Harlequin players just got a very spicy Grotmas gift. This new Serpent’s Brood Detachment is all about speed and finesse.
It leans hard into the motor pool side of the Masque, rather than just foot troupes. However, it still keeps your clown murder squads absolutely central to how the army functions. If you like hit and run plays that feel like a performance, this Detachment is your jam.
A Detachment Built Around Masked Speed Demons
The core rule is simple but very potent. All your Harlequin vehicles and mounted units gain Sustained Hits 1 all the time. Additionally, your Harlequin infantry gain Sustained Hits 1 in any turn they disembark from a transport. That means Starweavers, Skyweavers, and Voidweavers are constantly throwing extra hits around. Meanwhile, Troupes slam out of their rides, roll extra dice, and flip turn a skirmish in one go.
On top of that, Troupe units become Battleline and go up to Objective Control 2. Consequently, the Detachment turns elite pocket units into the backbone of your scoring plan. The usual restriction on duplicating Harlequin characters is also lifted here. So you can double up on your favourites instead of being locked to a single copy.
Enhancements That Supercharge Your Masque
The Enhancements all sit tightly around key Harlequin characters. One flexible upgrade is available to almost any character except the Solitaire. It gives the bearer’s unit Scout 6, which helps you pressure mid board objectives immediately. Additionally, it lets you set up nasty angles for early charges or shooting.
The Troupe Master focused Enhancement cranks up their combat profile with more strength and more attacks. Consequently, a fully buffed Troupe becomes a real melee scalpel when it hits a vulnerable target. The Death Jester option lets you use two Cruel Amusement modes instead of one. Therefore your shooting tricks become far more layered and frustrating. Finally, the Shadowseer Enhancement allows you to redeploy three units before the game starts. That ability is huge for mind games and answering bad matchups.
Stratagems That Turn the Table into a Moving Stage
The Stratagems read like a Harlequin wish list. You get a vehicle Stratagem that lets a skimmer make a normal move after being shot. Additionally, infantry can make a normal move when enemies move within nine inches. Mounted units can also move again after they fight, which helps them bounce into safety.
You also gain a trick to put a mounted or vehicle unit into reserves at the end of your opponent’s Fight phase. Consequently, a damaged skimmer can vanish before it gets finished off next turn. There is also an Advance and Charge Stratagem for that classic Harlequin slam. Finally, your Troupe can select all three Dance of Death options at once, for a huge burst turn.
Closing Thoughts on The Serpent’s Brood
Overall, Serpent’s Brood feels like the pure Harlequin Detachment players have been waiting for. It rewards aggressive movement, clever redeploys, and constant pressure from every angle. However, it still leans on fragile units, so positioning mistakes will be punished fast. If you love Starweavers screaming around the table while troupes cartwheel through enemy lines, this Detachment absolutely sings. It is a great showcase of how fast, reactive armies can still feel precise on the tabletop.
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