Liberator

Crucible Arms ’jack mechaniks have taken the reliable Vanguard chassis and subjected it to systematic reconfiguration to produce several variant models, most notable among them the Liberator. To preserve the rare cortex materials required for traditional arc nodes, the Liberator is instead outfitted with an experimental new alchemical powered variant employing a formula of arcanely sensitive compounds. This apparatus is easier and cheaper to produce, allowing the Crucible Guard to deploy the machine in great numbers.

Basic Info

Abilities

• Template:Arc Node
• Template:Construct
• Template:Ashen Veil
• Template:Alchemically Treated
• Template:Experimental Arc Node
• Template:Node Capacitor

Weapons

Thurible
File:Sword icon.jpg		RNG				POW				P+S
		2				4				13
Template:Chain Weapon
Shield
File:Sword icon.jpg		RNG				POW				P+S
		0.5				2				11
Template:Shield

Theme Forces

• Crucible Guard
  • Template:Magnum Opus
  • Template:Primae Materia. This model gains Cutting Edge in this theme.

• Other Factions
  • Infernal players can use this model in the Template:Hearts of Darkness theme, but only if Lukas is leading the army.

Thoughts on Liberator

Liberator in a nutshell

The Liberator is a combat light warjack based on the Vanguard chassis that also sports a prototype Arcnode. It has basic combat abilities and has the best defensive statline for a light in the game thanks to its Ashen Veil and Shield rules.

The Experimental Arc Node is more reliable than you may expect the chance of burning it out with 2 spell casts is 1:36 and with the mechanics (and Cutting Edge) the advantage of being able to cast spells while engaged outweigh the potential damage you may suffer.

You should take the Liberator only if you need the arcnode, as for the same price you get the Vanguard, which is more flexible due to having a gun, Shield Guard, Assault and extra POW on its weapon. On the other hand between a shield and Ashen Veil as light warjacks go it is extremely tough, making it effectively a 15/19 against most shooting and almost all living enemies.

Combos & Synergies

• Aurum Legate Lukas di Morray is the obvious Crucible Guard spellslinger, overdosing on drugs to increase his FOCUS. Every Lukas list should start with a Liberator (after Alyce).
• Aurum Lucanum Athanor Locke has the excellent Jackhammer spell but bringing her near the front lines is risky, so a Liberator is a must-have with her.
• Syvestro is a spell-slinger who has plenty of good opportunities to use a melee arc node. Not a "must-have" for him but VERY good, especially for offensive Transmutation and Stygian Abyss.
• The Liberator has more niche use with the other CG casters. Benett for example has multiple 6” range spells she’d like to be able to reapply forward, but she is very mobile.
  • Specifically with Bennet, there is a bit of skornergy with the Liberator. Benett really wants to cast spells forward, but she has such good mobility & DEF she can usually just do the same job by herself without needing a Liberator.

Drawbacks & Downsides

• The Liberator is not a cheap light, and can struggle to provide output equivalent to its cost. Both the Retaliator & Vanguard are better value propositions for most lists.
• POW 13 makes it weak into armor so its more of an infantry and cavalry slayer that can help out with Shield Wall/Shield models here and there.
• There’s almost no reason to take a Liberator with Prospero since he only has the one spell that can be channeled. If you’re just buying into the faction, it’s usually better to get two Vanguards first.
• Models that ignore concealment or have fire immunity ignore Ashen Veil, models who circle around its shield or can turn it around with a spell ignore the shield, which results in a big dip in it's survivability.

Tricks & Tips

• Thanks to its quirky arcnode you can still charge in, maul what you can AND still channel that spell you wanted on that unit so badly.
• Provided the Arc Node is not crippled by incoming damage, you only have a 1/9 chance that the node will burn out in two spells (this means an 8/9 chance you get a minimum of three spells, sans repair). For Mackay, Locke, Gearhart, and Syvestro, three spells is often more than enough to justify the presence of a melee arc node. Lukas may want to consider a second Liberator or a Mechanic.

Other

Trivia

Released with the Faction launch (2018.06)