Theme - The Bones of Orboros
This mk3 Theme Force has no equivalent in mk4. You can build a similar army in Unlimited Circle(if/when the models in this theme get ported to mk4 rules) |
Since the order’s inception, the blackclads of the Circle Orboros have passed down the secrets of shaping and animating wood and stone to do their bidding as wolds. The product of ancient rites and blood sacrifices, these massive stone constructs patrol the old places of the world and ensure the sacred sites of the order remain untouched by outsiders, falling upon intruders without hesitation to crush them under fist and foot. The druids also summon forth these stone constructs to batter into submission those threats too large or well-defended to succumb to the Circle’s traditional hit-and-run tactics, using brute force to buckle the armor of machines and shatter the bones of great beasts.
Theme Rules
- For the core rules on how Theme Forces work, see this article.
Theme Restrictions
An army made use the The Bones of Orboros theme force can include only the following Circle models:
- Circle warlocks
- Non-character Construct warbeasts
- Megalith
- Template:Stone models/units
- Template:Blackclad solos
- Circle structures
- Stoneward & Woldstalkers units
- Gallows Grove solos
- Celestial Fulcrum battle engines
- This army can also include one Minion solo and one Minion unit that will work for Circle.
- These models/units can be included even if they have the Partisan [Circle] rule.
- Minion units in this army can include non-Ranking Officer attachments
Full model list
Requisition Options
Each Requistion Point can be spent on either:
- Two Shifting Stones units
- One Sentry Stone & Mannikins unit
- Two Blackclad Stoneshaper solos
- Three Gallows Grove solos
- One other small- or medium-based Circle solo with cost 5 or less
Theme Bonuses
- Before leeching during each of your Control Phases, you can remove up to 1 damage point from each Circle warbeast.
- Friendly models/units can begin the game affected by the upkeep spells of models in this army.
- These spells and their targets must be declared before either player deploys their models.
- Warlocks in this army do not have to pay fury to upkeep their spells during your first turn of the game.
- Note: As currently worded, lesser warlocks get to start with upkeeps in play, but have to pay for them. This may be a typo though.
Thoughts on The Bones of Orboros
Bones of Orboros in a nutshell
This Circle theme force is sometimes known as the "Sticks and Stones" theme because it's made up entirely of druids and rocks. During most of 2016 and 2017 it wasn't considered very strong by players, but in November 2017 many of the models in the theme were buffed, and since then it's become more popular.
It's a pretty strong all-comers list, with WoldWights, Sentry Stones, and Wold Wardens able to maul infantry, while the Stoneshaper and both heavies maul heavies, and it has an impressive scenario presence.
In terms of what models are available, there's a lot of overlap with Call of the Wild and Secret Masters, so any of the three themes are a good option to start a new Circle collection.
List Building Tips
Most lists are battlegroup-heavy, with a couple of Sentry Stones for screening, some Shifting Stones for Fury management, and some Blackclad Wayfarers for threat range. The two Wold heavies are both good
The Celestial Fulcrum synergises exceptionally well with the theme force. However since it’s release the Well of Orboros has mostly replaced the fulcrum due to being half the cost at that time. 2021.10 the fulcrum's point cost got reduced to 16 so it might find it's way back into the theme now.
The requisition options are all excellent:
- Two Blackclad Stoneshaper solos, worth four points, used to be the first pick - but they are now four points so a trap option given that good six and five point choices exist.
- Two units of Shifting Stones are also six points and necessary in most Bones lists. Take first.
- A Sentry Stone & Mannikins at five points is excellent. They are such a great unit to the point that, before theme forces existed, every competitive Circle list included two of them. The only reason not to take a Sentry Stone as one of your requisition options is that you spent all your requisition on the other options.
- Three Gallows Grove solos is generally overkill; few warlocks need that many. However if you were already planning to pay for two Gallows and have a free Sentry Stone (at a cost of four points) it might be worth taking three Gallows for free and paying for the Sentry Stone (at a cost of five points).
- The other solos just doesn't compete. A Blackclad Wayfarer or your third Blackclad Stoneshaper are excellent things to include in your army, but don't waste a Requisition Point on them. Just use regular army points to add them to your list.
Starting a 25 point Brawl list
In 2020.10 Phillip Melvin, one of the LOS authors, put together this list for the Brawlmachine format. He even wrote about it's playstyle and expanding it beyond 25 points, which you can read here. This has been updated to use post October 2021 point values
- Baldur2: [+30 WBP]
- Megalith: [17 pts]
- Woldwarden: [13 pts]
- Woldwyrd: [8 pts]
- Woldwatcher: [8 pts]
- Blackclad Stoneshaper: [2 pts]
- Chuck Dogwood: [4 pts]
- Shifting Stones: [3 pts]
- Sentry Stone & Mannikins [free] Template:Grey
Total RRP: $197 (based on PP's online store prices 2021.11)
Warlock thoughts
He allows free charges and has a damage buff. Boosted Roots of Earth is a 3d6 crit knockdown, leading to assassinations. On the other hand his Solid Ground and providing cover belong to other lists so
Allows both free running and charging for beasts. Wold Wardens are going to mix Crevasse and just giving themselves Roots of Earth regardless of whether it's feat turn or not. This gets grindy. He can build a strong list around two Woldwraths.
He is a pure construct warlock with Synergy, Rift, a mobility feat, and discounted animi.
She has interesting options with Blood Spiller being cast by wardens and can Synergy. Unfortuntely Brad generally plays the same way as she does in this theme, but he does it better.
He loves the hard hitting Wold Guardians and their slew of support and has 3 upkeeps he can put in play at the start of the game.
Was an old solution to infantry-spam with Forked Lightning spam. Gale Winds and free forests combine to make our rocky beasts DEF 15 against incoming shooting.
He is s a scenario caster and gives both Gallows and Lightning Storm.
Gets Crevice and can Gallows Grove a damage buff.
Casts Rift all over everything which is medium AoEs to break infantry - and she scything touches to break armour.
Other
Trivia
Released 2017.02