Weekly Waffle #396 – Masters of the Sky
11th October 2025
For this week’s weekly waffle I’m having a mini retrospective, along with a little bit of a ponder. The retrospective is going to take the form a review of the Falconers team as a whole. Their play style and how they fit into the wider Guild Ball story and I’m also going to touch a little on shiny syndrome and how it can mess with your well laid painting plans.
On the shiny, shiny front I have been distracted from my renewed Guild Ball progress with two new but very different shiny things. The first has been be on the cards for some time and is adding to my ever expanding Orc collection. But this one has been a bit different. And has certainly taken up quite a bit of time so far, with more to go before it is ready to share with you.
The second has been delving into another sporting themed game and I am blaming Pete for this one hundred percent. The laid the worm of an idea in my head and I have had to act on it. Again I’ve put quite a lot of time into this alongside some of the Guild Ball work and I should have something to share with you next week.
So I have lots of things going on at the moment but shiny syndrome really is putting me in a position where if I’m not carful I won’t actually have anything finished to share with you. And then I’ll have lots of things all finished at the same time. So I need manage my time better and have a little bit of discipline to actually get one thing finished before I start on the next.
With that I mind my retrospective is going to be to look back over the last couple of months where I have been working on my Falconers. I’ve shown them all to you piece meal but now I’m bringing them all tougher in one place. Both pictures and words. So I hope you like them.
You can see more Guild Ball miniatures at my gallery here
There’s a moment in every game of Guild Ball when the air seems to shift, a scent of freedom mingling with the thrill of competition. You think you’ve got the match in the bag, your strategies meticulously laid out like a bird’s nest. Then, the Falconers take control of the pitch, and suddenly, the winds of fate change direction. Welcome to the world of the Falconers, a guild that embodies the elegance of flight and the ferocity of the hunt.
Today, we’re diving into the lore, the roles, and the unmistakable flair of the Falconers. The team that can turn the game into a symphony of soaring plays and tactical acrobatics that leave opponents gasping for breath.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the Falconers themselves. In the official lore, they stand as a testament to the natural world, a guild imbued with the spirit of the hunt. Their captain, the enigmatic Davana isn’t just a figurehead; she’s a master tactician who views the pitch as her own domain, a place where strategy and instinct merge seamlessly. The Falconers believe in the chase, the thrill of the hunt, and the unyielding pursuit of excellence, making them more than just a team, they’re an experience.
The Falconers’ ethos is rooted in the idea of agility and precision. While other guilds might rely on brute force or overwhelming numbers, the Falconers thrive on finesse. They are the embodiment of a well-timed strike, a graceful swoop that leaves the competition in their wake. Each player on this team is a carefully chosen component of a greater mechanism, working together to achieve one singular goal: victory.
When you watch the Falconers play, you’re treated to a display of fluidity and grace. They dart across the pitch with a speed that seems almost supernatural, their movements choreographed like a dance in the sky. Hawkeye, with his keen eye, directs his team with an understanding of the game that goes beyond mere tactics; he reads the flow of the match like a true maestro, orchestrating plays that leave opponents bewildered and disoriented.
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what the Falconers bring to the tabletop. In one word: exhilarating. If you’re facing the Falconers, prepare for a whirlwind of surprises. And if you’re piloting them? Get ready for a ride that demands skill, precision, and a touch of daring.
The Falconers’ gameplay revolves around their unique ability to manipulate the flow of the game, creating openings and exploiting them with ruthless efficiency. They are not a guild of heavy hitters; instead, they excel at movement and positioning. Here are some of their standout features:
- Skyward Ambush: This ability captures the essence of the Falconers’ playstyle. With the power to reposition players and utilize the verticality of the pitch, the Falconers can surprise their opponents, launching into unexpected attacks that leave the opposition scrambling to adjust.
- Eagle Eye: The ability to spot opportunities from afar is what makes the Falconers particularly dangerous. With a keen sense of where to place the ball and how to navigate around defenders, they can execute plays that seem to defy logic. This ability allows them to capitalize on mistakes and create scoring opportunities where there seemed to be none.
- Tactical Retreat: The Falconers are masters of evasion. When the pressure mounts, they can slip away from danger, regrouping and repositioning to keep the game in their favor. This ability isn’t just about avoiding damage; it’s about controlling the tempo of the game and dictating how it unfolds.
The Falconers’ game plan is exhilarating yet deceptively simple:
- Control the Pitch: Use positioning and movement to dominate the flow of the game. Make it hard for the opponent to predict where you’ll be next.
- Exploit Weaknesses: Identify the gaps in the opponent’s defense and strike when the moment is right. The Falconers are not about overwhelming force; they are about surgical precision.
- Win with Style: The Falconers are all about flair. They don’t just want to win; they want to win beautifully. Score goals that leave the crowd in awe and ensure that every play is a highlight.
For control players, the Falconers are an absolute delight. They require a deep understanding of the game, a knack for predicting your opponent’s moves, and the ability to capitalize on even the slightest openings. It’s not enough to simply play the game; you have to be thinking several steps ahead, like a chess player anticipating their opponent’s next move.
Facing the Falconers can be a daunting task. Their speed and agility can leave you feeling like you’re being outmaneuvered at every turn. If you leave a model exposed, they’ll swoop in for the kill. If you overcommit, they’ll capitalize on your mistakes and turn the tide in a heartbeat. The key to beating them lies in your own discipline. Stay tight with your formations and anticipate their movements, or you’ll find yourself on the receiving end of a devastating play.
Every gaming group has its standout players – the ones who thrive on strategy and finesse rather than raw power. The Falconers embody that spirit perfectly. They’re the players who relish the challenge of outsmarting their opponents, who find joy in the thrill of the chase. When you’re facing a Falconers’ player, expect them to keep you on your toes, always challenging your assumptions about the game.
In summary, the Falconers are a breathtaking representation of agility, grace, and tactical brilliance. They may not be the most straightforward guild to play, but for those willing to embrace their unique style, they offer an exhilarating experience that’s both rewarding and engaging.
On the pitch, they elevate the game into a spectacle, turning each match into an exhibition of skill and strategy. In the lore, they embody the spirit of the hunt, reminding us that there’s beauty in the chase and triumph in the art of precision.
So, the next time you find yourself on the opposite side of the pitch from the Falconers, remember this: it’s not just about the scoreline. It’s about the experience, the thrill of the chase, and the knowledge that sometimes, you’re not just playing a game – you’re part of a masterful performance in the grand theatre of Guild Ball.
