Vanguard

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Vanguard Mercenary, & Crucible Guard "Partisan", Llaelese Light Warjack

Originally designed and crafted from the finest materials and the skilled hands of the Golden Crucible, only a small number of Vanguards were ever produced. Able to keep pace with the fleetest of warcasters, and to set their cannon-laden shield and long hafted poleaxe against their foes, the Vanguard is a highly prized masterpiece on the battlefield.

Basic Info

Vanguard
Missing Info
	COST {{{cacost}}} UNIT SIZE {{{casize}}} FA {{{cafa}}} Warcaster 0 BASE Medium SPD 6 STR 9 MAT 6 RAT 6 M.A. N/A DEF 13 ARM 17 / 19 (★) 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 10 N/A N/A (★) 19 when you include the Shield 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.

Maker's Mark [Crucible Guard] - This warjack can be included in a battlegroup controlled by a Crucible Guard model. If it is, this warjack is a Crucible Guard model instead of a Mercenary model. If this warjack begins the game as part of a battlegroup controlled by a Crucible Guard model, it can be included in an army made using a theme force whether or not it can normally be included in armies made using the theme force.

Abilities

• Assault
• Construct
• Set Defense - A model in this model's front arc suffers -2 on charge, slam power attack, and impact attack rolls against this model.
• Shield Guard - Once per round, when a friendly model is directly hit by a non-spray ranged attack during your opponent's turn while within 3" of this model, you can choose to have this model directly hit instead. This model is automatically hit and suffers all damage and effects. This model cannot use Shield Guard while it is incorporeal, knocked down, or stationary. The Shield Guard special rule can only trigger once per attack roll.

Weapons

Shield gun
		RNG			ROF			AOE			POW			LOCATION
		8			1			-			12			-
Shield
		RNG				POW				P+S				LOCATION
		0.5				2				11				Left
Shield
Guisarme
		RNG				POW				P+S				LOCATION
		2				5				14				Right

Theme Forces

• Mercenaries
  • Flame in the Darkness
  • Llaelese Resistance. It gains Pathfinder in this theme.
  • 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

• Crucible Guard
  • Prima Materia - Vanguards can Shield Guard twice per turn in this theme. It also gains Cutting Edge in this theme.
  • Magnum Opus

• 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 (not Lukas) 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.

Recent Changes

No changes since 2021.10

Thoughts on Vanguard

Original Sculpt

Vanguard in a nutshell

The Vanguard is a combined arms jack with a focus on defense and protecting other models. It's expensive for a light, but versatile.

Its stats compare favorably to 13/16 Cygnaran lights. For 1 point more than a Charger, the Vanguard gets +3 ARM, +2 POW, +1" reach, Assault, Set Defense, Shield Guard and an extra initial attack. In Llaelese Resistance, it gets Pathfinder. When standing near Ashlynn d'Elyse, it gets +1 to attack rolls. This is all quite good.

The Vanguard is a key 'jack for the Crucible Guard, being their line non-mercenary source of Shield Guard as well as a solid melee light with an above average ability to take hits. Most Guard lists will run at least one Vanguard, often two, especially when run in the Prima Materia theme. This theme allows Vanguards to Shield Guard twice per turn, which makes a Prima Materia gunline very scary for opposing gunlines.

Combos & Synergies

It will perform admirably in a Llaelese Resistance led by Ashlynn army where it will have Pathfinder with a nice piece of rubble to hang out in, knockdown immunity through Chosen Ground, and +1 to hit. You might see it with other Llaelese Resistance casters from time to time as well.

• Crosse1
  • His Fire Group and Moving Shadows spells are good support spells for the Vanguard's fairly average ranged attack.
  • Still, probably not his cup of tea and he normally takes something different.
• Magnus2
  • He does not like being shot, so Shield Guard(s) are nice- although the Swabber may be a more popular choice.
  • Calamity helps the damage output and Esort and Unyielding let it get up there and jam effectively.
  • Combined with Bullet Dodger it is 15/21 against melee attacks even before Set Defense.
• Ashlynn1
  • A Vanguard makes a good Admonition target and having a Shield Guard is always important for protecting Ashlynn from shots outside of her 12" Feat.
  • as a Llaelese model, her Veteran Leader ability gives it +1 to hit.
• Crucible Guard
  • All Guard casters run Vanguards with approximately the same efficiency (their support spells are often better used on heavies or Raillesses). Shield Guard is an extremely important ability for the faction and every Guard caster wants to strongly consider a Vanguard bodyguard.
  • Vanguards can Shield Guard twice in Prima Materia, making them especially effective into opposing gunlines. This is especially good with Gearhart casting deceleration and making them ARM 21.
  • Maker's Mark means that Vanguards become Crucible Guard models, meaning that they benefit from all "friendly faction" effects such as the Mechanik's repair. This only applies to Vanguards run by CG casters or juniors; if you bring a 'Jack Marshaled Vanguard (which is only available to Guard in the form of Mercs in Magnum Opus), the Vanguard will remain a Merc model and does not benefit from being friendly faction to the rest of your Guard army.
  • Crucible Guard has multiple sources of ARM debuff, which can really enhance the hitting power of the Vanguard's three initial attacks. Notably all five casters, the Dragon's Breath Rocket, Hutchuk, Gorman, and the Suppressor all pair well with Vanguards to increase their hitting power.
  • Prospero likes to run a Vanguard if being used primarily for Veteran Leader & Instability Equation.

Drawbacks and Downsides

• It's not as expensive as it used to be, but it's hardly cheap for light warjack, especially since for only 1 point less, you can get a Freebooter, which hits considerably harder, under the right circumstances. Also the Talon is 4 points cheaper if you only want a tough light and are not facing a load of guns. This conundrum is even worse for Guard, since for the same points you can take the best arc node in the game in the form of the Liberator.
• POW 14 makes it weak into armor so its more of an infantry and cavalry slayer that can help out with high ARM here and there. Guard largely covers this weakness thanks to their variety of ARM debuffs.
• It is focus-needy, often needing a point or two from your caster to hit at a level to justify its points.
• The combination of almost-heavy points cost and limited hitting power means that the Vanguard is a poor choice for 'Jack Marshals or Battlegroup Controllers without a built in damage buff (such as Prospero).
• Lukas cannot run the Vanguard in Hearts of Darkness due to the wording on Maker's Mark. This is not too much of a loss (Umbral Guardians are much more points efficient for double Shield Guard bots), but it is worth considering.

Tricks and Tips

• If you are expecting too much anti-armour firepower to make taking a Rover worth it, the Vanguard can be a suitable throw-away guard.
• Locke can potentially increase a Vanguard's threat by 5" (Road to War + Redline), and can fairly confidently make it hit at Pow 18. That is enough to kill most casters.
• Vanguards make excellent solo/small unit hunters thanks to their three initials and decent threat range. Even a single buff and they should be able to kill anything that costs less than 8 points.

Other

Trivia

• Released in Warmachine: Superiority (2006)
• Resculpted in 2018 as part of the Crucible Guard release. The new model shares its torso & limb parts with the Retaliator & Liberator, all three being on the Vanguard Chassis.

Who can take this warjack?

When used in a Crucible Guard battlegroup, it works like a normal CG warjack.

When used as a Mercenary model, it must be controlled by one of the Mercenary controllers listed below.

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).

Other Faction models

Crucible Guard Index       (Edit)
Battlegroup & Similar
Warcasters	Benett - Gearhart - Locke - Lukas - Mackay - Syvestro
Warcaster attachments	Aurum Legate Alyce Marc (Crucible) - Sylys Wyshnalyrr (Mercenary) - Madelyn Corbeau (Mercenary)
Other Warjack Controllers	Prospero (BGC)
Light	Liberator - Retaliator - Vanguard
Heavy	Suppresor - Toro - Vindicator
Colossal	Vulcan
Units, Solos, Battle Engines, & Structures
Units	Combat Alchemists - CG Assault Troopers - CG Infantry - CG Rocketmen - CG Storm Troopers - Dragon's Breath Rocket - Failed Experiments Ranking Officer : Doctor Alejandro Mosby
Solos	Ascendant Mentalist - CG Mechanik - Gorman1 - Gorman2 - Hutchuk, Ogrun Bounty Hunter - Prospero - Rocketman Ace - Trancer
Battle Engines	Railless Interceptor
Theme Forces
Magnum Opus - Prima Materia
Mercenaries
Refer to Who Works for Whom and/or Category: Crucible Guard Mercenary
This index was last updated: 2021.05

Rules Clarifications

Rules Clarification : Shield and/or Buckler     (Edit) The only time you lose the Shield bonus is when the weapon is crippled, or if the attack originates in your back arc. (Infernal Ruling) In other words, you still get the Shield bonus while knocked down or stationary. You don't get the Shield bonus vs stuff originating in your back arc. This includes stuff that "leaps" off models in your back arc, such as Electro Leap. (Locked thread)

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:  : 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 : Maker's Mark      (Edit) The benefit doesn't apply to Jack Marshals, because marshals don't have battlegroups. Locke can't take Maker Marked warjacks in Convergence because of the wording of her Divided Loyalties rule. Lukas can't take Maker Marked warjacks in Hearts of Darkness because he is not a Crucible Guard battlegroup controller in that theme. (Infernal Ruling)

Rules Clarification : Set Defense - None yet. (Edit)

Rules Clarification : Shield Guard and/or Shadow Guardian     (Edit) You can't use this ability vs spells. You shift all effects onto the new model, including stuff that triggers on "when this attack hits". When you use this ability vs an AOE attack, the template moves too. Because, with reference to Apdx A, the hit 'moves' at Step 6 and the template placement is determined at Step 7. This ability doesn't work vs Point Blank attacks. Because Point Blank attacks are melee attacks that are made using a ranged weapon. On the other hand, it will work vs Gunfighter attacks. Shield Guard only Since Shield Guard specifies "opponent's turn", it can't be used against stuff that shoots in your own turn (such as Watcher or Counterblast). The Shield Guard does not necessarily need to be in the attacker's LOS or range. The Shield Guarder 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 the Shield Guard moving the hit.) (Infernal Ruling)