Skeleton Horsemen
Skeleton Horsemen are the main Tomb Kings cavalry [3a] but are also on occasion used by Necromancers such as the Lichemaster. [4a]
Their main role on the battlefield is to scout ahead and harass the enemy with their archery, fighting counterpart light cavalry should they be encountered and are often the first element of a Tomb Kings army to engage the enemy. [3a]
History
Cavalry were a late addition to the armies of Nehekhara with horses requiring a lot of water to support ensuring that cavalrymen were a elite element. To be inducted into their ranks, a warrior would need to have slain at least a dozen foes in battle and then they would be drilled by the Master of Horses. Often senior warriors would become part of the council of war of their ruler. [3a]
Horse Archers were originally nomadic tribesmen hired as mercenaries it was Rakaph III of the Second Dynasty who made them a permenent part of his armies granting them the freedom of the great desert in exchange for an oath of service. Other kings quickly followed his example. [3a]
Horse Archers
Likened to the angry desert wind, the horse archers of Nehekhara are relentless, firing devestating volleys of blessed arrows into the foe before wheeling to escape any possible retribution. As the enemy begin to reform, the Horse archers strike again. [3a]
Notable
- Mahrak Longspears: The most famed regiment of Mahrak. [7a]
Unquiet Horsemen
Horsemen were always rare in the ancient kingdoms of the Old World compared to Nehekhara and so few were preserved in the cairns and tombs. [4a]
Weapons and Equipment
Skeletal Horsemen are usually equipped with a spear and heavy shield, crushing the enemy with a sudden charge. This kind of support is entirely different from ranged harassment and it requires a different kind of tactician. Because of this, so-equipped skeletal cavalry is led by a Master of Horses, not a Master of Scouts as Horse Archers are.[3a]
- 2nd Edition: Hand Weapon, Shield. May have Chainmail or Full Plate, Spear. May have Musician, Standard Bearer. [1a]
- 3rd Edition: Death Rider Hand Weapon, Shield. May have Light Armour. One unit may have Bow, Lance, Spear. May have Musician, Standard Bearer. [5a]
- 4th Edition: Skeletal Steed, Sword. May have Bow, Lance, Light Armour, Spear. May have Musician, Standard Bearer. May have Magic Standard. [6a]
- 5th Edition: Skeletal Steed, Hand Weapon. May have Asp Arrows, Bow, Light Armour, Spear. May have Musician, Standard Bearer. May have Magic Standard. May be led by Mummy Champion or Skeleton Champion. [8]
- 6th Edition: Heavy Horsemen: Hand Weapon, Light Armour, Shield, Skeletal Steed, Spear. May have Champion, Musician, Standard Bearer. May have Magic Standard. [2a]
- 6th Edition: Light Horsemen: Bow, Hand Weapon, Skeletal Steed. May have Champion, Musician, Standard Bearer. [2a]
- 6th Edition: Unquiet Horsemen: Hand Weapon, Light Armour, Shield, Spear. May replace Light Armour with Heavy Armour. May replace Spear with Lance. May have Chieftain, Musician, Standard Bearer. [4a]
- 8th Edition: Horse Archers: Bow, Hand Weapon. May have Master of Scouts, Musician, Standard Bearer. [3c]
- 8th Edition: Horsemen: Hand Weapon, Shield, Spear. May have Light Armour. May have Master of Horse, Musician, Standard Bearer. [3c]
Gallery
Miniatures
Sources
- 1: Ravening Hordes (2nd Edition)
- 1a: Undead Army List, pg. 23
- 2: Warhammer Armies: Tomb Kings (6th Edition)
- 2a: Army List, pg. 44-45
- 3: Warhammer Armies: Tomb Kings (8th Edition)
- 4: White Dwarf 311 (UK)
- 4a: Army of the Lichemaster, pg. 98
- 5: Warhammer Armies (3rd Edition)
- 5a: Undead Army List, pg. 121
- 6: Warhammer Armies: Undead (4th Edition)
- 6a: Undead Army List, pg. 83
- 7: Warhammer Nagash, Book I
- 7a: King Tharruk's Army of Mahrak, pg. 255
- 8: White Dwarf 227 (UK), Tomb Kngs of Khemri Army List, pg. 75