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Mantlet
Anvilborn
Reviewed May 8, 2007
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Duncan
Wilson |
Mantlet
Alright! Today we are starting in on the
Anvilborn set! Why we haven't done this yet? I
have no idea, but we're doing it now, and we're
doing it with a bang - the no-aspect anvilborn
Mantlet.
The Mantlet is an uncommon, costs 10 spawn, has
5 power, 9 defense, and 11 life. It's tough, and
it lays down the beats. It has two abilities -
intercept drive, and shadow field. Intercept
drive is Mantlet's version of an ability every
anvilborn has - a free spawn move according to a
simple rule. For the Mantlet, the rule is, move
closer to the ally with the lowest life. This
can sometimes mean you're moving backwards, but
usually means you're racing to the weenie fight
in the middle of the board. Shadow drive is why
this piece exists. Your creatures in the same
cell as Mantlet can't be the target of
abilities. This is awesome. Expel, scare, lure,
warpstrikes, spur, venom, ferocity are all shut
down by Mantlet. Admittedly, it only counts for
the cell Mantlet is in, but if its sharing a
space with an important scoring cell piece like
Baxar, or Crypt Worm, neither of them are going
anywhere. If its hanging out with a bodyguard
piece, you've suddenly got the core of a team
that is very hard to deal with. Toss in a couple
passion beaters, weenies, or fear expellers, and
you have a team that can roll over a hell of a
lot.
So, how should you use this piece? I haven't
played with it yet, though he's in my favorite
band for a trial run, but I'm thinking there are
a couple things you can build your band towards
to get the most out of him. First, have a couple
pieces with the same low life around, because
when there's a tie, you, as the player
controlling the piece with the ability, get to
make the decision on which piece wins, giving
you much greater choice on where the Mantlet
goes. Second, go easy on the skirmish and
advance - neither work, unfortunately, on cells
Mantlet is in - it doesn't let your creatures be
the target of abilities, even if you really
wouldn't mind just this once.
In summary, the Mantlet is great, and fits in
almost everywhere. It lays out the damage, soaks
up a beating, races around the board, and keeps
your band going. If you pull it, find a place
for it. |
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