Primal Archon

Primal Archon Minion, & Circle Partisan, Archon Solo

Mixed How usable this model is in Mk IV depends on the Faction: Circle: This model can be used by this Faction, but only the Unlimited format. Mercenary: This model can be used by this Faction, but only the Unlimited format. You can view the 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.

Embodying the chaos of the natural world, of storm and volcano, of lightning, thunder, and flood, the Devourer Wurm also embodies predation and hunger—the need to kill and consume to survive. Primal archons are thought to be each a minor manifestation of the Wurm, sent from the hellish wilds of Urcaen. Not creatures of words or prophecy but rather of action and violence, primal archons leap into the fray as soon as they manifest on Caen.

Basic Info

Primal Archon
Missing Info
	COST {{{cacost}}} UNIT SIZE {{{casize}}} FA {{{cafa}}} Warcaster 0 BASE Large SPD 6 STR 10 MAT 8 RAT N/A M.A. N/A DEF 12 ARM 19 CMD 10 ESSENCE {{{essence}}} FOCUS N/A FURY N/A THRS N/A HP 18 F. Field N/A WJP {{{wjp}}} WBP {{{wbp}}} IHP {{{ihp}}} FA 2 UNIT SIZE N/A COST 8 N/A N/A N/A Warcaster 1 COST N/A N/A Understanding the Statblock

• Minion - Primal Archons will work for Circle, Grymkin, Legion, or Trollbloods.
• Partisan [ Circle ] - When included in a Circle army, this model/unit is a Circle model/unit instead of a Minion model/unit.

Abilities

• Pathfinder
• Tough
• Countercharge - When an enemy model advances and ends its movement within 6" of this model and in its LOS, this model can immediately charge it. This model can use Countercharge only once per round and not while engaged.
• Divine Manifestation - This model is not a living model, cannot become knocked down, and never suffers Blind. Opponents cannot take control of this model.
• Hyper-Regeneration - Remove d3 damage points from this model at the start of each of its activations.
• Reality Anchor - Enemy models cannot be summoned within this model's command range.
• Roiling Earth - When an enemy model advances and ends its movement within 3" of this model, the enemy model suffers Shadow Bind for one round. (Shadow Bind - A model suffering from Shadow Bind suffers -3 DEF, and for one round when it advances it cannot move except to change facing. Shadow Bind can be shaken.)
• Sturdy - This model cannot be pushed.

Weapons

Horn
		RNG				POW				P+S
		1				5				15
Damage Type: Magical Earth Shaker - Before resolving damage from this attack, you can center a 4" AOE on the model directly hit. Models in the AOE become knocked down.
Claw (×2)
		RNG				POW				P+S
		1				4				14
Damage Type: Magical Beat Back - Immediately after a basic attack with this weapon is resolved during this model's Combat Action, the enemy model hit can be pushed 1" directly away from the attacking model. After the enemy model is pushed, the attacking model can advance up to 1" directly toward it. Earth Shaker - See above.

Theme Forces

• Minions
  • The Blindwater Congregation
  • Will Work for Food

• Circle
  • As a Minion model it can go in any Circle theme, however it'll use up your "up to one Minion slot" in some themes
  • Secret Masters. It doesn't use up the Minion slot in this theme.
  • The Bones of Orboros
  • The Devourer's Host. It doesn't use up the Minion slot in this theme.
  • The Wild Hunt

• Other Factions
  • Furthermore, Minion models can be hired by other Factions. Normally those Factions' themes will have a limit on how many models they can hire. Refer to #Other Theme Forces, below.

Thoughts on the Primal Archon

Primal Archon in a nutshell

The Primal Archon is a beefy boy that controls a bunch of space. The Primals weapons feature large knockdown AOEs, which is particularly spicy when combined with Countercharge. Hyper-Regeneration keeps it in the fight, along with its high ARM and boxes. However, the big feature of the Primal Archon is Reality Anchor, which prevents Horrors from being summoned! It's officially a solo but is effectively a light warbeast beatstick that takes warrior rather than warbeast buffs.

Combos & Synergies

It works well with models that either provide single-target buffs or army-wide buffs.

• Blackclad Wayfarer or Lanyssa Ryssyl, Nyss Sorceress can provide hunters mark and improve this models threat range.

    Minions    

• Azazello - His feat makes them hardier and hit harder, and Duelist and Riposte make it comparatively dogy and able to strike if missed by enemy attacks.
• Helga1's feat-slams can let it put knockdown AOEs in some very unexpected places.
• Jaga-Jaga can increase its offense via Signs and Portents, and due to its high base ARM makes a good target for her feat.
• Maelok the Dreadbound gives a +2 ARM buff to all warrior models, making the Primal Archon ARM 21, under feat AND Death Pack, that's ARM 23 on an incorporeal model. Shadow bind also sets up mortality nicely.
• Rask increases its threat range via Boundless Charge and hitting power with Fury. Additionally, his feat will help get it into combat.

    Circle    

• Grayle the Farstrider finds the Primal Archon an excellent target for Storm Rager both offensively and defensively, while his feat can protect it on the way in and increase its threat.
• Morvahna the Autumnblade can use it as a durable Sac Pawn target, and use Mortality to increase its hitting power.
• Baldur the Stonesoul - Roots of the earth prevents countercharge but makes the Primal Archon armour 22.
• Krueger the Stormlord - reducing the range of enemy guns and offering 2 different threat extending spells, as well as a slow down feat is actually very useful for the Primal archon.

    Other Factions    

It doesn't count as a friendly Faction model in non-Circle, non-Minion armies which further limits its combos but you can still put it to some use.

• Thagrosh0 - his Blight Burst prevents forcing and spending focus in AOE 4". Hit a shadow bound target, to pin it place and effectively shut it down for a turn without killing it. Knocked down model is not a bad target either.
• Bethayne2 - She can affect the Primal Archon with Transmutation, as well as soften up targets by applying Withering Death

Drawbacks & Downsides

• With only a 1" reach on its weapons smart enemies will use the models they are actually attacking to protect themselves from the countercharge.
• A boosted POW 15 (from the charge) and two POW 14s don't do that much to kill heavy armour, and 6" movement and 1" weapons don't give many targets.

Tricks & Tips

• Remember, an enemy model needs to END its advance within 3" of the Archon. If it ends within 6" and you countercharge it, it won't get shadow bound.

• Roiling Earth has quite a large footprint, 3" measured out from a large base is not to be sniffed at.
• Getting to stop an enemy from moving after they've already moved doesn't seem that great on paper, but you need to remember it stops all bonus movements (like Sprint and Reposition).
  When Roiling Earth gets triggered during the enemy turn:
  • For the rest of your opponent's turn it can't Reposition, can't Sprint, can't Energizer, etc
  • If they're dumb enough to trigger Roiling Earth before they activate (eg with a Vengeance move), then they can't even use their Normal Movement.
  • On your next turn you'll benefit from the -3 DEF debuff, but also it can't countercharge you, use Admonition, use Enliven, etc

• You can trigger Roiling Earth during your own turn, it's a bit more difficult than normal because you have to (A) trigger something that lets your opponent move during your turn (such as Countercharge) and (B) they have to be dumb enough to use that movement to end near the Primal Archon.

• remember it may look like one but it is not a construct and cannot be repaired

Other

Trivia

Released 2019.07

Other Theme Forces

Grymkin (Edit)

• Bump in the Night
• Dark Menagerie

Legion of Everblight (Edit)

• Ravens of War
• Children of the Dragon
• Oracles of Annihilation. In this theme (1) There is no limit on the number of Minion solos you can take, (2) Minions become Blighted models, and (3) enemy models that end their activation within 2" of a Blighted model in this theme suffer continuous corrosion.
• Primal Terrors

Trollbloods (Edit)

• Band of Heroes
• Kriel Company
• Power of Dhunia
• Storm of the North

Circle Orboros (Edit)

• Secret Masters. This theme doesn't have a limit on how many Minion solos you can take. Also, you can spend Requistion Points on Minion solos.
• The Bones of Orboros
• The Devourer's Host
• The Wild Hunt

Other Faction models

Circle Index       (Edit)
Battlegroup & Similar
Warlocks	Baldur1 - Baldur2 - Bradigus1 - Grayle1 - Iona1 - Kaya1 - Kaya2 - Kaya3 - Kromac1 - Kromac2 - Krueger1 - Krueger2 - Mohsar1 - Morvahna1 - Morvahna2 - Tanith1 - Una2 - Wurmwood1
Lesser Warlocks	Krueger0 - Una1	Warlock Attachment	Druid Wilder - Tharn Blood Shaman
Light	Argus Moonhound - Winter Argus - Wild Argus - Gorax Rager - Razorwing Griffon - Rotterhorn Griffon - Scarsfell Griffon - Wold Wight - Woldwatcher - Woldwyrd
Heavy	Gnarlhorn Satyr - Riphorn Satyr - Shadowhorn Satyr - Feral Warpwolf - Pureblood Warpwolf - Warpwolf Stalker - Wold Guardian - Woldwarden Brennos the Elderhorn (Satyr) - Ghetorix (Warpwolf) - Loki (Warpwolf) - Megalith (Woldwarden)
Gargantuans	Storm Raptor - Woldwrath
Units, Solos, Battle Engines, & Structures
Units	Druid Mist Riders - Druids of Orboros & CA - Reeves of Orboros & CA - Sentry Stone & Mannikins - Shifting Stones & CA - Stoneward & Woldstalkers - Tharn Bloodtrackers & Character UA - Tharn Bloodweavers & CA - Tharn Blood Pack - Tharn Ravagers & CA - Tharn Wolf Riders - Warpborn Skinwalkers & CA - Wolves of Orboros & CA Brighid & Caul - Death Wolves
Solos	Blackclad Stoneshaper - Blackclad Wayfarer - Bloodweaver Night Witch - Chuck Dogwood - Druid Wilder - Gallows Grove - Kogan the Exile - Krueger0 - Lord of the Feast - Reeve Hunter - Primal Archon - Shivers - Tharn Blood Shaman - Tharn Ravager Shaman - Tharn Ravager White Mane - Tharn Wolf Rider Champion - Una1 - War Wolf - Wolf Lord Morraig
Battle Engines & Structures	Celestial Fulcrum (Engine) - Well of Orboros (Structure)
Theme Forces
Secret Masters - The Bones of Orboros - The Devourer's Host - The Wild Hunt
Minions
Refer to Who Works for Whom and/or Category: Circle Orboros Minion
This index was last updated: 2021.10

Rules Clarifications

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

Which Faction am I? Partisans are Mercenary (or Minion) models unless they're taken in their "Home" Faction. For example, a Mercenary model that is Partisan [Cygnar]: When used in most armies it is "friendly Faction" only to other Mercenary models. When used in a Cygnar army it is "friendly Faction" to Cygnar models ... and stops being "friendly Faction" to any other Mercenaries in that Cygnar army. In a multi-caster game, Partisans count as the main army's Faction and not as a Mercenary models (if playing a Faction other than Mercaneries). (Infernal Ruling) Attachments If a Partisan unit can get a special attachment from their Partisan Faction (for instance a Soulless Escort or Trollkin Sorcerer) then they can only get that attachment when they're in the Partisan Faction. They can't take it when working as a regular Mercenary. (Locked thread) When taken in their Partisan Faction, they can't have a Ranking Officer attached. Partisan warcasters If you have a Partisan caster, you must choose whether your army is a Mercenary force or a [Partisan Faction] force. What warjacks the caster can take are then limited by your choice. Partisan casters can be taken in [Partisan Faction] theme forces. Refer to the main rulebook. Partisan casters can be fielded in multiple-caster games. (Locked thread) See also the Category: Partisan for what happens if you mix and match Partisan casters and Merc casters in multi-caster games. 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)

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

Rules Clarification : Tough - None yet. (Edit)

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

Timing     If the moving model has Assault, the Countercharge is resolved before the Assault attack. (Infernal Ruling). If the moving model has a rule that resolves "at the end of Normal Movement" (such as Slipstream), the Countercharge is resolved before the other rule. (Infernal Ruling) The moving model cannot use an "Any Time" after finishing their advance but before your Countercharge. They can use it only after the Countercharge is resolved. If the non-countercharging player has a similar "ends an advance" trigger (such as Admonition) then they can trigger and resolve that from your countercharge movement. Example: Model [A] charges, and triggers Countercharge on [B]. Model [B] countercharges, and triggers Admonition on [C]. Resolve Admonition on [C]. Then finish resolving Countercharge on [B]. Then finish model [A]'s activation.     Triggering Countercharge     You can trigger Countercharge if you're engaging, but not engaged. You can trigger Countercharge during your own turn, if your opponent has an ability to move during your turn (such as Admonition). Some abilities let you "ignore intervening models when declaring a charge" (such as Flight). Unfortunately, you still need LOS to trigger Countercharge, and it's only after CC is triggered that you actually get to declare a charge. In other words, Flight and Countercharge don't work together for LOS purposes. What does trigger Countercharge Countercharge triggers off any advance, not just in-activation stuff. Standing still but changing facing is an advance. What doesn't trigger Countercharge Aiming, or forfeiting your movement, is not advancing. If a model doesn't move, doesn't change facing, doesn't aim ... does nothing but skips straight ahead to its Combat Action, this is not an advance. (Infernal Ruling) Being placed (such as Teleport) is not an advance. Involuntary movement (being slammed, thrown, or pushed) is not an advance. When a unit is moving, countercharge is triggered on a model-by-model basis. So you can countercharge after any model in the unit has finished its move within range, but you can only countercharge that model who just finished its movement. You can't "save it" until the entire unit finishes moving and then say "I'm going to Countercharge the first guy you moved."     Attacks, Boosting, & Other Triggers     You only get one attack when making a countercharge, regardless of how many initials you normally have. The charge attack damage is only boosted if the Countercharger moved 3" or more, as with a regular charge. Countercharge occurs outside of activation so you can't spend fury/focus to boost a countercharge attack, nor buy additional attacks afterwards, not trigger stuff that only happens during your Combat Action (like Berserk). Even if you trigger Countercharge during your own activation, for the duration of you resolving the CC it "no longer counts" as being in your activation. (Infernal Ruling)     After the Countercharge     The countercharging model cannot use any abilities that trigger on "during activation" or "during combat action" (such as Sprint), as Counter Charge is not an activation. (Locked thread)     Other interactions     Countercharge during your own activation (Countercharge vs Admonition etc) ( Edit ) You can trigger Countercharge during your own activation, but only if an enemy model moves during your activation. For instance, you move towards a model who has Admonition and they trigger that to try to move away. (You do a normal move, they trigger admonition and move, you trigger countercharge from their admonition-move.) However countercharge always counts as being out-of-activation, no matter when you trigger it. (Infernal Ruling) As a result, you can't trigger only-during-activation effects (such as Critical Shred & Sustained Attack). On the other hand, you can potentially get two charge attacks (one for your normal charge, one for the counter charge). (Infernal Ruling) This ruling still applies even after the 2018.07 update (Infernal Re-ruling) Countercharge plus Admonition If a model has both CC and Admonition, it can trigger both at the same time. A model moves nearby, it admonitions away, then countercharges back in. Countercharge Inception If a model [A] has Countercharge, and it charges an enemy model [B] that has Countercharge and Admonition, then ... Model [A] charges and triggers CC and Admo on [B] Model [B] Admo moves but before it can resolve its own CC, it triggers CC on [A] You now have two models that have triggered CC simultaneously. So the Active player gets to resolve their one first. 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). Countercharge & Cavalry ( Edit ) A model with Countercharge and Cavalry can make Impact Attacks during the countercharge. (Refer "Charges Outside of Activation" in the rulebook).

Rules Clarification : Divine Manifestation      (Edit) Archons are not living models, but neither are they constructs, undead, etc. They're just ... archons.

Rules Clarification : Hyper-Regeneration - None yet. (Edit)

Rules Clarification : Reality Anchor      (Edit) "Summon" only applies to Infernal players summoning a horror. It doesn't apply to stuff that you might imagine is summoning (eg the Shadow Arcana, the Well of Orboros, etc). (Locked Thread) If an Infernal player tries to summon a Horror within your command range, they simply can't. Their essence remains unspent, the Marked Soul remains unsacrificed, and they can choose to try and summon it somewhere else.

Rules Clarification : Roiling Earth      (Edit) If you trigger this during the enemy turn (which is the most common time to trigger it) then the duration is a little weird. The enemy can't make any more advances that turn (such as Reposition), and the DEF debuff lasts all the way through your turn. But at the start of their next turn it expires and they can advance normally again. Rules Clarification : Shadow Bind , Force Hold, Force Lock, Quagmire, and/or Crawling Chaos     (Edit) Models affected by this ability may still advance 0" and thus abilities that trigger on "ends their movement within ..." or "after this model advances ..." will still trigger (for example Slipstream, Countercharge, etc). Models may still be placed, so abilities like Apparition will still work. The restriction applies to all advances: normal activation, bonus in-activation (like Overtake), and out-of-activation (like Energiser). Shadow Bind only If you manage to free strike a charging model and Shadow Bind it, their charge movement ends because they can no longer advance. At that point, you check whether their charge movement was successful or not.

Rules Clarification : Sturdy - None yet. (Edit)

Rules Clarification:  : Magical Damage      (Edit) (Click Expand to read)

* The "Damage Type: Magical" is not inherited by "secondary" damage from a weapon. That is, stuff like arcs (Electro Leap) or hazards (Scather). (Infernal Ruling) All spells have "Damage Type: Magical" (refer errata). This is inherited by "immediate" secondary damage (such as Eruption of Spines). (Infernal Ruling) and might be inherited by "lingering" secondary damage (see below). If a spell leaves a template in play that does damage to models that walk around in it, then: if it is not described as a hazard it will do magical damage to models that walk around in it. (Example: Razor Wall) if it is a hazard then it will not do magical damage to models that walk around in it. Instead, it does whatever damage type is specified by the spell description. (Example: Breath of Corruption). (Infernal Ruling) If a weapon/spell includes Magic Damage and another kind of elemental damage it will still damage Incorporeal models. Incorporeal models are not affected by the rule "if an attack does multiple types of damage and a model is immune to at least one it is immune to the entire attack." The phrase "immune to non-magical damage" should be interpreted as "immune to damage that doesn't include Damage Type: Magical" (not interpreted as "has immunity to Corrosion and Electricity and Cold and etc.")

Rules Clarification : Earth Shaker      (Edit) Knockdown (Edit) - Remember, knockdown only prevents what it says it does. Refer to the Knockdown page for a recap of what a model can/can't do.

Rules Clarification : Beat Back      (Edit) You cannot use Beat Back if you destroy the target; because you can't advance towards a model that is no longer on the table. (Infernal Ruling) You can trigger Beat Back even if the model is no longer in your melee range after the attack. For instance, if you used a Pitch to throw it away, you can still Beat it Back. (Locked thread) The free advance doesn't depend on the target being pushed, but it is dependent on you trying to push them: If you try to push something which Cannot Be Pushed (such as a Colossal), then it won't move and then you can advance directly towards it. If you choose not to push your target, then you choose not to trigger Beat Back, so you don't get to advance. (mk2 Ruling) Beat Back can be used to push larger models. 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)