The high seas have always been a realm of mystery and danger, but no hig quite as perilous as the hunt for the legendary Kraken. In this special release scenario, we are drifting away from the historical setting of Oak & Iron and delving into a bit of fantasy. We’ll immerse ourselves in a thrilling battle of ships setting sail to hunt down this mythical sea monster. With a mix of bravery and luck, we’ll see if you have what it takes to conquer the demon of the deep and return victorious or whether you will join the countless wrecks at the bottom of the Kraken’s den.
What is a Kraken?
The Kraken is a legendary sea monster characterized by its colossal size and tentacles. While its existence is unproven, it has been the subject of sailors’ superstitions and maritime myths for centuries.
The English word “kraken” originates from the Norwegian “kraken” or “krakjen,” which are definite forms of “krake”. The root meaning of “krake” in Norwegian is “malformed or overgrown, crooked tree,” stemming from Old Norse “kraki,” related to “krókr,” meaning “hook.” In Swedish, it is synonymous with “krok” (hook).
The History and Origin of the Kraken
Its first modern-era appearance was in a travelogue by Francesco Negri in 1700. It gained further attention through an account by Dano-Norwegian missionary Hans Egede in 1734, who detailed the creature and linked it to medieval sea legends like the hafgufa. However, the Norwegian bishop Pontoppidan is often credited with the first detailed description in 1753. His portrayal of the Kraken was that of an enormous octopus with a reputation for pulling ships beneath the waves.
The French malacologist Denys-Montfort also explored the existence of gigantic octopuses in the 19th century. The legend eventually found its way into French fiction through Victor Hugo in 1866 and subsequently into Jules Verne’s works like Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. While the Kraken legend may have originated from sightings of giant squid, it has connections to earlier writings, including Linnaeus’ mention of the Microcosmus genus (although the direct use of the word “Kraken” by Linnaeus remains unconfirmed). The creature has also been featured in several movies like Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and Clash of the Titans.
Anatomy of the Oak & Iron Kraken
Though thought to be a giant squid, it would hypothetically belong to the cephalopod class. Having been hunted to extinction its true nature is unknown. However, this creature is unlike other cephalopods with soft bodies. As it ages, the creature’s body becomes mottled with bony structures known as scutes or nodules on its skin. These scutes are made of aragonite and nacre similar to a nautilus’ shell and are believed to help it survive the pressure of the deep ocean. They also add an extra layer of protection making it even more resilient.
Its body, or mantle, has an internal skeleton that allows it to resist the pressures of the deep ocean. Possessing 10 tentacles (8 arms and 2 feeding tentacles) equipped with suction cups for grasping prey or ships. Like an octopus, it has adaptive camouflage abilities and the ability to discharge ink.
As they age, they never stop growing. Their great tentacles allow them to travel faster and expand their hunting ground as they search for suitable food. Additionally, its skin grows thicker, making it more and more impenetrable. Like an octopus, these creatures also have remarkable regenerative abilities and can regrow lost tentacles or parts of their mantle if injured.
New Rules for Sea Creatures
The Kraken is the first of multiple legendary beasts to be added to the game of Oak & Iron. Because it is a unique beast and doesn’t quite fit into the mold of ships in the game, there are a few new rules that have to be added. These rules apply to a new classification of units I’m calling “Sea Creatures”. You’ll note the unit’s stat card has a classification of “Sea Creature” near where the ship’s rating is normally located (e.g. unrated, Frigate, Ship of the Line).
Sea Creature Rules for Oak & Iron (Beta v. 1.2)
Initiative Phase
- Sea Creatures do not use Initiative Cards and instead will always Move last and Attack first.
- (Optional) Because there can be no ties on Initiative cards, if you want to use Events in the game roll a single die at the start of the round. Draw an Event card on a Skull.
Movement Phase
- All Sea Creatures ignore the negative effects of being In the Wind’s Eye, Windward, and any wind effects caused by Event or Initiative cards.
- Sea Creatures cannot enter on land as Landing Parties unless noted otherwise.
- Units do not follow the rules for Sail Settings. As they are organic creatures, they may move at any speed rating between 0 and their Max Speed during their Move Phase.
- Sea Creatures follow all normal rules for interacting with terrain, but will never take Aground tokens.
Seamanship Actions
Sea Creatures may attempt any Seamanship actions with a standard Skill Test. If operating as AI, the beast will always use the action that gets it in attack range the quickest.
Crew Actions
- Sea Creatures may only take the following Crew Actions: Rally, Repair, and Boarding.
- You may only take a single Repair action per turn. When taking a Repair Action, roll a single die. You may only remove 1 Damage as a result of a Skull or Sail.
Optional Crew Actions
If playing a Sea Creature as a Player rather than AI,–` you may optionally use the following Crew Actions:
- Submerge You may take a Crew Action to submerge. While submerged, Broadside and Partial attacks are reduced by 3 Dice to a minimum of 1.
- Emerge You may surface with a Crew Action. If it surfaces in the same location as another ship, that ship is moved away from the Sea Creature until it is in base-to-base contact. If the push causes a Collision, move the ship within Yard Arm distance of the object and move the monster to the nearest open location to be in base-to-base contact. Resolve damage for the collision as normal.
Attack Phase
- Any special rules for attacks are covered under each Creature’s stats.
- If a special attack fits the category of a Broadside, the requirements and use of Reload tokens may be ignored.
- When making Close Combat attacks with Sea Creatures, do not add the 3 bonus dice.
Special Rules for Solo Play
- After determining the deployment zones. Roll a 2d10 and shift the Kraken from the center point in the direction of the die roll (up to the edge of the board and out of Cannon range of enemies).
- Once the game begins, a Sea Creature will attack the nearest ship until it is destroyed. If another ship moves closer than the original target, it will NOT change targets. It will indefinitely continue the cycle of attacking the next nearest target until it is destroyed.
- If the target ship ever moves into a position where the Sea Creature can no longer attack it (e.g. terrain restrictions) or moves out of line of sight, it will move on to the next target.
- If wounded and Entangled or out of range to attack, the Sea Creature will always attempt to use its Crew Action to Repair.
Kraken – Unit Overview
The Kraken is a solitary creature so it will be the single unit for its entire Squadron. That said, there are 3 types of Krakens, each increasing in challenge difficulty. The stat cards are listed below but the following table is the summary of the differences between each level:
| YOUNG KRAKEN | KRAKEN | ANCIENT ONE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fortitude: 3 | Fortitude: 4 | Fortitude: 5 | |
| Move: 4 | Move: 5 | Move: 4 | |
Kraken Unit Stat Cards
Unfortunately, due to real-life commitments, the following units are currently still in the beta testing phase as I’ve not been able to get in as many play test games as I’d like. (Beta v. 1.2) If you have recommendations or feedback after you play, please feel free to post your feedback via Facebook, Discord, or the Contact Us page.
Young Kraken
The young Kraken, is a remarkable specimen of aquatic force, displaying an intriguing blend of lethal potential and unfettered hunger. Emerging from the depths of the ocean, this juvenile cephalopod exhibits an impressive combination of intelligence and agility. Its tentacles, each equipped with rows of powerful suckers, possess the ability to ensnare and immobilize enemy vessels with remarkable precision.
Kraken
Having reached adulthood, this Kraken has reached maturity. Its outer carapace grows denser and more resistant to attackers. The unit increases its Fortitude from 3 to 4. Now larger and stronger, its base movement speed has improved to 5. The creature has now become a match for ships of the line that wander too far from their escort.
Ancient One
An Ancient One has survived in the depths for centuries. Seasoned by years of hunting and combat, its outer layers have grown extremely thick and tough, making it capable of repelling harpoons and small arms fire. When it broaches the surface all who see it tremble in fear, its enormous tentacles are capable of entangling and reducing even the largest naval vessels to splinters.
At this tier the creature has a Fortitude of 5 making it nearly completely invulnerable against nearly every opponent short of Ships of the Line or lucky hits from upgraded combat forces in melee.
Gameplay with the Kraken
The Kraken can be played by a player or as an AI unit. The following section contains tips and suggestions for “live” players. The rules for controlling the Kraken as an AI unit are in the “Special Rules for Solo Play” of the Sea Creature PDF.
Playing as the Kraken
- You lack long-range weapons, so your number one goal is to close on your opponent as quickly as possible. If you are playing with the optional Submerge Crew Actions, you should definitely submerge prior to your approach to avoid damage.
- You don’t need to Reload to make attacks and Fatigue is irrelevant, so be sure to use your Crew Actions to try to Repair as often as possible.
- Staying near an island, shoals or rocks can give you protection and the opportunity to push a ship into a terrain obstacle when you Emerge.
- If you get in trouble and the wounds are piling up, don’t be afraid to Submerge and run to heal. But remember, there is a 10-turn limit to most games, so you can’t run and heal indefinitely.
- The primary two strategies are to either go for smaller, easier kills to win by Strike Points or take out the biggest ship(s) first to try to stay alive longer.
- Avoid getting surrounded if possible. Approaching the enemy lines from the front or rear can help.
Fighting Against the Kraken
- While it is only a single model, it is a powerful force and can cause serious havoc in no time. You’ll need to make a critical decision early in the game and in your force design. Do you want to try to do damage at range or engage it in close combat? You may have a higher chance of survival at range, but your ability to inflict damage is greatly reduced.
- If you close on the target, try your best to surround it and attack from multiple sides. Engaging in Close Combat will give you an extra 3 damage dice. This can be helpful with smaller ships. Ship upgrades like Boarding Party, Swashbucklers, and Kapers can be beneficial. Boarding Defenses is a single-use upgrade card, but it will keep your ship alive for an extra round.
- Don’t forget that as of v1.02 of the Oak & Iron Core Rules, you can officially make Ranged attacks against targets that are Entangled. Meaning, as long as you have Line of Sight on the Kraken you can shoot it at range while your other ships engage up close.
- Staying in Formation gives you a +1 die to each ship’s attack, but spreading out can make it harder for the Kraken to get to you.
- If you are further than Musket Range from the Kraken you can get 2 Crew Actions allowing you to Repair.
- If Entangled and you can succeed at a Cut Free you can get away from the beast. Even if you don’t get to run far, it will force the Kraken to have to try to do a Boarding Crew Action to reengage, which means it can’t Repair and heal.
Hunting the Kraken Scenario
The following is an outline and recommendation for a simple scenario between a simple naval force and a Kraken. The game can be played as a 2-player scenario with one player controlling the Kraken and the other a naval fleet. Alternatively, it can be played as a solo game with the Kraken operating as an AI unit.
GAME SETUP:
- The scenario can be played at one of 3 point levels depending on the Kraken taken.
- One player will need to build a force using one of the core 5 nations at the same point level as the selected Kraken.
DEPLOYMENT:
Deployment for this scenario is no different than a standard game of Oak & Iron. However, you may want to skip the selection of Condition cards as many of them don’t make sense for the Kraken, especially if playing it as AI.
GAME LENGTH:
10 Turns
OBJECTIVES:
- The Player operating as a National naval force gains Strike Points as normal.
- The Kraken gains a Strike Point for every two tentacles lost, meaning it will Strike and retreat if it ever loses 4 or more tentacles.
Blackbeard prepares to test his meddle as the Kraken’s tentacles surround the Queen Anne’s Revenge!
Get a 1/600 scale Kraken Model
Oak & Iron is a 1/600 scale miniature game. A standard ship model for the game has a 40mm x 80mm base. The Kraken model uses an 80mm x 80mm. You can purchase and download a custom Kraken model miniatures from our 3D Printing store on Cults3D.com. The model works with both FDM and Resin printers.
Printable Kraken Token
If you don’t have a 3D Printer, you can still play the game with a printable Kraken token in our downloadable PDF.
The token is already scaled to 80mm x 80mm so it’s the proper size. You can glue it to a thin bit of foam core board or a chunk of cardboard like a cereal box and you have a readily playable model!
Download the Sea Creature Rules, Kraken Stat Cards, and Token for Printing
Below is a download link to a print-ready PDF containing:
- 1 Page of Sea Creature Rules
- 3 Kraken Stat Cards
- 1 Kraken Token
Download the Kraken PDF Packet for FREE.
Conclusion
The “Hunt for the Kraken” is a whimsical scenario to add some flavor to the game. I know this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but for the rest of you, we hope you have fun pitting your naval forces against the might of a sea monster. I have stats for additional Sea Creatures in various stages of playtesting, if you enjoyed this content leave us a comment here on the blog or the Oak & Iron Facebook, Reddit, or Discord groups. Positive feedback is refreshing and means the world to me in encouraging me to continue to create content for the game.
Additional Content Suggestions
- Get the Kraken Model STL files for your 3D Printer.
- Check out our content allowing you to Play the Pirates of the Caribbean with Oak & Iron Rules
- Enjoy one of our other custom scenarios for Oak & Iron.
NOTE: These are fan-made rules and are purely for fun, and should not be use for competitive or tournament play. Created with permission from Firelock Games for the official Oak & Iron Game.