The Book of Shades of Bleakewoode

[Serenity]

Shades of Bleakewoode
C3V and SoV Custom Synergies

Spoiler Alert!

Synergy Benefits Offered

Synergy Benefits Received

ZOMBIE HULK : PARALYZING FEAR
As an Undead figure, Shades of Bleakewoode may be aided by Zombie Hulk's PARALYZING FEAR special ability.

CRYPT GUARDIAN : CURSE OF THE MUMMY
As an Undead figure, Shades of Bleakewoode may benefit from the Crypt Guardian's CURSE OF THE MUMMY ability.

Synergy Imposed

VAN NESSING : DIVINE MISSION
As an Undead figure, Shades of Bleakewoode provides Van Nessing an attack bonus when using DIVINE MISSION.

VAN NESSING : HOLY RELIC
As an Undead figure, Shades of Bleakewoode's SOUL DEVOUR is affected by Van Nessing's HOLY RELIC ability.

[Owlman]

Yet again, the ranking system could use a serious re haul for some units, these in particular. Easily worth at least a B rating, IMO. I've had much success with the Shades. The mere intimidation factor alone can sway inexperienced players strategies. Slightly expensive for a stand alone squad, however, in large groups they can really shine! Love the Shades!

[TheAverageFan]

Originally Posted by Owlman

Yet again, the ranking system could use a serious re haul for some units, these in particular. Easily worth at least a B rating, IMO.

Although the C3V's Crypt Guardian can double their chances of success with Soul Devour, the Shades are simply too anti-hero and too expensive to be anything higher than a C.

~TAF, who thinks Shades are cool, just not competitive

[lefton4ya]

Phantom Knights have one more attack, one less move but stealth flying, and 3 extra defense against range, and cost 30 less. Even without the chance to take over a hero, they are WAY better than Shades of Bleakewoode and are therefore ranked A-/B+. I agree with above posters that Shades might be decent in Heat of Battle or really low start zone/figure count (12 or less) scenarios with some Crypt Guardians and Dumatef Guards, but not any other tournaments, and even then I'd probably still rather have Phantom Knights by a mile, as in 300 points you can have one extra squad of them.

If you want a "B" version of the card, see my Competitive Unit Alter of them:

[wriggz]

Originally Posted by Owlman

Intimidation factor alone can sway inexperienced players strategies [re. seasoned players will not be fooled]. Expensive for a stand alone squad.

Edited for Clarity.

[Dysole]

I mean it just means he's never played Shades against anyone running a lot of good common squads (and I don't mean x1 of each). Honestly, the only time I thought Shades were a great idea was when kevindola brought them in one of the online events (Heat of Battle + Chaos of Battle (opponent places your figures on the board with some slight restrictions) bring 2 armies). Won the whole thing (although admittedly not with the shades but dok made it close with them). Worth noting that kevindola is also a really good player so I do not recommend this strategy in general.

~Dysole, who one time at a tournament where you could pick from about forty armies and play round robin style (just couldn't play the same army more than once) played in a Get Rid of Your Opponent's Most Expensive Figure match and my opponent grabbed Charos + Rhogar. I grabbed Shades + Sudema and won after about 4 turns.

[Joseph Sweeney]

See, I never had much luck with the Shades; they seem pretty pricey for just the three of them. Then again, I've only used them on a few occasions, so maybe it's due to my lack of practice with them. I'm content with their ratings.

~JS, who wouldn't likely attribute his negative opinion of the Shades to his lack of experience with them, but it's a possibility

[Tornado]

They really shine in the not recommended classic/Marvel mash-up game.

[Marro_Warlord]

100 points is what kills them. If the Shades were cheaper, they might be an alternative to the PK's. If you want a better squad, you can use Phantom Knights. Better 200-point stealth flying? Use Cyprien and Sonya. Their powers are too niche to be of any use in competitive armies, and often die from the swing-back. From time to time they can steal Charos or something, but against (Most) competitive armies, they'll steal nothing, or maybe a bonding hero? I want to like the Shades, but I can't.

[Owlman]

Originally Posted by lefton4ya

Phantom Knights have one more attack, one less move but stealth flying, and 3 extra defense against range, and cost 30 less. Even without the chance to take over a hero, they are WAY better than Shades of Bleakewoode and are therefore ranked A-/B+. I agree with above posters that Shades might be decent in Heat of Battle or really low start zone/figure count (12 or less) scenarios with some Crypt Guardians and Dumatef Guards, but not any other tournaments, and even then I'd probably still rather have Phantom Knights by a mile, as in 300 points you can have one extra squad of them.

If you want a "B" version of the card, see my Competitive Unit Alter of them:

Nice, but that seems really powerful for just 100 points. Personally, that feels like 120 points at least. Also, I feel the Phantom Knights are a bit on the under costed side, too.

[Owlman]

Originally Posted by Tornado

They really shine in the not recommended classic/Marvel mash-up game.

I prefer not to mix universes when I play, but holy ghost...! Imagine stealing Thanos...

[Owlman]

Originally Posted by Joseph Sweeney

See, I never had much luck with the Shades; they seem pretty pricey for just the three of them. Then again, I've only used them on a few occasions, so maybe it's due to my lack of practice with them. I'm content with their ratings.

~JS, who wouldn't likely attribute his negative opinion of the Shades to his lack of experience with them, but it's a possibility

Yeah, I've been using them alot the past few months, and the more the merrier when it comes to them. You need to roll that D20 as often as possible to get the magic number(s). As a single squad, they aren't worth the points, IMO, but in 2-4 groups, watch out!