Thorn

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

Haley's very favorite robot, an artifact from her first days as a warcaster, has been endlessly refitted, rebuilt, and upgraded with the most advanced arc node technology available to Cygnaran military science.

Basic Info

Abilities

• Template:Construct
• Template:Arc Node
• Template:Bond
• Template:Dodge
• Template:Reaction Drive
• Template:Set Defense

Weapons

Shock Shield
File:Sword icon.jpg		RNG				POW				P+S				LOCATION
		0.5				2				11				Left
Template:Shield Template:Cortex Damage Template:Shock Field
Disruption Spear
File:Sword icon.jpg		RNG				POW				P+S				LOCATION
		2				5				14				Right
Template:Disruption

Theme Forces

• When taken by Haley
  • Template:Gravediggers
  • Template:Heavy Metal
  • Template:Sons of the Tempest
  • Template:Storm Division. Thorn gains Immunity: Electricity in this theme.

• When taken by anyone else
  • Template:Heavy Metal

Thoughts on Thorn

Thorn in a nutshell

File:Haley1 new.jpg

Haley1

Thorn is an upgraded Lancer, and does all of its duties plus more ... for a trivial number of extra points. Reaction Drive can change charge vectors and act as a straight threat extender, which you can double up on if you arc spells such as Telekinesis through its Arc Node. Dodge turns it into an utter nuisance, especially when you consider that Set Defense makes it quite hard to hit for most models without boosting.

Its bond with Haley means that her assassination runs can be very hard to stop, particular with Major Victoria Haley and her Telekinesis shenanigans.

Compared to a Lancer, Thorn gains:

• Extra melee hitting power: extra MAT, extra POW, and disruption on its spear.
• Extra mobility: the Reaction Drive and Dodge speed it up and help it get odd places.
• Extra survivability: Dodge means that if anyone misses an attack in melee against it it just walks out of combat and the other attacks are wasted.

Combos & Synergies

File:Haley2.jpg

Haley2

• Before Theme forces started to dominate the game, Thorn was a no-brainer "upgrade" for anyone's Lancer who wanted to arc a spell with any sort of regularity. If you really want to use him outside of Haley, it's got to be in Heavy Metal.
• Thorn can work well with any iteration of Victoria Haley. Since it can channel even when engaged, almost any of their spells, particularly the offensive ones, are a serious threat to the enemy.
  • Haley2 and Haley3 - DEF buffs increase the chance of activating Dodge.
  • Haley3's past iteration (or Siege1 can Force Hammer something to knock it down. If you then Disrupt it, i cannot get back up.
  • In Heavy Metal you have access to Morrowan Archons. Thorn's effective DEF starts to get silly in melee, even more so if your opponent charges.
  • Consider casting Evasive Action from Arlan. If the enemy gets a bead on you, Thorn gets its 2" move, whether or not they'll hit.
  • Telekinesis and Domination can foul up any attempts by enemy Warjacks to stand in your way.
  • As ever, Arcane Shield is a good pick. Thorn is a big and important target in Haley's battlegroup.
• Strangewayes - Free Focus is always nice, but the more interesting tool in his box is Evasive Action. Using it in conjunction with Dodge will ensure that if the enemy fires at Thorn, you get to move, no matter if they hit or miss.
• An Ironclad can knock down a warjack, an Avenger can do the same at range, or Stall in melee, and Thorn can disrupt it to prevent shaking.
• Darius can stationary a warjack with Arcantrik Bolt.

Drawbacks & Downsides

File:Haley3.jpg

Haley3

• It is disallowed in the theme forces for everyone but Haley. Outside themes, when compared to a Lancer, there are virtually no downsides.
• There is a massive target painted on Thorn's head. Although it's easy to buff its DEF, bonuses to attack rolls are on the rise as well.
• Those extra 3 points can be important in smaller sized games.

Tricks & Tips

• It is one of only two non-warcaster models in faction with straight disruption (the other being the lightning pod on the stormwall). All the other sources are critical disruption. Use this to your advantage.
• Reaction Drive has a few uses:
  • Move it forward, arc a spell through it then use the move to get out of charge range or into a defensive position.
  • Arc a spell through it first and use it as a threat extender for Thorn's own charge or to arc a further spell through it that has a shorter range.
  • Haley2 in particular can do all of this while Thorn is engaged, potentially putting it deep into enemy lines.
  • Even if your Warcaster doesn't have any offensive spells you want to cast, Arcing a support spell through Thorn onto a friendly unit or even Thorn itself is a good way to activate Reaction Drive.
    • Arcing Telekinesis adds 5" to its movement between the two effects. In a straight line, it can engage nearly any unit, even cavalry from outside of their threat range.
• Watch out for targeted system destruction; models with the Marksman/Precision Strike rule will decrease the usefulness of Thorn pretty fast, and it usually operates too forward to enjoy the support of the repair crews.
• Haley3's time echoes don't benefit from Thorn's bond or Reaction Drive. (See #Rules Clarifications).

Other

Trivia

• Released in Warmachine: Legends (2008)