CHRONICLES OF TACTICA IV NIGHTSHADE
Welcome back to Chronicles of Tactica, an article series where we take a closer look at individual models in the Eldfall Chronicles range and how to use them on the tabletop. Today, we are examining a current leader option for the Coalition of Thenion. The Nightshades are famous for their beauty, but they are fatal even in small doses—much like our leader model today.
PROFILE CHARACTERISTICS & PLAYSTYLE
At 22 points and limited to one per list, Nightshade continues the trend of faction leaders costing over 20 points. This time, we’re looking at the best precision tool in the game.
With the Assassin Class, she makes rolling crits easier, which is always advantageous, and with the Rogue class, she can knock down anything that survives her initial assault (though very few can). Her stats are noteworthy: SPD 6, OFF 17, and AG 16 set the tone for the entire model. Nightshade is designed as an extremely mobile, dodgy piece that executes whatever it touches during the active turn. However, her DEF 8, ARM 1, and HP 1 show that she is all about offense and not defense. She cannot take a punch, so your best bet for getting out of trouble is to Dodge.
But the real magic in her kit comes from her Skills and Traits. Infiltration II allows unmatched freedom in Deployment, Flicker is hands down the best mobility Skill in the game, and Stealth II gives you the Shrouded State to confuse your opponents and keep them guessing. These three Skills ensure you can get Nightshade into the perfect position to inflict maximum damage.
Speaking of damage, she has only one weapon – the Master-Crafted Daggers. These grant her higher Strike, which is always desired. But combine this with an OFF of 17, a free reroll from Dual-Wielding Skill, and the insanity that is Art of Assassination lvl 4 (especially at level 4), and you have one of the most potent offensive outputs in the game.
This entire package combines into a murder machine, perfectly delivered to the right spot at the wrong time for your opponent. Few things can survive the murderous sting of Nightshade. However, if she is caught out of position, it can be game over for her despite her high AG. Because of all her mobility tools, it is easy to underestimate your opponent and expose your Nightshade prematurely. Therefore, I advise caution and careful planning of your approaches.
LEADER & STRATAGEMS
All of this is further solidified by her Strategems. With five to choose from, we have a lot to cover. Nightshade is the first leader with Subterfuge Strategems, which affect the opponent. She has two of these: one that grants all enemies -1 SPD, great for making your escape with objectives, and one that allows you to reroll all failed Damage rolls on a target, ensuring their demise. The other three augment your team’s mobility and/or damage output. Mastery of Poisons leans completely into damage output, while Swift Retreat is all about mobility. Guerilla Tactics, however, does a nice blend of both and is, in my opinion, one of the best Strategems in the game hands down. There are countless shenanigans that can be pulled off when your entire team has Hit and Retreat!
TOP UPGRADES
- Fangs of Tiamat,
- imported Crossbow,
- First Aid.
When it comes to upgrades, I cannot praise the Fangs of Tiamat enough. The Art of Assassination can be used on ranged weapons too, making the Fangs of Tiamat a terrifying prospect for anyone trying to huddle together for protection, which incidentally is the best approach to fighting a Nightshade. Punishing your opponent’s counter-strategy is always fun. And since the Art of Assassination applies to ranged attacks, why not go all out with a Crossbow? This really elevates the utility of the Nightshade, giving her a reliable ranged option. Lastly, First Aid is an option you will see a lot of, especially on soft targets like Nightshade. Health is important!
