The Book of Ebon Armor

[Arch-vile]

The Book of Ebon Armor​

Lodin's Discord - C3V Wave 5 - Eternal Warriors​

PDF​

The figures used for this unit are Rackham figures from the Confrontation Ram Box set. Its model name is Black Paladins.​

Character Bio:

Spoiler Alert!

Dearest Marjorie,

I believe I have solved the problem here at our estate in Daerth.

It is too far, as you know, for us to visit regularly. The local constables are many leagues away, across a narrow strait, and we can not depend upon them and their lazy nags to protect our property & belongings here on this small island. Nor can we spare the necessary staff to guard the dark parapets & turrets of this damp, odorous place. Evil Beings lurk in the swamps, as you know, and it is increasingly dangerous & unpleasant to come here and rid these grounds of Ghouls & other creatures & worse.

And yet I promised your fine father & excellent mother, before they passed on to a better place (bless their holy memories), that I would use all my resources, powers & magicks to protect their home and castle, humble & foul though it was and remains.

This evening, beneath these nighttime storm clouds, indeed beneath the very catacombs in which your blessed father & his twice blessed ancestors spend their Eternal Slumber, I believe I have discovered a Magick that will allow them to rest forever in peace.

I have studied magic & alchemy for many years, as you know. I have also searched for some Reason why war must always bring its slashing & stabbing & bludgeoning. I have labored many nights in my several laboratories and have, I believe, distilled the very essence of war. The essence of discipline, of blood & combat & fighting & of the Warrior Spirit.

I have taken this Spirit and used it to Animate some fine bits of Arms your father & his beloved and twice honored ancestors have kept here in Daerth for many generations.

These arms, animated by my Magicks, are deathless and perfectly obedient. They have all the skills and discipline of proper soldiers. They need not feed, exercise, nor sleep, for they are not human--they are magically animated arms and require none of the supervision nor materiel otherwise required for a properly mustered Army of Men.

Indeed, they will not bleed, nor sweat, nor tire, nor cry out in pain or frustration. Their arms and armor, animated by magic, can never be separated from them. They are as tireless as they are indestructible, as fierce as they are obedient.

Tomorrow I will return to you, to our glorious home in Aerion, but these four deathless, perfect Warriors will stay and forever protect your family's birthplace in Daerth. As long as this small castle stands as a testament to your family's past glory, they will wander these halls, these walls & these grounds, and loyally, perfectly defend them. I know not what will become of them should the castle ever fall, but I do not imagine that day will ever come.

Indeed, if the castle should fall, I know not what might destroy them.

I hope to take your delicate hand in mine before the week is out, my dearest.

Yours &c.

Lord Keren Perjamarine, Son of Duke Leicester of Moonton

DEFENSIVE POSITIONING
While an Ebon Armor is engaged, it has no visible Hit Zone.

ANIMATED MATERIEL
When an Ebon Armor you control is destroyed, you may place it on a Unique Human Army Card in your army that does not already have an Ebon Armor on it.

ETERNAL WAR
For the entire game, when a Unique Human Hero or Squad figure you control is destroyed by a normal or special attack or leaving engagement attack by an opponent's figure, you may replace it with your previously destroyed Ebon Armor from that figure's Army Card, if possible.

_________________________________________________________________
-Rulings and Clarifications-

Q: If a Unique Human figure is destroyed by Pounce, or by a Zombie, or by Nicholas Esenwein, can that figure be replaced by an Ebon Armor before the attacker places a figure there?
A: No. Those powers replace the defending figure "immediately," and have priority over placing Ebon Armor, which are only placed "if possible".

Q: If Kursus destroys a Unique Human figure with Sonic Fists Special Attack, can you replace that figure with an Ebon Armor before Kursus is placed?
A: Yes. Kursus is not placed until after his attack action is complete. The Ebon Armor may be placed first.

Q: Can I use Eternal War to place an Ebon Armor if there are no Ebon Armor figures left on the battlefield at that time?
A: Yes. Eternal War works "for the entire game", even if all Ebon Armors have been destroyed and none are currently on the battlefield.

Q: What happens if the Ebon Armor Army Card gets negated by Morsbane or Kira Jax and a Unique Human with an Ebon Armor on its Army Card is destroyed?
A: That Ebon Armor may not be placed on the battlefield that turn. Eternal War cannot be used if the Ebon Armor have been negated.

Q: What happens when I Mind Shackle an Ebon Armor?
A: All Ebon Armors that belong to that Army Card are yours for the rest of the game. That includes Ebon Armors that have already been placed on Unique Human Army Cards. The original owner cannot replace those Unique Human figures with an Ebon Armor on that figure's Army Card. However, if you were to later gain control of a Unique Human that has an Ebon Armor on its Army Card, you would be able to replace a Unique Human figure from that card with the Ebon Armor (see below).

Q: If I gain a Unique Human card (by Mind Shackle, Soul Devour, or Stab in the Back) that has my oppponent's Ebon Armor on it, can I use Eternal War to place those Ebon Armor?
A: No. You must control that Ebon Armor's Army Card to use Eternal War. However, if you were to later Mind Shackle your opponent's Ebon Armor card, then the Unique Human you previously gained control of could be replaced by the Ebon Armor on its card (see above).

Q: If a Unique Human Hero is turned into a Hybrid by the Werewolf Lord's Lycanthropy, when that Hero dies can it be replaced by an Ebon Armor on its Army Card?
A: No. An Ebon Armor can only be placed back on the battlefield when a Unique Human figure is destroyed, not a Hybrid.
​

_________________________________________________________________
-Combinations and Synergies-

Synergy Benefits Received

• ANIMATED MATERIEL: Unique Humans.
  When destroyed, an Ebon Armor can be placed on any Unique Human army card you control. Unique Humans include: (* for squads)
  
  Spoiler Alert!

  
  

  • Agent Carr
  • Agent Skahen
  • Airborne Elite *
  • Akumaken (C3V)
  • Alastair MacDirk
  • Ana Karithon
  • Arashara Goshiri (C3V)
  • Arthur of Sherwood (C3V)
  • Brave Arrow
  • Capt. John Varan (C3V)
  • Chen Tang (C3V)
  • Count Raymond (C3V)
  • Crixus
  • Deadeye Dan
  • Eldgrim the Viking Champion
  • Evar Scarcarver
  • Finn the Viking Champion
  • Garrett Burns (C3V)
  • Guilty McCreech
  • Hatamoto Taro
  • Heracles (C3V)
  • Isamu
  • Izumi Samurai *
  • James Murphy
  • Johnny Shotgun Sullivan
  • Josie Whistlestop (C3V)
  • Kaemon Awa
  • Kantono Daishi (SoV)
  • Kato Katsuro
  • Kozuke Samurai *
  • Krav Maga Agents *
  • Kumiko
  • Locksley (C3V)
  • Louis "Mad Dog" Malone (C3V)
  • Marcus Decimus Gallus
  • Martial la Hire (C3V)
  • Master Lao Xin (C3V)
  • Master Win Chiu Woo
  • Mika Connour
  • Millerson (C3V)
  • Morgan's Riflemen (C3V) *
  • Moriko
  • Myrddin (C3V)
  • Nakita Agents *
  • Ninjas of the Northern Wind *
  • Otonashi
  • Parmenio
  • Patrick Ferguson (C3V)
  • Prince al'Kahora (C3V)
  • Priscus (SoV)
  • Ranjit Singh (C3V)
  • Retiarius
  • Samuel Brown
  • Sgt. Drake Alexander v1
  • Sgt. Drake Alexander v2
  • Shiori
  • Sir Denrick
  • Sir Dupuis
  • Sir Gilbert
  • Sir Hawthorne
  • Sir Orrick (C3V)
  • Spartacus
  • Tagawa Samurai *
  • Tandros Kreel
  • Tarn Viking Warriors *
  • Tetraites
  • Thorgrim the Viking Champion
  • Tomoe Gozen (C3V)
  • Valguard
  • Viceron the Blood Knight (SoV)
  • Wastewalker Gage (C3V)
  • Yi Feng (C3V)
  • Zhen Yuan (C3V)

Synergy Benefits Offered
-N/A
​

_________________________________________________________________
-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

Power Ranking
Ebon Armor- Potentially effective in Unique Samurai or Agent builds, but challenging to use. B

Unit Strategy Review
TBA

 

[MegaSilver]

Excellent job with the book.

 

[Arch-vile]

Excellent job with the book.

I quoted one of your books to make this & Akumaken's.

 

[ejboyd]

I'm getting into customs late, and the Ram Army Box seems long gone. Has there been any thought as to alternate figures for these guys (or any other C3V units from that box)?

I know I can proxy whatever I like, but a matching card would be great too.

 

[DanieLoche]

I'm getting into customs late, and the Ram Army Box seems long gone. Has there been any thought as to alternate figures for these guys (or any other C3V units from that box)?

I know I can proxy whatever I like, but a matching card would be great too.

If you sent us pictures of the alternative figures HERE, we'll enjoy to make you an alternative card.

 

[DanieLoche]

What about adding the list of the Unique Humans ?

Here is the list : (* for squads)

• Agent Carr
• Agent Skahen
• Airborne Elite *
• Akumaken (C3V)
• Alastair MacDirk
• Ana Karithon
• Arashara Goshiri (C3V)
• Brave Arrow
• Capt. John Varan (C3V)
• Count Raymond (C3V)
• Crixus
• Deadeye Dan
• Eldgrim the Viking Champion
• Evar Scarcarver
• Finn the Viking Champion
• Guilty McCreech
• Hatamoto Taro
• Isamu
• Izumi Samurai *
• James Murphy
• Johnny Shotgun Sullivan
• Kaemon Awa
• Kantono Daishi (SoV)
• Kato Katsuro
• Kozuke Samurai *
• Krav Maga Agents *
• Kumiko
• Marcus Decimus Gallus
• Martial la Hire (C3V)
• Master Win Chiu Woo
• Mika Connour
• Moriko
• Myrddin (C3V)
• Nakita Agents *
• Ninjas of the Northern Wind *
• Otonashi
• Parmenio
• Priscus (SoV)
• Retiarius
• Samuel Brown
• Sgt. Drake Alexander v1
• Sgt. Drake Alexander v2
• Shiori
• Sir Denrick
• Sir Dupuis
• Sir Gilbert
• Sir Hawthorne
• Sir Orrick (C3V)
• Spartacus
• Tagawa Samurai *
• Tandros Kreel
• Tarn Viking Warriors *
• Thorgrim the Viking Champion
• Tomoe Gozen (C3V)
• Valguard

 

[Arch-vile]

Wow, thanks for compiling that, DanieLoche. I'll add it to the OP in a spoiler when I can get to a computer.

 

[DanieLoche]

Well, it was quite easy with my Online Bestiary.

Oh... I just noticed that I never posted it here but only at the French Forum !

 

[Sheep]

Say an Ebor Armor was on a Probe Droid (because Uncommon = Unique for all things but army building), if the Probe Droid self-destructed could the Ebor Armor return? If so, Ebor Armor + Probe Droids x15 would be hilarious.

Or Ebor Amor + Grand Moff Tarkin + Probe Droid x9.

 

[MegaSilver]

Say an Ebor Armor was on a Probe Droid (because Uncommon = Unique for all things but army building), if the Probe Droid self-destructed could the Ebor Armor return? If so, Ebor Armor + Probe Droids x15 would be hilarious.

Or Ebor Amor + Grand Moff Tarkin + Probe Droid x9.

Ebon Armor only works on UNIQUE/UNCOMMON HUMAN cards, HS2010.

 

[Sheep]

Say an Ebor Armor was on a Probe Droid (because Uncommon = Unique for all things but army building), if the Probe Droid self-destructed could the Ebor Armor return? If so, Ebor Armor + Probe Droids x15 would be hilarious.

Or Ebor Amor + Grand Moff Tarkin + Probe Droid x9.

Ebon Armor only works on UNIQUE/UNCOMMON HUMAN squads., HS2010.

You were watching Soundwarp's and my game last night, I don't read the cards (fully).

 

[Sheep]

Say it did work for everyone would you be able to?

~HS2010, curiously and wondering how he could put a Self-Destruct like power on a human.

 

[dok]

Say it did work for everyone would you be able to?

~HS2010, curiously and wondering how he could put a Self-Destruct like power on a human.

No, it would still not work, even if Probe Droids were human and uncommon. The Probe Droid was destroyed by its own power, not by an attack or leaving engagement attack.

 

[Sheep]

Say it did work for everyone would you be able to?

~HS2010, curiously and wondering how he could put a Self-Destruct like power on a human.

No, it would still not work. Read ETERNAL WAR again.

Normal, special, or LEA... I'm targeted by a normal attack and I choose not to roll defense, self-destruct, and then I destroy my Droid. You're saying I'm not destroyed by the attack, I'm destroyed by my self-destruct power? Ok, that's all I needed to know.

 

[jedilou]

If I replace a unique figure with an Ebon Armor figure pursuant to Eternal War, if the Ebon Armor is being placed next to a Nakita Agent (or other unit with engagement strike), is the Ebon Armor subject engagement strike?
(assuming that the figure that was destroyed had already been engaged with the Nakita).
According the Book of Arashara Goshiri, "move" and "place" are the same. Just wondering if "replace" functions any differently?
Thematically it would make sense that the Ebon Armor would not take the engagement strike. However, as a matter of game mechanics, it seems that they probably do have to risk the engagement strike.
Just looking to clarify as this has already come up one time.

 

[DanieLoche]

IMO ES occurs.

But what about a Cathar Spearmen?
Let's say that a Cathar Spearman is engaged with a figure that has an Ebon Armor on his army card. If the Cathar kills this figure, can we count him as unengaged to use Braced Spear against the Ebon Armor ?

 

[dok]

Yes, Engagement strike happens - this is no different than Zombies Rise Again or pounce other powers which can trigger engagement strike. A new figure is placed into engagement, so engagement strike occurs.

Braced Spear does not occur - the Cathar Spearman was not "previously unengaged". The engagement is considered continuous.

 

[Sheep]

If Isamu dies to end the game with an Ebon Armor on his army card, is the game over or can I still place the Ebon Armor on the battlefield?

 

[flameslayer93]

If Isamu dies to end the game with an Ebon Armor on his army card, is the game over or can I still place the Ebon Armor on the battlefield?

I believe so, as Victory Conditions aren't checked until the end of the turn.

 

[dok]

flameslayer is correct. It's the same reason you don't instantly lose if Marcu is your last figure and you hit eternal hatred.

 

[Sheep]

Thanks, guys!

 

[dafe31]

I want to be sure that I'm playing this correct, and if so, WOW!

I played a game over the weekend with the Ebon Armor, a few heroes, along with the Tarn Viking Warriors, a Unique Squad. After running the Ebon Armor out front, I placed a deceased Ebon Armor on the TVW card (Animated Materiel). Then, after one of the Tarns met his end, I replaced that Tarn with that single Ebon Armor figure (Eternal War). Easy Peasy.

Shortly thereafter, that Ebon Armor figure was killed by a normal attack. As the EA card reads, Animated Materiel allows me to put the Ebon Armor back on the TVW card, because at that point, the TVW card "did not have an Ebon Armor on it". Thus, when my next Tarn died, that Ebon Armor figure came back AGAIN. That singular Ebon Armor did the Animated Materiel/Eternal War combo a third time after another TVW died. By placing the Ebon Armor on a Unique Squad, they have a chance to come back repeatedly.

If this is the intent, the Ebon Armor teamed up with a few different Unique Squads (think Samurai) would make for a relentless, seemingly unending force. Like I said, WOW!

Just to check, were we playing this right? What does the community say?

DAFE31

 

[flameslayer93]

That is the correct way to play the Ebon Armor! They can also be quite good in a ninja army, as they have a lot of good heroes.

 

[jburek]

By the way, can anyone suggest good semi-lookalike proxies for this squad?

(Recently have become a convert to C3V figures after longtime lurking, but I see these figures are practically unavailable at this point.)

 

[dafe31]

By the way, can anyone suggest good semi-lookalike proxies for this squad?

(Recently have become a convert to C3V figures after longtime lurking, but I see these figures are practically unavailable at this point.)

We used two each of the Phantom Knights, leaving behind the Shield-Raised-High Knight. The flowing cloaks with swords and shields seemed as close as anything.