Model Spotlight - Deathjack (Cryx) - A Love Letter to My Deathjack by Ryan Miller

Until Ryan learns Photoshop, I'm making all his images.

Basic Stats:

SPD: Standard for a cryxian heavy, the fact that this is the big daddy of cryx jacks and it matches up with the other helljacks is a blessing in disguise. Play like a true cryxian and this guys threat range is bigger than most of your victims will be expecting

STR: With two open fists combined with his high STR, you can have some real fun with power attacks. There are some fun things to be had with a double-handed throw both with your own units (bloat thrall bomb anyone?) or throwing a light jack back at its own caster.

MAT: Matches it's baby brother, the Seether on this one. Which isn't a bad thing, when you swing someone is going to be feeling it. Chances are you are either boosting to hit or damage with this guy and you should always have focus a-plenty. So for a melee monster, this one hits one way or another.

RAT: WHAT? if you even had to look at this stat, you are doing it wrong. This guy eats faces and prefers his meals fresh, moving on.

DEF: He's gonna get hit, this is Cryx we're talking about after all. DJ stands at the same level at most every other Cryx bigjack so this shouldn't be a huge surprise. Little guys can see him but won't be doing much but anyone with half a mind that's swinging is probably going to connect.

ARM: DJ is not an out boxer, he doesn't dodge and he doesn't sway. DJ prefers to get in and trade blow for blow, because most anyone else isn't going to be standing if he gets a solid trade on him. Play like a Cryxian and with the right buff you're touching Khador levels of armor here, nothing is more satisfying then watching someone try so hard to hit and having DJ just laugh in their face at their pitiful damage.

Deathjack brings 3 weapons with him/her/it

2x Necroclaw: They are so much fun, DJ brings two to the party. They both count as open-fists so there is plenty of fun to be had if you're feeling particularly devilish (you're cryx, you should be). Otherwise, bring these out and start reaping souls because no one really gets away unscathed when these are being swung around.

Horns: Sadly, no knockdown on these but it would be a bit much considering everything else we have at our disposal with this guy. Not a bad pow for just throwing on a little more damage to big jacks before you start buying extra attacks or clearing out a charge lane before you pull out the big guns. It's not as great as your fists, but it is free so don't forget you have it!

Special Abilities and other goodies

Abomination: Scary motherfucker right here, keep him away from the few living models you have and be sure to check who is fearless on the other side, can lead to some funny results when he comes lumbering in and they start running.

Advanced Deployment: Can be useful, if he's solo just make sure you remember that he's invincible and can/will die if focused enough

Cull Soul: This guy is a hungry-hungry-hippo for living models, trample some infantry and you'll be knee deep and ready to begin the reaping. Never hurts to take out some small fry that get to close for a quick heal or saving that focus for your caster.

Rendering: That quick heal from souls? That's where this comes in. Anytime DJ gets himself a tasty soul, he can down that sucker right then and there for a d6 heal anywhere you like. This is beyond satisfying for restoring limbs and getting extra swings because someone decided to throw everything he had at your giant target of a Jack. Know when to hold 'um and know when to eat 'um.

Necromancy: No one ever see's this coming, it's beautiful. DJ will always, ALWAYS have a contribution to make no matter where he is. This makes him an arc node but uses his own focus for casting, this right here is why he can work with most any caster in our arsenal. It's also why you want to watch that Advanced Deployment in the opening and keep him in your casters control area for spell slinging before it's time for the feasting.

Skulls of Hate: Hmm, seems all these attacks and spell casting would make this guy a focus HOG before he can start getting himself some souls. NOPE, PP loves it's Cryx enough that we get 1 free focus after allocation for EACH arm system still functioning on ol' DJ. With the max you can give him from souls/allocation that means DJ is sitting on a whopping 5 focus at the start of his turn. You will see jaws drop the first time you do this and it will be fantastic. DJ doesn't get any armor for his focus like a caster does, so go nuts and don't be afraid to sling spells or buy extra attacks. And a final bonus, the skulls take his vision to a complete 360 as long as one arm is still up and running, no more back arc for this sweet mamma jamma.

Final Thought

This deathmachine is exactly what you expect from Cryx, it's tough as nails, it eats what it kills (recycle or die!), hits like a bus with Keanu at the wheel and just keeps coming...if it gets the chance. This thing is a target and there's no way around it, your opponent is going to kill it if they have the slightest chance at doing so, and they will. You have a plethora of options at your disposal with this guy and you need to make use of them. Running him up the middle like an RB is going to get him slaughtered, think like a Cryx player and be sneaky. Sometimes you field him and he wrecks face like a boss, other times he pulls most of your opponents army to one side and leaves him open for that sweet, sweet assassination up their backside. Change it up, keep your opponents on their toes and this guy will never be a bad investment. As long as he can move, he can make a comeback and when he does it will hurt like hell for whoever was silly enough to do it.

Ryan Miller - After his unicorn hunting business went under (licensing issues), Ryan decided to go back to school and is currently getting his M.A. at CSUSB. He lives in San Bernardino, CA where he works as a tutor and grad student intern/slave when he isn't harassing his friends off-line..