I'm going for a closer examination on perhaps my favorite Custom so far: Vel-Ra-Xi. As a bonding option for the Groks and a powerful booster to Marro and Wilsinu Hunters, he's just what the Groks and Drudge were looking for.
Character Bio:
When Utgar absolutely needs an important position taken, he sends in Vel-Ra-Xi. This Menacing Marro Warlord knows no master and knows no fear; rumors say even the Hivelords fear him. Riding in with his disgusting but brutal Grok Cavalry and Marrden Hounds, none survive his wrath. Most Marro Warlords are tricky and deceptive, but Vel-Ra-Xi is straightforward in his tact: destroy the enemy head on. His fearful presence empowers his loyal soldiers and sends all others running in fear, even some of those on his side. Vel-Ra-Xi pays mercenaries and deserters little heed, preferring to ride with his personally drafted troops only.
Vel-Ra-Xi is an immensely expensive but powerful Warlord who can turn even the worst Marro into a battle-hardened steamroller. With 6 Life and 4 Defense, he's fairly durable, and 5 Attack is a nice plus as well. However, it's his Abilities that make him so threatening.
Marro Pack Enhancement gives all Marro/Wilsinu Hunters an extra attack and defense die when they are within 4 spaces of Vel-Ra-Xi. With
Mark of the Warlord, that can boost the Groks to a devastating 6 Attack/4 Defense! That's one attack of 5 and three attacks of 6 in a single OM! It also boosts the Marrden Hounds to a powerful 4 Attack/6 Defense, making them all the more difficult to kill. It also helps the Drudge out, since those guys are a bit less than stellar.
Vel-Ra-Xi also has a second aura:
Scatter the Weak. Vel-Ra-Xi couldn't care less for weaker soldiers, and all small and medium squaddies within 4 spaces suffer the opposite fate as the Marro Hunters! Under the right circumstances, that's 2 Positive effects
and 2 Negative effects all in one Unit! This helps the Groks beat their way to Heroes, and since it doesn't affect Marro, the Drudge are still in the clear. To be honest, though, it's primary purpose is to make Vel-Ra-Xi less of a good Bonding Option for the
Romans, who will suffer stat losses if they're too close to him. It's important to remember that, as good as Scatter the Weak is, it affects your own units as well.
Vel-Ra-Xi makes the Groks a force to be reckoned with, boosting them, Hounds, and Drudge whilst also lowering everyone else's stats. He charges straight into the fray, mowing down Squads with Scatter the Weak and then getting his Mark of the Warlord onto a Hero as soon as possible. With him, the Groks and Drudge become much more powerful, able to take on other squads given the extra attack/defense and the opponent's reduced attack/defense. The Hounds benefit greatly as well, but since they can hurt your Marro, they might not want to stick so close.
Vel-Ra-Xi's greatest weakness is long ranged Squads, particularly on Height. If they are more than 4 spaces away, his Aura won't hurt them. Microcorp Agents in particular have long range and can survive any attack no matter how great. A few rounds of Wait Then Fire can whittle him down as well. Lastly, the Templar Cavalry can face him head on, too big to be affected by Scatter the Weak and able to bring him down quickly with
Righteous Smite. For 190 points plus 130 at least on Groks, losing Vel-Ra-Xi can be very crippling. Most other units he can steamroll through, however.
I really like this guy, he may be my favorite Custom unit thus far. Expect more soon!
~TAF