How to Play House Escher in Necromunda Underhive
Today take a look at some basics of how to play and get started with Necromunda House Escher, the puissant poisoners.
The Eschers are one of the six Clan House gangs of Necromunda. House Escher’s wealth depends upon the Stimm trade, in particular the supplying of their Stimms to House Goliath and medical elixirs to House Van Saar. 90% of all stimms produced on Necromunda come from House Esher’s Chymist clans. Arrogant and heartless, the Escher have a reputation for cruelty, and are perhaps the most vicious House. Their gangs may be all female, but woe be to any who underestimate them on that account.
Below we offer some tips on how to play the gang and get started with them.
Who Is House Escher?
House Escher is the oldest Clan House upon Necromunda and can even trace their genetic strength back to M32, when legendary warrior women known as The Blades first made their mark upon the planet. In the intervening millennia, they have celebrated many successes and suffered many defeats.
In M35, Escher was created formally at the conclusion of the Two-faced War where the House Ulanti sect known as the Eschaki exiled themselves from Necromunda’s Hive Primus Spire. Wars with House Goliath raged on and off until the Great Poisoning during the Mynerva Famine, which killed thousands of Goliath warriors and saw them all but wiped out in the subsequent fighting.
However, during M39, the house was infected with the Flesh Curse, and some nine out of every ten male children died before reaching their second cycle. Other clans tried to take advantage of their weakened position, and the House of Blades suffered many losses. It was left to the matriarchs of the clan to claim leadership and over the years, through means both subtle and violent, they have risen to reclaim their place among the Clan Houses
Why Play Eschers
The Eschers are quick-footed and well equipped. Their high initiative and movement characteristics are extremely advantageous in Necromunda Underhive . If you like playing with finesse, House Escher may be the gang for you.
Strengths of the Gang
- High Initiative and Movement
- Cheap and plentiful lasguns, great esoteric gear
- Poison!
Weakness of the Gang
- Toughness.
- Equipment with cred upkeep cost.
Escher Signature Rules
Every Clan House gang has something special that truly defines them. Eschers have Chem Alchemy, which gives them access to a special equipment list. These various toxins are available for purchase and production exclusively by House Escher gangs. These consist of both Stimms, to supply to your Gangers, as well as toxic and gaseous ammo, to apply their effects to enemy fighters. They are almost all somewhat expensive and one-use, so don’t go overboard with these. There are, however, a few ways to get some discounts. Full rules can be found in the House of Blades book.
Gang Units To Know
There are lots of ways to build a gang and a variety of fighters you can use. Here are some suggestions to get you off on the right track.
1. Gang Queen (Leader)
In Necromunda your gang will only ever have one leader, and the Gang Queen is a great one. She can be built for ranged or up close, or a mix, all for a reasonable cost.
2. Gang Matriarch
The basic Escher champion, with group activation, good stats, and good weapon options. I love one with a Chem Thrower and some good Chem Alchemy. Failing that, a Bolter is always nice!
3. Death Maiden
The less traditional of the Escher champions, the Death Maiden is dead and made of poison. She is super fast, coats her own weapons in toxin, and has a ton of attacks. If she gets into the meat of gang, she can eviscerate it.
4. Gangers
The basic Escher ganger. Fast, great Initiative, and super cheap (and effective!) with a lasgun.
5. Wyld Runner
Specially equipped Juves, Wyld Runners aren’t great on their own. It turns out having a bow and arrow is somewhat limiting in the 41st Millenium. But they do get to lead a swarm of three animals, Phelynxes, which can be enough to close off a ZM corridor.
All hail the House of Blades
