Wrath & Retribution
I have a confession to make, one that often sets me apart from others working and playing within the gaming industry. Since this is a new year and a time for resolution, I think it’s high time I get this off my chest.
I don’t like elves.
I know they are a traditional staple of the fantasy genre, but they do nothing for me. I think it’s largely because elves typically embody a level of restraint directly counter to my play style in both miniatures games and RPGs. I much prefer the inyour- face-with-an-axe attitude embodied by more violence-prone races.
I’ll admit, I carried my disdain of all things elven into my position here at Privateer Press. I was prepared to dislike the elves of the Iron Kingdoms as much as those of any other setting . . . and then I got a look at the Retribution of Scyrah.
Wow, these guys are really mean, I thought to myself as I flipped through Forces of WARMACHINE: Retribution of Scyrah. Most of the standard elven tropes were absent, and in their place were a bunch of angry, vengeancefueled bad-asses driven by homicidal xenophobia. Combine the faction’s murderous disdain for humanity with their sleek armor and copious pointy and shooty killing devices—not to mention some of the coolest warjacks in the setting—and you’ve got a bunch of elves I can get behind.
As the newest devotee of the Retribution, I’ve dedicated a good portion of this issue to the glories of Iosan vengeance. Power Progression teaches you how to craft a multipurpose Retribution army that excels at dealing death in both melee and at range; Guts & Gears focuses on the Dawnguard, presenting solid tactics for Invictors and Sentinels plus a painting tutorial for a new Retribution color scheme; and Terrain Building shows you how to create simple and thematic Iosan terrain. On top of that, perhaps you noticed the stunning cover piece depicting the newest Retribution warcaster Lord Arcanist Ossyan, who will be revealed in WARMACHINE: Wrath.
Want to see more Wrath previews? No problem. This issue also features the first No Quarter preview of the upcoming book, along with an article explaining the rules for the new Ranking Officer models. In addition, Concept Carnage gives you a further sneak peek at some of the awesome Wrath models headed your way in the very near future.
However there’s much more than just Wrath and Retribution in this issue. Tales of the Iron Kingdoms returns with a story about the dreaded Totem Hunter, Strategic Academy covers Minions, the Gavyn Kyle Files gives you the skinny on Saxon Orrik, and studio painter Matt DiPietro teaches you how to use the underpainting technique in the first installment of Studio Secrets.
This issue also marks the beginning of a very special year. Privateer Press celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2011, and No Quarter will contribute to the festivities with new articles and a few other surprises. Stay tuned for more 10-year anniversary goodness.
As we move into 2011 with a schedule full of awesome WARMACHINE and HORDES releases, I would like to thank the Retribution of Scyrah for helping me put aside my anti-elven bigotry and teaching me that elves can throw down with the best of ’em.
Aeryn Rudel ‑Editor-in-Chief
Table of Contents
- Opening Salvo 2
- News from the Front 4
- New Releases 6
- Strategic Academy: Minions 10
- Get the inside scoop on all the Minion warlocks courtesy of Privateer Press development manager David “DC” Carl
- Campaign Terrain: Cephalyx Slave Pit 18
- Wrath Rules: Ranking Officers 20
- WARMACHINE: Wrath Preview 24
- The first peek at some of the models in WARMACHINE: Wrath, including the new Ranking Officer models
- Tales of the Iron Kingdoms: Prey 30
- Go on the hunt with the totem hunter as it tracks a group of trollkin champions through the Thornwood Forest
- Studio Secrets: Underpainting 42
- Guts & Gears: Dawnguard 48
- Fierce warriors of Ios, the Dawnguard stand poised to bring destruction to the enemies of the Retribution of Scyrah
- Forces of Distinction 56
- The first installment of this series offers all new Theme Forcesfor Cygnar and Khador, both tournament-legal!
- Modeling & Painting: Battle Wounds 60
- Learn how to create realistic, cuts, bruises, and bullet wounds on your warbeasts with this step-by-step tutorial
- Modeling & Painting Extra 64
- The Gavyn Kyle Files: Saxon Orrik 82
- Gavyn Kyle uncovers the secrets history of the ruthless Cygnaran traitor Saxon Orrik
- Terrain Building: Iosan Terrain 76
- The Gavyn Kyle Files: Saxon Orrik 82
- Gavyn Kyle uncovers the secrets history of the ruthless Cygnaran traitor Saxon Orrik
- Painting Challenge: Bring the Blight 88
- Full Metal Challenge 89
- Concept Carnage! 90
- Bodge Bin: Man-O-War Butcher 92
- Player/Staff Gallery 93
- Poop Deck 96
