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Just an odd idea. Not exactly a warlord trait, but a certain action that can be used once per game.

Here's how it could work, before the game begins, both players roll a D6. They then consult a table to see what stratagem they get.
When they are allowed to use their stratagem, they may perform it. It can only be used once per game though.

I'm... not very good at balance, but I'll try to throw in a few ideas.

1 - Inspirational War Call: One unit in the army may automatically pass a leadership test. This stratagem may be used when a leadership test is required.

2 - Backup Plan: This stratagem may be used if a War Machine rolls a misfire or if a sorcerer miscasts. They may reroll the result on the misfire or miscast table.

3 - Brace Yourselves!: This stratagem may be used if a unit is being hit by a ranged attack. The unit being shot at gains a +5 ward save for the ranged attack.

4 - Mob Charge: This stratagem may be used on a charge. The charging unit gains Impact Hits (1). If a unit already has Impact Hits, increase it by 1.

5 - Horrific Transformation: This stratagem may be used at the start of your turn before any units have moved. One unit has the Terror Special Rule until the start of the player's next turn.

6 - Blood lust: This stratagem may be used when a friendly unit charges. If used, the unit gains the Swiftstride Special Rule. If the unit already has Swiftstride, it rolls 4D6 instead.

The problem I can imagine having with this would likely be some stratagems being useless for certain armies and overpowered for others.
In case their maybe a bit useless for once a game actions, maybe allow both players to take multiple stratagems per game?

I recall many, many years ago that something similar to this was published in a White Dwarf.

I can't quite recall if they were things that you actually had to pay for, got randomly, or could just select based upon a particular characters allowance but they were similar to what your suggesting here.

One that sticks in my mind was an option that buffed the generals Ld bubble to 18 inches, at the cost of -1WS and -1I... from memory it was because they had been up all night preparing a really good speech.

Like you say, some of these are useless for some armies whilst some would be no-brainers should players be given free choice. I think it's a really great idea for adding depth to casual games or narratives, but honestly it's a really hard thing to balance. Having only one per army might not be making use of it enough, but making it a character dependent thing wouldn't really work either because some armies can spam cheap heroes in order to get more rolls or choices.

It's a neat idea, hard one to get right though!

Fair enough. At least the idea wasn't bad.

Black Gem of Gnar. gg

It adds more randomness. I had played a card miniature hybrid game before and I had no chance of winning on western front. But I went in with these 2 cards that turned my fodder into super mercenaries for a round and I won.

If it's something you can take at will and isn't random, then you will always take the one you need. If it's random it's another thing to complain about.

I played in a GT recently- the Bugeater, that used this exact concept. You had 5 different cards out of "The Emperor's Tarot" and you could use each one once per game. Each one had either an ability you could use, or a mission that if accomplished would grant 300 VP's. Here's a couple from memory:

The Dwarf- grants one unit stubborn for a phase -or- 300 VP's if you capture more standards than your opponent.

Morr- your entire army gains fear and you get +d3 to cast all spells from lore of Death -or- 300 VP's if you killed more models than your opponent (cav count as two)

The Magician- gave bonus dice in the magic phase (d6 to you and d3 to opponent) -or- 300 VP's if you had the highest wiz. level at the end of the game

The Trickster- miscast a spell on any double -or- 300 VP's for completing two flank charges during the game.

The Emperor- general inspiring prescence increases by 6" for a turn -or- kill the enemy general for 300 VP's

Overall it was pretty cool. From what Alex said it seems like like were largely inspired by White Dwarf.

I really like all of your's, as well. More based around strategic decision making than magic and whatnot. I could see each army getting specific strategies, too.

Just an observation, but look at the new (2nd Ed) Cathay army book.
It contains "Art of War" tactics, for use by one of the Heroes. They cost, and are not guaranteed, they also occupy one Hero slot, but it's something a bit different.
H