MANDRAKES

InfiltrationRecon

KILL GRADE [9]

1	2	3	4	5
2	4	5	7	9

What to Know

Tactical Overview

Mandrakes are shadow-warping assassins who excel at hit-and-run tactics, using their unique SHADOW PASSAGE ability to teleport across the battlefield and SOULSTRIKE weapons that bypass conventional defenses by targeting enemy life force directly.

Core Abilities

Unusual Shooting ✓

Dirgemaw: Horrifying scream [Seek Light]

Unusual Melee ✓

Firefight Ploy: Shadow’s Bite: defender strikes first when charged

Super Conceal ✗

Out of Order Movement ✓

Strategic Ploy: Creeping Horror: free Dash after enemy activation if in shadow.Operative: Haunting Focus: interrupt opponent's activation to activate first.

Activation Manipulation ✓

Operative: MANDRAKE NIGHTFIEND: Harrowing Whispers: prevent enemy activation with D6 rollOperative: MANDRAKE DIRGEMAW: Haunting Focus: interrupt enemy activation

APL Modifiers ✓

MANDRAKE DIRGEMAW: Horrifying scream [Stun]MANDRAKE CHOOSER OF THE FLESH: Soul Harvest: +1 APL to friendly operative

Bitter Demise ✓

Operative: Soul Harvest: Spend points for APL or wounds when incapacitated.

Block Rerolls ✗

Damage Reduction ✓

Operative: Oubliex: ignore damage on 5+ dice rollOperative: Balefre: reduce enemy ranged damage by 1

Faction Rules

SOULSTRIKE: Defence dice succeed if equal to or less than target's APL, fail otherwise.
SHADOW PASSAGE: Once per turn, reposition a Mandrake within shadow, avoiding enemies and actions.
UMBRAL ENTITIES: Ignore Piercing when shot, and improve Save by 1 when within shadow.
WITHIN SHADOW: Operative is within shadow near heavy terrain, vantage terrain, or shadow portals.

Strategic Ploys

CREEPING HORROR: Free Dash for Mandrake operative within Shadow after enemy activation.
GLOAMING SHROUD: Retain one defence dice as success when shot within Shadow.
BLADE IN THE DARK: Mandrake operative can Charge with Conceal order within Shadow.
INESCAPABLE NIGHTMARE: Reroll one attack dice when fighting or shooting within Shadow.

Firefight Ploys

SLITHER OUT OF SIGHT: Change order to Conceal after activation
SOUL FEAST: Regain wounds equal to APL times damage dice
NOWHERE TO HIDE: Move through terrain during activation
SHADOW'S BITE: Defender resolves first attack dice

Equipment

CHAIN SNARE: Prevents enemy fall back on 4+ roll if alone in control range.
SHADOW GLYPH: Concealed operative in cover cannot be targeted except within 2".
SOUL GEM: Adds Blast 1" to baleblast weapon once per turning point.
BONE DARTS: Once per turning point, use silent ranged weapon with rending.

Rules Commentary

1 Q&As

How does the Soulstrike weapon rule interact with rules that allow your opponent to retain defence dice results of 5+ as critical successes (e.g. **ANGEL OF DEATH** Hardy Chapter Tactic), or retain results of a specific number as a success (e.g. **ELUCIDIAN STARSTRIDER** Armoured Bodysuit)?

The Soulstrike weapon rule takes precedence. For example, even with the Hardy Chapter Tactic, a 5 would be a fail not a critical success for that **ANGEL OF DEATH** operative, as it’s higher than their APL stat (3).

Operative Selection

↘ 1 MANDRAKE NIGHTFIEND operative
↘ 8 MANDRAKE operatives selected from the following list:

ABYSSAL
CHOOSER OF THE FLESH
DIRGEMAW
SHADEWEAVER
WARRIOR
Other than WARRIOR operatives, your kill team can only include each operative on this list once.

Operative Datacards

6 operatives

NIGHTFIEND

2 7" 5+ 9

NAME	ATK	HIT	DMG	WR
⚡ Baleblast	4	3+	/	Soulstrike* Baleblast - Weapon Rules
⚔ Huskblade	5	3+	4/6	Lethal 5+ Lethal Your successes equal to or greater than x are critical successes. , Shock Shock The first time you strike with a critical success in each sequence, also discard one of your opponent's unresolved normal successes. Huskblade - Weapon Rules Lethal Your successes equal to or greater than x are critical successes. Shock The first time you strike with a critical success in each sequence, also discard one of your opponent's unresolved normal successes.

Additional Rules

Harrowing Whispers

Whenever your opponent would activate an enemy operative within 6" of this operative, you can roll one D6 (you cannot do so if you also interrupted that operative’s activation with the DIRGEMAW operative’s Haunting Focus additional rule during this turning point): if the result is higher than that enemy operative’s APL stat, they cannot activate it during this activation. If there are no other enemy operatives eligible to be activated, this rule has no effect.

Oubliex

Whenever this operative is readied, or if this operative incapacitates an enemy operative with its huskblade, its oubliex becomes active. Whenever its oubliex is active and an attack dice would inflict damage on this operative, you can roll one D6: on a 5+, ignore the damage inflicted from that attack dice and its oubliex is no longer active.

ABYSSAL

2 7" 5+ 8

NAME	ATK	HIT	DMG	WR
⚡ Balesurge (blast)	5	3+	/	Blast 2" Blast The target you select is the primary target. After shooting the primary target, shoot with this weapon against each secondary target in an order of your choice. Secondary targets are other operatives visible to and within x of the primary target. Secondary targets are in cover and obscured if the primary target was. , Soulstrike* Balesurge (blast) - Weapon Rules Blast The target you select is the primary target. After shooting the primary target, shoot with this weapon against each secondary target in an order of your choice. Secondary targets are other operatives visible to and within x of the primary target. Secondary targets are in cover and obscured if the primary target was.
⚡ Balesurge (burn)	5	3+	/	Lethal 5+ Lethal Your successes equal to or greater than x are critical successes. , Soulstrike* Balesurge (burn) - Weapon Rules Lethal Your successes equal to or greater than x are critical successes.
⚔ Glimmersteel blade	4	3+	4/5	Lethal 5+ Lethal Your successes equal to or greater than x are critical successes. Glimmersteel blade - Weapon Rules Lethal Your successes equal to or greater than x are critical successes.

Additional Rules

Balefre

Whenever a friendly MANDRAKE operative is shooting an enemy operative that has one of your Balefre tokens, add 1 to both Dmg stats of that friendly operative’s ranged weapons, and those weapons have the Saturate weapon rule. Whenever an operative is shooting a friendly MANDRAKE operative that has one of your Balefre tokens, subtract 1 from both Dmg stats of that operative’s ranged weapons (to a minimum of 1).

Unique Actions

WREATHE IN BALEFIRE 1AP

Select one operative visible to this operative that doesn’t have one of your Balefre tokens. Until the start of this operative’s next activation, until it’s incapacitated or until it performs this action again (whichever comes first), that selected operative gains one of your Balefre tokens.

This operative cannot perform this action while within control range of an enemy operative.

CHOOSER OF THE FLESH

2 7" 5+ 8

NAME	ATK	HIT	DMG	WR
⚡ Baleblast	4	3+	/	Soulstrike* Baleblast - Weapon Rules
⚔ Baleblade	4	3+	5/6	Brutal Brutal Your opponent can only block with critical successes. , Lethal 5+ Lethal Your successes equal to or greater than x are critical successes. Baleblade - Weapon Rules Brutal Your opponent can only block with critical successes. Lethal Your successes equal to or greater than x are critical successes.

Additional Rules

Soul Harvest

Whenever an enemy operative is incapacitated as a result of this operative’s Part Collector rule or baleblade, you gain 1 Soul Harvest point, or two if that enemy operative had an APL stat of 3 or more. Whenever a friendly MANDRAKE operative is activated, you can spend 1 of your Soul Harvest points to either add 1 to its APL stat until the end of the battle, or have it regain up to 2D3 lost wounds. Note you can spend your Soul Harvest points even if this operative is incapacitated.

Part Collector

Whenever an enemy operative performs the Fall Back action while within control range of this operative, you can use this rule. If you do, inflict 2D3 damage on that enemy operative before it moves.

DIRGEMAW

2 7" 5+ 8

NAME	ATK	HIT	DMG	WR
⚡ Baleblast	4	3+	/	Soulstrike* Baleblast - Weapon Rules
⚡ Horrifying scream	5	2+	/	Range 6" Range Only operatives within x of the active operative can be valid targets. , Devastating 2 Devastating Each retained critical success immediately inflicts x damage on the operative this weapon is being used against. If the rule starts with a distance, inflict x damage on that operative and each other operative visible to and within that distance of it. , Seek Light, Stun Stun If you retain any critical successes, subtract 1 from the APL stat of the operative this weapon is being used against until the end of its next activation. , Soulstrike* Horrifying scream - Weapon Rules Range Only operatives within x of the active operative can be valid targets. Devastating Each retained critical success immediately inflicts x damage on the operative this weapon is being used against. If the rule starts with a distance, inflict x damage on that operative and each other operative visible to and within that distance of it. Stun If you retain any critical successes, subtract 1 from the APL stat of the operative this weapon is being used against until the end of its next activation.
⚔ Glimmersteel blade	4	3+	4/5	Lethal 5+ Lethal Your successes equal to or greater than x are critical successes. Glimmersteel blade - Weapon Rules Lethal Your successes equal to or greater than x are critical successes.

Additional Rules

Haunting Focus (STRATEGIC GAMBIT)

STRATEGIC GAMBIT. Select one enemy operative. Until the Ready step of the next Strategy phase, it gains your Haunting Focus token. The next time your opponent would activate an enemy operative that has your Haunting Focus token, if this operative is ready, you can activate this operative first (you cannot do so if you also rolled to prevent that operative’s activation with the NIGHTFIEND operative’s Harrowing Whispers additional rule during this turning point). If you do, during that activation, this operative must fight against or shoot against that enemy operative, and cannot do so against any other enemy operatives until it does (if this isn’t possible, this operative’s activation is cancelled). After completing this operative’s activation, your opponent activates that enemy operative (if possible), or activates a different enemy operative if they can’t.

Unique Actions

PAREIDOLIC PROJECTION 1AP

Select one enemy operative that’s a valid target for this operative or is WITHIN SHADOW. Until the start of this operative’s next activation, until it’s incapacitated or until it performs this action again (whichever comes first), worsen the Hit stat of that enemy operative’s weapons by 1 and subtract 2" from its Move stat (these aren’t cumulative with being injured); in addition, that enemy operative’s APL stat cannot be added to (remove all positive APL stat changes it has).

This operative cannot perform this action while within control range of an enemy operative, unless the only enemy operative it’s within control range of is selected for this action.

SHADEWEAVER

2 7" 5+ 8

NAME	ATK	HIT	DMG	WR
⚡ Baleblast	4	3+	/	Soulstrike* Baleblast - Weapon Rules
⚔ Glimmersteel blade	4	3+	4/5	Lethal 5+ Lethal Your successes equal to or greater than x are critical successes. Glimmersteel blade - Weapon Rules Lethal Your successes equal to or greater than x are critical successes.

Additional Rules

Shadow Portal

Whenever this operative performs the Reposition action using a SHADOW PASSAGE, you can use this rule. If you do, remove your Shadow Portal markers from the killzone (if any), then place one of your Shadow Portal markers within this operative’s control range before it’s removed and one within its control range after it’s set up. Each friendly MANDRAKE operative can use a SHADOW PASSAGE each turning point (this takes precedence over one operative once per turning point) if one of your Shadow Portal markers is within that operative’s control range when it’s removed, and the other is when it’s set up. Note that friendly operatives can do so even if this operative has been incapacitated, and doing so doesn’t prevent one operative from using a SHADOW PASSAGE in the normal manner.

Unique Actions

WEAVE DARKNESS 1AP

Remove your Weave Darkness marker from the killzone (if any). Then place your Weave Darkness marker visible to this operative, or on Vantage terrain of a terrain feature visible to this operative. That marker creates an area of smoke with the same size and effects of a smoke grenade, except you don’t remove it during the following turning point. If this operative is incapacitated, remove your Weave Darkness marker from the killzone.

This operative cannot perform this action while within control range of an enemy operative.

WARRIOR

2 7" 5+ 8

NAME	ATK	HIT	DMG	WR
⚡ Baleblast	4	3+	/	Soulstrike* Baleblast - Weapon Rules
⚔ Glimmersteel blade	4	3+	4/5	Lethal 5+ Lethal Your successes equal to or greater than x are critical successes. Glimmersteel blade - Weapon Rules Lethal Your successes equal to or greater than x are critical successes.

Additional Rules

Shadow Warrior

Whenever this operative is WITHIN SHADOW, add 1 to the Critical Dmg stat of its glimmersteel blade.

Faction Rules

4 rules

SOULSTRIKE

Faction Rule

Defence dice succeed if equal to or less than target's APL, fail otherwise.

MANDRAKES 💀

The balefire hurled by the MANDRAKES 💀 burns cold and fierce, fed by the tinder of their victim’s life force and animus. Conventional armour offers little protection against this insidious force. Some weapons in this team’s rules have the Soulstrike weapon rule below. *Soulstrike: Successful defence dice are determined differently. Each result that’s equal to or less than the target’s APL stat is a success and is retained. Each result that’s higher than the target’s APL stat is a fail and is discarded. Each result of 1 is always a critical success. Each other success is a normal success. Each result of 6 is always a fail.

SHADOW PASSAGE

Faction Rule

Once per turn, reposition a Mandrake within shadow, avoiding enemies and actions.

MANDRAKES 💀

MANDRAKES 💀 can slip into the slightest patch of shadow as if vanishing into dark waters, only to crawl forth from another patch of gloom as though the intervening distance doesn’t exist. This sinister ability allows them to bypass sentries and defences unseen, and to pounce upon their victims from unexpected quarters. Once per turning point, one friendly MANDRAKE operative WITHIN SHADOW can use a SHADOW PASSAGE when it performs the Reposition action. If it does, don’t move it. Instead, remove it from the killzone and set it back up WITHIN SHADOW in a location it can be placed. When you set it back up, it cannot: - Be within control range of an enemy operative. - Be a valid target for an enemy operative. - Perform the Shoot or Fight action until the start of the next turning point.

UMBRAL ENTITIES

Faction Rule

Ignore Piercing when shot, and improve Save by 1 when within shadow.

MANDRAKES 💀

The MANDRAKES 💀’ physical forms shift and shudder like shadows smothering the last light of a guttering torch. Those rare survivors of their attacks describe the MANDRAKES 💀 blending with the encroaching darkness, or even vanishing from sight altogether, confounding the increasingly panicked aim of their prey as they fitter ever closer. Whenever an operative is shooting a friendly MANDRAKE operative, ignore the Piercing weapon rule. Whenever a friendly MANDRAKE operative is WITHIN SHADOW, improve its Save stat by 1.

WITHIN SHADOW

Faction Rule

Operative is within shadow near heavy terrain, vantage terrain, or shadow portals.

MANDRAKES 💀

MANDRAKES 💀 are creatures of shadow, using the darkness to conceal their movements and close in upon their unsuspecting prey. An operative is WITHIN SHADOW if any of the following are true: - It’s within 1" of Heavy terrain that’s not lower than it. - Any part of its base is underneath Vantage terrain. - A Shadow Portal marker is within its control range (see SHADEWEAVER).

Strategy Ploys

4 ploys

CREEPING HORROR

Strategy Ploy

Free Dash for Mandrake operative within Shadow after enemy activation.

MANDRAKES 💀

Flitting in and out of the shadows, Mandrakes advance with unsettling speed.

After each enemy operative’s activation, before the next operative is activated, you can perform a free Dash action with one friendly MANDRAKE operative that has a Conceal order if it starts and ends that action WITHIN SHADOW. You cannot use this ploy during the first turning point, and you cannot select each friendly operative for this ploy more than once per turning point.

GLOAMING SHROUD

Strategy Ploy

Retain one defence dice as success when shot within Shadow.

BLADE IN THE DARK

Strategy Ploy

Mandrake operative can Charge with Conceal order within Shadow.

INESCAPABLE NIGHTMARE

Strategy Ploy

Reroll one attack dice when fighting or shooting within Shadow.

Firefight Ploys

4 ploys

SLITHER OUT OF SIGHT

Firefight Ploy

Change order to Conceal after activation

SOUL FEAST

Firefight Ploy

Regain wounds equal to APL times damage dice

MANDRAKES 💀

Mandrakes subsist on the agonies of their victims, gaining vigour with each torturous blow inflicted upon their prey.

Use this firefight ploy when a friendly MANDRAKE operative is shooting against, fighting against or retaliating against an enemy operative within 6" of it, at the end of the Resolve Attack Dice step. That friendly operative regains a number of lost wounds equal to that enemy operative’s APL stat, multiplied by the number of your attack dice that inflicted damage during that sequence. Excess attack dice are ignored (i.e. if the enemy operative is incapacitated before remaining attack dice are resolved). You cannot use this ploy if that friendly MANDRAKE operative is incapacitated.

NOWHERE TO HIDE

Firefight Ploy

Move through terrain during activation

MANDRAKES 💀

Walls and other obstructions are of no concern to Mandrakes, who fade in and out of the physical realm at their own whim.

Use this firefight ploy during a friendly MANDRAKE operative’s activation, when it performs an action in which it moves. Until the end of that activation, that operative can move through parts of terrain features as if they weren’t there, but must end those moves in a location it can be placed.

SHADOW’S BITE

Firefight Ploy

MANDRAKES 💀

When suffused with shadow, a Mandrake moves with unnatural speed and grace, lashing out preemptively with its glimmersteel blade.

Use this firefight ploy when an enemy operative performs the Fight action during an activation in which it performed the Charge action, and selects a friendly MANDRAKE operative WITHIN SHADOW to fight against. In the Resolve Attack Dice step of that sequence, you resolve the first attack dice (i.e. defender instead of attacker).

Faction Equipment

4 items

CHAIN SNARE

Faction Equipment

Prevents enemy fall back on 4+ roll if alone in control range.

MANDRAKES 💀

Composed of hooked blades attached to a length of chain, this weapon bites into the flesh or armour of the wielder’s target, preventing them from fleeing.

Whenever an enemy operative would perform the Fall Back action while within control range of a friendly MANDRAKE operative, if no other enemy operatives are within that friendly operative’s control range, you can use this rule. If you do, roll two D6, or one D6 if that enemy operative has a higher Wounds stat than that friendly operative. If any result is a 4+, that enemy operative cannot perform that action during that activation/counteraction (no AP are spent on it).

SHADOW GLYPH

Faction Equipment

Concealed operative in cover cannot be targeted except within 2".

MANDRAKES 💀

Etched into the inky skin of the Mandrake, this glyph glows when activated, causing the creature to fade utterly from sight.

Once per turning point, when a friendly MANDRAKE operative is activated WITHIN SHADOW, you can use this rule. If you do, until the start of its next activation, while that operative has a Conceal order and is in cover, it cannot be selected as a valid target, taking precedence over all other rules (e.g. Seek, Vantage terrain) except being within 2".

SOUL GEM

Faction Equipment

Adds Blast 1" to baleblast weapon once per turning point.

BONE DARTS

Faction Equipment

Once per turning point, use silent ranged weapon with rending.

Universal Equipment

10 items

AMMO CACHE

Universal Equipment

MANDRAKES 💀

Whether stockpiles deliberately set out for warriors to access quickly, or the abandoned munitions of the slain, these caches can prove vital for a swift reload in the heat of battle.

Before the battle, you can set up one of your Ammo Cache markers wholly within your territory. Friendly operatives can perform the following mission action during the battle. AMMO RESUPPLY 0AP One of your Ammo Cache markers the active operative controls is used during this turning point. Until the start of the next turning point, whenever this operative is shooting with a weapon from its datacard, you can re‑roll one of your attack dice. An operative cannot perform this action while within control range of an enemy operative, if that marker isn’t yours, or if that marker has been used this turning point.

RAZOR WIRE

Universal Equipment

MANDRAKES 💀

Spooled rapidly out and afxed to jutting posts, razor wire acts as an easily deployed barrier and a painful deterrent to enemy operatives seeking to attack along particular routes.

Razor wire is Exposed and Obstructing terrain. Before the battle, you can set it up wholly within your territory, on the killzone foor and more than 2" from other equipment terrain features, access points and Accessible terrain. Obstructing: Whenever an operative would cross over this terrain feature within 1" of it, treat the distance as an additional 1".

COMMS DEVICE

Universal Equipment

MANDRAKES 💀

Communications devices can be swiftly hijacked and employed to coordinate operations or call in support during a firefight.

Before the battle, you can set up one of your Comms Device markers wholly within your territory. While a friendly operative controls this marker, add 3" to the distance requirements of its SUPPORT rules that refer to friendly operatives (e.g. ‘select one friendly operative within 6"’ would be 9" instead). Note that you cannot benefit from your opponent’s Comms Device markers.

MINES

Universal Equipment

MANDRAKES 💀

The battlefields of the 41st Millennium are plagued by myriad types of mine, from simple frag charges to monofilament web‑snares and microplasma charges. Ultimately, all serve a similar, horrible purpose.

Before the battle, you can set up one of your Mines markers wholly within your territory and more than 2" from other markers, access points and Accessible terrain. The first time that marker is within an operative’s control range, remove that marker and inflict D3+3 damage on that operative.

LIGHT BARRICADES

Universal Equipment

MANDRAKES 💀

Designed to be lugged into place and then deployed by operatives and combat engineers, these barriers are proof against small arms fre.

Light barricades are Light terrain, except the feet, which are Insignifcant and Exposed. Before the battle, you can set up any of them wholly within your territory, on the killzone foor and more than 2" from other equipment terrain features, access points and Accessible terrain.

HEAVY BARRICADE

Universal Equipment

LADDERS

Universal Equipment

MANDRAKES 💀

Carried into battle in their compacted forms, these ladders provide a rapid route of ingress to strongholds, or access to vital vantage points.

Ladders are Exposed terrain. Before the battle, you can set up any of them as follows: - Wholly within your territory. - Upright against terrain that’s at least 2" tall. - More than 2" from other equipment terrain features. - More than 1" from doors and access points. In addition, an operative can either move through ladders as if they aren’t there (but cannot fnish on them), or climb them. Once per action, whenever an operative is climbing this terrain feature, treat the vertical distance as 1". Note that if an operative then continues climbing another terrain feature during that action (including another ladder), that distance is determined as normal.

UTILITY GRENADES

Universal Equipment

MANDRAKES 💀

From neuro‑suppressant psybombs to smoke‑belching chemical charges, grenades of this sort can suppress the enemy and be the difference between life and death.

When you select this equipment, select two utility grenades (2 smoke, 2 stun, or 1 smoke and 1 stun). Each selection is a unique action your operatives can perform, but your kill team can only perform that action a total number of times during the battle equal to your selection.

EXPLOSIVE GRENADES

Universal Equipment

MANDRAKES 💀

A variety of offensive grenades are employed by the forces of the 41st Millennium. These range from simple fragmentation grenades to plasma and gravitic concussion grenades, while even more exotic devices are used to crack open enemy armour.

When you select this equipment, select two explosive grenades (2 frag, 2 krak, or 1 frag and 1 krak). Each selection is a ranged weapon your operatives can use, but your kill team can only use that weapon a total number of times during the battle equal to your selection.

PORTABLE BARRICADE

Universal Equipment

MANDRAKES 💀

Little more than a suppression shield with armoured feet, these barricades can be hefted and borne forwards to provide mobile cover.

A portable barricade is Light, Protective and Portable terrain. Before the battle, you can set it up wholly within your territory, on the killzone foor and more than 2" from other equipment terrain features, access points and Accessible terrain. Protective: While an operative is in cover from this terrain feature, improve its Save stat by 1 (to a maximum of 2+). Portable: This terrain feature only provides cover while an operative is connected to it and if the shield is intervening (ignore its feet). Operatives connected to the inside of it can perform the following unique action during the battle. MOVE WITH BARRICADE 1AP The same as the Reposition action, except the active operative can move no more than its Move stat minus 2" and cannot climb, drop, jump or use any kill team’s rules that remove it and set it back up again (e.g. HEARTHKYN SALVAGER FLY, MANDRAKE SHADOW PASSAGE). Before this operative moves, remove the portable barricade it’s connected to. After it moves, set up the portable barricade so it’s connected again, but the portable barricade cannot be set up within 2" of other equipment terrain features, access points or Accessible terrain. If this is not possible, the portable barricade is not set up again. This action is treated as a Reposition action. An operative cannot perform this action while within control range of an enemy operative, or during the same activation in which it performed the Fall Back or Charge action.