John Black's Mercenaries
John Black's Mercenaries are a campaign-only faction in Act II: Ice, led by John Black and Ká:nien. Their force resembles the German roster and is built for the scripted defense and pursuit missions in that act.
Campaign role & roster
The campaign force includes German-style options such as Uhlans, Skirmishers and War Wagons, alongside the two named heroes. Available units and shipments are controlled by each scenario; custom scenarios can also use this faction.
Mission use
Use the mission’s initial force and shipment choices to protect the settlement or move toward the stated objective. The faction is not a standard skirmish selection, so consult the individual scenario page for its starting conditions.
Campaign heroes anchor the faction
John Black has 1,000 hit points, 24 Line of Sight and a 24-damage ranged attack at range 16. Ká:nien has 900 hit points and 38 Line of Sight, making him a strong explorer and battlefield support hero. Both can claim Treasures and regenerate; when reduced to zero hit points they collapse, and a friendly unit or building nearby can revive them after they recover 100 hit points. Their recoverable state makes protecting a fallen hero part of the scenario plan.
German-style troops in scripted missions
The campaign faction can field units such as Uhlans, Skirmishers and War Wagons, but each mission controls its actual starting force, production and shipment choices. Uhlans provide mobile cavalry pressure, Skirmishers target Heavy Infantry, and War Wagons offer durable ranged fire against mounted targets and artillery. Treat those as unit roles, not a promise that all three are available in every mission.
Read the scenario objective before spending
John Black’s Mercenaries belong to Act II: Ice and are not a selectable standard skirmish civilization. Missions may ask for defense, rescue, pursuit or destruction of a target; the initial force and scripted economy can differ from one scenario to another. Check the individual mission page, preserve the two heroes, and use shipments to solve its immediate objective rather than copying a German build order.