Dismounted Baneret/Baron

From Ex illis wiki

Excellent against enemy Heroes
Can lead numerous armies from France, England or Scotland
Low-cost Hero choice

The Baneret is a knightly Hero whose main role is to hunt down enemy Characters. The knight version makes an expensive but powerful addition to a heavy cavalry unit while the dismounted one is a cheap Hero who can fit in almost any unit. When promoted to the role of General, the Baneret becomes Baron and can lead armies from over twenty regional factions of France, England, Scotland and Germany.

Heroic Power

Hero Killer: Multiply melee weapons’ damage by 1.5 against enemy Heroes.

Story Notes

The baneret (spelled with a single “n” as was custom in 1309) is a military rank between the simple knight and the baron. The name refers to the privileges this knight earned allowing him to carry his own banner to the battlefield and lead a small troop.

The title "baneret" is given to a knight who distinguishes himself on the battlefield. It takes truly impressive feats of arms to be noticed in a melee and the knight who wishes to become baneret better hope his liege is looking his way when he throws himself at the enemy. As such, the knights who become banerets tend to be daring and brutish men with a stubborn courage bordering on the stupid.

In many respects, the baneret is the living embodiment of the warfare feudal system. His titles and lands are directly related to how well he performs in combat. Challenging and defeating prestigious opponents can mean instant wealth. But if the baneret is seen hesitating, he may be stripped of his honour and rank once the battle is over. While there is no shame in challenging and being defeated by a great foe, one’s name may be ruined forever if bested by a lowborn and otherwise unworthy warrior. It is thus only natural that the baneret compulsively seeks enemy heroes on the field for his personal glory, rather than "strategically" waiting while others fight.

The positive side of this suboptimal tactic is that the baneret shows a real devotion to his liege. He fights in his lord’s name with a pride and fury that inspires loyalty in lesser men. When the baneret goes to war, it is plain to everyone who he is fighting for!

Gameplay Summary

The Baneret box contains two distinct Heroes: a Knight Baneret and a Dismounted Baneret. Both are efficient at dealing with enemy Characters and leading men into battles, but they also have their own particularities and roles on the battlefield.

The Knight Baneret adds a serious punch to the already devastating Franc Chevalers’ charge. This Hero may appear overpriced, but the added power and Intimidation may well make an enemy unit rout where it would normally have fought. This works well even against units supported by a Hero since the knight Baneret has reasonable chances to kill him/her on the charge! Note, however, that the Hero Killer power does not apply on the charge since lances are considered as secondary melee weapon. This should not be an issue considering that a direct hit from a cavalry charge is often enough to kill a man outright.

The Dismounted Baneret is an inexpensive addition to almost any unit. He can be used to add an extra defence to a ranged unit behind the melee line or to create a special force sent to hunt down enemy Characters when paired up with heavy-hitters like the Billmen. An English dismounted Baneret is also a good match for your Longbowmen: the Leadership bonus will make the unit confident, which in turn grants a 20% Accuracy bonus to every shot the Longbowmen will take!

Factions related to the Baneret/Baron

Aquitània	Artois	Avignon	Bàidenach	Bourgogne	Breizh	Champagne

Cornwall	English Crown	French Crown	Gloucester	Hereford	Lancaster	Lengadòc

Lodainn	Normandie	Provence	Rheinpfalz	Savoie	Valois-Anjou

Statistics

Stats Highlights
Good Strength
Very good Accuracy
Heavy Armour
Great Defences
Low cost
Fatigues fast
Resistance to Fire
Weakness to Lightning

Main Article: Stats

Characteristics HP: 80 Toughness: 25 Fatigue Rate: 150% Veil Rate: 100% Initiative: 100 Bulk: 2 Aggressiveness: 4 Movement: 1 Main melee weapon Weapon Damage: 24 Armour Piercing: 12 Retaliate: 50% Secondary melee weapon Weapon Damage: 0 Armour Piercing: 0 Ranged Weapon Weapon Damage: 0 Armour Piercing: 0	Muster Number of Miniatures: 1 Point Cost: 26 Basic Leadership: 20 Muster Category: Hero, Melee Offence Strength: 26 Shooting: 0 Magic: 20 Charge Charge Priority: 2 Reaction Priority: 1 Accuracy Melee Accuracy: 50 Ranged Accuracy: 0 Magic Accuracy: 0	Morale Morale Sensitivity: 80% Morale Type: Standard Intimidation: 5.5 Defence Block: 30 Evade: 0 Deflect: 20 Protection Armour: 36 Shield: 3 Missile Block: 50% Resistance Lightning 15 Fire 25 Ice 20 Earth 20 Water 20 Wind 20 Light 20 Dark 20

Skills

Granted Skills
Heroic Charge - level 1		Boast - level 1		Daring Advance - level 1
	A charge with a drastic accuracy penalty allowing a second attack if the first one hit. The second attack has increased chances of targeting an enemy Hero.		The Baneret halves the highest enemy Leadership in his zone and converts it to a morale bonus for his unit.		The Baneret attacks the closest enemy Hero in melee, but receives attacks from enemy miniatures in his way beforehand.
Slander - level 5		Guards Killer - level 10		Fiery Presence - level 15
	Range 0-2. Cancels the heroic power of the most aggressive enemy Hero over 3 turns.		A double attack against enemy Retinues.		Every enemy unit in the same zone becomes less resistant to Fire over 2 turns.

Mastery Skills
Blocking Stance - level 20		Gloat - level 20		Challenge - level 20
	Defensive Stance. The Baneret retaliates to every blocked attacks.		Offensive Stance. More chances to target enemy Heroes with melee attacks. Attacks against enemy Heroes are more powerful.		Defensive Stance. The enemy Hero with the highest aggressiveness is forced to attack the Baneret over 3 turns.

Final Skills
Leeching Strike - level 45		King Killer - level 45		Fiery Blade - level 45
	A melee attack absorbing some life energy from its victim.		Passive Skill. Hero Killer Heroic Power is more powerful for the Baneret, but not for his Retinue.		Fire elemental ranged attack in the same zone. Targets according to Veil.