Time for some more previews.
Kira’a of the Cult of Yurei
Born and raised amid countless rat cousins, Kira’a was one of many. She was overlooked, underfed, and considered all but expendable in the eyes of her rat king. To avoid the same fate as nearly all her lowly kin, she did what others could or would not do. No task was too impossible for her, no murder too ruthless, no act of wanton sabotage too callous. Combined with being disconnected and unscrupulous, she has a talent for knowing that assassination is the better part of valour and has become a legend amongst the lowborn.
Kira’a is an outstanding line trooper. She may not have the flash of a master, samurai, or fleet-footed monk, but these overlooked models often win you the game. You can't go wrong with her regarding seizing an objective, sacrificing her life, or soaking up enemy activations.
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Ito Yuno of the Ito Clan
The Ito koryu teaches a speed-based style and that many swift attacks are superior to a single strike. Yuno has embraced this philosophy and trained herself to leap into the fray better, striking at as many opponents as possible. This willingness to put herself into the thick of combat has drawn the attention of Ito Takuya, and the daimyo has appointed her to keep a watchful eye on the machinations of his eldest son.
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Byiba of the Temple of Ro-Kan
The enormous Fu Dogs have traditionally protected the Temple, but Byiba is from a stock bred high atop the mountains, where they protect the villagers' flocks from wolves and bears. Just like novice monks, they learn from their masters. Not only do they protect the physical, but they can guard against the spiritual, chasing ghosts and marauding kami. They work silently but emit a low-pitched bark when danger approaches, alerting those inside the temple that something is afoot. Byiba has become a close companion to a homesick unsui from the local temple, spending most days trotting behind him. While Byiba is fearsome and a danger to those he does not know, he loves to play fetch, likes being taken on long walks and can often be found around the table waiting for scraps. He is as part of the temple as those who dwell within it.
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Hoshi Machiko of the Minimoto Clan
A stunning beauty with bold white hair and features that an artist could have carved from ice, Machiko is the envy of many of her peers. Her mastery of the Hoshi’s inheritance allows her to cast deadly icicles that can penetrate even the most robust samurai armour. She can deny her enemies of defence and cover while opening up new lines of attack for her companions.
Not only does this model offer a ranged attack and superior terrain destruction ability, but she also brings Blizzard, which allows you to recruit the Reflection Kami and provides a benefit for all other shugenja, should you wish to play a more Hoshi leaning list.
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Jaakuna of The Awoken
Much like the spiders they emulate, the Jaakuna men do not have a great life. Used for their blood, life force and manual labour, they adore and worship the more spider-like women even though none of them has ever progressed so far. All Jaakuna men are fated to die young, looking after crawlerling spiders ensures they receive many bites and lose a lot of blood before any enemies even see them. Touwa has managed to stay alive longer than others by procuring fresh food from trapped victims for his masters.
Although he has enough Poison Markers to eventually kill him, Touwa can make a big impact on the game, for his Rice Cost, before his eventual expiration. Being able to force enemies to take the same damage as he does means that if he can get multiple enemies into
BtB he can inflict damage every turn. Other than this he is exceptionally cheap for a 3 melee model and his fanatical Fearlessness is always helpful.
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Endless Procession of Arachnif Presence of The Awoken
It’s hard being afraid of spiders, especially in Jwar, where they come in all shapes, numbers, and terrifying sizes. It’s an endless procession of sharp teeth, venom, and many eyes. But it is hell on earth when they swarm together into a solid, rushing mass, acting with pure malice against those unlucky enough to encounter them.
In addition to the many abilities that create these models in the game - which players of the Awoken have been wondering about for some time - these are solid swarm models. In particular, gaining Health with the Kumo Trait on a Durable Swarm makes for a fearsome model
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