[Rumour Compilation] Vampire Counts New Release: 14th Jan 2012

[Disciple of Nagash]

The Aristocracy of the Night Rises Again……….

For those who have been living under a rock, you may not know that the new Vampire Counts book is out in 14th January 2012.

It’s only days away, but I for one can’t wait! So here is a wrap of all the rumours and juicy pictures so far…..
These are posted from various sources on the internet (mainly warseer, credit goes to the respective original authors, as well as our thanks

Army Book written by Phil Kelly

Release in January. On sale from the 14th January (advanced orders for the 7th January)

Release includes:
New army book (96 pages)
Magic cards

New minis will be:
Plastic Kits:
Coven Throne/Mortis engine (Dual kit)
Black Knights/Hex Wraiths (Dual kit)
Vargheists/Crypt Horrors (Dual kit)
Plastic characters
Wight King
Finecast Characters:
Krell
Isabella von Carstein

Prices will be:

£36 for the Coven Throne/Mortis Engine,
£18.50 for five Black Knights/Hex Wraiths
£3.25 for the magic cards
£25 for the army book
£25-27? (37 Euros) for the big ghouls/ flying things.
£8 for Wight King
£10.50 (15 Euros) for Krell in Finecast
£9? (12.5 Euros) for Isabella von Carstein

lbecks did the maths for US prices it looks like it will be:

Engine/Throne $57.75
Cavalry $29.00
Big Ghouls/Mini Vargs ~$45?
Wight King $13.25
Krell $18.25
Isabella $15


LORDS
Vlad Von Carstein: A5, The Hunger, heavy armour, Beloved in Death (ASF if Isabella is in the same unit)
Mannfred Von Carstein: A5, The Hunger, Dark Acolyte, Lord of the Dead is now gone, Loremaster(Death)is now gone
Heinrich Kemmler - 175 slaves

Vampire Lord - 110 slaves: 5 attacks, Level 1, The Hunger
Ghoul King - 115 slaves: Strigoi Vampire: built-in Infinite Hatred and Regeneration (5+)
Master Necromancer - 82.5 slaves: Level 3

HEROES
Isabella Von Carstein: The Hunger, can heal Vlad with her Blood Chalice of Bathori
Konrad Von Carstein: A4, The Hunger, Hatred, Infinite Hatred is now gone
Mannfred the Acolyte: The Hunger
Krell – 102.5 slaves

Vampire - 47.5 slaves: The Hunger
Necromancer - 32.5 slaves: Level1 / 50 slaves: Level2 / 60 slaves: Level2 + Master of the Dead
Wight King - 42.5 slaves / 55 slaves: with BSB upgrade
Cairn Wraith - 30 slaves: No known rules changes
Tomb Banshee – 47.5 slaves: No known rules changes

MOUNTS
Zombie Dragon (Vampire Lords only) - 125 slaves: WS4, T6, W6
Terrorgheist (Ghoul Kings only) : No known rules changes
Abyssal Terror: No known rules changes
Nightmare: No known rules changes
Skeletal Steed: No known rules changes
Hellsteed
Corpse cart (Necromancers only) - 40 slaves: W4, Chariot-style characteristics – S4 impact hits, Vigour Mortis (ASF in 6" if CC is LoV spell target)
Coven Throne (Vampire Lords only) - 100 slaves: SCAN OF THRONE RULES
- Basically a chariot mount for your Lord.
- Is a Large target with S5 T5 5W and 5+ save.
- has Spectral Steed rules (can move 8"), Undead, Vampiric, ASF (only for Handmaiden who has 2 S5 Attacks)
- has Random Attacks (2D6) at S3 from the spirit horde.
- Has Ward Save of 4+
- Battle of Wills (before the first enemy rolls to hit against the character or the Throne, both player roll a D6 and add their LD value. Has effects based on the difference of the score)
* no effect (0 or less)
* suffer -1WS/BS
* the enemy must re-roll successful To Hits
* each model in the enemy unit strike each other (only 1 attack per model)
- Has Bound Spell (lvl3) allowing the Throne (and all of its crew) to re-roll either To Hit or To Wound rolls.
Mortis Engine (Necromancers only): SCAN OF ENGINE RULES
- Is a Rare Choice
- Same stats as for the Throne (S5 T5 W5 Sv5+)
- has 2D6 attacks at S3 from the spirit horde
- Undead, Terror, Spectral Steed, and Regeneration
- can make Ghostly Howl attack.
- can take upgrade, allowing any wizards casting spell from the Lore of the Vampires to get +2 to their casting attempt. (ANY) miscast wizards rolls twice on the table and have the opponent choose the result)
- The Reliquary (at the start of your turn, roll 2D6 and add the current turn number - until the start of its next turn, all friendly Undead units within this number of range gains +1 bonus to their Regeneration, 6+ if they don't have any, to a maximum of 4+. Also, all enemy units within this range suffers D6 hits at the strength equal to the turn number.
- Also has some penalties if removed from play - by damaging every units within a random range at the strength equal to the current turn number)

CORE UNITS
Skeletons – 2.5 slaves (hand weapon/shield, light armour) / 3 slaves (spear/shield, light armour): No changes to rules known
Zombies - 1.5 slaves (Musician +2,5 slaves, Standard bearer +2,5 slaves): S3, T3, ASL, can now be joined by characters
Ghouls - 5 slaves: No known rules changes
Dire Wolves - 4 slaves: Slavering charge (+1S in charge), Vanguard
Bat Swarms – 17.5 slaves: No known rules changes

SPECIAL UNITS
Corpse Cart - 52.5 slaves: with Balefire W4, Chariot-style characteristics – S4 impact hits, Vigour Mortis (ASF in 6" if CC is LoV spell target)
Grave Guard - 5.5 slaves: hand weapon/shield, loose Wight Blade rule, gain KB rule
Black Knights - 13 slaves: lance/barding, no know rules changes but likely to be subject to same changes to GG
Hex Wraiths - 15 slaves: - Fast Cavalry with Ethereal (yes!) that can inflict automatic S5 hits on unit that it moved through.Attacks are magical and flaming, allowing no armour saves
Fell Bats - 8 slaves: No known rules changes
Vargheists - 23 slaves: Flying Monstrous Infantry that has Fly, Frenzy, and 3A.
Crypt Horrors - 19 slaves: Monstrous Infantry unit with M6 S4 T5 I2 W3 A3, has Poisoned Attacks, Regeneration 5+, and Undead
Spirit Hosts – 22.5 slaves: No known rules changes

RARE UNITS
Terrorgheist - 112.5 slaves: No known rules changes
Mortis Engine - 120 slaves: with Blasphemous Tome upgrade, see previous entry under mounts for rules
Varghulf – 87.5 slaves: Has lost Vampire and Undead rule, now I4
Black Coach: No known rules changes
Blood Knights - 25 slaves: I5
Wraiths: No known rules changes

MAGIC ITEMS

Character Specific
- Blood Drinker (Vlad only): Hunger works on 4+
- The Carstein Ring (Vlad only): 4+ ward save
- Cloak of Mists and Shadows (Kemmler only): Each turn choose if wearer is Ethereal or has Fly
- Black Axe of Krell

Banners
- Flag of the Blood Keep - 37.5 slaves: 4+ ward vs ranged attacks(Blood Knights only)
- Banner of the Barrows - 25 slaves: All wights (including Krell) in unit get +1 to hit
- Screaming Banner – 12.5 slaves: enemies test fear on 3D6, discarding lowest

Weapons
- Scabscrath – 37.5 slaves: Frenzy, Flaming attacks, Devastating charge, Deathly Shriek (Terrorgheist-like attack), If you don't cause a wound in combat, wearer is killed instantly)

Armour
- Nightshroud - 20 slaves: +1 AS, all models in base contact get ASL & no weapon bonuses to their strength

Enchanted / Arcane Items
- Black Periapt - 25 slaves: stores 2 dice
- Staff of Flaming Death - 20 slaves: Bound Spell 3+, Target enemy unit in 18" range. Suffers D6 S4 flaming hits. If you lose 1 wound it causes a panic test. If the unit is moved during its next turn each model suffers 1S4 hit. Spell ends if the unit moves or at the beginning of VC's next magic phase
- Book of Arkhan - 12,5 slaves: Bound Spell 3+, casts Vanhel's Dance Macabre, doesn't burn out
- Cursed Book – 17.5 slaves: sacrifice D3 power dice to get off a random Hex spell of six (Miasma, Withering, Soulblight, Doom and Darkness, some Heavens spell and something else) as a bound with the minimal complexity)
- Staff of Damnation - 17.5 slaves: Bound Spell 4+, all models in 6 inches (inc. mounts) get +1 attack untill next magic phase

VAMPIRIC POWERS
Dark Acolyte – 12.5 slaves: +D3 wounds healed in Invocation of Nehek
Quickblood - 15 slaves: ASF
Curse of the Revenant – 22.5 slaves: +1 W
Red Fury - 25 slaves: same as before, but can be used with 2HW
Mortal Strike - 15pkt: trade in all attacks for 1 with HKB
Dreadknight - 5 slaves: +2 WS, must issue and accept challenges unless Krell or a Vampire with a higher LD are part of the unit
Summon Creatures of the Night - 5 slaves: increase bats, batswarms & wolves beyond starting size
Forbidden Knowledge - 12.5 slaves: access to rulebook lores (doesn't get to know all spells))
Master of the Black Arts: get to re-roll one D6 for the Winds of Magic
Flying Horror: Fly
Beguile: same as now
Aura of Dark Majesty: -1LD to all enemies in base contact

LORE OF VAMPIRES
The Curse of Undeath (Lore attribute): When a spell form the Lore of the Vampires is successfully cast, the Wizard (or another friendly model within 12") instantly regains a single Wound lost earlier in the battle.

Spell0: Invocation of Nehek (6+): Augment, range 6". Each friendly Undead unit within range recovers D6+wizard's level wounds. Can be boosted to range 12" or 18".
Spell1: Vanhel's Dance Macabre (6+): Augment, grants extra movement up to 8" (no charging probably but not confirmed)
Spell2: Hellish Vigour (8+): Augment, some combat buff, most likely re-rolls to hit in combat.
Spell3: Gaze of Nagash (9+): Magic Missile, range 24"
Spell4: Raise Dead (9+): Creates new unit of up to 15 zombies or skeletons (2D6+3 probably)
Spell5: Curse of Years (12+): Hex, Remains in Play
Spell6: Wind of Death (15+): Vortex, small round template. Moves Artilleryx3 inches. Any unit beneath or passed by the template takes D6 S3 hits for each rank of the unit, with no armour save allowed. Big S4 template can be used instead on a roll of 25+.

Disclaimer on the Magic Spells: I did my best, connecting various bits of information from WD to guess spell numbers and effects, but (apart from IoN and WoD, which are pretty obvious) this is just speculation on my side!

Also, WD confirms every Vampire, Vampire Lord and Ghoul King is a Level 1 caster by default. Also, Ghoul King for sure can use Magic Items and Vampiric Powers just like "normal" Vampire Lord. Hero-level Necromancers can be Level 1 or Level 2, Master Necromancers (Lord-level) can be Level 3, if they can be Level 4 remains unknown.

Pictures

There is no doubt more, but that is the main stuff I picked up – if there is anymore then please say so.
In regards to the Bloodlines, there is nothing definite yet. The rumours more suggest that the Bloodlines may be there in fluff rather than stat changes like previous editions, but who knows?

I for for, are looking very forward to this

 

[Duke Danse Macabre]

Cheers for putting it all in a single post, I was sick of having to dig around for it.

I am very excited about allot of things but Just noticed now that you wrote out the new winds of undeath spell that there is no spirit hosts and no new models as of yet, has a me a little concerned they may be dropped like some fear with the BC, is there any word on this as of yet?

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

Not that I saw when I did my super-skim of the rumours (so many many rumours ).

My personal opinion is that we may loose those models, considering we the new ethereal and coachy-type models that are being introduced.

 

[Duke Danse Macabre]

They can't cut the BC, it has been in every VC rule book references in nearly ever lore book and background, even the novels, when a black coach is abroad in Slavania you bar your doors.

Now the Hosts feature in the Blood in the Badlands book as a possible upgrade to siege with, the BC however has always been a power house, even the old model where it is a pain to put together is great when done right, I would hate to lose such a thing.
I thought if anything we would get more ethereal models not lose the old ones.....

Regardless I am just wondering now if we will get a second wave at all or will we be getting only the single wave because we got a few advance models?

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

The other thing I was wondering was about the Zombies....they really need to be replaced but I haven't seen anything on them.

 

[Duke Danse Macabre]

I am mixed on this, I would love to see a new kit as I think it would be like the Bretonian peasants as in you get lots of useless but cool items like bottles, broke weapons etc but I just converted up a unit of 30 from CC zombies and they look great, same as my Isabella convert which now they have decided to make a model of her..... I am smiling but inside I am cursing like a lumberjack who just cut off his leg.

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

Updated with some points cost info:

Skeletons....should be A LOT cheaper.
(40 Skellies with Full Command for less than 240 points. )

Crypt Ghouls... definitely a bit more expensive.

Zombies... even cheaper than the current one.

Fell Bats... cheaper.

Corpse Cart.... almost the same (but goes Special)

Black Knights.... cheaper.

Spirit Host... cheaper as well.

Varghulf... remains the same.

Dire Wolf....should be exactly the same.

 

[Duke Danse Macabre]

So thats skellies being 6 points each with the full command of 20 points I assume, also asuming that point values and stating at this moment is not a no no with the book not yet out so this is all theory if your reading this GW.....
Just hope they come with light armour as standard for that price.

Good to see fell bats getting a mention but I will assume that Bat swarms will be dropped, they were poor at the best of times and the models make me cringe, that and they always broke off their terrible bendy lead bases.

 

[TMS]

I've added the scans of rules for the engine and throne.

 

[Gwidders]

Epic new models, deffinently keen for a mortis engint/ coven throne... and those hexwraiths

 

[NicholasLeMort]

Actually I'm not sure on the points cost for skeletons, it could be FC for 30 points and skellies for 5 points each adding up for a total of 230 points. After all he did say LESS THAN 240 points and in the Tomb Kings book, for example, the price for FC was 30 for every single unit in their book (not sure if I'm allowed to say that though ).

Of course it would make more sense that this would be without LA because they are basically TK skellies with the ability to march within a vampire's range for +1 point. Maybe LA will be an optional upgrade for +1 point/model to bring them up to 6 points each.

Just speculating here btw

EDIT: Oh, and I absolutely LOVE the new models, especially the Coven Throne / Mortis Engine and Krell. The Crypt Horrors are a bit less appealing but still cool and the Black Knights look good but I'm so used to the old skeleton horses that they seem weird...

 

[Belial]

Maybe the Mortis Engine is the new BC? I am especially thinking about that thrice locked coffin on the model.

Also, wow, first post on CN since... Well, years.

 

[Christophe von Carstein]

Book released 2 days after my birthday, can't wait! loving the look of new models, and really looking forward to seeing the new book.
Thanks for sharing Disciple

 

[Normal]

Mortis engine will be definitely an addition, looks like my version of the corpse cart haha.

 

[YoungOlo]

I think this one is worth adding to the first post:

Local newsagent had the white dwarf, and I've been having a good read. Invocation of Nehek affects all friendly units in its radius of 6"/12"/18", depending on the power level.

The Corpse Cart gives all units within 6" ASF until your next magic phase if it is the target of a Vampire spell - including the AoE of Invocation. This is specifically stated. Imaging say, 3 units of Skeletons or even Grave Guard, with 2 Corpse Carts between them, and a Necromancer or two in there throwing out Invocation every turn. Skeletons/Grave Guard with permanent ASF.

Raise Dead can raise either Zombies or Skeletons.

A few other tidbits.

Necromancers can take an upgrade called Master of the Dead. The only way to add models to a Skeleton unit raised with Raise Dead is with a Necromancer with Master of the Dead.

Ghouls are 10 points. A unit of 40 with a Ghast in one of the sample lists was 410 points.

Banner of the Blood Keep is one of the returning banners, and grants a 4+ ward save to shooting attacks.

There appear to be 3 different vampire types. Vampire lord, Vampire, Strigoi Ghoul King. This is mentioned in the new rules for Vampire Counts pacts for Storm of magic, they specifically name the lord choices you can take, and it is those 3 and Master Necromancer. They don't mention at all what makes a Strigoi Ghoul King different, though it might have something to do with Hatred and Poison, as Phil Kelly pointed out in the GW website Terrorgeist designers notes.

I also may be reading too much into it, but there's some hints towards Ghouls not being able to be reinforced through Invocation of Nehek. Don't quote me on this, it's not outright stated, just whenever they talk about raising models, Ghouls are the only unit not mentioned, as well as in the Lahmian sample list they say 'with 40 models, it ensures there will be enough left when they reach the enemy' or sometihng to that effect.

A Vampire Lord with death knight is WS 9. Looks like Vampire Lords are getting ridiculous stats again.

Master Necromancers can be the general. They specifically state this. It's possible to make an army completely lacking vampires.

They make a subtle mention about 'when the general dies, the army starts to crumble until another powerful character can regain control.' Seems like you can replace the general with a powerful Necromancer or other Vampire caster somehow if the general dies.

LINK for reference (top post).

There's also another important information, on the very same page (link above), just several posts below:

Also, now - this one hurts - units can only march within 12" of the general, not any vampire.

It also seems that we have three Magic Banners confirmed:
- Flag of the Blood Keep (4+ Ward save vs. shooting attacks)
- Banner of the Barrows
- Screaming Banner (it seems it may be taken on Skeleton units)

 

[Zhatan]

@YoungOlo
Where did you find a mention of Banner of Barrows?

 

[Christophe von Carstein]

Wishful thinking on my part at the moment but any word on updates to the rules of the existing von carstein character??

 

[dimihamuzu]

YESSSS.. thank you DON! manly tears were shed :'(.. i feel like punching my own gut for ever doubting GW.. took them a while, but when they deliver.. boy do they deliver .. the Coven throne is so deliciously over the top, and my goodness the black knights looks amazing, im so glad i waited for the official models .. KRELL OMG, can you be more baddass!? loving those shields upgrades and banner sooo much.. everything looks fantastic! ... i love vampire counts so much :konrad:

 

[count_caliban]

I'm left with three questions. are blood lines returning? is GW gonna make new spirit hosts as you currently can't buy them and are those replacements for the black coach or will it be maintained? Anyone wondering that too?

 

[lollerzombies]

Hey guys just one thing as you can read here courtesy of eldargal over at bols http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?p=170384#post170384
who in turn stole it from someone else, the mortis engine may stack the regens it grants... so basically we still can get 5+ regen (below 3k as it is a rare choice) on gg/whatever else, and whats better we dont need to worry about our bsb taking 30000000 shots in cc and dying. Not to mention the thing is a beast in cc itself. thoughts?

 

[count_caliban]

There's a plastic wight king,battle magic and the cover here: http://battlereporter.blogspot.com/

Also I'm told Heinrich Kemmler won't get a new mini, he'll just be released in fine ca$t, I think they'll do the same with the coach and spirit hosts.
Personally I'm hoping to see some mention of necrarchs and while bat swarms are just awful they are kind of a signature thing for vampire and I'd hate to see them go.

 

[Christophe von Carstein]

Good couple of links there thanks guys, think on the 14th the rule boook is a minimum just need to decide which models to also purchase, might have to wait till i get a first look at some of the models at my local GWs to decide because its definitly a tough decision.

 

[Duke Danse Macabre]

Well I am just hoping they have no removed drakenhof banner, its one of our longest standing not to mention in a regen focused army and that they just had forge world make a model of it...
To get rid of it would truly be a epic fail.

 

[Bulwyf]

Thank you for posting the information. I'm assuming this is Jan's WD? I haven't received mine yet but I have a feeling UK customers receive theirs before we do here in the USA.

I have one question if anyone has an answer: are bloodlines back? I ask because as a longtime VC player I always have a Blood Dragon themed army. I even have paltry attempts at fanfics with my own Blood Dragon and his attempts to rid himself of the thirst.

 

[Count Darvaleth]

THEY RETURN AT LAST!

Sorry, was that abuse of the mod banner? Oh heck, I don't care; the Vampires are coming back!