Shock Tactics

The Greyhaven Battlemages fired orbs of deadly energy straight at the unsuspecting Berserkers across the battlefield, only to find their magic parried by tongues of vicious flame that suddenly lashed through the air. Before they could muster another assault the Battlemages were surrounded by massive Uthuk creatures, barely recognizable as human, each with one arm transformed into a giant, powerful claw. The Grotesque grinned and raised their claws as the Battlemages braced for the attack.

Hernfar Guardians and Warband of Scorn, the upcoming Army Pack expansions for BattleLore Second Edition, bring never-before-seen Daqan and Uthuk Y’llan forces to the war for Terrinoth. In addition to over thirty sculpted plastic figures, new tiles, and new scenario cards, each expansion contains a complete lore deck full of new and brutal tactical surprises that will frustrate your opponent and enable you to dominate the field. You can substitute the expansion lore deck for the Core Set deck entirely, or customize your own lore deck by mixing cards from the Core Set together with those from the expansion. 

Today’s preview highlights some of each faction’s new lore powers. Some allow you to mobilize units unexpectedly and seize the upper hand; others allow you to interrupt and deflect oncoming attacks, or even pass through enemy lines unscathed.

Machinations of War

The Daqan army is known for its valor and courage, both enhanced by the powerful runic magic native to Terrinoth. In Hernfar Guardians, valor and courage carry knight units such as the Citadel Lancers through hexes occupied by the enemy in a Lightning Surge that stuns any enemy units you pass by. Valor and courage also enable a Daqan unit to Intercede when a friendly unit is attacked. The unit that would have borne the brunt of the assault is saved, and the intervening unit enters combat with a tremendous advantage: you can choose one die result, such as or , to ignore during that fight.

Runic magic and lore fuel the new Ironbound , allowing these armored automatons to be ordered regardless of their location on the battlefield. The Machinations of War lore card makes the Ironbound an even more fearsome threat, enabling them to move and attack during your opponent’s turn so that you might be able to eliminate an ordered enemy unit before it strikes. The strength of runic magic also lies beyond Runic Assault , which enables you to order two units beyond what your command card allows and play a second lore card that turn. With Runic Assault, you could launch an onslaught of unprecendented force, stage an unexpected two-pronged attack and outflank the enemy on both sides. You might combine this card with Lightning Surge to send several units charging deep into enemy territory.

The Forces of Chaos

Chaos is one of the best allies of the Uthuk Y’llan. Core Set lore cards such as Blood Sacrifice and Chaos of Battle enable the Uthuk Y’llan to unpredictably strengthen weak units and force the Daqan to disregard orders, move randomly, and make futile attacks. The lore cards of Warband of Scorn provide more ways for you to spread chaos across the battlefield and throw the Daqan army into confusion. Scatter allows you to pick any unoccupied hex during your Order Step and forces any nearby enemy units to move two hexes away from it, erasing any strategic advantage the Daqan might have held in that area and enabling your Uthuk Y’llan to safely approach a significant hex. By positioning two or more units adjacent to a target you can create a Distraction, adding extra dice to the combat roll of your attacking unit.  

The Uthuk Y’llan also gain the ability to deftly Parry attacks, forcing the enemy to reroll their combat results. Since this card is played after the attack roll is performed, it enables you to transform an apparent Daqan success into a clumsy and bloody defeat. Finally, Mass Transit enables you to simultanously unleash the savagery of your Doombringer and Grotesque units. Play it immediately after your Command Step in order to disregard the command you just gave, surprising your opponent, and order three elite or legend units together at once. This lore card also enhances the destructive capabilities of any Grotesque units ordered, granting them greater movement and combat values that turn. In every sector of the battlefield, your most powerful units can terrify, lacerate, and devour the Daqan, leaving their front lines and battle plans torn to shreds. 

Turn the Tide

Do you prefer to sow chaos on the battlefield by distracting and scattering the enemy forces, then taking advantage of their confusion and weakness? Or do you rely on the runic magic of Terrinoth and the valor of your troops in your quest for victory? Whatever the nature of your strategy, the lore cards of Hernfar Guardians and Warband of Scorn open up new possibilities for surprising, frustrating, and overpowering your opponent in any scenario or battlefield you can imagine. 

Hernfar Guardians and Warband of Scorn will be available soon. Pre-order them from your local retailer today!