Test of Honour Unboxing (Pauper Soldiers)

Product Name

Hey Game Fans, we’re back with an unboxing article on one of the expansion sets for Test of Honour.  We’re going to take a look at the sprues, the cards, and any other odds and ends that come in the box.  Now most of these expansion sets (aside from the Samurai Warband) have additional metal components (typically metal heads) and a metal hero character.  Let’s dig into the components and see what you can put together out of the box.

The Sprues

Now this particular box contains 2 copies of this sprue

Now with these sprues you can build 10 models using missile weapons, , with extra metal parts for adding additional details.  They can be armed and equipped with the following options, depending on how you want to put them together:

• Pauper Archers
• Pauper Musketmen
• Pauper Archer
• Pauper Musketman

The Metal Components

The metal components allow you to modify 10 models, which means that you might be able to use the spare components to convert other models in your group.  

In addition, you have the metal hero character Sanzo the Thorn.  This model will come as a single piece with a number of additional details.  Also included is a single black base (you will have to drill a hole in the base to attach the peg from the miniature to the base).  

The Cards

There are two primary types of cards that come in each of these expansions.  First, you’ll be getting recruitment cards to match the new units available in the box.  Each Recruitment card included will have a breakdown like the one we did for the Starter Set.  You can find our original article on the Recruitment cards for the starter set (and the Samurai Warband box) here.  The card breakdowns for the current set are listed below.

Recruitment Cards

Sanzo ‘The Thorn’

Sanzo is a 7 recruitment cost model.  Armed with a Bow, Sanzo has 5s in everything but Strength, and 3 activations.  He begins the game with One with the Target Skill.  He’s the same cost as a regular samurai hero with a bow upgrade, and starts the game with a bonus skill for the price.  In close combat he’ll defend himself with his knife, but he probably should be standing back and blasting away with his bow.  I would probably suggest using Ashigaru spearmen to screen him from units that want to get in his face.    

Bow

This is a 2 point upgrade to arm one of your other Samurai with a bow (you must model appropriately).

Pauper Musketman

The Pauper Musketman is a 2 recruitment cost model.  He’s a standard commoner, with 3s in every attribute with 1 activation.  He comes equipped with a Musket, and basically has the same pros and cons of the Ashigaru Musketman.

Pauper Musketmen (3)

The Pauper Musketmen are a 3 recruitment cost model.  It’s a multibase of 3 Pauper Musketman models, and has all the advantages and disadvantages of the multibase (+1 Honor with 3 left, +1 Strike with 2 or more left), and the need to reload that muskets have.    The Pauper Musketmen have 4 Agility, which is the primary difference between the Paupers and the regular Ashigaru units.  

Pauper Archer

The Pauper Archer is a 2 recruitment cost model.  He’s a standard peasant commoner with commoner attributes and 1 activation. He has the same advantages and disadvantages as the regular Ashigaru Archer, and if you’re curious, check out our article on the Recruitment cards linked above.  

Pauper Archers (3)

The Pauper Archers are a 3 recruitment cost model.  It’s a multibase of 3 Pauper Archer models, and has all the advantages and disadvantages of the multibase (+1 Honor with 3 left, +1 Strike with 2 or more left).    The Pauper Archers also have 4 Agility, which is the primary difference between the Paupers and the regular Ashigaru units.  

Additional Cards

In addition, the box will come with 6 additional skill and 2 quest cards.  We will be listing those below and having a brief explanation of what the card does.  

Flip to Feet

When Knocked to the ground, the Samurai makes a Test of Agility.  If passed, he instantly flips back to his feet.

Healing Herbs

Once per Battle, Make a Test of Knowledge If passed, roll a die for each blood drop the Samurai has.  For every blade rolled, remove a blood drop.  

Plentiful Sake

For the rest of the battle, the samurai’s abilities are adjustted +1 Strength, -1 Knowledge.

HIdden Marksman

Once per battle, make a shooting attack as if a bow-armed warrior with Aim 5 was positioned just off the table, touching anywhere around the edge.

Informant

Once per battle, Look at your opponent’s Fate Deck and re-order the cards as you wish.

One with the Target

When making a Shoot Action, the samurai may move 5 inches instead of 3.  

Protector (Quest)

Win a battle without any friendly commoners being cut down.

Man of the People (Quest)

Win a battle without enemy commoners being cut down.

Conclusions

This is a missile units focused box that plays to the strength of having a lot of ranged units.  Sanzo’s got more mobility with the Shoot action than other archers because of One with Target.   It has 29 points of recruitment cards, but you’ll need additional bodies to fill out the multibases for both Archers and Musketmen. You can also grab an additional Samurai hero to give the bow upgrade to as well.  

You can find the Pauper Soldiers box from the Warlord Games Webstore here.  The box retails for 29.00 if you can find it at your friendly local game store, so stop by and see if you can find it.  Have fun, and Game On, Game Fans.