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    W2: Gnoll - Dark Ranger - released

    Lord Kai
    Lord Kai


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    Post  Lord Kai Sun Jan 19, 2014 1:37 am

    PENDING .. see pg 3



    DARK RANGER
    General: VALKRILL
    Species: Gnoll
    Type: Common Hero
    Class: Ranger
    Personality: Tricky
    Size: MEDIUM 5

    Points: 25

    Stats
    Life: 1
    Move: 6
    Range: 6
    Attack: 3
    Defense: 3

    Special Powers
    FERAL WAR CRY
    After taking a turn with a squad of Gnolls or a unique Gnoll Hero, if at least two Gnolls you control are engaged, you may immediately take a turn with one Dark Ranger you control.  If that Dark Ranger attacks an opponent's figure that is engaged with another Gnoll you control add 1 attack die.


    FLANKING ARCHERS
    After revealing an order marker on a Dark Ranger, and before taking a turn with that Dark Ranger, you may first take a turn with one other Dark Ranger you control.


    ==


    Nomad wrote:How does this look?

    W2:  Gnoll - Dark Ranger - released DarkRanger2NWHC


    ==

    Dark Rangers

    Hailing from Eberron with the Gnoll Raiders, the Dark Rangers of Droaam are slightly more civilized and cunning than their cousins, though just as ferocious.  The Dark Rangers act as mercenaries, trading their services as scouts, raiders, and assassins for more advanced weapons and armor, and dark delights of food and rare treasures.

    As rangers, they are skilled archers and trackers, and with their keen senses and relentless disposition, they can stalker and slay any prey.  They often follow packs of raiders, who rush into battle with their insidious hyena’s howls and merciless rage.  The Dark Rangers follow, picking off targets that are flushed from their hiding places.  And since the Raiders care little about formations or protecting their flanks, the Rangers take the role of guardians and snipers.

    ==
    The Book of Dark Ranger

    NWHC WAVE 2-


    - Rulings and Clarifications -
    _______________________________________



    - Combinations and Synergies -

    Synergy Benefits Offered
    - Dark Ranger: Flanking Archer

    As a Dark Ranger, Dark Rangers may benefit from the Dark Rangers FLANKING ARCHER activation synergy:
    Synergy Benefits Received
    - Dark Ranger: Flanking Archer

    As a Dark Ranger, a Dark Ranger may benefit from the FLANKING ARCHER activation synergy.
    -Dark Ranger: Feral War Cry
    After taking a turn with a Gnoll Squad or Gnoll Unique Hero, if at least 2 Gnolls are engaged, a Dark Ranger may benefit from the FERAL WAR CRY activation synergy.  Gnoll Squads include: Gnoll Raiders.  Gnoll Unique Hero’s include: Le-Orex
    - Dark Ranger: Feral War Cry
    A Dark Ranger may benefit from a Dark Ranger’s FERAL WAR CRY attack bonus when attacking a figure engaged with a Gnoll you control.  Current Gnolls include: Gnoll Raiders, Le-Orex, Dark Ranger.

    Synergy Imposed
    Synergy Imposed
    -

    ==
    W2:  Gnoll - Dark Ranger - released GnollArcherjpegresize


    Last edited by Lord Kai on Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:59 pm; edited 12 times in total
    Lord Kai
    Lord Kai


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    Post  Lord Kai Sun Jan 19, 2014 1:40 am


    These guys played very well today, and I think they are spot on.

    Nomad thought about a different name than Dark Ranger .. so we might change that.
    Huskies16
    Huskies16


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    Post  Huskies16 Sun Jan 19, 2014 2:08 am

    They played very well, i liked them and the other gnolls
    Nomad
    Nomad


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    Post  Nomad Sun Jan 19, 2014 12:09 pm

    I concur that these are close to ready. Great sculpt, and the stats and powers seem right on. We will need more play testing still.

    My only suggestion in seeing them in a few battles yesterday:

    Change the name to "Gnoll Rangers." To me, this fits into the Gnoll faction better.
    Nomad
    Nomad


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    Post  Nomad Fri Feb 07, 2014 9:58 pm

    NAME OF THE TEST UNIT: Gnoll Rangers

    THEME TEST: Are there are any powers or stats on the test unit card that do not accurately reflect the theme or likeness of what the character should be able to do? Also consider whether or not this character's powers should affect destructible objects. PASS. Perfect combo with Le-Orex and the Gnoll Raiders.

    FUN TEST: Was the unit fun to play? PASS. I really enjoyed them. Working in combo with the other Gnolls, they are really cool.

    FUN OPPOSITION TEST: Was the unit acceptable to play against? Could it be considered annoying? PASS. After a few play tests, I’m thinking that I would target these guys before the Raiders.

    USAGE TEST: Were all of the powers on this card used, or at least usable? PASS. Being able to take a turn with two like the Wyrmlings is spot on. Being able to take a turn with one if two other Gnolls are engaged is very awesome.

    STRATEGY TEST: Does the unit offer any real strategy or interesting tactics to the overall game? PASS. Yes! Incredible strategy and tactics employed with 25 point characters. The whole Gnoll faction is full of strategy.

    BONDING TEST: Compare the unit card with all currently existing Bonding abilities. Are there any Bonding loops that do not stop appropriately? PASS.

    SYNERGIES TEST: Think of all the current cards that would have synergy with the unit card. Are there any factors that could break the game by making a unit too powerful or too weak? PASS. Perfect additional attack with the Raiders/Le-Orex.

    POWER CHECK: When considering the test unit against all existing units (including released C3V and SoV units) and all glyphs, are there any powers that could be overamplified and break the game? PASS.

    DRAFTING TEST: Is this unit worth drafting? PASS. Definitely want these guys in a Gnoll build. They are also a perfect 25 point filler. Would I take two of them over a squad of Marro Warriors as filler? Probably not, but I would think about it as a change of pace

    MIRROR TEST: Consider the test unit against itself. Are there any loops that would upset the balance of the Game? PASS.

    ARMY TEST 1

    Did the unit perform adequately? What should be the unit's point value? Give a brief summary. [insert pass/fail, point value, and brief summary] PASS.

    Map: Battle 1: Invasion, Battle 2: Invasion, Battle 3: Silence and Solitude.

    Units:

    Army 1: Gnoll Raiders x3, Gnoll Rangers x4, Le-Orex  = 400 points

    VS

    Army 2: Fylorg Spiders x2, Wyveren x2, Rhogar = 390 points.

    AND

    Army 3: Marcus Gallus, 4th Regiment of Foot x4 = 400 points.

    No detailed round by round comments. Battle 1 featured Damon with the Gnolls v. Kai and the Spiders. The Raiders were an integral part of Damon’s strategy. He used his first two OMs to get them into position early and then pretty much used them to add an additional attack when the other Gnolls were engaged to provide an additional attack. See other details in the Gnoll Raider play test report. Battle 2 was Kai with the Gnoll army against Damon and the Redcoats. In a very strategic battle, the Rangers provided key back-up to the Raiders. Same two armies in the 3rd battle but on a more pod-up conducive map for the Redcoats. Damon was able to roll well and roll to victory over the Gnolls. Damon targeted the Rangers whenever possible over the Raiders.


    Final thoughts: As mentioned before, rarely does a unit come ready out of the box. But the Gnoll Rangers seem ready to me. They are fun. They offer new twists. They seem pointed perfectly. They get a degree of bonding in a very different way. 25 points seem right to me. After 4 playtests, I suggest we move to final editing.

    I suggested the original change from Dark Rangers to Gnoll Rangers to fit the theme. I found myself confusing Raiders with Rangers most of the time during the three battles, and even now while typing this up. It could have been the PBRs messing me up on Saturday, but not tonight. We discussed changing them to “Gnoll Archers” but they are very different than just Archers. I do think Gnoll should be part of their name.

    Gnoll Guerilla?
    Gnoll Bowman?
    Gnoll Shooter?
    Gnoll Sniper?
    Arrow Gnoll?
    Stealth Gnoll?

    I’m kind of liking Arrow Gnoll. Maybe Stealth Gnoll.
    Derek S
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    Post  Derek S Sat Mar 08, 2014 7:20 pm

    Damon I play-tested the Gnoll Faction:

    Gnoll Raiders x4, Dark Rangers x4, Le-Orex, Raelin, Isamu = 500 points

    v.

    Heavy Gruts x3, Grimnak, Tornak, Nerak, Jean de Ascalon = 500 points

    Great game! Gnolls won with 2 lives left on Le-Orex and Isamu (after 4 vanishes) remaining.

    After some brainstorming and various suggestions . . . we both think the Gnoll faction are good to go as is to final editing.

    "Fun" . . . "Strategic" . . . "Different ways to play them" . . .

    Kai, this is a great design. It is the first and will probably be the last that enters and exits with the same stats and powers.

    We talked about the various iterations that Damon suggested for a name change and felt "Dark Rangers" was the name to keep. We also see these guys as fillers in other armies . . .
    Nomad
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    Post  Nomad Mon Mar 17, 2014 8:39 pm

    I'm working on the card for this figure.

    I guess we are going with "Dark Ranger" - let me know if we want to change this.
    Nomad
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    Post  Nomad Mon Mar 17, 2014 9:49 pm

    Very subtle suggestions:

    FERAL WAR CRY
    After taking a turn with a squad of Gnolls or a unique Gnoll Hero, if at least two Gnolls you control are engaged, you may immediately take a turn with one Dark Ranger you control. If that Dark Ranger attacks an opponent's figure that is engaged with another Gnoll you control add 1 attack die.

    After taking a turn with a squad of Gnolls or a unique Gnoll Hero, if at least two Gnolls you control are engaged, you may immediately take a turn with one Dark Ranger you control. If that Dark Ranger attacks an opponent's figure that is engaged with at least one other Gnoll figure you control, add 1 attack die.


    FLANKING ARCHERS
    After revealing an order marker on a Dark Ranger, and before taking a turn with that Dark Ranger, you may first take a turn with one other Dark Ranger you control.

    After revealing an Order Marker on a Dark Ranger, and before taking a turn with that Dark Ranger, you may first take a turn with one other Dark Ranger you control.
    Derek S
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    Post  Derek S Tue Mar 18, 2014 12:51 am

    Both suggestions look good to me.
    Lord Kai
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    Post  Lord Kai Tue Mar 18, 2014 1:24 am

    Derek S wrote:Both suggestions look good to me.

    Ditto
    Nomad
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    Post  Nomad Tue Mar 18, 2014 9:10 pm

    Hmm . . . I've thought about this and thought about this. Here is my question:

    The way I read the powers, a Dark Ranger only gets his +1 attack for the engaged Gnoll figure when using Feral Cry . . . not when flipping an OM on his own card even though there may be an engaged Gnoll. I don't think I played them that way, but that is the way the text of the powers read.

    Kai, please advise.
    Lord Kai
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    Post  Lord Kai Tue Mar 18, 2014 10:25 pm

    Nomad wrote:Hmm . . . I've thought about this and thought about this. Here is my question:

    The way I read the powers, a Dark Ranger only gets his +1 attack for the engaged Gnoll figure when using Feral Cry . . . not when flipping an OM on his own card even though there may be an engaged Gnoll. I don't think I played them that way, but that is the way the text of the powers read.

    Kai, please advise.


    Correct, +1 attack only applies when using Feral Cry.
    Nomad
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    Post  Nomad Tue Mar 18, 2014 11:25 pm

    OK, all good. I like that even better than the way I did or did not play them. Dark Rangers are still a great filler without Gnolls.
    Nomad
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    Post  Nomad Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:11 am

    Planet?

    I'm going with Eberron unless instructed otherwise. Same as the Brutes . . .
    Nomad
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    Post  Nomad Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:25 am

    W2:  Gnoll - Dark Ranger - released DarkRangerNWHC

    W2:  Gnoll - Dark Ranger - released DarkRangerBasicNWHC

    Feedback?
    Nomad
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    Post  Nomad Wed Mar 19, 2014 1:02 am

    oops

    I didn't erase the interior of the selection on the master game card. I'll do that tomorrow and try again.
    Derek S
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    Post  Derek S Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:00 am

    FLANKING ARCHER
    After revealing an Order Marker on a Dark Ranger Army Card, and before taking a turn with that Dark Ranger's turn, you may first take a turn with one other (Dark Ranger Gnoll Archer) you control.

    The () part would require changing the Dark Ranger card changing class from Ranger to Archer but would open up the possibility of using it with future Gnoll archers- just in case.  I don't really care just thought I would throw the idea out there.  The rest of the wording changes follow the Blue Wyrmling's Army Card.

    wording without opening up possible bonding with other Gnoll Archers.

    FLANKING ARCHER
    After revealing an Order Marker on a Dark Ranger Army Card, before taking that Dark Ranger's turn, you may first take a turn with one other Dark Ranger you control.

    a couple of minor changes.

    FERAL WAR CRY
    After taking a turn with a squad of Gnolls or a unique Gnoll Hero, if at least two Gnolls you control are engaged, you may immediately take a turn with one Dark Ranger you control. If that Dark Ranger attacks an opponent's figure that is engaged with at least one other Gnoll figure you control, add 1 attack die.

    FERAL WAR CRY
    After taking a turn with a Gnoll squad or a unique Gnoll Hero, if at least two Gnolls you control are engaged, you may immediately take a turn with one Dark Ranger you control. If that Dark Ranger attacks an opponent's figure that is engaged with at least one Gnoll figure you control, add 1 attack die.
    Lord Kai
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    Post  Lord Kai Wed Mar 19, 2014 3:03 pm

    Could you make the picture on the Master side of the card larger? zoom in a bit?


    RE: other Gnoll Archers .. there is another Gnoll Archer figure out there but he was more expensive. He could become a Gnoll Archer Unique Hero for a future release.

    W2:  Gnoll - Dark Ranger - released 171769
    Nomad
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    Post  Nomad Thu Mar 20, 2014 8:57 pm

    RE: Derek's suggestion on Flanking power . . . like the idea of tying in other Gnoll Archers . . . but what about general Rangers? Brandis is the only other unique Ranger.

    This is basically a unique figure (as an uncommon), so I'm tweaking the wording a bit. Kai, it is your design. I'm totally content with where he is now.

    FLANKING RANGER
    After revealing an Order Marker on this Dark Ranger Army Card, and before taking a turn with this Dark Ranger, you may first take a turn with one other Unique Ranger you control.

    If no Ranger, then I would reword it as (slight change from Derek's proposal):

    FLANKING ARCHER
    After revealing an Order Marker on this Dark Ranger Army Card, before taking a turn with this Dark Ranger, you may first take a turn with one other Dark Ranger you control.

    RE: Feral War Cry power. With Derek's rewrite, I would get a +1 attack if the Dark Ranger counts as one of those two engaged Gnolls. attacks, which would impact their game play as rangers greatly, in my opinion. Here is my suggestion based on Derek's:

    FERAL WAR CRY
    After taking a turn with a Gnoll Squad or a Unique Gnoll Hero, if at least two Gnolls you control are engaged, you may immediately take a turn with one Dark Ranger you control. If that Dark Ranger attacks an opponent's figure that is engaged with at least one Gnoll figure you control, add 1 attack die.

    RE: The pic size of the Gnoll on the card. Thanks for the feedback. Yep, I originally had him larger, but as a 25 point figure I made him less intimidating and tried to match the size on of similar uncommons like the Air Elemental. I will make him larger on the card redo - he looks really awesome with those orange eyes.
    Derek S
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    Post  Derek S Thu Mar 20, 2014 9:38 pm

    FERAL WAR CRY
    After taking a turn with a Gnoll Squad or a Unique Gnoll Hero, if at least two Gnolls you control are engaged, you may immediately take a turn with one Dark Ranger you control. If that Dark Ranger attacks an opponent's non-adjacent figure that is engaged with at least one Gnoll figure you control, add 1 attack die.

    This might work better for original intent, which I wasn't trying to change, thanks for catching that Damon.
    Lord Kai
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    Post  Lord Kai Thu Mar 20, 2014 11:44 pm

    How about:

    FERAL WAR CRY
    After taking a turn with a Gnoll Squad or a Unique Gnoll Hero, if at least two Gnolls you control are engaged, you may immediately take a turn with one Dark Ranger you control. If that Dark Ranger attacks an opponent's figure that is engaged with at least one other Gnoll figure you control, add 1 attack die.


    As for Bonding with other "Rangers" - Ranger is a character class that is common in D&D .. so it is possible that C3V will come out with future Ranger heroes. Though giving Brandis something to bond with would be cool .. maybe we keep it with Dark Rangers.
    Nomad
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    Post  Nomad Sat Mar 22, 2014 11:17 am

    Agree on not going with Ranger - just threw out the idea. Keeping it to Dark Ranger is good with me as well. I realize that these are commons, not uncommons. I'm not sure what I was thinking. So, let's go with this wording? I changed the Flanking Archer to be nearly identical to the Wyrmlings.

    FERAL WAR CRY
    After taking a turn with a Gnoll Squad or a Unique Gnoll Hero, if at least two Gnolls you control are engaged, you may immediately take a turn with one Dark Ranger you control. If that Dark Ranger attacks an opponent's figure that is engaged with one other Gnoll you control, add 1 attack die.

    FLANKING ARCHER
    After revealing an Order Marker on a Dark Ranger Army Card, before taking that Dark Ranger's turn, you may take a turn with one other Dark Ranger you control.
    Nomad
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    Post  Nomad Sat Mar 22, 2014 11:25 am

    How is this?

    W2:  Gnoll - Dark Ranger - released DarkRangerNWHC
    Lord Kai
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    Post  Lord Kai Sat Mar 22, 2014 7:00 pm


    He looks incredibly vile and insidious .. so PERFECT!

    Derek S
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    Post  Derek S Sat Mar 22, 2014 10:23 pm

    card looks great and error free!

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