To thunderous applause (if the comments we’ve been getting on socials are any indication), the Gravediggers are pleased to unveil the latest achievement in Cygnaran engineering.
The Gravediggers’ answer to the recent deployment of super heavies across Immoren, Bandit will be available to pre-order next Tuesday. But we won’t keep you waiting that long to see how it plays.
Can you say, “Best ‘jack marshal in Immoren?”
The warjack assigned to Allison Jakes on her journeyman tour, Bandit’s been a humble Charger for most of its existence.
Not one to leave her faithful companion in the dust, Jakes authorised the upscaling of its hull and weaponry to handle modern warfare, complete with an experimental cortex that gives this super heavy something unprecedented in the history of Immorese warfare:
The ability to command other warjacks and pass on battlefield experience.
Leave it to Cygnar to push the boundaries of new tech. Bandit is what happens when you turn a super heavy into a ‘jack marshal and push that concept to the limit. How does that play out in practice?
To start with, Bandit gets the standard Aggressive and Heavy Boiler special rules seen on the Valiant warjack chassis. But then, things get interesting:
Yes, Bandit can marshal multiple airdropped ‘jacks at once. And let’s take it a step further. What if different marshalled warjacks could grant Bandit, and its marshalled ‘jacks, different bonuses?
Stealthed or high DEF enemies giving you trouble? Drop a Skirmisher to give Bandit and its “mini battlegroup” Flare on all their guns.
Need extra armour to tank incoming attacks? Drop a Blocker, and they can give each other +2 armour.
What if you need to crack some armour yourself? Drop a Raider and watch as your team of warjacks gain Flank with Bandit, giving them all dialled up melee damage.
Not only that, but Bandit itself gains Flank from the Raider, too.
To summarise, Bandit can marshal airdropped light warjacks, and each time Bandit gets a new one, Bandit (and Bandit’s new friends) all gain bonuses. That’s incredible flexibility, and a fun new mini-game.
So, which light warjack(s) do you drop in for Bandit, and in what order?
FRAGO makes that easier by letting Bandit marshal airdropped light warjacks from the first turn. It also adds flexibility to your light airdrops by allowing you to use them as additional heavy airdrops for the purposes of Bandit marshalling warjacks.
We’re still not done.
As well as letting Bandit marshal multiple warjacks, the Vanguard Command Cortex also lets those warjacks benefit from your warcaster’s spells and feats as if they were part of the ‘caster’s battlegroup.
This makes Bandit feel right at home with Colonel Allison Jakes, because your airdropped light ‘jacks can help build up your Synergy chain.
Or why not stick Bandit with Major Grant Vargus and give all those ‘jacks 3 extra armour with Vargus’ feat, Standing Tall?
Finally, Bandit's Quad Cannon has its own unique rule: Flak Munitions.
With these special munitions, Bandit can blast through the Warping Winds and Flying High range penalties commonly used to defend against Gravedigger firepower.
As you can see, Bandit’s unique flexibility can be vital in helping your Cygnar Gravediggers army adjust to an ever-changing battlefield.
Picture this:
Bandit, supporting your Heavy Field Gun by using a Skirmisher to grant Flare on their ranged weapons, so you can mark a target ready to call in some Danger Close shots.
Or how about Bandit serving as an anchor for your forces to form around, where you ARM 22 Bandit and ARM 20 Blocker stand on a critical point on the battlefield, weathering a storm of incoming attacks. The following turn, Bandit switches gears to deal monstrous damage with a Raider to support the counter attack.
The biggest question you’ll have is which warcaster brings the most out of Bandit to suit your playstyle, and that decision is yours.
Will Bandit be joining your Gravediggers army? Sign up for Warmachine updates and follow Warmachine channels to be notified when the pre-order (air)drops next Tuesday, and update your app now to get Bandit's full rules for free!
