Re: Machaka screwed more than ever ?
 

I thought (and I realise this is only the rulebook speaking) that a leader's stealth bonus was reduced if he led more than 10 0-stealth troops.

Although if he's leading 10 or less he gets the full bonus, so I see your point. If the guards went with him that'd be impressively nasty as assassinations go.

Re: Machaka screwed more than ever ?
 

KO said nothing about that when I asked about the Ranger Captain not having any stealth bonus, but it is possible he did not remember that particular mechanic at the time.

As far as what the manual says, there is no penalty if the following units have stealth(10) or better, otherwise it's -1 per unit. At least that's my reading of it.

Re: Machaka screwed more than ever ?
 

Sadly no, if an assassin has guards they will not accompany him in the assassination attempt. They will, however, attack the province in a revenge attempt if the assassin leader gets himself killed. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif I guess that's why they're "not yet fully-trained assassins."

-Max

Re: Machaka screwed more than ever ?
 

Also consider that a squad of those spiders, and the leader being properly equipped, could probably deal with quite some PD as a raiding force. Though sadly, I'm sure gear for PD raiding would be somewhat different than preferred gear for assassination.....

Re: Machaka screwed more than ever ?
 

I would like to see the bane spiders recruitable everywhere as that would give machaka a whole new stealth attack strat to go with their spies.

it is too limited with them being capital only, and i would never miss recruiting a black hunter in any event as they are a great unit even in the endgame with web, poison.

Re: Machaka screwed more than ever ?
 

Thematically, I don't like the idea of recruitable-anywhere Bane Spiders. I'm not opposed to cheaper, second-rate Bane Spiders being recruitable anywhere and the good ones being cap-only.

-Max

Re: Machaka screwed more than ever ?
 

Won't they auto-rout and die since they have no commander though? I guess at least you create a few points of unrest...

Re: Machaka screwed more than ever ?
 

Sorry, I wasn't clear. That's why I had the wink. They'll auto-route as you describe--pretty ineffective revenge there.

-Max

Re: Machaka screwed more than ever ?
 

It is not unthematic at all to have Bane Spiders everywhere. Though they were trained at God Mountain, some have moved about the Kingdom and have trained others.

Re: Machaka screwed more than ever ?
 

Usually units that refer to a location in their description are restricted to the corresponding magic site. It wouldn't bother me hugely, and from a gameplay perspective I like the idea, but I'd probably want to change the description at least. But I also like the idea of reserving the BEST assassins for God Mountain proper.

-Max