The Northern Alliance have been updated with new models and new rules. This is excellent stuff and we’re probably going to see Northern Alliance armies surge in popularity until the re-release of Twilight Kin. How have the been updated? I hear you ask? What does that mean for the unit? You cry. Where is the change log? You wonder. Fear not, I’ve gone through the updated list and pulled out the important bits for you…
Dwarf Clan Warriors
Previously a cheap and unremarkable entry in the army list. Still a cheap entry but possibly a herald of what to expect when the Dwarf armies are updated. They now sport the Ordered March special rule that allows them to make a 90 degree turn when given an at the double order. This doesn’t change their short charge range but gives them far more maneuverability as a unit. I hope this will become standard across the Dwarf range.
Elf Clan Warriors
Without any points increase these archers add Vicious to their ranged attacks if the target is frozen. Park them next to a unit of Ice Kin Hunters or on the same table as an Ice Kin Bolt Thrower and you’ll have a deadly ranged unit. I’d probably leave them at home when Pack Hunters now have a 24″ range on their bows, are stealthy and hit hard on the charge.
Half-Elf Beserkers
A great little unit before, now likely to see more table time thanks to the plastic kit launch making them more accessible. If a fearless unit with Wild Charge (D3) wasn’t enough they now have the option to upgrade a single unit to Talannar’s House Guard for more attacks and a higher rout value. Just make sure you have a plan to deliver them to the action given their low defence value.
Human Tribesfolk
Huscarls as we knew them are gone. Now serving as an optional upgrade for up to two regiments of Tribesfolk. In their base form there has been an increase across the board in both Defence and Nerve, beware that this comes with accompanying hike in points and if you want to take advantage of the Tundra Fighter synergies that’s another cost increase. They’re certainly more impressive than they were, especially when you stack some of the available auras on them. A horde with the Tundra Fighters upgrade will set you back 265pts which does make me pause.
Ice-Kin Hunters
As before they are deadly accurate, can shuffle forwards to be in range for a first turn volley without penalty thanks to scout and are a source of Frozen if you want to make the most of Elf Clan Warriors. Mantic didn’t see a need to mess with perfection. The new models make them even more tempting than ever before.
Ice Naiads
These girls are living their best life right now. Someone snuck in the Icy Blood special rule to give them Lifeleech if they are punching a Frozen opponent. If you take them you’ll want to pay for the Tundra Fighters upgrade. If you’re feeling really extravagant they can be upgraded with Phalanx and more attacks. I loved using Ice Naiads before, now I’m really loving them.
Pack Hunters
An excellent unit that can gain Tundra Fighters for 5pts. Did I mention their bows now have 24″ range? I guess someone realised the Elves and Humans should share archery tips.
Ice Elementals
This Golden unit faded from the limelight when their Ice Shards became a ranged rather than magical attack and no longer an answer to Stealthy units. Now their proximity conveys the Frozen rule and their Ice Shards are increased to 12″ range. Love it.
Tundra Wolves
Sharing a name with the best Magic: The Gathering card makes them cool. Having the addition of Pathfinder for no extra cost makes them immensely cool. Now that’s an impressive fast cavalry unit you got there.
Frost Fang Cavalry
A very welcome points reduction has been applied to these murder bears. Although if you want to upgrade them with the Tundra Fighters special rule they come back up to their previous cost.
Frostclaw Riders
*Chefs Kiss* this unit is just yummy. A lack of flying (unless you wanted a huge cuddly Chimera) in the Northern Alliance list made for some difficult moments on the table. Now we have a flying unit that hits hard on the charge, adds the Frozen rule to units it damages in combat and can hurl ice bombs 18″ inches with an upgrade. This unit is going to shake up the Northern Alliance meta and list building in interesting ways. Previously the Northern Alliance list gave us variety, now it gives real flexibility.
Cavern Dweller
Now with Chilling Presence to make enemy units within 6″ gain the Frozen special rule. Without this it would be resigned to the model shelf, as it lets you take advantage of Tundra Fighters this nasty beast remains relevant.
Frost Giant
For a 5pt increase the Frost Giant sports the Chilling Presence special rule to support Tundra Fighter synergy and… OMG, the giant now has Fury! Nice!
Ice Blade
Now with Tundra fighters for synergy goodness. Let me know if you ever actually use this hero.
Ice Queen
Our first bit of bad news which needs considering; Very Inspiring has been downgraded to Inspiring. I get why this choice was made but it’s thrown my usual approach out as I can’t rely on Ice Queens to anchor my lines the same way. Fortunately the army isn’t short of options for sources of Inspiring.
Onto the good stuff. Ice Queens no longer come with Icy Breath built in so you get a cheaper base cost if you aren’t interested in that spell or trading it for surge. That’s very welcome as it provides flexibility and will lead to some interesting builds.
Lord
Now with Tundra Fighters for synergy goodness.
Skald
An interesting addition has been made the the Skald. Now she generates an aura of Ordered March – Infantry only. That’s kind cool. Move my Half-Elf Beserkers 12″ and still get a 90 degree turn?
Thegn
Now with Tundra Fighters for synergy goodness,
Frostclaw Champion
Everything we ever wanted for the Northern Alliance and full to bursting with goodness. It hits like a hammer on the charge and keeps going until routed thanks to Fury. With Icy Runes you can give the Frozen special rule to a unit wounded in combat so throw this adorable bird into a multi-charge and fight first to activate Tundra Fighters for the other units in the combat. If a flying murder bird isn’t enough, she can also take Ice Bombs to hurl whilst setting up the perfect charge.
Lord on Frostfang
A welcome 10pt reduction in cost although accompanied by the loss of one attack. Given it’s still an 8 attack model if you take the Snow Fox upgrade it’s hardly an inconvenience to lose that attack. Now with Tundra Fighters.
Thegn on Frostfang
Now with Tundra Fighters for synergy goodness.
Lord on Chimera
A ten point reduction and Tundra Fighters? Nice. I mean still not a unit I’d take but a welcome change.
Orlaf the Barbarian
This is interesting. Orlaf is pretty much as he was with one cool addition. He has been given the Aura (Slayer Melee D3 – Infantry) from the previous Formation as standard. Given the guy is a fighting machine and the previous formation was kinda cool you may get some mileage sending him in with a bunch of Half-Elf Beserkers or Tribesfolk with Two-handed weapons.
Serakina the Ice Queen
I got exactly what I wanted with Serakina’s update. You now roll to wound with any of her Wind Blast dice that hit. The lack of offensive capability was frustrating and now she has a chance to cause some damage. The cherry on top is a 10pt reduction in cost.
Clarion
Ok people. Keep leaving Clarion out your lists and next update he’ll have so many new abilities we won’t need any other units. Mantic really, really want to make their golden boy a beloved character. He now adds Tundra Fighters and Herald of the North that allows him to give the Frozen special rule to a nearby enemy unit. A great choice of character but you’re probably better off with a Frostclaw Champion.
Hrimm, Legendary Tall-Boi
Now with Chilling Presence to make nearby enemy units gain the Frozen special rule and kick off that Tundra Fighters synergy for other units. If you don’t need him as a source of inspiring then I might advise saving a few points and going for the standard Frost Giant to benefit from Fury.
Talannar’s Vanguard
Using the contents of the Ambush set this is a pretty cool formation. You get two troops of Half-Elf Beserkers who gain Crushing Strength (1) and a Regiment of Frostclaw Riders with a boost to nerve and Rallying (1 – Half-Elf Only) which is, cool? I guess? Probably best in smaller games? I’m honestly not sure how I’d make use of this Formation but I’ve seen several folks really enthused which is generally an indication they know something I don’t
