Ripjaw

The Ripjaw’s pincer-like jaws are used to hold its victims in place while its bone saw cuts them into mangled and unidentifiable bits. Necrotechs take particular delight in using the Ripjaw, as the ’jack efficiently dismembers its victims into component pieces. Regardless of these lethal armaments, the Ripjaw remains quick and agile like its brethren and serves its master by maneuvering its arc node to wherever required to disrupt the plans of the enemies of Cryx.

Basic Info

Abilities

• Template:Arc Node
• Template:Construct

Weapons

Bone Saw
File:Sword icon.jpg		RNG				POW				P+S				LOCATION
		0.5				3				10				Head
Template:Powerful Attack Template:Critical Armor Piercing

Theme Forces

• Cryx
  • Template:Black Industries
  • Template:Dark Host
  • Template:The Ghost Fleet
  • Template:Scourge of the Broken Coast. Ripjaw gains Gang Fighter in this theme.

• Other Factions
  • Infernal players can use this model in the Template:Hearts of Darkness theme, but only if Mortenebra is leading the army. It gains Accumulator [Soulless] in this theme.
  • Mercenary and Convergence players can use it by either:
    • putting it under the control of Asphyxious4 in various themes,
    • putting it under the control of Mortenebra in Strange Bedfellows.

Thoughts on Ripjaw

Ripjaw in a nutshell

Ripjaw as an arc node

The Arc Node is one of the most useful abilities a model can have, and with Cryx you can field them very cheaply. An arc node allows your warcaster to cast spells using the arc node as the point of origin. The obvious benefit is casting spells on the frontline while staying safely in the backline. You can also use it to launch surprise attacks from unexpected angles, by running an arc node right across the board into a good position before activating your warcaster. For this reason it pays to keep at least one arc node on the outskirts of the conflict, waiting for an opportunity.

Ripjaw as a combat jack

With Powerful Attack it's quite an efficient melee combatant with a good chance of rolling a crit for large damage spikes. And it's only 1 point more than the Deathripper, the absolute cheapest arc node.

Cryx's arc nodes are not renown for being a threat in combat, often used solely as arc nodes. Use this misconception to surprise your opponents.

Combos & Synergies

• If you want to use it in melee, try Empowering it with a Warwitch Siren first. With 2 focus it has a better chance of killing whatever it attacks and thus getting itself un-engaged and free to arc spells again.
• Skarre1 can cast Dark Guidance for an extra attack die, giving it a fantastic chance of rolling a critical.
• Venethrax he loves an arc node for mortality and terminal velocity helps land the crit. Counter charge is also a lot better on the ripjaw, due to its enhanced combat profile.
• Likewise, casters or models that grant rerolls can help reach a critical roll. The Withershadow Combine or Eilish brinmg Puppet master for this. Scaverous has Knowledge of the Damned.
• Asphyxious4 - In a match up where you want to place his clouds in a more forward position, or want to sling around some Hellfires, an Arc Node isn't terrible on Gaspy. Dark Shroud makes it's bites leave more of a mark, especially on a crit.

Drawbacks & Downsides

• Its damage grid has just enough boxes to allow the bonejack to take a good hit and keep going, but a second one will likely leave it crippled if not totally destroyed. This sets the tone for Cryx bonejacks being fast and hard to hit, but easily damaged if they are struck.
• You have to have a plan that involves getting into melee or there isn't much reason to pick the cheaper Deathripper

Tricks & Tips

• Slam a target to cause damage and leave it knocked down. This has the added benefit of leaving the Ripjaw out of combat afterwards so its arc node may still be used.

Other

Trivia

• Released in Forces of Warmachine: Cryx (June 2010)
• Nickname(s): Bonechicken, Deathchicken, Chicken (these names can refer to any of the Cryx arc nodes)