We are the Nighthaunt, the restless spirits bound by sorrow and anguish, forever wandering the realms of the living.
Once, we were flesh and blood, but now we are shadows, driven by the weight of our torment and the call of vengeance. Cloaked in ethereal robes, we glide silently through the night, spreading fear and despair wherever we roam.
Our haunting wails echo through the darkness, and our spectral forms strike terror into the hearts of those who dare to defy us.
Who Are the Nighthaunt?
The Nighthaunt are a haunting faction in the Age of Sigmar, representing the restless spirits of the deceased who have been bound to the realms by grief, vengeance, and sorrow.
Once living beings, they now exist as ethereal wraiths, shrouded in tattered robes and emanating an aura of dread.
Led by powerful entities like the Guardian of Souls and the Dreadscythe Harrow, their ranks include a variety of spectral units such as Chainrasps, Grimghast Reapers, and Spirit Hosts.
The Nighthaunt thrive on fear, seeking to enact revenge on the living and reclaim what was lost, embodying the eternal struggle between life and death.
What Are the Nighthaunt Army Strengths?
The Nighthaunt army excels in mobility and psychological warfare, utilizing their ability to move through terrain and bypass obstacles to strike at vulnerable targets.
Their units, such as Chainrasps and Dreadscythe Harrow, can inflict significant morale damage on opponents, causing them to falter in battle.
Many Nighthaunt units are difficult to kill, with abilities that allow them to ignore wounds or phase out of combat, making them resilient against damage.
However, they also have weaknesses. Many units lack heavy armor and can be vulnerable to concentrated fire from ranged attacks.
Additionally, their reliance on fear and disruption means they can struggle against more disciplined, high-morale armies that resist psychological effects, requiring careful positioning and strategic planning to mitigate these challenges.
Where Should Beginners Start?
If you’re starting your collection of Nighthaunt as a beginner, consider these key models:
- Chainrasps: These are your basic infantry units and can form the backbone of your army. They are numerous and effective at holding objectives while being tough to remove from the battlefield.
- Dreadscythe Harrow: This character adds powerful melee capabilities and can provide buffs to your Chainrasps, enhancing their effectiveness in combat.
- Grimghast Reapers: These elite infantry units excel in close combat and can deal significant damage while remaining resilient.
- Spirit Hosts: These ethereal units are great for disrupting enemy plans and drawing fire away from your more valuable units, thanks to their ability to ignore wounds.
How To Paint Nighthaunt?
Here are some painting tips for new Nighthaunt players:
Color Scheme Ideas
- Ghostly Ethereal: Start with a base coat of pale grey or off-white for the skin and robes to create a ghostly appearance. Highlight with lighter shades or a very light blue to enhance the ethereal effect. Use washes of light blue or green to accentuate the recesses, giving depth and a spectral glow. For accents, paint details like weapons and chains in metallic silver, adding a wash for a weathered look, and finish with a glossy varnish to emphasize their otherworldly nature.
- Haunting Shadows: Use a base coat of dark purple or deep blue for the robes to evoke a more sinister haunting vibe. Highlight with lighter shades of purple or blue to create depth and texture. Apply a wash of black or dark blue to enhance shadows and add a grimy, ethereal effect. Paint the skin in a pale green or grey, highlighting with lighter shades for a ghostly glow. Use bright colors for accents, like glowing eyes or details on weapons, to create striking contrasts.
- Regal Spirits: Begin with a base coat of dark green or deep burgundy for the robes, giving a regal yet eerie appearance. Highlight with lighter shades of green or red to emphasize folds and details. Use washes of black or brown to deepen the shadows and create a more dramatic look. For the skin, use a pale flesh tone, highlighted with white or light grey. Add gold or silver accents to armor and jewelry for a touch of elegance, finishing with a matte varnish to keep the overall look ghostly.
Painting Techniques
- Base Coating: Start with a solid base coat using pale colors like greys, whites, or muted blues to establish the spectral look of your Nighthaunt. This foundational layer sets the tone for your miniatures, ensuring vibrant coverage and smooth application for subsequent techniques.
- Drybrushing: Use drybrushing to enhance the ghostly textures on robes and skin. Apply a lighter shade of your base color over raised areas, such as the edges of clothing and contours of the face. This technique creates a soft, ethereal glow that highlights the intricate details of the miniatures.
- Washes: Applying washes is crucial for adding depth and shadow to your models. Use dark washes like Nuln Oil or a blue-green wash to accentuate the recesses in robes and armor. This technique emphasizes the eerie, haunting aspects of the Nighthaunt and adds a sense of realism to the spectral forms.
- Edge Highlighting: Use edge highlighting to draw attention to the sharp details on armor, weapons, and the edges of clothing. Apply a lighter color along these edges to create stark contrasts that enhance the overall definition of the model. This technique adds a polished look while emphasizing the ghostly nature of the Nighthaunt.
- Contrast Paints: These paints are perfect for achieving quick, vivid results. Use contrast paints to cover larger areas, such as the robes or skin, taking advantage of their self-shading properties. This allows you to create depth without extensive layering, making it easier for beginners to achieve impressive results while capturing the essence of the Nighthaunt.
