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Does the High elf battles standard bearer have any limits on the magic items and mundane gear he can take?

Im wondering if there is some thing in the main rule book that limits a BSB's options such as shields, bows and two handed weapons, because the entry in the HE book specifically does not.

If not, I should be able to strap a standard pole to the back of my reaver bow toting, greatsword wielding noble and call it good right?

Thanks in advance...

The real quesion here is not "What is he not allowed to take" so much as "What is he allowed to take?" I admit that I don't have a copy of the new High Elf army book on hand. I do, however, have a copy of the old one. From the sidebar (and this phrasing is very common in a number of army books):

"The Battle Standard Bearer cannot choose any non-magical equipment except for light, heavy, or dragon armor and/or barding for his steed. The Battle Standard Bearer can have any magic banner (no points limit), but if he carries a magic banner he cannot carry other magic items or use any Honours."

The Dwarfs book, Orcs and Goblins book, Lizardmen book, and Tomb Kings book all contain similar phrasing. You might be able to pull off the Reaver Bow. But, in general, any two handed weapon is a no-go. Oftentimes, a ranged weapon is also a no-go. Dwarf BSBs can't take pistols or throwing axes. So I would bet that the response here is going to be a "no", but I'm curious to see the opinions of others.

As usual, previous rules and rules contained in other army books have no bearing on the current High Elves book.

The way the rule is now worded is that you can take any of your normal options and still carry the BSB. The only restriction is that if you have him carry a magic banner then his gear cannot be magical.

Quoted directly form the new HE book:

Battle Standard Bearer:

*One Noble in the army may carry the Battle Standard for +25 points. The Battle Standard Bearer may not be the army's general.

*The Battle Standard Bearer can have any magic banner (no points limit), but if he carries a magic banner he cannot carry any other magic items.

Thats it. No restrictions in the book on what he can take, so unless the main rulebook says otherwise, he can have greatweapons, lances, bows, sit on an eagle and either have any banner or 50 points of any magic items just like a normal noble can.

Wayfarer wrote:As usual, previous rules and rules contained in other army books have no bearing on the current High Elves book.

The way the rule is now worded is that you can take any of your normal options and still carry the BSB. The only restriction is that if you have him carry a magic banner then his gear cannot be magical.

So Im right that the only limits on the BSB are the ones set in each individual army book? Goody.

Seems a little over the top, but if thats how it is I would be a fool to not equip him up well.

Big Red doesn't have any restrictions on equipment for BSB's. Equipment options and restrictions are left to the army books themselves.

Fastedit: Yeah the standard thing to do now is give him a greatweapon.

Thank you very much.

I think a greatweapon and a shield should should be standard kit for one now, since you can take both.

2 points for some utility? Thats a no brainer if you ask me.

If you turn the banner itself into a large backbanner then your noble is free to have any equipment on the model. Giving him a greatsword in one hand and a standard in the other will be confusing.

Frankly I would avoid the magic standard tool him up as you woukld a noble and keep the standard as a 25pt upgrade.

Yeah, the general restrictions on BSBs left and so now you just look to the AB. Apprently, GW decided that squishy HEs should have some better BSB options, which is neat. Getting a rerollable 1+/5+ save for the BSB is pretty nifty.

Also, on modeling, why not just put the GW on his back? Although, I really like the idea of Japanese style backbanners for HEs.

Not that this is RAW or anything, but the HE book has a few pictures of BSBs with shields as well.

Zoned