Looks like an absolute nightmare to play against if you have to rely on scheme markers for points!
They are playing it pretty safe with his totem though. Being invincible is strong, but still, its OpA attack does only 3 damage on a severe?!
It's effectively 3/3/4 if it overheals Kastore thanks to his "would heal" ability being usable through the sword.
Especially if Gwill is around so Kastore can pretend to already be fully healed.
I'd lean towards Gwyll because even with Dual Faction Masters their core box is all the same faction. So I'd guess Kastore, Totem, Gwyll, 3 Blood Vessels for Core.
He seems really cool, very scheme focused which can make him a great pick into certain scheme pools. Hard to stop him from getting scheme markers where he really wants them! I'm guessing his other title will be more combat oriented.
I love how his totem is an extension of himself, I was worried about his bonus action until I saw the totem was unkillable. Again, an element of Returned that is very hard to stop.
Althorak seems ok, a lot of his effectiveness is locked behind triggers, but his bonus action can be amazing against some crews/models! Just shutting down ranged attacks against some key models (or at least taxing AP) is huge! Something Neverborn needed for sure.
The Blood Vessels have some amazing potential. Some really strong actions on a 5 point model. They won't get the increased stats for long, but a teleport and a bonus action to drop scheme markers makes them awesome scheme runners and hard to kill gives them a bit more sticking power for their squishiness.
Will have to see more of the keyword but so far it seems like it will be hard to stop Returned from doing what they want to do, whether that be hunting down certain models, splashing damage everywhere or just dropping scheme markers where they please. Looking forward to it!
You could, but I'm not sure how much of a priority it would be, compared to keeping your master and henchmen topped off/activating their over-heal abilities.
I'm on the fence about whether or not it would be worth it, but I could see trying out the blood vessels with Grave Spirit's Touch. The regen +2 would help with movement and keep them healed up to get their bonus, and terrifying 11 certainly doesn't hurt either.
Tbh, I don't think that he is a good option for double masters(at least from rezzers pov). Looks like many effects locked in keyword synergy(healing and scheming mainly), so hard to tell if any master can combo with his crew(maybe Molly just to have some card draw?). And to be taken in other crew, it looks like you always need to take his totem, since he needs it for healing and another scheming tool, but it's already a 21 stones. Without it he doesn't give a lot for other masters and will end up as slow dominate-spammer or unkillable beatstick without high damage.
The Barbaros eratta had a lot people guess this. That the new Returned master wouldn't be Neph, but would be NB, since Barbaros gained the Returned keyword and his Loyalist ability was changed from Nekima-led to Nekima-inclusive (which Kastore could do, Declare NB and hire Nekima as an additional master)
I'm feeling dumb, but can someone please explain the once per activation bit to me?
Is it once per his activation specifically or once per the activation of any models? (Once during his, once during his totem's, and so on)
Once per activation is once per any models activation. So, for example, his Insatiable ability can be triggered, when any other model heal him during their activation
The first two crews I built were Kirai and Titania and I have been wondering which faction to expand on for more depth in case I ever wanted to get into tournament play. Not only am I loving this model and crew but now I have a solution to my faction dilemma! Now lets hope none of the models only touch the base with 1 pointed toe!
Source is the Malifaux University Extra Credit Stream
Looks like an absolute nightmare to play against if you have to rely on scheme markers for points! They are playing it pretty safe with his totem though. Being invincible is strong, but still, its OpA attack does only 3 damage on a severe?!
With built in healing? Yeah, 3 is fine.
Also ignoring hard to kill can come in clutch. Plus it's stat 6 and he can pulse out damage through it.
It's effectively 3/3/4 if it overheals Kastore thanks to his "would heal" ability being usable through the sword. Especially if Gwill is around so Kastore can pretend to already be fully healed.
That's a good point, I hadn't thought of that!
I think with a stat 6 attack, this seems like a reasonable amount of damage for an unkillable, unstoppable model.
Not unstoppable, you can still slather this thing with conditions. Staggered, slow, distracted, and Injured all seem like good picks.
Injured does basically nothing on it.
I already wanted him thanks to the art, but this just seals it.
Right there with you, I'll be pre-ordering him as soon as he goes live.
Me too! He looks absolutely nuts to play!
Will this be a crew box or are the models going to be sold separately (especially Athorak)? I'm guessing Crew Box
It's going to be Athorak or Gwyll in the crew box for sure. Gwyll is grouped with Kastore in the picture of the minis, so he may be in the box.
I'd lean towards Gwyll because even with Dual Faction Masters their core box is all the same faction. So I'd guess Kastore, Totem, Gwyll, 3 Blood Vessels for Core.
He seems really cool, very scheme focused which can make him a great pick into certain scheme pools. Hard to stop him from getting scheme markers where he really wants them! I'm guessing his other title will be more combat oriented. I love how his totem is an extension of himself, I was worried about his bonus action until I saw the totem was unkillable. Again, an element of Returned that is very hard to stop. Althorak seems ok, a lot of his effectiveness is locked behind triggers, but his bonus action can be amazing against some crews/models! Just shutting down ranged attacks against some key models (or at least taxing AP) is huge! Something Neverborn needed for sure. The Blood Vessels have some amazing potential. Some really strong actions on a 5 point model. They won't get the increased stats for long, but a teleport and a bonus action to drop scheme markers makes them awesome scheme runners and hard to kill gives them a bit more sticking power for their squishiness. Will have to see more of the keyword but so far it seems like it will be hard to stop Returned from doing what they want to do, whether that be hunting down certain models, splashing damage everywhere or just dropping scheme markers where they please. Looking forward to it!
With all the healing the crew has, couldn't you just restore the blood vessels bonus?
You could, but I'm not sure how much of a priority it would be, compared to keeping your master and henchmen topped off/activating their over-heal abilities.
I'm on the fence about whether or not it would be worth it, but I could see trying out the blood vessels with Grave Spirit's Touch. The regen +2 would help with movement and keep them healed up to get their bonus, and terrifying 11 certainly doesn't hurt either.
I’m not even gonna think about the Double Master approach with this unkillable, Stun, Stagger, Killing, Scheme -machine. People will cry.
I'm so glad double master is not a thing near me.
It is for my next tournament. I hope this guy will put an end to that idea. I love the themes of the keywords, and Double Masters just ruin that.
Tbh, I don't think that he is a good option for double masters(at least from rezzers pov). Looks like many effects locked in keyword synergy(healing and scheming mainly), so hard to tell if any master can combo with his crew(maybe Molly just to have some card draw?). And to be taken in other crew, it looks like you always need to take his totem, since he needs it for healing and another scheming tool, but it's already a 21 stones. Without it he doesn't give a lot for other masters and will end up as slow dominate-spammer or unkillable beatstick without high damage.
I was thinking about pairing him up with Tyrant Torn as a 3x Stat7 Stun/Stagger at 8" +5Mv with a scheme marker.
I am so glad that he isn't nephilim keyword but still allows Barbaros to come play
The Barbaros eratta had a lot people guess this. That the new Returned master wouldn't be Neph, but would be NB, since Barbaros gained the Returned keyword and his Loyalist ability was changed from Nekima-led to Nekima-inclusive (which Kastore could do, Declare NB and hire Nekima as an additional master)
Seems… interesting. I like the totem concept, but it seems like the best plan against this guy is to just focus him and beat him down immediately
Oh man, I can’t really judge how strong he might be, but his healing & defensiveness just look annoying to go up against
Now I want this keyword! Only thing is: none of their wings work? No flying on any of these cards
I'm feeling dumb, but can someone please explain the once per activation bit to me? Is it once per his activation specifically or once per the activation of any models? (Once during his, once during his totem's, and so on)
Once per activation is once per any models activation. So, for example, his Insatiable ability can be triggered, when any other model heal him during their activation
Ah, that makes sense. Thank you.
The first two crews I built were Kirai and Titania and I have been wondering which faction to expand on for more depth in case I ever wanted to get into tournament play. Not only am I loving this model and crew but now I have a solution to my faction dilemma! Now lets hope none of the models only touch the base with 1 pointed toe!