Harlan Versh, Illuminated One

File:MercenariesLogo.jpg File:Cygnar Logo.jpg

Template:FH2

Trained to hunt witches and worse, the wizards of the Order of Illumination, known simply as the Illuminated, serve to protect western Immoren from the threat of witchcraft. As one might expect of any group with such an aggressive mission, the Order of Illumination counts numerous powers among its enemies - chiefly the insidious Infernals. Their consummate foe, Illuminated One Harlan Phineas Versh prepares to banish their darkness with a blast of his blessed quad-iron.

Basic Info

Mercenary - This model will work for Template:Khador Mercenary, or as a Template:Cygnar Partisan

• Template:Partisan

Abilities

• Template:Stealth
• Template:Sacred Ward
• Template:Witch Hunter

Weapons

• Malleus - 10" range, ROF d3+1, POW 10 ranged attack
  • Template:Magical Weapon
  • Template:Blessed
  • Template:Purgation
• Sword - 1" reach, P+S 10 melee attack
  • Damage Type: Magical
  • Blessed
  • Purgation

Theme Forces

• Mercenary
  • Template:Flame in the Darkness
  • Template:The Irregulars

• Cygnar
  • As a Mercenary solo he can go in any Cygnar theme, however he'll use your "Up to one Mercenary solo" slot (most of the time).
  • Template:Flame in the Darkness. He doesn't use up your Mercenary solo slot in this theme.
  • Template:Gravediggers
  • Template:Heavy Metal. He doesn't use up your Mercenary solo slot in this theme.
  • Template:Sons of the Tempest
  • Template:Storm Division. He gains Immunity: Electricity in this theme.

• Other Factions
  • Mercenary models can be hired by other Factions. Normally those Factions' themes will have a limit on how many models they can hire. Refer to #Other Theme Forces, below.
  • Aside from that, there are a few themes that will change what Faction this model counts as (and thus what "friendly Faction only" buffs it can receive). They are:
    • Khador players can use this model in the Flame in the Darkness theme.

Thoughts on Harlan Versh

Harlan Versh in a nutshell

Harlan is a self supporting combat solo, who punishes units and low ARM models with upkeeps on them thanks to his Purgation gun. His Stealth ability keeps him alive to get close enough to unload. In case of Cygnar most people take him with Constance Blaize to spend Focus on his melee attack, achieving up to 4D6 damage even without a charge against targets with upkeeps on them, or as a cheap solution to give Focus to Gallant due to Accumulator. In Khador he's not that popular, since other ranged solos like Kell Bailoch can take care of Incorporeal stuff just fine, and due to Deadly Shot can cause damage even to the heaviest targets without needing to expose himself.

Combos & Synergies

• Gallant loves a Morrowan model to Accumulate from - Versh is cheap and relatively hard to kill.
• Constance Blaize, Knight of the Prophet gets to boost his melee damage rolls.
• With Countermeasure from either Kraye or MacBain, he can be a pain to remove thanks to Stealth. Sacred Ward also removes another avenue that some armies might normally take to remove stealthed and/or Countermeasure solos.
• Haley1 or Haley2 can make him shoot his excellent gun an extra time, increasing his already high rate of fire even more.

Drawbacks & Downsides

• His ideal target is low-to-mid ARM targets that have an upkeep spell on them. He's not that good if your opponent doesn't provide you with that target.
• ROF d3+1 can let you down.
• Range 10 exposes him to counterattacks after he shoots - Reposition in Heavy Metal somewhat eases that.

Tricks & Tips

• Barring pot shots at warcaster/warlocks and magic solos, he should be spending most of his time shooting buffed front-line units and assisting in the occasional assassination run (should your opponent be foolish enough to put an upkeep on their 'caster and leave Versh alive).
• Staying un-engaged and firing Malleus is typically a better choice than charging, unless you really, really want to roll four damage dice on the charge.
• He works best when holding back and wreaking havoc on incoming infantry while remaining well-protected from counterattacks.
  • Most Trollblood buffs (notably the Krielstone's Protective Aura) are not spells, so Harlan gets no bonuses against them.
  • He doesn't ignore Stealth, even if the target received Stealth from a spell or ability granted by a spell (Occultation and Prowl, for example).
  • Blessed doesn't ignore effects of a spell that indirectly grant a DEF/ARM bonus. For instance, a spell that grants concealment - Harlan wouldn't ignore the +2DEF because they're getting it from the concealment, not the spell.
  • Gatorman Posse, Choir of Menoth, and Fell Caller Heros using their various prayers and songs are not casting spells, so they will not trigger Witch Hunter.

Other

Trivia

File:Harlan Alt.jpg

Harlequin Versh, Limited Edition Sculpt (Mini Crate)

• Template:LES
• Released in Forces of Warmachine: Mercenaries (2010)