The Book of Horned Skull Brutes

[spiteofthedice]

The Book of Horned Skull Brutes
Moltenclaw's Invasion - Collection D3 (13) - "Bugbears & Orcs"

Spoiler Alert!

If you cannot see the Army Card graphic, check The Heroscapers Gallery for stats and special powers, plus
"character biography" and other non-game unit info.
Character Bio: These goblins are adept at running into battle and causing mayhem. They will toss their fellow goblins under the sword rather than take the damage themselves, but they are also able to whip friendly figures around in order to take their place in melee combat. No matter what, they are a terror on the battlefield and they can destroy a well planned out strategy with just one order marker. (Adapted from the Guru's front-page preview)

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-Rulings and Clarifications-

Q. BARGE INTO BATTLE : "Friendly" figures vs. figures "you control":
BARGE INTO BATTLE may displace any "friendly" figure. Does this include figures controlled by a teammate?
A. Yes.

Q. BARGE INTO BATTLE : "Is it time to barge yet??" :
When using BARGE INTO BATTLE, should each Horned Skull Brute move and displace a friendly figure before the next one begins its movement, or should the entire squad move before using BARGE INTO BATTLE?
A. After revealing an order marker on any army card, the unit gets a turn with a Movement phase followed by an Attack phase. BIB happens after the Movement of all 3, before the Attack. After revealing an Order Marker on the Horned Skull Brutes, 3 should move, then those 3 may use BIB, then those 3 may attack.
Q. OHH: Wait, what?
A. Just read it again. I promise, it makes sense.

Q. EXPENDABLE RABBLE vs. LIFE DRAIN: This isn't what I ordered!
If a figure with the LIFE DRAIN special ability (such as Cyprien Esenwein) wounds a Horned Skull Brute, does activating EXPENDABLE RABBLE deny the attacking figure the opportunity to remove a wound marker for LIFE DRAIN?
A. Yes. The HSB's card instructs the player of the defending Skull Brutes to "destroy" the Goblin Cutter, not the attacking player. Since the attacker technically is not the one destroying the figure, the attacking vampire does not get to remove a wound marker for LIFE DRAIN.
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-Combinations and Synergies-

Synergy Benefits Received

GOBLIN CUTTERS : EXPENDABLE RABBLE
As Small Goblins, the Goblin Cutters may aid the Horned Skull Brutes with their EXPENDABLE RABBLE self-preservation tactic.

Synergy Benefits Offered

N/A

C3V and SoV Custom Synergies

Spoiler Alert!

Synergy Benefits Offered

EXPENDABLE RABBLE: Small Goblins
As Small Goblins, the following figures may aid the Horned Skull Brutes with their EXPENDABLE RABBLE self-preservation tactic:

• Bol
• Urk

Synergy Benefits Received

SKULL DEMON : VALKRILL ATTACK AURA 1
As a Valkrill figures with a Range of 1, the Horned Skull Brutes may benefit from the Skull Demon's VALKRILL ATTACK AURA 1 ability.

URK: MOB SWARM
As common Goblins, Horned Skull Brutes may be moved by Urk's movement synergy.

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-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-

• - TBA

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-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

Horned Skull Brutes Pre-Release Discussion Thread

Horned Skull Brutes-what's your army idea?

Power Rankings

Jexik: Horned Skull Brutes- They've got some solid stats, with or without the cutters. They'd be pretty sweet in a team tourney. B+

OEAO: B+

Cleon: Tier 6 (105/208)

dok (VC inclusive): B+

Unit Strategy Review

TBA

[spiteofthedice]

As always, suggestions are helpful. There isn't much for these guys, but if there are any major clarifications I didn't see, please let me know and I'll add them in. They are the most interesting part of the Books, IMHO.

Thanks.

~Spite

[Wabikishko]

For barge into battle do you have to barge all at the same time before attacking, or do you do it one at a time, barge then attack, then the next one and so on.

[Cavalier]

Originally Posted by Wabikishko

For barge into battle do you have to barge all at the same time before attacking, or do you do it one at a time, barge then attack, then the next one and so on.

Move + Barge with all and then attack with all.

[spiteofthedice]

Originally Posted by Cavalier

Move + Barge with all and then attack with all.

Not sure it matters in any practical sense, but technically:

1) The entire squad gets a Movement Phase.

2) After moving with the entire squad, then each HSB in the squad gets a chance to Barge.

3) After Barging into Battle, each of the 3 gets a chance to Attack.

[Crazybob]

Barge into battle will be useful to get expensive squads out of engagement and with their solid stats they could be used as bodygaurds for a key figure Kelda/Raelin. Quick question: Does BIB work if your opponet is held by cyberclaw?

[nyys]

Agreed. The Goblin isn't being destroyed by a normal attack (which activates Scurry), but instead by a special power (Expendable Rabble) that is activated by a normal attack.

['Scaper94]

Thematically, if a Bugbear grabbed a random nearby Goblin to use as a makeshift shield, the rest of the Goblins would run away, not jump at the Bugbear's feet yelling "Me next! Me next!"

But I guess this don't work in the game....

[Oliver Upshaw]

This came up in a game yesterday. If a Horned Skull Brute takes a wound from a figure with life drain and then activates expendable rabble this would deny the life draining figure the wound marker removal since they were not the figure destroying the Goblin correct?

[Ivellius]

Something I hadn't thought of, but that should definitely be correct. It'd probably be a good clarification to add to the Book.

[spiteofthedice]

Originally Posted by Ivellius

Something I hadn't thought of, but that should definitely be correct. It'd probably be a good clarification to add to the Book.

Huh. Absolutely. The card plainly says "you may destroy," meaning the defending player, not the attacker. I don't see anything doubtful about it. I'll add it.

Cool, a new clarification. Thanks guys.

~Spite

EDIT: Done

[Lucky]

These guys are one of my favorite squads. I don't like them so much teamed with the Goblin Cutters since scurry can mess up your barge into battle but they are great with other small or medium squads. You can move up attack with your other squad and do the switch the next turn and attack with the HSB. My favorite army so far with these guys is:

150-HSB-x2
110-DCoT-x2
150- Ogre Warhulk
80-Estivara
10-Isamu

These guys do great together. You move the DCoT with the Warhulk first and keep the HSB kind of close behind. Move and attack with Warhulk first. Second surround and attack with DCoT. Pull the DCoT back attack and you have a squad with higher defense on the front line. It is almost like these cards where made for each other instead of the Goblin Cutters and Horned Skull Brutes. When I get another set I will try this army with no range.