WFB: Terrorgheist Review
Yes, it has been a while since we last spoke, but I’ve been dead the last few months and only the new Vampire Counts models can awaken me! In the coming weeks we’ll be talking more about those lovable deadbeats the Vampire Counts and how these new models affect us. But, for now, let us get right into the meat of this White Dwarf update, the Terrorgheist!
The Beastie…
… It reeks of ammonia and mildew. … It is gargantuan and dead. Black skin slides loosely from ragged holes torn in its body. A skeletal frame emerges from most of its surface. He tries to stand but suddenly a siren stops him. Like ten thousand screaming crows, the noise is the last thing he ever hears. Blood runs from his ears and eyes as both burst. In agony and nausea he collapses. But not dead. … With a heavy gust of wind, the monster takes to the air, scoops him up in its clawed feet, and disappears into the night.
Cost – Well we can’t tell you that, but he’s not overly expensive, let us just say he is more than a Varghulf but less than a unit of Blood Knights.
M6 WS3 BS0 S5 T6 W6 I3 A4 Ld 4
Special Rules: Terror, Fly, Undead, Large Target, Regenerate (6+), Death Shriek,
Death Shriek –
A Death Shriek is a special attack that can be used against a single unit in the Shooting phase, even if the Terrorgheist has marched, charged, or is engaged in close combat. This attack has a range of 8″ and needs line of sight to its target. If the Terrorgheist is engaged in combat, its Death Shriek may target a unit in base contact.
To resolve a Death Shriek, roll 2D6 and add the number of Wounds the Terrorgheist has left. For each point by which this score exceeds the target unit’s Leadership, the target suffers 1 wound with no armor saves allowed. A Death Shriek is a magical attack and wounds suffered from it are distributed as if from shooting.
Upgrades –
Infested: When the Terrorgheist dies, he immediately makes 3d6 Strength 2 hits to all units in base contact.
Rancid Maw: Gives the model poison attacks, but doesn’t include thunderstomp.
Death Shriek is pretty fantastic, couple this with flying and you can easily swing up to an enemy unit and lay into them pretty effectively. Even if you charge you get this attack in the shooting phase, giving you a chance to soften up the enemy before any attacks take place. This ability ignores armor saves and can max out at 2D6 + 6 versus leadership. To me, this looks like the perfect knight killing machine. This is perhaps the best part of the monster. His straight up attack profile isn’t great for his cost, but add this ability and he is well worth his points. The best part is that, unlike the Zombie Dragon, he doesn’t have to be taken as a mount. Instead, you can have him in your rare selection giving him a much added boost of functionality.
Usefulness-
So where does this beast fit in our army? It’s best to compare him to the rare choices that are most similar. Because he flies he fits in with the flank charging role that the Blood Knights and Varghulf share. The Terrorgheist certainly has enough killing power to be classed with his competition but he lacks the survivability they have as well. So what are getting for the extra points he costs? Well the answer is clear; it’s his special ability Death Shriek that is what makes him worth taking. But, it’s not just because of how lethal it is. No, the true power it has is in when it is used. Death Shriek is used in the shooting phase, which as we all know occurs before the combat phase. This is huge for our army. Death Shriek is a devastating attack that we get to make before combat even begins. We now have a serious edge over other powerful units that almost always strike before we do. The essence of Vampire Counts is winning through attrition. With next to no armor to really speak of, we only win when we have too much for our enemies to kill. But being able to deal a massive blow before combat leaves us with more bodies for combat and not just using them as ablative wounds.
