For the sake of convenience, we distinguish between the types of magic item in the following way

By which we mean most commonly swords but also in some cases, axes, maces, spears, bows, crossbows, etc

A character who has a magic close combat weapon cannot use other close combat weapons - he cannot have a magic sword in one hand and an ordinary sword in the other, for example. You can carry a shield with a magical weapon. No character can carry more than one magic weapon. Magic weapons always ignore any special rules that apply to an ordinary weapon of the same type. All the rules that apply are covered in the description of the weapon.

A character who is not allowed to wear ordinary armour cannot be given magic armour. This includes many kinds of Wizard whose natural magical harmony would be seriously affected by armour. Therefore, Wizards cannot wear magic armour unless specifically mentioned in the description of the item.

If a character wears magical armour, he cannot also wear ordinary armour and, needless to say, he can only wear one set of armour. Magical shields are also counted as magical armour, so you cannot have a suit of magical armour and carry a magical shield unless specifically stated in the description of the magic item.

If a model has a magic shield he is allowed to wear a suit of normal armour. If the model is wearing a suit of magic armour he is allowed to carry a normal shield.

Arcane items are items which enhance a Wizard's magical powers in some fashion. Only a Wizard can carry an Arcane item and no character can carry more than one.

Scrolls are a type of Arcane item which contain powerful enchantments that enable Wizards to manipulate the power of magic. They are useful aids to spell casting and to resisting an enemy's spell. Only a Wizard can carry a scroll but, unlike other Arcane items, there is no limit on the number of scrolls a Wizard can carry, other than the total value of magic items he is permitted. Wizards can have one Arcane item as well as carry several scrolls.

As they are expendable items once a scroll is read, it crumbles to dust or its writing fades to nothing. A scroll can therefore only be used once during a whole battle.

Talismans, charms, amulets and wards are tokens of magical protection. A character cannot have more than one talisman.

Magical banners can only be carried by Standard Bearers as indicated in the army lists in the Warhammer Army book for each army. The only character permitted to carry a magic standard is the army's Battle Standard Bearer, and he can carry only one magical banner.

Many magic items are unique or belong to limited categories, such as rings. These items are Enchanted items. No general restrictions apply to these, though particular restrictions may apply to individual items. A character cannot have more than one Enchanted item

Some magic items have spells that are wrought into their very fabric that can be unleashed by their wielder during the Magic phase. Possessing a Bound Spell item does not make a character a Wizard for the purposes of the rules.

The spell held in a magic item is cast in the player's Magic phase just like other spells, and can be countered in the same way as ordinary spells. Spells cast by magic items succeed automatically - no Power dice are needed.

A spell from a Bound Spell item can be cast once per Magic phase. A character cannot have more than one Bound Spell item. Each Bound Spell item has a Power level included in its description. An opponent must score equal to or greater than this to dispel the spell.