Boromite Lavamites

The Lavan species, and in particular, the Lavamite unit, are the most deadly creatures known in Antares. Bred by Boromites, they are used primarily for mining but come in a number of different sub-species to perform other tasks.

The unit comes with a Breeder on a suspensor platform, the Breeder being able to be upgrade to a highly competent Master Breeder. The Lavan sub-species making up a Lavamite unit are Lavamite Rock Dogs with optional upgrades to Lavamite Rock Broods – the most deadly form of lavamite. Both forms of lavamites are always prepared for Assaults (the Savage Strike special rule) and rock broods are even known to attack each other when enraged and in combat (the Frenzy special rule).

Lavan species abound within Boromite enclaves, kept, bred, and made use of as part of mining operations and to some extent simply as pets. Lavan creatures are fitted with technological implants that allow the Boromites to monitor them and control them, at least, control them to some degree…

Lavan hatchlings are the first hatch stage of the Lavan creature. As the hatchling grows it moults its stony exterior shell and from it emerges a new, larger and sometimes quite different secondary stage juvenile. Most hatchlings mature into lavamites, moulting and shedding their outer shell several times during the process. Some just keep growing and gradually become creatures of vast size and awesome appearance. Hatchlings are tiny when they first emerge but quickly expand until they are ready for their first moult. This means hatchlings can be various sizes all mixed up together. Quite how many make a swarm is anyone’s guess and depends upon the size and maturity of the hatchlings as much as anything. As mere babies hatchlings have a lower resist (Res) than adult lavamites, but what they otherwise lack as individuals they make up for in terms of sheer mass.

Lavan creatures are also adapted into micromites that the Boromites use as battlefield probes, and locomites, used for riding and racing.

On the table

Though they have precious little in ranged firepower – and that from the handler – it is worth noting that the Lavamite unit is the most deadly unit in Assaults in the Antares game. The most basic lavamites are deadly, but their elder form, the Rock Brood, is even more deadly and is astonishly quick in short bursts. To keep up with them, the Boromite handler comes with a suspensor platform which can also carry the lavamites (though normally only does so across trricky terrain such as ponds or rivers).

Each lavamite has several attacks in hand-to-hand and can also spit lava in point blank shooting, just before they engage.

The main weakness of the unit is in its lack of ranged firepower and in the need for a handler. Without the handler, the unit becomes just a beast unit, and potentially cannot control objectives and loses some critical command and control.

A lavamite unit is available on its own but can be upgraded with further hatchlings and rock brood lavamites, and is sometimes also available as part of some army deals. Wherever found, many Boromite players consider the lavamites a core component of their force, one an enemy has to handle!