Introducing Defiance: the Banished Expansion Booklet

In our next preview for the Banished, we're looking at the Defiance booklet - coming first in Rise of the Banished.

What is 'Defiance'?

Defiance is to the Banished Jiralhanae what War Games was for the UNSC Spartans (& Sangheili Mercenaries) - and brings all those lovely Brute miniatures into the realm of points-building and custom fireteams from day one.

But it's also MUCH more than that. Each of these booklets is the next phase of the game that any serious player will want.

As with the Rulebook and War Games, it will be possible to get (1) as physical booklets in relevant boxes, (2) as digital PDFs for purchase online, and (3) as new game content automatically included for Halo Flashpoint App subscribers.

As a physical booklet, Defiance will be available first in Rise of the Banished  - which ships in July.

NOTE: to clear up a question we've seen online, the Sangheili Mercenaries are absolutely part of the Banished faction. Following the Great Schism entire Keeps pledged themselves to the Banished cause, fighting alongside the Jiralhanae as seasoned mercenaries. However you'll find that in respect of both theme and balance, some special orders may only be usable by one or the other - even within mixed fireteams.

What's in the Book?

Introducing the Jiralhanae

Alongside all those huge and brutal new miniatures from Rise of the Banished, you'll be needing the points costs for adding them into your Banished custom fireteams. Whether you're fielding Atriox himself, or Captains, Snipers and Warriors, you'll find all their values included here.

Where these units (and their weapons) may introduce new keywords, those are of course also included. Plus there are all the points values you'll need for additional new weapons and grenades, and some brand new special orders. These are in addition to Reinforcements Incoming and Alliance - the two Special Orders already available to Banished players out there currently fielding Sangheili Mercenaries.

The Jiralhanae demand some different tactics to what players may be used to so far. Check out the tactical preview HERE from the Rules Committee.

NEW: Extra Scenarios

The first new scenario from Defiance joining the many ways to play Halo: Flashpoint is...

VIP: You must protect the Very Important Person at all costs. With your skill, your bravery, and with your lives if necessary...

You'll pick out a member of your fireteam to protect, your opponent does the same, the battle begins, and absolute tactical chaos ensues. Full details in the booklet, but we know you'll have a lot of fun with this one!

Also in the Defiance booklet, we're introducing BIG TEAM BATTLES. This is sufficiently great news that it practically demands its own section of the blog. And honestly, who are we to refuse?

NEW: Big Team Battles

Instead of the simulated war games of Arena Mode where fallen warriors can swiftly respawn to continue the fight, Big Team Battles represent the true nature of warfare where death is taken seriously and proves to be very permanent.

Finally, you're out of the training arena and into the war - and this all puts a very different spin onto how the game feels and plays.

While you'll be deploying more models, they're suddenly all much more precious. Make them count!

There are some features that are standard across Big Team Battle, with additional detail then coming from the particular scenario. But as a baseline:

• No respawns - models removed from play aren't coming back any more.
• Bigger teams - while you can still agree and set a points level with your opponent, it's recommended to double the points allowance compared to a standard game.
• Realistic equipment rules - weapons no longer appear at the start of every round. What's out at the start is it for the game, and if killed by a ranged attack you'll drop any collected weapons where you fall.
• New scenarios - these will have (i) no respawn points and (ii) bigger deployment zones. In future you can expect both adapted versions of current modes, and whole new scenarios. While you may be able to win simply by wiping out the opposition, there may be other routes to victory as well - as always, check the scenario for victory conditions.

How will you know if a scenario is for Big Team Battle and featuring these new elimination-based rules? Simple: it'll have an <<Elimination>> label as part of the scenario name.

Wrapping Up

Prepare to sink your teeth into a chunk of new Halo: Flashpoint game content, whether it's reading up on the enemy or diving into the new scenarios.

As a physical booklet, Defiance will be releasing first in Rise of the Banished - which ships in July. If you missed the breakdown on everything that's coming in this big new faction set, you can find it HERE.

US Customers: in case you missed it - you're still able to order the Rise of the Banished Faction Box at the current price ($125) until the 1st June, four days from time of writing, when it will be increasing to $139 MSRP.