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So, to clarify, I think there is a legitimate RaW argument that because there is no explicit definition of what a "named character" is, you can argue that anything with the Character keyword that also has a name on it's datasheet can be a "named character", but that's not what I want to talk about here because that is just silly.

What I would like to see is whether or not The Emperor's Champion counts as a named character from a RaI standpoint. Obviously someone like High Marshal Helbrecht is a "named character", but The Emperor's Champion is an honorary rank, not a name. However, it does have the "Only one of this model may be included in your army" rule, which might suggest that it is a "named character".

Thoughts?

Edit (The post I added to the Sticky FAQ thread):

What exactly is a "named character"?

No, I am not being facetious. The codexes state that "Named characters such as [Marneus Calgar][Lucius the Eternal][Lord Kaldor Draigo] already have one or more artefacts, and cannot be given any of the following relics." However, if we're going to go by the dictionary definition of a "named character" due to a lack of any in game definition, it would mean any model or unit that has the CHARACTER keyword that also has a name on it's datasheet is a "named character". Furthermore, several units like "The Emperor's Champion" which were special characters in the past are not "names" in the strictest meaning of the term, but a rank. Since several rules now require you to base it on the background of a chapter (e.g. Successors being able to use their Parent's stratagems), you could argue that Cypher was a pre-heresy Dark Angels title, not a name.

Basically I am asking for an idiot proof confirmation that any model that has the "Only one of this model may be included in your army." are "named characters" for the purposes of Relics.

There's only ever ONE in any given battle according to fluff.If it's under the section where "points of war gear are included with this character" and if it's uinique, I would call that a named character.

Does he already have an artefact?

Fluff-wise it isn't just one guy, whereas there's only one Cypher or Bobby G, so I don't think you can stretch patterns elsewhere to make the EC a named character. Patterns in 8th don't always follow every time due to bespoke nature.

I'm in the 'no, not a named dude' camp.

In short you cannot take more than 1 of him just like every other named character which makes him a named character, and looking at his wargear he already has at least 1 relic.

[X] Only one per army
[X] already got a piece of the relic cake

I would say until it is answered in a FAQ, he is a 'named character'.

I would just like to point out that Fluff has absolutely no bearing on the rules. The EC is not a unique, named character in lore, as anyone can become one on the eve of a battle. However, rule-wise, to not have an army of them running around, they're *represented* by the named character rules. This is probably the closest approximation of his fluff (note that rules can mimic fluff, but fluff does not affect it) as his wargear is suppose to be set and there's only one of him in any given battle.

Also, he's in the "Named Characters" list in the points value. That's about as hard as anything for classifying him as a generic or named character.

All the named characters is the SM codex are listed in the points value section on page 207.

The Emperor's Champion is a named character.

 yakface wrote:

All the named characters is the SM codex are listed in the points value section on page 207.

The Emperor's Champion is a named character.

Lol I can't believe I missed that. Don't I feel like a silly git now.