My List (a best to worst ranking incl reasoning)
1) Eist
Combined with Jutta +
Blaze of Glory + Greatsword. it´s in best cases the following in one turn with one leader charge :
12 Jutta damage + 12 Jutta spawn + 10 Greatsword spawn + 5 Veteran body = 39 value
Risk: Not winning round 1 and bleed in round 2, Facing a NG deck attacking your deck, Being outnumber by strong engine decks in a long round 3.
2) Emhyr
Combined with Thirsty Dames, Sediticious Aristocrats and
Impera Enforcers (Ramon) it´s the best engine in the game currently as it brings each card a + 1 each turn. Furtheremore you can seize one unit spying units (not only your own spies but also opponent engine cards)
Risk: Facing a special heavy opponent deck. Not being able to protect your Emhyr or have bad luck with drawing. You need a good amount of Spy/Status givers and Spy/status benefiters. His devotion includes the risk of board overspreading.
3) Cleaver
Intimidate +3 and good spenders offers new ways for crime heavy strategy. Tunnel drill (also a crownsplitter) is an amazing combination. Same for immune
Sir Skewertooth.
Risk: When Cleaver is locked/destroyed your engine is seriously hurt.
4) Foltest
If not stopped he can make Blue Strip Commando a nightmare. Also amazing synergies with
Dun Banner.
Risk: Probably a challenge in drawing to have an appropriate amount of boosters and your blue Strip Crew. Also you want to play him early to get the most out of him. Your strategy is hurt when he´s locked/destroyed and early your opponent probably has best ways to do so. Also expensive with 12.
5) Unseen Elder
He is a strong bleeding giver and bleeding benefitter the same time.
Risk: Facing NG he can be a huge problem. When NG manages to steal/copy him he is an additional amazing engine for Thirsty Dames. His devotion can have negative impact on Orianna. Facing a veil heavy deck. Can be removed easy (only 5 body) and is very expensive 12,
6) Brouver
Amazing dwarf support as a engine card
Risk: Dwarfes are still difficult to play. To my mind Resilience using wisely is still core for dwarfs. A litttle bit contrary to
Dwarf Berserker as they loose one armour each turn but need it to get the Brouver boost.
7) Eldain
You can make +3 value for each trap. Dependent on your draw and deck: +1 each trap via
Isengrim Faoiltiarna, +2 each trap + potential of serious engine removal of opponent via Vernossiel, summon
Aelirenn, other elf benefitters like Yaevinn
Risk: Drawing the right cards and winning 2 rounds
8) Crach an Craite
Great synergies with pirate and ships. Potential to attack protected engine cards like Vysogotta.
Risk/Drawback: The whole warrior package is still superior to pirate.
9) Dettlaf
His deploy is a great bleeding enabler.
Drawback: His passive order ability is kind of weak.
10) Anna
Risky card. Potential synergies with assimiliate heavy strategy.
Drawback: Can be a pain if you get a not fitting leader
11) Meve
NR devotion swarm booster. You spend 3 provision to get 7 extra value and devotion in case her boost works.
Risk: Big risk that he boost does not apply (lock, destroyed, destroyed with body over 9 via tall damage, not able to inspire her, play her too late
12) Whoreson Junior
Can be a potential control option and spender
Risk: In best cases he´s a 11 for 10. Currently, there are many SK guys out there. So big risk that he finds no food. Even if he finds he is not that strong comparing price to value