Thursday, May 8, 2014

Company of the Damned – Wood Elf Army Book Review – Part Four: Unit Summaries Continued…


We last left off with discussing the Knights of Athel Loren, where the Glade Riders and Warhawk Riders had their abilities and special rules listed.  We will now do a brief foray into the Mounts associated with the Wood Elf Army before moving on to other units.

The Elven Steed
The Elven Steed is a fast moving, fey mount that is fairly popular among the Wood Elf nobles and the Glade Riders.    They have no special rules of note.

The Unicorn
The Unicorn is the majestic steed that allows itself to be ridden by the Spellweavers and Spellsingers of Athel Loren.
Unit Type: Monstrous Beast
Special Rules: Fear, Forest Spirit, Magic Resistance (2), Impale.
Impale:  Unicorn’s close combat attacks are at +2 Strength on the turn in which it charges.

The Great Eagle
The Great Eagle not only serves as a character mount but also may be fielded using the Rare slot allocation.  Great Eagles are great flying beasts that with their high Weapon skill and good Toughness make an excellent mount for a Wood Elf character.
Unit Type: Monstrous Beast
Special Rules: Fly

Great Stag
These mighty and majestic creatures serve as mounts for only the most heroic of Wood Elf heroes.
Unit Type: Monstrous Beast
Special Rules: Fear, Forest Spirit, Impact Hits (D3)

Forest Dragons
The great wyrms of the forest reside peacefully within the boughs of Athel Loren.  They are both loyal friends to the Wood Elves and storms of destruction when their ire is raised.  The Forest Dragon will serve as a mount or really a partner to a Glade Lord that has been deemed worthy.
Unit Type: Monster
Special Rules: Fly, Forest Stalker, Large Target, Scaly Skin (3+), Terror, Soporific Breath
Sophorific Breath – Strength 2 breath weapon with a -3 armour save and units that suffer one or more hits suffer from Stupidity for the remainder of the game.

Name
M
WS
BS
S
T
W
I
A
LD
Elven Steed
9
3
0
3
3
I
4
1
5
Unicorn
10
5
0
4
4
3
5
2
8
Great Eagle
2
5
0
4
4
3
4
2
8
Great Stag
9
5
0
5
4
3
4
2
7
Forest Dragon
6
6
0
6
6
6
3
5
8


The Wildwood Rangers
The Wildwood Rangers are a new unit to the book, comprised of light armor wearing Wood Elves with great weapons.  Their lore has them serving as the guardians of the Wyldwood, charged with preventing its inhabitants from escaping their prison.  The Wildwood Rangers are a Special selection.

Name
M
WS
BS
S
T
W
I
A
LD
Wildwood Ranger
5
5
4
3
3
1
5
1
9

Unit Type: Infantry
Special Rules: Always Strike First, Forest Stalker, Immune to Psychology, Guardians of the Wildwood.

Guardians of the Wildwood – When in base contact with an enemy model with the Fear or Terror special rule, the model gains +1 Attack.

The Wardancers
One of the two really iconic units in the Wood Elf line, the Wardancers only slightly changed in this new book.  They lost their special weapons and had their dances change.  Wardancers are a Special selection while the Shadowdancer is a Hero selection.
Unit Type: Infantry
Special Rules: Always Strikes First, Forest Stalker, Immune to Psychology, Skirmishers, Talismanic Tattoos, Shadow Dances of Loec.
The Shadowdancer , the hero level Wardancer character, also has the ability to become a Level 1 Wizard of the Lore of Shadow and has the Blessings of the Ancients special rule.
  • Talismanic Tattoos – These tattoos provide a 6+ ward save.
  • Shadow Dances of Loec – These dances may be initiated at the start of each combat round (prior to Impact Hits) and affect the entire unit.  Also the same dance may not be chosen for two consecutive rounds.
  • Whirling Death – The dancers gain Armour Piercing and Killing Blow to their attacks.
  • Storm of Blades – The dancers gain +1 Attack.
  • The Shadows Coil – The dancers have a 3+ ward save.
  • Woven Mist – Enemy units in base contact gain no combat result bonuses while fighting in a forest.

Name
M
WS
BS
S
T
W
I
A
LD
Wardancer
5
6
4
3
3
I
6
1
8
Shadowdancer
5
8
6
4
3
2
8
3
9


Sisters of Thorn
The Sisters of Thorn are a new unit in the Wood Elf book consisting of a “coven” of Ariel’s handmaidens.  They are a fast cavalry unit that serve as a level 2 spellcaster.  The Sisters of Thorn are armed with Blackbriar Javelins.  The Sisters of Thorn are a Special selection.
Unit Type: Cavalry
Special Rules: Always Strike First (Riders only), Fast Cavalry, Forest Stalkers, Poisoned Attacks (Riders only), Daughters of Eternity, Deepwood Coven.

Daughter of Eternity – The Unit has a 4+ ward save.

Deepwood Coven – The unit functions as a Level 2 wizard and is granted a +1 to cast (up to a +3) for every rank of 5 models beyond the first.  The Deepwood Coven know the Shield of Thorns from the Lore of Life and The Curse of Anraheir from the Lore of Beasts.  In the event of a miscast the unit suffers D3 wounds with no saves.

Name
M
WS
BS
S
T
W
I
A
LD
Sister of Thorn
5
4
5
3
3
1
5
1
9
Steed of Isha
9
3
0
4
3
1
4
1
5


Wild Riders of Kurnous
The Wild Riders of Kurnous received a huge boost this army book.  They gained several new special abilities and their offensive capabilities increased hugely.  The Wild Riders of Kurnous are a Special selection.
Unit Type: Cavalry
Special Rules: Always Strike First (Riders only), Devastating Charge (Riders only), Fast Cavalry, Fear, Forest Stalker, Frenzy, Talismanic Tattoos.

Name
M
WS
BS
S
T
W
I
A
LD
Wild Rider of Kurnous
5
5
4
4
3
1
5
1
9
Steed of Kurnous
9
3
0
4
3
1
4
1
5


Waywatchers
The Waywatchers have been and will always be my favorite unit in the Wood Elf army, they are also as iconic as the Wardancers.  The Waywatchers got a fairly big boost this book.  They lost their Lethal Shot ability and their modifier to being hit but gained a far better special ability in exchange.  The Waywatcher fills the Rare selection while the Waystalker is a hero selection.
Unit Type: Infantry
Special Rules: Always Strike First, Forest Stalker, Scouts, Skirmishers, Hawk-eyed Archer.

The Waystalker, the Waywatcher character selection, also has the Sniper special rule in regards to his shots fired.

Hawk-eyed Archer: The unit or character will decide if it will use the aimed shot or fast shot selection.  Fast shot means they make a ranged attack with the Multiple Shots (2) special rule.  Aimed shot means they make a single ranged attack but the target receives no armour saves against the attack.

Name
M
WS
BS
S
T
W
I
A
LD
Waywatcher
5
4
5
3
3
1
5
1
8
Waystalker
5
6
7
4
3
2
7
1
8


The third installment of the Unit Choices will contain the Forest Spirit options.
To be continued….



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