They follow the Ruinous Powers with unquestioning fervour, personifying them as the Hound, the Crow, the Serpent and the Eagle. War is their natural state, and whether raiding across the Sea of Claws in their longships or feuding with neighbouring tribes, their blades never go long without blood. Though physically tougher and more powerful than those living an easier life in the south, the Northmen are still Men - although many of them will have their humanity warped by mutations, and their savagery and barbarism are legendary. Rather than fight the darkness, they embrace it, worshipping the forces of Chaos as Gods, providing a willing army for the Ruinous Powers' never-ending war against order and reason. Yet even more than the privations of their cold and barren lands, their proximity to the Realm of Chaos shapes the Norsca and other northern tribes. The harsh and brutal nature of the far north is reflected in the grim character of its peoples. Despair! For all that remains for you is the taste of northern steel and the end of your world. We most favored of the gods shall raid your lands, revel in your suffering and destroy you. But know this - it is we who are the closest to the Ruinous Powers. Sir, I have a very angry, hairy parcel to deliver."Call us savages because we strike at you. The Total War: Warhammer team apparently has the blessing of Games Workshop to delve deep into the archives in order to expand lesser known rosters like Norsca. As far as I can tell they haven’t had tabletop representation since the 1980s, so this is the first playable faction in the game from outside the established 6-8th Edition races. Norsca’s Total War line-up is an intriguing one for Warhammer historians, featuring fringe creatures like the aforementioned Skin Wolves, and the oft-forgotten Fimir (beaked Cyclops-like monsters last seen in the mid-80s and titles like Heroquest). #TOTAL WAR WARHAMMER NORSCA TERRITORY SKIN# The faction core is ferocious (though generally poorly armoured) warriors, short-range ‘hunter’ themed missile troops, and an impressive range of monstrous friends. Special Norscan versions of hounds (Ice Wolves) and trolls (Ice Trolls) can inflict a ‘Frostbite’ status effect, slowing foes and keeping them pinned in place for a battering. Norsca are also the first paid DLC faction to come without a separate mini-campaign. That’s consistent with Creative Assembly’s stated policy towards future expansions, which will focus more on additional Legendary Lords and larger rosters. Norsca’s two Lords (skull fashion afficionado Wulfrik and three-time vomiting world champion Throgg) keep their raiding and ravaging strictly to the main campaign, and the DLC is priced accordingly at $10. Plenty of players will probably get it for free though, as it’s a novel bonus for anybody who buys Warhammer 2 between now and one week after release. #TOTAL WAR WARHAMMER NORSCA TERRITORY FOR FREE# The faction are not a horde like Beastmen or Chaos, but they do sustain themselves in much the same way through persistent sacking of rich settlements. Though Norscan provinces can be settled, and coastal towns can be taken as outposts, income from building chains is severely limited. The faction’s design pushes you to continuous raiding (as it should), both to build and retain forces, and in order to seek favour with Norsca’s interpretations of the Chaos god quartet.Ī special building for a very special boy. There’s further incentive to head South too, with special tech research possible when faction capitals are taken, and unique buildings available in certain locations. Throgg, for example, can construct the Rocky Throne in Troll Country, giving big recruitment discounts and experience boosts to Fimir Warriors and ordinary Trolls. Norsca don’t have distinct short and long term campaign victories like other Total War: Warhammer factions. Instead, Wulfrik and Throgg’s overall objective is to raze enough towns and toss up enough totems in their place to earn the attention (and attendant bonuses) of one of the four gods. Plus destroy their immediate rival (whomever you didn’t choose as Lord), The Empire and Bretonnia for good measure. #TOTAL WAR WARHAMMER NORSCA TERRITORY PLUS#
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