GMG Reviews - RAGNAROK: The Vanir by Osprey Games

It's time for another GMG Review! Today we check out the first expansion for Osprey Games Warband Skirmish RAGNAROK: The Vanir.

[GaryArkham]

I like this game, it's a really cool excuse to buy those super nice viking miniatures from Victrix and Gripping Beast.

[tinywargamer]

so...I'm thinking Tribals from GA would do good for those?

[aaronbrown]

This immediately made me think of the movie Pathfinder with Karl Urban! I used to play Celtos before I-Kore disappeared, and still have most of my Gaels and Fomorians. Truly the TableTop Golden Age!

[peterdickinson]

I bought the core rulebook when it came out. I was very excited by the theme, already had Viking minis and terrain and was keen to get started. And then I hit a wall. Four months later I have a rule book FULL of post-its each with a question I can't find the answer to.
It is a solid core rule system, and I know there is a good game in there, but My God! the author seems to have gone out of his way to make it as impenetrable as possible. As if you will only get to play the game if you are dedicated enough to unravel all the mysteries. Honestly, I refuse to believe that as a part of this game's development it was at any point handed to non-wargamers to see if they could make sense of it. There is no sign that feedback has ever been received. The book is full of contradictions, dead-ends, and an endless number of in-game markers that you have to compile yourself. AND NOT ONE SINGLE DIAGRAMATIC EXPLANATION OF THE RULES IN ACTION. Zero clarifications or examples. Just text.
I'm honestly not surprised there are no online playthroughs. That should tell you everything you need to know. It's a pity. There is a cool game in there, but you have to house-rule the game so heavily it is hard to be sure you are still playing Ragnarok. And I paid my money because I thought someone had already done all the hard work. Apparently not.

[richmcgee]

Cripes, I didn't even know this was coming out.

[midwesternexplorer]

I would consider buying the book for the art. Not sure about the game though.

[thislostendevour]

Have you filmed any of the Ragnarok games you've played, or planning to in future?

[calebhargus]

You mentioned playing this a few times. Can we expect some battle reports soon?

[kostak]

Original rulebook came out earlier this year and yet I've only seen "one" battle report online to support this game. Not worth the effort IMO if we don't see more interest I'm afraid. Other reviewers have called this system a "masterpiece"...which I find very hard to believe.

[robsevendaysaweek]

Can this be a standalone or do you need the first book?

[tinywargamer]

All those legendary weapons and weapons in general are good for one thing and one thing only in this game ...and that is rasing MA to be able to score high to get as much Godspark as possible, and once you are sitting on a large enough Godspark pile ...then nothing else matters (riff in the back of your head now playing), because lest's be honest here, the ability to use Godpowers (aka spells) anytime you want, and in any moment makes the other rules for this game (shooting and fighting alike) unimportant

[CesarIsaacPerez]

Doubt I'll ever play as Indians, or with mounts or on ships. But I like the other new stuff...