Bonding Jacks

[Jorek]

With the bonding rules out, I´m interested in the opinions of fellow cygnarans about how to use them. Thus far, it´s eStryker (well, that´s an easy one) and eHaley. Up until now it was common wisdom, that a Defender bonded to eHaley is a thing of beauty. Now, a bonded TA´ed defender sends two fully boosted shots downrange. Is this a waste of the bond? How do you feel, what are your experiences? Theorymachine tells me that a bond that allows to allocate 4 focus is best used on a melee heavy - which one is up to debate (the Stormclad is my favorite, followed closely by Ol´Rowdy -but even a lowly IC will be a force to reckon under eHaleys bond.)

Discuss.

[BlackSwan2276]

Whose bond allows you to allocate 4 focus?

[Jorek]

Every bond. See bonding rules in Prime MK II.

[n00buaddib]

Hammersmith under eHaley would be awesome imo. Still have to test that but...Hammersmith is awesome in almost any occasion you can get over his low speed imo. (Kraye <3)

[Gorbad]

Every bond. See bonding rules in Prime MK II.

Isn't that for bonds your warcaster gets during campaigns and such, it doesn't apply to the bonds some warcasters have on there cards.

[FearLord]

Isn't that for bonds your warcaster gets during campaigns and such, it doesn't apply to the bonds some warcasters have on there cards.

Warmachine Prime MKII page 83: Epic Warcaster Bonding -

"...These bonds follow the rules given in Appendix B: Warjack Bonding (p. 246) except as noted here."

[phreaker187]

Warmachine Prime MKII page 83: Epic Warcaster Bonding -

"...These bonds follow the rules given in Appendix B: Warjack Bonding (p. 246) except as noted here."


Wow, I read that when I got the book, but it didn't compute until just now. That makes Rowdy, bonded to Stryker, even more of a killing machine.

[Gorbad]

Hmm, the rules on page 83 continues on with:


These bonds follow the rules given in Appendix B: Warjack Bonding (p. 246) except as noted here. Do not roll on the bond effect tables for these bonds. There effects are described in the epic warcaster's special rules.

Does that mean that you only get the effects mentioned in the special rules per the caster or that you just don't roll on the bond effect table?
I'd be inclined to read it as you only get the effect the specific bond gives you, but it's not really clear.

[fildrigar]

Hmm, the rules on page 83 continues on with:



Does that mean that you only get the effects mentioned in the special rules per the caster or that you just don't roll on the bond effect table?
I'd be inclined to read it as you only get the effect the specific bond gives you, but it's not really clear.

It says "...except as noted here. Do not roll on the bond effect tables..." So, yes, the only "noted here" is do not roll, so there you go. Four focus. Sweet.

[Harwood]

Stormclad is hands down the best jack for either bond. Though Rowdy is an awesome second choice under Estryker as his free charge makes him essentially a 5 focus jack.

I like the idea of the TA'd, bonded, Defender. Though I'm not sure that's the best use of 7 focus and a bond. As you can run the Defender on JR, and if you really cared, TA, TK, and Dead Eye, for 7 focus to get the same results. Saving your bond for the Stormclad.

[FearLord]

It says "...except as noted here. Do not roll on the bond effect tables..." So, yes, the only "noted here" is do not roll, so there you go. Four focus. Sweet.

Indeed - there are only 2 effects of bonding - one extra focus point and a roll on the bonding table. The epic warcaster bond rules tell you to follow the rules for bonding but not to roll on the bonding table.

Therefore, Epic bonds are regular bonds with a specific effect described on the warcaster's card rather than a roll on the bonding table. So four focus.

[DarkWonderer]

Are you guys sure this is how it works ? It looks to me like overinterpretation. I would be glad if an infernal could confirm it. That would be odd and cause a crazy outrage of people whose casters lost their warjack bonds in MKII. I will ignore this new revelation until I see some confirmation.

[TyrantSoul]

Are you guys sure this is how it works ? It looks to me like overinterpretation. I would be glad if an infernal could confirm it. That would be odd and cause a crazy outrage of people whose casters lost their warjack bonds in MKII. I will ignore this new revelation until I see some confirmation.


Asked in rules forum.

[FearLord]

Are you guys sure this is how it works ? It looks to me like overinterpretation. I would be glad if an infernal could confirm it. That would be odd and cause a crazy outrage of people whose casters lost their warjack bonds in MKII. I will ignore this new revelation until I see some confirmation.

It would be pointless wording if 4 focus wasn't intended...

p.83 - "These bonds follow the rules given in Appendix B: Warjack Bonding (p. 246) except as noted here. Do not roll on the bond effect table for these bonds. Their effects are described in the epic warcaster's special rules."

p. 246 - Appendix B is under 3 headings - Forging a bond (not applicable), Breaking a bond (not applicable) and Effects of Bonding (First paragraph "A bonded warjack can be allocated up to 4 focus points" and seconf paragraph "Bonding effects each warjack in a unique way as its personality develops...")

Therefore, the only way the wording on p. 83 makes any sense is if you ignore the second paragraph under Effects of Bonding. So this rule doesn't apply (and is replaced by the specific bond the epic warcaster brings) but the other 2 rules (4 focus and lose benefits while not under the control of the boned warcaster) apply as normal...

I really don't see that there's any room for interpretation on this - it seems to be very clearly layed out in the rules...

[TyrantSoul]

Well, no infernal ruling as yet, but common opinion is pretty firmly in the "Allows 4 focus" camp.
Here's the thread if interested:
http://privateerpressforums.com/showthread.php?t=7835

[masleth]

I do love the Defender for this, the double shooting is awesome, but I also like the idea of the extra swings on that shock hammer too.

[Ysthrall]

Sorry to thread res, but I have a question about this....

Epic warcasters have a special effect in addition to their warjack bond.

Their warjack bond effect is not rolled for on the bonding tables.

Therefore...

Do epic warcasters who do not have a (Warjack Bond: Effect) on their card (ENemo, ECaine), do they get allocate 4 focus to their bonded jack and nothing else?

Do they get to do even this?

[PaintThrall]

Just because you are epic does not mean you get the bond .

No 4 FOC or roll for eCaine and eNemo. In a league play if they get the bond You get to roll on a table and then get benefits of both the skill and 4FOC allocation

[FearLord]

Just because you are epic does not mean you get the bond .

No 4 FOC or roll for eCaine and eNemo. In a league play if they get the bond You get to roll on a table and then get benefits of both the skill and 4FOC allocation

Indeed - Epic Warcasters only have bonds if it specifically says they do in their rules. Otherwise, the only way to get a bond is to develop one through play during a campaign or league that are using the bonding rules...

[dukeandfrank]

So if I was using eStryker, fielding both Rowdy and a Sclad. rowdy having a bond with stryker, and giving stryker's bond to the Sclad, I could choose to give either of them 4 focus?

[bakaryu]

No, Ol' Rowdy and Stryker have an affinity, which is an extra ability he has if used in the same army as Stryker. Affinities also grant the ability to bond with that character jack/beast (normally you can only bond with non character jacks and beasts).

A bond is a different thing to an affinity, thus if you bonded with the Stormclad he could have the extra focus point and the ability granted by eStryker's bond but Ol' Rowdy would still have his affinity ability.