Exulon Thexus

99% of this website is about Mark 3 (mk3), which is the previous edition of the game (2016 to 2022). The reasons for this are explained here. 1% of the website is about Mark 4 (mk4), but only in regards to which mk3 models are useable in mk4 Prime and which are mk4 Unlimited. See Legacy Armies for more detail.

Exulon Thexus Mercenary Cephalyx Warcaster

Prime This model is available in one Prime Army, Dark Operations. It can also be used in the Unlimited game mode. You can view the other Mk3 models that made it into a Legacy Army at this page. Note that the rest of this page is about the model's Mark III rules.

Rising from an endless complex of tunnels beneath the earth, Exulon Thexus leads the armies of the inscrutable cephalyx in their cruel assaults. A master manipulator, this potent warcaster controls the minds and bodies of [its] own troops and the enemy alike. With terrifying precision Exulon Thexus can push [its] troops beyond the breaking point and scatter the forces of [its] enemies with the fell power of [its] alien mind.

Basic Info

Thexus1
Missing Info
	COST {{{cacost}}} UNIT SIZE {{{casize}}} FA {{{cafa}}} Warcaster 0 BASE Medium SPD 6 STR 6 MAT 5 RAT N/A M.A. N/A DEF 14 ARM 14 CMD 10 ESSENCE {{{essence}}} FOCUS 8 FURY N/A THRS N/A HP 15 F. Field N/A WJP +29 WBP {{{wbp}}} IHP {{{ihp}}} FA N/A UNIT SIZE N/A COST N/A N/A N/A N/A Warcaster 1 COST N/A N/A Understanding the Statblock

Mercenary - In a 2+ caster game, this model can work for Cryx.

Selective - This model can be included in a Mercenary army only if the army is made using a Cephalyx theme force.

Warcaster - All warcasters come with a stack of standard special rules - most notably being awesome. Click here for a newbie-friendly recap, or click here for the full rules.

• Cephalyx Warcaster - In addition to the normal warcaster rules, this model can only have Monstrosities in its battlegroup, and can heal Monstrosities.

Feat : Telekinetic Tide

Push each enemy non-warcaster, non-warlock model currently in Thexus' control range 2" in any direction.

Abilities

• Pathfinder
• Aggressive Reaction - While one or more enemy models are in this model's command range, models in this model's battlegroup and run or charge without spending focus.
• Sacrificial Pawn [ Monstrosity ] - When this model is directly hit by an enemy ranged attack, you can have one friendly, non-incorporeal Monstrosity model within 3" of it directly hit instead. That model is automatically hit and suffers all damage and effects. The Sacrificial Pawn special rule can only trigger once per attack roll.
• Spell Driver - When this model casts a spell, you can use another model in its battlegroup and in its control range as the point of origin for the spell. If you do, the model chosen as the point of origin suffers d3+1 damage points after the spell is resolved.

Weapons

Prosthetic Blades
		RNG				POW				P+S
		1				4				11
Inflict Pain - When it hits a warbeast with this weapon, this model can place 1 fury point on or remove 1 fury point from the warbeast.

Spells

	COST	RNG	AOE	POW	DUR	OFF
Deceleration	3	SELF	Control	-	Round	No
While in the spellcaster's control range, friendly Faction models gain +2 ARM against ranged and magic attacks. Deceleration lasts for one round.
Hex Blast	3	10	3	13	-	Yes
Enemy upkeep spells and animi on the model/unit directly hit by Hex Blast immediately expire.
Influence	2	10	-	-	-	Yes
Take control of target enemy non-warcaster, non-warlock warrior model. The model immediately makes one basic attack, then Influence expires. A model can be affected by Influence only once per turn.
Psycho Surgery	2	SELF	Control	-	-	No
Each model in the spellcaster's battlegroup currently in its control range can immediately remove d3+1 damage points. This spell can be cast only once per activation.
Rampager	4	10	-	-	-	Yes
Take control of target enemy warbeast. You can make one full advance with the warbeast and can then make one basic attack with it, then Rampager expires. The enemy warbeast cannot be targeted by free strikes during this movement. While the warbeast is affected by Rampager, it cannot be forced and you cannot use its animus. Rampager can only be cast once per activation. A warbeast can be affected by Rampager only once per turn.
Telekinesis	2	8	-	-	-	(★)
Place target model completely within 2" of its current location. When Telekinesis targets an enemy model, it is an offensive spell and requires an attack roll. A model can be placed by Telekinesis only once per turn.

Theme Forces

• Operating Theater

Thoughts on Exulon Thexus

Exulon Thexus in a nutshell

Thexus likes to stay back and drive spells through [its] monstrosities, letting [its] army do the work for it. Telekinesis sets up charge lanes and makes positioning a nightmare for your opponent. There will eventually come a moment when Thexus surges forward & feats, picking apart the entire battlefield to [its] liking, often being able to set up for an assassination run.

Feat thoughts

A small movement on all enemy models in control means opened charge lanes, perfectly arranged arcs for Wrecker Threshers or charges, lines of models to target with Mind Bender sprays or close together models from different units for removing multiple upkeeps with one well-placed Hex Blast. You typically want to aim for a turn 3 feat, although a turn 2-4 assassination run feat is perfectly possible. (Note - Push effects do not allow you to change facing of the enemy model, which can be confusing at first because Telekenisis does)

Spell thoughts

• Deceleration - Best used to protect your army for the first two turns, then use to reduce your enemy's feat turn.
• Hex Blast - Useful to get enemy upkeeps off of your monstrosities (this effectively cuts the cost of the spell by 1, as the monstrosity gains focus every time it takes damage), or target a single model in one of your units to remove upkeeps there.
• Influence - A solid spell for nuking enemy officers or command attachments. Especially good against armies with lots of Weapon Master or strong ranged infantry. (Eiryss1 deserves a special mention, as if she is placed poorly, you can Influence her and shoot the enemy caster to remove all of their focus or fury)
• Psycho Surgery - A remarkably efficient heal, especially considering how much spot damage you are going to be dealing to your own monstrosities.
• Rampager - An okay spell only useful against Hordes factions (Competitive Note - As of August 2018, the meta is extremely balanced in terms of faction diversity, meaning a little more than 2/5 of your games should be against a Hordes faction. Rampager really switches on in those games, allowing you to open up charge lanes and clear annoying enemy solos. This spell can also be key to a feat-turn assassination, by essentially giving you an extra attack from a heavy on the enemy caster.).

• Telekinesis is possibly the strongest spell in the game. Here are some general tips applicable to any caster: (Edit)
  • Battle Engines can be placed (unlike other huge-based models).
  • Enemy model out of your charge range? Move your own model 2" forward. Still too far away? Move the enemy 2" closer. That's a 4" threat range extender!
  • Move enemy models 2" straight backwards, so they don't have range to charge/attack you next turn. While you're at it, spin them around so they can't declare charges and so you get the back strike bonus.
  • Move models out of your charge lanes, or to open up LOS.
  • Move enemy models out of scenario zones.
  • Is there an enemy 'jack or 'beast right at the edge of control range? TK them away from their controller so they can't Power Up or manage Fury next turn. Turn them around so they might occasionally frenzy into the enemy lines.
  • Is there an enemy unit with most of the troopers right at the edge of formation range? TK the commander away from his troops so they're out of formation.
  • Do enemy models get a bonus for being B2B? You can stop that.
  • TK your own caster forwards or backwards to be more threatening or more cowardly.
  • TK enemy models into range of your passive debuffs (such as Dark Shroud), then gang up on them.
  • TK enemy models into hazards to force them to take damage.
  • Move friendly models out of melee before they activate, to avoid free strikes.
  • Run an arc node up, cast your spell, then TK the node itself backwards to keep it safer for next turn.
  • Or run an arc node up, cast TK on the node itself to move it forwards, to gain +2" range on your follow-up spell.
    This is especially useful if advancing the node those last 2" would trigger something nasty like Garryth2's feat.

Drawbacks & Downsides

• Thexus' DEF is okay, but [its] ARM is bad. Keep [it] safe.
• Driving spells through monstrosities hurts them, don't kill off your own models (Counterpoint, that's why Psycho Surgery exists)
• Thexus really wants to be right in the middle of the table to maximize the effect of [its] feat, but really wants to be as far away from the combat as possible
• Thexus has no abilities which directly buff any models in [its] army or directly debuff any enemy models (arguably Telekenisis acts as a debuff by spinning around key enemy models). This forces [it] to rely on the supporting Cephalyx models, and without any on the table it becomes difficult to even deal with an enemy heavy.
• Be very wary of abilities which allow your enemy to redirect or prevent your Telekenisis. It is your key spell, and without it Thexus struggles to get anything done.

Tricks & Tips

• Cephalyx warcasters caun heal their monstrosities just like warlocks can heal warbeasts. Thexus usually has a better time simply casting Psycho Surgery, as it only costs 2 and heals everything in [its] battlegroup. However in the rare scenarios where you need to cast Telekenisis three times, being able to fix a monstrosity's crippled system is very useful.
• Telekenisis "places a model within 2"," which means you can use it to spin around enemy models or adjust a friendly model's facing. [Its] feat however "pushes", meaning you can't freely adjust facing. Keep this in mind with order of operations. Thexus usually wants to feat before [it] does anything else, such that [it] can correct positions with Telekenisis after pushing everything.
• Thexus' Spell Driver ability is not channeling and so gets around all the anti-channel abilities - even the "cannot channel while in melee" rule!

List Building Advice

Strategy

Thexus' main win condition is scenario. Operating Theater encourages a whole load of infantry (Cephalyx Mind Slaver & Drudges and Cephalyx Mind Bender & Drudges), of which Thexus usually ends up taking 4-6 units of ten models each. Combined with the variety of solos and dominated units (using the Cephalyx Dominator) Thexus will pretty much always be able to put a full unit in every zone on the board. Telekenisis allows Thexus to pop models out of zones, often being able to score zones unexpectedly.

Thexus' secondary win condition is assassination. While it is usually inadvisable to make the core focus of your army the total annihilation of the enemy caster (This isn't Khador, christ), Thexus' feat plus regular access to Telekenisis, plus the ability to easily fuel up monstrosities with focus means you can often figure out a way to land one of your heavies in front of the enemy caster from turn 2. The question isn't really Thexus' ability to get models in contact with the enemy caster, but whether it can get enough models there without making himself vulnerable. Paradoxically, it can sometimes be better to use Telekenisis to spin around enemy models rather than set up your own, simply so they can't charge your models which are moving to engage.

Army

The only theme Thexus can be played in is Operating Theatre, which is a mostly drudge-focused theme and provides access to the entire range of Cephaylx models. The typical core for Thexus is two Wreckers and at least one unit each of Cephalyx Mind Slavers & Cephalyx Mind Benders.

• Wrecker - Thexus' go to beat stick, capable of crushing enemy 'jacks and devastating enemy units both.
• Croe's Cutthroats - TK sets up backstabs and Croe's bring some much needed firepower to the theme.
• Lady Aiyana & Master Holt - A much needed damage buff.
• Asphyxious the Sanctified - TK is amazing on this guy and he bring an cloudwall and a crucial ARM debuff.
• Princess Delores Graciela - Give Gaspy a Toro so she has a bodyguard and TK her around for extra threat range.

Other

Trivia

• Released in the digital-only faction book Forces of Warmachine - Cephalyx expansion (2014)
• Reprinted in the Warmachine: Reckoning expansion (2015)

Monstrosities [it] can take

Cephalyx Monstrosities (Edit)
Heavy	Subduer - Warden - Wrecker

Rules Clarifications

Rules Clarification : Feat: Telekinetic Tide 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)

Rules Clarification : Inflict Pain - None yet. (Edit)

Rules Clarification:  : Warcaster      (Edit) (Click Expand to read)

General Damage from a feat is neither an attack nor Damage Type: Magical (unless the feat says it is). FOCUS (uppercase) is the stat printed on the warcaster's card. Focus (lowercase) refers to focus points a model currently has. Your CTRL area is double your FOCUS stat, not double your focus points. (Infernal Ruling) Casting spells or using feats is an anytime ability with the added restriction that you can't use them on the same turn you run even before you run. See also the clarifications on Any Time abilities (below). Some warcasters are also Battle Engines and thus follow all the Battle Engine special rules. There is no particular interaction between the Battle Engine rules and the Warcaster rules. Work out all damage modifiers (such as Decapitation doubling the damage that exceeds ARM) before reducing it with the Power Field. (Infernal Ruling) Restrictions on "Any Time" abilities     (Edit)         [Show/Hide] "Any Time" abilities can be used at any time during a model/unit's activation, except: Before any compulsory forfeiture of movement/action. See step 2 of the activation sequence, appendix A. After the model with the "Any Time" ability has had their activation end "prematurely". By this I mean you resolved something which includes the phrase "its activation ends". Examples include: Running, failing a charge, or failing a slam. Abilities that include "then its activation ends" (such as Reposition and Teleport). In between declaring your charge target and making your charge movement. (Infernal Ruling) In between completing your charge movement and determining whether it was a successful charge. (Infernal Ruling) When you're in the middle of moving. (Note: Impact Attacks count as being in the middle of movement). When you're in the middle of an attack. Which also includes effects that occur "after the attack is resolved". (Although the attack is "resolved" at Step 11, in terms of using an "Any Time" ability the attack is not "finished" until after Step 14. Refer to the first paragraph of Apdx A.) Your opponent interrupted your activation to trigger one of their own abilities (such as Countercharge). Warcasters/warlocks/etc can normally cast a spell or use their feat "At any time". However, there is a core rule saying they cannot do so on the same activation that they run. So, they are subject to all the same restrictions listed above, plus they can't cast/feat before running. Units: See below. In general you can use "Any Time" abilities while you're knocked down or stationary (except Spells and Feats which specify you can't). If you have a gun with a random ROF, you can use an "Any Time" ability inbetween rolling the number of shots and actually making the first attack. (Infernal Ruling) Units with "Any Time" abilities You cannot use an "Any Time" ability before issuing/receiving orders. See step 1 and 2 of the activation sequence, appendix A. A model in a unit can't use an "Any Time" ability after they run (Infernal Ruling) or fail a charge. Because that makes that specific model's activation to end even though the unit's activation is still ongoing, and you can't use abilities on models that are not active. You can use an "Any Time" ability before running, however. A model in a unit can't use an "Any Time" ability after anyone in the unit has begun a Reposition move. (Infernal Ruling) Warcaster/Warlock Cavalry ( Edit ) Warcasters/Warlocks can't cast spells or use their feat while resolving Impact Attacks. Because Impact Attacks occur during movement - you can use spells or feat before moving, or after moving, but not during movement. Exception: If your Impact target(s) include your charge target, then your movement has ended (refer rulebook, last paragraph of 'Impact Attacks') and thus you're fine to use "any time" abilities before starting the Impact attacks. Rules Clarification:  : Warcaster Unit or Warlock Unit     (Edit) (Click Expand to read) This summary is specific to Warcaster/Warlock units. You may also want to check the Warcaster and Warlock pages respectively, for the "regular" rules clarifications. All models in the unit count as part of the battlegroup. So, for instance, Butcher3's argus can be moved via his Energizer spell. Warcaster units can have attachments. They can even attach units (such as the WSC). (Infernal Ruling) The non-caster models are trooper models but are not normally Grunt models. Therefore they're not normally eligible for stuff like Revive. If any member of the unit start to do their reposition movement, the warcaster or warlock in the unit would no longer be able to feat.(Infernal Ruling) Press Forward Order vs Spells cast at Any Time (Edit) You must issue orders before anything else. If you issue a Press Forward order, you must run or charge. If you cast spells before moving, you can't run so you must charge. If you cast spells before moving, then start the spellcaster's Normal Movement but have no valid charge targets, you are in a situation where you must charge but cannot charge. In this situation the spellcaster must either: forfeit their Combat Action, use their Normal Movement to make a full advance, then their activation ends. (Note that you cannot cast more spells after the full advance). forfeit their Normal Movement, then their activation ends. (Infernal Ruling) Steamroller 2018 The non-caster models can contest scenario zones & flags. The caster model cannot contest. The caster model can control zones and flags by itself, but: to control a zone, the entire unit remaining in play needs to be in formation. to control a flag, the entire unit remaining in play must be within 4" of the flag. Units Buying Attacks (Edit) If you make attacks with model [A], then start making attacks with model [B], you cannot 'go back' and buy more attacks with [A]. Because: A model can only buy additional attacks during its Combat Action. A model in a unit must complete its Combat Action before the next model starts theirs (with some exceptions, like CMA). Rules Clarification : Unit of Warcasters or Warlocks     (Edit) Even though they're warcasters, if they're out of formation they suffer the normal penalties (can't make attacks, actions, spells, etc). They can't upkeep each other's spells. They can only dominate one SteamRoller scenario element at a time. Each warlock/warcaster can have different upkeeps on them if those upkeeps are "target SELF" or "target model". If you cast an upkeep that is "target model/unit", that is the only upkeep any of them can have. Units Buying Attacks (Edit) If you make attacks with model [A], then start making attacks with model [B], you cannot 'go back' and buy more attacks with [A]. Because: A model can only buy additional attacks during its Combat Action. A model in a unit must complete its Combat Action before the next model starts theirs (with some exceptions, like CMA). The Legion Twins Rhyas cannot dominate a zone while out of formation. Rhyas can use the feat while out of formation. Haley3 Only Haley Prime is an 'actual' warcaster model, and as such she is the only one that can dominate a scenario element. The echoes can Control/Contest scenarios like a normal unit. Haley Prime can dominate an element even if the echoes are out of formation.

Rules Clarification : Selective      (Edit) The Selective rule only restricts which Mercenary armies this model can be included in. It doesn't limit what other Factions this model can work for. Also, when taken outside of Mercenaries this model can go in a non-Cephalyx theme. When working outside of a Mercenary theme, Cephalyx warcasters can have non-Cephalyx attachments (eg Madelyn). (Infernal Ruling)

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

Rules Clarification : Aggressive Reaction      (Edit) Charges don't need to target the enemy model(s) that triggered AR. The Monstrosities can be anywhere, even outside his CTRL range, and they'll still benefit from AR.

Rules Clarification:  : Sacrificial Pawn and/or Sucker! and/or Grim Salvation     (Edit) (Click Expand to read)

Differences Sacrificial Pawn is optional. Grim Salvation and Sucker are not optional. Grim Salvation only works vs basic attacks, not special attacks, power attacks, chain attacks. Spells are not basic attacks, because they are not "made with a weapon". (Infernal Ruling) CRA and CMA are basic attacks. (Infernal Ruling) If a Special Attack generates an additional attack (such as Multi-Fire), the second attack will be basic and as such can have Grim Salvation used vs it. (Infernal Ruling) Sacrificial Pawn & Sucker! don't work against melee attacks. None of them work vs magic attacks (spells). All of them work against Magical Ranged attacks, though. The model the attack is transferred to is always hit, even if they have an ability that makes them automatically get missed (such as Stealth). Automatically missing is determined earlier in the timing sequence than when the attack is moved. (Infernal Ruling) From here down, the terms Sacrificial Pawn, Grim Salvation, and Sucker! are interchangeable Using Sac Pawn moves all damage and effects onto the other model. Including stuff that triggers "on hit" (such as Blind) (even though the Pawn kinda wasn't "hit"). (Infernal Ruling) Because the other model counts as the one "hit", it can break a Chain Attack. (Infernal Ruling) The new model hit may use any abilities that trigger on being hit/damaged by an enemy attack (such as Vengeance and Shock Field). Sprays and AOEs With reference to the timing chart in Appendix A: placing a spray template down occurs at Step 3. Using Sacrificial Pawn occurs at step 6. Placing an AOE template down occurs at step 7. Therefore if you use Sac Pawn vs a spray, the placement of the spray template does not change. If you use Sac Pawn vs an AOE, the placement of the AOE template does change. A model indirectly hit by an AOE attack cannot use Sac Pawn vs it. Since a spray template doesn't move, it may cause the Pawn to be hit twice by the same spray. So you then resolve two damage rolls against it. When/if you shift an AOE template, the original target may be clipped by the edge of the AOE anyway (depending on how far apart the original target and Pawn are). Quick Draw vs Sacrificial Pawn (Edit) If enemy "Model A" shoots you, and then you use Quick Draw against "Model A", but they use Sac Pawn to move your Quick Draw attack to "Model B" then ... Quick Draw has no effect (or rather, it affects "Model B" who isn't currently shooting you so is irrelevant). Point is, "Model A" can continue shooting you. This won't happen with Shield Guard though (outside of a very low-probability scenario) because Shield Guard can only be triggered during an enemy turn.

Rules Clarification : Spell Driver      (Edit) Weirdly enough, this ability is not channeling and as such it will not be affected by stuff like Garryth1's feat (assuming Exulon stands outside the feat range). That being said, actually casting the spell is going to follow the same procedure as channeling, and so we've included the channeling RC here: Rules Clarification : Channeler  and/or Arc Node     (Edit) General It is possible to channel a spell with a range of CTRL. The control range is still measured from the caster though, so channeling it has zero effect ... unless you've got something like Empowered Arc Node or Reaction Drive. Stuff like that can trigger. (Infernal Ruling) Channeling in melee A channeler that is engaged by an enemy model can not channel. A channeler that is engaging an enemy model can channel. (For example, the channeler is standing in the enemy's back arc.) Channeler - LOS You use the channeler's abilities when determining LOS (such as whether you can see your target through a forest). If the channeler has an ability to ignore LOS or DEF bonuses (such as Eyeless Sight), then you only apply that "ignorance" to LOS (but not to the DEF bonus). Caster - Attack roll You use the caster's abilities when determining attack roll modifiers (such as whether a target standing in a forest gets +2 DEF or not). If the caster has an ability to ignore LOS or DEF bonuses (such as Eyeless Sight), then you only apply that "ignorance" to the dice roll (but not to the LOS). Stealth - It affects both LOS and the attack roll Since Stealth has both a LOS modifier (stealth models more than 5" away aren't intervening models) and an attack roll modifier (stealth models more than 5" away are auto-missed) things get a little complicated. If only the channeler ignores stealth, then all stealth models count as intervening models and block LOS, but the caster will auto-miss models more than 5" from the channeler. If only the caster ignores stealth, then only models within 5" of the channeler block LOS, but the caster won't auto-miss no matter what you target. If both channeler and caster ignore Stealth, it works as you'd expect. Stealth Examples     [Show/Hide] Caster has Eyeless Sight, channeler does not. Stealth model is within 5" of channeler LOS - The model counts as an intervening model, as per the normal Stealth rules Attack roll - If you attack it then you don't auto-miss, as per the normal Stealth rules Stealth model is more than 5" away from channeler LOS - The model does not count as an intervening model, as per the normal Stealth rules. Attack roll - If you attack it then you don't auto-miss, as the attacking model has Eyeless Sight. Stealth model is more than 5" away from channeler, and you want to target a model behind it. LOS - The front model doesn't block LOS Attack roll - Doesn't auto-miss   Caster hasn't got Eyeless Sight, channeler does. Stealth model is within 5" of channeler LOS - The model counts as an intervening model, as per the normal Stealth rules Attack roll - If you attack it then you don't auto-miss, as per the normal Stealth rules Stealth model is more than 5" away from channeler LOS - The model counts as an intervening model, because the model drawing LOS ignores Stealth. Attack roll - If you attack it then you will auto-miss, as the attacker doesn't ignore Stealth. Stealth model is more than 5" away from channeler, and you want to target a model behind it. LOS - The front model blocks LOS, so you can't target the rear model. Attack roll - N/A

Rules Clarification : Deceleration      (Edit) Deceleration works vs blast damage. Deceleration works vs special effects on the gun/spell that cause "direct" damage. For instance, the Throw damage caused by the White Squall spell. Deceleration doesn't work vs 'secondary' damage that is 'not considered to be an attack' (such as Electro Leap). Deceleration doesn't work vs hazards that are put into play by spells/guns (such as the Stormwall's Covering Fire). Deceleration doesn't work vs non-offensive spells that also do damage, such as Blazing Effigy. (Locked thread)

Rules Clarification : Hex Blast      (Edit) If you miss and deviate onto a different target, no upkeeps or animi expire. You need a direct hit. Anti-Upkeep vs a unit (Edit) If an upkeep is on a unit, then all you need to do is make it expire off any member of the unit and the spell will expire from the entire unit. It doesn't matter if the target is in formation or not. (Locked thread) However, if an upkeep is on a single model within a unit (such as Scything Touch) then you need to dispel it off that particular model to make it dispel. (Infernal Ruling)

Rules Clarification : Influence      (Edit) Taking Control of an Enemy Model (Edit)   [Show/Hide] General Several abilities start with the sentence "Take control of a model" then a full stop, then a bunch of stuff you can do with that model. You can't uncouple the first sentence from the rest of the "do stuff" sentence(s), in other words if you want to "do stuff" then you have to "Take control". (Infernal Ruling) Taking control of a model means it is now friendly to you, and will immediately be engaged by it's erstwhile allies. This will limit your ability to make ranged attacks. If you get to make an advance with the controlled model, this can allow the original owner to take free strikes against his own model. He doesn't have to take these, of course. The controlled model does not have a proper Activation, so stuff like Chain Strike won't apply. You can use abilities on the controlled model, as long as they're not restricted to "during its activation" or "during its Combat Action". For example, you can use Mental Force. (Infernal Ruling) Buffs and effects: The controlled model counts as a "friendly model" and will benefit from any "while within" (aura) buffs that your own models are handing out (such as Mark Target), (assuming the controlled model meets the criteria for the buff). If the controlled model has already been hit by a "currently within" (pulse) debuff, then it will keep that debuff while under your control. Even if that pulse only affected enemy models (such as Deneghra1's feat) - temporarily changing who is friendly/enemy doesn't change who was/wasn't affected by the pulse. If your opponent is the same faction, then the controlled model will count as a "friendly faction model" and even more buffs are potentially available (such as Veteran Leader). Theme abilities: If a model gains an ability via a Theme Force rule, and then the opponent takes it over, it keeps the theme ability. (Infernal Ruling) Movement You can advance a model into an area and force them to take damage (like an acid cloud, or a Razor Wall template), but they only take damage once per advance (ref Prime rulebook pg 65). Thus you cannot keep moving them micro-millimetres in and out of said area to inflict infinite damage. The model is friendly while under your control, so you can't force free strikes by walking it past your own models. You can, however, walk it past your opponent's models and politely ask if they want to take free strikes against their own model. Attacks Many "Take Control" abilities allow a basic melee attack. Some allow a basic attack. Gunfighters cannot make a ranged attack unless they're allowed the later. Point Blank attacks cannot be made with temporarily controlled models, as Point Blank is only allowed 'during activation.' With reference to the attack sequence (appendix A) your control of the model doesn't expire until after Step 14. So you can potentially trigger abilities like Snacking (Step 11.4). As long as it's not limited to "during combat action" or "during activation". Destroying the Controlled model If the model is destroyed or RFP'd while under your control (for instance you walked it into a hazard), this has two consequences: It is considered to be under your control at the moment it is taken off the table: Your opponent can't reave fury off a warbeast destroyed this way, because it is an enemy warbeast when it is taken off the table. Your opponent can't trigger stuff that depends on a "Friendly model" being destroyed (such as Righteous Vengeance). You can't trigger stuff that depends on an "Enemy model" being destroyed (such as Cull Soul). It returns to the original owner once it's off the table: Your opponent can use Spirit Bond to get fury from the dead warbeast. Your opponent can use Return To Play abilities to get it back on the table (assuming it wasn't RFP'd). Taking control of an enemy Trooper (member of a unit) A trooper you take control of becomes an independent model. Thus: It will not benefit from any bonuses that it gets from its comrades (such as Gang, Shield Wall, etc). It will not benefit from any bonuses that rely on the trooper being "in formation" (such as Granted and Tactics abilities). Spells on a unit are considered to be on the "unit", not on the "models that make up the unit". So a controlled trooper will not benefit from any spells on the unit. If you take control of the last survivor of a unit then the "unit" ceases to exist for the duration of the control. This means that any spells on the "unit" will expire. Woo, free dispel! (Infernal Ruling)

Rules Clarification : Psycho Surgery      (Edit) You roll a separate (d3+1) for each model. Refer to the "Tactical Tips" in the Faction book. This spell applies to the caster, too.

Rules Clarification : Rampager      (Edit) Taking Control of an Enemy Model (Edit)   [Show/Hide] General Several abilities start with the sentence "Take control of a model" then a full stop, then a bunch of stuff you can do with that model. You can't uncouple the first sentence from the rest of the "do stuff" sentence(s), in other words if you want to "do stuff" then you have to "Take control". (Infernal Ruling) Taking control of a model means it is now friendly to you, and will immediately be engaged by it's erstwhile allies. This will limit your ability to make ranged attacks. If you get to make an advance with the controlled model, this can allow the original owner to take free strikes against his own model. He doesn't have to take these, of course. The controlled model does not have a proper Activation, so stuff like Chain Strike won't apply. You can use abilities on the controlled model, as long as they're not restricted to "during its activation" or "during its Combat Action". For example, you can use Mental Force. (Infernal Ruling) Buffs and effects: The controlled model counts as a "friendly model" and will benefit from any "while within" (aura) buffs that your own models are handing out (such as Mark Target), (assuming the controlled model meets the criteria for the buff). If the controlled model has already been hit by a "currently within" (pulse) debuff, then it will keep that debuff while under your control. Even if that pulse only affected enemy models (such as Deneghra1's feat) - temporarily changing who is friendly/enemy doesn't change who was/wasn't affected by the pulse. If your opponent is the same faction, then the controlled model will count as a "friendly faction model" and even more buffs are potentially available (such as Veteran Leader). Theme abilities: If a model gains an ability via a Theme Force rule, and then the opponent takes it over, it keeps the theme ability. (Infernal Ruling) Movement You can advance a model into an area and force them to take damage (like an acid cloud, or a Razor Wall template), but they only take damage once per advance (ref Prime rulebook pg 65). Thus you cannot keep moving them micro-millimetres in and out of said area to inflict infinite damage. The model is friendly while under your control, so you can't force free strikes by walking it past your own models. You can, however, walk it past your opponent's models and politely ask if they want to take free strikes against their own model. Attacks Many "Take Control" abilities allow a basic melee attack. Some allow a basic attack. Gunfighters cannot make a ranged attack unless they're allowed the later. Point Blank attacks cannot be made with temporarily controlled models, as Point Blank is only allowed 'during activation.' With reference to the attack sequence (appendix A) your control of the model doesn't expire until after Step 14. So you can potentially trigger abilities like Snacking (Step 11.4). As long as it's not limited to "during combat action" or "during activation". Destroying the Controlled model If the model is destroyed or RFP'd while under your control (for instance you walked it into a hazard), this has two consequences: It is considered to be under your control at the moment it is taken off the table: Your opponent can't reave fury off a warbeast destroyed this way, because it is an enemy warbeast when it is taken off the table. Your opponent can't trigger stuff that depends on a "Friendly model" being destroyed (such as Righteous Vengeance). You can't trigger stuff that depends on an "Enemy model" being destroyed (such as Cull Soul). It returns to the original owner once it's off the table: Your opponent can use Spirit Bond to get fury from the dead warbeast. Your opponent can use Return To Play abilities to get it back on the table (assuming it wasn't RFP'd). Taking control of an enemy Trooper (member of a unit) A trooper you take control of becomes an independent model. Thus: It will not benefit from any bonuses that it gets from its comrades (such as Gang, Shield Wall, etc). It will not benefit from any bonuses that rely on the trooper being "in formation" (such as Granted and Tactics abilities). Spells on a unit are considered to be on the "unit", not on the "models that make up the unit". So a controlled trooper will not benefit from any spells on the unit. If you take control of the last survivor of a unit then the "unit" ceases to exist for the duration of the control. This means that any spells on the "unit" will expire. Woo, free dispel! (Infernal Ruling)

Rules Clarification : Telekinesis      (Edit) If an enemy model with 2" melee range was B2B with you before the Telekinesis, it will still be exactly 2" away afterwards and thus will still engage you (unless you move completely out of their front arc). Being placed into an area counts as entering that area. So you'll take damage from acid clouds etc if you're dumb enough to teleport into them. You can change the facing of the model that you place. In fact that's one of the main uses of the spell.