Abilities

**Abilities** are a very broad category described as particular actions that things (eg: units, the player, or the AI) are capable of doing or being affected by in battle in the Total War: Warhammer series. *Not to be confused with Attributes.*

## How abilities work

First, there are a few things to note:

* *Not cumulative*: having multiple sources providing the same ability to a unit, for example, does not make the ability stronger, last longer and allow it to be used more times or more often
* *Cannot be permanently lost*: abilities cannot be permanently lost during battle or on the campaign map
* *Can be temporarily suppressed*: abilities can be temporarily ignored during a battle due to other abilities or effects
* *Mixed effects*: abilities can provide buffs , debuffs  or mixed effects

### Duration

All abilities are subdivided according to their duration, namely:

* *Active* abilities are abilities which have to be manually "started" by the player and have a specific duration

* *Passive* abilities are abilities that "start" and "end" automatically, once certain conditions are met, and do not require player intervention

### Subsets

All abilities can be clustered according to where they originate from, whether items or units, and their respective subsets.

#### Ancillaries

* *Banner* abilities are exclusive to banner  ancillaries

#### Items

* *Item* abilities are restricted to items and can be further subdivided into items with active abilities and items with passive abilities
* *Weapon* abilities are exclusive to weapon  items, and can be further subdivided into weapons with active abilities and weapons with passive abilities

#### Units

* *Army* abilities are activatable abilities by the player during battle
* *Character* abilities are exclusive to all hero  and lord  units
* *Hero* abilities are restricted to hero  units, standard and legendary alike
* *Lord* abilities are limited to lord  units, standard and legendary alike
* *Unit* abilities are available to all units, including hero  and lord  units

### Spells

*Main article:* Winds of Magic

Spells are a special type of active ability usable by spellcaster units (and occasionally other units) within the Magic game mechanic. Please see our page on the Winds of Magic for an explanation of the mechanic.

### Rarity

All abilities have an inherent rarity that roughly translates to how powerful they are: Common  > Uncommon  > Rare  > Unique  (best / most powerful)

### Introduction

The "*ability*" mechanic was introduced in Total War: Warhammer with new abilities added in subsequent versions. Abilities are "*game cumulative*" meaning all abilities added in older game versions are included in newer versions, albeit and usually updated for balance purposes. This means the same ability can have slightly different effects depending on which game version is being played.

* Total War: Warhammer abilities - for abilities introduced in the first game
* Total War: Warhammer II abilities - for new abilities introduced in the second game
* Total War: Warhammer III abilities - for new abilities introduced in the third game

**Note**: This Wiki has individual pages for each ability and each game version. Category pages track the different categories and sub-categories which are hyperlinked above, where relevant.

*--- Content below to be reviewed and updated ---*

## Common abilities

* Blood Lust
* Deadly Onslaught
* Foe-Seeker
* Frenzy
* Frostbite
* Guardian
* Heroic Killing Blow
* Poison!
* Regeneration
* Horrible Regeneration
* Rally!
* Rowdy
* Slippery
* Stand Your Ground!
* The Chilling Aura
* The Hunger
* Wayfarer

Spellcasters only:

* Arcane Conduit
* Evasion (ability)
* Greater Arcane Conduit

## Faction-Specific

#### The Empire

* Hold the Line!
* Arrows of Aqshy
* Oil Flask
* Hail of Fire
* Accusation
* Kaboom!
* Emergency Vent
* Grim Resolve
* Blinding Radiance
* Bathed in Blood
* Strength of the Penitent
* Aura of Protection
* Locus of Hysh

Warrior Priests, Arch Lectors and Volkmar the Grim:

* Hammer of Sigmar
* Divine Power
* Benediction
* Soulfire
* Faith's Bastion
* Greater Faith's Bastion
* Shield of Faith
* Grand Hammer of Sigmar
* Grand Soulfire
* Grand Shield of Faith

#### Greenskins

* Arachneruption
* Bangers & Smash
* Da Boss' Loons
* Don't Even Try It
* Dulled Senses
* Fermented Fungi
* Fishy Breath
* Get Back 'Ere!
* Giant Explodin' Spores
* Ghostly Protection
* Goggly Glare
* Immense Power
* Padded Shields
* Pump Harder Ladz!
* Maternal Instinct
* Mad Cap Mushrooms
* Mither
* Monstrous Disease
* Night Goblin Poison
* Opportunist Murderer
* Overwhelming Odour
* Rabble-Rouser
* Rubble & Ruin I
* Rubble & Ruin II
* Rubble & Ruin III
* Rock Bottom
* Slime Smoothie
* Spiky Skin
* Spinning Loons
* Spirit of Gork (or Mork)
* Smash 'Em Faster
* Smoke Bomb
* Squigs Go Boom
* Squigs Go Wild
* Swamp Breath
* Thermal Thorax
* The Loons of the Eight Peaks
* They Needs Stabbin'
* Waaagh! (ability)
* Wizardly Weapons

#### Dwarfs

* The Old Grumblers
* Deathblow
* Power of the Dragonback
* Marked by Ulthar
* Liquid Fortification
* Gyrocopter Bomb
* Gyrobomber Bomb
* Skyhammer Bomb
* Journey's End
* Flash Bomb

-Master Engineer

* Ballistics Calibration
* Extra Powder (Also on the Warlock Engineer)
* Entrenchment
* Restock!
* Cinderblast Shell

-Runelords and Runesmiths

* Forgefire
* Rune of Hearth & Home
* Rune of Oath & Steel
* Rune of Wrath & Ruin
* Rune of Negation
* Master Rune of Oath & Steel
* Master Rune of Negation
* Master Rune of Wrath & Ruin
* Locus of Power
* Greater Locus of Power

#### Vampire Counts

* Balefire
* Unholy Lodestone
* Vigour Mortis
* Undeath Resurgent
* Reliquary of Corruption
* Blasphemous Tome
* The Reliquary Binding
* The Flag of Blood Keep
* Lightning Reflexes
* Seduction
* Heart Piercing
* Honour or Death
* Storm of the Night
* Dark Protection
* Claws of Mourkain
* Ghoul King of Ushoran
* Master of the Dead
* Magical Animus
* Immortal Will
* Dark Benediction
* Black Nimbus
* Black Scythes
* Unholy Vigour

#### Warriors of Chaos

* Apocalyptic Charge
* Blooood!
* Boom!
* Soul Devourer
* Swarm of Flies
* Stand or Die!

#### Bretonnia

* Aura of the Lady
* Blessing of the Lady
* Sacred Guardian
* Lance
* Icon of Devotion

#### Beastmen

* Primal Fury
* Apocalyptic Vision
* Slaughterer's Call
* Bloodgreed
* Soul Eater
* Warp Gaze
* Distorted Reality
* Barbed-Knuckle Boxing
* Spurting Bile-Blood
* Searing Bile-Blood
* Drunken Bravado
* Strength From Flesh
* Aura of Madness
* Will of the Dark Gods

#### Wood Elves

* Arrow of Kurnous
* Blessings of the Ancients
* Call of the Woods
* Dance of Loec
* Glamoured
* Guardian of the Wildwood
* Hawkish Precision
* Howl of the Forest
* Insidious Glamour
* Loec's Shroud
* Possessed by the Trickster God
* Prey of Anath Raema
* Storm of Blades
* The Shadow's Coil
* The Wildfire Aura
* Volley of Kurnous
* Whirling Death
* Woven Mist
* Yewberry Infusion

#### Norsca

* Berserk (ability)
* Enrage
* Favour of the Ruinous Powers
* Fight or Die!
* From the Mist
* Giver of Glory
* Rage
* Ruinous Flesh
* Seduction of the Serpent
* Vicious Assault I
* Vicious Assault II
* Vicious Assault III
	+ Monster Hunt enemies only:
	+ Exploding Fart
	+ Frost Breath (Frigustrex)
	+ Howling Winter
	+ Lightning Storm
	+ Lightning Strike
	+ Mother of Flame
	+ Primal Rage
	+ Soulbinding

#### Lizardmen

* Arcane Vassal
* Cold-Blooded
* Shield of the Old Ones
* Supreme Shield of the Old Ones
* Primal Instincts
* Miasma of Despair
* Monstrous Strength
* Drop Rocks of Sundering
* Drop Rocks
* Ark of Sotek
* Revivification Crystal
* Toad Rage
* Judgment of the Uxmac
* Dread Aversion
* Burning Alignment
* Portent of Warding
* Arcane Configuration
* Focus Instinct
* Warrior's Crest
* Primeval Roar
* Master of the Sacred Places

#### Skaven

* Acidic Fear Musk
* Blade Swirl
* Blood Shield
* Cellular Instability
* Concealment Bombs
* Death Frenzy
* Doomrockets
* Doppelgang
* Duck & Weave
* Demagoguery
* Endless Drum
* Evisceration
* Fickle Guardian
* Fluid Injection
* Instability I
* Instability II
* Instability III
* Looming Dread
* Loyal Guardian
* Necroparisites
* Overload
* Power Grab
* Propane Perspiration
* Running with the Pack
* Seismic Snare
* Shock Collar
* Scurry Away!
* Snare-Net
* Strength in Numbers
* The Best Defence
* The Rats Emerge
* Too Horrible to Die
* Verminous Valour
* Warpbomb
* Warp Discharge
* Warp Frenzy
* Warp Lightning Rod
* Warp-Quake
* Witness Me!

#### High Elves

* Loec's Shroud
* Martial Prowess
* Martial Mastery
* Loose!
* Volley of High Arrows
* Aura of Protection
* Wake of Fire
* Rebirth
* Fiery Rebirth
* Attuned to Magic
* Blizzard Aura
* Emberstorm
* Omen of Hope
* Mighty Roar

#### Dark Elves

* Murderous Prowess
* Murderous Mastery
* The Trial of Blades
* Whiplash!
* Beastslaver
* Volley of Dark Arrows
* Darken the Skies
* Strength Through Spite
* Kindle the Fury
* Witchbrew
* Barbed Net
* Another Takes its Place
* Assassin's Trophy
* Black Lotus
* Dark Venom
* Wail of Malice
* Aura of Agony
* Aura of Ardour
* Abyssal Howl
* Crowfeast

#### Tomb Kings

* The Curse
* Tombstrike
* The Curse of Djaf
* Curse of Khsar
* Reanimate
* My Will Be Done
* Restore
* Stone Shaper
* Wrath of the Creator
* Death from Above
* Covenant of Power
* Spirit Conduit
* Realm of Souls Tier 1
* Realm of Souls Tier 2
* Realm of Souls Tier 3

#### Vampire Coast

* Extra Powder (Vampire Coast)

* The Hunger
* All Hands Hoay!
* Hornswaggle
* Taunt
* Abandon Ship! (ability)
* Enrage
* Enchanted Ballistics
* Noxious Disintegration
* Gaseous Demise
* Cackle Fruit
* More Powder!
* Bomb-Throw
* Dead Eyes

#### Khorne

* Bellow of Fury
* Bloodthirst
* Burning Rage
* Deathbringer
* Hellblade
* Locus of Abjuration
* Locus of Wrath
* Totem of Endless Bloodletting
* Wrath of Khorne

#### Cathay

* Alchemist's Elixir of Iron Skin
* Alchemist's Elixir of Puissance
* Battle Harmony: Yang
* Battle Harmony: Yin
* Defensive Stance
* Enchanted Metallurgy
* Eye of the Dragon
* Sky-Junk Bomb
* Transformation of the Dragon
* Wrath of the Storm

#### Tzeentch

* Arcane Mirth
* Gate of Tzeentch
* The Hammers & Herdstones Update

#### Ogre Kingdoms

* Eruption
* Extra Ingredients
* Fire Breath
* Flame Incarnate
* Gnoblar Traps

## Legendary Lord specific

Azhag

* Get on Wiv it!
* Azhag's Waaagh!

Skarsnik

* Tricksy Traps
* Skarsnik's Waaagh!
* Spite of Da Bad Moon

Wurrzag

* Warpaint of Wurrzag
* Wurrzag's Revenge
* 'Effagee' of da Git
* Wurrzag's Waaagh

Grimgor Ironhide

* You're Next!
* Best of Da Best
* Grimgor's Waaagh!

Grom the Paunch

* Da Great 'Un Iz 'Ere!
* Grom's Waaagh!
* Language of Da Boyz

Markus Wulfhart

* Hunters Snare
* Fleet-Footed
* Focused Shot

Boris Todbringer

* Crush the Weak

Thorgrim

* High King
* Oath of Vengance

Ungrim Ironfist

* Red Ruin

Grombrindal the White Dwarf

* Grombrindal Has No Fear

Belegar

* Mighty Oath Stone
* Revenge Incarnate
* Shattering Aura

Thorek Ironbrow

* Master of the Ancient Lore
* Rune of Doom

Mannfred von Carstein

* Master of the Black Arts

Heinrich Kemmler

* Lord of Undeath

Vlad von Carstein

* Aura of Dark Grandeur
* Master of Beguilement

Isabella von Carstein

* Master of Beguilement
* Red Fury

The Red Duke (Playable only upon confederation)

* El Syf

Kholek Suneater

* Lord of the Storm

Malagor the Dark Omen

* Something Wicked This Way Comes
* Unholy Power

Morghur the Shadowgave

* Call of Violence
* Spirit-Essence of Chaos

Taurox the Brass Bull

* Brass Body
* Bloodbeast

Fay Enchantress

* Mist of the Lady
* Favour of the Fay

King Louen Leoncoeur

* Beloved Son of Brettonia
* The Lady's Champion
* The Lion's Shield

Alberic de Bordelaux

* Spirit of the Tempest

Repanse de Lyonesse

* Fleur de Lys Banner
* Halo of Maidenly Wrath

Orion

* Hawk's Talon
* Hounds of Orion

Durthu

* Lamentation of Despair

Sisters of Twilight

* Conjoined Destiny
* Gwindalor's Vantage
* Ceithin-Har's Tenacity

Drycha

* Roused to Wrath
* Fanatical Resolve I
* Fanatical Resolve II
* Fanatical Resolve III

Wulfrik the Wanderer

* Hunter of Champions
* Seafang

Throgg

* Copious Vomit

Kroq-Gar:

* Swiftness of Itzl
* Sacred Spawning of Xhotl

Nakai the Wanderer

* Primal Roar
* Miasma of Despair

Tiktaq'to

* Drop Sphere of Tepok
* Master of the Skies

Gor-Rok

* Rok of Itza
* To the Death

Mazdamundi

* Ruination of Cities

Oxyotl

* Master Predator

Deathmaster Snikch

* Deathmaster's Sigil

Ikit Claw

* Unlimited Power!

Lord Skrolk

* Aura of Pestilence

Queek Headtaker

* Trophy Heads

Tretch Creventail

* Tretch's Raiders
* "Stay Here, I'll Get Help!"

Throt the Unclean

* Beast Pack
* Master Controller
* Remouldered

Malekith:

* Gaze of Malice

Morathi

* Enchanting Beauty

Hellebron:

* Gaze of Khaine

* Blood Frenzy

Lokhir Fellheart

* Dreaded Duelist
* Merciless Slaver

Malus Darkblade

* Tz'arkan (ability)
* The Blood Price
* The Daemon's Curse
* Reaper of Souls
* Bloodstorm

Rakarth

* Beastlord's Gaze

Alith Anar:

* Mislead
* Volley of Arrows

Tyrion

* Feint & Riposte

Teclis

* Potion of Charoi

Alarielle the Radiant

* Boon of Isha

Eltharion

* Mistwalker's Barrage
* Grim Discipline
* Warden's Stand

Imrik

* Lord of Dragons
* Dragonhorn (ability)
* Ashen Fields

High Queen Khalida

* Blessing of Asaph
* Venom Wave

Settra the Imperishable

* Unyielding Will
* Wrath of Ptra

Arkhan the Black

* The Liber Mortis

Grand Hierophant Khatep

* Sandstorm

Aranessa Saltspite

* Manaan's Luck
* Spearfisher's Net

Count Noctilus

* Wraith Storm

Cylostra Direfin

* Song of Enthrallment
* Ghosts of the Past

Luthor Harkon

* Magical Void
* Power Siphon

Gotrek

* Gotrek's Doom
* Heroic Fortitude

## Breath attacks

* Pestilential Breath
* Dark Fire of Chaos
* Soporific Breath
* Noxious Breath
* Sun Dragon's Breath
* Moon Dragon's Breath
* Star Dragon's Breath
* Fiery Breath
* Frost Breath
* Death Shriek

Certain mounts only:

* Bloodroar
* Swarm of Flies
* Unholy Clamour
* Wall of Unholy Sound
* Bloodshield of Khaine
* Fury of Khaine
* Scorch
* Billowing Death
* Pestilent Breath
* Burning Alignment
* Portent of Warding
* Arcane Configuration
* Locus of Power
* Covenant of Power

## Contact Effects

Contact Effect (Abilities imbued by hitting an enemy).

## Unique spells

*Main article:* Unique spells

Unique spells are specific to one or two characters, and do not truly belong to a regular lore of magic.