Yes – we have another race lined up for you for the upcoming expansion, and as many of you have already guessed that race is the Tigrans! These warmth loving cat people make for a great contrast with the Frostlings (we already have some cool terraforming maps in development) Also with their Egyptian inspired culture, they make for a great fit in the Necromancy theme.

Tigran Prowler Concept Art

Background

Tigrans are a race of feline humanoids, hailing from remote desert lands. Reclusive and mystical, they tend not to get involved in the conflicts of the populous northern lands. But when opportunity favors them, they pounce and kill without mercy.

Their reclusiveness has given rise to some rather extreme religious sects. Most Tigrans worship a new incarnation of the ancient Fire Wizard-god, Yaka as the Sun God. Tigran ferocity is legendary. The most devout strive to unleash their inner predator, seeing mercy as weakness. They worship the sun and track the cycle of day and night; life and death. Their natural curiosity about necromancy and the passing of regal souls into kingdoms of glory in the afterlife inspires them to construct massive tombs.

Tigran Cheetha Concept Art

Traits

Tigrans are lean, muscular and agile. They are clever with magic and move quickly across the battlefield, able to avoid may obstacles. Many are masters of the flame, which they believe pleases their god. Some of their Racial abilities include:

Predator: Gain extra attack/damage with attacks of opportunity.

Athletic: Tigrans use fewer move points per hex in tactical combat, allowing to move much more quickly

Bloodthirsty: Some tigrans gain an attack bonus vs. bleeding and crippled enemies, while others can inflict bleeding on their targets.

Spirit Protection: Tigrans are highly focused creatures, and are resistant to mind affecting spells and damage.

Low Resistance: Tigran agility and high damage comes at a cost, they have -1 resistance compared to other races and are especially susceptible to cold damage

We’ll start by looking at three base units:

Tigran Cheetah

The Cheetah is the Tigran’s tier 1 predator skirmisher. They have the ability to pounce, a fast attack that teleports the unit behind its target allowing it to strike without fear of retaliation. After a Pounce the unit automatically enters guard mode. Cheetahs also have the ability to inflict bleeding wounds, which synergizes with the Bloodthristy ability of some other Tigran units.

“Entering the Tigran camp, I instinctively knew our best course was to surrender; especially as I saw the long-legged, spotted cheetah-ladies who served the settlement as its hunters. I tried to warn my party that it would be futile to run away. Sadly, my message didn’t get through to all, the back of the party fled. Before they could even scream, the cheetahs pounced. Their extended claws slashed the fools. I will spare the reader a description of all the blood.” – “Where’s Symba?” by Ham the Wanderer

A pack of Cheetahs in-game

Tigran Prowler

Prowlers are critical to the Tigran’s mobile attack force. Unlike other Tigran warriors, prowlers are stealthy and have incredible constitution. They may lack high defense or armor found on typical infantry, but make up for this with their stealth, Martial Arts ability, and Improved Wallclimbing. Prowlers have the new Bloodthirsty Ability, and Coup De Grace, for extra damage versus incapacitated targets.

“The most gifted battle surgeon I ever met had a gift for cutting up bodies. Apparently he’d witnessed his father, a Tigran Prowler, eviscerate many a foe. The cat man was dark like the night with eyes like amber jewels. He could disappear in the shadows of the trees. Unfortunately, he ran away when the city guard caught him selling our healing herbs on the black market. They say he clawed his way up the city wall and was away before any of the guards could reach him.” – “Battlefield Medicine” by Doctor Schwartzendoof

The stealthy Prowlers in game

Sabretooth Chariot

Tigran Cavalry consists of light chariots functioning as mounted skirmishers. Drawn by sabretooth tigers they share the race’s core abilities such as the predator and athletic abilities, with good melee abilties. Although far more fragile than the cavalry of other races, the charioteers can hurl enchanted sun spears, powerful single shot weapons that do physical and fire damage, and can set opponents on fire.

“Yaka dresses in Destroyer’s Flame. His breath is the Heat of Life. I serve the god of the Greatest Star. Yaka raises His head in the morning, drives His chariot across the sky, and hides His face at night. I revere Him by throwing beams of pure sunfire. My shield enables me to embrace Yaka’s body. My mane is His corona of fire. I am His devout tribute.” — “Prayer of the Sabretooth” by Charioteer Felixine

Prowler, Sabretooth Chariot and Cheethas with a glimpse of Tigran Architecture in the background

In an upcoming development journal we’ll be looking at more Tigran content!