The Nighthaunt faction was introduced in the second edition of Warhammer Age of Sigmar.
They are a faction of undead spirits that haunt the Mortal Realms, seeking to claim the souls of the living. Led by Lady Olynder, the Mortarch of Grief, the Nighthaunt are a formidable force on the battlefield.
Known for their ability to phase through solid objects, their ability to strike fear into the hearts of their enemies is renowned.
I’ll be going through the 10 best units available to the Nighthaunt faction. You’ll be able to effectively determine your army composition (and where your money goes) by following this list!
10) Reikenor the Grimhailer
Reikenor the Grimhailer is a powerful wizard and one of the best Nighthaunt units in Warhammer Age of Sigmar. He is a flying wizard that can also function as a melee beatstick.
Reikenor has 5 attacks that hit and wound on 3+, rend -2, and deal 2 damage, making him a formidable force on the battlefield.
He is also able to cast spells such as Arcane Bolt, Mystic Shield, and Wraithstorm that can damage enemy units and heal his own.
Reikenor’s origins are shrouded in mystery, but it is known that he was once a learned sorcerer-king who sought to overcome death. He used the magic of Hysh to harness the very light of reason and worked towards preventing all mortality.
However, his efforts merely attracted the attention of Nagash, who cursed him to lead armies and snuff out the souls of troublemakers in the name of the Great Necromancer for all eternity.
9) Kurdoss Valentian
Kurdoss Valentian is a named character and a powerful wizard. Armed with the Sepulchral Sceptre and accompanied by two Wraith Heralds, he’s a menace on the battlefield.
For rules purposes, the Wraith Heralds are treated in the same manner as a mount.
Kurdoss Valentian is a flying model and has several special abilities, including the ability to reduce enemy bravery, the ability to reroll failed hit rolls, and the ability to deal mortal wounds in combat.
He also has a command ability that allows nearby units to reroll failed wound rolls.
Kurdoss Valentian’s backstory is that in life, he was a ruthless betrayer who deceived and killed his way to the throne of Khajhi.
However, at the moment of his crowning, Nagash himself struck Kurdoss dead, and he was reborn as a Nighthaunt general and tactician.
8) Dreadblade
Dreadblade Harrows are fast-moving, flying cavalry units that excel at hit-and-run tactics and flanking maneuvers.
They are armed with a spectral scythe and a ghostly steed, and they have several special abilities that make them a formidable force on the battlefield.
One of their most powerful abilities is Phantasmal Discorporation, which allows them to retreat and charge in the same turn. This makes them incredibly versatile and allows them to engage enemy units on their terms.
Dreadblade Harrows are considered one of the best Nighthaunt units due to their speed, maneuverability, and versatility. They can be used to harass enemy units, capture objectives, and disrupt enemy formations.
They are also able to deal significant damage in melee combat, especially when combined with other Nighthaunt units. Their Phantasmal Discorporation ability allows them to quickly move across the battlefield and engage enemy units where they are most vulnerable.
7) Bladegheist Revenants
Bladegheist Revenants are spectral warriors who are cursed to eternally relive the last moments of their lives, fighting with unmatched frenzy.
They are armed with spectral swords, and they have several special abilities that make them a formidable force on the battlefield.
One of their most powerful abilities is Wave of Terror, which allows them to inflict mortal wounds on enemy units within 3″ when they charge. This ability can be particularly devastating when combined with other Nighthaunt units, such as Spirit Hosts, which can also inflict mortal wounds on the charge.
Also, they are able to move freely through terrain and other models, thanks to their Fly keyword. This makes them an excellent choice for players who favor hit-and-run tactics and flanking maneuvers.
6) Hexwraiths
Hexwraiths are one of the best Nighthaunt units in Warhammer Age of Sigmar. They are spectral hunters who are cursed to eternally hunt down those who would defy their fate and the will of the Death God.
They are armed with spectral scythes, and they have several special abilities that make them a formidable force on the battlefield.
One of their most powerful abilities is Spectral Hunters, which allows them to reroll wound rolls of 1 against HEROES and MONSTERS. This ability can be particularly devastating when combined with other Nighthaunt units, such as Spirit Hosts, which can also inflict mortal wounds on the charge.
Their Spectral Hunters ability allows them to deal significant damage to enemy heroes and monsters, making them an excellent choice for players who want to take out high-value targets.
5) Chainghasts
Chainghasts are cursed souls who, in life, were imprisoned and cried out to gods other than Nagash for freedom in death, drawing the ire of the Great Necromancer.
Now, they are doomed to obey the Spirit Torment’s every command, fully aware of what they are doing. They carry emotionally burdened ghastflails – heavy, bludgeoning weights that cast bolts of pure misery when swung.
Encased within their iron harness, it is a Chainghast’s fate to remain eternally enthralled to the Spirit Torments.
Chainghasts are a powerful unit in the Nighthaunt army, with a points cost of 90.
4) Spirit Hosts
Spirit Hosts are the most numerous of the Nighthaunt warriors and are the souls of the damned, stripped of body and identity, screaming endlessly for the life they have lost. They are armed with spectral claws that can turn blood to ice and still the hearts of the foe.
They are a Battleline unit in the Nighthaunt army, with a points cost of 130 and a unit size of 3. They are also able to move freely through terrain and other models, thanks to their Fly keyword.
Spirit Hosts are considered one of the best Nighthaunt units due to their high damage output and versatility. They have a large number of attacks and deal mortal wounds on unmodified wound rolls of 6.
They are also able to provide powerful support to other Nighthaunt units, as they can serve as a bodyguard for Nighthaunt heroes within 3 inches, allowing them to pass wounds off onto the Spirit Hosts on a 3+ roll.
This ability is essential for keeping heroes alive and can make a significant difference in the outcome of a battle.
3) Grimghast Reapers
Grimghast Reapers are the spectral remains of those who were once executioners or torturers, now doomed to serve as Nagash’s instruments of death.
They are a key candidate to attack in large numbers, thanks to their 2″ reach and the combination of All-out Attack and Reaped like Corn abilities, which make them ideal for hunting large enemy units.
Grimghast Reapers are a Battleline unit in the Nighthaunt army, with a points cost of 160 and a unit size of 10. They are also able to move freely through terrain and other models, thanks to their Fly keyword.
Grimghast Reapers are considered one of the best Nighthaunt units due to their high damage output and versatility. They have a large number of attacks and deal mortal wounds on unmodified wound rolls of 6. They are also able to provide powerful support to other Nighthaunt units, as they can serve as a bodyguard for Nighthaunt heroes within 3 inches, allowing them to pass wounds off onto the Grimghast Reapers on a 3+ roll.
This ability is essential for keeping heroes alive and can make a significant difference in the outcome of a battle.
2) Chainrasp Horde
Chainrasp Horde are the most numerous of all the spirits that join Nighthaunt processions and are created from the spirits of the most vicious and irredeemable criminals to have lived in the Mortal Realms.
They are a Battleline unit in the Nighthaunt army, with a points cost of 110 and a unit size of 10. They are also able to move freely through terrain and other models, thanks to their Fly keyword.
Chainrasp Horde is considered one of the best Nighthaunt units due to their ability to form a horde and deal a large amount of damage. They are a cheap unit that can be fielded in large numbers, making them ideal for holding objectives and swarming enemy units.
They are equipped with spiked clubs and rusted blades that can mangle flesh and shatter bone, and they can deal mortal wounds on unmodified wound rolls of 6. They also have the Summonable keyword, which means they can be brought back to the battlefield after being destroyed.
1) Lady Olynder
Lady Olynder, also known as the Mortarch of Grief, is the most recently created Mortarch and serves Nagash by commanding the Nighthaunt legions.
Lady Olynder is despair-given form, and she exudes hopelessness and casts an enfeebling gloom upon her foes with her sheer presence. She is accompanied by banshee handmaidens and bears the life-taking Staff of Midnight, which can reduce dangerous foes to paroxysms of crippling grief
Lady Olynder is considered one of the best Nighthaunt units due to her ability to debuff enemy units and deal significant damage. She can reduce the Bravery characteristic of enemy units within 12″ by 1, and she can deal mortal wounds on unmodified wound rolls of 6.
She also has the ability to heal nearby Nighthaunt units and can summon Chainrasp Horde units to the battlefield
Overall, you’ll find it hard to find a better Nighthaunt unit than the Mortarch of Grief!