[Blue Trails]

Here's something that I've been mulling over for a while. As I'm sure many of you could affirm, the fact that Paizo is making pre-painted sci-fi figures is very nice for the customs community, and I was pleased to see one such sculpt that possesses the rare ability to pass for a Marro.

Original figure image credit goes to Paizo.com.

The figure used for this unit is a Starfinder Battles figure from the Planets of Peril set. The name of the figure is Swarm Mindreaper.

Bio:

Spoiler Alert!

Genetic engineering has long been a cornerstone of Marro society, but advanced recombination techniques such as those that created such hybrids as the hivelord Wo-Sa-Ga offer extreme promise. No longer were the Marro limited by their own genetic potential; by incorporating the strengths of various life forms into their own armies, the Marro species could evolve to conquer their planet with ease. The Ig-Choq-Sa was born of a reprioritization within the Marro hive to pursue these avenues at any opportunity, designed to seek out new DNA with ruthless efficiency. Armed with a terrible, syringe-like appendage and a flexible yet durable exoskeleton, the skittering warlord attacks any foreign presence with speed and violence to rob it of its life's essence. Once a "sample" has been taken, Ig-Choq-Sa sequences its victim's genome within its own body like a living laboratory, then telepathically relays the information to the hive for cataloguing. From there, what remains is used to revitalize its assailant in a gruesome fashion.

Although lacking the intelligence to command the Marro's most dangerous troops, the Ig-Choq-Sa can inspire the wild, mindless elements of its species to new heights of carnage. This is an intentional consequence of its elevation from the Gnid caste, and Ig-Choq-Sa is rarely seen without a swarm of these lowest Marro in tow. Disturbingly, the warlord displays a great degree of influence over its fellow parasites, compelling them to act in unprecedented ways; though the Gnids' feeding habits are well-known on the battlefields of Valhalla, a frightening trend has emerged of the creatures abandoning easy meals to help their warlord devastate any survivors of their initial attacks.

Card Text:

Spoiler Alert!

NAME = Ig-Choq-Sa
GENERAL = UTGAR
PLANET = MARR
SPECIES = MARRO
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = WARLORD
PERSONALITY = FEROCIOUS
SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 3
MOVE = 7
RANGE = 1
ATTACK = 3
DEFENSE = 5
POINTS = 105

SWARMING MARRO FRENZY 17
After a Common Marro figure you control that has a Range of 1 within 3 clear sight spaces of Ig-Choq-Sa attacks an adjacent figure with a normal attack, you may roll the 20-sided die. If you roll a 17 or higher, you may attack again with that figure. Figures with the Self-Replicating or Mechanical Components special power are not affected by Swarming Marro Frenzy 17.

DRAIN AND DETACH
Each time Ig-Choq-Sa destroys an opponent's figure with a normal attack or leaving engagement attack, you may remove up to one wound marker from this Army Card, then remove X Parasites from the destroyed figure's Army Card and place them in or adjacent to a space occupied by the destroyed figure, if possible. X equals the number of wounds inflicted by Ig-Choq-Sa's normal attack or leaving engagement attack.

Designer's Thoughts:

Spoiler Alert!

This is, admittedly, somewhat of a band-aid unit for a couple of Marro squads, but it is fun when it works. Ig-Choq-Sa makes no apologies for the fact that the Grok Riders are weak, frail, and overpriced, nor does it try to remedy these issues; instead, the newest Marro Warlord turns the Groks into terrifying missiles better able to earn their high cost. SWARMING MARRO FRENZY 17 gives the Groks about an even chance to score a fourth attack each turn, which can be quite destructive when combined with their Mark of the Warlord power, and DRAIN AND DETACH keeps Ig-Choq-Sa healthy enough to soak up some damage for his fragile bonders. However, both powers are more significant when Ig-Choq-Sa is run alongside its secondary synergy targets: the Marro Gnids. What amounts to a 59% chance for at least one additional attack each turn is a great boon to a 2-Attack squad, and Ig-Choq-Sa appreciates the Gnids' ability to lower figures' Defense; moreover, Drain and Detach's secondary effect incentivizes the use of Attach by making the sacrifices required to pull off the Gnids' schtick a temporary matter. Honestly, the Gnids were the entire reason I thought this figure could make a convincing Marro, so I think such a level of help is appropriate.

It should be mentioned that I was unable to find a convincing thematic reason for excluding the Marro Drones from Ig-Choq-Sa's aura as I could for the Dividers and Havech Eradicators. The potential damage of such a combination is the reason why Ig-Choq-Sa sits at 105 points despite never contributing more than would an 80-point figure at my table; although non-bonding cheerleaders for melee units can be tricky to use properly, Drones x5 and Ig-Choq-Sa is still a formidable base for an army that can be filled out with ranged support or simply more Drones. Su-Bak-Na is also a nice choice for an army that rolls the 20-sided die so frequently, as Marro Supremacy makes the pandemonium a little more consistent.

As always, comments are welcome.