In contrast to the blunt-force trauma inflicted by Khorne, Slaanesh prefers a more elegant touch. The warriors of the Dark Prince dance, dazzle, and decapitate with panache, and in the absence of their patron, the Hedonites have loosely split into three hosts: the warlike Invaders, the arrogant Pretenders, and the Godseekers who scour the realms for the Suzerain of Sensation.
Each host wages war in its own distinct fashion, marrying their worship to their tactics. As the cruellest and crudest of the bunch, Invader warbands fall under the sway of egotistical heroes, each sure that they are the one to earn the everlasting favour of their god – if they can just outdo their rivals.
These jockeying Figureheads of the Dark Prince all count as generals, even if they were not picked for the role. When one chooses to unleash a heroic action – whether that’s fishing for command points with Heroic Leadership or preparing for combat with Their Finest Hour – another will butt in and repeat the action on a 2+.
The generals of the Pretenders believe that Slaanesh’s absence is an invitation for a successor to emerge. These arrogant usurpers rule with a leather-bound fist and lustrous smile, their intoxicating charisma matched only by their skill in combat… and an extensive skincare regime.
As the self-appointed Warlord Supreme of their warhost, these dauntless despots demonstrate their dominance with the ability to issue the same command three times in a phase – the second and third go off for free – perfect for juicing up units of Symbraesh Twinsouls and Myrmidesh Painbringers with All-out Attack.
Though barely a trace of Slaanesh’s divine self exists outwith Uhl-Gysh – beyond the sublime siblings Dexcessa and Synessa – the Godseekers obsessively scour the realms for their absent god, from the top of every mountain to bottom of every crevasse.
Their quicksilver processions rush to face enemies as a Thundering Cavalcade that can re-roll charges within 12” of a GODSEEKERS HERO. These Maniacal Hunters never cease chasing their terrified prey – up to D3 units can dash an extra D6" at the start of each battle round, so long as they’re not already engrossed in the fighting.
Each host can plunder Slaanesh’s jewellery box and pick from a selection of artefacts, command traits, and spell lores unique to their host. Where would a Lord of Pain of the Pretenders be if they didn’t believe in their own Strength of Godhood, granting them extra Rend and Damage for the turn if they issue a command to a friendly unit?
And what Invader Shardspeaker would ever leave home without their Icon of Infinite Excess, planting it firmly in the ground to catch Slaanesh’s easily-distracted eye and grant all their decadent devotees an extra attack for that combat phase?
Battletome: Hedonites of Slaanesh is available for pre-order this weekend, and contains all of the forbidden knowledge you’ll need to bring pain and pleasure to the Mortal Realms.