Steelhead Halberdiers

Steelheads are willing to fight anyone, anywhere, anytime—as long as the pay is right. Working in concert, Steelhead riflemen thin out enemy lines with concentrated fire before the halberdiers charge in to cut down foes with practiced precision. Numerous, well-trained, and well-equipped, the soldiers of the Steelhead Mercenary Company are the best money can buy.

Basic Info

Mercenary - This unit will work for Template:Crucible Guard mercenary, Template:Cryx Mercenary, Template:Cygnar Mercenary, Template:Khador Mercenary, or Template:Menoth Mercenary.

Abilities

• Template:CMA
• Template:Set Defense

Weapons

• Halberd - 2" reach, P+S 11 melee attack
  • Template:Powerful Charge

Theme Forces

• Mercenary'
  • Template:Operating Theatre (Only if a Cephalyx Dominator is attached)
  • Template:Steelies
  • Template:The Kingmakers Army. Steelhead Halberdiers gain Feign Death in this theme.

• Other Factions
  • Infernal players can use this unit in the Template:Hearts of Darkness theme, but only if Crosse2 is leading the army.
  • Furthermore, Mercenaries 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.

Thoughts on Steelhead Halberdiers

Steelhead Halberdiers in a nutshell

Steelhead Halberdiers embody the strengths of the Mercenary faction. They among the cheapest infantry around, yet surprisingly effective. For 11 points you get an 11" charge threat, 2" melee range, Combined Melee Attack, Set Defense and Powerful Charge on a solid 13/13 frame, meaning they are capable of contributing against almost anything (although armor is a bit of a problem) with no help, can take a charge, and aren't going to die to every blast that lands on them. Again, you get 10 bodies with all of that for 11 points. They are one of the finest units in the game point for point.

Combos & Synergies

Steelhead Halberdiers are part of the Steelhead boat - they can either be used as cannon fodder to stop bullets and blunt charges or with their fellow steelheads.

• Captain Damiano - the Captain of the Steelheads allows them to Reposition 5" if he spends a coin.
• Steelhead Heavy Cavalry add a hard hitting charge to come in behind the Steelheads and get to flank with them.
• Sergeant Nicolas Verendrye hands out Wall of Steel and brings them back
• Stannis Brocker lets everyone move through everyone else. Normally enabling heavy cav to charge straight over the top of halberdiers on the countercharge.
• Alexia, Mistress of the Witchfire - they provide cheap souls for her and get turned into Thrall Warriors. You can do similar things with Alexia Ciannor & the Risen with their bodies.
• ARM-fixing solos like Ragman, Lady Aiyana & Master Holt or Gorman Di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist help out with their relatively weak hitting power.
• The Kingmaker's Army theme force allows them and lets them get Stannis or the like for free - it's a good way of running a steelhead boat.
• Soldiers of Fortune is the real Steelhead theme and lets them get Stannis and Alexia2 for free. It's a better way of running a Steelhead boat.

Drawbacks & Downsides

• Considering how good they are, any gripes you may have about their deficiences are answered by their 7/11 point cost.

Tricks & Tips

• They are wonderful as a front line unit to soak up casualties while you deliver the business end of your army.
• They operate well on flanks needing no buffs to put damage on high ARM targets or hit high DEF ones.
• Use Damiano's reposition ability to charge them out of zones and move back in.

Other

Trivia

Released in Warmachine: Superiority (2006)