The Empire is and has been under continual threat since its beginnings under Sigmar. This fact is reflected in every aspect of society. Perhaps nowhere is it more obvious than in the Battle Priests of the Empire.
Name
MV WS BS S
T W I A
Ld Cost
Battle Priest
4 4
4 4 4
1 4 2
8 70
The Battle
Priest can only be used within an state infantry unit (includes foot Reiksguard). An army may include any
number of Battle Priests (restricted as above).
Regardless of the unit they
accompany, all Battle Priests carry the same equipment. Each carries a
Warhammer (in honor of Sigmar and Ulric). This Warhammer grants the priest
a +1 Strength bonus (same as a Halberd). Each priest also wears a suit
of heavy armor and a small jade griffon, which represents the protection
of Sigmar. This griffon is blessed by the Grand Theogonist himself and
grants a 4+ special save vs. the first wound suffered by the priest. It
is one use only (the Gods of the Empire reward bravery, but not foolhardiness).
Each Battle
priest also carries a large tome, The Book of Deeds. This book contains
the collected exploits of the Gods of the Empire. By reading from this
book and preaching before the battle, a Battle Priest attempts to inspire
his troops and bring the blessing of the Gods on them. These blessings
function for the whole unit and any associated characters, however, the
blessings do not function for any model which leaves the unit, though,
otherwise, they do last for the whole game, even if the priest is killed.
Before the battle roll a d6
d6 roll effect
1 -1 penalty to all LD tests, the omens are bad, and the priest’s
speech brings fear rather than inspiration
2-3 none- for whatever reason, the priest’s sermon was not strong
enough to bolster his troops
4 blessing of the Ulric- the Warrior God’s courage fills the unit
giving them the will to stand and fight.
The unit may re-roll any break test.
5 blessing of Taal- the Nature God looks down on the field
and grants the Battle Priest and his unit
+1 MV and the ability to ignore terrain modifiers
6 blessing of Sigmar- The Wrath of Sigmar fills his followers and
they forge ahead with his strength.
The unit may add +1 to any combat results.
Like a champion,
a Battle Priest cannot voluntarily leave his unit. He is also unable to
carry any magical items. The Battle Priests hold no love for mages, whom
they see as willingly approaching too close to Chaos, and will not join
units that include mages. Note that the army can include other mages, but
they may not join a unit which is accompanied by a Battle Priest. The Priests
can hold and use WoM cards to dispel as a 1 level mage (they cannot cast
spells however). If a priest uses the Drain Magic card, he loses a level
on a 4+ just like a normal mage, however this has no effect (as he has
no spells to lose), unless the priest is reduced below lvl 0, in which
case, he is instantly killed. Rebound will function as a normal dispel.
The Destroy Spell card will function normally.
Models for the Battle Priest are very easy to find. Simply use the Imperial Priest Model from Warhammer quest. It is the model which served as inspiration for the Battle Priest idea, so it will be hard to find something better than the original.
For those of you wondering- points
start empire wizard- 56 points (trade
spell casting ability for inspiration ability and Protection of Sigmar),
then add +1 for WS, +1 BS, +1 Str, +6 attack, gives 65, then add +5 for
equipment (hvy armor, halberd) = 70 total.