Warmachine/Hordes: The Houseguard Thane
We’ve had a month to try out the new Retribution Houseguard Thane. Let’s look at how he works on the Battlefield.
Guest Article by JohnheV
The Thane has a pretty standard stat line for a combined arms solo, but it is not his combat prowess that makes him a great new addition to Retribution of Scyrah. It is the abilities he has on the back of the card, Desperate Pace [Houseguard] makes the faction faster. Firing Solution [Houseguard] gives us an answer to stealth. Inspiration [Houseguard] gives Retribution fearless which is incredible and provides an answer to the feat of Khador’s newest caster, The Butcher Unleashed.
First Impressions
This model might very well be the “savior” of Retribution of Scyrah. Retribution’s long complaint has been its inability to deal with stealth models. Before the Thane was released retribution had no real answer to this problem. Put this guy with riflemen and we can kill just about everything.
The Thane is also an incredible threat extender for the Halberdiers. Now every caster can enjoy the same 11 inch shield wall move after reform that Ossyan has.
On the Field:
In my first few games with the Thane I realized very quickly that his ability to enhance the riflemen with Firing Solution was the least useful ability on the card. Desperate Pace is the most used ability and pretty much what your Thane should be doing every turn. The best thing the Houseguard Thane does for Retribution is give Inspiration [Houseguard]. Not having to roll command checks on your units or have them flee can be game changing.
While I looked at him as a fixer for the Riflemen, it turns out that they really did not need to be fixed. With the current shifts in the meta and more players being aware of retribution’s tricks with mage hunter strike force assassinations. Retribution has had to switch their focus to more of an attrition faction. Snipe feat go only works on the newest of players any more. This has brought riflemen back in to the fold. The Thane just takes them over the top.
~Happy hunting pointy ears.
