Fully Grounded #9: Dead Monster (Patreon)

This is part of the terrain series, other entries can be found at the contents page here.  Terrain from Emporium Miniatures. Link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmporiumMiniatures 

Number: 1 

Size: 2x2

Passive: Yes

Activate: Yes

Obstacle: No

Classification: Benefit/Resource

In addition to being one of the single most useful and beneficial terrain features in the game. The Dead Monster offers a peak at a weird creature which we have not yet seen anywhere else.

I mean look at it.

It's like an ugly homunculus fairy Punch & Judy puppet which has been corrupted by its intolerant and backward views. It's bizzare, it's ugly, I hate it and I wish it had a model.

When you get this, you get to set up anywhere you want on the board and you also ambush the monster. Which is in itself a phenomenal advantage, you can deploy everyone in the perfect position for their first round of attacks - including things like having your tank in defensive terrain at an optimal position for targeting, positioning DPS for Synchronised Strikes/Blind Spot and setting up for immediate gathering. 

On top of all of that, you also get access to potentially a monster resource from any deck, while the rules are not entirely clear on this (if it is ANY monster or just monsters in the campaign). But typically you want to get your hands on something from a more valuable late game monster that you will craft. While the exact monster you want to draw from will vary from one campaign to the next the typical order of preciousness is:

Dung Beetle Knight - Crafting Fetasaurus & High Iron levels (Underplate Fungus)

Dragon King - It's hard to hit the ribs, more shots at that helps (Hardened Ribs)

Sunstalker - Same as the DK, except it's the Shadow Tentacles

Phoenix if you want to try and hit the Arc Bow resources. But only if you don't have the above three monsters available.

Otherwise if you want hide pick the White Lion, Bones (Bladder) is the Screaming Antelope and the Gorm is the best for Organs (and wild card options). I would not ever recommend the Flower Knight unless you have a satchel (for some reason).

Overall, this is a fantastic piece of terrain to draw, but it's not one with much to do after that initial deployment.