Nagash’s dream of a lifeless Necroptopia continues – but the Mortal Realms are nothing if not stubborn.
As the gods bicker and mortals resist, the Supreme Lord of the Undead leans on some of his most reliable servants: the long-dead rulers and skeletal legions of the Barrow Kingdoms. These deathless minions rise once more in the new Deathrattle Army Set, available for pre-order this Saturday.
Ancient Oaths, New Tricks
At the heart of this new release are Barrow Guard, Barrow Knights, and a mounted Wight King, forming the backbone of a loyal, stoic army of the dead. These aren’t mindless skeletons – they are bound by ancient oaths, and fight with eerie coordination and chilling resolve.
But alongside this retro resurgence, the Gravelords bring some brand new mechanics to the tabletop. One of the biggest additions is the Cursed Sepulchres – faction terrain pieces that serve as necromantic anchors on the battlefield. You’ll start with one, but can deploy up to two more once both sides are deployed. These grave markers aren’t just spooky set dressing – they’re strategic staging grounds for the Rising Dead, allowing units from the grave to appear nearby and press the attack from all sides.
Barrow Knights – Durable Death Cavalry
The new Barrow Knights aren’t just fast-moving threats – they’re defensive lynchpins, too. When close to a mounted hero, they grant each other Ward (5+), making both the unit and their commander more durable. And thanks to their Cursed to Rise Once More rule, they can regenerate a model at the end of any turn – death is just a setback.
Their lances are no joke either: they pack +1 Damage on the charge and dish out Mortal Wounds on critical hits, making them potent shock troops with serious staying power.
Wight King – Tactical Terror
Leading the charge is the Wight King on Skeletal Steed, armed with a King’s Relic Weapon that’s not just deadly, but debilitating. A critical hit applies the Ancient Barrow Curse, reducing the target’s Save rolls by 1 for the rest of the battle. It’s a stacking disadvantage that makes follow-up attacks from the King’s forces all the more devastating.
Importantly, this curse can affect multiple enemy units—but doesn’t stack on the same one—so clever targeting can seriously tilt the battlefield in your favor.
The Dead Don’t Wait
With solid internal synergies, enhanced survivability, and powerful new positioning tools, the Deathrattle subfaction brings a fresh tactical layer to the Soulblight Gravelords. And for lore lovers, the Battletome: Soulblight Gravelords promises rich background alongside updated rules, warscrolls, and more for the legions of undeath.
Expect further coverage soon, including a “How to Play” guide breaking down key strategies and combos. If you’ve been considering raising an army from the grave, this is your moment.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
