CHRONICLES OF TACTICA XI Flameshaper
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’re focusing on a straightforward yet effective unit: the Flameshaper from the Helian League. Read the lore here.
PROFILE CHARACTERISTICS & PLAYSTYLE
At an affordable 15 points and with a limit of 3 per list, the Flameshaper is one of the few models that can be easily spammed in the game. Despite its low cost, you get a lot of value with the Soldier and Sorcerer Classes, both of which provide handy stat boosts and rerolls for spellcasting. However, the impact of the low cost is clear in the stats. The only standout stats are SPD of 6 and AG of 12. INT, your primary stat, sits at 12—decent but nothing to get excited about. Fortunately, the Soldier class helps boost your stats a little if the conditions are met, especially INT.
The real reason you bring along a Flameshaper, though, is for her Chain Attack ability. This Skill lets her fire off extra free shots at targets hit by other friendly models, regardless of whether they are engaged in melee or not. It’s an addicting ability that can quickly add up to a lot of extra damage!
The Flameshaper has no equipment, but she doesn’t need any. She relies on her two Spells, which act instead of primary weapons. Ignite is your long-range option, a decent Ranged Attack and perfect for triggering Chain Attack. The second Spell, Flare, is more situational but can be devastating if the Flameshaper gets swarmed by multiple opponents.
On the battlefield, the Flameshaper functions as backline fire support. She hangs further back, exerting ranged pressure and doubling down on damage for anyone already under fire from your other models. It’s a straightforward piece, but that doesn’t make it any less powerful—it adds some much-needed ranged support to the slower Helian lineup.
TOP UPGRADES
- Gift of Longevity,
- Adept Shaper,
- Imported Casting Amplifier.
The most common Upgrade for the Flameshaper is Gift of Longevity. For just one point, you boost your primary dice-rolling stat while also increasing PW across the board—a no-brainer. Another strong option is Adept Shaper, which gives your Flameshaper access to Fireball, a powerful AOE damage Spell that lets you better control the battlefield by literally drowning it in fire. Lastly, although a pricier option at 4 points, the Imported Casting Amplifier addresses one of the Helian League’s main weaknesses: ranged warfare. It ensures that you can return fire if enemy archers are trying to keep their distance and stay in their optimal range.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Flameshaper may not be fancy, but it excels at one thing: setting your opponent ablaze. It plays an important role in the Helian League party, backing up the ranged prowess of your other models and doubling their damage output with Chain Attack. When you start fielding multiple Flameshapers, that’s when you can truly create some nasty crossfire (pun intended).
