The other twin: Fiona discussion

I haven't been playing Fiona much lately, but I intend to get back to her (and Shae) after WTC.

conflictchamber.com/#c6201b_-0J8g8k9r9r9v7jj6dHfC7m3G3Hchch8Mixca

Mercenary Army - 75 / 75 points
[Theme] The Irregulars

[Fiona 1] Fiona the Black [+31]
- Mariner [14]
- Rover [15]
- Rover [15]
- Sylys Wyshnalyrr, the Seeker [0(4)]
Anastasia di Bray [3]
Eilish Garrity, the Occultist [0(5)]
Gobber Tinker [2]
Hutchuk, Ogrun Bounty Hunter [0(6)]
Kell Bailoch [0(5)]
Idrian Skirmishers (max) [15]
- Idrian Skirmisher Chieftain & Guide [5]
Kayazy Eliminators [5]
Kayazy Eliminators [5]
Lady Aiyana & Master Holt [8]
Press Gangers (max) [12]
The Commodore Cannon & Crew [7]

Fiona and the Commodore Cannon are almost inseparable. It's just so good.

Once the Steelhead Arcanist comes out the stock of Fiona will increase, she is immensely focus strapped, despite having FOCUS 7 and Cultists. Being able to run her warjacks a bit more efficiently will help.

Having now tested the list several times, I like it even more. The fight usually boils down to me gaining a scenario lead because of lass-trick, timewalk feat and channeled soulfire. Opponent uses a feat to counter the edge and then I methodically grind him to dust with A&H buffed HACs, 4+ no-kd recursive press gangers and counter-charging Lug. The only thing that I would change is E2 to Rhupert. Lack of pathfinder&concealment-on-a-stick is sometimes a big hindrance.

The few times I have lost with this list were to desperate late game assassination. There are lot of boosted and KD attacks out there that can kill her if she isn't protected by her feat.

Sigh. I know that every merc player is still exited that Shae finally gave his good luck charm to other privateer casters. The problem isn't that commodore is bad. The problem is that HAC the best artillery piece in the game.

Here is a list of reasons why HACS are superior to Commodore:
- HAC 2nd turn threat range* 3" longer. Those are very important inches.
- Commodore it can't move, so commodore cannon sucks at contesting. HACs are very good at contesting because of Take up-rule.
- Commodore also can never score a zone.
- Direct hits from HAC do more damage, if you can't trigger collateral damage.
- HAC aoe threat range is 4" longer.
- Commodore can die to a single high-powered attack.
- Commodore grunts die easily to low pow blast damage.
- Commodore can't aim and has lower base RAT. Commodore is only more accurate if all three crewmen are alive.
- HAC has arching fire.
- HAC is cheaper than Commodore.

All minion warlocks are underpriced and way better than unbuffed merc heavy warjacks. 7 focus control caster can easily run 2 heavies without any additional focus helpers. I'm sorry but I don't see a Fiona list that should take an arcanist.

* HAC 2nd turn threat range = 6" (run) + 4" (advance) + 16" (RNG) > Commodore 2nd turn threat range = 3" (move) + 20" (RNG).

tanan I agree the lesser warlocks are very good, however to take them you have to give up a free solo, so you can effectively add 4 or 5 points to their cost.

Not all Focus 7 casters can easily fuel 2 Warjacks, let's assume Fiona has Sylys and kill cultists to upkeep all her friendly spells, and allocates 2 focus to her 2 heavies, she is left with 3. So she can cycle an upkeep and sit on 1,or cast affliction, or get 2 Soul Fires if you kill with the first. That's no fantastic output for her spell list.

Having an Arcanist or 2 will let her heavies do meaningful stuff, while she can make the most of her spells, rather than choosing between the two.

What kind of lists did you played?


You already get a free solo if you take a minion warlock. 16 pts for a healable and always fully loaded heavy with pathfinder, counter-charge, return, MAT7, two melee initias, grab&smash, cold immunity is a steal. Look I'm not saying that all almost-warlock-solos are good. Just the ones that have a attached warbeast.

You are committing two of your fully loaded melee heavies to initiate a favorable piece trade. You are winning. Do you really need to upkeep all of your spells?


You are playing a warcaster not a warlock. You have to know when to cast spells and when to allocate. Trying to do both at the same time isn't efficient points-wise or tactically. If you want to run heavies and cast spells at the same time, take minion warlocks.

What focus 7 (or any focus) casters desperately need empower solos? I'm not trolling here, just curious.