In the Old World there are many dark powers that plague the existance of right-thinking folk, and one of the most feared and inimical are the lords of darkness, princes of blood, masters of the night; in other words das Vampire. Most folk buy garlic, lock their doors at night, and trust in their gods to save them from a neck-piercing doom at the hands of the hollow-toothed ones. Should a person be taken, their kith and kin mourn their loss and pray harder, helpless against the blight.

For some this is not sufficient nor exceptible. Nothing short of destruction of the souless blood-thirsty fiends will satisfy their hatred and anger. Many have lost family or friends to the fangs and claws of the depraved nightlords. Others have narrowly survived death themselves. Some are even half-breeds of sorts, poisoned in the womb by vampiric blood. These men arm themselves with weapons and gird themselves with hate; armored by their resolve and the best armor money can buy they seek out the evil masters of the night, to find their lairs and drive wooden stakes deep into their once-beating hearts. Such men are called Vampire Slayers, and their arrival to a place is both a blessing for the residents and a curse as it is confirmation of the presence of a Vampire.

Some Vampire Slayers work alone, others in pairs, and still others in groups. Some of these Vampire Slayers have found their way to Mordheim. They seek the scions and servants of the von Carsteins. They have managed to wrangle sufficient information out of captured Vampires and their detestible servants before killing them to know that the heads of the von Carsteins desire the strange stones scattered about the ruins of the so-called city of the damned. Therefore they collect it as they go about their efficient business of tracking and slaying the leeches that walk like men to deny the von Carsteins their desired rewards.

Starting Funds

The warband starts with 500 gc to spend as it wishes following unit numbers and weapons restrictions.

Choice of Warriors

A Vampire Slayers band must include a minimum of 3 models, and can have a maximum of 12 models including 5 Heros and 1 leader. A starting warband must be lead by a Master Slayer, but should he be killed they may not acquire another; a new leader will step forth from amongst the members of the band.

Hirelings & Dramatis Personae

The following Hired Swords will work for the Vampire Slayers:

• Pit-Fighter
• Dwarf Trollslayer
• Freelancer
• Halfling Scout
• Elf Ranger
• Ogre

Heroes

Henchmen

Equipment

Special Equipment Rule: Crossbows\Crossbow Pistols: Vampire Slayers may launch bolts without metal tips from these weapons. Such Bolts are treated exactly as normal bolts using all applicable rules of each weapon, but grant a +1 Save to the target. If used against a Vampire such bolts are +1 on the Injury chart. Any hero equipped with either weapon may choose to fire either normal bolts or tipless bolts but must declare which are being used before rolling to hit.

Starting Experience

Special Skills

Most Vampire Slayer Heroes have access to the Vampire Slayer skill list.

Spells

The Priest of Morr has access to the Prayers of Morr Spell list.

Heroes

Henchmen

Playing a Vampire Slayers Force

A Vampire Slayers band has several obvious advantages. The primary reason to play the Vampire Slayers  rather than, say, the very similar Witch Hunters is for their dark flavor and specific focus on the destruction of Vampires and all who associate with them. They are a very dangerous but small force, with several excellent options.

Pros of the Vampire Slayers Force

1. Excellent range of equipment choices.

2. Largely unaffected by Fear caused by Undead.

3. A rostered Priest of Morr.

4. The Vampyre.

5. Good mix of HtH and Ranged.

6. Excellent range of Hired Swords available.

Cons of the Vampire Slayers Force

1. Few in number.

2. Limited number of Henchmen types.

3. Very focused application.

The Method behind the Madness

I think the Vampire Slayers  represent a very dark and brooding force, with a very gritty feel to it. To counteract the drabness of the bulk of the Henchmen, the Heros have excellent variety and skill options. They play out a little differently than most of the forces, and provide an interesting challenge both to players and modelers. I personally would recommend a mix of Witch Hunters miniatures and plastic Mercenaries from the Mordheim sprues. The force is based off of the Witch Hunter model, but has sufficient variation to be interesting. Let me know what you think....

Special Thanx go to Boss Umguk. His creation of the Vampyre sparked the concept.