Unit Strategy Review: How to use Tor-Kul-Na

[ThrasherDarkrai]

Honestly, thinking about it more I also don't see why Zelrig is on there. When you use Nagrubs in my eyes, you shouldn't have very many adjacent to Tor-Kul-Na at a time, so at best Zelrig is killing one or two nagrubs while doing jack-diddly squat to Tor-Kul-Na himself. If anything, Zelrig threatens the Nagrubs more, but there is no way that I am convinced that he hurts Tor-Kul-Na without harming the Nagrubs.

[StarofEarendil]

I would like to note that even if you attack Nagrubs near Tor-Kul-Na, it is technically an attack against him, even though you're not hurting him.
This is due to the idea that Nagrubs=extra lives, and when you kill them, you're effectively removing those.

Just my

[Taeblewalker]

I admit that Zelrig is not the strongest "to avoid" unit, but I believe the warning against "nagrub scattering" is worth putting it in there as at least a lukewarm warning.

[2xHero]

Another strategy I have found is to use Eldgrim with Tor-Kul-Na. Eldgrim is only 30 points and can be used as a glyph holder. Using over-extend, he can move 10 spaces in a turn to quickly grab a glyph. When he dies, place Eldgrim's spirit on TKN, making him even faster, and potentially adding more opportunities for stomping.

[CheddarLimbo]

Originally Posted by 2xHero

Another strategy I have found is to use Eldgrim with Tor-Kul-Na. Eldgrim is only 30 points and can be used as a glyph holder. Using over-extend, he can move 10 spaces in a turn to quickly grab a glyph. When he dies, place Eldgrim's spirit on TKN, making him even faster, and potentially adding more opportunities for stomping.

That is an excellent point! Because of his unique abilities that +1 movement goes a lot further than it would for other figures.

[mccombju]

Originally Posted by 2xHero

Another strategy I have found is to use Eldgrim with Tor-Kul-Na. Eldgrim is only 30 points and can be used as a glyph holder. Using over-extend, he can move 10 spaces in a turn to quickly grab a glyph. When he dies, place Eldgrim's spirit on TKN, making him even faster, and potentially adding more opportunities for stomping.

I agree. Interestingly, I often find that the 1 extra move for Tor-Kul-Na makes a significant difference in terms of his ability to travel over uneven terrain; choose his targets optimally; and use his Trample Stomp special ability when closing the gap against an enemy unit.

I've had some pretty hilarious (for me) Trample Stomp runs in opponents' start zone, thanks to that move +1 bonus... Good times.

[Taeblewalker]

Originally Posted by 2xHero

Another strategy I have found is to use Eldgrim with Tor-Kul-Na. Eldgrim is only 30 points and can be used as a glyph holder. Using over-extend, he can move 10 spaces in a turn to quickly grab a glyph. When he dies, place Eldgrim's spirit on TKN, making him even faster, and potentially adding more opportunities for stomping.

That is an excellent reason for us to really think about possible synergy with every other unit in the game when we review any particular unit, as daunting as that is getting, given how many are in the game. Excellent point!

[The B.I.V.]

An important thing to remember is that TKN doesn't have to be wounded to eat a grub.

Case in point: In a game I played TKN was behind a 'grub in a bottleneck waiting for it to die so he could go on a stomp-page against a hoard of zombies. The Zombie plyer wisely chose to leave the 'grub alive. TKN never got into the fight and was killed by an enraged Krug that moved in from behind. TKN died without doing a single point of damage. After the game, the zombie player casually mentioned that "you could have eaten that Nagrub..." The TKN player (and the rest of us, I was his ally) were like, "duh!" Lesson learned.

Brandon

[Zealot]

First of all I'd like to thank Taeblewalker for posting this Strategy guide (it was the prize I requested for placing high enough in the common hero contest).

The units, in my experience, that give Tor-Kul-Na the hardest time and whom should be added to his "units to avoid" section are Krug, Charos, and Other Hivelords. As Huge characters they are all impervius to trample stomp and possess attacks that rival TKN.

Krug is problematic simply because whenever you fight him you run the risk of getting a double attack of 6+ planted on TKN's face. The bonding that Krug shares with Arrow Gruts can also be a problem since while Krug wails on your Hivelord, the Arrow Gruts try to pick off the Nagrubs to prevent healing.

Charos is a surprising danger that is present due to Charos' high life of 9 and counterstrike. Often, when facing large or huge opponents, the 3 attacks of 2 from Nagrubs can be very helpful in whittling down TKN's opponent. With Charos this tactic would be suicide since counterstrike can easily dispatch the puny attacks of 2 consistently. The cost to cost battle between the two giants often swings in Charos' favor due to his flying (easier to position and move) and his counterstike + very high life.

The other Hivelords (Su-Bak-Na and Wo-Sa-Ga) pose a problem because of the similar advatages they share with TKN (attack of 6+, and Nagrub Healing) coupled with their cheaper costs.
Su-Bak-Na, while having less life and defense than TKN has a higher attack and flying, often resulting in him achieving an effective first strike advantage against TKN that can have devastating effects.
Wo-Sa-Ga's main advantage is cost. At almost half the cost of TKN you can get an attack of 6 with the same movement and only slightly less health and defense; as well as MORE backup units from the extra points left over. While TKN can usually win in a 1vs1 engagement, the conflict REALLY comes down to who gets an unlucky roll first since their stats are very similar.

[FOOTBALLDUDE88]

I think TKN is probably the best marro out there and I have to mention and instance when my brother and a friend and I were playing and my friend had Grimnak and six heavy gruts left around him. My brother had TKN and trampled 5 of the 6 gruts and then killed a fully healthy grimnak to boot. My friend was sooooo mad. I actualy ended up winning the game because I took out TKN will my ranged Krav.

[SymphonyScaper]

Originally Posted by FOOTBALLDUDE88

I think TKN is probably the best marro out there and I have to mention and instance when my brother and a friend and I were playing and my friend had Grimnak and six heavy gruts left around him. My brother had TKN and trampled 5 of the 6 gruts and then killed a fully healthy grimnak to boot. My friend was sooooo mad. I actualy ended up winning the game because I took out TKN will my ranged Krav.

My sympathies to your friend who had so unwisely positioned his orcs in a way giving that advantage to Tor-Kul-Na. Oh, and by the way, I remember having FOUR Heavy Gruts around Grimnak.

Anyway, superb strategy guide to a very fun figure! Tor-Kul-Na is definitely a beast to play with and against!

[docweb2004]

Here I believe is a good 475 Army for a battlefield with plenty of water:

Tor-Nul-Ka 220
Grubs x2 60
Wo-So-Ga 135
Zetacron 60

475

You can use Zetacron for Range, Tor for stomp, etc., grubs for bonding and life support, and Wo-So-Ga for movement in the water.

Would be a great tourney team, but unfortunately there is usually only one map that has enough water for Wo-So-Ga to be effective.