Evolutionary
Elementalism – Calandra (NQ 49)
This theme force is Calandra’s second and was presented
in No Quarter Magazine issue #49.
Before NQ49 was released it was spoiled that there would
be a new Trollblood theme force, and instantly the speculation began about this
being a Mountain King centred theme (based on other factions getting themes
featuring colossals/gargantuans). Madrak and Doomshaper were the casters
considered most likely to have the ‘fix the MK’ theme.
What was presented was actually quite different. Calandra
is an odd warlock in that she’s hard to define, she doesn’t offer obvious
buffs/debuff but instead plays with dice and probability – improving yours and
messing with your opponent’s.
You are limited to
‘elemental’ warbeasts (Pyre, Slag, Storm & Winter), the Mountain King, the Krielstone,
Runeshapers, Warders, runeshaper solos (Janissa) the runebearer and whelps.
The first and most obviously beneficial tier gives you a
reduced cost to warbeasts. This has led to the thinking that this list is all
about spamming elemental warbeasts, and why not? Second tier benefit loads up
your Krielstone (the requirement for this level) with fury, the third gives
light warbeasts Advanced Deployment provided you have three different lights.
The fourth tier is where the Mountain King raises his big
meaty fist and says ‘pick me!’, and in return you get to put one animus on
everything in your force for turn 1. Hmm.
Doesn't really look like a Mountain King centric theme,
does it?
Other than the beasts your limited selection leads you to
a combination of Runeshapers and Warders, and note that the theme doesn't increase
the FA on either, so in larger games your decision is made for you. Warders,
being the new hotness, are everywhere, and for good reason. Battle driven reach
weapon masters… and cheap ones too. In this theme their woeful lack of speed
really shows, but there’s no doubt that they are you go to unit for zone
control.
The Runeshapers are a great unit, and sadly still often
overlooked (outside of Runes of War). In this list they fuel the stone pre game
thanks to the tier 2 benefit and, er… well. What they bring is a unit of decent
AOEs with crit knockdown. With tremor and with Janissa’s Force Lock they offer
some zone control/clearance shenanigans. You might like to note also that
although you can bring AOEs with the Pyre, the Runeshapers bring three for the
same cost. Knockdown is a thing. Beasts with sub par Mat like knockdown.
With the Solos, you’ll want Janissa for all the usual
reasons, plus the tier 2 benefit. The Runebearer is goo if you can fit him in.
Whelps are a must if you bring the Mountain King. You really need the double
spawning whelps.
Your warbeast selection is more a case of which to go
with in multiple. Pyres bring flaming AOEs, the Storm bring Electroleaping anti
light infantry tech, the Slag munches jacks, the Winter… er… gets more work in
the Holiday Season?
But what about the Mountain King? Well, looking at the
list in general there is a clear lack of high P+S. Even with a damage buff
animus and Stone Strength you’re topping out at around P+S 15. Yes, Warders
have Weapon Master, but they are painfully slow in this theme and really your
only zone holding models, so the high armour stuff can avoid them easily.
The Mountain King brings your only guaranteed anti-armour.
Calandra here will be trying to survive (Bullet dodger
& Janissa’s wall) whilst getting as much into her control area to mess with
dice. Soothing Song becomes a very handy spell in the list, and the Krielstone
starting with some fury saves here a little bit to use on re-rolls. Obviously
the Runebearer helps some if you have a few spare points.
I’m going to wrap up this fast’n’dirty guide as I’m
playing this theme a lot at present and will be writing more about it in the
future.
The bottom line with this list… it’s different. It’s a
challenge (going the MK route) and possibly a bonkers do-or-die (going light
spam route). It’s not on a level with Runes of War or Family Reunion, but
appears better than most. With more testing I think this theme will become very
popular.
Theme force
rating:
Originality: 4/5
Evolutionary Elementalism is at first glance a jokey
elemental spam list, but I’m convinced there’s more to it than that. Calandra
doesn't benefit the list or from it in any obvious way, but that’s the way she
is because of her dice manipulation. Fact is that she works with anything. This
theme is very different in composition to any of the others currently available,
so I’m giving it a good score. For now.
Ease of Playability:
3/5
Spamming advanced deploy elemental warbeasts could be
amazing. But the rest of the force does what? Then there’s the issue of high
armour, especially without the MK. Of course taking a King is putting a massive
investment and bullseye in one place…
Ownership level: 4/5
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to assume that most troll
players will have one of each elemental warbeast (except maybe Winter) a
Krielstone, and a unit of Warders. If you’ve not gone for Runes of War you might
not have any Runeshapers… so go get some! I don’t think the theme is going to
inspire anyone on the fence to go buy a Mountain King. If you have one though,
this theme is well worth checking out.
Total theme scores:
Evolutionary Elementalism – 11/15
Unbridled Fury – 9/15
