Age of Sigmar: Open the Skyports – What the Kharadron Overlords Need
Giant flying pirate ships are already pretty cool, but they could always be cooler. Here’s what we most need from the upcoming Kharadron Battletome.
Well, I will admit I am heartbroken that Malerion isn’t showing up just yet, but hey, Kharadron Overlords are a pretty awesome stand-in. The steampunk pirate dwarves are on the horizon, with a brand new hero and a snazzy new battletome. While their ‘tome was pretty great, the ever-changing landscape of the Realms means they need to occasionally update their strategy. We don’t know much about the new book yet, but as always, we can send our hopes and dreams into the ether and hope the White Dwarf delivers.
Updates to Fly High
So I will open this with a full admission; this opinion is probably based in bad experience. That being said, Fly High has always seemed WAY too powerful to me. Getting their massive boats into the battleline first turn and then retreating out of combat range made for some nasty gameplay. The bulk of the boats, combined with the ability to leave combat without penalty, was extremely oppressive. The new smaller battlefield means they’ll likely be in shooting range all the time anyway, so I’m just hoping to see a small nerf to make them a little more manageable. Maybe even making it a command ability or an Endrinwork would be all it needs.
More Endrinworks
Speaking of boat upgrades, I’d love to see a few more options for Great Endrinworks. The Kharadron are known for their snazzy airships, and more options for customization would be really fun to see. Maybe give each level of ship its own table, with special upgrades that fit what each class was designed to do. Tougher Gunhaulers, shootier Ironcalds, and Frigates with extra transport space would be ideal. I’d really love to see a single-shot special weapon, something like a tactical bomb.
New Hero
Of course we already know we’re getting the Codewright but why should we stop there? I want to see a sniper-style hero that can take out enemy characters or a ground-level commander that buffs Thunderers. Obviously, a wizard isn’t thematic, but a Runelord-style character to accompany the Khemist would be cool as well.
Ship-based Battalion
And we’re back to ships again! Since the dirigibles and skyships are the bread and butter of the Kharadron war engine, I’d love to see a playable battalion that focuses on flotillas of deadly balloons. Maybe something that gives you a buff to shooting while near other ships, or maybe one that makes them single drop. I might be shooting myself in the foot saying that, but a one-drop battalion is very on brand, with a fleet of airships all descending from the skies to slaughter the enemies of the skyports.
What are you hoping to see in the new book?
