Rippa's Snarlfangs

Welcome to our rundown of Rippa’s Snarlfangs. Make sure you catch our podcast coverage of the release. For everything out with this release window, follow these links:

Thanks go to GW for providing a review copy to make this content possible.

Introduction

[D]AVY, [P]HIL, [B]RIAN, [S]KYLER & [Z]ACH

Z: Once a terror due to their massive damage potential, has Rippa returned to wreak havoc on the new edition? Or will they be all bark and no bite?

 

WARSCROLl

Z: Gone is the lackey inspiration for Rippa being attacked. Now, everyone inspires when they get two upgrades. I like the added option to successfully attack with the bite. One way to randomly inspire so you can load up one fighter with upgrades.

P: A pretty easy inspire, which I like to see with 3 fighter warband.

Z: Yikes. I'm forseeing a lot of games with no bite. There's 4 things I'm seeing that make me not like this. 1) it's a weapon ability. This means no grievous, no cleave, nothing. 2) Most importantly, the first attack needs to be successful. 3) The target has to be the same. No driveback (unless you can overrun) and no making use of extra range. 4) No modifications to this attack. Can't add cleave, can't add extra dice.

P: There are some benefits to making extra attacks which I think can be taken advantage of here, but the accuracy means this is a gamble

 

Z: Still a push, but drastically different than the old version. A multi-push will always have some use, but only being able to use it in your power step and only pushing toward an enemy fighter will limit often this is great.

P: I'll never complain about a multi push, even if it is limited. I think these guys will need all the positional help they can get to gamble on more jaws attacks.

 

Z: Brutal without the runemark. Accuracy will be needed for these guys, and this will work on the jaws attack too. I kinda wish it reduced defense down to crits only to give one turn a really good chance to pop off.

P: Not amazing but a way to get around supports on attack or defense is pretty unique and should work out when you need it.

 

Z: A guaranteed stand fast is a great ability. No complaints here.

P: As an opponent you'll really need to keep track of if this has been used or not. Failing to do so could be catastrophic.

 

FIGHTERS

Uninspired
Z: Of all the 5 health leaders, Rippa is certainly among the fastest. The 4 move is nice, but just an average attack and defense. If the bite never lands he'll still feel like an average fighter.

P: Certainly doesn't compare well to someone like Dromm or Morgok

Inspired
Z: Now this feels like a good fighter. 2 dodge is a modest upgrade and 3 hammers means you should be able to take bite fairly often. Lucking into a successful bite would be great, but this looks to be my priority with the upgrade inspiration.

P: That extra point of speed can come in handy too

Uninspired
Z: He feels kinda... bad? Only one damage on a melee fighter in an elite warband feels like an odd choice. The bite being a runemark means you can't use grapple at the same time. Also worth reminding that if you make use of the 2 range you won't be able to go for a bite since it needs to be the same fighter.

P: Weird that you have to choose between the utility or the gamble for a bite. I suppose they keep the damage down just in case the bites really pop off but that feels like kinda bad design to me. The cool thing shouldn't feel like a tax on the warband.

Inspired
Z: Still not on 2 damage? And his attack gets less accurate? Is inspiration optional if the condition is met? I may just leave him uninspired and try to cobble together a decent fighter with the more accurate attack.

P: Speed and defense could still draw me to this but it's not a priority that's for sure.

Uninspired
Z: I guess a 5 health fighter with range 3 is good? Not much else to like here. That attack is terrible and you'll need to make it range 1 if you want any chance at the bite. The shot probably won't hit on two swords, but a guy can dream.

P: Uhh yeah. Compared to the Emberwatch this is pretty weak. Don't really understand why he needed to be so inaccurate.

Inspired
Z: At lease his attack gets better. Not terrible for a ranged fighter inspired, but I still don't like how reliant all of them feel on landing that bite considering all of its limitations.

P: Definitely feels like a swingy warband that can spike hard or fall flat.

 

Summary

P: These gobbos may no longer strike fear into the fighters of the underworld like they used to but they still have some neat tricks. There is certainly a world where you get their accuracy up and make a lot of wolf bites and tear through your enemies, but on average I’d say to temper expectations.

The Mortal RealmsComment