Swashbuckler

Swashbuckler Mercenary Privateer Light Warjack

Prime This model is available in two Prime Armies, Mercenary: Soldiers of Fortune Mercenary: Talion Charter . 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.

The Swashbuckler takes unique advantage of the adroitness of its underlying chassis, built expressly for the purpose of navigating a ship’s deck even when tossed by winds at sea. Engines East employed a cortex custom-built to augment capability in melee as well as superlative situational awareness. Privateers enjoy them in particular for their usefulness during boarding operations, either on the offense or defense. Firing a short-ranged cannon in one hand and wielding a cutlass in the other, the Swashbuckler is aptly named: it walks with a similar swagger to its human counterpart.

Basic Info

Swashbuckler
Missing Info
	COST {{{cacost}}} UNIT SIZE {{{casize}}} FA {{{cafa}}} Warcaster 0 BASE Medium SPD 6 STR 8 MAT 6 RAT 5 M.A. N/A DEF 13 ARM 16 CMD N/A ESSENCE {{{essence}}} FOCUS N/A FURY N/A THRS N/A HP 26 F. Field N/A WJP {{{wjp}}} WBP {{{wbp}}} IHP {{{ihp}}} FA U UNIT SIZE N/A COST 8 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.

Abilities

• Amphibious
• Assault
• Construct
• Defensive Strike - Once per turn, when an enemy advances into and ends its movement in this model's melee range, this model can immediately make one basic melee attack against it.
• Dodge - This model can advance up to 2" immediately after an enemy attack that missed it is resolved unless it was missed while advancing. It cannot be targeted by free strikes during this movement.
• Duelist - This model gains +2 DEF against melee attack rolls.

Weapons

Cutlass
		RNG				POW				P+S				LOCATION
		1				5				13				Right
Clamp
		RNG				POW				P+S				LOCATION
		0.5				3				11				Left
Open Fist
Clamp Cannon
		RNG			ROF			AOE			POW			LOCATION
		6"			1			-			12			Left

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 warjacks can be taken in a plethora of Faction's themes via by putting it under the control of a Mercenary 'Jack Marshal or 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 Swashbuckler

Swashbuckler in a nutshell

The Swashbuckler is designed to be tough to kill for 8 points. With Defensive Strike, Duelist and Dodge, it can pose some troubles for your opponent in melee. What it does not do is kill things very well so mostly you take it as a contesting piece because POW 13, MAT 6 and RAT 5 cannot reliably do work without lots of help. Also don't let it get shot.

Combos & Synergies

• Ashlynn1 can keep it on its feet with her Chosen Ground upkeep. This will allow her to run one into a contesting position while under her feat, rendering the Swashbuckler just about impossible to remove as it will be DEF 15 against melee attacks.
• Fiona can perform a similar trick on her feat turn but her Swashbuckler can be knocked down.
• Magnus2 can put Bullet Dodger on it making it 17/18 against melee attacks thanks to Unyielding.
• Aurora2 has Arcane Propulsion increasing its Def and Spd as well as giving flight. Combine this with her dual attack for models with flight ability and you can put out 4 attacks on the charge all at an ok POW. Combine this with hand of destruction and her feat and you have a great assassin model.
• Jakes1 can bring it as a cheap target for Sidekick in Flame in the Darkness, and she has focus to hand off that your warcaster does not.
• The Morrowan Archon's Blinding Radiance ability cranks up the DEF even higher when close by.

Drawbacks & Downsides

• With MAT 6, RAT 5 and lowish POW on all the weapons, it needs a whole bunch of focus to have an activation that gets work done. The game is all about getting work done quickly and efficiently and this jack does not.
• It has no defense against ranged attacks.
• Knockdown or similar effects remove its defensive tech.
• Once it loses its Movement grid, it's done for.
• a Freebooter is 1 point more expensive and can deal a lot more damage as well as charge further and survive slightly more damage. The Swashbuckler needs a caster than can leverage its defence to compete with this.
• The Talon is 2 points cheaper and with it's shield it can survive a lot more.
• Defensive Strike is easily got around by anything with reach.

Tricks & Tips

• in Flames cast Sidekick on the Swashbuckler with Jakes1, run it into the opposing zone to contest and feat with Fiona to ensure it doesn't die.

Other

Trivia

• Released in the Talion expansion (2019.06)
• In the lore it has the same chassis as the Buccaneer & Scallywag. Each is sold as a separate kit, sharing the same torso & legs.

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 : 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 : Amphibious - None yet. (Edit)

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

General Step 1: Declare the charge Are you in already melee? With any enemy, not just your charge target? If yes, you don't get an Assault attack at all (Refer to the latest Errata). Instead it's just a normal charge. If no, continue to Step 2. Note: You cannot be "in melee" with a stationary/knocked down target. Feel free to declare charges (and Assault shots) in this case. You can even charge a knocked down model you're in B2B with, advance 0", and get your ranged attack and your melee attack(s). Step 2: Move the charging model As soon as the movement is finished, determine whether it was a successful charge or not. Do this before resolving anything that triggers on "Ends Movement" (like Admonition, Countercharge). Do this before resolving your Assault attack. Did you make a successful charge? You get the ranged attack even though you're "in melee" (not yet though). Did you fail the charge? You will get the Assault shot anyway (not yet though). Did you fail the charge, but end your movement in melee with someone different to your charge target? You get the ranged attack even though you're "in melee" (not yet though). (Infernal Ruling) Now that you've figured out whether the charge successful, you resolve "Ends Movement" effects (such as Countercharge) before the Assault attack. (Infernal Ruling). If something happens at this point that changes whether a model is in/out of melee range, it does not retroactively change a failed charge into a successful charge or vice versa. If your charge was successful you may use "any time" abilities between 'finishing movement' and 'starting Assault attack'. (Infernal Ruling) If you fail your charge, you may not use "any time" abilities before or after making the Assault attack. (Infernal Ruling) Tip ! Assault is not a "triggered ability" and it will never trigger simultaneously with another ability that triggers/resolves at "ends movement". Instead, the other ability is always resolved before the Assault shot. You can make an Assault shot even if you charged less than 3". Step 3: Make the ranged attack The ranged attack is optional. Since the Assault attack is outside your Combat Action, you can only do a basic ranged attack. CRA & Special ranged attacks are only allowed during your Combat Action, you can't do them. (Infernal Ruling CRA & Special Attack) Did you move at least 3" during the charge movement? Who cares, that is irrelevant to the Assault attack! Make your ranged attack vs your charge target If the charge target is already dead (which can happen when units charge) then you don't get to redirect your Assault attack vs 'someone else'. You simply don't get an Assault attack. (Infernal Ruling) A model which can do something "instead of making a ranged attack" (such as the Spriggan's Targeting Flare) then they can do that as an Assault attack. (Infernal Ruling) If your ranged attacks triggers other attacks/damage that occur "after the attack" (such as Drag or Electro Leap) then those will resolve as per normal, regardless of whether you had a successful charge or not. (Infernal Ruling) Is the target in melee with the shooter? If yes, then you ignore the +4 DEF bonus (as per the 3rd paragraph of "Targeting a Model in Melee" (TMM) rules) If no, resolve the ranged attack exactly the same as if it were a normal ranged attack. Step 4: After finishing the Assault attack If it was an unsuccessful charge, your activation now ends. You may not trigger "any time" abilities. (Infernal Ruling) You may not trigger "at the end of the activation" abilities (such as Sprint) (Infernal Ruling) If it was a successful charge, and your charge target is ... still alive, then you get your charge attack (as per the charge rules) dead, then you get your initial melee attack(s) vs anyone still in your melee range (as per the charge rules). Either way, you don't get to make more ranged attacks (other than the obvious exceptions like Gunfighter, of course). Units Move all models in the unit before making any Assault attacks. (Infernal Ruling) Make all Assault attacks before making any Charge attacks. (Infernal Ruling) Each model in the unit is effectively "stalled" while you move/shoot the other models. This "stall" does not create an opportunity to use "any time" abilities. (Infernal Ruling) If a trooper's target dies before they make their Assault shot, they don't get to redirect it. You just skip their Assault shot. (Infernal Ruling) You cannot make Assault attacks while out of formation, as per the regular formation rules about making attacks. Assault & CRA (Edit) You cannot mix Combined Range Attacks with Assault shots, as CRA works during your combat action and Assault shots occur before it. (Infernal Ruling) Other Warbeasts Warbeasts cannot use Assault during a Frenzy. Refer to the latest errata. Assault vs Countercharge ( Edit ) Things which are resolved when a model "ends movement" (such as Countercharge) need to be resolved before the Assault attack. (Infernal Ruling). Assault & Drag ( Edit ) You determine whether a charge was successful or not before making the Assault attack. If you make an unsuccessful charge but then use Drag to get your charge target into melee range, then: It is still a failed charge and your activation is going to end after the Assault attack is resolved. (Infernal Ruling) You will get the free melee attack from Drag as part of resolving the Assault ranged attack. (Infernal Ruling) Whether or not your charge was successful, this free melee attack is not a charge attack. (Infernal Ruling) You won't be able to purchase additionals (because your activation ended).

Rules Clarification : Construct - None yet. (Edit)

Rules Clarification : Defensive Strike      (Edit) If an enemy doesn't stop in your melee range, but continue all the way through it and out the other side, you won't get to make a Defensive Strike. You will get to make a free strike as per normal, though.

Rules Clarification : Dodge      (Edit) Dodge triggers after any missed attack - melee, ranged, or magic. An enemy model with 2" melee range that is B2B with you before you Dodge, will be exactly 2" away afterwards, and thus will be able to attempt a 2nd melee attack. If you're missed by an AOE attack, but it doesn't deviate very far and still hits you then: Dodge still triggers, but the AOE does damage before you get the Dodge movement. (Infernal Ruling) If an enemy can attack you when you advance and then stop moving (such as Countercharge or Defensive Strike) and they miss you, then you can trigger Dodge (because you're no longer advancing). Dodge plus Riposte (Edit) If a model has both Dodge and Riposte, you can choose whether to dodge or riposte first. Appendix A Step 13 applies here, because the controller of the model being attacked is not the active player.

Rules Clarification : Duelist - None yet. (Edit)

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.