The Book of Knights of Blackgaard

[William099]

The Book of Knights of Blackgaard

Lodin's Discord - C3V Wave 5 - Evil of Blood River

PDF

The figures used for this unit are Aasimar Fighter #1 from the D&D War of the Dragon Queen set, Phalanx Soldier #7 from the D&D Unhallowed set, Axe Soldier #4 from the D&D War Drums set, and Royal Guard #28 from the D&D Underdark set.​

Character Bio:
Not many forces have stood against the legendary Knights of Weston, fewer have matched them in combat. And even fewer than that, indeed only one force, has ever made the valiant knights know fear: the Knights of Blackgaard.

Though slow on the march, when the Knights of Blackgaard enter battle, they surge forward with deadly energy that only grows stronger as the battle heightens. A deadly force in and of themselves, the Knights of Blackgaard are even more relentless in battle when joined by those who share their rage.

Utgar has found an army of men who match his own ferocity, and now Valhalla trembles.

BLACKGAARD SURGE
If no Knights of Blackgaard you control are engaged, you must subtract 3 from your initiative roll. If at least one Order Marker is on the Knights of Blackgaard, you may add 1 to your initiative roll for each engaged Knight of Blackgaard you control.

RELENTLESS ARMY ATTACK BONUS
If every army card you control has a relentless personality, each Knight of Blackgaard receives one additional attack die.

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-Rulings and Clarifications-

Any questions? Post in the thread and I'll update as time goes on!​

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_________________________________________________________________
-Combinations and Synergies-

Synergy Benefits Received​

- KHOSUMET THE DARKLORD : Relentless Assault​

As a figure with the relentless personality, Knights of Blaackgard may roll 1 extra die from Khosumet the Darklord's RELENTLESS ASSAULT enhancement bonus.​

- CONCAN THE KYRIE WARRIOR: Knight and Sentinel Enhancement​

As Knights, the Knights of Blaackgard roll 1 extra attack and defense die from Concan's KNIGHT AND SENTINEL ENHANCEMENT.​

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Synergy Benefits Offered​

- SIR DUPUIS: Knight's Courage​

As Knights, the Knights of Blaackgard contribute to Sir Dupuis' KNIGHT'S COURAGE attack bonus.​

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- RELENTLESS ARMY ATTACK BONUS : Relentless Personality Units​

* Air Elemental​

* Amberhive Protectors​

* Anubian Wolves​

* Armoc Vipers​

* Augamo​

* Azazel the Kyrie Warrior​

* Boreos​

* Darkprowl Thrall​

* Dumutef Guard​

* Khosumet the Darklord​

* Kon-Tar-Na​

* Krug​

* Loviatak the Kyrie Warrior​

* Marro Gnids​

* Minions of Utgar​

* Raelin (AOA)​

* Red Ants of Aunstrom​

* Sir Hawthorne​

* Skull Demon​

* Sujoah​

* Taelord the Kyrie Warrior​

* Varkaanan Blade Dancers​

* Venoc Vipers​

* Venoc Warlord​

* Vulcanmech Incendiborgs​

* Werewolf Lord​

* Wolves of Badru​

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_________________________________________________________________
-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

Power Ranking
A 4-figure squad with 4/4 stats is nothing to sniff at, even at this price. B

Unit Strategy Review

TBA

 

[William099]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

Now that the Book is done what's the sweetspot for these guys? At there expensive cost how many squads are usually ran in a standard 500-750 point game?

 

[Arrow Grut]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

Now that the Book is done what's the sweetspot for these guys? At there expensive cost how many squads are usually ran in a standard 500-750 point game?

My theoryscape guess is anywhere from 3 to 4 squads, because the majority of relentless units are melee anyways, so unless you wanted to roll with incendies in there too, theres not much reason to actually put in anything else. Incend plus Taelord and 2 squads is an interesting 600 pointer though. Some 500 point army musings:
KoB x2
Incendiborgs
Khoshumet(Armocs?)
----------
485/495

This would probably be my go to build with them. If you could squeeze in another squad with incendies they'd be ridiculous.
Heres an obvious one for theme:
Hawthorne
KoB x3
Dumetef x2
------
500
I think its a little depressing how relatively unsynergistic these guys are with Hawthrone. Thats probably my only critisicm.

Last one that really intruges me right now is a VV one....
KoB x2
VV x4
--------
Set everyone up. Hit init switch on your command. Don't play against range. (I don't think venocs really like these guys, I'd rather put OMs on them.)

Actually, this army is one I really want to try:
Raelin SOTM
KoB x3
Dumetef(if points allow)
-----------
480/505
Set up the KoB in RaeRae aura, they rush her in and get off lots of whirlwinds and make her impossible to ignore.

Best army for them, I bet (at 500) and the reason they are 120 points, is:
KoB x4.

Slow roll, hit a double turn with init, never look back. Steamroller 2.0.

 

[Lazy Orang]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

I think its a little depressing how relatively unsynergistic these guys are with Hawthrone. Thats probably my only critisicm.

I agree entirely - these guys are really cool, but they really should have worked with Hawthorne in some way other than just being able to be paired with him and still get their relentless bonus, IMO. These guys are actually one of Hawthorne's worst allies, because they can't bond with him and anyone who can isn't relentless, making Hawthorne a terrible pick with these guys, as he's really at hs best as a bonding hero. Please tell me that there'll be a Relentless unit down the line, hopefully with this theme, who synergises with Hawthorne.

 

[elvenwizard9]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

Extra Attack Dice Don't Cost THAT much!

Knights of Blackgaard x2 240
Taelord 420
Khosumet 495

Or, rather...

Knights of Blackgaard x2 240
Havech Eradicators x2 420
Khosumet 495

Which option would be better? The second one seems to fill out start zone spaces more.

 

[Kinseth]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

Err nevermind

 

[caps]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

Extra Attack Dice Don't Cost THAT much!

Knights of Blackgaard x2 240
Taelord 420
Khosumet 495

Or, rather...

Knights of Blackgaard x2 240
Havech Eradicators x2 420
Khosumet 495

Which option would be better? The second one seems to fill out start zone spaces more.

The second option. I'm afraid Khosumet is a terrible option in any army that doesn't include the Anubian Wolves.

Taelord would be fun to pair with them.

Maybe Taelord + Raelin + 2xKoB. They get 4 attack, 6 defense until Raelin goes down, at which point they go to 5 attack, 4 defense. Not super competitive. Their best option with Taelord would probably require higher point values.

I'm pretty sure these guys are best when paired with Vulcanmechs.

 

[Lazy Orang]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

I think its a little depressing how relatively unsynergistic these guys are with Hawthrone. Thats probably my only critisicm.

I agree entirely - these guys are really cool, but they really should have worked with Hawthorne in some way other than just being able to be paired with him and still get their relentless bonus, IMO. These guys are actually one of Hawthorne's worst allies, because they can't bond with him and anyone who can isn't relentless, making Hawthorne a terrible pick with these guys, as he's really at hs best as a bonding hero. Please tell me that there'll be a Relentless unit down the line, hopefully with this theme, who synergises with Hawthorne.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[caps]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

I think its a little depressing how relatively unsynergistic these guys are with Hawthrone. Thats probably my only critisicm.

I agree entirely - these guys are really cool, but they really should have worked with Hawthorne in some way other than just being able to be paired with him and still get their relentless bonus, IMO. These guys are actually one of Hawthorne's worst allies, because they can't bond with him and anyone who can isn't relentless, making Hawthorne a terrible pick with these guys, as he's really at hs best as a bonding hero. Please tell me that there'll be a Relentless unit down the line, hopefully with this theme, who synergises with Hawthorne.

Any thoughts on this?

Looks like nobody so far has had any thoughts on that which they found worth sharing.

 

[Kinseth]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

I think Utgar Human Champion Bonding would have been cool, and could have added a nice touch to them. I am guessing it was tested though and found to be too powerful?

 

[MegaSilver]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

I think Utgar Human Champion Bonding would have been cool, and could have added a nice touch to them. I am guessing it was tested though and found to be too powerful?

3x KoB and Vulcanmech is strong; I playtested them and they dominated the KoW on Dry Season. That was when they were 110/115 points.

 

[Heroscaper Guy]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

I think Utgar Human Champion Bonding would have been cool, and could have added a nice touch to them. I am guessing it was tested though and found to be too powerful?

I don't remember it, but it might have been in the initial playtests. To be honest I think people underestimate them too much. 8 attacks of 4 (or 5 from height) on back to back turns can be brutal and really decimate things.

 

[Lazy Orang]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

I'm not underestimating them - I think they actually look really cool - I'm just saying that Hawthorne is a terrible choice with them, which is, IMO, a theme fail.

 

[Arch-vile]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

When you have 90 points left in a Blackgaard army, Hawthorne is easily your best choice, IMO. He's not the best figure to put in a Blackgaard build (the Incendiborgs are), but Hawthorne is not a terrible choice at all.

 

[Lazy Orang]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

But Hawthorne is, like all bonding heroes, at his best when bonding. When taken with the Knights of Blackgaard, he can't be taken with a bonding squad without breaking their bonus. He works better with the Death Knights than with his own troops. He works better with his worst enemies than his own troops. Something that could have been a cool, thematic contingent is one that works badly together unless their leader is simply a filler. I have no issues with these guys themselves, but I'd really love to see some other 'dark knight' unit down the line that synergises with Hawthorne and is Relentless, so that there's some compelling reason to take that thematic army.

 

[Arrow Grut]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

When you have 90 points left in a Blackgaard army, Hawthorne is easily your best choice, IMO. He's not the best figure to put in a Blackgaard build (the Incendiborgs are), but Hawthorne is not a terrible choice at all.

I'm not convinced that 3x Air Elemental wouldn't be better in most matchups. Here's why:
IMO, it looks like theres two main compeitive blackgaard builds:
Steamrolleresque one, where you throw in as many blackgaard as you can and just strong arm the other army. Then theres the more comp one, a ton of blackgaard and the incendiborgs.

Neither of these benefit from a single space melee hero with average move even with a special. The incendiborgs already have a special, and if you save him for cleanup he's dead to range and is liable to betray. The steamroller blackgaard need to push the front no matter what, they don't have time to move up a single spaced melee hero. Air Eles x3, on the other hand, would be useful in both builds in regard to melee matchups and cleanup plus Raelin assassination is totally feasable. Heck, VVx2 in the hopes of them just going crazy with the 20 d is probably better.
Edit: I think it still is pretty thematic, however, that in a Weston vs Blackgaard in which Hawthorne is on the Weston side, he has the chance to betray and fit right in with the blackgaard.

 

[dok]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

I'd much rather have Hawthorne than AEx3 against WoA or rats.

 

[Arrow Grut]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

I'd much rather have Hawthorne than AEx3 against WoA or rats.

I see WoA, but rats? How'd you keep Hawthorne up with your main army without losing precious attacking turns?

 

[dok]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

I'd much rather have Hawthorne than AEx3 against WoA or rats.

I see WoA, but rats? How'd you keep Hawthorne up with your main army without losing precious attacking turns?

By moving him up first?

More to the point, what was I going to do with the Air Elementals?

 

[Arrow Grut]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

I'd much rather have Hawthorne than AEx3 against WoA or rats.

I see WoA, but rats? How'd you keep Hawthorne up with your main army without losing precious attacking turns?

By moving him up first?

More to the point, what was I going to do with the Air Elementals?

In that matchup probably nothing. But in other mostly melee ones, the AE can buy you extra time to set up and are capable of assassinating Raelin. And I just don't see how Hawthorne wouldn't get torn apart by whatever the Rats are guarding. He's got no range, he can't stay back and pester them he has to get up in their faces. He's reslient, but I just don't see him taking out enough rats before he falls to range.

 

[Super Bogue]

Re: The Book of the Knights of Blackgaard

I think Utgar Human Champion Bonding would have been cool, and could have added a nice touch to them. I am guessing it was tested though and found to be too powerful?

I don't remember it, but it might have been in the initial playtests. To be honest I think people underestimate them too much. 8 attacks of 4 (or 5 from height) on back to back turns can be brutal and really decimate things.

The only the earliest version of KoB had any kind of bonding power. That version never left the brainstorming phase. Originally they were slotted with 4 attack and 5 defense at 100 points...that of course came down. Also their first name was the Knights of Black Drake. Enough nostalgia for tonight. Enjoy the evil knights who don't care that much for their captain.

 

[WOOKIE]

One of my armies for NHSD was Augamo & 3x KoB. They preformed very well. I recommend them.

 

[Dad_Scaper]

Excellent! I'm very pleased to hear it. It was difficult to pin them down.

 

[flameslayer93]

Continuing from @WOOKIE 's post, when I faced them with Heavy Gruts/Ornak Podge, I wasn't really scared of them. The board (a fairly hilly dungeon scene), seemed to have caused the Knights the most trouble. From the posts I've read in this Book thread, a steamroller style army is a major playstyle. Hilly boards can make it difficult to get board control (especially true with their weakened Initiative roll) early on and then fairly mobile units dont have too hard of a time ripping them apart (there were some rounds where WOOKIE had engaged Knights, but they were much too late). On the flipside, Augamo made a great complement to the otherwise puny Knights. His high stats definately bust down most mobilty/utility units.

At least mobile units got a boost from these guys, while I suspect the slow-rolling melee armies took a hit.

 

[Kinseth]

What planet are Knights Blackgaard from?