Special Units

Winged Helms of the Kraka – honestly, I really love this concept and I want a miniature on the table as soon as possible. They are basically the regular army and professional soldiers, not part-time clan fighters. Guarding strongholds and enforcing the law (mostly dealing with tavern brawls) is the main duty of the Winged Helms. As the name suggests, the helm is a trademark and their look is different in every Kraka: black feathers for Kraka Ravnsvake (Raven’s Roost Hold), dragon wings for Kraka Drak (Dragon Hold), Kraka Dorden (Thunder Hold) adds lightning rods and of course Kraka Ornsmotek (Eagle’s Peak Hold) goes for raptor-style crests. Rules-wise, they are the Norse Longbeards, so panic is not in the vocabulary. For this reason, heavy armour and polearms are standard, with great weapons as an option. I’m also considering the Scandinavian Swordstaff.

Saltbeard Marines – the Saltbeard Marines are the navy infantry of the Norse Dwarfs. They’re waterborne troops, more at home with sea breeze than with high-peak winds (still freezing either way). Think of them as a mix between amphibious troops and modern marines, trained for fast landings, brutal boarding and brutal ship-to-ship fights. They have full access to firearms, using them at close range too. The sailor look includes a heavy coat and a beret, setting them apart from other Dwarfen troops. Shield are a good Viking-vibe choice, especially on the cramped decks of Grubarks and Ghazan-Harbarks. Grudge-raker or shield in one hand and pistol in the other, is the right setup for hard-hitting assaults.

Wardbearers – there are few possibilities here. They could serve as bodyguards for the Wardlord and Wardsmith, either as a Special or Rare unit, very much in the traditional Hammerers role. Pure Dwarven tanks, but with an anti-magic twist.

Stormhammers – much like the Wardbearers, these Stormhammers could serve as the Thunder Thane’s retinue or as troops strongly associated with him. Less about magic or cold, more about storms. Hammer throwers? That’s definitely on the table.

Berserkers – a mandatory choice given the lore, but not a definitive one, and here’s why. Following the same logic used for the Daemon and Dragon Slayers, the Cult of Grimnir is very active in the northern Old World (just look at where the Troll Country sits on the map). Because of this, there will likely be a choice between classic Troll Slayers and Berserkers. The key difference is simple: the Slayer wants to die and the Berserker wants to kill – blue crests versus red crests, but always pure battle fury. Rules-wise, Berserkers could have options like shields, throwing axes and an unlimited supply of mead.

Mountaneers – this unit has to come back. WE NEED THEM! It can’t be lost forever in some White Dwarf issues. Dwarfs are the people of the mountains, so how are Mountaineers not a thing anymore?! It makes no sense. Now, getting serious for a moment: according to Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, these little ski-guys – Alpenhorns and Yodels of Doom included – are armed with crossbows in Norsca. Recruited!

Icebreakers – why keep breaking iron when everything around you is made of ice? These frozen tunnel rats sit somewhere between veteran Miners and Ironbreakers. Pickaxes for up close, spikeguns for point-blank shooting.

Icebolt Thrower – one of the favorite war machines of the Icebreakers. Nothing too different from a standard bolt thrower…

Trollsearer – given the constant troll attacks, the Norse Kraka have developed more specialised defenses, like catapults loaded with acid instead of grudges. Well, technically they’re still Grudge Throwers, just corrosive ones.