Hey everyone, Reecius here with more Drukhari coverage! Check the Tactics Corner for more great reviews and articles.

In Part 1 of this series, we covered army wide special rules. In Part 2 we covered the generic Drukhari Stratagems. This time, we’re digging into the generic Drukhari relics, or Artefacts of Creulty as they’re called. As with many other sections of this book, Drukhari are seriously spoiled for choice with excellent options. You’ll frequently be using their Prizes from the Dark City stratagem to unlock extra relics. Next up we will take a look at Kabal specific Obsessions, relics, Warlord Traits and stratagems!

Rating System

I rarely ever see units as “broken” or “garbage” which is the typical binary judgement in internet hyperbole. Even the worst unit can win you the game if it is in the right place at the right time. Units are all simply more or less efficient based on the current situation of any given game. So with that in mind, here is the shiny new rating system:

• Competitive: This is a codex entry (unit, stratagem, item, etc.) that has a place in essentially any competitive list built with this faction regardless of unit choices or is the source of a significant force multiplication effect for other units.
• Efficient: This is a codex entry that can stand on its own merit in a matched play list but works best when combo’d up with other units or in specific situations to become very powerful but may not always be seen.
• Situational: This is a codex entry that may not pass as competitive on its own merits but can be made effective in a creative list, as a meta-buster, or in a specific combo or scenario where it ratchets up in power to potentially very high strength but otherwise will not be seen very often.

• The Parasite’s Kiss: Replaces a model’s Splinter Pistol. 12″, Pistol 2, Poison with +2 to wound vs. non-Vehicle targets (so typically wounds on a 2+), AP-2, 2 damage, for each enemy model killed with this weapon the bearer regains 1 lost wound.
  • This is a solid weapon. You may not opt for it every time but you can make a very fun and effective Archon with it and the Soul Thirst Kabal Warlord Trait to create an Archon that constantly regenerates wounds in shooting and melee! Very fun. While perhaps not the absolute best relic available, it is a very good choice for certain builds and is quite reliable as it has 2 shots, solid AP and will be wounding on a 2+ in almost every case. Competitive.
• The Djin Blade: Replaces an Archon’s Huskblade: Strength +1, AP-3, D3 damage, bearers gets +2 attacks, at the end of each Fight phase roll a D6, on a 1 the bearer suffers a Mortal Wound.
  • Again, a great weapon that may not always be taken but when it is, will be solid. I would recommend pairing this again with the Soul Thirst Warlord Trait to regenerate wounds as you fight on a beat-stick Archon. Competitive.
• The Helm of Spite: Allows the bearer to Deny the Witch and if you do so the enemy Psyker suffers Perils in the Warp.
  • This is a GREAT relic but one you will not need in every game. A solid choice to be used with the Prizes of the Dark City strat to pick it when you need it. Situational.

• The Nightmare Doll: Gives a Haemonculus a 4+ Inured to Suffering roll (normally a 6+).
  • This is obviously awesome for a Haemonculus. Particularly when combined with the Connoisseurs of Pain Obsession for a 4++ followed by the 4+ FnP style save and potentially the Master Regenesist Warlord Trait (allows the Haemonculus to regain D3 los wounds each turn) for a really beefy Haemonculus. Competitive.
• The Animus Vitae: 6″, Grenade 1, one use only, if it hits it does D3 Mortal Wounds. If it kills anything then for the rest of the game friendly units within 6″ of the bearer count their Power form Pain as being 1 turn higher than it is.
  • Not bad. Not amazing, but not bad at all. Due to the short range you may not be chucking this until turn 2 but if it is on an Archon you are highly likely to hit and kill at least 1, 1 wound model and get the bonus. So, it is good, but I don’t see it being taken over the other choices very frequently. Efficient.
• The Triptych Whip: Replaces a Succubus’ Agoniser. Melee, Poison, AP-2, 1 damage, +3 attacks.
  • A solid weapon for a Succubus that wants to wade into large mobs of enemies and smack them around. As you can easily get a Succubus with this weapon up to 8+ attacks, potentially with the 3 hits for every 6+ to hit rolled due to the Blood Dancer Warlord Trait (which goes to a 5+ when Flensing Fury Kicks in), you can get a really choppy character. Wounding on a 4+ blunts that a bit but if you find yourself facing high toughness models then this is a very good choice. Competitive.

And there you are! Which is your favorite Artefact of Cruelty? Next up: Kabals!

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