Storm Division Dynamic Update First Thoughts

 The Storm Division dynamic update is finally here! A lot of us Cygnar players have been waiting a long time for this so let's see what's changed!

(Note: these are my initial thoughts, not something I've actually had table time with)

We'll start by looking at the storm knight models themselves, all small based storm knights went up to def 13 across the board. This is a great change in terms of their survivability, but it does tend to make other unit choices in the faction feel a little worse by comparison. For example Gunmages being only defence 14 compared to storm knights in heavy plate armour at 13 just doesn't feel right.

Stormblades

The Assault swapped from a ability granted by the CA to a native ability for the unit, this is a fantastic change which makes a base unit without the CA viable while still keeping the damage output assault gives.

The leader model lost its electrical arc special rule requiring members of the unit to be within 5 inches to gain +2 range on the range attacks and +2 to melee and ranged damage roles. Now all models armed with storm glaives have had the range of their ranged attack increased to 6 inches, and the Pow of their melee and ranged attacks has increased by two. This allows the unit to spread out and be generally more effective. In line with this change all other models with storm glaives have also had the same changes to their weapons stat lines, I really like this change. It makes Stormblades a much more accessible unit reducing the "brain drain" and making them more efficient 

The officer has been given granted relentless charge in place of the assault rule which is now as previously stated a standard rule for the unit. Nice quality of life upgrade.

Stormguard

The unit gained wall of steel which gives them +2 arm when base to base.

The leader model gained the electroconduction special rule which previously was on the silver line storm guard. This is range 10 aoe 4 and Pow 6, and grants +2 damage to electrical damage roles for models hit by this attack.

It will be interesting to see what list people end up making with these now stacking this damage buff with the one from the Firefly Warjack. I will have to play them myself before passing judgement I think.

Silver Line Stormguard

They went down in cost to 9/15 (from 10/16)

Gained wall of steel in line with the Regular Stormguard.

Ranged attack lost its special rules based around how many models in the unit hit with melee attacks this turn. 

The effects of the ranged attack are now completely different as well. (as previously stated the Regular Stormguard now have the special effect of the Silverlines gun)

While it used to provide a damage buff for electrical attacks, it now does Voltaic snare (Warjacks hit suffer -4 def and cannot run, charge or make slam or trample power attacks) this is the exact same effects as the spell Nemo1 has but this has a 5" aoe and range 6" while Nemo1's is aoe 4" and range 8"

This will really need time on the table to unpack how actually useful it ends up being, but it is an exciting change for sure.

Stormblade Captain

Gained desperate pace - Stormblade or Stormguard, went down 1 point.

And as mentioned above his weapons were improved in line with the Stormblades although because his weapon is named "Nexus blade" it didn't gain the pow buffs that the Storm glaives got.
Great changes which mean you will likely always bring at least one of these if you are bringing small based Knights.

Lieutenant Gwen Keller

A

She went up a point... but that will be clear as to why soon... Her Storm glaive improved like other Stormblades.

She gained flank storm knight, which makes her a bit more of a viable combat solo, and she gained "Leadership Storm knight: Force barrier" which is amazing! I've been asking/suggesting this change for years now and I'm so glad its finally happened and that she is getting a general release. She is a "must have" in all infantry based SD lists for sure!

Savio Montero Acosta

he finally gained the storm night tag! This allows him to power up Stormclads and help provide flank for models with flank Storm knight. 

His storm glaive is went up in range and power in line with other storm blades.

Cygnar and merc players rejoice, a Storm knight to buff Stormclads in other themes!!!

Sir Dreyfus the Storm Knight

Dreyfus went up in defence to 13.

A nice change to an already decent solo.

Storm Smith Grenadiers

Storm Smith Grenadiers gained a point of defence bringing them up to defence 14, combined with their force barrier rule this makes them defence 16 against ranged attacks.

The unit gained reposition three which allows them to have slightly higher survivability after throwing their grenades. And they gained advance deployment to get them into the action quicker.

Storm Smith Storm Tower

It went up a speed to 3! Which might not seem much but it will really effect its early game targets.

It also gained the storm call special rule which previously has only been on the storm Smith storm callers. This allows this weapon crew to ignore concealment, cover, and stealth.

The gun now applies disruption on a hit rather than a crit which is a nice buff vs Warjacks.

These are some nice quality-of-life upgrades which make the weapon crew a lot more desirable.

Storm Smith Storm Callers

These went down to one point each and FA 9, so they now make great filler options! This is a change I've also been suggesting in various forums and discords when discussing SD. They also went up one point of defence in line with the storm Smith Grenadiers.

Avenger

Went down 2 points. This is slightly disappointing as its low speed and short range gun it already struggled to be effective with the increasing threat ranges currently in the game. Worth a try though.

Centurion

Gained shield guard. This is a nice addition to the centurion which was already one of Cygnars better Warjacks. Also dropped a point which is just good value!

Defender

Went down 2 points, it still feels underwhelming especially when compared to Crucible Guards Vindicator. But this will be worth trying out now

Reliant 

Went down 1 point, and gained accumulator! This brings it in line with the Stormclad.

I'm very glad I magnetised all my Stormclads as I will be trying these out for sure!

Thunderhead

Thunderhead went down 2 points to 18. Its pow for its melee weapons went up one pow to 18. While this is a nice change I feel like it still might struggle to be worthwhile in the game as it is at the moment. I would have been nice to see something like it gaining gunfighter or better still dual attack. 

Overall there are some nice changes which will take some testing to see the real effectiveness of.

If you would like me to do more in depth testing of Storm division and do tactical write ups on them let me know. If there is enough interest I will do it (especially if it comes from my Patrons)

If you want to support my content consider taking a look at my Patreon which you can find here. I don't put any content behind a paywall but I do offer rewards to people who support me in ways like getting to vote on what content I work on in the future or outright just picking the next subject of an article.

Even if its just $1 it really helps me out!

See you all next time!