The Maggotkin are marching again, and the article really sells the arrival. So, it opens with buzzing flies and that classic Nurgle mood.
Additionally, it says the new battletome is packed with vile rules. Today’s focus is the ‘fresh’ and revamped units, not the general traits. Meanwhile, it is also a clear hype ramp for the pre-order on Saturday.
Festus the Leechlord: Control Games, Leech Points, and Parasite Damage
Festus rides into battle on Gathoblyt, which the article jokes looks like a giant slug. So, it tells you to get the salt ready. He used to be a plague doctor, and now he is a newly elevated daemon tinkerer. Additionally, his whole deal is eternally refining Vile Poisons and Debilitating Toxins.
His key combat trick triggers once per turn for the army in any combat phase. You can use it if Festus did not charge that turn, and the target must be an enemy unit in combat with him. You also cannot pick manifestations or terrain. Then, you and your opponent roll off and add Control to the roll. Festus starts at Control 5, which is solid. If you win, the payoff depends on the target. If it is a Hero or Monster, you deal mortal damage equal to the roll difference. However, if it is a non Hero, non Monster unit, you just slay one model. So, it is a bully tool that cares about Control and positioning, not just raw attacks.
Festus also ramps up as the game goes on. At the end of any turn, if he destroyed units in combat with him, Gathoblyt eats them. Then you gain D3 leech points for the rest of the battle, through Annelid Engorgement. Additionally, each leech point boosts his Control by 1. So, he can snowball into an even more reliable roll off monster.
On top of that, he has a spell called The Leechlord’s Curse. It is cast in your hero phase on a 6, with a target within 18 inches. If it goes off, Festus gains one leech point right away. Then, until your next turn, every time the target uses a Core ability or command, you roll a die after it resolves. On a 3+, the target takes 1 mortal damage. Additionally, if that damage lands, Festus heals 1. So, it is a nasty little punishment loop that also fuels his leech point economy.
The article also gives his defensive profile to sell the whole package. He has 14 health, a 4+ save, and a 5+ ward. So, he is not a glass cannon at all. Additionally, the healing from the curse makes him even more annoying to shift.
Putrid Blightkings: Anti Priest, Anti Wizard, and a Stench That Breaks Magic
The article then pivots to another “hefty lad” unit. Putrid Blightkings are described as regal monsters in robes, ribbons, and antlers. Additionally, they are swollen with disease and ready to mash priests and wizards into paste. So, they are being pitched as hard counters to magic and prayers.
Their big rule is Discomfiting Stench, which triggers once per turn for the army at the end of any turn. You pick a visible enemy Wizard or Priest within 12 inches. Then you roll a die. If the target is a wizard and the roll exceeds their power level, their casting becomes risky. Specifically, if a casting roll includes two or more 1s, two or more 2s, or two or more 3s, the spell miscasts until your next turn. If the target is a priest and the roll exceeds their power level, it hits their chanting instead. On an unmodified chanting roll of 1 or 2, the prayer fails, the effect does not resolve, and the priest loses D3 ritual points. So, the Blightkings do not just kill casters, they also make them unreliable.
If that is not enough, their weapons also get extra punch into those targets. Their Pox-blighted weapons have Anti Priest plus 1 rend and Anti Wizard plus 1 rend. So, the theme is clear. They stink, they disrupt, and then they rend through the exact pieces you hate most.
Rotswords and Sloven Knights: Command Locks and Strike Last Pressure
Rotswords are described as the sweaty footsoldiers of the Rotbringers. Additionally, they are desperate to climb into Blightking status. They nail antler fragments to helmets and charge in with pure fever energy. Their key rule is Sweat-Soaked and Reeking, used in any combat phase. You pick an enemy unit that charged that turn and is now in combat with the Rotswords. Then you roll a die. On a 3+, the target cannot use commands for the rest of the turn. So, if your opponent planned a big charge plus command stack, these guys can turn it off.
Sloven Knights are described as the mounted superiors. They ride miserable steeds and carry brutal bludgeoning weapons. Additionally, they exude a Pall of Exhaustion that hands out Strike Last. The ability triggers once per turn for the army in any combat phase. You pick an enemy unit in combat with the knights. Then you roll a die. You add 1 to the roll if the target is also in combat with other friendly Rotbringers. On a 3+, the target gets Strike Last for the rest of the turn. So, they reward you for multi charging and dogpiling with Rotbringers. Additionally, they help you control activation order, which wins fights.
Summary
This article is a focused rules teaser for the revamped and new Maggotkin units. So, Festus looks like a Control based bully who snowballs with leech points. Additionally, his curse punishes Core abilities and keeps him topped up. Meanwhile, Putrid Blightkings look like a direct answer to wizards and priests through stench disruption and bonus rend. Finally, Rotswords and Sloven Knights add command denial and Strike Last pressure, which is brutal in melee turns.
The article closes by saying there are many more warscroll changes in the battletome. Additionally, it reminds you the book is up for pre-order on Saturday. Tomorrow’s tease is a look at how the court of Gelgus Pust plays. Also, the footnote clears up the “slug” joke. An annelid is a segmented worm like a leech. So, Gathoblyt is not a slug, and you learned something gross today.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
