SW Preview: Goats Before Oats
The support and unification of the Vargath.
Eight Summoner Wars Second Summoner decks are now up for pre-order in the PlaidHatGames.com store! You can buy them all separately, OR for a limited time, if you pre-order all eight together, get them for $59.95, $20 off the MSRP! Pre-order today!
Can you believe we made it to the final Mountain Vargath preview before revealing any Mountain Vargath commons? Ever since Sunderved put on a kilt and started Commanding troops, the Mountain Vargath have been THE faction to showcase common units. And Malenatar's ability to move commons around points that direction as well. But so far our previews have been all champions and events.
Well, here are the commons! Three exciting units and a related event to wrap up the Mountain Vargath Second Summoner preview. These commons all have a theme of SUPPORT. They all empower other commons to go out and kick some non-goat tail. And Malenatar's final event bolsters that support even more. First up, the Guard.
The guard can sit back, perhaps behind a wall, and protect the other more forward units in front of him who have more offensive power. A perfect formation can have the guard protecting 2 or even 3 units in a single turn, depending on how many wounds are taken and in what order. In deck building, Storm Mages are an especially good target for Lesser Cover, giving them a better chance than ever to trigger Call Lightning twice.
While the Guard is covering for his comrades, the Aspirant spurs her teammates onward with Encouragement.
After this Aspirant's regular movement phase activation, you get to move another Mountain Vargath common unit 1 space! Like most Mountain Vargath abilities, formation matters, so they need to be close. And like the Guard, the Aspirant's ability does not work among its own kind. But the moved unit could be a unit that has already moved or will move after the Aspirant, and there's no other cost; you don't even need to give up the Aspirant's own movement!
All this, plus we get a statline that hasn't been seen before in the Vargath ranks - a 1-life, 2-attack unit for just 1 magic.
Last, we have the Commander, whose Orders fit in nicely with the Aspirant and Guard.
Once again, an ability with no cost, not even giving up an attack. This ability is so potent it is limited to once per turn per Commander (EDIT: Sorry, I had the rule wrong before). Commanders and Aspirants working in tandem with Guards backing them up (especially to protect that heavy 3-magic investment of the Commander) is a combination that's not just super effective, it is super fun to play. These goats have each other's backs.
Of course, there is that limit of "common" unit all over these cards. Like many Mountain Vargath cards, these units strengthen common play. But wouldn't it be amazing if these cards could synergize - even once in a while - with the thunder and lightning of Mountain Vargath champions and summoners?
Wow, this card is a big deal. In this deck alone, Commanders, Aspirants, Guards, Malenatar, and Onslaught are all boosted by the ability to work with champions and summoners. Elsewhere in the Mountain Vargath world, Qayla and Defenders receive some new utility as well. Be sure to go back to a previous preview as well and think about how Kadros + Onslaught could benefit from a Unification.
As the second summoners arrive, the factions are digging in and working together like never before. The Mountain Vargath will have their say in the summoner wars and it will be with one unified voice.
We wrap up Shiva and Little Meda next week! Thanks for reading!
Eight Summoner Wars Second Summoner decks are now up for pre-order in the PlaidHatGames.com store! You can buy them all separately, OR for a limited time, if you pre-order all eight together, get them for $59.95, $20 off the MSRP! Pre-order today!
Second Summoner Previews:
Kynstri's Mission
Saturos: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Natazga: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Malenatar: Part 1, Part 2
Scraven: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Little Meda: Part 1, Part 2
Shiva: Part 1, Part 2
Brath: Part 1, Part 2
Farrah: Part 1, Part 2
|
Posted by Joe Ellis |
 |
