Ravening Hordes is a complete set of army lists that allows veteran Warhammer players to convert their existing armies into a suitable format for the new version of the Warhammer game. Ravening Hordes is not a permanent addition to the Warhammer range - the idea is to enable players to get by until such time as the new Warhammer Armies supplements are ready. Players should be aware that the new Warhammer Armies supplements will supercede and to some degree change the temporary information given in Ravening Hordes - we don't know quite how as we haven't written them all yet! As the idea behind Ravening Hordes is to enable existing players to 'get by' we call this a set of 'get you by' army lists. If you are a new player you might find these lists interesting as an insight into the armies we will be revising in the future. However - bear in mind that not all of the troop types described are currently available and some will change when the new Warhammer Armies books come out. We recommend that new players consider collecting one of the new armies described in the new Warhammer Armies supplements and for which all the redesigned models are available. The Empire and Orc & Goblin supplements will be made available very soon after the Warhammer game and further volumes will be added every few months. We've prepared these lists because we are all Warhammer players who own large armies - some of which contain models collected over many years of gaming. Just like everyone else we want to be able to continue to use our existing armies right now - so Ravening Hordes has been created to enable us to do just that. Of course, that won't stop us collecting new armies of new models or adding to our existing armies. Ultimately, however, we know that some old troops may have to be retired for most purposes because they don't quite 'fit in' with the new rules. As yet we don't know exactly what things are going to change - we've still got many hard hours of playing and testing to go yet... well someone has to do it! As a final note... YES the new Warhammer Armies books will be an appropriate size for the subject matter and will contain background information comparable to the old versions. All the armies in this book use the same system for selecting forces for battle. This is explained below and is different from the old rules. The army list is divided into four sections.
Characters represent the most able, brutal and successful individuals in your army: extraordinary leaders such as heroes and wizards. Those form a vital and potent part of your forces. Core Troops represent the most common types of warriors in the army. They usually form the bulk of the army and will often bear the brunt of the fighting. Special Troops are the best of your warriors and some of the more common engines of war. They are available to your army in limited numbers. Rare Troops are so called because they are scarce compared to your ordinary troops. They represent unique units, uncommon creatures and unusual machines. Both players choose armies to the same agreed points value Most players find that 2,000 points is about right for a battle that will last an evening. Whatever value you agree, this is the maximum number of points you can spend on your army You can spend less and will probably find it is impossible to use up every last point. Most 2,000 point armies will therefore be something like 1,998 or 1,999 points, but they still count as '2,000' point armies for our purposes. Characters are divided into two broad categories: Lords (the most powerful characters) and Heroes (the rest). The maximum number of characters an army can include is shown on the chart below. This table applies to all armies except the Bretonnians who have their own version at the start of their list
IMPORTANT: The number of characters is the total number of characters allowed in the army including Lords. For example: a 2,500 point Dwarf army may have up to 4 characters in total, of which 1 may be a Lord (ie 1 Lord +3 Heroos). An army does not have to include the maximum number of characters allowed, and can always include fewer than indicated down to a minimum of one (the General). Similarly, an army does not have to include Lords, it can include all of its characters as Heroes if you prefer. At the beginning of the battle choose one of the characters in your army to be the General and tell your opponent which one it is. Your General will always be the character with the highest Ld in your army. However, as there can obviously only be one General in each army, you will have to choose who to elect if two or more of your characters tie for highest Ld. Characters are sometimes allowed to ride on the backs of monsters or in chariots. Each character must be given their own chariot or mount. They will not all cram onto one! Characters (except daemons) may choose magic items from the common ones listed in the rulebook or the ones at the end of their army list. Note that you cannot take magic items from other army lists. Lords may have up to 100 points worth of magic items. Other characters may have up to 50 points worth of magic items. Units that can take magic banners are listed at the beginning of each army.
Troops are divided into Core, Special and Rare units. The number of units of each type that are available to you depends upon the points value of your army. This is indicated on the chart below.
For example, if you are choosing a 2,000 point army you must take a minimum of 3 Core units and could choose to take up to 4 Special and/or up to 2 Rare. In addition, if an individual entry has a number limiting it eg 0-1, then you may only have that many in your army. Otherwise you may have as many as the restrictions above, and points allow. Very occasionally you may take several units as a single option. Eg you can take up to 2 Goblin Wolf Chariots as a single Special choice. You may only take 1 Ore Boar Chariot for the same Special choice. Each unit is represented by an entry in the Army List. The unit's name is given and any limitations that apply are explained. Profiles: The characteristic profiles for the troops in each unit are given in the unit entry. Where several profiles are required these are also given even if, as in many cases, they are optional. Unit Sizes: Each entry specifies the minimum size for each unit. In some cases units also have a maximum size. Equipment: Each entry lists the standard weapons and armour for that unit type. The value of these items is included in the points value. Additional or optional weapons and armour are listed together with their extra cost. Special rules: Many troops have special rules which are described in this section. Mercenaries are troops of other races who are prepared to fight under your flag in return for money, food, or some other suitable reward. You may always choose to take regiments of mercenaries in your army. Count each mercenary regiment as a Rare choice. Rules for mercenary regiments will be included in White Dwarf magazine. The old army lists include a selection of 'special characters', each with their own unique special rules and items. A quick glance at these sections will explain very simply why they are not included on the following pages: space. At a conservative estimate they would double the size of this volume, and as most of the players we have talked to and seen at clubs across the world use the splendid models we make for them simply as generals or wizards, we thought that this was the best solution until we have the time to reprint them.
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