing about the Halberdiers is that they are likely to be a dual loyalty like the Champions of the Stag. This will give all the Commanders access to a new potentially low costing unit.
Stony Shore Pillagers
“The Stony Shore Pillagers Unit Box gives Greyjoy players a new unit and an attachment to bolster their armies with.
Highly synergistic units- This pack contains a new attachment that capitalises on the Greyjoys pillage mechanic. The unit also makes good use of the pillage mechanic to stay in a fight longer.”
Honestly this unit can be anything. The pillage mechanic is about to change so I am not even too sure the rules for this box take this into account. Stony Shore was harried by Theon Greyjoy and Dagmer Cleftjaw with Aeron Damphair being present also. I would hope this unit plays well into both Commander’s forces. Based on the description perhaps this unit will work well with Dagmer since he has Lust for Glory that can treat a unit as having 2 Pillage tokens. Time will tell as there is not much to go off.
The most exciting addition however is the Attachment that will be in the box. Greyjoys don’t have many unnamed Attachments in their roster, however the Greyjoy Attachments 1 was listed with the beginning of the year’s releases and showed no other signs of movement to release since. With Victarion being an automatic leave at home option, the door is open for other Attachments to take his place. Could this new Attachment do this?
Umber Ravagers
“The House Umber Ravagers Unit Box gives Stark players a hard-hitting Cavalry unit to decimate their foes.
Unique New unit This would be the first cavalry unit for House Umber allowing players who enjoy fielding House Umber to fill their ranks with something much more mobile.”
A standout unit out of all that was shown off for sure. I have had a lot of discussion with players over the potential of this unit for the Stark roster. Right now, Starks are starting to drop in their performance and are held up mostly by the Heavy Cavalry of the Tullys. There isn’t a standout Commander with Eddard, Howland, and Greatjon interchanging in pick rate constantly.
But what happens when the Cavaliers in a Greatjon Umber list are replaced with an Umber Cavalry Unit that could do similar damage? What happens when we give the Brynden Tully Cavalry lists another tool to utilise? Will The Ravagers be good enough to feature in most forces like the Tully Cavaliers?
Like I say, the potential is there for this to be groundbreaking for the Starks. Fingers crossed this unit does meet our expectations.
Giant Spear Throwers
“The Giant Spear Throwers Unit Box gives Free Folk players a powerful ranged monstrosity to decimate their foes.
Living Artillery The Giant Spear throwers could hurl their spears with the might of a ballista, allowing them to bombard their foes from afar.”
I am disappointed that these are not giants wielding great bows. We just had a spear chucking unit in the Frozen Shore Hunters, so the same concept is a little stale. But then again, both the Spearwives and Frozen Shore Bear Riders throw Spears so maybe it is a faction identity.
I see this box going one of two ways. Either they will be worthless outside of having a long-ranged unit, or they will make normal giants obsolete.
Will the spear throwing statline be like the Boulder card that Mag the Mighty has? Probably. If it isn’t I can’t see it being that much different unless they copy the Scorpions rules. But the real kicker is the melee statline. If it is the same as the giant, then the giant becomes a little obsolete depending on the points of the spear throwers. However, if the statline is worse but actually somewhat usable in comparison then you will still see normal giants leave the table.
I am unsure what role this unit will play for Free Folk, however having a long-ranged unit could be crucial for their roster.
Darkstar Retinue
“The Darkstar Retinue Unit Box gives House Martell players a hard-hitting unit for their army.
The Darkstar Retinue is a highly maneuverable unit that outflanks their foes, cutting them down swiftly before charging forward again.”
My honest guess for this unit is that they will be lightly armoured, mobile, with high damage. Like that of the Starfall Knights but more like the Skirmisher units. I expect the mobility will be Swift Strike allowing them to position themselves in an opportune position for their next strike like the Stormcrow Dervishers. Light armoured due to the design of the models but also since the Royal Guard are only a 4+ same for the Starfall Knights. The high damage is a result of being a Starfall unit, but more importantly a Darkstar unit, a character considered to be the most dangerous person in Dorne. I could see a rule like Stag’s Fury on the Stag Knights where they become a brutal unit on the field.
An Attachment is also in the box named High Hemorrhage Sentinel. In the books, Balon Swann and Obara Sand are journeying to High Hemorrhage to find Darkstar, as the crown was told that he was responsible for the death of Arys Oakheart. There is nothing to go off of for this attachment, but I expect it to enhance the combat efficiency of the unit they are in perhaps with the Reckless Strikes rule.
With Darkstar and Edric Dayne releasing real soon, this unit will be perfect for their leaders of House Dayne.
Martell Heroes 2
Contents for the box have been shown off, this confirms that there are 2 NCU cards, 12 Tactics cards, and 7 Attachment cards.
The 2 NCUs must be for Edric Dayne and Arianne Martell. The two Commanders are likely Gerold Dayne or Darkstar as most would know him, followed by either Quentyn Martell or Daemon Sand. I think it is likely that Quentyn is the second Commander in this box, but Daemon could be a Commander for future Godsgrace forces.
The 7 Attachment cards would be split between 2 Commander cards and 5 Attachment cards. I think Edric Dayne will have an Attachment card in this instance, which would be nice to spread the Starfall Affiliation.
We will know soon enough as here in the UK the box is releasing on the 28th of July.
Lannister Gold Cloaks
I am only mentioning this Unit as the contents of the box has been revealed confirming there is an Attachment in the box called Gate Warden.
What could the Gate Warden do? My initial thought is that the Gold Cloaks themselves of the Attachment would have Sow Discord. Whilst they are meant to keep the peace, they have been utilised in ways that assist in bringing unrest. Betraying the honourable Starks, murdering innocent babes of Robert Baratheon, and siding with the vicious King Joffrey during the King’s Landing Riots. But then again, Sow Discord takes away abilities, this could be a good way to portray the Gold Cloaks stopping the tricks of their opponent by questioning their motives disarming them for the strike.
Summary
A lot of new stuff is on the way for ASOIAF, and this is not even including the brand-new faction in the Boltons out in just over a month’s time. I am most excited for the Gold Cloaks due to there being so much flavour in the books for the design of the unit to be based off. O am equally excited for the Umber Ravagers due to how they have the potential to shake up the roster for all the Stark Commanders.
What are you looking forward to the most?
We have just had some new boxes added to the Store, including Martell Heroes 2 in preparation for their release check them out here.
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