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A Song of Ice and Fire: Red Cloaks Expansion
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Description
The infamous Lannister Red Cloaks are a common sight in King's Landing and Casterly Rock. As elite guardsmen, they're tasked with keeping unruly populations in check through intimidation, fear, and the sharp edge of a blade. Their half-plate armor is expensive and as well-made as mass-produced armor can be. In the field, they're classified as medium infantry, neither the fastest nor slowest units, capable of holding their own against anything but a heavy assault. While their prime loyalty is to coin, they rank among the best-paid troops in the Lannister roster.
When it comes to House Lannister, they spare no expense on those who take up arms for the House. The Red Cloaks are the Lannister’s elite guards who patrol the streets in King’s Landing and Casterly Rock. Their resplendent red cloaks, their signature feature, are coloured not just because it’s a House colour but as a show of intimidation to the populace. “Stay in line, or the Red Cloaks will come after you.”
Unboxing
For those who already play A Song of Ice and Fire, you already know what a pleasure it is to unbox. For those who do not yet, you are in for a treat! Like all CMON ASOIAF miniatures, the Lannister Red cloaks come pre-assembled in red plastic and sit neatly in a plastic tray that fits each pose perfectly and securely. It is so good, even after painting, you will find yourself using this as your primary mode of transport for your minis. Each box includes a suitable movement tray, unit card, and card for any unit attachments.
Models
Something I hate about ASOIAF is something I also love about it. As I said above, these models come pre-assembled. Unlike some other systems, where pre-assembled models have gaps, massive mould lines, or don’t look right, these models are stunning. Fine detail is still visible on the armour and helmet, which makes it super easy to play straight out of the box and look fabulous!
The Lannister Red Cloaks all have large flowing capes, full-plate armour, full-plate helmets, and two-handed long swords, giving them a truly fierce and stunning look on the tabletop. Painting Lannister red cloaks has been tricky due to the flowing capes, meaning you best be ready to stick your paintbrush in hard-to-see places. Lovely armour and details on the belts and helmet will mean that even the hardcore or beginner painter can make these models look great.
Like all ASOIAF miniatures, Lannister Red cloaks come in only four different poses (some other boxes may have fewer or more). I know what you’re thinking, EUUGGG, so dull, but trust me when I say a lot of thought has gone into these poses to rank them up and make them look good. You no longer need to spend 20 minutes ranking up to one unit, so it fits nicely.
Gameplay & Tatics
When you think of Lannister, you think of power and money. How do people get power and money? Fear! With fear in mind to keep the people of Casterly Rock and Kings Landing in check, the Lannister red cloaks lean heavily into the panic and moral mechanics of the game.
Lannister Justice allows the Red Cloaks to force an enemy to make a panic check at -1 for each rank they have left for EVERY action they take. The downside is you must control the crown for this ability to take effect, meaning you want to take the crown early with them on the table. There is a good pairing with the Red Cloaks in Joffrey Baratheon, as his ability allows you to count as controlling the crown as long as he is on the NCU board.
The second ability for the Red Cloaks is Fearless Avarice; this means they suffer -1 wounds from failed panic tests, but being fearless comes at a cost; this ability is only in effect for them while you control Wealth. So, while having some strong abilities, you need to make sure you have a game plan to have them going at full strength.
Red Cloaks’ base stats are enough to keep them in a fight without too much to worry about 4+ to hit, 4+ armour, and 6+ Moral make them very middle of the road. Assault veterans can be a suitable attachment for the Red Cloaks in giving enemies engaged with them an additional -1 to panic checks, making them a genuinely terrifying unit on the battlefield.
Pairing Red Cloaks with the Kings Landing Gold Cloaks’ ability of -1 to panic rolls for every enemy in short range will mean enemies are fleeing the battlefield before the first sword stroke falls.
Overall
Red Cloaks are very in tune with the Lannister gameplay of manipulation, panic rolls, and ruling the game with fear. They do require more thought and game planning to get the best of them, and they shine if you can make them activate multiple times a round, so make sure if they are in your army, they are the core, with the rest being built around their abilities to make them shine genuinely.