Ace

Template:Cygbox This model is playable only in an Unlimited format.

Designed in secret by the Cygnaran Armory to carry out covert operations for the Cygnaran Reconnaissance Service, Ace was built as a one-of-a-kind prototype. The machine integrated an experimental mechanikal device intended to camouflage the warjack, rendering it almost invisible in the field. Though the original chassis of the ’jack was destroyed during an operation in Llael in 596 AR, Allister Caine was able to recover Ace’s cortex. Since the warjack’s reconstruction, Caine has relied on it during a number of CRS missions requiring an abundance of both discretion and firepower.

Basic Info

Abilities

• Template:Construct
• Template:Pathfinder
• Template:Bond
  • Template:Shadow Fire
  • Template:Thunderbolt
  • Template:Trick Shot
• Template:Infiltrate
• Template:True Sight

Weapons

Rune Shot Cannon
File:Gun icon.jpg		RNG			ROF			AOE			POW
		14			1			Template:-			12
Template:Magical Damage Attack Type - Only when bonded with Caine (see above).
Battle Axe
File:Sword icon.jpg		RNG				POW				P+S
		1				4				12

Theme Forces

• When taken by Caine0
  • Template:Heavy Metal
  • Template:Sons of the Tempest
  • Infernal players can take Caine0 and Ace in the Template:Hearts of Darkness theme, but only if Sloan is leading the army. Ace gains Accumulator [Soulless] in this theme.

• When taken by Caine1, Caine2, or Caine3 in Cygnar
  • Template:Gravediggers
  • Template:Heavy Metal
  • Template:Sons of the Tempest
  • Template:Storm Division. Ace gains Immunity: Electricity in this theme.

• When taken by Caine3 in Mercenaries
  • Template:Llaelese Resistance
  • Template:Steelies
  • Template:The Irregulars
  • Ace becomes a Mercenary model when taken in these themes.

• When taken by anyone else
  • Template:Sons of the Tempest

Thoughts on Ace

File:Caine0.jpg

Caine0

File:Caine1.jpg

Caine1

File:Caine2.jpg

Caine2

File:Caine3.jpg

Caine3

Ace in a nutshell

He's a shooty light, normally only seen with one of the various Caines. Despite being built on the Hunter chassis, he's not an ARM-cracker. Instead he prefers to be go after key support models, generally solos, that lurk near jacks or behind units.

Besides being a solo hunter extraordinaire thanks to True Sight, Ace is good for clearing out small Stealth units from long range using Trick Shot. Ace is also handy for getting a reliable Shadow Fire onto a key model blocking Caine2's line of sight by virtue of using his Power Up focus to boost to hit - because if you're taking anything in Caine's army, chances are it's to help him kill the opponent's Warcaster or Warlock.

Combos & Synergies

As a rule of thumb, Ace is a very self-sufficient warjack with any version of Caine. It is usually satisfied with the power-up focus, and you will usually use it to boost the attack roll to land an important hit on key targets with Shadow Fire, or Trick Shot.

With Caine0
Caine0 has to bring a warjack, and Ace is an excellent choice with great synergy and relatively low cost. Ace lets Caine0 keep most of his focus for his own guns and helps keep him safe with Infiltrate. Together they're fast, independent, and efficient solo hunters.

With Caine1
Ace can allow Caine1 to be extremely aggressive with his feat, as you run both of them forwards first turn (declare Infiltrate before starting the run) to get Caine positioned for a deadly, or at least wickedly inconvenient, feat on turn 2 that his enemies can't ignore. Sure, Caine1 can be this aggressive all on his own but Ace can make it a safer and more appealing prospect to try and pull off.

With Caine2
Shadow Fire attack can help Caine get a clear view on a hiding warcaster. And it is also another source for Trick Shot beside Caine's guns.

With Caine3
Ace is a considerable point burden, with its 10 point he is only slightly cheaper than another Cyclone, a jack which is considered to make the most out of Caine3's feat. However, Caine has to play forward to reliably deliver Calamity, and occasionally the stealthy aura from Infiltrate is all he needs to be safe from retaliation. Watch out that it only cloaks Caine, and not the B13 members.

Drawbacks & Downsides

• 90% of its field performance is tied to shooting (apart from occasional infiltration bubbles, and running for scoring). Anti-shooting techs make him really sad.
• The melee weapon is there for looks; if you're using it you're probably wishing you weren't.
• The gun, and by extension the entire jack, is really only interesting if it's getting the sweet buffs from the Caine bond. Off-themes it is usually too expensive for what it does as an ordinary (if magical) POW 12 gun simply doesn't do the work to justify a 10 point jack.

Tricks & Tips

• The "Bounce-off" - if you can't see a certain squishy support model, aim at something you can see and then Trick Shot into your real target.
• Trick-shot is great against lynchpin models with Sacrificial Pawn or Sucker! (like Kovnik Joe, or Madelyn). Because even if the initial shot has been re-assigned, the bouncing POW10 hit will get them. And the 4" radius of the Trick Shot surpasses the range limits of both abilities.

Other

Trivia

• Released in Warmachine: Reckoning (2015).
• Ace's first use by Caine is told in The Warcaster Chronicles: Volume One: The Way of Caine by Miles Holmes (April 30 2013)