Shadow Trolls Subfaction

Shadow Trolls are a more pure form of troglodytes with greater connection to their elemental plane. They exist only partially in the Material Plane. As a result, they are ethereal entities are ethereal, a fact enabling them to penetrate armor, pass through objects and rendering them difficult to damage.

Like fleeting shadows they slink across the lands striking terror into those with the misfortune to encounter them. With such an intimate connection to their plane of origin, Shadow Trolls are able to wield powerful but subtle shade magic.

All Shadow Trolls were created upon the elemental plane of Shadow, formed from the shadows cast by the other four elements, and the degree of influence from each plane during their formation determines their nature. Lighteaters are made of shadow cast predominantly by creatures on the Plane of Fire, while Longshadows are a near-perfect blend cast by all four cardinal elements.

Obsidian Nightmare

Background

When the accursed element of Darkness was spawned, it shattered the cosmic balance; in the Material Plane the sky was ripped open and gloom spewed forth across the worlds carrying with it new denizens from the Plane of Shadow. The mightiest of these were accounted lords in their native realm, and became known to Mortals as Obsidian Nightmares.

It is said that beneath their long dark robes and armor of iron they appear as nebulous shadows of humanoid form; however few can confirm this, for to look into a Nightmare’s eyes is to know madness.

In battle Obsidian Nightmare’s are horrifying masters of malice, towering over most foes, and wielding their favored weapon – a massive flail which can crush an armored man with one blow.

Game Role

A Troglodyte warband focused on the Shadow-Trolls subfaction will naturally demand a shadow warlord in order to make use of their subfaction ability, but the Obsidian Nightmare is also a fun warlord to lead general, mixed Troglodyte warbands. In essence he is a spellcasting melee warlord with plenty of abilities which make him impressive

Firstly, the Nightmare causes Fear in ALL models in the game, even those normally immune – which includes enemy warlords. Secondly, he can cast spells while engaged in melee.

This warlord is probably the most difficult to kill model in Godslayer Wave-1. DEF13 and ARM9 are only average in the game but can be improved with a talisman option. But most significantly, the Nightmare has 18 life-points and the ability Ethereal, which makes him suffer only half damage from non-enchanted attacks. Additionally, he can auto-heal D3 life-points for free each round.

As mentioned, he can take 2 spells and is also a melee warlord with a MEL of 7 and some powerful 2-handed weapons to choose from.

In addition, he can give other models in the warband Concealment. So he really deserves his name of Nightmare.

Longshadows

Background

The natural state of a Longshadow is two-dimensional but in order to interact with other beings they assume a three-dimensional form, covering themselves in ragged cloaks. When travelling beyond their borders they often don chainmail and helmets of iron. The substance composing Longshadows is only partial real, and this makes them unpredictable enemies to fight since a sword which penetrates their armor might strike solid matter, causing damage or might simply pass right through.

To Longshadows, Mortals are a parasite foreign to the cosmos (on a par with demons), and represent a dangerously unstable variable which can easily upset the elemental balance. To their enemies, Longshadows are a cold and emotionless terror of unfathomable designs which can hide anywhere and strike without warning at any moment.

Game Role

Longshadows are an elite unit of the Shadow Trolls and this is clear when you examine their talents. Most of the time they are Ethereal, so suffer half demage from non-enchanted attacks. This effectively their life points of 8 to 16.

In combat they can make melee attacks or magical attacks which ignore armor. Even better, their magical attack has a range of 8 inches so they do not even need to get close-up to use it. They make an ideal damage dealer sitting behind your wall of Ironhide Brutes or horde of Gnolls.

Besides that, they can also take 2 spells which are defensive and protective in nature.

Lighteater

Background

Even upon the elemental Plane of Shadow there exist predators terrifying to its regular denizens – primal vestiges from the earliest age, enigmatic even to Shadow Trolls. One of these is the so-called Lighteater. Malevolent and mad mages among the Troglodytes summon these entities for their nefarious schemes.

Lighteaters are borne of the shadows of Fire and are the nemesis of light. They are beings able to quench raging infernos and darken the midday sun, for they suck in the power of light and heat, feeding on them, and converting them to tendrils of shadow.

The speed and slippery nature of Lighteaters make them ideal for clandestine missions and raids. In war they slide across the battlefield eliminating key foes such as enemy spell-casters and war-machines.

Game Role

This model is useful in any kind of Troglodyte warband. His primary usefulness is protecting friendly units with his tactic shroud of Blacking (+2 Def against shooting) and his tactic Eclipse which allows the placement of a haze template, blocking line of sight. This tactic when used at a critical moment, can win you the game.

Together with the Obsidian Nightmare and 1-2 Lighteaters, you can effectively protect most of your warband from either shooting, magic or charges.

Due to his Spectral strider ability, he can potentially move up to 8 times per round (with you use a specific combo). This makes it ideal for running down the flanks to take out missiles troops and war-machines, binding enemies for a later charge, and generally for scenario objectives.

The Ethereal ability combined with 13 life points mean it can last quite well in melee, but keep it away from models with enchanted attacks.