A new set of dangerous looking solos have been added into the mix for Skorne and the world of Hordes by Privateer Press. We start with Abidan The Keeper.

"Some few immortals prove exceptional enough to earn esteemed recognition. In life, Abidan was a skilled warrior, though from a family of little standing. In death, he has won glory and honour denied him in life. He was shattered in a clash inside Ios, where he fought back to back with Hakaar the Destroyer. When the extollers recovered his sacral stone and the exalted ancestors spoke his praises, a new, more ornate form was granted him, and so he became the Keeper. Given a special place among the immortals, he fights to safeguard those around him, moving to intercept blows intended for his ancient companions."

Every inch the dark and dangerous knight, I love the power pose as he stands dominant over the battlefield. Whilst most of the Skorne force doesn't really work for me, especially their Warbeasts, I do like what they've done here with these heavily armoured characters.

The slightly more African/Asian feel to their design really does make Skorne stick out alongside some of the other Hordes forces (and of course those from Warmachine too). Check out the Extoller Novitiate here.

"Becoming a full extoller is an arduous process, one with many trials where failure can result in death. Yet even novitiates who have yet to sacrifice an eye to gain their oculus can be useful on "the battlefield. Each one labours day and night, carving the stone forms of the exalted, and through this skill, they can restore those damaged in battle or help quicken them to action. They are not warriors, but each wields a hammer augmented to shape stone, which can as easily be used to shatter the skull of any unwary foe that lingers nearby."

I do like their theme, and that hammer could do some serious damage if it was used to crack bones.

Last but not least from this list of new releases for January we have the Immortal Vessel.

"Following the unconventional path laid by Zaal, the Ancestral Advocate, the extoller caste has redefined its destiny, and now its most esteemed members no longer fear the Void. Some whose service to Zaal has been exemplary are allowed to transcend death to become immortal vessels, a stature below the full exalted yet preserved for eternity in stone. These vessels serve as conduits for the mortitheurgical power of warlocks and can guide destructive magics to smite those marked for death by the ancestors."

Whilst I don't think that Skorne is ever going to win me over as a faction, I do appreciate that they provide Hordes with a nice alternative. In fact, I could probably say that Hordes as a whole is much more appealing to me compared to Warmachine simply by virtue of the variety on offer.

Add to that the fact that a lot of it is reactionary rather than 'planned' and I think the game just flows better for me.

What do you think of Skorne and these new characters?