Blood! Shadow magic! Murder! No, we’re not talking about the forces of Chaos!
This Scourge of Ghyran update focuses on the deadly elegance of the Daughters of Khaine, a faction that serves the god of murder but somehow still counts as Order. If that gives you whiplash, just wait until you see what they do on the battlefield.
GW’s resident Doomfire Warlock Alex offers this ominous reminder: “Never trust an aelf who smiles before stabbing.”
Zeal and Vengeance: New Battle Formations
The Coven Zealots and Arena Veterans formations lead the charge for this update, and both are dripping with flavour (and probably blood). Coven Zealots are driven by fervent devotion to Khaine, so much so that even grievous wounds won’t stop them—at the end of any turn, they can return D3 slain models to every eligible unit. That’s right: they just stand back up, knives in hand, eyes full of zeal.
Arena Veterans, on the other hand, focus on pure speed and supernatural reflexes. Before they’ve struck their first blow, these gladiatorial killers benefit from a 5+ Ward save that lasts until they use a Fight ability—meaning they can shrug off incoming fire or melee pressure as they sprint into position.
The Bloodshadow Rites: New Prayers for Bloody Times
Supporting these formations is a fresh prayer lore called Bloodshadow Rites, featuring three dark invocations tailored to the Daughters’ favourite pastimes: stabbing fast, stabbing hard, and not getting stabbed in return.
Shadowstep lets a unit vanish into shadow and reappear elsewhere on the battlefield—ideal for slipping behind enemy lines or securing a distant objective. Exultation of Murder enhances a unit’s effectiveness with bonuses to wound rolls and, with enough fervour from the Priest, even to hit rolls. Lastly, Scáthscale cloaks your warriors in shimmering shadow-serpent skin, making them harder to wound outright.
New Warscrolls: Krethusa and the Bloodwrack Shrine
The upgrade parade doesn’t stop at prayers. The first updated warscroll belongs to Krethusa the Croneseer, a potent practitioner of shadowy sorcery. She not only has access to the full suite of Bloodshadow Rites, but also brings her own bespoke prayer, Blood Ritual, which can severely debuff enemy units. Depending on the result, it can reduce their Ward save, prevent them from issuing commands, or even stop them from using weapon abilities entirely. Roll high enough, and all three effects apply simultaneously. As if that weren’t enough, Krethusa can summon reinforcements to bolster your forces in a pinch.
Then there’s the Bloodwrack Shrine, which has received a brutal glow-up. Now boasting Wizard (2), it can cast two spells per turn—twice its previous output. One of those can be Reflected Agony, a defensive spell that creates a 12″ bubble around the Shrine, preventing enemies from setting up reinforcements nearby. And of course, the Bloodwrack Medusa’s paralyzing glare remains a signature move: freeze a unit in place, then blast it apart with searing eye-beams. Classic Daughters of Khaine elegance.
Battle Profiles: Deadly Aelves in Detail
Let’s take a moment to break down these new battlefield roles. Krethusa the Croneseer is a 240-point Hero with the Coven Matriarch and Aelf keywords, and she takes up a 60mm base. She’s as much a controller as she is a caster—perfect for anchoring a force of shadowy zealots.
The Bloodwrack Shrine, on the other hand, is a 230-point powerhouse that brings offensive casting, battlefield control, and brutal close-range damage in one slithering package. It also counts as a Coven Matriarch, and occupies a large 120x92mm base, making it a serious presence on the table both mechanically and visually.
Both units are fully legal in Matched Play using the General’s Handbook 2025–26 battlepack, and slot naturally into infantry-heavy, magic-focused Daughters of Khaine builds.
Final Thoughts: A Bloody Dance in the Realm of Life
This update reinforces the Daughters of Khaine as a fast-moving, prayer-slinging, unit-reviving faction of nightmare aelves. Whether you want to resurrect blood-drenched cultists every turn, teleport serpentine warriors through shadow, or vaporize targets with glowing murder-eyes, the Scourge of Ghyran season delivers.
Tomorrow, we head to the stars—or at least to the edge of the Aetheric Void. Bring your spyglass, because the next reveal promises something cosmic.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
