Spoiler
Show
In the Eastern Imperial Officer Corps, where "Drive me closer, I want to hit them with my sword!!!" is a recognised assault tactic, many owe their continued service to the distraction provided by their ostentatious helmet-plumage.
"Plumage"
In an effort to demonstrate that all minifigs are equal, but some are more equal than others, "special" figures, such as officers or heroes may try to reinforce their assumed authority by adorning themselves with "Plumage" - such hat ornaments are not only a way to prove that they're better than everyone else; they also provide a distraction to the unit's attacker, often facilitating otherwise impossible feats of bravado. Non-"special" minifigs who (falsely) deem themselves worthy of some fancy headgear are obliged to act as
The "plumage" skill modifier:
-x to all attack (skill) rolls made against the plume wearing unit, where x= the number of "plumes" (normally no more than 6ish). Note that this does not affect heroes when they make an attack.
"What classifies as plumage?" I hear you ask; behold! A whole 1.5-minute-consuming-life-wasting plumage classification spoiler!
Spoiler
Show
For the rule lawyers and anoraks...
Plumage includes:
Pretty much anything that is a separate piece attached to a unit's headgear which has an ornamental function. (e.g: Samurai horns; they may be used to headbut-gore unsuspecting opponents, but their main purpose is to look badass, so they still count.) The exception to this rule is visors/goggles, and some helmets may be considered to have plumage already attached, fudge as you will.
Plumage does not include:
Items which are worn around the neck (including epaulettes), items which are items of headgear by themselves (including prissy hair-pieces), and goggles and visors; see above.
After having the obvious pointed out, new classification notes:
Suitably ornamental items worn around the minifig's neck (i.e epaulettes, capes or necklaces made of shrunken heads) which are primarily for awesomeness also count as plumage. (Any body-armour is not to be considered as plumage, unless it's simply so epic that it would be ridiculous for it not to incur a massive distraction to attacking units.)
Plumage includes:
Pretty much anything that is a separate piece attached to a unit's headgear which has an ornamental function. (e.g: Samurai horns; they may be used to headbut-gore unsuspecting opponents, but their main purpose is to look badass, so they still count.) The exception to this rule is visors/goggles, and some helmets may be considered to have plumage already attached, fudge as you will.
Plumage does not include:
Items which are worn around the neck (including epaulettes), items which are items of headgear by themselves (including prissy hair-pieces), and goggles and visors; see above.
After having the obvious pointed out, new classification notes:
Suitably ornamental items worn around the minifig's neck (i.e epaulettes, capes or necklaces made of shrunken heads) which are primarily for awesomeness also count as plumage. (Any body-armour is not to be considered as plumage, unless it's simply so epic that it would be ridiculous for it not to incur a massive distraction to attacking units.)
