Retribution of Scyrah
The Retribution is an extremist paramilitary organization that grows increasingly influential in the secluded elvish nation of Ios. For reasons not fully understood, the Iosan gods are all dead or dying which is causing Iosan children to be born without souls, putting their race on the brink of extinction (as seems typical of elves in all fantasy worlds). The Retribution believes the cause of their dilemma is the use of magic by humans, and have decided the best solution is to kill every human arcanist. Given that the Iron Kingdoms are populated with thousands of humans with arcane ability of some degree, this is a hopeless task.
So far, the other nations are largely unaware or unconcerned with the Retribution's activities, so you might say they have been hugely unsuccessful in their stated purpose. In recent years the Skorne have mounted a large invasion onto Iosan lands and this has preoccupied the Retribution and the main Ios military. On the other hand, the conflict has resulted in much more of the military coming under the banner of the Retribution, vastly increasing their options.
For more backstory, refer to Lore - Retribution of Scyrah
Contents
Retribution of Scyrah for Beginners
Aesthetic
Retribution is visibly more advanced than the other nations of the Iron Kingdoms, with smooth looking quasi-futuristic weapons and armor that incorporate lots of gentle curves. "Cyperpunk set in a Steampunk world" is an apt description, especially in regards to the warjacks and the House Shyeel models.
Gameplay
The Retribution is characterized by high-quality self-sufficient units, combined-arms warjacks, and slightly weaker warcasters. They are also geared more toward assassination- style gameplay (which reflects their background), but also bring a strong alpha-strike quality to the table.
If lightning is Cygnar's thing and fire is the Protectorate's thing, Retribution's thing is force fields, force weaponry and tractor beams.
Warcasters
Retribution warcasters tend to be focused on support and geared towards a specific aspect of the faction (usually based on the house they belong to), though they often work well outside of their obvious niche. Additionally they tend to stick to the middle of the overall power curve of the game due to the faction's extremely potent infantry.
Casters like Ravyn, Eternal Light and Lord Arcanist Ossyan are geared heavily towards supporting Retribution's significant ranged options while Adeptis Rahn plays a strong positioning game and both Dawnlord Vyros and Vyros, Incissar of the Dawnguard heavily favor warjacks. Of special note is Issyria, Sibyl of Dawn, currently the only warcaster in the game with neither a weapon nor damage-dealing spell who instead lives off of a host of powerful support abilities that work well with almost any troops in the faction.
That's not to say Retribution warcasters can't get in to the mix; Vyros, Incissar of the Dawnguard has the best defensive stat line in the game on a fast cavalry model who starts off hitting hard and reaches the upper echelon of warcaster damage output when he hits full Synergy. Likewise Thyron, Sword of Truth has great defense against ranged attacks, allowing him to close with the enemy and engage his respectable melee weapon. Others like Kaelyssa, Night's Whisper and Garryth, Blade of Retribution prefer to hang back and support their armies with accurate gunfire.
Warjacks
Retribution's warjacks (called myrmidons in the fiction) are broadly divided into two types: Shyeel and Vyre.
- House Shyeel jacks all sport Force Fields of various strength. Most of the time, enemy attacks have to take down this field first, and only thereafter can they start damaging the jack's grid. These jacks have a separate Generator system, which grants them their Field Dependent abilities. If the generator is crippled, most of these abilities are gone. A jack can spend 1 focus/turn to recharge its fields, and remove D3+1 damage points from it, unless the Generator is crippled. They have above-average SPD with average DEF and ARM and lower base damage output.
- House Vyre jacks lack Force Fields, but are more heavily armoured, and have built-in special abilities on their guns and themselves. They have average SPD with average DEF and slightly above-average ARM paired with average damage output.
- Every heavy jack (with the exception of Hemera) has two melee initials and a gun, giving Retribution battlegroups a level of flexibility not found in other factions.
The effect of this is that Retribution players have the options of taking the right warjack for the job and (in the case of heavies) always having access to a boostable magical ranged weapon. The downside of this is that Retribution heavy warjacks tend to come with a high points value.
The light warjacks tend to be specialized to a role and thus don't suffer from the same point jump that the heavies do when compared to their counterparts in other factions. The Griffon is notable for it's high SPD, good ARM, and solid damage output, while the Harpy and Siren both carry a potent mix of ranged and melee capabilities.
Units
Starter Sets
The MK3 Battle Box for the Retribution consists of Magister Helynna, and a Griffon, Chimera, and Manticore as the battlegroup. See individual model entries for further information.
The MK2 Battle Box contained Kaelyssa, Night's Whisper, Griffon, Chimera, and Manticore. Due to re-balancing on edition change this is no longer a valid caster choice for official Journeyman Leagues, so ensure that if purchasing for one you buy the new version.
Other good early purchases
- Arcanist Mechanik - an auto-include on your buying list. Currently, he can enter into all of the theme forces, and offers near-unparalleled warjack support for a mere 2 points apiece, and worth buying three straight away (max FA).
- Eiryss1 - one of your most expensive solos (the most expensive on a small base), but you can get her for free in every theme force. Her Disruptor Bolt attack can be game winning, crippling enemy warcasters and warlocks. Her epic version, Eiryss2 is a bit cheaper, and she focuses on stripping off enemy support spells from vital units.
- House Shyeel Artificer - a big, floating support model with a magical zap and big smashy hulk hands, the Artificer is primarily taken in the few Themes he's allowed in because of his ability to grant Force Barrier to a friendly model or unit, making them harder to hit with ranged attacks and completely immune to blast damage. Once he delivers his buds, he contests zones and makes himself unchargeable or Combo Smites baddies with his big ol' mitts.
- Houseguard Thane - In almost any list where you're bringing Houseguard models, you'll likely want at least one Thane. Desperate Pace and Firing Solution make it relevant throughout a game for all the Houseguard units, but in a pinch, it's capable of troubleshooting against solos or late-game outliers.
- Mage Hunter Assassin - a deadly hunter with stellar damage output and excellent mobility. If you build the Shadows of the Retribution theme, look no further.
- Sylys - one of the most popular warcaster attachments, he is a great supporting solo for offensive spellslingers, and for those who like free upkeep spells or occasional spellslinging if they don't bring an arc node.
Starting a Theme Force
Players can use the Theme Force rules to construct their army list once the game size reaches 25 points. Themes restrict which models from your Faction you have access to, with different models being "locked" into different themes. In return, playing a theme force gives you multiple benefits in return. Also, models in a theme force normally have natural synergies with each other - synergies they can't use if they're paired with models from outside the theme.
Themes are considered the default way to play Warmachine and Hordes (although technically they're optional).
Regardless of whether you're starting at 25 points or lower, as a new player you have two options:
- Ignore themes to begin with, buy a couple of things you like the look of, and later on figure out if they work together in the same theme.
- With this approach you run the risk of buying models from a hodge podge of different themes. At some point you'll end up choosing one theme to use and expand, and shelving your models that don't fit the theme.
- Figure out which theme contains models you like the look of, and limit yourself to just buying models from that theme.
- This approach has the benefit of not shelving any of your purchases and you're more likely to have models that have natural synergies with each other (even if you buy things completely at random).
Theme Forces
Defenders of Ios
This is an infantry theme force, formed around the Houseguard, complemented by troops from other houses and the Nyss exiles.
This list was last updated: 2021.10 (Edit)
Warcasters
- All Retribution warcasters
Warjacks
- All non-character warjacks
- Hypnos
- Other character warjacks can be taken, but only if they have a bond and they're in their bonded model's battlegroup.
Battle Engines
Units
- Cylena Raefyll & Nyss Hunters (★)
- Heavy Rifle Team
- House Ellowuyr Swordsmen
- House Ellowuyr Wardens
- House Vyre Electromancers
- Houseguard Halberdiers
- Houseguard Riflemen
- Ryssovass Defenders
- Stormfall Archers
Solos
- Arcanist Mechanik
- Houseguard Thane
- Aelyth Vyr, Blade of Nyssor
- Elara1 ("Junior Warcaster")
- Fane Knight Guardian
- Fane Knight Skeryth Issyen
- Ghost Sniper
- House Ellowuyr Warden Executioner
- Lanyssa Ryssyl, Nyss Sorceress (★)
- Lys Healer
- Priest of Nyssor
- Scythe (★)
- Sylys Wyshnalyrr, The Seeker (★) (Warcaster Attachment)
Mercenaries
- Up to one Mercenary unit
- Up to one Mercenary solo
(★) Because these models are specifically allowed in this theme, they don't use up your Mercenary slot.
Forges of War
This is Retribution's warjack-centric theme. If you want stompy elf robots, look here (it does only allow House Shyeel's warjacks, however).
This list was last updated: 2021.11 (Edit)
Warcasters
- Retribution warcasters
Warjacks
- Non-character warjacks:
- Discordia
- Other character warjacks can be taken, but only if they have a bond and they're in their bonded model's battlegroup.
Battle Engines
Units
Solos
- Arcanist Mechanik
- Elara1 - ("Junior Warcaster")
- Fane Knight Guardian - (Warcaster Attachment)
- House Shyeel Magister
- House Shyeel Artificer - ('Jack Marshal)
- Sylys Wyshnalyrr (★) - (Warcaster Attachment)
Mercenaries
- Up to one unit
- Up to one solo
(★) Because Sylys is specifically allowed in this theme, he doesn't use up your Mercenary slot.
Legion of Dawn
Another infantry theme force, this time focusing on the more elite Dawnguard troops.
This list was last updated: 2019.07 (Edit)
Warcasters
- All Retribution warcasters
Warjacks
- All non-character warjacks
- Hemera
- Imperatus
- Other character warjacks can be taken, but only if they have a bond and they're in their bonded model's battlegroup.
Units
Solos
- Arcanist Mechanik
- Dawnguard Destor Thane
- Dawnguard Sentinel Scyir - ('Jack Marshal)
- Ghost Sniper
- Fane Knight Guardian - (Warcaster Attachment)
- House Shyeel Artificer - ('Jack Marshal)
- Lys Healer
- Soulless Voidtracer
Mercenaries
- Up to one unit
- Up to one solo
Shadows of the Retribution
This is the ninja theme! Lots of stealthy skirmish infantry with good DEF and maneuverability, but poor ARM and hitpoints.
This list was last updated: 2019.08 (Edit)
Warcasters
- All Retribution warcasters
Warjacks
- All non-character warjacks
- Moros
- Other character warjacks can be taken, but only if they have a bond and they're in their bonded model's battlegroup.
Units
Solos
- Arcanist Mechanik
- Eiryss1 (★)
- Eiryss2 (★)
- Eiryss4 (★)
- Elara1 - ("Junior Warcaster")
- Fane Knight Guardian - (Warcaster Attachment)
- Lys Healer
- Mage Hunter Assassin
- Narn, Mage Hunter of Ios
- Nayl
- Soulless Voidtracer
Mercenaries
- Void Archon (★)
- Up to one other solo
- Up to one unit
(★) Because she is in the list of allowed models, Eiryss doesn't use up a Merc slot. Similar for the Void Archon (even though it's not a Partisan)
List of Models
Unreleased Models
Last Updated: 2019.08
- None at the moment
Warcasters
Elara1 | Refer to Retribution solos, below | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Elara2 | Elara, Death's Shadow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Garryth1 | Garryth, Blade of Retribution | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Garryth2 | Garryth, Eye of Vengeance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Goreshade -1 | Lord Ghyrrshyld of House Vyre (Not tournament legal) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Goreshade1 to 3 | Refer to Cryx warcasters | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Goreshade4 | Lord Ghyrrshyld, the Forgiven | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Helynna1 | Magister Helynna | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issyria1 | Issyria, Sibyl of Dawn | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kaelyssa1 | Kaelyssa, Night's Whisper | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ossyan1 | Lord Arcanist Ossyan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rahn1 | Adeptis Rahn | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ravyn1 | Ravyn, Eternal Light | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thyron1 | Thyron, Sword of Truth | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vyros1 | Dawnlord Vyros | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vyros2 | Vyros, Incissar of the Dawnguard |
Warjacks
Light
Heavy
Colossal
Character
- Heavy
Battle Engines
Units
- Cylena Raefyll & Nyss Hunters (Partisans)
- Dawnguard Destors
- Dawnguard Invictors
- CA - Officer & Standard Bearer
- Dawnguard Sentinels
- CA - Officer & Standard Bearer
- Heavy Rifle Team
- House Ellowuyr Swordsmen
- CA - Officer & Standard Bearer
- House Shyeel Arcanists
- House Shyeel Battle Mages
- House Vyre Electromancers
- Houseguard Halberdiers
- CA - Officer & Standard Bearer
- Houseguard Riflemen
- CA - Officer & Standard Bearer
- Mage Hunter Infiltrators
- Character CA - Eiryss3
- Mage Hunter Strike Force
- CA - Commander
- Character CA - Eiryss3
- Ryssovass Defenders
- Spears of Scyrah
- Character CA - Eiryss3
- Stormfall Archers
Special WA
- Soulless Escort - (can attach to any Retribution unit)
Special CA
- Eiryss, Mage Hunter Commander - (can attach to any Mage Hunter unit)
Solos
- Aelyth Vyr, Blade of Nyssor
- Arcanist Mechanik
- Dawnguard Destor Thane
- Dawnguard Sentinel Scyir
- Eiryss1: Eiryss, Mage Hunter of Ios - (Partisan)
- Eiryss2: Eiryss, Angel of Retribution - (Partisan)
- Eiryss3: Refer to units
- Eiryss4: Eiryss, Fortune Hunter of Ios - (Partisan)
- Elara1: Elara, Tyro of the Third Chamber - ("Junior Warcaster")
- Elara2: Refer to Warcasters
- Fane Knight Guardian - (Warcaster Attachment)
- Fane Knight Skeryth Issyen
- Ghost Sniper
- Hermit of Henge Hold - (Partisan)
- House Shyeel Artificer
- House Shyeel Magister
- Houseguard Thane
- Lanyssa Ryssyl, Nyss Sorceress - (Partisan)
- Lys Healer
- Mage Hunter Assassin
- Narn, Mage Hunter of Ios
- Nayl
- Priest of Nyssor
- Soulless Voidtracer
- Sylys Wyshnalyrr - (Warcaster Attachment) (Partisan)
Mercenaries that work for the Retribution
Refer to Who works for Whom and/or Category: Retribution of Scyrah Mercenary
Designer's Notes 2016
Just before the launch of the mk3 ruleset, the game developers did a series of Insider articles about what they saw as each Faction's "Core Identity". Although it's a little dated now, it is still an interesting insight to how they view Retribution 2016.05 Retribution Preview.