The soldiers of the Flameguard Temple once found their purpose in defending the sacred sites of the Protectorate, but the turmoil of recent years has seen these former guardians forged into one of the most formidable fighting forces of the nation. Hearing and heeding Menoth's call to service, thousands have swelled the ranks to take up arms and carry out the will of the Lawgiver. With the blessings of Menoth upon them, these faithful eagerly go to war against the non-believers, unified in their unwavering support of the Great Crusade.
Theme Rules
- For the core rules on how Theme Forces work, see this article.
Theme Restrictions
An army made use the Guardians of the Temple theme force can include only the following Protectorate models:
Full model list
The models allowed in
Guardians of the Temple are:
[Show/Hide]
This list was last updated: 2019.07 (Edit)
Warcasters
- All Protectorate warcasters
Warjacks
Structures
Units
Solos
Mercenaries
- Up to one solo
- Up to one unit
Requisition Points
You can spend each Requisition Point on either:
- One Protectorate CA
- Two Reclaimer Gatekeeper solos
- Two Vassal solos
- Three Wrack solos
- One other small- or medium-based Protectorate solo with a point cost of 5 or less
Theme Bonuses
- While B2B with another model in their unit, Temple Flameguard trooper models gain Tough and cannot become knocked down.
- Up to one small-based Daughters of the Flame unit in this army gains Ambush.
- Ambush - You can choose not to deploy this unit at the start of the game. If it is not deployed normally, you can put it into play at the end of any of your Control Phases after your first turn. When you do, choose any table edge except the back of your opponent's deployment zone. Place all models in the unit in formation completely within 3" of the chosen table edge.
Recent Changes
2021.10 Mega Update
- 3 Wracks added as a Req option
- The free solo Req option changed to 5 points or less
- The Ambush benefit changed to small-based only units (since the Cavalry gained the Daughters keyword)
Thoughts on Guardians of the Temple
Guardians of the Temple in a nutshell
- Guardians of the Temple is decent at holding scenario locations with hard to hit units like the Daughters and tough to kill units like the Temple Flameguard.
- Ambushing Daughters of the Flame is also a very good way of jamming enemy troops or throwing a wrench in your opponents plans.
Theme's weaknesses
- All the infantry being so cheap leaves an obvious hole in the list; smashing tougher stuff. Of course that's what the Choir of Menoth and the heavy jacks are for.
- Alas losing the Covenant of Menoth and the Hierophant isn't good.
- the benefits only effect 2 units (notice it states Temple Flameguard, not Flameguard so Cleansers are not affected)
- the Requisition options are lacking when compared to other themes.
- in terms of single wound infantry you are spoiled for choice in other themes as well, Idrian Skirmishers, Exemplar Errants, Deliverers and Zealots come to mind, but they can play alongside multi-wound infantry or better supported jacks in other themes.
List Building Tips
- Two full units of Temple Flameguard usually form the core of the a Guardians list. Backed by Pyrrhus as your fist requisition choice they have just enought attacks where any damage buff makes them dangerous when they get there.
- Spare the points and money on the CAs. they are not worth it.
- Flame Bringers are excellent light cavalry who don't need much support. Take them and advance them up the flank.
- Take the Ambushing Daughters of the Flame. Single wound infantry are terrified of these women.
- Nicia1 should be your second req choice. She gives a neat buff to Flame Bringers and Daughters and is a nice comntesting solo.
- The list lacks magic weapons and attacks outside of what your warcaster might bring and the Shrine of the Lawgiver, so a Sanctifier or Indictor is highly recommended to deal with pesky Incorporeal models.
- A Shrine of the Lawgiver also gives a nice recursive element to your list.
Casters of Note
- Feora, Priestess of the Flame gives all Flameguard an MAT buff. Ignite also helps them hit harder and can be cycled between two fully units of Temple Flameguard backed by Pyrrhus.
- Grand Scrutator Severius is an excellent force multiplier for his army via his many support spells (Death Sentence, Defender's Ward, Vision) and Eye of Menoth.
- Although High Exemplar Cyrenia's Battle Plans don't work on Flameguard, her spell list and feat work just as well as buffing them as they do Exemplars.
- The High Reclaimer does more for Guardians than the theme does for him; Hand of Fate is an excellent buff, and bringing back Flamebringers or Cleansers can allow for surprising angles of attack. He'd usually rather play in Exemplar Interdiction, though, due to their greater hitting power.
- Servath Reznik, Wrath of Ages buffs the accuracy of his army via Death March, while Spellpiercer and Lamentation are incredibly punishing for opponents relying on buffs. Like Feora3, he appreciates the TFG being defensively self-sufficient as he does nothing to help them up the board.
- The Testament of Menoth turns the already annoying-to-deal-with Temple Flameguard into absolute pests via Ashen Veil and cheap recursion. His feat can also be great when used with Flameguard Cleansers and Flamebringers, allowing them to dig deep into the enemy.
- Thyra, Flame of Sorrow gives Daughters of the Flame models Vengence and additional hitting power/accuracy. Occultation and her feat also help get them up the field. The combination of Carnage, Occultation and Silence of Death is especially potent with Temple Flameguard, Pyrrhus and Flame Bringers.
Starting a 25 point Brawl list
In 2020.11 Phillip Melvin, one of the LOS authors, put together this list for the Brawlmachine format. It was then updated for the 2021.10 errata. He even wrote about it's playstyle and expanding it beyond 25 points, which you can read here.
- Thyra1: [+29 WJP]
- Pyrrhus, Flameguard Hero: [Free] (5 pts)
- Nicia1: [4 pts]
- Vassal Mechanik: [1 pt]
- Temple Flameguard (Min unit): [7 pts]
- Command Attachment: [3 pts]
- Choir of Menoth (Min unit): [4 pts]
For more Brawlmachine list ideas, see Category: Brawl List
Other
Trivia
- Released 2017.01
- Guardians of the Temple was one of the first Theme Forces to be previewed for MK III.
Other Protectorate models
Rules Clarifications
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Rules Clarification : Ambush (Edit)
- If you attach a WA or CA to this unit, and the attachment doesn't have Ambush, then they all get to Ambush anyway. (Locked Thread)
- Ambush and Apparition both occur at Step 5 of the Control Phase. However, Ambush specifies the "end" of the Control Phase so you cannot use Apparition on a model that Ambushes. (Infernal Ruling)
- Declaring Ambush:
- Choosing whether a unit deploys normally or ambushes needs to happen before deployment.
- So it goes: do the starting roll, Player 2 chooses sides, Player 1 declares Ambushes (if any), then Player 2 declares Ambushes (if any), then Player 1 starts deployment. (Infernal Ruling)
- If you have both Prey and Ambush, then you declare your Prey target at the normal time (even though the Prey-er isn't currently on the table). (Infernal Ruling)
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Rules Clarification : Girded - None yet. (Edit)
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Rules Clarification: Theme Forces (Edit)
Themes that change a model's Faction [Show/Hide]
- Many themes swap which Faction a model counts as. They're slightly inconsistent with how exactly this is worded. Despite this inconsistency - whenever a model is considered a different faction to normal, it will not be its original faction. (Infernal Ruling)
- For instance Lukas stops being a Crucible Guard model when taken in an Infernal army, and as a consequence he cannot take Toros or Vanguards in Infernals. (Infernal Ruling)
Rerolling the starting roll [Show/Hide]
- You cannot use the theme benefit to reroll if it is a draw. Instead both players reroll until there is a loser, and then the loser can use their reroll benefit (if they have it). (Infernal Ruling)
- If both players have a reroll, first the original loser uses their reroll.
- If the original loser still loses, fine.
- If the original loser now wins, the other player can use their reroll.
- If it is now a draw, both players reroll until there is a loser. Then the player that hasn't used their theme benefit reroll can still use it, if they want.
Warjacks/Warbeasts with bonds [Show/Hide]
- A warjack/warbeast with a bond can always be included in a theme force, whether or not they're in the list of allowed models, but only if they're controlled by that bonded model.
- This applies even if that bonded model isn't a full warcaster/warlock (changed as of 2018.06).
Including Mercenaries [Show/Hide]
Number of Mercenaries
- If your "up to one Merc" ...
- ... can take warbeasts/warjacks, then you can add warbeast(s)/warjack(s) (without exceeding your "up to one" allowance)
- ... comes with a Companion model, then you'll get that Companion (without exceeding your "up to one" allowance)
- There is a bug in Warroom that allows you to not only take one Merc solo/unit, but the entire FA of that Merc solo/unit. It's a bug.
Mercenaries and Ranking Officers
- Adding a Ranking Officer to a Merc unit doesn't increase the number of Merc units you can take.
Other
- See also the section on Partisans
Including Partisan Mercenaries [Show/Hide]
Partisans & Theme Forces (Edit)
- Partisans are Mercenary/Minion models, so there are two ways you can add them to a theme force:
- Freely: If the Partisan is on the list of allowed models, then you can take as many as you want plus another Mercenary unit/solo. (Infernal Ruling)
- They can be explicitly allowed (for example Jaws of the Wolf allows "Kayazy models/units" so Partisan Kayayz can be used freely).
- They can be implicitly allowed (for example Scourge of the Broken Coast allows "living Cryx models/units" and Partisan Cephalyx fit that criteria, so they can be used freely). (Infernal Ruling)
- Limited: If the Partisan isn't on the list of allowed models, it does use up your "Up to one Mercenary/Minion" slot, so you can only have the one.
- Whether you used option 1 or 2 above, once they're in your theme force they count as a Faction model and so:
- They can be taken as a Requistion Option (if they fit the Requistion description).
- For example Lanyssa can be taken as a free solo in the Legion of Dawn theme. (Infernal Ruling)
- They will get any theme benefit that they fit the description for.
- For example Storm Division gives all Cygnar models Immunity Electricity, so Partisan Mercs in that theme get immunity too.
- For example Nemo4's Mechaniks get Reposition [3] in Heavy Metal. (Infernal Ruling)
Requisition Points [Show/Hide]
- You can choose the same Requisition option as many times as you like, as long as it doesn't put you over a FA limit.
- You can't mix and match models from different options. Say one option allows 3 Machine Wraiths and another allows 3 Necrotechs. You can't use your Requisition Point to get 2 Wraiths and 1 Necrotech.
- If you have an option that allows one other solo, you can't use it to get something already on the list. For instance, Ghost Fleet allows 3 Misery Cages (which are FA 4) for one Requistion Point, and it allows 1 other solo. That "other solo" can't be a 4th Cage.
- If your theme allows "3 weapon attachments" as a Requistion Option, you can spread them into different units. (Locked Thread)
- Models with the Man-Sized rule count as small-based models for the purposes of being a Requistion Option. (Locked Thread)
Free models and Specialists (ADR) [Show/Hide]
- If your theme only allows one merc solo, you can't have one in your main list and a different one in your specialists.
Unit Attachments [Show/Hide]
- If a unit is allowed in a theme, any-and-all of its attachments are allowed too. Exception: Ranking Officers are not allowed unless explicitily mentioned.
- If the theme force gives a benefit to a specific unit, any-and-all attachments to that unit will benefit too. Even if it is a "generic" attachment like the Void Leech. (Infernal Ruling)
For example, a Trollkin Sorcerer will gain Serenity if its attached to a Dhunian Knot unit in a Power of Dhunia theme force.
- If your theme allows "3 weapon attachments" as a Requistion Option, you can spread them into different units. (Locked Thread)
- A non-character unit with a character attachment (i.e. Captain Karli) still counts as a non-character unit. (Infernal Ruling)
When to apply theme benefits [Show/Hide]
- With reference to special abilities that themes give to models, Ranking Officers, adding new models, and/or taking control of models:
- Theme force benefits are applied when you construct your list or put a new model into play. A model already in play will not lose or gain any theme benefits mid-game based on any changes of faction status or otherwise. (Infernal Ruling)
- However, if the theme gives a benefit to models "at the beginning of the game" (such as Devourer's Host letting models begin the game with 1 corpse token) then this benefit does not apply to new models that are put into play mid-game. (Locked Thread)
- Example 1: Sons of the Tempest says "ATGM units in this army gain Pistoleer". If your opponent takes control of one of them, it keeps Pistoleer while under their control even though it's currently not "in the army".
- Example 2: Storm Division gives Immunity:Electricity to "Cygnar models in the army." If you include a Mercenary unit with a Ranking Officer, they will get the theme benefit and also keep it even after the Ranking Officer dies.
- Example 3: Stange Bedfellows gives solos Swift Vengeance. If Nemo4 creates a new solo mid-game, that solo will have Swift Vengeance.
See also these Theme-Specific Rulings [Show/Hide]
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Rules Clarification : Black Industries (Edit)
- The entry which allows "Cephalyx models/units" only applies to Partisan Cephalyx. That's because the theme's rules start off with "this army can only include the following Cryx models". Partisan Cephalyx are the only ones that fill that condition.
- The Cephalyx Agitator also works for Cryx and can go in Black Industries but, because it is not a Partisan, it will use up your Mercenary solo slot.
- (Infernal Ruling)
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Rules Clarification : The Creator's Might (Edit)
- Elias Gade is allowed in Creator's Might. (Infernal Ruling)
- You can spend the "Two Vassal solos" requistion option on one Vassal Mechanik and one Vassal of Menoth. Warroom has a bug and tells you that you can't. (Infernal Ruling)
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Rules Clarification : Flame in the Darkness (Edit)
- You can take any number of Mercenary jacks. You can also select two additional jacks from Khador and Cygnar in any combination you like. Character warjacks with a bond don't count against this limit of 2. (Infernal Ruling)
- There is a bug in Warroom that allows you to take two Cygnar and two Khador jacks.
- Morrowan Battle Priest:
- If your warcaster is a Cygnar model that makes every unit you take a Cygnar unit, and Battle Priests can be attached to any unit.
Warroom has a known bug where it doesn't allow this interaction.
- If your warcaster is a Mercenary or Khador model, though, the only units the Battle Priest can attach to are the Morrow ones.
- If you attach the Battle Priest to The Devil's Shadows Mutineers then it can be returned via Blood Bound. (Infernal Ruling)
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Rules Clarification : The Bones of Orboros (Edit)
- Una1 cannot be taken in this theme (yet) due to the conflict between the theme's "Only Construct warbeasts allowed" and Una1's "Must take warbeasts with flight". There are no construct warbeasts with flight (yet). But if/when there is, then Una1 can be taken in this theme. (Infernal Ruling)
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Rules Clarification : The Devourer's Host (Edit)
- Bradigus1 is not legal in this theme. The theme only allows living warbeasts, his rules only allow construct warbeasts, and you can't just 'skip' his battlegroup - you have to spend your warbeast points.
- If you create a new model mid-game (ie with the Well of Orboros and that model can have corpse tokens, that model does not enter play with a corpse. Because it's not the beginning of the game. (Locked thread)
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Rules Clarification : The Wild Hunt (Edit)
- The animus benefit doesn't apply to enemy warbeasts. (Infernal Ruling)
- The animus benefit doesn't stack with the Druid Wilder's Herding ability. (Infernal Ruling)
- When it comes to other things that alter COST (such as Lamentation), follow basic maths: Double/halve first, then add/subtract.
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Rules Clarification : The Exalted (Edit)
- If a Construct model loses the Construct advantage mid-game, it keeps the theme benefit anyway. (Infernal Ruling)
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Rules Clarification : Band of Heroes (Edit)
- Boomhowler2 uses up your Minion slot. His Fell Calls ability is not enough to make him a "Fell Caller model/unit". (Infernal Ruling)
- Boomhowler3 does not use up your minion slot on account of having the Champion keyword.
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Rules Clarification : Magnum Opus (Edit)
- If Mosby is attached to a Mercenary weapon crew unit, they would gain 3" reposition and would not lose it if Mosby is no longer in the unit. (Infernal Ruling)
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