Welcome back to another trip off the “main road.” This time around we are taking a look at an upcoming model for the Grymkin lineup. While there has been some chatter and write ups already (easily found, and great might I add!) Id like to hit on this model so I can better familiarize myself with him, and share with you my thoughts. These are going to be from my perspective so take them with a grain of salt, coming from a newbie!

So WHO is Hollow Holden? He was a Marksman & Ranger before falling to the ranks of Grymkin in the ‘Battle for Boarsgate’ (a narrative event,) during Lock & Load 2017. After being assimilated into the Grymkin ranks, Privateer Press worked with the community to sketch out and develop the would be individual we see ‘now’ in the CID (Community Integrated Development.)

Privateer Press sum’s up the description as follows, officially:

“Holden has fallen to the Grymkin at the Battle of Boars Gate! He has joined his fellow cowards and deserters with the Hollowmen. Holden before his turn was a marksman and a ranger. Bestowing some of his skills to his unit (Pathfinder) is important to his concept. Constantly being tortured and pushed to fight by his gremlin handler who is flipping his fated coin shown in the Poisoned Fate rule. Pulling down his opponents with Weaken or showing is cowardice and retreating with Reposition are both very thematic options.” – PPS_Oz

As you can see from the sketching above, he is far from the man he once was. Now, he joins the regime of the Hollowmen, a group of deserters that bring with them the burdens of their former lives.

So lets just jump into the REAL reason we are here. To discuss the proposed stats and characteristics Holden might just bring to the table. As with any CID cycle, things can change, but as of now (11.9.17) we can see the current iteration as follows:

Lets take a dive into what can be seen here…

Being Defense 13, Armor 12 (14 if Under the warmth of the Death Knell,) means you dont want him toeing the front lines during any game. Being a Weapon Attachment at Cost 4 he is a point more expensive than the Lantern Man. (Although now available in the ‘Bump in the Night’ theme force & as a ‘Free Model’ if selected.) For the swap, youll loose Blood Bound, Ghost Light, & Obscuring Mist…but gain ‘Granted: Pathfinder’ in addition to ‘Poisoned Fate’ and the rest of his personal kit. I really believe this is a great trade, and will explain why as we go forward. With SR2017 up and running at full speed, rough terrain is everywhere! Having Pathfinder on one unit helps solve some deployment issues for sure!

***NOTE: After posting this, I was pointed out by a reader that a Weapon Attachment (Holden,) can be taken in addition to the Command Attachment (Lantern Man,) so disregard the about “trade/swap” and keep note of that! Learn something new everyday!***

Eyeless Sight & apparition are staples for Hollowmen, and coupled with a few additional rules ill address below, they are a welcomed touch. Holden himself gains Annoyance, and rightfully so with a gremlin on his back! Extremely situational but not to be discounted during those last ditch efforts to win a match.

Skipping ahead, he has two weapons. A Trench Knife at MAT 5 P+S 9 RNG 0.5, and a Hunting Rifle at RAT 7 (base) POW 10 RNG 14. The Knife appears to be there to match the melee capabilities of this accompanied unit, all the while less of a threat due to reduced RNG, Damage, and lack of Brutal Charge.

Things begin to shine with Holden’s Rifle however. At range 14, he can be kept safely away from the fray yet available enough to do work. Prowl will keep him safe while having the ‘Sniper’ stat will help weed out infantry as it allows to do one point of damage instead of a damage roll & removes the ability to tough.

Now, we introduce ‘Poisoned Fate.’

‘Poisoned Fate’ plays out in the following manner: During your Maintenance Phase, roll one D6 or Flip a Coin (ill be doing the later with my Heretic Coin!) On Heads (1-3 on a die,) the unit gains Reposition 3″. One a flip of Tails (4-6 on a die,) both of Holdens weapons gain ‘Weaken.’ For ‘Weaken,’ a living model HIT (not damaged, which is great for high armor beasts/living models) suffer -2 DEF & -2 STR for one round. How it reads, it cannot be shaken and can be used to soften up a target or blunt an incoming attack due to its one round duration.

The randomness can lead to some jarring game play. If you can get past the unpredictability…knowing what your unit attached to Holden does at the beginning of your turn helps a bit from its original iteration of only knowing what Poisoned Fate did at the beginning of the units activation.

The two effects can probably be used like so: Reposition is handy to keep the unit safe after a volley of shots, jam further into enemy lines after a successful charge, or to block charge lanes after an assault. Weaken is situational granted its on Holden only. I feel with his Rifles Range and if positioned well, it can come in handy to soften up a living target for a charge from his unit or nearby friendlies. (A lucky roll on a model with higher than average DEF is now a meaty target!) Have a beast about to charge a heavy on the next turn? Reducing its damage output by -2 STR helps a ton!

What I like about Holden:

Granting Pathfinder to one unit of Hollowmen is fine & dandy!

Prowl keeps him safer in battle.

His Hunting Rifles range allows him to play a little more reserved, yet still allowing use of him….especially with Eyeless Sight.

Being allowable in Bump in the Night (Theme Force) and as a selectable ‘Free Model’ will allow him to see game time more easier..possibly a staple?

Poisoned Fate is something im still on the fence about, but im likely to fall on this side than the later.

What I dis-like about Holden:

Lack of Durability: Sure he’s now apart of the Hollowmen. I just feel he’s going to be a target during battle, and he ill crumble even with five hitboxes.

Unpredictable plans involving Poisoned Fate. Guess you need to hope for the best, and plan for the worst?

He still feels as if he’s missing something. Sure he brings good tools already, but Id like to see the addition of something else. Maybe ROF 2? Finisher? Food for thought.

Holden still has some time in this round of the CID cycle. This means opportunities to be tweaked and changed…for better or for worse. What are your thoughts? Is he too powerful? Lacking? Will he see much game play?

As always thanks for taking your time to read this article. Hope you enjoyed it. If not? Leave a comment! If so, Leave a comment! Id love to hear your thoughts on this, and on other postings ive made to my page. Until next time, take care and good luck on the battlefields of Immoren.

-Nick