Retribution of Scyrah
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The Retribution is an extremist paramilitary organization that grows increasingly influential in the secluded elvish nation of Ios. For reasons not fully understood, the Iosan gods are all dead or dying which is causing Iosan children to be born without souls, putting their race on the brink of extinction (as seems typical of elves in all fantasy worlds). The Retribution believes the cause of their dilemma is the use of magic by humans, and have decided the best solution is to kill every human arcanist. Given that the Iron Kingdoms are populated with thousands of humans with arcane ability of some degree, this is a hopeless task.
So far, the other nations are largely unaware or unconcerned with the Retribution's activities, so you might say they have been hugely unsuccessful in their stated purpose. In recent years the Skorne have mounted a large invasion onto Iosan lands and this has preoccupied the Retribution and the main Ios military. On the other hand, the conflict has resulted in much more of the military coming under the banner of the Retribution, vastly increasing their options.
For more backstory, refer to Lore - Retribution of Scyrah
Retribution of Scyrah for Beginners
Aesthetic
Retribution has a much sleeker look than the other nations of the Iron Kingdoms as is typical of elves. There is no steam power. Rather a more arcane power source is used for their gear. The Iosans feature smooth looking quasi-futuristic weapons and armor that incorporate lots of sweeping curves and ostentatious decorations.
Gameplay
The Retribution is characterized by high-quality self-sufficient units, combined-arms warjacks, and slightly weaker warcasters than other factions. They are geared more toward assassination-style gameplay than most factions (which reflects their background), but also bring a strong alpha-strike quality to the table. While they are unquestionably a top four ranged faction (only Cygnar, Crucible Guard and arguably Mercenaries shoot better), they are equally adept in melee. However, they have more elite, lower model count armies and are squishier than other factions as you would expect for Elves.
If lightning is Cygnar's thing and fire is the Protectorate's thing, Retribution's thing is force fields, force weaponry and tractor beams.
Starter Sets
The MK3 Battle Box for the Retribution consists of Magister Helynna, and a Griffon, Chimera, and Manticore as the battlegroup. See individual model entries for further information.
The MK2 Battle Box contained Kaelyssa, Night's Whisper, Griffon, Chimera, and Manticore. Due to re-balancing on edition change this is no longer a valid caster choice for official Journeyman Leagues, so ensure that if purchasing for one you buy the new version.
Other good early purchases
As of 2020.04 most veteran Retribution players agree that you should put pretty much the same group of models in every army list, regardless of caster.
That group of models is: Template:Ret buy list text
The reason why they form the core of Retribution is:
- Speed, armour and lots of guns all at the cost of a premium Warjack. It’s very difficult not to want to take two if you are not running a Battlegroup caster.
- Synergises well with anything that sports a hefty gun, which includes many of the models on this core list.
- Generally regarded as one of the strongest lights in the game, due to its utilitarian ranged and melee presence and reasonable price tag.
- While an unorthodox Retribution unit, they benefit nicely from boosts to their range and having huge bases to hide behind.
- Currently he can enter into all of the theme forces, and offers near-unparalleled warjack support. For a mere 2 points apiece it is often worth buying three straight away (max FA).
- 2 Ghost Snipers form 1 Req point, they feature in 2 themes and they are excellent solo hunters with vs little nuisance. Given how cheap they are even not as a Requisition option you can usually fit one in to a list.
- The most expensive small-based solo (points wise) Retribution has. Her Disruptor Bolt attack can be game winning, crippling enemy warcasters and warlocks. Alternatively Eiryss2 focuses on stripping off enemy support spells from vital units.
- like a gun platform on legs Scythe has multi-fire and murders infantry, She is also a mercenary so so can fit in any theme but will take a Merc slot in most.
- Along with Scythe, Sylas, and Eiryss this is another Mercenary who becomes friendly faction in a Retribution force, so can slot into a lot of lists and themes easily.
Starting a Theme Force
Template:Starting a Theme Force text
Theme Forces
Defenders of Ios
This is an infantry theme force, formed around the Houseguard, complemented by troops from other houses and the Nyss exiles.
Here's some examples of the model aesthetic for this theme
Forges of War
This is Retribution's warjack-centric theme. If you want stompy elf robots, look here (it does only allow House Shyeel's warjacks, however).
Here's some examples of the model aesthetic for this theme
Legion of Dawn
Another infantry theme force, this time focusing on the more elite Dawnguard troops.
Here's some examples of the model aesthetic for this theme
Shadows of the Retribution
This is the ninja theme! Lots of stealthy skirmish infantry with good DEF and maneuverability, but poor ARM and hitpoints.
Here's some examples of the model aesthetic for this theme
List of Models
Warcasters
Template:WNTemplate:GAPTemplate:WNTemplate:GAPTemplate:WNTemplate:WN| Elara1 | Refer to Retribution solos, below
Template:WN Template:GAP Template:WN Template:GAP Template:WN Template:WN Template:GAP Template:WN (Not tournament legal) |
| Goreshade1 to 3 | Refer to Cryx warcasters
Template:WN Template:GAP Template:WN Template:GAP Template:WN Template:GAP Template:WN Template:GAP Template:WN Template:GAP Template:WN Template:GAP |
House Shyeel Warjacks
- Heavy
House Vyre Warjacks
Battle Engines
Units
- Cylena Raefyll & Nyss Hunters - (Partisans)
- Dawnguard Destors
- Dawnguard Invictors
- CA - Officer & Standard Bearer
- Dawnguard Sentinels
- CA - Officer & Standard Bearer
- Heavy Rifle Team
- House Ellowuyr Swordsmen
- CA - Officer & Standard Bearer
- House Ellowuyr Wardens
- House Shyeel Arcanists
- House Shyeel Battle Mages
- House Vyre Electromancers
- Houseguard Halberdiers
- CA - Officer & Standard Bearer
- Houseguard Riflemen
- CA - Officer & Standard Bearer
- Mage Hunter Infiltrators
- Mage Hunter Strike Force
- CA - Commander
- Ryssovass Defenders
- Spears of Scyrah
- Stormfall Archers
- Special Unit Attachments
- WA - Soulless Escort - (can attach to any Retribution unit)
- CA - Eiryss, Mage Hunter Commander - (can attach to any Mage Hunter unit)
Solos
Retribution includes a large number of Partisan solos, including most elvish Mercenaries & Minions
- Aelyth Vyr, Blade of Nyssor
- Arcanist Mechanik
- Dawnguard Destor Thane
- Dawnguard Sentinel Scyir - (Jack Marshal)
- Eiryss1: Eiryss, Mage Hunter of Ios - (Partisan)
- Eiryss2: Eiryss, Angel of Retribution - (Partisan)
- Eiryss3: Refer above to Attachments
- Eiryss4: Eiryss, Fortune Hunter of Ios - (Partisan)
- Elara1: Elara, Tyro of the Third Chamber - ("Junior Warcaster")
- Elara2: Refer to Warcasters
- Fane Knight Guardian - (Warcaster Attachment)
- Fane Knight Skeryth Issyen
- Ghost Sniper
- Hermit of Henge Hold - (Partisan)
- House Ellowuyr Warden Executioner
- House Shyeel Artificer - (Jack Marshal)
- House Shyeel Magister
- Houseguard Thane
- Lanyssa Ryssyl, Nyss Sorceress - (Partisan)
- Lys Healer
- Mage Hunter Assassin
- Narn, Mage Hunter of Ios
- Nayl
- Priest of Nyssor
- Scythe - (Partisan)
- Soulless Voidtracer
- Sylys Wyshnalyrr - (Warcaster Attachment, Partisan)
Mercenaries that work for the Retribution
Refer to Who works for Whom and/or Category: Retribution of Scyrah Mercenary
Designer's Notes 2016
Just before the launch of the mk3 ruleset, the game developers did a series of Insider articles about what they saw as each Faction's "Core Identity". Although it's a little dated now, it is still an interesting insight to how they view Retribution 2016.05 Retribution Preview.