SOULBLIGHT GRAVELORDS / NIGHTHAUNT / FLESH EATER COURTS

The Vampire Counts are a fictional faction in the Warhammer Fantasy Battle tabletop wargame and the wider Warhammer Fantasy world. They are a group of undead rulers who are led by powerful vampire lords and countesses, and who command hordes of shambling skeletons and zombies, as well as other monstrous creatures.

In the lore of the Warhammer world, the Vampire Counts are the descendants of the ancient vampire lord, Nagash. They are known for their mastery of dark magic and their ability to raise the dead, turning them into loyal minions who obey their every command. The Vampire Counts seek to expand their power and influence by conquering and subjugating neighboring kingdoms, as well as by recruiting new members to their undead ranks.

In the Warhammer Fantasy tabletop wargame, the Vampire Counts have a unique playstyle that emphasizes their undead nature and their mastery of dark magic. Here are some of the key elements of their playstyle:

1.Undead troops: The Vampire Counts rely on undead units such as skeletons, zombies, and ghosts as their main infantry. These units are slow and lack maneuverability, but they are also resilient and can be raised from the dead, making them a cheap and expendable resource.

2.Powerful characters: The Vampire Counts have access to powerful vampire lords and heroes, who are deadly in combat and can use magic to devastating effect. These characters are often mounted on monstrous beasts such as dragons or undead horses, and they can lead their armies from the front.

3.Dark magic: The Vampire Counts have access to a wide range of dark spells that can weaken their enemies, raise the dead, and heal their own troops. They can also summon undead monsters to the battlefield, such as giant bats and dire wolves.

4.Fear and terror: The Vampire Counts can instill fear and terror in their enemies, making them more likely to break and run away from combat. This can be a powerful psychological tool, as it can allow the Vampire Counts to rout entire armies with a well-timed charge.

Overall, the Vampire Counts playstyle is focused on overwhelming their opponents with a horde of undead minions, supported by powerful characters and dark magic. While they lack the speed and agility of other factions, they make up for it with their resilience and sheer numbers.

If you're interested in getting started with the Vampire Counts in the Warhammer Fantasy tabletop wargame, here are some tips to help you get started:

1.Choose a starter army: The Vampire Counts have a wide range of units to choose from, but it can be overwhelming to try to collect them all at once. To get started, consider picking up a starter army box, which will give you a good mix of units to begin with. For example, the "Start Collecting! Skeleton Horde" box includes 20 skeletons, 10 ghouls, a wight king, and a Mortarch of Night.

2.Build and paint your models: Once you have your starter army, it's time to start building and painting your models. Take your time and enjoy the process, as this is a big part of the hobby. There are many tutorials and resources available online to help you learn the basics of modeling and painting, so don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

3.Learn the rules: The Warhammer Fantasy rules can be complex, so it's important to take your time and learn them step-by-step. Start by reading through the basic rules, and then move on to the Vampire Counts army book, which will give you more specific information about your army's units, abilities, and tactics.

4.Play some games: Once you feel comfortable with the rules, it's time to start playing some games! Find some other players in your area or at your local gaming store, and start practicing. You can also play solo games against yourself to practice different strategies and tactics.

5.Expand your army: As you play more games and get more comfortable with the Vampire Counts, you can start expanding your army by adding new units and characters. Consider picking up a new box of models every few weeks or months, and slowly build up your army over time.

Overall, getting started with the Vampire Counts can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it's important to take your time and enjoy the process. With practice and patience, you'll soon be commanding your undead hordes to victory on the tabletop!

The Vampire Counts faction in Warhammer Fantasy has many iconic characters, but here are some of the most popular ones:

1.Vlad von Carstein: Vlad von Carstein is one of the most famous and feared vampire lords in the Warhammer world. He is known for his cunning and ruthlessness, as well as his mastery of dark magic. Vlad is a powerful melee combatant, and he is often mounted on a monstrous undead dragon.

2.Mannfred von Carstein: Mannfred von Carstein is another famous vampire lord, and he is known for his scheming and ambition. Mannfred is a master of necromancy, and he is often accompanied by a horde of undead minions. He is also a skilled melee combatant, and he is capable of dealing out devastating damage in close combat.

3.Konrad von Carstein: Konrad von Carstein is the maddest of the von Carstein vampire lords, and he is known for his unpredictable and violent behavior. Konrad is a fearsome melee combatant, and he is often seen wielding two swords at once. He is also highly resistant to damage, making him a tough opponent to take down.

4.Heinrich Kemmler: Heinrich Kemmler is a powerful necromancer and a former pupil of the infamous Nagash. He is known for his ability to summon and control undead armies, and he is often accompanied by a horde of skeletons and zombies. Kemmler is not as skilled in close combat as some of the other vampire lords, but his mastery of magic makes him a deadly opponent.

5.Isabella von Carstein: Isabella von Carstein is the wife of Vlad von Carstein, and she is known for her beauty and her ferocity in battle. Isabella is a skilled melee combatant, and she is often mounted on a monstrous undead horse. She is also a master of dark magic, and she can use her spells to heal her own troops and weaken her enemies.

Overall, the von Carstein family is one of the most famous and iconic groups of characters in the Warhammer world, and they are often associated with the Vampire Counts faction.

The Vampire Counts army in Warhammer Fantasy typically has a dark and gothic aesthetic, with a lot of black, red, and bone-white colors. Here are some common paint schemes and techniques used by Vampire Counts players:

1.Black and Red: One of the most common color schemes for Vampire Counts is black and red. This can be achieved by painting most of the model black, and then adding red highlights on certain areas such as the robes, capes, or armor. You can also use a red wash to create shadows and depth on the black areas.

2.Bone and Decay: Another common theme for Vampire Counts is the use of bone and decay colors, as these are often associated with undead and zombies. To achieve this effect, paint the armor or clothing a bone-white color, and then add washes of green or brown to create the appearance of decay and rot.

3.Blood Splatter: Because the Vampire Counts are a faction of undead creatures that thrive on blood, many players like to add blood splatter effects to their models. This can be done by using a red paint and a toothbrush to create a splatter effect on the models.

4.Dark Metals: To add some variation to the color scheme, you can also paint some areas of the models with dark metallic colors such as black, gunmetal, or dark bronze. This works particularly well on weapons and armor, as it creates a contrast with the darker colors of the clothing and skin.

5.OSL (Object Source Lighting): Many Vampire Counts players like to use OSL techniques to create the appearance of glowing eyes, magical effects, or other supernatural elements. This involves painting the surrounding areas of a light source a darker color, and then painting the light source itself with a bright color to create the illusion of light emitting from the model.

Overall, there are many different paint schemes and techniques that can be used to paint Vampire Counts models, but these are some of the most common and iconic.