Shiftrex Customs (06/04/22... New Wulfing Hunters)

[Shiftrex]

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Incursion
Warforged Titan

Frontal Assault - Strategic Field Commanders (2/3)



The figure used is Shield Guardian #027 from Waterdeep Dragon Heist.

CHARACTER BIO:

Spoiler Alert!

Soldiers born of metal, wood and conviction walk with a mystical spark to their step. Ever marching towards victory but not without hope, dreams and reasons of their own to partake in the conflict... the stand against the evils of Utgar and Valkrill. A twisted cry pierces the sky and echoes above their metallic march before fire rains down, reducing many of the Warforged to puddles and ash as their formations are broken.

The sound of Orc battle cries were heard, answered again by the shriek of the dragon above. As the formation of surviving Warforged reassembled themselves they gave thought to retreat and withdraw, the appearance of a dragon was not expected nor did they have the tactical advantage against a great host of orcs. It was at that moment that the ground shook, a creaking groan of metal drew their attention towards the rear of the formation where a lumbering mass of steel stood far above their stature. A voice far deeper than the battle chants of the approaching Orcs shook them to their core and stilled any doubt that was within them.

"To me Soldiers, we march and nothing shall be left in our wake. They are as naught before the march of the Warforged."

CARD TEXT:

Spoiler Alert!

GENERAL = VYDAR
PLANET = EBERRON
SPECIES = WARFORGED
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = JUGGERNAUT
PERSONALITY = INSPIRING
SIZE/HEIGHT = LARGE 8

LIFE = 4

MOVE = 4
RANGE = 1
ATTACK = 3
DEFENSE = 3
POINTS = 110

ADVANCE OF METAL
After revealing an Order Marker on Incursion, you may choose up to three small or medium Warforged figures within clear sight of Incursion that you control and move them up to 3 spaces each. If you do not move any other figures then add 3 to Incursion's Move number this turn.

OVERSHADOW
When Incursion rolls an attack against a small or medium figure, add 1 automatic skull to whatever is rolled.

WARFORGED RESOLVE
When rolling defense dice against a normal or special attack, Incursion always adds 1 automatic shield to whatever is rolled.

DESIGN NOTES:

Spoiler Alert!

Another commander unit for a group that otherwise doesn't have the option. My specific focus for this design was to give the Warforged Soldiers something to rally around without overdoing it, it's important to remember that their reposition ability is quite strong.

The theme of the unit is to be something called a "Warforged Titan," essentially in D&D lore these are a older model of Warforged. They were made to be a lot bigger, bulkier, and more destructive but eventually they were outmoded in favor the smaller Warforged. Despite this, the Titans were still used on the battlefield while they existed and they were sent to be "battering ram" style assets for tactical groups of Warforged. The figure that I picked is technically a "shield guardian" and I'm aware that is quite different but it has enough of a physical similarity to our current Warforged that I think it's fair to look past this and see how this could be an older model of what we currently have.

That being said, the statline does everything to communicate "bigger" but not necessarily better. He has the same life number as Heirloom, and the same attack rating as the Warforged Soldiers unless he is attacking something smaller than himself where brute force and size factor in. He retains the Warforged resolve to tie him with his kin but he is given unique ability to "inspire" or pull those around him in towards his cause. In many cases the theme is that Incursion will start a movement and then the Warforged will follow his lead but he doesn't exactly command them so much as give them some extra development opportunity. Or, if he is a taking a stand alone turn he can run out to secure a glyph where his size and defenses will make him difficult to move from the spot.

I tried to stay away from traditional bonding with this figure because I'm trying to stick with themes of being a bit of an "older model" and not just a flat out upgrade to the Warforged we already have within reason. Plus, straight up bonding is old and doesn't need to be on every unit when so many other options exist.

UPDATE 1/4/21: Advance of Metal has changed to resemble Urk the goblin's ability more. Instead of moving a few pieces we get to move 6 common pieces instead. This cuts out the idea of bonding with or moving heroes in favor of commons but it gives a much higher feeling of the Warforged following along while the Titan marches up to stomp on something before they flood past and seize the enemy.

-Combinations and Synergies-

Synergy Benefits Received

• N/A
  

Synergy Benefits Offered

• WARFORGED SOLDIERS : ADVANCE OF METAL
  After revealing an Order Marker on Incursion, you may choose up to three small or medium Warforged figures within clear sight of Incursion that you control and move them up to 3 spaces each. If you do not move any other figures then add 3 to Incursion's Move number this turn.
  
• SIEGE : ADVANCE OF METAL
  After revealing an Order Marker on Incursion, you may choose up to three small or medium Warforged figures within clear sight of Incursion that you control and move them up to 3 spaces each. If you do not move any other figures then add 3 to Incursion's Move number this turn.
  
• HEIRLOOM : ADVANCE OF METAL
  After revealing an Order Marker on Incursion, you may choose up to three small or medium Warforged figures within clear sight of Incursion that you control and move them up to 3 spaces each. If you do not move any other figures then add 3 to Incursion's Move number this turn.
  

Comments and ideas welcome! Incursion is in his second revision at the moment and I am hoping to get some tests in with him so I can start tweaking numbers, themes and abilities if necessary.