The Dark Tusk Clan
The Dark Tusk Clan is the most noble of all of the clans of Dwarves. They actively seek to venerate the ancient traditions of their ancestors and resist attempts to adapt to the changing cultural landscape of Chronopia.
The Dark Tusks are best noted for their fearsome charges with their horned helmets. Many an army as turned in fear when they hear the fearsome howls and grunts of the Dark Tusks impaling their comrads upon their helmets. Of all the clans, the Dark Tusk possess the best armored and hardest hitting troops, but suffer from being the slowest.
Warbands
- Dark Tusk Legion Swordsmen: These units have a lower LD than their Vulture counterparts, but one higher ST and one higher armor makes the extra six points you spend worth it. Coupled with the Fear-causing standard and the Tusk attack and you have a formidable opponent. However, the cost of 37 is a bit high, so they are not as cost-effective as they could be. Personally, I loathe the figure, so I never use this unit, but that is just me being me.
- Proxy: Rackham makes some great figures for their Confrontation line, which can be ordered in the USA from New Wave Entertainment. I use the Khor Warriors with Swords for my Dark Tusk Legion Swordsmen. They are a little larger than Chronopia Dark Tusks, but not much more than the size difference between the Dark Tusks and the Horned Ones figures. I will get pictures posted soon.
- Dark Tusk Legion Gauntlet: Gauntlet warriors are one of my favorite looking miniatures, so I use them eventhough they are not as effective as they could be. Still, one must consider that on a charge they get three attacks (a Tusk gore, a Bastard Sword, and a Brawling Gauntlet), you are almost guaranteed to do some damage. Just pray you don't roll a 20....
- Dark Star Warriors: Dark Star Warriors are probably the best unit in the Dwarven aresenal. They are cheap, have a high CC, an extremely high armor, and a high damage weapon. Their only drawback is their slow speed and a small warband size. I never fail to include at least one warband of Dark Star Warriors in my forces!
- Dark-Axe Warriors: A good alternative to Dark Star Warriors, the Dark Axe Warriors are slightly less capable in combat with their lower CC, but they can have a warband of 8 (again, leaderless) so if you prefer larger warbands, you might want to give them a try. Like other Dark Tusks, they are slow but highly armored. I don't like the berserk rules in Chronopia, so I never use this ability, but against larger creatures like an Abyss Crawler, it can be devestating.
- Dark Tusk Greadswords: Use the stats for Dark Axe Warriors, I just use these for flavor.
- Proxy: These miniatures are the Khor Warriors I figures from the Confrontation Wargame. Truly awesome figures that I hope to be able to show you soon.
Individuals
- Dark Tusk Hero: The best individual in the Dwarven army and possibly in Chronopia, you should always have Dark Tusk Hero leading your forces. He has a high CC, three wounds, good movement (for a Dwarf), and a great weapon attack. And don't forget the Tusk attack on the charge. One word of caution: the rules are unclear as to whether the Tusk attack comes before or after the normal Boar-Headed Pickaxe attack. Be sure that you agree with your opponent as to when the attack will take place. If you opt for the Tusk attack to occur before the Pick Axe, remember that if you roll a 20, you will lose ALL your actions for that turn. Sometimes this risk is not worth it - I have lost a couple of these guys on a bad roll for an attack that only had a slim chance of causing a wound, so be wise.
- Dark Tusk Blood Totem: A great piece, and a great individual. Why it doesn't cause fear is a complete mystery. One thing you must keep in mind is that at a Size 3, it can often become a large pin cushion for enemy archers, so keep it hidden behind terrain until you unleash its fury. Also, note that the LD is only 12, so it will often attack second in countercharge situations. More importantly, you must take care to avoid situations where LD rolls are required to avoid damage (like against the Chasm & Quicksand spells).
- Tusked Raider: The best Dwarven calvary unit, the Tusked Raider is great for getting behind enemy lines and attacking their vulnerable spellcasters. The Tusked Raider is just as fast as an Elven Dragonbane Warkiller, but much better armored. Revised stats modified from those presented at The Judge's Corner are provided below.
- Proxy: While Target makes an adequate Tusked Raider figure, I prefer to use a Confrontation Khor on Heavy Razorback figure. It just looks more intimidating (and but is larger than the Target piece).
| Unit |
CC |
MW |
PW |
LD |
AC |
ST |
| Rider |
14 |
10 |
- |
13 |
3 |
2 |
| Mount |
12 |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
3 |
|
|
W |
MV |
A |
DEF |
S |
Cost |
| Combined |
2 |
6 |
25 |
-1 |
2 |
79 |
|
SPECIAL RULES
- Tusked Raiders are Mounted Troops
- Tusked are Immune to Panic and Fear
- For each attack action sepnt in CC, the Tusked Raider mount has a claw attack, Dam 10. A ST bonus is added to this attack.
EQUIPMENT
- Tusked Raiders are armed with a Goring Spear (Dam 14)
STRUCTURE
- Dark Tusk War Totem: Use the stats for the Horned Ones War Totem (substitute a Damage 14 Tusk attack for the Ram attack). A very impressive unit, the War Totem is used as a mobile pillbox. You can quickly move a highly armored, repeating crossbow to strategic locations. Also, Totem Warriors act as a great support unit for the War Totem. I usually have good luck with this unit, although I think it should have the Trample Special Ability. However, it does tie up a lot of your points, so it may not be appropriate for all battles.
- Proxy: The War Totem was created from a Black Blood Ogre Bull Myrimidon. The Crossbow is from a Firstborn Crossbowman mounted on copper tubing. The crossbowman is a Wolf Legion Gauntlet with the sword removed. The other figure is a Dark Tusk Legion Gauntlet. I then used the Ogre Rider as a wounded/dead figure for a piece of terrain. Great to use against Black Blood armies.
