Chimera : Strange Mixture of Several Beasts [ECH]

"Better keep it at a distance"

One of the three 4RP area attack monsters (Cerberus, Hydra and Chimera).

8 8 0 2 10 Cerberus
7 7 1 1 10 Hyra
8 8 0 2 8 (fly) Chimera

The Chimera is another 4RP monster with one or more area attacks (like Cerberus, Hydra).
One special feature the Chimera has compared with its fellow monsters is its ability to fly. With a movement of two, you're certain the Chimera is going to find its target, no matter in what remote corner of the board it is hiding.

But as everything, this comes at a price. It has 2 less vitality than the Hydra and Cerberus. The Chimeras area attacks don't seem to target just enemies (perhaps this needs adjustment?). This would indicate that the Chimera is primarily meant to fly into hostile territory to wreak havoc there - and not so much of a guardian because it may cause as much harm to its allies as to its enemies.

Strong and fast, but more situational than the Hydra and Cerberus.

Teowulff wrote:"The Chimeras area attacks don't seem to target just enemies (perhaps this needs adjustment?). This would indicate that the Chimera is primarily meant to fly into hostile territory to wreak havoc there - and not so much of a guardian because it may cause as much harm to its allies as to its enemies.

I think this is probably planned like you described it. Otherwise Chimera may have been too powerful for a 4RP... ?
Anyways: as usual, good comprehensive summary!

LeiPak wrote:I think this is probably planned like you described it. Otherwise Chimera may have been too powerful for a 4RP... ?
Anyways: as usual, good comprehensive summary!

Not 100% sure; after all the Chimera has -2 vitality in comparison. But his mobility is certainly an asset that can not be underestimated - so it may indeed be intended like that!

And thanks!!

Teowulff wrote:

LeiPak wrote:I think this is probably planned like you described it. Otherwise Chimera may have been too powerful for a 4RP... ?
Anyways: as usual, good comprehensive summary!

Not 100% sure; after all the Chimera has -2 vitality in comparison. But his mobility is certainly an asset that can not be underestimated - so it may indeed be intended like that!

And thanks!!

I think there are a bunch of units where QW confirmed that the target of friendly units was intended... So I'd think this applies here too
Probably we should make a list of all those units and hand them to QW pefore the print starts, just to ensure that the perfect version gets printed

The Chimera is an absolute AoW hog. You'll want to recruit it in armies that are highly efficient in their use of AoW to unleash its full potential. The powers seem overpriced for how average they are, but it's the fact that they don't replace the attack action that really makes them shine. If you can afford to pay 3 cards, you can unload a bunch of attacks all in the same activation. Those attacks may not be super strong, but the compound effect of all of them will really mess up whatever your target is.

Whatever you do, don't use it against Aphrodite. It will be wasted.

MaxC wrote:The Chimera is an absolute AoW hog. You'll want to recruit it in armies that are highly efficient in their use of AoW to unleash its full potential. The powers seem overpriced for how average they are, but it's the fact that they don't replace the attack action that really makes them shine. If you can afford to pay 3 cards, you can unload a bunch of attacks all in the same activation. Those attacks may not be super strong, but the compound effect of all of them will really mess up whatever your target is.

Definitely 8+5+6 dice can be rather devestating! Especially late in the game, if he is still alive and AoW cards are more easily available, he will be a great asset for harrassing the enemy's camp.
That is .. if "end of activation" means a phase, not that using this skill ends the unit's activation. But even then the Chimera can perform at least two attacks.
When used in the right way, it's really a flying powerhouse. A bit of the Smaug of MB:P

Whatever you do, don't use it against Aphrodite. It will be wasted.

Well, fortunately people have to draw their God as first choice!  So you can avoid picking the Chimera.

Chimera is huge !

About the mini : as I said : Huge ! It will be as big as a Titan. You won't loose it on the field !
The design is very strange, very disturbing (more the artwork than the mini I think). There are some rocks on the base. Considering the size of this base, I hope they will add some more.
This is clearly a mini you can put on display. I hope I will paint it correctly.

About the stats:
4RP, 4AC, 8att/8def, 8vit : so comparable to other big 4RPs units. A bit less vitality but 8 def is good and vitality will drop slowly.
Fly 2, Block, Mighty Throw : it could be a very good God-Hunter (throw away the gards, block the God) and the ability to perform another attack after the first will help.

About Powers: the symbols on the 1st line seems wrong.
Bite: the wording of the attack is strange : Range 0. Similar attacks are just described to occur in the same area (see Cerebus) with no range symbol. There is no doubt in my mind that this is a melee attack (bite). Is this an interesting power to activate ? I guess yes if you're behind enemy lines. If not, for 1 AoW (and 1AC), you can activate another unit to come and perform an attack maybe stronger than 5-dice.
Breath : range 1 so no retaliation, area attack of 6-dice. You can maximize this effect if your Mighty Throw attack gathered enemies in the same area.
I read both Powers are exclusive as they end Chimera's turn. An expensive unit but with a good hand of AoW, it can wreak havok.

So I believe the high point of the Chimera is her flight capacity compared to other "big" monsters. You need to mix it with heroes to have the AoW cards to funnel it.

Confirmed: "at end of turn" means "after performing simple actions".

I played this monster in a few games and I must say it's devestating!
Especially if you have some AoW cards to spare he can really wreak a lot of havoc in the enemy's camp with its triple attack. In one game I destroyed a troops unit and Basilisk and badly wounded Artemis in two turns.
Also keep in mind that its fly (ignore obstacles, evade) and 2 movement makes him very easy to use.

Recommended!!