CHRONICLES OF TACTICA XV Helrin Expatriate
Welcome back to Chronicles of Tactica, where we dive into individual models from the Eldfall Chronicles range and explore how to make the most of them on the tabletop. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the ultimate “build-a-model” in the game – the Helrin Expatriate!
PROFILE CHARACTERISTICS & PLAYSTYLE
At just 16 points and a Limit of 3, the Expatriate immediately falls into the “affordable and spammable” category. With the Ranger Class, you gain some bonus mobility, which can be a game-changer on the battlefield. Meanwhile, Artificer ensures you always have that one Spell in your arsenal ready to go.
When we examine the stats, we see a lot of “solid-but-not-extraordinary” across the board. OFF and DEF are both 13, and AG is 10—nothing to write home about. However, what really stands out for just 16 points is the ARM of 6 and HP of 2, making the Expatriate surprisingly tanky for its cost. And don’t overlook the M of 16, which is also pretty impressive!
Looking at Skills and Traits, the Expatriate offers a lot of utility. Survival (Difficult, Forest) helps you navigate the board with ease, and Impede I is a situational Skill that gives you more control over the space around you. Chain Attack on a melee model might not be as powerful as on a ranged one, but it still boosts your damage output. However, the real showstopper is Resourceful II, which lets you take a whopping 3 Upgrades instead of just one. This opens up endless possibilities for customizing your Expatriate!
Let’s not forget the Expatriate’s Spell, Burning Touch. This handy buff applies Burn I and Sweep I to the target, adding some extra punch to your melee attacks.
Without any Upgrades, the Expatriate is already a solid midfield presence. It can take a hit, hold its ground, and control the space around it, threatening multiple clustered models with Sweep I. Pair it with a Hierophant for healing and triggering Chain Attacks on Smite, and you’ve got a reliable combo. But with Resourceful II and its Mercenary (Neutral faction) status, the Expatriate truly shines when you start adding Upgrades, which can completely change its playstyle!
TOP UPGRADES
Instead of listing individual upgrades, let’s explore a few builds that highlight the Expatriate’s versatility.
- Ranged Lockdown (Imported Crossbow, Additional Protection):
This build capitalizes on the fact that Impede I works with Ranged Attacks too. The goal here is to severely restrict your opponent’s movement while making the Expatriate even more durable with Additional Protection. While this base setup is available to all factions, certain ones take it to the next level. For example, Kyujutsu Expertise in Soga or Glyphscribe: Reduce Weight in Helion really push this build’s potential.
- Commando (Concealed Approach, Muffled Movement, Climbing Expertise)
Available only to Thenion, this build is all about stealth and surprise! Watching your opponent’s reaction when your shrouded marker turns into a tanky ARM 6, HP 2 model is priceless. This setup works wonders if you emply Nightshade—engage your target with the Expatriate’s durability, then finish the job with Nightshade. If they survive, you’ve got the added bonus of Burn I and Chain Attack to try again.
- The Flying Carpet Lancer (Flying Carpet, Additional Protection, Spear)
Internally known as Samir the Flying Expatriate—named after yours truly (Samo), but with a little oriental flair to fit the Sand Kingdoms—this build takes full advantage of the Expatriate’s mobility and durability. The combination of Flying Carpet and Additional Protection lets you control the battlefield from above, effortlessly moving into key positions while staying well-protected. Pair this with the Spear for RCH 2 and Sweep I, and you’ve got a nightmare for Spellcasters. You’ll be able to engage models out of Activation, covering a massive area and disrupting your opponents’ plans. It’s a fun and chaotic setup that I highly recommend trying—just don’t be surprised if you end up creating a flying carpet army of your own.
FINAL THOUGHTS
At its core, the Expatriate does its job well as a solid, reliable model. However, it’s the versatility that truly makes it one of the most fun models in the game. With so many potential Upgrades, the Expatriate can be tailored to fit nearly any playstyle, making it an invaluable addition to your list. It truly is the ultimate sandbox soldier!
