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Let's Talk About: House Shyeel Arcanists

I wanted to do a series of short posts on some specific units/models in the faction to see how, when, and why other players were using them.  I thought I would start with a unit I want to love but never really manage to get on the table: House Shyeel Arcanists.

Quick Breakdown

spd 6 str 6 Mat 5 Rat 5 Def 13 Arm 12 Cmd 6 - 7 points for 3 models

MA 5 - Empower, Force Strike (rng 8 pow 12 crit: Knock Down)
Force Barrier
Repair (d3+1)


With that out of the way one of the biggest problems I have with them is they just aren't available.  Only being available in Forges really cuts into their play as does the cost of additional support.  They don't really replace the arcanist solo as they lack concentrated power so you are immediately looking at 9-11 points minimum on support pieces if you include them.


The other issue I have with them is the low quality of their attack.  Rng 8 pow 12 attacks on a support unit are decent enough but MA 5 makes it pretty iffy to ever actually use.  I think they compare somewhat poorly to the other recently mechanic units.  Both Trencher mechaniks and Iron Mongers are cheaper and have a 6 on their primary attack ability.  Trencher mechaniks are probably not as valuable as the arcanists as they lack much of anything beyond repair.  Iron mongers however are mat 6 ps 12 with weaponmaster against constructs, have an excellent passive in curse, and 5 boxes each...for 6 points.

If they were available in Defenders or Legions I think I could build some more lists with them.  They would be interesting in a legions list that is looking to take advantage of the Jack Marshal benefit as getting focus onto those jacks is pretty powerful.  Trying to actually use the bonus is probably a trap if you are intending to play at the high end of competitive level but those lists are at least fun and interesting.  They would count toward a free slot in Defenders and I've been running a lot of Helios lists that would benefit from repair and the focus without being super concerned about concentrated power.

Right now they just don't see table for me - mostly because I don't play much Forges, but I can't help but think that even in other themes they would be a very niche choice just based on high cost for what is primarily a support piece that is mostly an add-on rather than a replacement for the solo mechaniks. 

Is anyone else getting them on the table in a list they like? 

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