The next great set to be released for the Star Wars Miniatures Game is Bounty Hunters, coming your way in September. But today, we've got the fourth in a series of previews of the new minis. First, Sterling Hershey shows us how Mandalore the Indomitable earned his name. Then Gary Sarli throws in another Mandalorian for good measure -- a Warrior who really knows how to swing a great force pike.
Mandalore the Indomitable The Mandalorians are renowned for their excellent combat abilities. Their loyalties, motives, and signature armor might vary, but they are always a force to be respected and feared. Early Mandalorians were probably Taung, but the Mandalorian tradition was not restricted to any one species. Traditionally, the Mandalorian leader carried the title of Mandalore, though others often added descriptive terms to differentiate between them.
Such is the case with Mandalore the Indomitable. Four thousand years before the fall of the Republic, this early Mandalore was driven to conquer and prove the strength and skill of the Mandalorians. He went so far as to challenge the rogue Jedi Ulic Qel-Droma to single combat at the beginning of the Great Sith War. Ulic quickly defeated Mandalore and called upon him and the Mandalorians to join the Sith cause. Mandalore proved a worthy ally, later helping Exar Kun to rescue Ulic after a risky strike on Coruscant. However, the Republic soon gained the upper hand in the Great Sith War, stripping Ulic of his Jedi abilities and defeating Exar Kun on Yavin 4. Mandalore himself fell to the savage beasts of Dxun, where he had fled with his remaining forces after a failed attack on Onderon. In keeping with Mandalorian tradition, one of his soldiers found his mask, donning it to become the next Mandalore. For more information on the Mandalorians, see "The History of the Mandalorians" in Star Wars Insider #80. For more on Mandalore the Indomitable and the story of the Sith War, see Tales of the Jedi: The Sith War, from Dark Horse Comics. In the Star Wars Miniatures Game, Mandalore the Indomitable is a powerful leader of the Mandalorian faction. He has a high point cost of 68, but he has several decent abilities, a very good Attack score, and a commander effect that can boost the damage of his Mandalorian allies. Most Mandalorians already have good Attack and Damage scores, so the extra +4 Attack and +10 Damage from Momentum makes them a very dangerous faction. Obviously, this character works best with fellow Mandalorians in the squad. Mandalore the Indomitable has fewer Hit Points and lower Defense and Attack scores than other Unique characters in this cost range. Of course, most of his peers are powerful Jedi or other Force-users. Fortunately, Mandalore's Evade ability should enable him to avoid some dmage and keep him in the game that much longer. He also dishes out more Damage with each hit than some characters in his cost range.
Star Wars Miniatures Stat Card Preview Faction: Mandalorian
Cost: 68
Hit Points: 120
Defense: 19
Attack: + 13
Damage: 30
Special Abilities: Unique, Deadly Attack (scores a critical hit on an attack roll of natural 19 or 20), Double Attack, Evade, Momentum
Commander Effect: Mandalorian allies gain Momentum
Star Wars Roleplaying Game Statistics  Mandalore the Indomitable: Male Mandalorian soldier 6/elite trooper 5; Init +6; Defense 19 (+7 class, +2 Dex); Spd 6 m; DR 11, VP/WP 104/16; Atk +13/+8 melee (2d8, force pike) or +14/+9 melee (2d10/19–20, Mythosaur axe) or +12/+7 ranged (3d6, blaster pistol); SQ uncanny dodge (Dex bonus), SV Fort +12, Ref +6, Will +6; SZ M; FP 2; DSP 5; Rep +4; Str 16, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 12. Challenge Code E.
Equipment: Mandalore's Crusader armor (see below), mythosaur axe (see below), Force pike, blaster pistol, comlink, basilisk war droid. Skills: Astrogate +3, Computer Use +6, Demolitions +6, Hide +5 , Intimidate +7, Listen +6, Move Silently +3, Pilot +9, Search +3, Spot +6, Repair +2, Tumble +1. Feats: Armor Proficiency (light, medium, heavy), Dodge, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Mythosaur axe), Improved Critical (Mythosaur Axe), Improved Initiative, Infamy, Martial Arts, Point Blank Shot, Starship Operation (capital ship), Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus (Mythosaur axe), Weapon Group Proficiency (blaster pistols, blaster rifles, heavy weapons, simple weapons, vibro weapons), Zero-G Training. Crusader Armor
Around the time of the Sith War, most Mandalorians wore highly customized Crusader armor. Each suit had a similar organic look with armored plates, spikes, studs, and straps modified to the wearer's specifications. Crusader armor is much simpler than later Mandalorian armor, as it does not feature built-in weaponry. Some versions also include early rocket packs. Crusader armor can be completely sealed for use in hard vacuum.
Armor Type: Heavy Armor; Proficiency Group: Heavy; Cost: 10,000 (standard) or using Mandalorian Iron: 42,000 (soldiers), 84,000 (officers) or 336,000 (Mandalore); Damage Reduction: 6 (standard) or using Mandalorian Iron: 8 (soldiers), 9 (officers) or 11 (Mandalore); Maximum Dex Bonus: +2; Armor Check Penalty: –5; Speed: 6m/2m; Weight: 45 kg; Availability: Military Mythosaur Axe
The mythosaur axe is a traditional Mandalorian weapon, used during the Sith War. The double-bit axe features telescopic blades that fan out from a central shaft. For portability, the blades are extended only when in combat. Traditionally, the blades are made from mythosaur bone, but as those ancient creatures are rare (if not extinct), later versions use modern materials.
Weapon Type: Melee weapon; Proficiency Group: Exotic (mythosaur axe); Cost: 5,000; Damage: 2d10; Critical: 20; Weight:Type: Slashing; Size: Large; Hardness: 10; WP: 10; Break DC: 20; Availability: Military
Mandalorian Warrior In the years after the defeat of Exar Kun (four millennia before the Battle of Yavin), Mandalore the Ultimate unleashed his Neo-Crusaders on the galaxy in what became known as the Mandalorian Wars. These Mandalorian warriors wore more sleek and uniform armor than their Crusader predecessors, and they ravaged countless worlds as war itself was revered as an aspect of the divine. Ultimately, the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders were defeated by the Jedi Revan and Malak (who later became Dark Lords of the Sith), and their ranks were dispersed as they became little more than mercenaries scattered throughout the galaxy.
In an ironic twist, Revan would play a pivotal role in helping Canderous Ordo to restore the honor of the Mandalorian traditions. As the new Mandalore, Canderous Ordo employed a more advanced version of armor than that of the Neo-Crusaders. Ordo's reformed Neo-Crusaders adopted a similar style of armor in the following years in honor of the new Mandalore. In the Star Wars Miniatures Game, the Mandalorian Warrior provides a commanding melee presence for a reasonable price. He's not quite low enough to work as "filler" for the last few points of a squad, but certainly attractive to add a little muscle to a melee-oriented group. Solid damage combined with Mighty Swing gives him a decent punch. Combined with Cleave, he can slice through two enemies with up to 30 Hit Points each in a single turn. More important, he has a little extra versatility on the offensive because of Melee Reach 2; he can engage slightly more distant opponents without having to move, further capitalizing on Mighty Swing. Place him in a critical location or intersection, and you can make your opponent think twice before drawing an attack of opportunity or leaving his characters within reach.
Star Wars Miniatures Stat Card Preview Faction: Mandalorian
Cost: 14
Hit Points: 40
Defense: 16
Attack: + 9
Damage: 20
Special Abilities: Cleave, Melee Attack, Melee Reach 2, Mighty Swing
Star Wars Roleplaying Game Statistics Mandalorian Warrior: Male Human soldier 4; Init +2 (+2 Dex); Def 16 (+2 Dex, +4 Class); DR 5; Spd 8 m; VP/WP 30/13; Atk +6 ranged (by weapon) or +9 melee (3d8+4, great force pike); SV Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +2; SZ M; FP 1; DSP 1; Rep +1; Str 16, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 10. Challenge Code ? Equipment: Padded battle armor (Mandalorian iron*), great force pike** (reach: 4 meters) Skills: Intimidate +7, Listen +4, Pilot +7, Read/Write Basic, Speak Basic, Spot +4, Treat Injury +5 Feats: Armor Proficiency (light, medium), Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Great Cleave, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (great force pike), Weapons Group Proficiency (blaster pistols, blaster rifles, heavy weapons, simple weapons, vibro weapons). * See Jedi Counseling 81 ** See Arms & Equipment Guide, page 30.
About the AuthorsGary M. Sarli is a freelance writer and editor whose credits include Ultimate Adversaries (Star Wars), City of Splendors: Waterdeep, and Power of Faerûn (Dungeons & Dragons). He also moderates on the Wizards.COMmunity message boards as WizO the Hutt, cheerfully feeding Code of Conduct violators to the Sarlacc. Gary still works as a staff member for SWRPGNetwork, three-time ENnie Award winner in the Best Fan Website category and host of the Star Wars RPG Frequently Asked Questions. Sterling Hershey has been a full-time architect and freelance game designer for over 10 years. He authored and contributed to many of West End Games' Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game products and later contributed to Star Wars Gamer Magazine. These days, he writes regular Star Wars Miniatures scenarios for the Wizards of the Coast website, and he also wrote the Scenario Book for the recently released Attack on Endor Scenario Pack. Gaming in a galaxy far, far away is the focus of his starwars.com blog, Delusions of Grandeur. Sterling lives in the Midwest with his wife, Mary. |