Soulblight Gravelords (Warhammer Age of Sigmar)

Soulblight Gravelords are the vampire-led undead army of Warhammer Age of Sigmar. They suit players who like a gothic look, a mix of cheap rank-and-file undead and characterful elite models, and a collection that can grow from a single hero into a full horde. A good first purchase is a vampire hero, one troop box and the Death Battletome: Soulblight Gravelords.

What are Soulblight Gravelords?

Soulblight Gravelords are the vampiric nobility of the Mortal Realms, ruling over armies of skeletons, zombies, ghouls and monstrous beasts. They sit within the wider Death grand alliance, and their roots lie in the realm of Shyish, the realm of death. Think of aristocratic predators commanding the dead rather than a single unified empire: each vampire lord or dynasty has its own character, which is part of the army's appeal.

If you are new to the game itself, start with our Warhammer Age of Sigmar guide, or the broader Warhammer buying guide for an overview of the whole hobby.

How do Soulblight Gravelords play?

The army tends to reward players who enjoy numbers and momentum. Cheap infantry hold the middle of the table, while heroes, cavalry and big monsters hit where it matters. Vampire and necromancer characters are central to the way the army fights, so choosing your leaders is the most important early decision.

It is a forgiving faction to assemble gradually. You can begin with a handful of models, add units as you learn what you enjoy, and still have a coherent army at every stage. For specific abilities and options, always read the current battletome rather than relying on summaries.

Where should a beginner start with Soulblight Gravelords?

The simplest route is three purchases: a leader, a core troop unit and the rules book.

1. A leader. The Vampire Lord miniature kit is the classic centrepiece for the faction, and a satisfying model to build and paint first.
2. A core unit. Deathrattle Skeletons are the traditional backbone of an undead army and an excellent introduction to painting in bulk.
3. The rules. The Soulblight Gravelords battletome explains how the army fits together and gives you ideas for what to buy next.

If you prefer a themed starting point, Blades of the Hollow King is worth a look; check the product page for exactly what it contains before buying.

Which Soulblight Gravelords kits are worth knowing?

Heroes and characters

Characters give the army its personality, and many players build around one favourite.

• The Vampire Lord on Nightmare Steed is a mounted take on the vampire noble, good for a more aggressive, cavalry-flavoured list.
• The Wight King leads the more martial, skeletal side of the army.
• The Necromancer is the spellcasting support hero, handy for raising and directing the dead.
• Radukar the Beast and Sekhar, Fang of Nulahmia are named characters with strong individual identities, popular with collectors who like a distinctive centrepiece.
• Lauka Vai, Mother of Nightmares brings a different, more sinister flavour to the vampire courts.
• Prince Vhordrai is the large showpiece: a vampire lord on a monstrous undead dragon, and a rewarding painting project.

Infantry and core units

• Deathrattle Skeletons provide cheap, characterful bodies for the front line.
• Deadwalker Zombies are the classic shambling horde, ideal for players who enjoy painting large groups with a simple scheme.
• Barrow Guard are the armoured elite infantry, a step up in presence from the rank and file.

Cavalry, beasts and fliers

• Blood Knights are the vampiric heavy cavalry, striking models that suit the gothic knightly theme.
• Barrow Knights are the undead cavalry counterpart, bringing mounted force to the skeletal side of the army.
• Dire Wolves add fast, animalistic support and are quick to assemble.
• Fell Bats bring winged, swooping variety to the table.

Manifestations

The Soulblight Gravelords manifestations are summoned models that spellcasters can call into the battle. They are a nice way to add atmosphere and variety once your core units are done.

How do you paint Soulblight Gravelords?

The faction is forgiving for newcomers. Bone-coloured skeletons, pallid vampire skin and dark armour can all be achieved with a basecoat, a wash and a drybrush or two. Large units of skeletons and zombies are a good place to practise a repeatable method rather than aiming for perfection on every model.

A few ideas to unify an army:

• Choose one accent colour, such as a deep red or a cold blue, and repeat it on cloaks, banners and gems across every unit.
• Treat bone, cloth and metal as separate steps so each unit can be batch painted.
• Save your best, most detailed work for the heroes and large monsters.

If you have not painted before, read how to start painting Warhammer miniatures, then use the Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints guide to choose your first paints, washes and brushes.

Which books should you read?

The Death Battletome: Soulblight Gravelords is the main reference for your army: it covers the faction's background, the models available and how to build a force. It is also a good source of painting inspiration.

If you want the story behind the vampire courts, The Dead Kingdom is a paperback novel set in this part of the setting. It is not needed to play, but it helps the models feel more connected to the world.

Rules are updated from time to time, so check that you are using current documents for the game you play.

Soulblight Gravelords FAQ

Are Soulblight Gravelords good for beginners?

Yes, for most people. The core units are straightforward to build and paint, and the army can be collected in small steps. The main challenge is choosing which vampire or necromancer to build around, which is a pleasant problem to have.

What is the best first model for Soulblight Gravelords?

A vampire hero such as the Vampire Lord is a strong first buy because it sets the tone for the army. Pair it with a box of Deathrattle Skeletons and you have a leader and a unit to learn on.

Do I need the battletome to play?

To use the army properly, yes, the battletome is the reference you will want. It is also useful for planning purchases, since it shows what the faction offers before you spend.

Can I mix skeletons, zombies and vampires in one army?

Yes. That mix is exactly what the faction is built around: vampire leaders commanding undead troops and beasts. Mixing also makes it easier to spread your painting effort across different types of model.

How do Soulblight Gravelords compare with other Age of Sigmar armies?

They lean towards gothic horror and large undead formations, where armies such as Stormcast Eternals are celestial, heroic warriors. If you like the idea of a swarm, the Skaven offer a very different take on it. Comparing a few factions before committing is time well spent.

Related guides

• Warhammer at Universe TCG: the complete buying guide
• Warhammer Age of Sigmar
• Stormcast Eternals (Warhammer Age of Sigmar)
• Sylvaneth (Warhammer Age of Sigmar)
• Cities Of Sigmar (Warhammer Age of Sigmar)
• Slaves To Darkness (Warhammer Age of Sigmar)
• Skaven (Warhammer Age of Sigmar)
• Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints: the complete guide
• How to start painting Warhammer miniatures