The recent release lists put out by Privateer Press have caused me a lot of excitement in terms of two things. One, the Winter Guard Death Star should be easier than ever to obtain given that all you need is now being reboxed and packed together, (part of the reason I've yet to run it is simply because trying to get all three rocketeers is incredibly difficult when you don't really want to go online for them.) The other is the release of two cavalry sets, the Arcane Tempest Blazers for Cygnar (so Arcane Tempest gun mages with horses) and for Khador the Greylord Outriders. The scene looks to be set for a duel of speedy bullet dodging gunslingers against the cold steely spellflingers that the Greylord covenant have to offer.
For both units there are a few things that are certain to change from their base form to their cavalry form, firstly a speed boost, that I'm aware both units are classed as light cavalry (which means we may soon be seeing units such as Iridian Skirmishers on horse back for Menoth players and Bane Knights on horse/undead mount thing (Not sure what else to call it really) for Cryx). Now on the face of it I'd say that isn't really needed, but then you think of the possibility of flanking your opponent with something that makes the Kayazy look comparable in speed to Man O Wars, (Overstatement I know, but I still feel they will have some form of rule that makes them incredibly versatile for moving round terrain, though I don't think it'd be Pathfinder, though I'll happily eat my words on that if I am wrong), then blasting the units that hung back for so long (looking at you Long gunners) with the magical shotgun Greylords are so well known for. Then round comes your opponents turn with a rush from their other flank with sniping gun mages who simply don't care how far, just how many.
The second point is that getting a mount will obviously boost the unit survivability, both with an ARM boost and some damage boxes, this is something I feel the Greylords especially have been crying out for considering the cost of the models in the unit. You lose one it will hurt. Now however, your previously fragile mages have learned that being on the front lines requires something a bit more than just throwing up a cloud of snow round yourself and hoping that your opponent forgot his AoEs, especially given the fact they're much bigger targets, however this now gives you a unit that'll shield any warcaster at least until the 120 mm 'Casters start bursting on the scene, though as I mentioned before I feel the cavalry aspect lends itself more to these units being flanking units or security against such tactics, I highly doubt they'd cope as well as Ulhans or other main Heavy Cavalry units when charging the front line of lets say a squad of Examplar Bastions, though that does provide another use, as a harassment unit, to sit in front of the enemies front line cause enough damage to warrant the front line giving chase then rush the gap with something fast and hard hitting to get to the 'Caster. Though I see this being an incredibly rare occurence (given the fact that by not moving the front line, the opponent could simply draw forces from else where to deal with the unit) it'd be a fun move to try to pull off.
The final thing I feel that the units will benefit from with their upgrade is as mentioned before their being on a large base, while it is a double edged sword, I think we could see Greylord outriders used in a similar way to Man O War Shocktroopers, although rather than relying on ARM, they'd be reliant on DEF, delivering Casters such as Sorscha or LVlad to the front line before wreaking all sorts of damage upon the opponents field. However, I did mention this to be a double edged sword, being on a larger base, the Outriders will be easier to hit and see, though in the case of Caster delivery, I think this'd be only a minor problem, as if an AoE were to land on a model that costs a little less than Ulhans point for point (A pretty solid assumption given they are heavies, and Outriders are light) chances are it is far more likely to land on that model than the Caster that the group is escorting.
All in all, I am looking forward to seeing more cavalry on the field, I don't think on their own these units will lead to the Infantry machine of MK I that I hear about all the time, I do however think these units are made as a way to indirectly create a way to level the infantry smashing (and Jack smashing) potential that is the Colossals, as opponents fielding two Colossals in a list will soon find their guns struggling to hit all the fast movers hitting the field only to fall inert when they have their target in sights as their horses have already trampled the 'Caster into the dirt and run off to their next engagement. Put simply I think speed is going to be key in the upcoming periods, especially given Steamroller 2013's new kill box game has set out that any caster within 14" of any board edge gives his opponent two CP's, so lock up your shooty, spell flinging casters, the combat Casters are on course to rule the roost for this year. Let the melee commence.
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