Vampire Counts
Undead predators stalking the Mortal Realms, bound by blood and the will of Nagash.
In the Age of Sigmar universe, the specific banner known as the 'Vampire Counts' originates from the fallen Old World of Warhammer Fantasy, but their spiritual successors exist within the Mortal Realms under the Death Grand Alliance. These undead predators are not a unified faction in the same way as the Ossiarch Bonereapers or Flesh-Eater Courts; rather, they operate as individual lords or small covens scattered across the realms of Shyish and beyond. They embody the primal hunger for blood and life force that persists even after the Great Cataclysm.
- Grand Alliance
- Death
- Realm Association
- Shyish (Primarily)
- Primary Motivation
- Immortality, Bloodlust, Survival
- Status
- Active but Fragmented
- Overlord
- Nagash (Lord of Death)
- Key Threat
- Stormcast Eternals and Sigmarite Forces
Lore & Background
Their existence is defined by a constant struggle against the natural order of life and the encroaching forces of Sigmar. In the realm of Shyish, they find sanctuary among the endless necropolises, though even there, they are wary of Nagash's gaze. They rely on stealth, terror, and the manipulation of lesser undead to sustain their hunger, often preying on mortal travelers or rival factions who stray too close to the dark corners of the realms.
In Their Own Story
The mist clung thick to the cobblestones of a forgotten ruin in Shyish as Lord Varkas stepped from the shadows. His eyes burned with a cold violet fire, scanning for the warmth of living blood. He did not march with an army; he was the army. A lone Stormcast Eternal patrol had strayed too far from their lines, lured by whispers of treasure that were nothing but bait. Varkas smiled, revealing teeth sharpened into daggers over centuries. Tonight, the realm would drink.
Reader's Guide
Vampires in Age of Sigmar function as a thematic subset within the Death Grand Alliance rather than a standalone Battletome faction like Ossiarch Bonereapers. Their origin traces back to the Old World, surviving the transition into the Mortal Realms through dark magic or divine intervention. Key leaders are individual Vampire Lords who command small covens of ghouls and grave guards, often operating independently unless serving Nagash directly. Military doctrine focuses on terror, ambushes, and draining life force rather than large-scale siege warfare common to other Death armies. Signature units include the Vampire Lord, Ghouls, and Grave Guard, reflecting their classic undead aesthetic. They fit into the current state of the Mortal Realms as opportunistic predators, often caught between Nagash's grand designs and the crusades of the Stormcast Eternals.
Did You Know?
- Vampires in Age of Sigmar are technically part of the Death Grand Alliance but lack a dedicated Battletome compared to Ossiarch Bonereapers.
- Many AoS vampires survived the Great Cataclysm from the Warhammer Fantasy Old World timeline.
- Nagash, the Lord of Death, holds dominion over all undead, including independent vampire lords.
- The term 'Vampire Counts' is primarily a legacy name from Warhammer Fantasy Battles.