“The dead do not rest easy in Sylvania. They march, they hunger, and they obey… their immortal masters.”
If you’re the kind of Warhammer Fantasy player who enjoys the eerie crunch of bones underfoot, the glint of ancient power in a lich’s eye, and the thrill of commanding deathless legions, then welcome to the night. The Vampire Counts are a chillingly stylish faction steeped in gothic horror, necromantic might, and blood-drenched ambition. From the haunted woods of Sylvania rise the most fearsome undead armies the Old World has ever known, led by cursed nobles with godlike power and eternal hunger.
Let’s peel back the coffin lid and dive into what makes the Vampire Counts one of the most iconic and atmospheric factions in all of Warhammer Fantasy.
A Bloody History: From Lahmia to Sylvania
The Vampire Counts trace their origins back to ancient Lahmia, a decadent city in the land of Nehekhara, long before the Empire even existed. Here, the first vampires were born from dark sorcery and forbidden elixirs, most notably Neferata, the first of her kind. After their unholy secret was discovered, the vampires were driven into exile, scattering across the world like a plague in the dark.
But it was in Sylvania, the cursed and mist-wreathed province of the Empire, where the vampires truly found a home. There, the Von Carstein bloodline rose to terrifying prominence. The legendary Vlad von Carstein, first and greatest of the Vampire Counts, carved his legacy with fang and sorcery, launching a series of wars that shook the Empire to its core.
The Vampire Counts are bound by ancient rivalries, bloodline politics, and necromantic ambition, each seeking to outdo the others and raise empires from graveyards. Whether it’s the cunning of Vlad, his beloved wife Isabella, or the madness of Heinrich Kemmler, the history of the Vampire Counts is as rich and dark as freshly spilled blood.
Play Style: The Tide of Death
When you field the Vampire Counts, you are not merely playing an army, you are unleashing a supernatural event. Their strength lies not in ranged firepower (which they lack entirely), but in relentless melee assaults, psychological warfare, and the unstoppable momentum of reanimated troops.
• Fear and Terror: Most Vampire units cause Fear or even Terror, disrupting enemy formations and shattering morale.
• Unbreakable Undead: The undead don’t rout, they crumble when beaten in combat. This means no fleeing, no panic, just slow, steady erosion of leadership if things go poorly.
• Necromancy: Vampire Lords and Necromancers can summon new units mid-battle or replenish their forces, turning a losing fight into an overwhelming horde.
• Elite Killers: While skeletons and zombies tarpit the enemy, powerful monsters and characters like Blood Knights and Vargheists strike like fanged lightning.
Mastering the Vampire Counts means learning how to grind, resurrect, and overwhelm with sheer undead numbers, while surgically deploying your elite units to deliver the killing blow.
Key Units: From Grave to Glory
The Vampire Counts offer one of the most flavorful unit rosters in Warhammer:
• Zombies and Skeleton Warriors: Cheap and numerous, these are your frontline. They hold the enemy while your real weapons close in.
• Grave Guard: Armoured undead warriors with great weapons. They are solid, elite, and unflinching.
• Black Knights: Mounted revenants that smash through enemy lines with ghostly speed.
• The Black Coach: A mysterious coach containing a coffin. It is pulled by spectral horses driven by a wraith. It smashes through the enemy lines.
• Crypt Ghouls and Vargheists: Flesh-eating horrors perfect for flanking and harassing.
• Fell Bats and Dire Wolves: Fast-moving distractions and war machine hunters.
• Terrorgheists and Zombie Dragons: Monstrous nightmares from the sky that scream enemies to death or bathe them in necrotic breath.
With no ranged units, every decision is about timing, positioning, and pressure. It’s not about if you reach the enemy, but when you overwhelm them.
Iconic Characters of the Night
Vlad von Carstein – The First and Greatest
The dark prince of Sylvania, Vlad was a brilliant strategist, master necromancer, and tragic romantic. With the powerful Carstein Ring keeping him virtually immortal and the love of his life, Isabella, at his side, he nearly conquered the Empire in a series of devastating wars. Noble yet ruthless, he remains one of the most compelling characters in all of Warhammer.
Isabella von Carstein – Deathless Devotion
More than just Vlad’s bride, Isabella is a fierce presence and a mighty spellcaster in her own right. Her undying love for Vlad, even in undeath, makes her both a tragic and terrifying figure. Her presence on the battlefield can inspire both her allies and the narrative of your games… after all, what’s more romantic than striding into battle with your vampire spouse?
Heinrich Kemmler – The Lichemaster
Once a mighty necromancer, Kemmler fell into madness after dark gods whispered to him through the veil. With his skeletal companion Krell (a Chaos Wight King), Kemmler scours the world raising armies of the dead in a quest for power and revenge. He’s unhinged, unstoppable, and dripping with dark flavour. Play him if you like your necromancers with a side of insanity.
Why Collect Vampire Counts?
Collecting Vampire Counts is like assembling your own horror movie. You get ancient castles, undead dragons, spectral cavalry, necromantic rituals, and brooding villains straight out of gothic legend. Whether you love the idea of commanding endless hordes, mastering the dark arts, or just love spooky aesthetics, the Vampire Counts are a collector’s dream.
And on the tabletop, they offer endless opportunities for dramatic, cinematic moments when your Grave Guard rise from the earth behind enemy lines, or your Vampire Lord decapitates a rival general in single combat.
If you crave darkness, drama, and domination, then rise from your tomb and join the Vampire Counts.
“Come, my children of the night… let us give them something to fear.”
Are you ready to raise your legion?
(Warhammer Fantasy) Faction Guide: Vampire Counts
