For Primarch and Primogenitor: Part 2

Last post, I talked a little bit about my frustration with how Rogal Dorn is measuring up to his brother primarchs on the tabletop. Yet, regardless of how well or poorly he does in game, I intend to use him as often as I can. I just need to learn how to use him effectively. That starts by knowing which of his brothers Dorn can best, and which ones he’d do well to avoid.

The Primarch Challenge

In an effort to gain insight into which of his fellow primarchs Dorn can go the distance with and which ones land a quick TKO, I organized a brotherly brawl. The rules are as follows.

  1. Dorn will fight each of his brother primarchs one on one throughout 10 different combats, as if they were participating in a challenge.
  2. In 5 of those combats Dorn will get the charge bonus. In the other 5 combats, Dorn’s opponent will get the charge bonus.
  3. Each combat will last until one primarch is defeated or until 12 rounds of combat have passed.
  4. To ensure consistency between combats, Dorn wont use his situational abilities like Rampage and Reaping Blow.

This post provides detail as to how Dorn faired against his first set of challenges: Fulgrim, Peturabo, Konrad Curze, and Ferrus Manus.

Rogal Dorn vs Fulgrim

Having seen this battle play out before on the tabletop, I did not have high hopes for Dorn prevailing against the Phoenician. Fulgrim’s high initiative, numerous attacks, and 3+ invulnerable save in close combat make him a fearsome foe.

  • In five combats in which Fulgrim charges, Dorn wins 0/5. The average combat lasts for five rounds. Fulgrim walks away from each fight typically taking two wounds.
  • In five combats in which Dorn charges, Dorn wins 0/5. The average combat lasts for six rounds. Fulgrim walks away from each fight typically taking two wounds.

Takeaway: Dorn is taken down quick by the Phoenician every time and it’s best to avoid Fulgrim at all costs.

Rogal Dorn vs Peturabo

I have yet to play against the Iron Warriors on the tabletop and when the day comes I hope my Imperial Fists vanquish their bitter rivals. However, while Dorn and Perturabo have comparable stat lines, The Lord of Iron seems far better equipped to fell another primarch in a challenge.

  • In five combats in which Peturabo charges, Dorn wins 2/5. The average combat lasts for eight rounds. The fights Peturabo wins, he walks away typically taking three wounds.
  • In five combats in which Dorn charges, Dorn wins 2/5. The average combat lasts for eight rounds. The fights Peturabo wins, he walks away typically taking three wounds.

Takeaway: Dorn’s battles with Perturabo are consistent, regardless of which primarch gets to charge, and they last for more than half a game. I was surprised to see Dorn do as well as he did and, though the odds are against him, even if Dorn loses to The Lord of Iron, it’s worth engaging him. At minimum, Dorn will tie up Peturabo for most of a game.

Rogal Dorn vs Konrad Curze

Another bitter enemy of the Imperial Fists and one I’d like to see my legion consistently do well against. However, the reality may be an uphill battle. The Night Haunter is faster, hard to pin down, and just as lethal as Dorn, which I assume will provide a significant edge in their duel.

  • In five combats in which Curze charges, Dorn wins 0/5. The average combat lasts for five rounds. Curze walks away from each fight typically taking three wounds.
  • In five combats in which Dorn charges, Dorn wins 2/5. The average combat lasts for six rounds. The fights Curze wins, he walks away typically taking two wounds.

Takeaway: If Curze gets the charge the fight doesn’t last long, with Dorn falling every time. If Dorn manages to charge the Nigh Haunter, there’s a chance he could pull out a win or tie him up for awhile should the dice be in his favor. All in all, I think I’d prefer to play this one conservative and treat Curze like Fulgrim, avoiding him as much as possible.

Rogal Dorn vs Ferrus Manus

I always thought of Manus as a tough nut to crack, despite The Gorgon being the first primarch to die in the fiction. And after the way the duel with Peturabo concluded, I expected similar results.

  • In five combats in which Manus charges, Dorn wins 0/5. The average combat lasts for six rounds. Manus walks away from each fight typically taking two wounds.
  • In five combats in which Dorn charges, Dorn wins 2/5. The average combat lasts for seven rounds. The fights Manus wins, he walks away typically taking three wounds.

Takeaway: Manus seems to be just as dangerous to Dorn as Curze and even more deadly than Peturabo. Any hope in victory lies in making a successful charge, but even then it’s probably best just to avoid tangling with Gorgon where possible.

Thanks for reading. Part 3 will detail Dorn’s next four challenges and we’ll see how he stacks up to Angron, Roboute Guilliman, Mortarion, and Corvus Corax. Check back next week to see the results.

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