Rules Focus: Stoneshapers
We know. We said we'd revealed all the units coming to Essen SPIEL. Eight Kazyr units, plenty of new rules, lots of fire. Surely that was enough?
Well, apparently not. Because we have one more thing to show you. And this time, it has absolutely nothing to do with fire. The Chosen of the Spirit Tree are getting reinforcements, too. Meet the Stoneshapers, a brand-new three-model unit of Aiyani joining Shroudfall at Essen SPIEL!
While the Kazyr have spent the last few weeks setting everything ablaze, the Stoneshapers prefer a somewhat more grounded approach to warfare. Quite literally. With the ability to hurl boulders, protect nearby allies and send enemies flying, these Harmony-attuned warriors bring some interesting new tactical options to the Chosen.
A little more resilience, please
The Stoneshapers are a three-model unit costing 26 points, with an impressive defensive profile. They retain the signature DEF 7 of their fellow Aiyani, but also boast ARM 4 and Resilient (1), making them considerably tougher to bring down. Neither their melee nor their arcane weapons offer much range, but these pandas aren't planning to sit at the back of the battlefield anyway.
And the Stoneshapers aren't content with being difficult to bring down themselves. They'd rather make life harder for anyone trying to hurt their friends, too. For two yellow Essence, Stonebound Aura grants Resilient (1) to friendly models within 2" until the Stoneshapers' next activation. That makes them particularly useful when supporting groups of friendly models. Whether you're holding an objective or preparing for an enemy assault, spreading that defensive benefit across several warriors can make a real difference. The challenge is positioning. With a 2" aura, you'll want your Stoneshapers close to the units they're protecting. And since the ability lasts until their next activation, timing it well can help your army weather a series of enemy attacks.
Personal space is important
Of course, protecting your allies isn't always about absorbing damage. Sometimes it's about making sure the enemy is no longer standing where they wanted to be. Enter Powerful Impact. For one yellow Essence, a Stoneshaper that hits an enemy with a melee attack can can slam them away, potentially sending the target stumbling backwards.
An enemy contesting an objective? Perhaps they'd prefer to stand somewhere else. An opposing model getting a little too comfortable near your warriors? Time to reconsider its position. It's a useful way to disrupt enemy formations and create opportunities for the rest of your army.
A little magic with your melee
While Attuned, the Stoneshapers gain Spellblade until the end of their activation, allowing them to combine their melee and arcane capabilities. And thanks to Pathfinder (ROCKS), rocky terrain won't slow them down either. Which seems appropriate. It would be rather embarrassing if the rock specialists struggled with rocks.
Then there's Crushing Boulder. For one red Essence, one Stoneshaper can target an enemy within 4" and make an arcane hit roll. If successful, the target suffers Stunned. That's a particularly useful way to interfere with an important enemy model, potentially disrupting your opponent's plans at a crucial moment.
A solid addition to the Chosen
The Stoneshapers bring a combination of durability, support and battlefield control to the Chosen of the Spirit Tree. Stonebound Aura helps keep nearby allies alive, Powerful Impact disrupts enemy positioning, and the ability to Stun key enemy models opens up some interesting control plays.
At 26 points, they're a significant investment, but one that can pay off when they're protecting several friendly models or pushing enemies away from important objectives.
And that's our little surprise for Essen SPIEL.
See you in Essen, and as always ... break the game!
