On Saturday you’ll be able to pre-order Battletome: Idoneth Deepkin, enabling you to conduct bloody raids on the denizens of the Mortal Realms. The big news is that these soul-seeking aelves have a brand new army rule which gives them even more flexibility.
The book also contains two new Armies of Renown, which give you alternate ways to use your collection on the tabletop. One is centered on King Volturnos, ruler of the Ionrach enclave, whereas the other is focused on a summoned Eidolon and their allies who guard the spirit-reefs.
The Wardens of the Chorrileum personify the oceanic power of the Idoneth, a combination of Isharann, Namarti, and Akhelian Infantry units led by a single Eidolon of Mathlann. This army’s hook is deploying the Eidolon in reserve then empowering the Spirits of the Chorrileum – earning chorrileum spirit points by rolling high when casting spells, destroying enemy units, or having friendly units destroyed.
Passive
SPIRITS OF THE CHORRILEUM
The spirit-matter that animates an Eidolon is a malleable force that ebbs and surges in power as battle ensues.
Effect: Each turn, you can gain up to 1 chorrileum spirit point. You gain 1 chorrileum spirit point the first time 1 of the following occurs in a turn:
You make an unmodified casting roll of 8 or more fora friendly Isharann Wizard.
An enemy unit is destroyed while it is within 12" of any friendly Isharann units.
A friendly unit is destroyed while it is wholly within 12"of any friendly Isharann units or while it is contestingan objective you control.
When you have three points, you can Call Forth the Tsunami and deploy the Eidolon anywhere, including directly into combat, dealing damage as it manifests in a furious deluge. After making a big splash, they can also choose to ignore their innate rampage abilities to invoke the Wrath of Mathlann and fight twice – with the usual Strike-last penalty for the second attack.
Once Per Battle (Army), Your Combat Phase
CALL FORTH THE TSUNAMI
When summoned to defend the legacy of the Idoneth, an Eidolon’s fury is terrible indeed.
Declare: You can only use this ability if you have 3 or more chorrileum spirit points. Pick a friendly unit awaiting a summons to be the target.
Effect: Set up the target anywhere on the battlefield. Then, inflict D3 mortal damage on each enemy unit in combat with it.
With one of your three possible points per turn locked behind spellcasting, you’ll be leaning heavily on the Idoneth Deepkin’s bespoke spell lore. Essence of the Chorrileum allows you to skim some soul stuff off the top to revive D6 Namarti in a unit of Thralls or Reavers, or Heal (D3) on any other unit, while Slipstream lets you move a unit up to D6” as long as you stay out of combat range. These tenacious wardens can also summon the Incarnate of the Deep, so you can have two wave-based terrors running rampant.
The First Phalanx of Ionrach is as elegant as it is vicious, a serrated speartip of pure Akhelian units – no Namarti or spellcasters here – led by Volturnos, High King of the Deep. Your general by default, Volturnos benefits from permanent Strike-first and ensures his subordinates follow the Teachings of Asydrazor.
Just what are these mysterious learnings? He won’t say exactly, but in each of your hero phases you earn D3 asydrazor points that can be spent on one of three abilities. The Shield of Ulchiss lets a First Phalanx unit retreat without taking damage, while still being able to shoot and charge later – pairing well with The Spear of Asphoren, which adds 1 to charge rolls. The Sword of Gwynnar grants a unit Strike-first, enabling your royal bodyguard to keep up with Volturnos’ lightning-fast assaults.
Your Movement Phase
THE SHIELD OF ULCHISS
Mastery of the ebb and flow of battle is core to the teachings of Ulchiss, which state that a timely withdrawal can open up enemy vulnerabilities.
Declare: You must spend 1 asydrazor point each time a friendly First Phalanx unit uses this ability. Pick a friendly unit in combat to use this ability.
Effect: For the rest of the turn:
That unit can use a Retreat ability and still use Shoot and/or Charge abilities later in the turn.
No mortal damage is inflicted on that unit by Retreat abilities.
KEYWORDS: ASYDRAZOR
Any Charge Phase
THE SPEAR OF ASPHOREN
Those Idoneth who wish to follow the example of legendary commander Asphoren must strike at the foe like the surging tide.
Declare: You must spend 1 asydrazor point each time a friendly First Phalanx unit uses this ability. Pick a friendly unit that is not in combat to use this ability.
Effect: Add 1 to charge rolls for that unit for the rest of the turn.
KEYWORDS: ASYDRAZOR
A unique heroic trait grants you a once-per-battle free use of one of these abilities – crucial in a clutch – while Bond-beast traits let you enhance one of your First Phalanx Cavalry units. You can make them harder to hit or more reliable when redeploying, or remove the negative effect of the Companion keyword from their weapons, which means Volturnos’ passive buffs can affect these pelagic pals.
Tomorrow we’ll be looking at the two new Regiments of Renown that this battletome unlocks for armies who aren’t the Idoneth Deepkin. Exciting times for those who want to either branch out from the Idoneth force, or add a drop of that Deepkin magic to their own army.
