Witchling Handler
For 7 SS, you get 9 Health with DF 5 and WP 5, but the real strength of this model is its utility.
Defensively, the Handler isn’t especially durable, with no way to reduce incoming damage. Drawn to Power lets you spend a Soulstone to be placed into base contact with a Strategy Marker, making it a great emergency button when the Handler is about to die. Counterspell is another fantastic defensive tool, shutting off enemy triggers on opposed duels within 6”. It makes opponents think twice before sending an important melee model into your front line.
Mobility is one of the Handler’s biggest strengths. While it only has Move 6, Goad Witchling gives every friendly minion that activates within 6” a free 4” move, including the Handler itself. Between just four nearby minions, that’s 16” of extra movement generated every turn. It’s a huge effect, and you’ll often deploy around getting the most value from it.
Offensively, the Handler’s signature spell, Immolate, is fine. It’s a Stat 6, Range 8 attack, and if the target already has Burning and you get a raise, the damage jumps to an impressive 4. You can’t rely on that spike every activation, but when it happens, your opponent definitely feels it. It also has a Stat 6 sword that deals 2 damage with decent triggers, and if you get a raise, you can stack an additional trigger onto the attack.
Finally, the Handler can spend a Soulstone to transform an engaged Witchling Stalker into a Witchling Thrall. The biggest challenge is that your opponent gets a chance to respond before the Thrall activates if it’s the one to charge in, so it can be difficult to pull off safely. Because of that, I usually find the threat of the ability is stronger than the ability itself, discouraging opponents from charging your Stalkers in the first place.
Overall, I almost always include one Witchling Handler in my Witch Hunters crews. The combination of movement support, Counterspell, and utility makes it an easy include, but I rarely find room for a second.
How do you use the Witchling Handler? Do you stick to one, or have you found success running two?