Welcome to the Road Goes Ever On and On, a new series of articles looking at the future of the Strategy Battle Game and what’s coming up for fans of all things Middle-earth. In this article, we’re joined by Middle-earth rules writer Jay Clare to talk about the mysterious, shadowy individuals we teased you with on New Year’s Eve. Who could they be? Over to Jay to tell us more.
Jay: At the end of last year, we showcased a little teaser of three silhouetted models for the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game. Since then, speculation has been rife with what they might be. As many people correctly deduced, these models are a brand new unit for the Easterlings – the Dragon Cult Acolytes! But who actually are they?
The Dragon Cult is a key part of Easterling culture. The very best from this formidable warrior race are selected and rigorously trained to fight and serve the Dark Lord.
Easterling warriors who are initiated into the Dragon Cult start in the Black Dragons, and it’s here that they hone their skills with a blade. Those who show true promise progress to the rank of Dragon Cult Acolyte and develop the heightened levels of agility and dexterity required to become fully fledged Dragon Knights – the most skilled warriors in the Easterling armies.
Until they’re deemed ready to rise to the rank of Dragon Knight, Dragon Cult Acolytes are equipped with lighter armour. Even with the greater freedom of movement this allows, only the few who possess the quickest reactions and greatest battle skills reach their full potential. Those who prove themselves incapable of learning to dodge an incoming blade or throwing daggers become yet another victim of the Easterlings’ brutal way of life.
In game terms, Dragon Cult Acolytes act as an elite warrior choice for Easterling armies. Possessing a Fight value of 4, they can to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Dwarves and even elite enemies such as Guards of the Fountain Court or Rohan Royal Guard.
Each Dragon Cult Acolyte carries a pair of finely balanced swords, hence the 2 Attacks on their profile. They are also loaded up with throwing daggers, making them a threat from range as well as when they charge into combat.
Years of honing their skills have made the Dragon Cult Acolytes very light on their feet, and they can scale walls, barricades, and small gaps with remarkable ease. This is represented on the battlefield by their Supreme Agility special rule. Not only does it give Acolytes a bonus to any Climb, Jump, or Leap tests, it also means that enemy models they’re fighting don’t benefit from In The Way rolls for defending a barrier or doorway. Good luck trying to use walls, fences, and doorways to your advantage against these deft foes.
Dragon Cult Acolytes are a fantastic addition to any Easterling army – just make sure they’re protected behind your heavily armoured lines until they’re needed, due to their lower Defence. A warband of these agile warriors provides some brutal hitting power, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them become a popular choice amongst Easterling generals.
Thanks, Jay. They sound – and look – amazing. The Dragon Cult Acolytes will be available soon, so keep an eye on the Warhammer Community website for more information. And if you’re planning an Easterling army, why not pick up a box of Easterling Warriors or Easterling Commanders to get you started?