The Armoury

[MaveriK]

EPISODE ONE: Frostblade Mjalnar

 

A thread about the sacred relics of the (Vlka Fenyka) Space Wolves Chapter. This is a tech+fluff based discussion about our wargear. From updating rules to the current edition, to giving known wargear with rules that are currently non-exsistent. This is meant to be a fun discussion about our sacred relics. Giving us a different look at our mighty chapter, and hopefully gaining insight and appreciation of our fluff as a whole.

 

Within the halls of heroes, lay many treasures within the Fang. Today we talk about our wolf kings weapon, the frostblade Mjalnar. When Leman Russ became our primarch, he was gifted with a great suit of armour blessed thricefold by the Emperor himself. His greatsword was replaced with the Frostblade Mjalnar, who's teeth was fashioned from the great maw of Great Kraken Gormenjarl and whose blade, it was claimed, could cleave the very ice mountains of Fenris in twain.

 

What rules would you give the Frostblade Mjalnar today? lets say our HQ's can access the weapon, how many points would it cost in today's standards? and how would you represent the model? and what bits would you use to build it? I know Wolf Lord Mjolnir made a beautiful Leman Russ figure, and represented his sword nicely shown here, http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.p...;showentry=4464 so lets have 'em wolf brothers!

[Growler67]

As for modeling it, I suppose I would start with Abbadon's DaemonBlade. It would require extensive modding and maybe incorporating a suitable amount of filing to remove the Chaos iconography and such. The "spurs" will obviously have to come off and maybe thinning the blade overall tomake it appear longer. The broadness isn't particularly reminiscent of Mjalnar so altering it to look more like a Claymore would be the ultimate aim, IMO. Finding a suitable skull bit for the end of the hilt may be a bit challenging. There are the skulls on the end of chains from th Chaos Sorcerer bits. The chain can be removed and the skull used, though it wouldn't be an exact match.

[Wysten]

I would easily consider giving the squad fearless in pocession of this weapon, after all, how inspiring would it be for a Lord to wield a weapon that their Primarch wielded?

 

The other rules I am not sure. I would consider ignoring inval, but thats a Nercrone trait, or perhaps both the effect of the Frost Blade and Wolf Claw together? Or simply adding +X to the strength as a enhanced Frost blade, strength 2/3, though I am worried about thunderwolf granting strength 8 attacks at init 5, it definately sounds like the ultimate weapon in the CC arrinal.

 

As for cost, depends. I would consider making it 50 points, possibly higher and a unique weapon. I could definately see it in an 3000/4000 point setting, where legendary stuff would be busted out. Depends really, considering that Wolf Lords are typically expensive anyway.

[Sturm Moonwolf]

I think I'd make it like a Frost Blade that causes instant death or re-rolls wounds or something.

 

And make it destructive, on a roll of a 6 to wound, you destroy a close combat weapon of an enemy model in base contact, like a storm shield or deamon weapon. It just gets smashed to pieces by the might of Mjalnar, lol.

 

Cost maybe 50-60 points.

[Skarvald the Troll-faced]

Don't forget that any weapon made for Russ would be too big for mere Space Wolves. It would be like one of us using an Astartes-issued Thunder Hammer. ;P But I like this thread.

I would go with a Frostblade (+1 STR) that adds +1d6 armor penetration and on any rolls of 6 it ignores Invulnerable saves.

[Stormshrug]

I'd probably leave aside ignoring Invul, tempting as it is. I'll submit the following profile:

 

Two-handed weapon (no bonuses for wielding an Offhand weapon)

 

Power Weapon

 

+D3 Strength (determined at the start of each Assault Phase)

 

Due to its great size and terrifying power, as well as the gruesome way in which it dispatches enemies, each unsaved wound that Mjalnar inflicts during an Assault Phase counts as two wounds for the purposes of resolving combat (If Mjalnar's wielder scored two unsaved wounds, then his tally of wounds for determining which side won the combat would be four, etc).

 

 

Basically, the idea is that cutting people in half has a pretty big impact on morale.

 

-Stormshrug

[MaveriK]

As for modeling it, I suppose I would start with Abbadon's DaemonBlade. It would require extensive modding and maybe incorporating a suitable amount of filing to remove the Chaos iconography and such. The "spurs" will obviously have to come off and maybe thinning the blade overall tomake it appear longer. The broadness isn't particularly reminiscent of Mjalnar so altering it to look more like a Claymore would be the ultimate aim, IMO. Finding a suitable skull bit for the end of the hilt may be a bit challenging. There are the skulls on the end of chains from th Chaos Sorcerer bits. The chain can be removed and the skull used, though it wouldn't be an exact match.

I like the claymore idea! Abbadon's Daemonblade would be a nice alternative, but it would be harder for people to acquire if they just wanted the sword. I was looking around GW site, and agree with what Wolf Lord Mjolnir capitalized on, using plastic bloodletters hellblades. It's cheaper, and easier to work with. as for rules? I think the added strength is a given, but how about giving the wielder a boost in initiative? i also like the idea of a "dragon/kraken slayer" rule that wounds monstrous creatures on a 2+

[MaveriK]

what else do we know about the sword itself? was the sword built by our Iron Priest? or built by the Emperor's people? maybe even the Emperor himself? should the weapon have a special ward or rules against daemons? or psychic attacks?

[Wysten]

Don't forget that any weapon made for Russ would be too big for mere Space Wolves. It would be like one of us using an Astartes-issued Thunder Hammer. ;P But I like this thread.

I would go with a Frostblade (+1 STR) that adds +1d6 armor penetration and on any rolls of 6 it ignores Invulnerable saves.

 

Depends, generally, a Space Wolf could not wield it, but then a Wolf Lord is not any old space wolf. He is the exception, the alpha male, he who stands above all, picks his mates and leads with his prowess and wit. Not all wolf lords will be able to wield it, but there is always the odd one that, being exceptionally strong/well supported (terminator armour) that he can weild it. A wolf lord of all people would be the princle of what it means to be a Space Wolf.

 

I like the idea of a pesudo inval rending. Though I like the below rules a little more for the weapon

 

I'd probably leave aside ignoring Invul, tempting as it is. I'll submit the following profile:

 

Two-handed weapon (no bonuses for wielding an Offhand weapon)

 

Power Weapon

 

+D3 Strength (determined at the start of each Assault Phase)

 

Due to its great size and terrifying power, as well as the gruesome way in which it dispatches enemies, each unsaved wound that Mjalnar inflicts during an Assault Phase counts as two wounds for the purposes of resolving combat (If Mjalnar's wielder scored two unsaved wounds, then his tally of wounds for determining which side won the combat would be four, etc).

 

 

Basically, the idea is that cutting people in half has a pretty big impact on morale.

 

-Stormshrug

 

I really like this idea. Rather then inspiring the wolves around him, the terror it inspires in the foe is so much more tasty. The D3 strength and the special rule really does display what a brutal weapon and hard to wield weapon it is (sometimes, they strike with the strength of the primarch himself, other times the lord is unable to draw the full potencial of the swing out, though being a primarch weapon it's still deadly when not being used to it's full potencial), but in the same time every wound inspiring the wolves to fight harder against a terrified foe... At the very least, I like the weapon rule and it would make it unique compared to basic enhancement to leadership or sarrounding units.

 

what else do we know about the sword itself? was the sword built by our Iron Priest? or built by the Emperor's people? maybe even the Emperor himself? should the weapon have a special ward or rules against daemons? or psychic attacks?

 

I doubt the Emperor built it, he does not know his sons well. Just look at the Spear of Russ, fantastic weapon, but Russ just used it as a play thing and threw it at the moon when drunk, only carrying it when the Emperor was in his pressence. Aside from that, I don't really know. A runic armour Psy protection effect could be built in, just I imagine the weapon would cost half a grey hunter squad.

[MaveriK]

another question to think about. how well do you think Mjalnar do against other known weapons from different primarchs? and current wargear from other astartes chapters? say Logan Grimnar's Axe of Morkai vs. Mjalnar. I know its going to be hard to compare the weapon since there isn't a real rule/stat to it. But its worth a shot, and something to think about. We do know that Russ and the Lion have come to blows in the past, using his sword against the lion's sword. I think it's cool that Russ is still has his sword, even without his armour LOL

[Bulweih]

Our Iron Priests made it, it is said to be the first frostweapon ever, don't remember where atm., but I'm quite sure.

 

As for comparison, Logan's Axe may be fine handiwork, but I can't see it matching the first frostblade ever made-for the wolf king.

For the other primarchs, I'm not so sure.

Up to now I only know of power weapons of extravagant size, shape and form, none that has a special kind of weapon not from a forge on mars.

 

Given his role as executioner, I guess Russ just had to have "the" killweapon.