Swashbuckler

Mercenary Soldiers of Fortune Talion Charter Colossal Warjack

Model stats and abilities

Model Statistics

Base size = 50 mm		SPD	MAT	RAT	DEF	ARM	FURY	THR
Health = 30
FA = 4
Cost = 12		5	6	6	12	18	4	9
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Model Advantages and Abilities

Unstoppable	This model does not have to forfeit its Combat Action when it advances or is placed out of one or more enemy models' melee ranges during its Normal Movement. No errata for Unstoppable (Create)
Trample Power Attack	This model can make a trample power attack. No errata for Trample Power Attack (Create)
Slam Power Attack	This model can make slam power attacks. No errata for Slam Power Attack (Create)
Headbutt Power Attack	This model can make Headbutt power attacks. No errata for Headbutt Power Attack (Create)
Dual Attack	This model can make melee and ranged attacks in the same activation. When this model makes its initial melee attacks, it can also make its initial ranged attacks. A model with Dual Attack can make its initial melee and ranged attacks in any order you choose. This model cannot make ranged attacks after making a power attack.   Errata-Dual Attack and Unit Charges (2023-10-27) Question: If a unit with Dual Attack charges a single model, are all placed in melee range, and the first model kills the charge target, can the remaining members of the unit make ranged attacks, or do they forfeit their Combat Action because they don't have any enemy models in their melee range? Answer: The check for melee range is done at the end of movement. If you kill the targets before they attack, they can still do their ranged attack. (Malkav13) Explanation: This post is correct. Infernal Ruling: elswickchuck (Bulldog) - PP Community forum   Errata-Dual Attack and Special Attacks (2023-08-10) Question: Can a model with Dual Attack make any combination of ranged special attack and normal melee initial attacks, or its melee special attack and normal ranged initial attacks? (Example: Bison Both Barrels and Ram, or Mariner Thresher and gunshot). Answer: No. Explanation: The bison can not use dual attack and also make a special attack. That is correct in that (Thresher) example too. Infernal Ruling: elswickchuck (Bulldog) - PP Community forum
Construct	This model is a construct, and is not a living model. No errata for Construct (Create)

Weapons

RANGED
	RNG	ROF	AOE	POW	LOCATION
	10	d3	-	13	-
Pistol	A model making an attack with this weapon targeting a model it is in melee with ignores the Target in Melee bonus when resolving this attack.   Errata-Pistol (2023-09-17) Question: Does the pistol benefit apply to models not in melee with the attacking model when the pistol is on a spray? Answer: No, it only applies to models with which the attacking model is in melee. Explanation: The intent is that a model only ignore the penalty for being in melee with the models that model is in melee with. Pistol only works against the models in the melee with the attacking model. Infernal Ruling: Dark Legacy - PP Community forum

MELEE
	RNG	ROF	AOE	POW	LOCATION
	1	-	-	15	X2
SOMETHING	Category:SOMETHING No errata for SOMETHING (Create)

Errata

No Errata specifically for this model.

Release Trivia

Released in

Lore

The Swashbuckler takes unique advantage of the adroitness of its underlying chassis, built expressly for the purpose of navigating a ship’s deck even when tossed by winds at sea. Engines East employed a cortex custom-built to augment capability in melee as well as superlative situational awareness. Privateers enjoy them in particular for their usefulness during boarding operations, either on the offense or defense. Firing a short-ranged cannon in one hand and wielding a cutlass in the other, the Swashbuckler is aptly named: it walks with a similar swagger to its human counterpart.

Basic Info

Abilities

• Template:Amphibious
• Template:Assault
• Template:Construct
• Template:Defensive Strike
• Template:Dodge
• Template:Duelist

Weapons

Cutlass
File:Sword icon.jpg		RNG				POW				P+S				LOCATION
		1				5				13				Right
Clamp
File:Sword icon.jpg		RNG				POW				P+S				LOCATION
		0.5				3				11				Left
Template:Open Fist
Clamp Cannon
File:Gun icon.jpg		RNG			ROF			AOE			POW			LOCATION
		6"			1			Template:-			12			Left

Theme Forces

• Mercenaries
  • Template:Flame in the Darkness
  • Template:Llaelese Resistance
  • Template:Operating Theatre
  • Template:Soldiers of Fortune
  • Template:Strange Bedfellows
  • Template:The Irregulars. If it is 'jack marshalled in this theme, it gains Flank [Warrior]
  • Template:The Kingmaker's Army
  • Template:The Talion Charter

• Other Factions
  • Convergence players can use this warjack in the Template:Strange Bedfellows theme, or by putting it in Aurora2's, Asphyxious4's, or Nemo4's battlegroup in various themes.
  • Cryx players can use this warjack by putting it in Asphyxious4's battlegroup in various themes.
  • Cygnar players can use this warjack in the Template:Flame in the Darkness theme, or by putting it in Nemo4's battlegroup in various themes.
  • Infernal players can take this model in the Template:Hearts of Darkness theme, but only if Crosse2 is leading the army. This model gains Accumulator [Soulless] in this theme.
  • Khador players can use this warjack in the Template:Flame in the Darkness theme.
  • Aside from that, Mercenary warjacks can be taken in a plethora of Faction's themes via by putting it under the control of a Mercenary 'Jack Marshal or Mercenary "Junior Warcaster" (see #Who can take this warjack?). However the "Faction Type" of the warjack doesn't change when you do it this way.

Thoughts on the Swashbuckler

Swashbuckler in a nutshell

The Swashbuckler is designed to be tough to kill for 8 points. With Defensive Strike, Duelist and Dodge, it can pose some troubles for your opponent in melee. What it does not do is kill things very well so mostly you take it as a contesting piece because POW 13, MAT 6 and RAT 5 cannot reliably do work without lots of help. Also don't let it get shot.

Combos & Synergies

• Ashlynn1 can keep it on its feet with her Chosen Ground upkeep. This will allow her to run one into a contesting position while under her feat, rendering the Swashbuckler just about impossible to remove as it will be DEF 15 against melee attacks.
• Fiona can perform a similar trick on her feat turn but her Swashbuckler can be knocked down.
• Magnus2 can put Bullet Dodger on it making it 17/18 against melee attacks thanks to Unyielding.
• Aurora2 has Arcane Propulsion increasing its Def and Spd as well as giving flight. Combine this with her dual attack for models with flight ability and you can put out 4 attacks on the charge all at an ok POW. Combine this with hand of destruction and her feat and you have a great assassin model.
• Jakes1 can bring it as a cheap target for Sidekick in Flame in the Darkness, and she has focus to hand off that your warcaster does not.
• The Morrowan Archon's Blinding Radiance ability cranks up the DEF even higher when close by.

Drawbacks & Downsides

• With MAT 6, RAT 5 and lowish POW on all the weapons, it needs a whole bunch of focus to have an activation that gets work done. The game is all about getting work done quickly and efficiently and this jack does not.
• It has no defense against ranged attacks.
• Knockdown or similar effects remove its defensive tech.
• Once it loses its Movement grid, it's done for.
• a Freebooter is 1 point more expensive and can deal a lot more damage as well as charge further and survive slightly more damage. The Swashbuckler needs a caster than can leverage its defence to compete with this.
• The Talon is 2 points cheaper and with it's shield it can survive a lot more.
• Defensive Strike is easily got around by anything with reach.

Tricks & Tips

• in Flames cast Sidekick on the Swashbuckler with Jakes1, run it into the opposing zone to contest and feat with Fiona to ensure it doesn't die.

Other

Trivia

• Released in the Talion expansion (2019.06)
• In the lore it has the same chassis as the Buccaneer & Scallywag. Each is sold as a separate kit, sharing the same torso & legs.