Blockader

As of 2022.08 Warmachine University has turned into an archive for Mk3 rules (3rd Edition). Refer to the Privateer Press website for all modern Mk4 (4th Edition) related content. This site has been kept online for any players who want to continue using Mk3 rules and/or anyone who wants to compare Mk4 Legacy models to Mk3 models. Privateer Press have an official wiki that covers all their main game systems, and my understanding is that Warmachine Mk4 will be on the PP wiki. More information can be found on the Talk:Main Page area of this wiki.

Blockader Mercenary Privateer Colossal Warjack

Mark IV Status: Limbo - This model has not (yet) been updated with Mk IV rules, as of 2022.12. Privateer Press have promised it will get updated ... eventually. You can view the Mk3 models that have been updated on this page. Note that the rest of this page is about the model's Mark III rules.

While colossals are costly to manufacture, Black Anchor Heavy Industries in Clocker’s Cove made a tidy profit on its initial Galleon colossal production runs and has subsequently sought to exploit that market by producing variants on that chassis for its wealthiest mercenary clients. The Blockader was built on a similar frame and engineered for a different battlefield role. Its chest-mounted gun ports were replaced with incendiary firebreathers, and its arms equipped with ingenious chain-tethered fists outfitted with propulsive rockets enabling them to crash into foes at a considerable distance. Refilling the incendiary fuel required for these weapons systems is not cheap, requiring smuggled overseen by bribed officials within the Protectorate of Menoth. Serving as the sole source of restock and repair for the Blockader brings Black Anchor a vital ongoing revenue stream.

Basic Info

Blockader
Missing Info
	COST {{{cacost}}} UNIT SIZE {{{casize}}} FA {{{cafa}}} Warcaster 0 BASE Huge SPD 5 STR 17 MAT 6 RAT 5 M.A. N/A DEF 9 ARM 19 CMD N/A ESSENCE {{{essence}}} FOCUS N/A FURY N/A THRS N/A HP 58 F. Field N/A WJP {{{wjp}}} WBP {{{wbp}}} IHP {{{ihp}}} FA 2 UNIT SIZE N/A COST 32 N/A N/A N/A Warcaster 1 COST N/A N/A Understanding the Statblock

Warjack - All warjacks share the same set of special rules. Most notably being big and stompy. Click here for a newbie-friendly recap, or click here for the full rules.

Colossal - Colossals are mega-warjacks, even bigger and stompier. They use nearly all the same rules as normal warjacks but with a few alterations. These changes are summarized here or can be read in full here.

Abilities

• Construct
• Pathfinder
• Shooting Gallery - This model gains +2 to ranged attack rolls against models within 5" of it.

Weapons

Heavy Fire Breathers (x2)
		RNG			ROF			AOE			POW			LOCATION
		SP10			1			-			14			Left+Right
Damage Type: Fire Continuous Fire
Rocket Fist (x2)
		RNG				POW				P+S				LOCATION
		2				5				22				Left+Right
Open Fist Chain Strike - This weapon becomes RNG 4 during this model's activation. Rocket Smash - Enemy models hit can be pushed up to 2˝ in any direction. On a critical hit, instead of being pushed, the model hit can be slammed d6˝ directly away from this model. If the model hit has a larger base than the attacking model, it is moved only half the distance rolled. The POW of collateral damage is equal to the STR of this model.

Theme Forces

• Mercenaries
  • Flame in the Darkness
  • Llaelese Resistance
  • Operating Theater
  • Soldiers of Fortune
  • Strange Bedfellows
  • The Irregulars. If it is 'jack marshalled in this theme, it gains Flank [Warrior]
  • The Kingmaker's Army
  • The Talion Charter

• Other Factions
  • Convergence players can use this warjack in the Strange Bedfellows theme, or by putting it in Aurora2's, Asphyxious4's, or Nemo4's battlegroup in various themes.
  • Cryx players can use this warjack by putting it in Asphyxious4's battlegroup in various themes.
  • Cygnar players can use this warjack in the Flame in the Darkness theme, or by putting it in Nemo4's battlegroup in various themes.
  • Infernal players can take this model in the Hearts of Darkness theme, but only if Crosse2 is leading the army. This model gains Accumulator [Soulless] in this theme.
  • Khador players can use this warjack in the Flame in the Darkness theme.
  • Aside from that, Mercenary colossals can be taken in a few more Faction's themes by putting it under the control of a Mercenary "Junior Warcaster" (see #Who can take this warjack?). However the "Faction Type" of the warjack doesn't change when you do it this way.

Thoughts on the Blockader

Blockader in a nutshell

The Blockader is a smash machine that crushes intruders with its mighty rocket fists. It has very high POW weapons and an impressive 4" melee range but is hampered by MAT 6. The Blockader’s fists have Rocket Smash, which allows the Blockader to push its victims around - perhaps into range of the colossal’s allies -slam them into other models, and create many interesting plays.

Expanding its more close-ranged gameplay, the Blockader also has two of Fire Breathers, large sprays that can turn clumped enemy infantry to ash, especially thanks to Shooting Gallery, which makes the Blockader more accurate at close range.

Generally speaking, employing a colossal at close range - as this one is designed to do - most often results in a dead colossal that did not do 33 points worth of work. The colossals that see play tend to have powerful ranged games that let them stay back for a while. The Blockader tries to make up for this with a large number of sprays to help it get lots of work done before it gets punked out. And if you play it correctly, it certainly can. But have a care before sending it in. It will die faster than you would believe if you put it too forward too early.

That said, it's pretty solid compared to the Galleon. This is because it brings a native 12" melee threat range with extremely high POW, and this must be respected, especially in a faction with multiple casters that speed it up even more.

Combos & Synergies

• The Blockader is a big fan of Powder Monkeys, who can provide it with additional focus and Ancillary Attacks, allowing it to make an attack outside its normal activation - which, if a melee attack, can still push or slam the target but only has 2" range.
• Bart can make damage rolls from both of its 10" sprays boosted for damage, as well as bumping its armor for survivability.
• Macbain's Failsafe spell has no better target, both making the Blockader a tougher target to remove AND keeping it functional down to the very last box.
  • Note - Running a jack and then casting jackhammer usually has a longer threat range than charging, however the two ranges are the same for the Blockader!
• Same goes for Magnus1's Death Ward spell, but Iron Aggression is tempting, too.
• Chain Strike applies even when making ranged attacks. This means that Ragman's Death Field or Asphyxious4s Malign Alignment can be used to turn the first 4" of the Blockader's sprays into POW 16s. As the close ranged fire will also be benefiting from Shooting Gallery these can be very deadly.
• Captain Rahera's Manifest Destiny spell combined with Escort makes this a fierce melee combatant, indeed. It can two-shot many heavies. Combine its sprays with Black Spot for some astonishing output.
• The Menite Archon has a damage buff for its sprays.
• Ashlynn1 makes it fast and deadly accurate on her feat turn. Distraction helps with high DEF warriors.
• Ashlynn2 can put Hand of Fate on it, which makes it a slower version of Rahera's Blockader, but won't cost you 3 focus to cast.
• Blaize has Fortune and Crusader's Call. Accurate attacks at high POW with yet another 14" charge.
• Magnus2 has Escort like Rahera and grants Unyielding.
• Shae gives it a free charge with a 14" threat under Coup De Main and Phantasm stops incoming fire.
• As with any huge base, it is very susceptible to spell debuffs. Orin1 or Alexia2 can stop these with Arcane Vortex. Eilish can disbind any upkeeps during your turn, but it's likely the damage will already be done that that point.
• As part of Asphyxious4 battle group it will not only gain Dark Shroud, it will also become the same faction as Gaspy, which opens up some neat combos when playing Cryx or Convergence:
  • In the Cryxian Scourge of the Broken Coast theme force it gains Gang Fighter.
  • Skarre2 - She has the much coveted Death Ward spell for it. Black Spot increases its output tremendously and under feat it cannot be charged.
  • Orion - Magic Bullet, Mage Sight and Spell Piercer are all great buffs for it. Under feat it will also either become very accurate or very deadly.

Drawbacks & Downsides

• Its 4" melee range means it can't aim if anything is in that range when it activates.
• As it's a short range colossal, especially if you want to get the Shooting Gallery bonus, it's a big target that is going to be in range of most of the opposing army's guns. It can go down surprising quickly when the opponent wants it destroyed.
• Only one spray on each side makes for puny ranged output. It's a face beater, first and foremost.

Tricks & Tips

• Chain Strike does not apply when you make a throw power attack. They're still just 2".
• The 2" push on the rocket fists can push models in any direction. This can be used to line up models for any lucky crits, to move models into threat range of the rest of your army, to move models out of zones or simply to stop the damn cockatrices from running away.

Other

Trivia

• Released in the Talion expansion (2019.05)
• This model is a BAHI model. It is not available in stores, it can only be purchased directly from PP's online store (or 2nd hand).
• Although this model is about 90% the same as the Galleon, they are sold as separate models.

Who can take this warjack?

The standard way to include a Mercenary warjack in your army is to put it under the control of one of these models. So first you need to figure out which of these models will work for your Faction.

Mercenary 'Jack Controllers (Human) (Edit)
Warcasters	Ashlynn1 - Ashlynn2 - Aurora2 - Blaize - Caine3 - Crosse2 - Damiano - Fiona - Macbain - Magnus1 - Magnus2 - Montador - Rahera - Shae
"Juniors"	Asphyxious4 - Crosse1 - Nemo4
'Jack Marshals	Colbie Sterling - Dirty Meg - MacHorne1 - MacHorne2 - Raluk Moorclaw - Rutger Shaw - Steelhead Ironhead

Note: Other restrictions may apply (such as 'Jack Marshals can't control Colossals).

Rules Clarifications

Rules Clarification : Colossal      (Edit) See also LPG - Colossals & Gargantuans: Has a newbie-friendly summary of colossal rules. Warjack: Has a copy-paste of the official colossal warjack rules. LPG - Infernals: Has a copy-paste of the official colossal horror rules. Huge Base (Edit) You can draw LOS from your Left arc to a target in your Right arc (and vice versa). See also this diagram Huge-based models get bonus distance if they do a Power Attack: Slam or Power Attack: Power Strike. But this bonus doesn't apply to slams triggered by normal attacks (such as Critical Smite or the Hurricane's Thunder Charge ability). Also, simply being on a huge base triggers a bunch of rules scattered throughout the rulebook, click to read them.   [Show/Hide] From the 2020.02 edition of the core rules (Edit) Fields of Fire Page 37 A huge-based model’s front arc is marked on its base. Its front arc is further divided into two 90° fields of fire. These fields of fire determine which models a huge-based model can target with its weapons, depending on the location of those weapons. Weapons located on a huge-based model’s left side (L) can be used to target only models in its left field of fire, and weapons located on its right side (R) can be used to target only models in its right field of fire. Weapons with locations “S,” “H,” or “—” can be used to target models in either field of fire. If any part of a model’s base is on the line separating the left and right fields of fire, the model is considered to be in both fields of fire. Concealment, Cover, LOS Page 49 Concealment & Cover - Huge-based models never gain the DEF bonuses from concealment or cover. Page 60 Clouds - Cloud effects do not block line of sight to huge-based models. Page 87 Forests - Forests do not block line of sight to huge-based models. Huge-Based models in melee Page 54 - Huge-based models never gain the Target in Melee DEF bonus. Page 65 - Combined Ranged Attacks cannot target a model in melee unless it has a huge base.

Rules Clarification : Warjack      (Edit) The Cortex/Induction core rule means a warjack cannot have more than 3 focus at any time (maybe 4 if they're really special). Many abilities give out focus and don't state an upper limit (such as Convection and Empower). Despite not stating an upper limit, they are always "hard-limited" by the core rule. A warjack can have more than 3 focus during a turn, though. For instance, a knocked down warjack can Power Up and be Allocated 2 focus, then spend 1 to shake knockdown, then another model could Empower it back up to 3. Warjacks cannot spend focus outside of their activation. For instance, they can't boost free strikes or trigger Powerful Attack on Broadsides. (Infernal Ruling) Inert warjacks Abilities that say they cannot be used if the model is stationary (such as Shield Guard) cannot be used while a warjack is inert, either. Refer "Warcaster Destruction", page 59 of the core rulebook.

Rules Clarification : Construct - None yet. (Edit)

Rules Clarification : Pathfinder      (Edit) Pathfinder (Edit) - Pathfinder does not apply to involuntary movement (pushes & slams). (Infernal Ruling)

Rules Clarification : Shooting Gallery - None yet. (Edit)

Rules Clarification : Fire      (Edit) If you deploy in fire hazard terrain (Burning Earth), then you get set on fire before the game starts. Deploying a model in a hazard counts as being "put into play" in the hazard. Being put into play counts as "entering". When you enter a hazard, you trigger the hazard. Moving into "Shallow water" standard terrain does not cause continuous fire to expire. It's magic fire. You can always use non-standard terrain if you agree with your opponent before the game starts, however. A weapon can inflict continuous fire without itself being a fire damage weapon (for example, the Helios's fists). In this case, the attack can hurt models with Immunity:Fire it just won't apply the continuous effect. In terms of which player's clock is running down during the Maintenance Phase: The active player will roll for expiration of all the continuous effects. Then the inactive player will roll for all the damages of the continuous effects. (Judge Ruling)

Rules Clarification : Open Fist  (aka, Power Attack Throw)     (Edit) Throw ( Edit ) See also the Throw article for a recap of the core Throw rules. If a model is somehow thrown at itself (which can happen with Durst1's feat) it would not move, it would be knocked down, and it would take a standard power attack damage roll but it would not take an additional die for colliding with itself. (Infernal Ruling) Because you move the target model between the attack roll and the damage roll, you can get different buffs applied to the two rolls. For instance, if you throw the target in or out of a Flanking model's melee range. Incorporeal vs Slammed/Thrown models ( Edit ) Incorporeal models cannot be moved by someone trying to slam them. Slammed models can move through Incorporeal models. If they have enough movement to get past them, no dramas. If they land on them, you move the Incorporeal model out of the way as per the Rule of Least Disturbance. If the Incorporeal model cannot be moved (i.e. it's a flag) then you move the slammed model out of the way, also by the rule of Least Disturbance. For the purposes of Collateral Damage, only the model(s) you contacted before you applied the rule of Least Disturbance count as contacted. The same logic applies to Throws. Collateral Damage Collateral damage cannot be boosted and is not considered damage from an attack or model. Refer page 33 of the 2021.08 version of the rules pdf. As a result: It doesn't trigger stuff that relies on being hit by an enemy (such as Shock Field) or damaged by an enemy (such as Vengeance). It doesn't get bonus damage from stuff that adds to a model's damage roll (such as Signs & Portents or Prey). It doesn't matter if the attacker has crippled weapon systems or aspects. Throw - Power Attack When you make a Throw Power Attack, no other abilities of the Fist weapon (such as Chain Strike) are applied unless they specifically mention Throws. (Locked Thread) If you do a Power Attack Throw and you choose to throw the target directly away, no deviation is rolled to determine the final position of the model. (Locked thread) A model that cannot be targeted by melee attacks (such as Una2's feat) cannot have models thrown at them, either. (Infernal Ruling) Since throwing Model [A] at Model [B] involves making a melee attack roll vs Model [B] which is out of your melee range, it technically breaks a whole bunch of core rules. (Infernal Checking) Even though you make a "melee attack roll" vs Model [B] you don't actually make a melee attack vs it. Also, the damage it suffers is from Collateral damage, not from the original attack. So you can't trigger stuff like Snacking from damage you did to Model B.

Rules Clarification : Chain Strike and/or Lunge     (Edit) The extra melee range kicks in the instant you start your activation, and if that makes you engage an enemy then it means you can't aim. The extra range does apply during Frenzies (because that is defined as an activation) The extra range doesn't apply during free strikes or when your opponent takes control of your model. It doesn't increase the range of Power Attacks, because you do not apply weapon special rules to Power Attacks (unless they specifically reference Power Attacks, like Hard Head does). (Locked Thread) If you're affected by another range-altering rule (such as Jakes2's feat) then that won't override Chain Strike. (Infernal Ruling)

Rules Clarification : Rocket Smash      (Edit) You can ignore the bit about "if the target model is larger than the Blockader". That's just standardised wording used whenever an attack or ability causes a slam. Push - General     (Edit)   [Show/Hide] Pushed models do not change their facing. Pushed models move at half rate through difficult terrain. Also, Pathfinder doesn't apply during pushes. Pushed models stop if they contact anything - a model of any size, or any obstacles or obstructions. You don't get free strikes against pushed models, because it is "involuntary movement" and therefore does not count as an advance. Pushed models suffer the effects of anything they move through (such as acid clouds). If you use a Push vs a charging model (via a free strike for example), this will stop the charge movement (refer core rulebook). However, if the pushed model is in melee range of its charge target after the push, then it is considered a successful charge. (Infernal Ruling) In that scenario, you measure whether the charging model moved 3" or less excluding the push distance. (Infernal Ruling) If you push a model to a position where it regains Incorporeal (for instance you push it out of range of an Exorcist) then what happens is (Being Checked by Infernals) See also the rules clarifications on slamming.