Empire Greatsword

Averlander Greatsword of the Empire.

Greatswords are elite infantry troops of Imperial armies. They are the bodyguard of Elector Counts and other Empire Generals. Greatswords are named for their great swords (massive two-handed swords) and wear full plate armour.^[7b]

Overview

They are among the finest Imperial warriors available. Unlike the aristocratic members of the knightly orders, a Greatsword is a man plucked from the ranks of the State Troops due to some extraordinary feat of arms and bravery. That being said, an especially heroic Greatsword may be knighted by their Elector.^[7b] Many men have died attempting to achieve the respected position of Greatsword. On one occasion during the Battle of Blood Ridge Albrecht Hoefner, the last survivor of von Menscher's Black Helms, received a promotion after defending his regiment's colours for an entire day against attack from tribesmen and Beastmen.

Their prowess is indicated by their primary weapon and namesake, a massive sword requiring two hands to wield. Charged with protecting the lord who raised them to Greatsword, they form a bodyguard of stubborn, resolute men of the finest character, protected by Dwarf-forged plate armour. The History of the Empire is full of tales of a final stand by the Greatswords of the Empire.^[7b]

Notable

• Dieter Schaeffer leads a unit of Greatswords in red livery with enameled black plate.^[1]
• Count Strome of Stirland is said to have cut a Bretonnian knight and his horse in two with a single blow. ^[8a]
• Hans Vogal was the Sergeant of a Greatsword regiment from Averland, who led a group of survivors from an Imperial army.^[2] When he returned home he found his village had been overcome by chaos and joined the Witch Hunter Magnus Gault on his quest to destroy Chaos^[3]. In his time he fought against the forces of Tzeentch, Nurgle and Skaven.
• The Carroburg Greatswords fight in their own livery of blood red with black lacquered armour, instead of the provincial uniform of Reikland.
• One regiment in Averland is said to have an Ogre in its ranks fighting in oversized half plate with a great sword.
• Wolframs Guard are the personal bodyguard of the Elector Count of Ostermark.^[4]
• Ulrich leads a regiment of Pious Greatswords that are foot templars of Morr. They march into battle in red robes and cowls, and their banner depicts the reaper with scythe and hourglass. Ulrich himself wears black robes marking him as an ordained priest of Morr.^[5]

Weapons, Armour and Equipment

• 3rd Edition: Double handed Sword, Light Armour. Leader, may have Musician, Standard Bearer. ^[8a]
• 4th Edition: Double handed Sword, Hand Weapon, may have Light Armour. ^[6a]
• 6th Edition: Full Plate Armour, Hand Weapon, Two Handed Sword. May have Count's Champion, Musician, Standard Bearer. May have Magic Standard. ^[7c]
• W:TOW: Full Plate Armour, Hand Weapon, Great Weapon. May have Count's Champion, Musician, Standard Bearer. May have Magic Standard. ^[9]

Gallery

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  Empire Greatsword (4th edition)

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  Empire Greatswords

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  Greatsword of Middenland

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  Greatsword of Reikland

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  Greatword of Talabheim

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  Carroburg Greatswords

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  Wolfenburg Twice-Bolds

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  Drakenhof Guard of Sylvania before the coming of Vlad von Carstein

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  Greatsword of Averland

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  Pale Blades

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  Weissburg Greatswords defending the base of the Carroburg Peaks

Miniatures

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  Middenheim Greatsword (4th edition)

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  Greatsword regiment (6th edition metal)

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  Talabheim Greatsword regiment (8th edition plastic)

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  Greatswords

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  Greatswords

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  Greatswords

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  Greatsword Standard Bearer

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  Wolfenburg Twice-Bolds

Quotes

The Greatswords form your bodyguard and garrison of your castle. They are your best soldiers, stern veterans who had sworn to give their lives to protect you. They are equipped with the best weapons and armour we can afford, specially commissioned from the Guild of Dwarf Smiths. ~ Erasmus von Nuln to Konrad Ludenhof.[7a]

In the name of Sigmar, and his Empire, I swear to serve my captain, and my regiment, and I swear never to take a backward step in the face of any enemy or suffer dishonour, shame, and the disdain of my fellows.. ~ Oath of the Carroburg Greatswords.[10]

Notes

The following information is not to be considered officially sanctioned and/or is not written from an in-universe point of view. A detailed explanation of the term "Trivia" as used in the Lexicanum can be found here.

Imperial Greatswords are based heavily on the Landsknecht, Renaissance-era mercenary footsoldiers and pikemen, particularly the Doppelsöldners, who often wielded two-handed swords.

Sources

• 1: Warhammer: Dark Omen
• 2: Forge of War (novel) by Dan Abnett and Ian Edginton
• 3: Condemned by Fire (novel), by Dan Abnett and Ian Edginton
• 4: GW Website, ^{Needs Citation}
• 5: Warhammer: Empire, ^{Needs Citation}
• 6: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition)
  • 6a: Regiments, pg. 62
• 7: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition)
  • 7a: Lessons on the Empire, pg. 4
  • 7b: The Elite State Troops, pg. 10
  • 7c: Armies of the Empire, pg. 31
• 8: White Dwarf 147 (UK)
  • 8a: Empire Army List, pg. 33
• 9: Forces of Fantasy (TOW): Empire Greatswords, pg. 60
• 10: Up in Arms: Greatsword, pg. 12

Uncited

• Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition), ^{Needs Citation}