Interface Node by Wild

The Convergence is a truly unique faction with many rules that not only make most armies cringe, but also require a reworking of personal tactics in the game. The majority is an army of Constructs, so no Corpses for you. They still have souls, so Cryx isn’t too upset. Anyone though who messes with warjacks traditionally will range from minor inconvenienced(Eiryss) to outright frustration(Cygnar) when facing off against these new machines. Vectors follow all the usual traditions of what a Warjack can do, but unlike other renamed machines like Myrmidons and Helljacks, the renaming in the game to Vector is more than just cosmetic, it is a truly different mechanic that has a number of rules interactions that change how to approach them, both for the opponents and for the controlling players.

The core of the Vector is not the Cortex, instead it is called an Interface Node. Yes I’m aware I’ve written as a different term, but one of the major rules later on is the cause of the mixup, and a key feature as well. For the purposes of allocating and spending focus, they’re identical. It’s after that everything diverges. Any rule that applies to destroying a Cortex box, taking control through one, etc., cannot happen here, because there is no functional Cortex. For some players, this is inconsequential, but for others who run things like the Haley’s, it is a total kick in the pants. The insult is further worsened when one realizes the Iron Mother has Haley’s signature spell, Domination. Yeah, the faction who’s warjacks you can’t take over ever has a spell to do just that. There are immediate downsides, one that isn’t going to be apparent since it is so new and most people don’t run the campaign rules. No bonds can be formed with a Vector, ever. What this means for potential Unique Vectors is unknown, but given how Warjacks form unique traits and personalities as time goes on, this isn’t possible here fluff wise. This also means the Warcasters will never have a printed Bond, or exceed past the allocation of 3 Focus currently. Inconsequential for now, but a potential limiter for the future.

Next up, as previously stated in the Battlebox review, is that Vectors take on the direct stats of their Warcasters. This matters for a number of rules interactions, feats, spells, etc. For example, Deneghra’s feat were it to only catch the Vectors would have no effect on their MAT or RAT since they have none. However a generic buff/debuff to attack rolls would carry through. While minor, it does alter targeting for certain spells and effects.

The big one, and arguably the signature feature of the Interface Node is the Focus Induction. Positioned correctly, an entire Battlegroup needs only 1 Focus for all of them to run. What happens is that the moment the Focus is spent to do something that Vector, once per turn, can allocate 1 focus to another Vector. This can only happen once per tern per Vector, but a single Vector can be the recipient of multiple allocations til its maximum of 3. There are two requirements: within 6″ and in the same battlegroup. This rule alone allows Convergence the maximum efficiency out of their Vectors both early and late game, where focus is precious and a limiter for some Warcasters, who are only able to run at most two Warjacks in other factions. Essentially, the faction can run an entire army of heavies and be as efficient or close to one of the Hordes warlocks, such as Legion of Everblight’s lineup or Epic Kaya. This same rule also runs into a major issue. Its greatest strength is easily blocked and exploited by its greatest weakness: Disruption.

Disruption is the biggest weakness in Convergence not just because it denies allocation in the Control phase, but also because nothing in the army is able to remove it, and it lasts for a full round. Warjacks disrupted can’t be the target for Inductions, and no one in the army is able to counter it. So beware of Cygnar, who are more likely to bring back Disruption effects more and more now. There is some good news: Prime Axiom is a Colossal, and doesn’t care.

The game is going to see things change in a big way for the future with the Convergence on the field thanks to their rules, and an adjustment of tactics is needed. The usual tricks such as disruption or prevention of allocating focus are still full-proof, as they prevent Focus Induction, but other tricks that directly mess with warjacks are another story. Hopefully this look at the new function will help prepare for when you encounter Convergence, and be better prepared for when their factions attack hard and fast.