Last week we looked at the Stark side of the Riverlands box set. Today, it’s the Lannisters’ turn.
The Lannisters
Jaime Lannister – Dashing Lion
Model Design – I am so sorry to the designer for what I am about to say. Jaime’s model is the worst model in the entire game. His proportions seem off which results in him looking a little awkward, almost like there is a section of his body where torso and legs meet that is missing. The pure gold armour and lion helmet just seems so wrong, almost an assault on the senses. I don’t believe this is due to the paint job but the design of the model: nothing but armour. If it was silver or red it wouldn’t change the look of the model. I really dislike the design but can appreciate that the designers tried to make a different looking Jaime than what we’ve previously received. [Editor’s Note: His armor looks like pajamas my 6 year old would want to wear]
Rules Design – Jaime Lannister comes with Feint, Expert Riposte and Threaten as abilities. Feint is Jaime’s combat action and if you pour a lot of copper into this ability you can gain a heck of a lot of dice and practically have a guaranteed chance of killing whatever you face, especially on the best hit in the game. Expert Riposte is something featured on a lot of strong duellists and gives recoil damage if the defender lives. Threaten forces a Morale Test in a short-range aura that can result in multiple characters losing actions and being shut down.
Overall, Jaime needs to be slain quickly before he can launch his abilities and become a huge nuisance for your force. Be careful swarming him as he can hold his own with a brilliant defence and morale statistic. The biggest threat to Jaime is equal competition; if someone throws down Robert Baratheon, or perhaps even Robb Stark, you may be in trouble. Finally, a good representation of Jaime’s skills in combat.
Motivation Design – This rule is designed around Jaime seeking out duels with big names and winning. Whilst this is very thematic the scoring is awful on it. I doubt I will spend Gold for a VP unless I am out of options. Literally last man on earth sort of vibes. However, the trade-off for this is that Jaime himself is very good, so a mediocre motivation in trade for an incredible character. You can rack up 4pts for 4 Gold which does align with others in the game, but you do need to deal with four characters, in combat, and kill them with Jaime specifically. This may need a glow up.
Tyrion Lannister – The Imp
Model Design – Opposite of Jaime, Tyrion looks brilliant. I appreciate the youthfulness in Tyrion’s design here where you can see the beginning before the ageing of the character in more than just looks. I love the lion symbol on the clothing which would normally see only talented painters fill the negative space with freehand, but now it can be portrayed in some way with those not skillful enough to do freehand. The best part is the facial expression. It is well laid out for those who excel in painting faces and I look forward to painting the eyebrow raise inbuilt into the model.
Rules Design – Tyrion comes with Amuse, Convince, and Bribe abilities. Amuse forces an enemy in short range to become Routed without needing to fail a Morale Test to do so. This can be quite a powerful ability that will instantly shut down a character from performing in a way the opponent would like them to. Convince can prevent Tyrion from being targeted which is an incredibly useful ability to have, and this can play into his Motivation very well. As long as you have Silver to spend, you will be able to prevent Tyrion from being removed from the game thanks to Bribe preventing him from being arrested or killed.
Tyron is a nuisance to deal with and something you want to remove from the game as soon as possible, however it is difficult to do so. If you devote resources to deal with Tyrion, then you are wasting them on The Imp rather than focusing on some other threats like Jaime Lannister or Gregor Clegane.
Motivation Design – Tyrion excels in doing his own thing and running away from meaningful relationships not really out of choice. For Tyrion’s motivation, the designers have created a way for Tyrion to seek out help from his enemies by bribing them to his side, but he only does this when he is out of options, when those he has paid have been laid low. One Gold for 2VPs is more than easy to obtain but you do put a decent support character in a bad situation with the likelihood of the situation ending in death or capture which may play into other motivational playstyles like Catelyn. He is a trick, but it could backfire.
Gregor Clegane – The Mountain
Model Design – A sentiment shared by a lot of people over in the comments section of the Gamefound page, is that the design of The Mountain model is unimaginative. We have had countless Gregor Cleganes adorned in yellow and wearing the large armour with the colossal shield. Only the Kickstarter exclusive model from the beginning of the game dared to explore by removing the shield and helmet from the model. Whilst there are fun details and creative choices making this model unique, it does nothing to be different and comes off lazy.
We could have gotten an unarmoured Gregor like how Cersei finds him in the show for the trial by combat. But the one idea I am in favour of was a brigand version. Tywin sent Gregor and his forces to burn the Riverlands without a link to colours or a house. Folk of the Riverlands reported this to Ned Stark, the Hand of the King, and they concluded this hulking man can be no other than The Mountain, thus sentencing him and Tywin to the King’s justice. Since the set is designed around the Riverlands and the conflict at the Inn that ignited the war, Brigand Gregor would have been perfect. In fact, I will be converting this model into a brigand version.
Whislt the art direction has not got anywhere we have not travelled to before, the added detailing shows a battle hardned warrior, and it is hard to pinpoint another model that has the wear and tear of battles. If you have the Lannister Starter Set, the two Gregor models now have a combat pose, and a more restrained commanding pose. You could use this version as the Attachment, and then the Starter Set version as your Commander. It is the little things.
Rules Design – Whilst we cannot see Gregor’s full rules, we do know (thanks to prerelease plays on the Gamefound page) that you are forced to pay copper to prevent him from going into an uncontrollable rage attacking all characters near to him. This can be useful when you direct him into a pile of enemies, but you need to make sure none of your own characters are affected by it especially from the get go at deployment. This is probably the most accurate version of The Mountain’s rules we have ever had since it showcases the walking-on-eggshells experience people go through when around the Mad Dog. We can see no other rules and do not know if he is a brutal combatant, but we can see like the Greatjon he will be tough to bring down sporting a very good Armour Save and a lot of wounds.
Sandor Clegane – The Hound
Model Design – A huge improvement on The Hound’s previous two models in detail but also painting potential. The previous models for The Hound, for the most part, have been all one colour due to the design, like Jaime in this box. The Neutral Hound has added a lot more textures giving painters a way to not have a flat model. This design has a lot of parts to encourage a layered paint job of various colours more pleasing to the eye. It also gives those who missed out on the dog head helmet variant from the kickstarter a chance to own a version like this.
I do personally dislike the art direction for this model as it doesn’t scream The Hound to me. However you cannot knock them down for attempting everything that The Mountain model does not. Further to this, if we consider this as an early version of Sandor Clegane within the story, then we do experience the character of The Hound differently to later in the books. I am conflicted with my liking of this model, and it is growing on me.
Rules Design – The Hound has terrible morale which is so perfect in reflecting his opinion for being under the Lannister thumb. However, this is something to be worried about when it could result in him being restricted in actions. He has an impressive combat ability and a decent defensive ability to match, but one easily-failed morale test will make him worthless. Is it not well-designed? I don’t feel like Sandor could be restricted by the machinations of others so easily, he has an attitude which is hard to manipulate since it is so forthcoming. Perhaps, we needed a way to limit this Hero model from being too good?
Motivation Design – The Motivation is weird, especially since it comes with a low VP amount and debuffs your own model. However, I see this rule as reflecting the moment at the Hand’s Tourney when Gregor was only stopped in his rampage by Sandor to which Sandor was never trying to kill him. The rule seems to lock down Sandor and an opposing character, which is not worhtwhile when Sandor’s combat potential is quite high. Whilst an interesting design it is incredibly counter intuitive to utilise and is another Motivation for the Lannisters you will only activate if it is the only option to score. Very wierd rules overall for Sandor, perhaps I am missing something here?
Addam Marbrand – Outrider Commander
Lore – Addam Marbrand is a prominent figure on the Lannister’s side throughout the books for ASOIAF, and plays a more important role during the War of the Five Kings conflict, however comes into other important positions in the later books. He is the heir to a major house in the Westerlands, and is a prominent figure on Tywin Lannister’s council in the Riverlands even serving as his Outrider Commander essentially the Blackfish equivalent for the Lannister forces.
Addam is a close friend to Jaime Lannister and becomes one of his closest advisors in the later books. He is described to be wearing the ashen armour of his ancestral home Ashermark with the burning orange tree of House Marbarand embalzoned upon it. Whilst he is prominent figure giving worthwhile advice to the leading Lannisters, he was sadly cut out of the show (outrage!).
CMON have focused on a moment in A Feast For Crows where he becomes the Commander of the City Watch, and whilst he makes some alarming moments in history towards his reputation, this is a relative footnote in his accolades.
Model Design – This is another missed opportunity to place Addam Marbrand on horseback. Whilst Addam does become the Commander of the City Watch he is well known for being the cavalry Commander and mirrored opposition to the Blackfish for the Lannisters. This model is called Outrider Commander but there are no Outrider models, and nor does Addam ride a mount. It literally is just a new pose for a model that exists and feels as if a carrot is being dangled in front of us. Furthermore, looking at it without the paint job results in it being any knight in the story. There are no defining features of House Marbrand or Ashermark. I am half tempted to use this as my Jaime Lannister.
This is some terrible art direction for the model since it is well-sculpted for a blank slate knight. Where is the blazing orange tree detailing? It is a very simple detail left off where other models in the campaign have gained subtle details towards their character. The paint job does not help either since he has never worn a suit of gold armour, perhaps may be during the City Watch escapades but not as an outrider. As one of my favourite characters from the books, it is sad to see him dragged through the mud twice just to be a filler model.
Rules Design – We can’t see all of Addam’s rules, but they do seem to be quite powerful with a strong combat statistic and the first time seeing an auto wound in the game from an ability. He also sports a morale buffing rule and another rule we can see very little of. I hope there is a mobility rule involved in this model since he is the Outrider Commander, but I doubt it. With great defensive and offensive stats, he will be a strong candidate for forces in the game. But, we are seeing a lot of strong duellists for the Lannisters in this set and it is now becoming an overpopulated role. Would you take him over Jaime, Gregor, or Sandor? Would you take them all and go for a scorched earth approach?
Morrec – Resourceful Valet
Lore – Everything we know of Morrec comes from the A Game of Thrones book. Morrec along with Jyck, are the servants/guards of Tyrion Lannister when he decides to split from the royal party, and visit The Wall and the Night’s Watch. There is nothing too interesting about Morrec who died from a wound after clashing the the Mountain Clansmen at the Gate of the Moon.
Model Design – Morrec’s model is a brand-new look for the Lannister forces since there are no models in the range that wield a bow. I like the idea of maybe introducing a bow Unit that is lower in quality than the crossbowmen in the future and basing them around this design and the theme of Stefford’s host from A Clash of Kings. It is quite a unique looking Lannister soldier until you realise that this is not who Morrec is, and his duties are more that of a servant or squire. It is a great consolation prize for Podrick, but it will do for now and at least the bow is one of the more realistic ones in the game.
Rules Design – We can’t exactly make out Morrec’s rules, but they work like Jyck in a sense that they are Guardsman with something a little extra, which is a little weird considering he is mentioned as being no soldier but is just as good as them in combat. Morrec brings a ranged attack that looks to be the same as the Crossbowman but also brings something I am not all too sure works well. When an opponent attempts to capture a friendly model that must pass a morale test to do so otherwise it fails and the defender dies instead. I wouldn’t want Tyrion to be killed but if it is that or captured plus give Catelyn a bunch of points, I will go out of my way to do so. It also doesn’t line up to anything in the lore since there is no precedent for this. A useful tool, but not sure how effective it will be.
Jyck – Trusted Bodyguard
Lore – Just like Morrec, everything we know of Jyck comes from A Game of Thrones, and just like Morrec he too accompanies Tyrion to The Wall and the Night’s Watch. Furthermore, he also joins them in being captured and taken the the Gate of the Moon, and whilst Morrec only suffered a wound that eventually killed him, Jyck was killed outright as Tyrion marked him as a fool.
Model Design – I was not expecting to be blown away by Jyck’s model but I am. The artwork does a lot to help understand the look of this model and having a full Unit adorned in this fashion would be something I would love to see. It is crazy to think that this very small character in the story is detailed with so much character and beauty than bigger names such as the Addam Marbrand model we just spoke about. He outdoes all other Lannister models in this set and could even beat a lot of the Starks as well. A gorgeous model and the designer cooked on this. I am more than salty over the fact that this model got more detail then Addam Marbrand. A one off character for a few perspectives or one that is a prominent figure in the entirety of the books. I am baffled.
Rules Design – Jyck is a Lannister Guardsman but with Bodyguard to protect your named characters. This could be very useful with protecting Tyrion with the way his motivation works, but it can also help guarantee that you are able to withstand an attack coming in from a big opponent. You will be throwing Jyck to the wolves in a sense to give you a better chance at winning.
Lannister Crossbowman
Model Design – When the Lannister model update arrived for the game, I did not believe it was necessary due to the original models being well done. However, the subtle changes in the posing and details made me appreciate them a lot. The same can be said for this model in comparison to the Unit version in the main game. Just like the Tully Sworn Shield, when selecting a generic attachment for the Crossbowmen I will be using this model which will stand out amongst them. A great look at what an update to those models could look like.
Rules Design – The Lannister Crossbowman is a flexible danger to the opponent. If the Crossbowman does not move, then you gain a very strong ranged shot that I have not seen beaten in quality elsewhere in the game other than Brynden Rivers. But if you need to move the model you still have a strong ranged attack. The Crossbowman does look to be a brilliant model and an auto include in the force.
Lannister Guardsman
Model Design – Just like the Sworn Swords for Starks, the Lannister Guardsmen don’t do much to differentiate from the main models from the Starter Set and the posing isn’t that different either. I am more excited that I can get a model to replace the one that had a missing part in the Starter Set so I have a full Unit again. Well, when Tactics releases.
Rules Design – Lannister Guardsmen do next to nothing impactful other than they have an okay attack and pretty good defence. However, unlike the Tully Sworn Shields they aren’t going to be dishing out any effects. It might be worth putting them on an objective since the will be slightly more difficult to remove than other models in the game and if you are wasting your time with them then you are ignoring characters like Jaime and Tyrion. There is however, a defensive ability which could mean they have something to warrant their defensive playstyle.
Mountain’s Man
Model Design – When the Two Player Starter Set parted into respective Faction Starter Sets, they all got an update. Two Units, however, were left out of this in favour for brand new Units. Stark Outriders and Mountain’s Men were these two units, though of them all they least needed an update. However, the models we get in this set for the Mountain’s Men show that if the models were to be updated, they would look incredible in comparison. The Mountain’s Men give off the grizzled veteran brigand style we may see in Northman like the Umbers but in a Westerlands style.
Rules Design – We can’t see the rules for this model, but we can see that they have decent combat stat that can be improved with some copper. Plus, from the previews at gameplay in the Gamefound page, there is some form of ability that works with The Mountain, which is a nice synergy to utilise since you often don’t bring Gregor in his own Unit within the main game.
Summary
The Riverlands Set brings a mixed bag of decent or underwhelming models with equal split in rules, but for the most part everything is an improvement over the main game in design and will be welcomed into the players forces. There are some great updates to old characters that may never have seen an update outside of this skirmish style set and we should be grateful for that, however there are missed opportunities with a few characters included and not included that prevent the set from being perfect.
I am interested in seeing if any of the models have changed from further development since most of these are work in progress. I could see the likes of The Hound or the Stark Sworn Swords being drastically changed.
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