We are the Soulblight Gravelords, the eternal undead, bound by blood and shadow. Once, we were noble lords and ladies, but now we rise as vampires and their loyal thralls, driven by an insatiable thirst for power and dominion. Under the command of our master, the Great Nagash, we seek to reclaim what was lost and spread our dark influence across the realms. With our legions of skeletal warriors, ferocious Blood Knights, and thralls, we strike fear into the hearts of the living.
Who Are the Soulblight Gravelords?
The Soulblight Gravelords are a dark and formidable faction in the Age of Sigmar, representing the undead legions of vampires and their thralls.
Once noble aristocrats, they have been cursed to eternal undeath, driven by a thirst for blood and power. Led by powerful vampire lords, the Soulblight Gravelords command a diverse array of units, including skeletal warriors, ghastly zombies, and fearsome Blood Knights.
Bound by loyalty to their masters and the Great Nagash, they seek to reclaim their lost dominion and spread terror across the realms.
With a unique blend of magic and melee prowess, they embody the dark allure of immortality.
What Are the Soulblight Gravelords Army Strengths?
The Soulblight Gravelords army excels in versatility and durability, combining powerful melee combatants with strong magical capabilities.
Units like Blood Knights and Grave Guard provide formidable frontline options, while Vampire Lords and Necromancers enhance the army’s effectiveness through spellcasting and resurrection abilities.
This allows the Gravelords to maintain pressure on opponents by replenishing their ranks and controlling the battlefield.
However, they also have weaknesses. Many units can be relatively fragile compared to other factions, making them susceptible to concentrated fire and high-damage attacks.
Additionally, the reliance on leadership and synergy can lead to vulnerabilities if key characters are removed, requiring careful positioning and strategic planning to mitigate these challenges effectively.
Where Should Beginners Start?
If you’re starting your collection of Soulblight Gravelords as a beginner, consider these key models:
- Vampire Lord: This character serves as a powerful leader, providing buffs to your units and enhancing your magical capabilities, making it an essential addition for strategic play.
- Grave Guard: These elite infantry units are durable and skilled in melee combat, making them a strong backbone for your army.
- Blood Knights: These fearsome cavalry units add mobility and striking power, capable of charging into enemy lines and dealing significant damage.
- Deathrattle Skeletons: These basic infantry units are numerous and can hold objectives while being resurrected through your characters’ abilities, ensuring your army remains strong throughout the battle.
How To Paint Soulblight Gravelords
Here are some painting tips for new Soulblight Gravelords players:
Color Scheme Ideas
- Classic Gothic Vampires: Start with a base coat of dark purple or crimson for the robes and clothing of your vampires. Highlight with lighter shades, like lavender or bright red, to add depth. For skin, use a pale flesh tone, highlighting with whites or light pinks to create a ghostly look. Use metallic gold or silver for armor and weapons, applying a wash to bring out details. Finish with blood-red accents on swords or capes for a dramatic effect.
- Ethereal Undead: Use a base coat of pale gray or bone-white for skeletons, highlighting with lighter tones to emphasize the texture. For armor, paint in a muted metallic color, like tarnished silver, and apply a wash of dark gray to create depth. For a spectral effect, use a light blue or green wash over the bones, giving them an eerie glow. Add details like glowing eyes or runes in bright colors for a haunting touch.
- Dark Courtly Elegance: Begin with a base coat of deep blue or black for the robes, highlighting with lighter shades of blue or silver. Paint skin in a pale tone, emphasizing the contrast with darker clothing. Use rich colors like gold or crimson for accessories and jewelry, applying washes to enhance depth. For details, use bright colors for glowing eyes or magical effects, adding a sense of power and mystique to your vampires.
Painting Techniques
- Base Coating: Start with a solid base coat in dark colors like deep purples, blacks, or muted reds for clothing and armor. For skin, use pale flesh tones or grays to create an undead look. A strong base coat sets the foundation for layering and helps subsequent colors appear vibrant and true to their intended shades.
- Drybrushing: This technique is excellent for highlighting textures on armor, clothing, and bones. Use a lighter shade of your base color to drybrush over raised areas, such as the edges of armor or the contours of skeletal forms. This adds depth and enhances the intricate details, giving your miniatures a more dynamic and visually striking appearance.
- Washes: Applying washes is crucial for adding depth and shadow to your models. Use dark washes like Nuln Oil or dark brown to emphasize the recesses in armor, clothing, and bones. This technique enhances the grimy, weathered look of the Soulblight Gravelords, making them appear more realistic and imposing while also highlighting intricate details.
- Edge Highlighting: Use edge highlighting to emphasize the details on armor, weapons, and the edges of clothing. Apply a lighter color along these edges to create stark contrasts that draw the eye. This technique adds definition and a polished look, enhancing the overall aesthetic of your Soulblight Gravelords while maintaining their dark elegance.
- Contrast Paints: These paints are ideal for achieving quick, vivid results. Use contrast paints for larger areas, such as robes or skin, to take advantage of their self-shading properties. This allows for depth without extensive layering, making it easier for beginners to achieve impressive results while capturing the essence of the Soulblight Gravelords.
