Ragnor Skysplitter, the Runemaster

Template:Trollbox This model is playable only in an Unlimited format.

Ragnor Skyplitter, once a reclusive scholar studying the mystical lore of his people on the top of Wyrmwall Mountains, has found himself standing ground against the enemies of the Kriel, even if it means standing besides his rival Hoarluk Doomshaper, both of which have had long standing disagreements about how to best harness the knowledge of the scrolls they research. While Doomshaper wants to use this knowledge as a weapon against humanity, Ragnor sees it as a way to preserve the very lore they could use against others.

Basic Info

This model is a Warlock.

Warlock Rules A warlock is an Independent Model. a Leader model. a Battlegroup Controller controls warbeasts. Warlocks use Fury Manipulation Uses ARC to determine how many fury points it gains each turn. Begins the game with a number of fury points equal to its ARC. Cannot exceed its ARC stat in fury points as a result of leeching. Can spend fury points only during its activation (unless a special rule states otherwise) for the following: Buy additional attacks Boost attack rolls Boost damage rolls Shake some effects Can leach fury points from warbeasts in its battlegroup in its control range. Spirit Bond allows the warlock to gain a fury for each of its dead battlegroup warbeasts. Reaving allows the warlock to pull fury points from a warbeast in its battlegroup when it dies.

Feat: Stone's Fortitude

When an enemy model makes a damage roll against a friendly Faction model in Ragnor's Template:CTRL range, the enemy model rolls one less die. Stone's Fortitude lasts for one round.

Abilities

• Template:Tough
• Field Marshal [ [[:Category:{{{ability}}}|{{{ability}}}]] ]

[[Category:{{{ability}}}]]

• Template:Steady

Weapons

Rumbler
File:Sword icon.jpg		RNG				POW				P+S
		1				7				14
Template:Magical Weapon Template:Warhead Template:Weight of Stone

Spells

{{Category: Template:Chosen GroundTemplate:Earth's SanctuaryTemplate:Hex BlastTemplate:PulverizerTemplate:Shockwave }}[[Category: Template:Chosen GroundTemplate:Earth's SanctuaryTemplate:Hex BlastTemplate:PulverizerTemplate:Shockwave ]]

Theme Forces

• Trollbloods
  • Template:Band of Heroes. In this theme he gains "Optional Take Down".
  • Template:Kriel Company
  • Template:Power of Dhunia. In this theme he can start the game with friendly upkeeps in play.
  • Template:Storm of the North. In this theme he can upkeep spells on (almost) any friendly model for free.
  • Template:Vengeance of Dhunia. In this theme he gains Attuned Spirit [Trollblood/Minion Warbeast].

• Other Factions
  • Minion players can also use this warlock in the Vengeance of Dhunia and he gains Attuned Spirit as mentioned above.

Thoughts on Ragnor1

File:Skysplitter.png

2016 Battlebox sculpt

Ragnor1 in a nutshell

Originally designed to be simple and straightforward to help with learning the game, Ragnor was updated in 11/2020 along with the rest of the battlebox casters. He gained Field Marshall (Weight of Stone), Fury 7, Chosen Ground as a spell, and Pulverizer was changed from a 3 cost single target (but no Faction tag) spell to 2 cost faction model/unit spell. This changed him from wanting minimal models to being much more generalist. His gameplan hasn't changed, he still feats and takes the alpha then counterpunches, he just has more flexibility in what models he takes now.

His Field Marshal adds a bit of control to his kit as opponents will struggle to properly disengage without being eligible to being charged again next turn. It’s especially effective on the Dire Troll Mauler who can accurately apply his chain attack, provided he hurts with his initial.

Feat Thoughts

Stone's Fortitude is a solid defensive feat, allowing you to take alpha strikes on the chin. It of course works much better with multi-wound troops and beasts as charging infantry as well as abilities that don’t require a damage roll like Anatomical Precision and Puncture will still wreck single wound infantry. Template:Tipbox

Spell Thoughts

• Earth's Sanctuary is a great one-cost spell that protects individual models. It means that his best armies are small, but is good at protecting models.
• Pulverizer is an excellent damage buff (stacking with the strengh buff from the Krielstone Elder) and should be already out when the battle lines meet Like all offensive buffs swapping it between 2 units really helps make a dent in eneny forces but it's a big fury investment.
• Hex Blast is as ever as much for utility in upkeep removal as it is for killing things. A zap, but more importantly protecting your army.
• Shockwave is battlefield control with a higher cost than most of his spells.
• Chosen Ground pathfinder and steady on warbeasts is a great buff to have, on its own it’s never really game changing, but knowing your opponent needs specific tools to reduce your Def and control your movement helps the attrition game.

Battlebox Fights

Ragnor's strategy is simple. Run your entire army at the enemy and pop your feat. You'll take the enemy alpha strike on the chin, shrug it off, then win through attrition. Earth’s sanctuary has little value on a smaller board with less shooting but as a result Pulverizer is easier to cycle between the Bouncer and Impaler.

Drawbacks & Downsides

• As with many defensive feats, he needs careful planning as not to waste it.
• He is also a bit Fury starved, so protecting the Trollkin Runebearer is essential.
• Trolls are not naturally fast and Ragnor does little to change this. You need to be able to take the charge and survive with your feat 9/10 times.

Tricks & Tips

• Do not underestimate the power of Earth's Sanctuary. It is not an upkeep, so he and the Runbearer can hand it out as much as they can afford. Models keep dug in until they move, are placed, or become engaged! Could theoretically dig in all you Champions and let them weather a gun line even better.
• If used with either the Mountain King, or Glacier King, Ragnor1 can use Earth's Sanctuary to give them Dig In. Although they won't benefit from cover, because of Gargantuan rules, they will stop blocking LoS. Remember this work boths ways, which means enemies will be able to draw LoS to you as well!

List Building Advice

Strategy

Beyond the battlebox fights discussed above, his strategy doesn't change much.

On turn one he wants to cast Chosen Ground & fuel the Krielstone, then run into position (next to a flag, or somewhere he can be of influence during turns two and three) He may cast Earth’s Santuary on a key support piece or 2 if vs a gunline . Then the Runebearer proceeds to cast Earth's Sanctuary on Ragnor or himself as he move up the board to grant the extended ctrl range. He will usually feat to withstand the alpha strike from the enemy. After that, Ragnor1 will use both Pulverizer and Rage to empower his warbeasts and troops, trying to get the best end of the long term exchange.

He likes high ARM, multi-wound models as a preference so you will often see Trollkin Champions or Long Riders with Pulverizer on them

Theme thoughts

This is probably the default choice for Ragnor. It has many things he loves, and many things that love him.

• Trollkin Warders - very high ARM and very tough. Oh, and Shield Guard.
• Long Riders are high-ARM multi-wound models but beware of the fact that STR buffs don't affect impact and mount attacks, so they are less ideal than Champs.
• Trollkin Champion Hero can combine Thresher with Pulveriser and buff the champs you should be taking.
• Horgle1 - easy to protect with Earth’s sanctuary and having him hand out Pyre Troll animi while his pet beasts shoots leaves more room to cycle pulveriser.
• Sons of Bragg - a bit like a min unit of champions with some extra tricks.

Has very few multi wound infantry models so it doesn't really work with Ragnor, there are a few standouts however...

• Pyg Tank / Ledfoot & Tredz get a lot of mileage out of Earth's Sanctuary and his feat, given their stellar defence profile.
• Boomhowler3, Boomhowler2 and the Fell Caller bring invaluable support and need protection via earths sanctuary.
• Dannon Blythe and Bull become partisans and given their relative cheapness and above average defence they can dig in and hold a point comfortably.
• Sons of Bragg the feat plus Earth's Sanctuary to help them survive then Pulverizer can make them hit truly hard.
• Trollkin Barrage Team - have such a long range running them up and digging them in turn 1 is probably all they will need in terms of support all game.

Can work - but doing so with colossals makes you feel like a second rate Doomshaper3. You can do it with heavies but it's an offbeat choice and the other two are probably better.

• Janissa is his Veteran leader.
• Runeshapers survive quite well under his feat.

• This theme also has access to a few things already mentioned above: Long Riders, Trollkin Champions, Trollkin Champion Hero.
• Valka Curseborn, Chieftain of the North can get a frankly amazing amount of use out of Pulveriser. Up to five attacks a round that start at POW 12 Weapon Master.
• Northkin Bear Handler & Battle Bears - Tough, Unyielding, Advance Deploying, hard hitting. (And this of course makes them perfect to be dug in - especially to protect the vulnerable unit leader).

• This theme also has access to a few things already mentioned above: Trollkin Champions, Trollkin Barrage Team.
• Farrow Valkyries - 3 shield guards, in faction Farrow with vengeance, take a hit then reciprocate.
• Razor Boars - They are cheap, come in packs and have Counter Charge, so they can catch enemies by surprise and apply Weigh of Stone easily.
• Gudrun the Wasted - Kinetic Distorsion and Dig In combined give any model +6 DEF against shooting, ensuring the delivery of pretty much anything.
• Malvin & Mayhem - Krielstone buffs combined with Earths Sanctuary ensure delivery and the feat ensures they get an exta turn after they have comitted..
• Rorsh & Brine - They love being Dug in as well and thearten very far, which is something Ragnor does not help with. Rorsh can also run a Pyre Troll for him if need be

• As a brick warlock the Krielstone is mandatory.
• The Trollkin Runebearer can buffer the cost of Pulverizer so Ragnor can either load the stone or sit on some Fury. He gives you another Earth's Sancuary a turn, or get to work offensively with Hex Blast or Shock Wave, but keep in mind he does not want to be only 10" away from any enemy model.
• Madrak0 - Kriel Stone Echo makes the brick even brick-ier and Earth Sanctuary can keep him very safe. His beast loses out on Weight of Stone but gains Bracer instead, so it becomes really difficult to dislodge even before Dig In or the feat are considered.
• Trollkin Champions - They are hard hitting and have Sanguine Bond to stay alive. Pulveriser is also nothing less but silly on them, what with them being Weapon Masters with two initials and Overtake. You generally want two units of them and hot swap Pulveriser between them.

Battlegroup

• Dire Troll Mauler is great and with Pulverizer and the Stone Scribe Elder allows for a total of 6 points of STR buff. Weight of stone makes it easier to get off grab and smash.
  • Alternatively Rök and Primal is almost as big a swing - and gives a couple of points of MAT.
• Troll Bouncer will be hitting as hard as the other light beasts with Pulverizer, but taking whatever comes back at him like a champ as well.
• Earthborn Dire Troll can take care of himself and everything Ragnor can do for him makes him that much more annoying to the enemy. Diggin it in next to shallow water or an obstacle (or even both once in a blue moon) makes it reach obcene amounts of defensive stats and any heavy loves the feat for an extra turn of work.
• Troll Basher becomes a discount Mauler with Pulverizer.
• Troll Impaler can get the work of a heavy done at range between Snipe and Pulverizer. And the Beat Back could clear a zone the enemy is toeing out of charge range.
• Ice Troll doesn't have the range potential of an Impaler, but can benefit from Pulverizer the same.
• Swamp Troll forces your opponent to roll 0 dice on unboosted damage rolls on feat turn.

Starting a 25 point Brawl list

In 2021.03 Phillip Melvin, one of the LOS authors, put together this list for the Brawlmachine format. He even wrote about it's playstyle and expanding it beyond 25 points, which you can read here.

Theme - Power of Dhunia

Ragnor Skysplitter, the Runemaster: [+30 WBP]

• Dire Troll Brawler: [16 pts]
• Troll Axer: [9 pts]
• Pyre Troll: [8 pts]

Dhunian Archon: [Free] Template:Grey

Janissa Stonetide: [4 pts]

Troll Whelp: [1 pt]

Swamp Gobber Chef: [1 pt]

Trollkin Runeshapers: [8 pts]

Krielstone Bearer & Stone Scribes (Min unit): [5 pts]

• Stone Scribe Elder: [3 pts]

Total RRP: USD $273 (based on PP's online store prices 2021.06)

Other

Trivia

• Released in 2016.06 in the battlebox set
• Resculpted in 2021 as a standalone model.

Video Battle Reports

• 2018.03 Guerilla Miniature Games 75 points vs Harbinger1
• Template:VBR