Ardent Legion
Home ground · PlainsDisciplined imperial legions
“Advance. Hold. Crush. The Plains are ours, and the enemy is already dead.”
Precise, implacable, and relentless. The Ardent Legion speaks in orders, not pleas—its voice the crack of standards in the wind, its patience measured in the time it takes to sharpen a blade.
Lore
The Ardent Legion does not march—it advances. On the Plains of the Empire, where the earth is firm and the horizon unbroken, their cohorts move as one. A Legionnaire’s shield is not just steel; it is the weight of discipline, a 3-strength wall that holds the line while Outriders scout the flanks, their hooves kicking up dust at 14 mv. The land favors them here, and they know it.
Praetorians do not charge; they arrive. With 7 strength and First Strike, they open the battle before the enemy can raise a blade. The Eagle Legate circles above, loosing a Ranged volley from the sky, its wings cutting through the air where others cannot follow. Marshes slow them, forests choke them—but on the Plains, the Legion is unstoppable.
No city stands long against the Legion’s Ballista. It does not fire arrows; it erases walls. The Veterans, with their 5 strength and +1 leadership, anchor the center, while the Outriders exploit gaps, their movement quirks turning Plains into a highway. The Legion does not fight for glory. It fights to end wars before they begin.
Strategy
The Ardent Legion thrives on Plains, where its favored terrain bonus and Outrider mobility dominate. Anchor with Veterans (5 str, +1 leadership) and Praetorians (7 str, First Strike), while Eagles (Ranged) soften foes from above. Ballistae cancel city walls, but their 6 mv demands protection. Marshes and forests are obstacles; bypass them or grind through. Speed and discipline win here.
Roster
The six Ardent Legionunits, in roster order. Stats are pulled straight from the engine, so they match the live game — see each unit's full entry in the compendium.
The Legionnaire’s shield is the first and last line. On Plains, they move at cost 2, a tide of iron and discipline.
Tactics · 3 strength is modest, but in numbers, they hold ground. Never the vanguard—always the foundation.
Veteran Cohorts carry the weight of the Legion. 5 strength, +1 leadership, and a grip on Hills as tight as Plains.
Tactics · Their 8 mv is steady, but their real value is in anchoring the line. Let Praetorians strike first—they’ll finish the job.
Outriders are the Legion’s eyes and blades. 14 mv on Plains (cost 1.5), but forests slow them to a crawl (cost 4).
Tactics · Harass, flank, retreat. Their 4 strength won’t win battles, but their speed will dictate where they’re fought.
Terrain · Moves swiftly through Plains (1.5 vs 2) · Slowed in Forest (4 vs 3)
Praetorians do not meet the enemy—they preempt them. 7 strength, First Strike, and 2 HP to endure the storm.
Tactics · Their opening blow can cripple a foe before blades clash. Keep them behind Veterans; their role is to break, not hold.
Eagle Legates strike from above, their Ranged volley disrupting foes before the melee. 16 mv, and no terrain is forbidden (cost 2 everywhere).
Tactics · Use them to weaken key targets, then withdraw. Their 4 strength won’t survive a countercharge.
Terrain · Moves swiftly through Forest (2 vs 3) · Moves swiftly through Hills (2 vs 3) · Crosses Mountains others cannot (2 to enter) · Crosses Water others cannot (2 to enter) · Moves swiftly through Marsh (2 vs 4)
The Legion Ballista does not fire—it dismantles. Siege role cancels city walls, but its 6 mv demands an escort.
Tactics · Slow but decisive. Keep them behind the line; their 4 strength is a liability in melee.
Stat lines
| Unit | Str | Mv | HP | Cost | Turns | Upkeep | Leadership | Favored | Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LegionnaireInfantry | 3 | 10 | 1 | 40g | 1 | 1 | — | Plains | — |
| Veteran CohortHeavy | 5 | 8 | 1 | 80g | 2 | 2 | +1 | Plains, Hills | — |
| OutriderCavalry | 4 | 14 | 1 | 70g | 2 | 2 | — | Plains | — |
| PraetorianElite | 7 | 10 | 2 | 160g | 3 | 4 | +2 | Plains | First Strike |
| Eagle LegateFlyer | 4 | 16 | 1 | 110g | 2 | 3 | — | — | Ranged |
| Legion BallistaSiege | 4 | 6 | 1 | 100g | 3 | 2 | — | — | — |