The Sons of Velmorn
Welcome to our rundown of The Sons of Velmorn. Make sure you catch our podcast coverage of the release. For everything out with this release window, follow these links:
More release rundowns! >> 18 warbands + 2 decks = 20 rundowns!
Thanks go to GW for providing a review copy to make this content possible.
Introduction
[D]AVY, [P]HIL, [B]RIAN, [S]KYLER & [Z]ACH
Z: The first warband I bought and played in Underworlds, so glad to see these fantastic models get new rules. Will disappointed dad and his disappointing sons fare any better in the new edition?
WARSCROLl
Z: No more crit needed! Pretty simple, just need to hit. Note that this is after the entire attack, so you can drive a fighter back next to another fighter to inspire them.
D: Reasonable, and I think most of the fighters here have a benefit that you'd be willing to chase the inspire for.
Z: Back to the old version where you need to do something with Velmorn to get the boardwide flank. This proved to be a high enough tax that it got changed. Flanking a fighter is strong enough now that it'll be well worth it to do something with him early to get this rolling.
D: I think you want this to set up the inspire on Velmorn for sure. And the uninspired attack profiles look like they assume you'll be having his free flank in there anyways.
Z: The cost of a command token means Velmorn will have to take an action before doing this, but if I'm not mistaken you should be able to immediately replace it since he's taking the action. Not the best revive we've seen, but it'll do when it's needed.
D: I read that the same way. It seems weird to spend one, get one. But no problem. Full health resurrects are nice too.
Z: Looking ahead, 3 fighters (including Jedran!) have the bulwark runemark. 2 defense and not needing the attack to fail will make this go off a decent amount, too.
D: What a weird corner case ability. You *are* on two dice which means the trigger is more likely and the guard token is more impactful. I guess it's good for getting on and never moving off a particular feature?
Z: Being repeatable and not being restricted against vulnerable fighters, I think makes this pretty decent. Between this and the lack of bounty raised fighters aren't going to be too enticing to re-kill.
D: So... repeatable, but weirdly your fighter has to have come back to life? This is pretty restrictive (i.e. lots of conditions) as a ping back, but can't complain about something repeatable.
Z: Same as they had last edition. Skeletons are notoriously slow, so Wings of War when you need it should come in handy most games.
D: Not so surprising if it's sitting on your warscroll, but very solid nonetheless.
FIGHTERS
Uninspired
Z: He can't raise with a charge token but needs to activate to get the command token, so he weirdly seems like he's a prime target for a ranged attack upgrade. Reasonably accurate attack with a chance at 3 damage, not too shabby when the time comes to use it.
D: I think like first edition, he's well suited to walk imperiously on to a token and point his boys forward. Then get involved after the inspire.
Inspired
Z: Retains his 2 shield defense from the previous edition, but loses out a bit on damage potential now. A quality fighter and the inspire condition not needing a crit now means you should see this side a fair amount now.
D: Love it as a follow up fighter once you're inspired. Or can still hang back if needed for the raise plan.
Uninspired
Z: Unchanged from the last edition. Accuracy boosts are going to be needed to get the big 3 damage through at any kind of reasonable rate.
D: He is a bulwark, though, so he's got that going for him? And unfortunately, he's still not recognized by his pops, so he can't get the accuracy help.
Inspired
Z: If he can get inspired, he'll be tough to take down with that 5 health and 2 shields. The attack sadly doesn't get better, so looking for upgrades to help him hit that big 3 damage swing.
D: And it's a pure 3 damage, which means if you are stacking things, accuracy plus grievous means he can really lay down some smack.
Uninspired
Z: I think the trade for one less health, but one more defense is one I'm fine making. Especially so since he'll come back with it too. The 2 damage on what will effectively be a 2 hammer attack figuring in the command token is also nice.
D: Two defense is startling! Range 2 being absent is a little bit of a bummer.
Inspired
Z: Just an extra die on his attack when inspired. Again, considering the command token, this is a good attack for a little two health guy. The stagger is a nice bonus if you can hit, but I wouldn't mind finding a different runemark for him to use.
D: I'd agree with that. Maybe the stagger will help to set up a kill-shot from Jeddran?
Uninspired
Z: Like Thain, Helmar has gained an extra defense at the cost of a health. Only one damage with crit grievous makes this attack not great, even with the command token helping the accuracy.
D: I agree, that attack profile is pretty sleepy. The inspire is pretty tempting. Still, two block is hot sauce.
Inspired
Z: Massive increase on the attack here. Crit grievous changes to be an extra flat damage, and we add cleave and an extra die. Hopefully, he can get inspired early to make use of this side.
D: That's the accuracy you can tell your dad about. But he'll know, because he's in the back. Watching.
Uninspired
Z: Exactly the same as Helmar. 2 shields is still great, but another fighter with that attack is not ideal
D: Just staggering around, hoping to inspire. On two block, lest I have not made clear how decent I think that is.
Inspired
Z: Now we're talking. Up to 3 dice on the attack, so reasonable chance to get a 3 damage attack.
D: I did not expect Faulk of all the graveguard to have a chance to go to three damage.
Summary
P: Dare I say it, Morlak Velmorn might be proud of his boys this edition? I expect to see a lot of these guys out continuing to try to prove they are worthy at any rate. The models are too gorgeous not to see play, and their improved defense should make them pretty tough to shift. I don’t know what kind of playstyle they want but someone will figure it out and school me, I’m sure.