Rakshasa Ravanar - Sorcerer Kings Guide (english)

Rakshasa Ravanar

The Rakshasa Ravanar is one of the two monsters of the Court of Flame, specialized in hunting down monsters.

Cost: At 240 points, I consider the overall package to be 40-50 points too expensive.

Strengths:

• Aura of Death 5: Causes 5 automatic hits against enemy units in contact with the Rakshasa when the regiment's card is drawn.
• Cleave 2: Reduces the opponent's armor by 2 in melee with Clash attacks.
• Fiend Hunter: Allows the Ravanar to reroll all hit rolls of its Impact and Clash attacks against monster and brute regiments, compensating for its lower number of attacks.
• Elemental: If the last card was a ritual, the Ravanar gains an additional action.
• Born of Flame: Heals a regiment for 2 wounds when a friendly sorcerer casts a fire spell on it, and synergizes with other faction abilities.
• Last Word: Even in death, the Ravanar remains a threat, causing 8 automatic hits on an enemy regiment within 8" of a friendly character or regiment with the Wizard rule. These hits do not cause morale tests and always hit the target's flank, regardless of where the Ravanar dies, as long as the target is within 8".
• Hubris: Increases movement by +3 on any charge against a monster.

Weaknesses:

• High Cost: Rakshasas are very expensive and take up a large portion of the total army cost. It is often more beneficial to invest the points in Brutes or Rajakur.
• Moderate Defense: With Defense and Resolve 3, the Rakshasa Ravanar is not poorly protected, but not particularly well either. Its 16 hit points provide only limited protection.
• Heavy: The Rakshasa is Heavy, meaning it enters the battlefield at the earliest in turn 3. While it can score points, it might spend half the game off the battlefield if there are multiple heavy units.

General Tactics: Despite its few attacks and high cost, the Rakshasa Ravanar is effective. In direct comparison with other monsters of the faction, it could be more stable or have additional abilities. Currently, it is not used as frequently as other options. Although it handles battered brute and monster regiments well, this task could also be handled by a Bakasura, which is more flexible due to Arrogance.

Regarding Last Word: This rule is impressive, but it is often better to keep the Rakshasas alive. However, it can be worthwhile to deliberately sacrifice it to inflict crucial damage against an opponent when necessary.