Rare Units

Fimbuldrakes – are the cold counterpart to the Irondrakes, but instead of belching fire, they spew frozen winds. Their name comes from Fimbulvetr (or Fimbulwinter), the legendary world-freezing winter before Ragnarök. Instead of burning the enemy, these low-temperature specialists unleash blasts of freezing shockwaves that slow and weaken charging units. Think of them less as pure damage dealers and more as crowd control.

Circle of the Frostborne – the druidic brethren of the Father of the Frostborne are feared and viewed with suspicion even by their own Dwarven kin. Still, as long as they clear a few entries from the Book of Grudges, no one asks too many questions. These hermits either gather in secretive circles among the Hel Peaks or wander the frozen lands of Norsca on endless pilgrimages. They are taller than most Dwarfs, as if growing together with the ice that slowly takes hold of them.

Knights of the Golden Storm – oooh nonono I really don’t like the name and it’ll probably be the first thing I change. Anyway, this is a company of Dwarfs riding Goldenboars. Perhaps they might eventually become a Regiment of Renown or full-on Dwarven templar order, something like the Order of the Stone Wall.

Darksnow Rangers – even here, I’m still not 100% convinced. The idea was to have a veteran version of the Mountaineers as Chaos-hunters and armed with firearms. Once again, as with the Frostborne, there’s a Game of Thrones reference here, but this time to the Night’s Watch.

Sea Slayers – the more pirate-flavoured and less disciplined (still unbreakable) counterpart to the official navy and its Saltbeard Marines. As mentioned before, the Cult of Grimnir is far from uncommon in the northern regions and around the Sea of Claws these Slayers are more akin to Long Drong’s crew. Exactly…drunkards and absolutely loaded with pistols.

Mammoth – the throwback to older editions, the Mammoth returns as a living siege engine! Unlike Chaos Marauder Mammoths, the Norse Dwarfs outfit theirs properly: no dark magic or corruption, but protective runes and gromril-tipped tusks…even a ballista platform on its back! What about shaving the mammoth, leaving only a crest of fur and painting it red? Turning it into a trampling truck worthy of the Slayer Cult. The Doomammoth of Grimnir – gloriously reckless!!!

Sarsenstone Golem – like the Gronti-Duraz or Rune Golems, the Sarsenstone Golem is even more defensive. This Chaos nemesis is a wall of stone and runes against sorcery, a moving bubble shield that absorbs spells and disrupts the magical winds. Very Gungan from Star Wars, but made of sarsen stones.

Wutroth-Hewer – this is the non-mercenary take on the famous Goblin-Hewer of Malakai Makaisson. In Total War, the Slayer-Engineer campaign even begins in the northern regions, so it doesn’t feel that wrong as a rare unit. This machine leans heavily into axe-throwing rather than traditional artillery and in a land rich with forests, the question of woodcraft naturally comes into play. Wutroth is a legendary wood, valued by Dwarfs almost as highly as metal, also known as ironbark or mountain oak.

Breaker Varr-Battery – very much undecided for now, but placed here as a temporary choice. The Norse Dwarf navy already relies enough on cannons anyway, so at least one gunpowder war machine is fine. If I ever change my mind, this rare unit would simply move to a future project: the armies of Barak Varr (spoiler alert).

Grontklung Ballista – with all the forests around and the Timberwright in play as a Hero, we need the mega bolt thrower! In my head it’s either the Windlance from Lake-town or something like the Iron Hills version. Yes, still very “The Hobbit” movie. An alternative, more Norsca-themed take would be a (heeeavy) harpoon launcher against sea monsters. Why not?

Grom-Gotten-Grubark – the name roughly translates as “the ship that marches with pride” and stands as the ultimate expression of Norse Dwarf “naval” warfare. At sea, this warship is oar-driven, but on land it is hauled forward by raw Dawi strength. Much like the Throne of Power of the High King Thorgrim or that unforgettable scene in Vinland Saga where Vikings carry a drakkar into battle. EPIC EPIC EPIC.