CHRONICLES OF TACTICA XII SWASHBUCKLER
Welcome back to Chronicles of Tactica, where we delve into individual models from the Eldfall Chronicles range and explore their tactical use on the wargaming tabletop. Today, we’ll be taking a closer look at everyone’s favorite “edgy boy”: the Thenrin Swashbuckler!
PROFILE CHARACTERISTICS & PLAYSTYLE
Starting at 16 points and with a limit of 2 per list, the Thenrin Swashbuckler is an affordable model, though restricted to prevent overuse. For Classes, it features a Soga staple: the Warrior Class, offering flexibility between active and reactive turns, and the Rogue Class, granting easy access to Knockdown—perfect for lowering an opponent’s ARM and disengaging when necessary.
The Swashbuckler’s stats are impressive for such a cost-effective model, with highlights including SPD 6, OFF 15, AG 13, ARM 3, and 2 HP. The ARM 3 and 2 HP are especially rare in the Thenian Coalition, a faction that typically leans heavily into offense over defense.
The Swashbuckler’s aggressive playstyle is further emphasized by its Skills and Traits. Dash grants it impressive mobility across the board, Dual Wield ensures attacks are more likely to hit, and Duelist disables your opponent’s Combat Arts, giving you a significant edge in melee engagements. Additionally, Fencing II makes the Swashbuckler even harder to hit, restricting your opponent’s offensive options further.
As for equipment, the Swashbuckler isn’t flashy, armed with just a pair of Short Swords to leverage Dual Wield. It’s a great example of a model making the most of standard equipment!
All of these elements come together to create a highly mobile unit that’s difficult to dislodge once it’s engaged in combat. While the Swashbuckler may not deliver overwhelming damage, it consistently lands reliable Hits, making it excellent for pinning down your opponent’s key melee models or swiftly engaging fragile backline mages and archers. Like many Thenion models, the Swashbuckler excels as a solo flanker, but it truly shines when paired with Nightshade Stratagems for added tactical depth.
TOP UPGRADES
- Devotion: Anras,
- Climbing Expertise,
- Concealed Approach.
First up is Devotion: Anras, an upgrade practically made for the Swashbuckler. For just 1 point, it raises the model’s DEF by 2 when in reactive turns thanks to the Warrior Class, making the Swashbuckler even deadlier on defense. Next is Climbing Expertise, which pairs perfectly with the Swashbuckler’s mobility. For only 2 points, it allows you to reach those hard-to-access spots on the field. Finally, Concealed Approach is an excellent choice if you want to deploy three Shrouded tokens at the start of the game, leaving your opponent guessing and sweating. Just be cautious, as if you position your other units too far forward, it may become easier for your opponent to figure out which marker is the Swashbuckler.
CONCLUSION
The Thenrin Swashbuckler is a versatile and affordable model. While it may not seem outstanding on paper, in the hands of a skilled player, it can lock down entire backfields and gradually wear down enemy forces. Whether you’re zipping through the frontlines to reach the soft, vulnerable models or holding melee specialists in combat for extended periods, the Swashbuckler excels. It also brings some much-needed durability to the otherwise quite fragile Coalition of Thenion. As a mercenary, the Swashbuckler can be taken in any faction, opening up even more exciting possibilities with Upgrades from other factions!
