Powerful necromantic magic clings to the unhallowed remains enshrined within the heart of a Mortis Engine, energising nearby Undead.
Whilst within this model’s Command range, friendly units with the Necromantic Undead special rule gain a +1 modifier to their Movement and Initiative characteristics.
The blades of the Blood Knights are fel weapons inscribed with dark runes, chased with precious metals and fashioned in the likenesses of evil beasts.
A hand weapon carried by a model with this special rule has the Magical Attacks special rule and an Armour Piercing characteristic of -1.
The acrid smoke of burning warpstone confounds rival Wizards.
Enemy Wizards that are within 15" of one or more models with this special rule when attempting to cast a spell must increase that spell’s casting value by 1.
The ensorcelled Battle Standards of the Vampire Counts magnify the invisible forces that give the Undead strength.
A Vampire Thrall that has been upgraded to be your Battle Standard Bearer replaces the “Hold Your Ground” rule given in the Warhammer: the Old World rulebook with the version given below:
“Hold Your Ground”: Friendly units within the Battle Standard Bearer’s Command range may re-roll any failed Leadership test. In addition, friendly units within the Battle Standard Bearer’s Command range reduce the number of Wounds lost due to the Unstable special rule by D3.
Note that this is not cumulative with the Indomitable (X) special rule (see page 27). If a unit is affected by both, use the highest value.
The Vampire has an entrancing gaze that mesmerises their foes, rendering them all but incapable of causing the Vampire harm.
Enemy units must make a Leadership test before making any rolls To Hit against this Vampire during the Combat phase. If this test is failed, only rolls of a natural 6 will hit.
In battle, a Varghulf becomes a whirlwind of rage, turning to face the enemies that would surround it with supernatural speed.
Enemy units cannot claim any bonus combat result points for being engaged with this model’s flank or rear arc.
Rumoured to have been penned by Nagash himself, the Winds of Magic become nigh uncontrollable in the presence of a Blasphemous Tome.
All Wizards (friend or foe) may apply a +1 modifier to any Casting roll whilst within this model’s Command range. However, if any Wizard miscasts whilst within this model’s Command range, they must roll twice on the Miscast table and apply both results.
Snatched from Morr’s dark realm by the magic of a Necromancer, the tortured shades of the dead are bound to the will of the one that summoned them.
Unlike other swarms, this unit is not subject to the Undisciplined rule. In other words, this unit can use the Inspiring Presence rule of the army’s General and the Hold your Ground rule of a Battle Standard.
The decaying carcass of a Zombie Dragon is wreathed by swarms of buzzing carrion feeders that crawl greedily across the exposed flesh of its enemies, choking and blinding them.
Enemy units engaged in combat with this model suffer a -1 modifier to their Initiative characteristic.
Through magic, bloodletting or sheer force of will, the strength of this Vampire to survive the centuries is beyond compare.
This Vampire has a +1 modifier to its Wounds characteristic.
Some Vampires have an affinity for necromantic magic beyond that of their peers, which only increases with age and practice.
This Vampire gains the Invocation of Nehek special rule (as described on page 5). For the purposes of using this special rule, this model counts as a Level 1 Wizard.
Vampires and Necromancers are powerful beings able to exist without the animating will of another.
Models with this special rule are not subject to the Death of a General rule. In addition, unless they have joined a unit that does not have this special rule they (and their mounts) can march as normal.
R S AP Special Rules
Filth-encrusted claws Combat S -1 Poisoned Attacks
R S AP Special Rules
Filth-encrusted talons Combat S -1 Armour Bane (1), Poisoned Attacks
The Vampire is able to take to the skies with great, membranous wings, or perhaps can even metamorphose into a monstrous bat.
Models whose troop type is ‘infantry’ only. This Vampire gains the Fly (10) rule, but cannot join a unit.
Mortals quail in awestruck disbelief at the sight of a Vampire coven lounging upon the decayed luxury of a Coven Throne.
Enemy units must make a Leadership test before making any rolls To Hit against this model during the Combat phase. If this test is failed, only rolls of a natural 6 will hit.
Through a combination of stout shields, thick armour plates and natural resilience, the Grave Guard have become well-known amongst the nations of the Old World for their implacable defence.
A unit with this special rule that is arrayed in a Close Order formation, and that is equipped with and chooses to use shields, may choose not to Give Ground should it lose a round of combat.
However, if the winning side significantly outnumbers the losing side, it will overwhelm the loser. If the Unit Strength of the winning side is more than twice that of the losing side, this unit cannot use this special rule and must Give Ground as normal.
Amongst the ranks of the Vampire Counts armies march creatures with an indomitable will to hang on to the last vestiges of life, no matter what.
A unit with this special rule reduces the number of wounds suffered due to the Unstable special rule by the number shown in brackets (shown here as ‘X’).
Note that this special rule is not cumulative. If two or more models in a unit have this special rule, use the highest value for the entire unit. For example, if a character with Indomitable (2) joins a unit with Indomitable (1), the whole unit uses the character’s Indomitable (2) special rule.
Legend has it that, when slain, Terrorgheists explode into great clouds of multitudinous, swarming bats.
When this model loses its last Wound, every unit in base contact with it (friend or foe) suffers D6 Strength 2 hits, each with an AP of -1.
The Necromancer intones the dread syllables handed down from Nagash himself, breathing unlife into the lifeless cadavers strewn across the battlefield.
During the Command sub-phase of their turn, if they are not engaged in combat, this character may attempt to resurrect the fallen (see page 28) by making a Leadership test (using their own Leadership). If this test is passed, a single friendly unit that has the Necromantic Undead special rule and is within 12" of this character recovers a number of lost Wounds. However, magically repairing great Undead beasts is much harder than raising Zombies from the dirt. Therefore, how many Wounds are recovered depends upon the unit’s troop type and this character’s Level of Wizardry:
• If the unit’s troop type is ‘regular infantry’ or ‘heavy infantry’, it recovers a number of Wounds equal to this character’s Level of Wizardry +D3.
• If the unit’s troop type is ‘swarms’, ‘light cavalry’ or ‘war beasts’, it recovers a number of Wounds equal to this character’s Level of Wizardry +1.
• If the unit’s troop type is ‘monstrous infantry’, ‘heavy cavalry’, ‘monstrous cavalry’ or ‘light chariot’, it recovers a number of Wounds equal to this character’s Level of Wizardry.
• If the unit’s troop type is ‘heavy chariot’, ‘monstrous creature’, ‘behemoth’ or ‘war machine’, it recovers a single Wound.
counts as hand weapons
The Vampire howls into the cold night, their cry answered by the baying of countless dark creatures.
During the Command sub-phase of their turn, this Vampire may attempt to resurrect fallen creatures of the night by making a Leadership test (using their own Leadership). If this test is passed, a single friendly unit of Fell Bats, Bat Swarms or Dire Wolves that is within 12" of this model recovers D6 lost Wounds.
Mystery shrouds the study of Necromancy. To learn this dark art, an aspirant must find a willing tutor and become their apprentice, or acquire forbidden books rich in the secrets of undeath. It is this intrinsic mystery that drives Necromancers to become servants of the Vampire Counts, hoping to learn first-hand from the masters of undeath.
A Wizard with the ‘Lore of Undeath’ special rule may discard one of their randomly generated spells as normal. When they do so, they may select instead either the signature spell of their chosen Lore of Magic, or one of the spells listed below.
Over time, the Blood Knights have become a macabre parody of the noble knights they once were, toying with their foes mercilessly in one-sided duels to the death.
Every model in a unit of Blood Knights can issue and accept challenges in the same manner as a character. However, a unit with this special rule cannot refuse a challenge – if a challenge is issued and a model belonging to this unit could accept it, a model belonging to the unit must accept it.
The Winds of Magic bend easily to the will of this Vampire, so matchless is their magical prowess.
This Vampiric Power may only be taken by a Vampire Count that is a Level 2 Wizard, or by a Vampire Thrall that is a Level 1 Wizard. This Vampire increases their Level of Wizardry by 1.
The Undead legions of the Vampire Counts march under the command of powerful Necromancers.
Models with this special rule are ‘Undead’. Undead models cannot march (unless they have the Fly (X) special rule and choose to move by flying). In addition, all Undead models have the following universal special rules:
• Fear
• Immune to Psychology
• Unbreakable
• Unstable
A character with this special rule cannot join a unit without this special rule, and vice versa.
R S AP Special Rules
Pestilential breath N/A 2 -3 Breath Weapon
R S AP Special Rules
Poisonous tail Combat S - Poisoned Attacks, Strike First
Note: In combat, this model may make one of its attacks each turn with this weapon.
R S AP Special Rules
Rancid maw Combat S -2 Armour Bane (1), Multiple Wounds (2)
Note: In combat, this model must make one of its attacks each turn with this weapon.
In a Vampire Counts army, it is possible to heal a unit by recovering lost Wounds, and to resurrect fallen warriors. Wounds recovered in this way follow a strict order:
• First, any characters that have joined the unit are healed. A character that has been reduced to zero Wounds and removed from play cannot be resurrected.
• Second, models with more than one Wound on their profile are healed.
• Next, the unit champion is resurrected, displacing rank-and-file models as required, followed by the standard bearer and musician.
• Finally, rank-and-file models are resurrected.
Note that, in the case of multiple Wound models, each model must be fully healed, recovering all of its lost Wounds, before another can be healed or resurrected.
Note also that at least one model must remain in order for a unit to be healed. In other words, a unit that has been reduced
to zero Wounds and removed from play cannot be resurrected.
Resurrected models are added to the front rank until it reaches the minimum required to claim a Rank Bonus, after which additional models can be added to the front or rear rank. If the unit already has more than one rank, models can only be added to the rear rank. A unit cannot be taken beyond its starting size.
The Coven Thrones bear great enchanted bowls full of fresh blood, within which the Vampire’s handmaidens can scry the future.
Even if engaged in combat, this model can cast the following Bound spell, with a Power Level of 2:
Type: Enchantment
Casting Value: 9+
Range: Self
Effect: Until your next Start of Turn sub-phase, this model may re-roll any rolls To Hit of a natural 1.
counts as hand weapon
Fighting as a ferocious pack, charging Dire Wolves quickly overpower their enemies.
During a turn in which it charged, this model has a +1 modifier to its Strength characteristic.
Compelled by the undying spirit of its accursed passenger, a Black Coach shifts constantly between the world of the living and the realm of the dead.
A Black Coach is not wholly corporeal. To represent this, a Black Coach may become ‘Incorporeal’ during the Command sub-phase of its turn, and will remain Incorporeal until your next Start of Turn sub-phase. Whilst Incorporeal, a Black Coach:
• Loses the Impact Hits (D6+2) special rule.
• Gains the Ethereal and Fly (10) special rules.
Galloping above the battlefield upon spectral steeds, Hexwraiths lean low in their saddles to reap the souls of the living.
A unit with this special rule may perform a ‘Spectral Reapers’ attack against a single enemy unit that is not engaged in combat. To do so, this unit must move (by flying) over the unit it wishes to attack during the Remaining Moves sub-phase. Once this unit’s movement is complete, the enemy unit suffers a single Strength 4 hit, with no armour save permitted (Ward and Regeneration saves can be attempted as normal), and with the Flaming Attacks and Magical Attacks special rules, for each model in this unit that moved over it.
R S AP Special Rules
Spectral scythe Combat S N/A Magical Attacks
Notes: No armour save is permitted against wounds caused by this weapon (Ward and Regeneration saves can be attempted as normal).
This Vampire is hideous to look upon, having long since forsaken the trappings of nobility and beauty and embraced the beast within.
This Vampire gains the Terror special rule.
The armies of the Vampire Counts are held together by the necromantic magic of their generals. It is their will that raises the legions of Undeath from the cold earth and summons unclean creatures from the wilds. Without this magical animus, the Undead fall lifeless to the ground and the creatures of the night return to the dark forests.
Every Vampire Counts army is animated and driven onwards by the sorcery of its General. To represent this, the General of a Vampire Counts army must also be a Wizard (be they a Vampire, a Necromancer or a Strigoi Ghoul King). If your army includes only a single Wizard, that Wizard must be your General, even if they are not the character with the highest Leadership in your army.
Should your General be slain, the magical animus of the army starts to dissipate. As soon as your General is removed from play as a casualty, all friendly units with the Necromantic Undead special rule lose the Regeneration (X) special rule.
In addition, at the end of the phase in which your General was removed from play as a casualty, and during each of your Start of Turn sub-phases for the remainder of the game, all friendly units with the Necromantic Undead special rule that are currently on the battlefield must make a Leadership test. If this test is failed, the unit loses a number of Wounds equal to the amount by which it failed the test.
For example, your army’s General is destroyed during your opponent’s Shooting phase. At the end of that phase a unit of Skeleton Warriors (Ld 5) makes a Leadership test and rolls a 7 (failing the test by 2). That unit immediately loses two Wounds. During your next Start of Turn sub-phase, the same unit makes another Leadership test, this time rolling a 6, resulting in the loss of one Wound.
Consumed by the red thirst, a Strigoi Ghoul King will feed hungrily upon the hot blood of their foes, replenishing their own strength and vitality.
At the end of any Combat phase in which this character inflicted one or more unsaved wounds, roll a D6. On a roll of 6, this character recovers a single lost Wound. However, so great is this character’s hunger that, whenever they (and any unit they have joined) make a Pursuit roll, they roll only a single D6 (rather than the usual 2D6).
Those that fall in battle may be compelled by necromantic magic to rise again and fight against their former comrades.
When resurrecting the fallen, a unit with this special rule can be taken beyond its starting size.
The chilling howl of a restless spirit is an omen of death and despair, capable of crippling even the most resilient prey.
During the Shooting phase of its turn, unless it marched during the preceding Movement phase, a model with this special rule may make a ‘Wailing Dirge’ attack. A Wailing Dirge attack may target any enemy unit that is within 8" of this model (including units that are engaged in combat) and that this model can draw a line of sight to, or that this model is engaged in combat with.
The target must make a Leadership test with a -2 modifier to its Leadership characteristic (to a minimum of 2). If this test is failed, the target suffers a number of wounds equal to the amount by which it failed the test, with no armour or Regeneration saves permitted (Ward saves can be attempted as normal).
Note that a Wailing Dirge attack can target an enemy character, regardless of the usual rules for targeting Lone characters
When warped bells toll, the dead stir and corpses stagger to their feet.
When a friendly unit that is within 15" of this model recovers a number of lost Wounds due to a character using the Invocation of Nehek special rule, roll a D6. On a roll of 4+, the unit recovers one additional Wound. In addition, friendly units within 15" of this model reduce the number of Wounds lost due to the Unstable special rule by 1.
Note that this is cumulative with the Indomitable (X) special rule (see page 27).
R S AP Special Rules
Wicked claws Combat S -2 -
The enchanted banners of long-dead kings are inscribed with powerful charms.
A Wight Lord that has been upgraded to be your Battle Standard Bearer replaces the “Hold Your Ground” rule given in the Warhammer: the Old World rulebook with the version given below:
“Hold Your Ground”: Friendly units within the Battle Standard Bearer’s Command range may re-roll any failed Leadership test. In addition, friendly units within the Battle Standard Bearer’s Command range reduce the number of Wounds lost due to the Unstable special rule by D3.
Note that this is not cumulative with the Indomitable (X) special rule (see page 27). If a unit is affected by both, use the highest value.