VAUL'S FORGE
As exciting as ever, Vaul's forge is literally crammed with exciting magic items. Many of them are favourites that High Elf players have come to know and love from the previous edition of the High Elf Army book, while others are entirely new. Compared to magic items used by other races, some of them might seem a little cheap in cost – sometimes as good as 20-30%
Cast on just 8+, the Courage of Aenarion makes any unit within 12" of the caster Stubborn until the next High Elf Magic Phase. Combined with the already-high Leadership values of the High Elf army, this is a boon that many other generals will envy. Cast this spell when your force is deep into combat, ensuring that your brave warriors will hold their ground, whatever the cost.
MAGIC WEAPONS
There are some real beauties in the Magic Weapons section of Vaul's Forge, although a couple stand out as better than the rest. Firstly, the Reaver Bow and the Bow of the Seafarer. Both add much-needed long range oompf to the High Elves' Shooting Phase. Since High Elf Nobles and Princes have a Ballistic Skill of 6, they will generally hit enemies on 2+, spelling doom for the enemy. A Prince with the Seafarer's bow and a fast mount (Eagle or Griffon) can easily get into the flanks of the enemy, filleting entire ranks of enemy cavalry models!
MAGIC ARMOUR
High Elves are soft and squishy compared to many other races – sorry, that's just a fact. Thankfully, they have some splendid pieces of Magic Armour to help cushion them from the choppas and cannonballs of the foe. Of particular note are Temakador's Gauntlets. They provide +1 to the Armour save of the wearer, but also give a 5+ Ward save against attacks of Strength 4 or better. Lovely.
TECLIS - HIGH LOREMASTER
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TALISMANS
Probably my favourite item in the Talismans section of Vaul's Forge is the Amulet of Fire. It's a great item to give to a unit champion like a Bladelord or a Keeper of the Flame and thus give the whole unit Magic Resistance 1. Sacred incense can't be overrated either; anything that makes the High Elves harder to kill with shooting is a good thing.
MAGIC BANNERS
There are a wealth of excellent items contained within the Magic Banners section. Bearing in mind that lots of High Elf units can be equipped with Magic Banners, there's no excuse not to take a few to battle. I recommend the Banner of Ellyrion for a start. The unit that bears it can move through difficult ground as if it were open – now imagine a unit of Dragon Princes or Sword Masters marching and charging through woods or rocks? Yes, please! The Banner of Arcane Protection offers Magic Resistance 2, which can ease the worries of fragile troops like Sword Masters, while the Banner of Sorcery gives the High Elves +D3 Power Dice in their own Magic phase – just what a High Elf Mage needs.
OI - WHERE HAVE MY HONOURS GONE!?!!Yep, the astute among you (okay, so most of you) will have noticed the honours have gone away. Well, fear not: many of the effects that they provided have been maintained by adding in new Magic Items that have the same, or similar, functions. |
ARCHANE ITEMS
As you might expect, some of the best items lurk here in the Arcane Items section. The Book of Hoeth not least among them – all successfully casting rolls that include a double are irresistible. In your face, Dispel Scrolls! Not all of the good items cost the 100 points, though – the Tricksters Pendant is a cheeky way of making life hard for your foe for just 30 points, while the Jewel of the Dusk remains on of the favourite items for High Elf generals – it increases the bearer's Power Dice pool by 1 each turn.
ENCHANTED ITEMS
Within the Enchanted Items section are several great items that can be used to create awesome combinations. Consider, for example, the potential offered by the Talisman of Loec and the Foe Bane – the perfect weapon for killing off enemy Characters and Monsters. Another great item is the Skeinsliver, which provides the High Elf army with +1 on the roll to see who wins 1st turn!
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In Summary
Previous: The Courage of Aenarion
