Gifts of Nurgle

The following items are added to the main Armoury but can only be selected by models with the Mark of Nurgle. The normal restrictions by category of item stated in the main Armoury section apply. Items marked with * can be used by models in Terminator armour.

Blight Grenades

These are made from the shrunken heads of those killed by Father Nurgle's favourite plagues. Any enemy unit charged by one or more models with blight grenades suffers a -1 to hit modifier in the ensuing close combat round.

Manreaper

This rusted and corrupted blade has been dipped in the filth seeping from the very throne of Nurgle, and in so doing absorbed the essence of one of the Daemons that cavort there.

The Manreaper is a two-handed power weapon in the shape of a scythe. With each sweep the long blade can cut through several enemies. The bearer gets +D6 extra attacks to reflect this. If the Manreaper's wielder directs his attacks at a single enemy model he will receive only one bonus Attack as the weapon is too long and unwieldy to be easily readied for further blows.

Nurgling Infestation

Champions of Nurgle are frequently accompanied by swarms of Nurglings eager to feed off the flakes of dead and diseased flesh they trail behind them. If their host is in close combat the Nurglings will attack fiercely providing their host with an extra D6 Strength 3 attacks at Initiative 3 against enemies in base contact. The Nurglings should be modelled on the host's base and person.

Nurgle's Rot

At the end of the Chaos Shooting phase, any model that is within 6" of at least one model with Nurgle's Rot may be affected by the miasma of disease and pestilence exuding from them. Roll a D6 for each affected model, and on a roll of a 6 it takes a wound. Armour and Invulnerable saves may be taken, but not cover saves. Models with the Mark of Nurgle and all Daemon Packs, Possessed, Daemon Beasts and Greater Daemons are immune.

Errata — Chapter Approved: Codex: Chaos Space Marines Q&A (v3.0): Followers and steeds are essentially wargear, so if their owner has the Mark of Nurgle they are also immune to Nurgle's Rot.

Pandemic Staff

The Pandemic Staff acts as a Vessel for Grandfather Nurgle's favourite contagions when they are carried from the Warp into the real universe. The Pandemic Staff is a normal close combat weapon. Its bearer may use it in the Shooting phase instead of firing another weapon. An enemy unit within 12" can be targeted. Test to hit every model in the target unit on a roll of 4+. Hits are resolved at Strength 3 and normal saving throws apply.

Plague Banner

The Plague Banner is a hideous fabrication of rotting hides which flap in a pestilent wind. Not only can it function like a normal Icon but, in addition, a powerful curse is held in the standard that can be released once per battle in the owner's Shooting phase. Any one enemy unit with a model within 6" of the banner will take D6 wounds just as shooting with no armour or cover saves possible.

Plague Sword

The Plague Sword drips with venomous pus. No armour saves are allowed against its blows and in addition roll a D6 for each model wounded by it but not killed. On a roll of 4+ it will be killed outright no matter how many wounds they have.

Errata — Chapter Approved: Codex: Chaos Space Marines Q&A (v3.0): The Needle of Desire ignores Invulnerable saves but explicitly still allows a normal Armour save, even in the hands of a model with Daemonic Stature (unusual, since Daemonic Stature normally ignores Armour saves in close combat). The Dreadaxe, by contrast, does not mention an Armour save at all — in the hands of a model with Daemonic Stature it ignores both Armour and Invulnerable saves.

The Death Guard

Playing a Death Guard army

If you want to use a pure Death Guard army you must adhere to the following limitations.

• All characters and units must have the Mark of Nurgle. Characters or units that cannot have the Mark cannot be used.
• The only Daemons that can be used are those of Nurgle.
• Vehicles may only be dedicated to Nurgle although they may be undedicated.
• The Death Guard are primarily infantry-based, and lack the specialised Fast Attack choices available to other Chaos forces. As a result, the limited number of Rhinos available to them are dedicated to this role. To reflect this lack in game terms, only two Plague Marine squads with Rhinos may be counted as Troops choices; all others are counted as Fast Attack choices instead.
• Favoured Daemon Packs may add +1 to their Summoning roll.
• Any favoured unit allowed Aspiring Champions may upgrade one model to an Aspiring Champion for free.