There are many notable vampires in the Mortal Realms, from the almighty Mortarchs of Night, Blood and Delusion, to Prince Vhordrai and the pallid paladins of the Crimson Keep. Cado Ezechiar is unique among them – a tragic figure seeking revenge against Chaos for destroying his kingdom and killing his family. And though he suffers the Soulblight Curse, he only fights with the forces of Death when their goals align.*
But once you clap eyes on his Regiment of Renown, you’re going to find those goals in frequent and enthusiastic alignment… The Blades of the Hollow King comprises three powerful individuals: Cado himself, the ferocious vampire duellist Sissendra, and Aurelias. The last of these is a powerful death mage and an agent of Neferata sent to ensure Cado stays on the relatively straight and narrow in his quest for penance.
They operate as a unit, with Cado and Sissendra more than a match for almost anything that stands before him. The Hollow King can use one of his soul rings to call upon his confidant Solia, the Tutor in the Combat Phase – either to gain Ward (5+) or the Crit (Mortal) effect.
BLADES OF THE HOLLOW KING
MELEE WEAPONS
Ezechiarian Greatsword
Crit (Auto-wound)
Atk: 5
Hit: 3+
Wnd: 3+
Rnd: 2
Dmg: 2
Sissendra’s Twin Blades
Crit (Mortal)
Atk: 8
Hit: 3+
Wnd: 3+
Rnd: 1
Dmg: 1
Any Combat Phase
SOLIA, THE TUTOR
Teacher and tutor to Cado when he was a mortal prince, the spirit of Solia is now bound to one of his iron rings, offering him guidance on his path.
Declare: This unit can use this ability while its Cado Ezechiar is on the battlefield.
Effect: Pick 1 of the following to apply for the rest of the turn:This unit has Ward (5+). This unit’s Ezechiarian Greatsword has Crit (Mortal).
Aurelias can choose to cast a second spell, or to re-roll one dice while Casting. This will augment Cado’s signature spell – the fittingly named Retribution or Salvation, which either deals D3 Mortal Damage, or subtracts 1 from the Wound Rolls made against his undead minions.
Your Hero Phase
RETRIBUTION OR SALVATION
Cado’s quest for both vengeance and self-control manifests as two forms of sorcery: bolts of killing judgement and an aura of regal authority that augments nearby undead.
Declare: This unit can cast this spell while its Cado Ezechiar is on the battlefield. Pick a visible unit within 12" of this unit to be the target, then make a casting roll of 2D6.
Effect: If the target is an enemy unit, inflict D3 mortal damageon it. If the target is a friendly Deathrattle or Deadwalkers unit, subtract 1 from wound rolls for combat attacks that target that unit for the rest of the turn.
Keywords: Spell
Cado might not have the wanton bloodthirst of his fellow vampires, but he’s more than happy to fight alongside the Flesh-eater Courts, Nighthaunt and Ossiarch Bonereapers, especially if there’s a lead that brings him closer to justice…
The second Regiment of Renown is the hulking undead abomination known as the Beast of Castle Sternieste. A particularly fierce Revenant Draconith enslaved to the will of Mannfred von Carstein, it has been given free will by its lord to stalk the battlegrounds of his allies.
A regiment comprising just a single unit, it is empowered by its master’s necromantic talents, a Deathless Monstrosity that can Heal (3) in the controlling player's Hero Phase. Its Red Ruin ability allows it to extricate itself from tricky situations – not without grabbing a quick bite first – and retreating to the skies, before making a Loathsome Descent back into combat.
You can court the beast for the Flesh-eater Courts, Nighthaunt and Ossiarch Bonereapers.
THE BEAST OF CASTLE STERNIESTE
Once Per Turn (Army), Your Hero Phase
DEATHLESS MONSTROSITY
Mannfred von Carstein has ever been a deathmage of terrifying power. This risen Draconith, which resides among the highest spires of Castle Sternieste, is a masterwork of his arcane talent and almost impossible to vanquish.
Effect: Heal (3) this unit.
REVENANT DRACONITH
Once Per Turn (Army), End of Any Turn
RED RUIN
Tearing free of the press with talons and teeth, the RevenantDraconith leaves a trail of gory destruction behind as it takes to the skies once more, searching for fresh prey.
Declare: Pick an enemy unit in combat with this unit to bethe target.
Effect: Roll a D3. On a 2+, resolve the following effects:
Inflict an amount of mortal damage on the target equal to the roll.
Heal (X) this unit where X is an amount equal to the roll.
This unit can be removed from the battlefield and set up in reserve high above the battlefield.
Keywords: Rampage
We’ll have a rundown on how to play the Soulblight Gravelords from an expert contributor tomorrow, and the Deathrattle Army set is up for pre-order this weekend for your latest taste of the undead. The Regiments of Renown discussed in this article will follow at a later date.
* You can read all about his exploits, and those of other vampires with tales from Black Library.
