Dreadlord (Sword & Crossbow)
Lord· Lord· 1 model at Ultra size
Skill tree →Duel it in the combat calculator →vs Chaos Warriors, the unit the rankings measure against; pick any other there.
Dreadlord (Sword & Crossbow) is Dark Elves lord: 4,068 HP, armour 90, melee attack 60, melee defence 45, weapon strength 400, range 125 m, missile damage 300 per 10 s for the whole unit. It costs 1,000 in the campaign and 850 in multiplayer. Unit key wh2_main_def_cha_dreadlord_0. Patch 9.0.4, from the game's data tables.
Hit Points4,068This determines how many hits a unit can withstand alongside armour and melee defence.Patch 9.0.4 · battle_entities.hit_points, land_units.bonus_hit_points, main_units.num_men · (soldier + mount hit points + bonus hit points) × models
Health
4,068
bottom 11% of class
Armour90How resistant a unit is to missile fire and melee attacks.Patch 9.0.4 · land_units.armour → unit_armour_types.armour_value
Armour
90
top 38% of class
Leadership80A unit with high leadership is less likely to rout in the face of danger.
Leadership is improved by experience in battle.Patch 9.0.4 · land_units.morale
Leadership
80
top 38% of class
Speed36This is how fast a unit moves.Patch 9.0.4 · battle_entities.run_speed / fly_speed (mount if any) · run or fly speed × 10
Speed
36
bottom 17% of class
Melee Attack60This determines the chance of a successful hit on the enemy when the unit is engaged in melee.
Battle-hardened troops will gain experience through melee, improving this skill.Patch 9.0.4 · land_units.melee_attack
Melee attack
60
top 25% of class
Melee Defence45This determines the chance of a unit being hit whilst in melee.
This only works in melee and provides no protection from missiles!Patch 9.0.4 · land_units.melee_defence
Melee defence
45
top 46% of class
Weapon strength400 · 260 base + 140 armour-piercingBase Weapon Damage: Base weapon damageArmour-Piercing Weapon Damage: Armour-piercing weapon damagePatch 9.0.4 · melee_weapons.damage + ap_damage · base damage + armour-piercing damage
Weapon strength
260 base + 140 armour-piercing
400
bottom 36% of class
Charge Bonus35This increases a unit's melee attack and damage when charging.Patch 9.0.4 · land_units.charge_bonus
Charge bonus
35
bottom 27% of class
Ranged
Range125 mA long range enables you to hit enemies from a distance, but weapons are still more accurate at shorter ranges.Patch 9.0.4 · projectiles.effective_range
Range
125 m
bottom 44% of class
Ammunition40The amount of ammunition this unit can carry into battle.
Once this has been exhausted the unit will be forced to switch to melee to continue fighting.
After the battle, ammunition is fully replenished.Patch 9.0.4 · land_units.primary_ammo ÷ projectiles.shots_per_volley · counted in volleys, as the card does
Ammunition
40
bottom 48% of class
Missile Strength180 · 40 base + 140 AP, 2 projectiles per shotThe damage caused by a missile attack, split between base and armour piercing.
Armour-piercing damage is always applied, base damage can be blocked by armour.Patch 9.0.4 · projectiles.damage + ap_damage (+ projectiles_explosions detonation damage) · per projectile, base + armour-piercing (+ explosion)
Missile damage
40 base + 140 AP, 2 projectiles per shot
180
bottom 45% of class
Reload Skill12 sThe rate at which this unit can fire.
This is improved with experience.Patch 9.0.4 · projectiles.base_reload_time (not listed when it is 0)
Reload time
12 s
bottom 1% of class
Damage per 10 s300Patch 9.0.4 · computed from the projectile rows above · missile damage × projectiles × 10 ÷ reload time, per model (computed, not an in-game number; not listed without a reload time)
Damage per 10 s
300
bottom 26% of class
Attributes
- Encourage
This unit provides a leadership bonus to nearby allies. Units within range of both the Lord's aura and an encouraging unit will receive the larger of the two bonuses.
- Hide (forest)
This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.
Abilities
- Volley of Dark ArrowsMagic Missiles · Requires line of sight to the target, Causes armour-piercing damage…activeVolley of Dark ArrowsMagic MissilesRequires line of sight to the targetCauses armour-piercing damageEffective at long rangeGood penetrationCooldown 90 s · 3 uses · Wind-up 1 sBy which an unexpected shower of pointy death rains down upon the unfortunate targets. Ouch!
- Loose!Augment (Area) · +10 Reload SkillpassiveLoose!Augment (Area)+10 Reload SkillPassive · Range 55 mThe authorisation to loose arrows without adherence to drill makes for an irregular - and therefore far deadlier - hail of pointed death.
- Murderous ProwessAugment · +20% Armour-Piercing Missile Damage, +25% Charge Bonus…passiveMurderous ProwessAugment+20% Armour-Piercing Missile Damage+25% Charge Bonus+25% Melee Attack+15 LeadershipPassive · Duration 90 s · 1 useSlaughter! There is no greater glorification of Khaine, the God of Murder, and no more popular form of worship – or indeed daily exercise – amongst the Dark Elves.
- WoundsHex · -10% Speed, -20% Armour-Piercing Weapon Damage…passiveWoundsHex-10% Speed-20% Armour-Piercing Weapon Damage-20% Base Weapon DamagePassiveEven the greatest foes can be laid low with terrible injuries, and the greater the damage done, the less able they will be to effectively continue the fray.
- Foe-SeekerAugment · +25% Charge Speed, +25% SpeedactiveFoe-SeekerAugment+25% Charge Speed+25% SpeedCooldown 60 s · Duration 25 sThere are those who wish nothing more than to be at the heart of battle, seeking foes to vanquish.
Counters
Good against
- Heavily armoured units — 140 of 180 missile damage armour-piercinge.g. Steam Tank, Blessed Bastiladon (Solar Engine), Rotting Leviathan · Dark Elves: Cold One Dread Knights, Cold One Chariots
- Lightly armoured units without shields — 300 missile damage per 10 s (whole unit)e.g. Curs'd Ettin, Exalted Plaguebearers of Nurgle, Zombies · Dark Elves: Feral Bears, Shades
Vulnerable to
- Bonus vs infantry — infantry-sizede.g. Doom-Flayers, War Mammoth, Feral Mammoth · Dark Elves: Cold One Chariots, Bloodwrack Shrine
Computed from base unit-card values (no skills, items or abilities), one rule per line; examples are units with the most of that trait. How counters are worked out · Try it in the combat calculator
Dreadlord (Sword & Crossbow) skill tree
49 skills, line by line as the game lays them out. Hover a skill for the rank it unlocks at and its effects at each level.
Plan Dreadlord (Sword & Crossbow)'s skills
- Dark SteedDark SteedUnlocks at rank 4
- Mount: Dark Steed
- Cold OneCold OneUnlocks at rank 7
- Mount: Cold One
- Dark PegasusDark PegasusUnlocks at rank 14
- Mount: Dark Pegasus
- Black DragonBlack DragonUnlocks at rank 18
- Mount: Black Dragon
- SadisticSadisticUnlocks at rank 4
- Armour-piercing weapon damage: +12
- Charge bonus: +5
- Melee attack: +3
- Eternal HatredEternal HatredUnlocks at rank 6
- Weapon strength: +10% when fighting against High Elves
- Weapon strength: +6%
- Ward of KhaineWard of KhaineUnlocks at rank 8
- Missile resistance: 10%
- Ward of HekartiWard of HekartiUnlocks at rank 8
- Spell resistance: 10%
- Soldiers of RenownSoldiers of RenownUnlocks at rank 10 · 3 levelsLevel 1
- Regiments of Renown army capacity: +1 (own army)
- Regiments of Renown army capacity: +2 (own army)
- Regiments of Renown army capacity: +3 (own army)
- ImmortalityImmortalityUnlocks at rank 20
- This Lord will be wounded instead of killed in battle
- MentorMentorUnlocks at rank 30 · 3 levelsLevel 1
- Character experience gain: +20% (Heroes in Lord's army)
- Character will share +15% of experience earned between all other active Lords
- Character experience gain: +35% (Heroes in Lord's army)
- Character will share +30% of experience earned between all other active Lords
- Character experience gain: +50% (Heroes in Lord's army)
- Character will share +50% of experience earned between all other active Lords
- Martial Name of PowerMartial Name of PowerUnlocks at rank 10
- Choose a Name of Power that improves the Lord's own combat skills
- Revered Name of PowerRevered Name of PowerUnlocks at rank 10
- Choose a Name of Power that improves the Lord's army
- Aristocratic Name of PowerAristocratic Name of PowerUnlocks at rank 10
- Choose a Name of Power that influences the province in which Lord is standing or the faction as a whole
- Sea Dragon CloakSea Dragon Cloak
- Armour: +5
- Devastating ChargeDevastating Charge2 levelsLevel 1
- Charge bonus: +15
- Charge bonus: +30
- DeadeyeDeadeye2 levelsLevel 1
- Ammunition: +15%
- Reload time reduction: +7%
- Ammunition: +30%
- Reload time reduction: +15%
- Blade MasterBlade Master2 levelsLevel 1
- Melee attack: +6
- Melee attack: +12
- IndomitableIndomitable2 levelsLevel 1
- Leadership: +6
- Leadership: +12
- Foe-SeekerFoe-Seeker
- Ability: "Foe-Seeker"
- Wound-MakerWound-Maker2 levelsLevel 1
- Weapon strength: +10%
- Weapon strength: +20%
- Full Plate ArmourFull Plate Armour2 levelsLevel 1
- Armour: +7
- Armour: +15
- Piercing ShotsPiercing Shots2 levelsLevel 1
- Missile strength: +7%
- Missile strength: +15%
- Expeditious EndeavourExpeditious Endeavour2 levelsLevel 1
- Speed: +7%
- Speed: +15%
- Volley of Dark ArrowsVolley of Dark Arrows
- Ability: "Volley of Dark Arrows"
- Inspiring PresenceInspiring Presence
- Unit experience gain per turn: +75 (Lord's army)
- Character's aura leadership effect: +5
- Line BreakerLine Breaker3 levelsLevel 1
- Melee defence: +4 for Dreadspears, Bleakswords, Black Ark Corsairs and Darkshards units (Lord's army)
- Melee attack: +4 for Dreadspears, Bleakswords, Black Ark Corsairs and Darkshards units (Lord's army)
- Melee defence: +4 for Dreadspears, Bleakswords, Black Ark Corsairs and Darkshards units (Lord's army)
- Melee attack: +6 for Dreadspears, Bleakswords, Black Ark Corsairs and Darkshards units (Lord's army)
- Melee defence: +6 for Dreadspears, Bleakswords, Black Ark Corsairs and Darkshards units (Lord's army)
- SheafmasterSheafmaster3 levelsLevel 1
- Ammunition: +8% for Darkshards, Black Ark Corsairs and Reaper Bolt Thrower units (Lord's army)
- Ammunition: +12% for Darkshards, Black Ark Corsairs and Reaper Bolt Thrower units (Lord's army)
- Reload time reduction: +4% for Darkshards, Black Ark Corsairs and Bolt Thrower units (Lord's army)
- Ammunition: +20% for Darkshards, Black Ark Corsairs and Reaper Bolt Thrower units (Lord's army)
- Reload time reduction: +8% for Darkshards, Black Ark Corsairs and Bolt Thrower units (Lord's army)
- Raid LeaderRaid Leader3 levelsLevel 1
- Charge bonus: +6 for Shades, Dark Riders, Doomfire Warlocks and Scourgerunner Chariot units (Lord's army)
- Charge bonus: +9 for Shades, Dark Riders, Doomfire Warlocks and Scourgerunner Chariot units (Lord's army)
- Melee defence: +3 for Shades, Dark Riders, Doomfire Warlock and Scourgerunner Chariot units (Lord's army)
- Missile strength: +6% for Shades, Dark Riders and Scourgerunner Chariot units (Lord's army)
- Charge bonus: +12 for Shades, Dark Riders, Doomfire Warlocks and Scourgerunner Chariot units (Lord's army)
- Melee defence: +5 for Shades, Dark Riders, Doomfire Warlock and Scourgerunner Chariot units (Lord's army)
- Missile strength: +8% for Shades, Dark Riders and Scourgerunner Chariot units (Lord's army)
- Lash MasterLash Master3 levelsLevel 1
- Weapon strength: +6% for Harpies, War Hydra, Kharibdyss, Black Dragon, Feral Manticore and Bloodwrack Medusae units (Lord's army)
- Reload time reduction: +9% for Bloodwrack Medusae units (Lord's army)
- Charge bonus: +9 for Harpies, War Hydra, Kharibdyss, Black Dragon, Feral Manticore and Bloodwrack Medusae units (Lord's army)
- Weapon strength: +9% for Harpies, War Hydra, Kharibdyss, Black Dragon, Feral Manticore and Bloodwrack Medusae units (Lord's army)
- Reload time reduction: +12% for Bloodwrack Medusae units (Lord's army)
- Charge bonus: +12 for Harpies, War Hydra, Kharibdyss, Black Dragon, Feral Manticore and Bloodwrack Medusae units (Lord's army)
- Weapon strength: +12% for Harpies, War Hydra, Kharibdyss, Black Dragon, Feral Manticore and Bloodwrack Medusae units (Lord's army)
- Knight LordKnight Lord3 levelsLevel 1
- Melee attack: +4 for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units (Lord's army)
- Melee attack: +4 for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units (Lord's army)
- Melee defence: +4 for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units (Lord's army)
- Melee attack: +6 for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units (Lord's army)
- Melee defence: +6 for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units (Lord's army)
- SlaughterlordSlaughterlord3 levelsLevel 1
- Melee attack: +4 for Witch Elves, Har Ganeth Executioners, Black Guard of Naggarond and Sisters of Slaughter units (Lord's army)
- Melee attack: +4 for Witch Elves, Har Ganeth Executioners, Black Guard of Naggarond and Sisters of Slaughter units (Lord's army)
- Melee defence: +4 for Witch Elves, Har Ganeth Executioners, Black Guard of Naggarond and Sisters of Slaughter units (Lord's army)
- Melee attack: +6 for Witch Elves, Har Ganeth Executioners, Black Guard of Naggarond and Sisters of Slaughter units (Lord's army)
- Melee defence: +6 for Witch Elves, Har Ganeth Executioners, Black Guard of Naggarond and Sisters of Slaughter units (Lord's army)
- Loose!Loose!
- Passive ability: "Loose!"
- Cull the UnworthyCull the Unworthy
- Armour: +10 for Bleakswords, Dreadspears, Darkshards and Reaper Bolt Thrower units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Missile strength: +12% for Darkshards and Reaper Bolt Thrower units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Missile resistance: 15% for Bleakswords, Dreadspears, Darkshards and Reaper Bolt Thrower units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Weapon strength: +12% for Bleakswords, Dreadspears, Darkshards and Reaper Bolt Thrower units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Ravager RewardsRavager Rewards
- Armour: +10 for Black Ark Corsairs, Shades, Dark Riders, Doomfire Warlocks and Scourgerunner Chariot units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Range: +15% for Black Ark Corsairs, Shades, Dark Riders and Scourgerunner Chariot units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Speed: +10% for Black Ark Corsairs, Shades, Dark Riders, Doomfire Warlocks and Scourgerunner Chariot units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Favour the FortunateFavour the Fortunate
- Armour: +5 for Black Guard of Naggarond, Har Ganeth Executioners, Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Charge bonus: +12 for Black Guard of Naggarond, Har Ganeth Executioners, Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Weapon strength: +12% for Black Guard of Naggarond, Har Ganeth Executioners, Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Confer BloodlustConfer Bloodlust
- Physical resistance: 10% for Witch Elves, Harpies, War Hydra, Kharibdyss, Black Dragon, Feral Manticore, Sisters of Slaughter and Bloodwrack Medusae units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Speed: +10% for Witch Elves, Harpies, War Hydra, Kharibdyss, Black Dragon, Feral Manticore, Sisters of Slaughter and Bloodwrack Medusae units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Weapon strength: +12% for Witch Elves, Harpies, War Hydra, Kharibdyss, Black Dragon, Feral Manticore, Sisters of Slaughter and Bloodwrack Medusae units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Darken the SkiesDarken the Skies
- Replaces: "Loose!"
- Passive ability: "Darken the Skies"
- Route MarcherRoute Marcher
- Campaign movement range: +5%
- Iron DisciplinarianIron Disciplinarian3 levelsLevel 1
- Control: +1 (local province)
- Control: +2 (local province)
- Control: +3 (local province)
- Dreaded SlaverDreaded Slaver3 levelsLevel 1
- Casualties captured post-battle: +5%
- Casualties captured post-battle: +12%
- Casualties captured post-battle: +25%
- Serve or DieServe or Die3 levelsLevel 1
- Recruitment cost: -5% (Lord's army)
- Recruitment cost: -10% (Lord's army)
- Recruitment cost: -15% (Lord's army)
- Infamous RaiderInfamous Raider3 levelsLevel 1
- Income from looting settlements: +4% (Lord's army)
- Income from raiding: +10% (Lord's army)
- Income from sacking settlements: +4% (Lord's army)
- Income from looting settlements: +9% (Lord's army)
- Income from raiding: +20% (Lord's army)
- Income from sacking settlements: +9% (Lord's army)
- Income from looting settlements: +15% (Lord's army)
- Income from raiding: +30% (Lord's army)
- Income from sacking settlements: +15% (Lord's army)
- DraftmasterDraftmaster
- Recruit rank: +1 for all units (Lord's army)
- Local recruitment capacity: +1 (local province)
- Lightning StrikeLightning Strike3 levelsLevel 1
- Enemy battle reinforcement time: +25%
- Battle reinforcement time: -10%
- Reinforcements supporting this army can have their arrival point adjusted by +250 metres without incurring any time penalty
- Enemy battle reinforcement time: +50%
- Battle reinforcement time: -20%
- Reinforcements supporting this army can have their arrival point adjusted by +600 metres without incurring any time penalty
- Enemy battle reinforcement time: +50%
- Battle reinforcement time: -30%
- Reinforcements supporting this army can have their arrival point adjusted by +1000 metres without incurring any time penalty
- Enables lightning strike battles when reinforcements are present
- QuartermasterQuartermaster3 levelsLevel 1
- Upkeep: -3% (Lord's army)
- Upkeep: -6% (Lord's army)
- Upkeep: -10% (Lord's army)
- Fleeting ShadowFleeting Shadow3 levelsLevel 1
- Ambush success chance: +6% (Lord's army)
- Ambush defence chance: +5% (Lord's army)
- Ambush success chance: +16% (Lord's army)
- Ambush defence chance: +10% (Lord's army)
- Attribute: Vanguard Deployment
- Ambush success chance: +30% (Lord's army)
- Ambush defence chance: +20% (Lord's army)
- Elven HealingElven Healing3 levelsLevel 1
- Casualty replenishment rate: +2% (Lord's army)
- Attrition: -10% casualties suffered from all attrition (Lord's army)
- Casualty replenishment rate: +4% (Lord's army)
- Attrition: -20% casualties suffered from all attrition (Lord's army)
- Casualty replenishment rate: +6% (Lord's army)
- Attrition: -30% casualties suffered from all attrition (Lord's army)
- Renowned & FearedRenowned & Feared
- Enemy Hero action success chance: -10%
- Hero self-defence: +25% chance of wounding aggressors
- Campaign movement range: +5%
- Recruit rank: +1 for all units (Lord's army)
- Upkeep: -8% (Lord's army)
Every version of Dreadlord (Sword & Crossbow)
5 units share this name (mounts, race versions, renown or faction variants). Differences from the first row are highlighted.
| Version | HP | Models | Armour | Lead. | Speed | MA | MD | WS | Charge | Cost | Upkeep | Unit key |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark ElvesLord | 4,068 | 1 | 90 | 80 | 36 | 60 | 45 | 400 | 35 | 1,000 | 250 | wh2_main_def_cha_dreadlord_0 |
| Dark ElvesLord | 4,576 | 1 | 90 | 80 | 92 | 60 | 45 | 400 | 55 | 1,100 | 275 | wh2_main_def_cha_dreadlord_1 |
| Dark ElvesLord | 4,792 | 1 | 115 | 80 | 68 | 60 | 45 | 400 | 55 | 1,300 | 325 | wh2_main_def_cha_dreadlord_2 |
| Dark ElvesLord | 8,444 | 1 | 90 | 80 | 95 | 52 | 46 | 520 | 50 | 2,100 | 525 | wh2_main_def_cha_dreadlord_4 |
| Dark ElvesLord | 4,980 | 1 | 90 | 80 | 105 | 60 | 45 | 400 | 65 | 1,500 | 375 | wh2_main_def_cha_dreadlord_5 |
Who can field it
- Dark Elves · Naggarond
Custom Battle lists factions under each race; every faction of a race fields that race's units (units_custom_battle_permissions rows of any of its factions). The name after the race is the faction the army builder uses.
The game also has 1 summoned or scripted copy of this unit that no building or mercenary pool recruits (wh2_main_def_cha_dreadlord_0_black_ark).
Where these numbers come from
Read from the game's database tables for patch 9.0.4 (main_units, land_units, battle_entities, melee_weapons, projectiles…) as published in the WH3-Dump export (commit 099796e8). Formulas that turn table values into card values are checked against known units before they are shown — how we verify.