Mannfred von Carstein surveyed the lands of Sylvania from his castle. Already, his dark messengers were returning. He could feel the Undead stirring in their graves. Soon, very soon, his army would march forth once again in their full Undead might. Hel Fenn would be his last defeat. He would crush everyone and everything in his path. The dead would not rest again in Sylvania - never again.
The Hordes of Undeath aren't like any other race in the Warhammer world. Although slow, they are one of the toughest troops available, and they ceaselessly press on, indifferent to everything but the will of their masters. Most troops cause fear and are immue to psychology. The Undead army can be divided into three types of units, the missile fodder, barrels of wounds, and the Lords of Undeath.
Same stats as normal troops, use Undead Champion like any other champion. Wights are used much more often since they are cheaper and have Wight Blades (which are equivalent to 35 point Bone Blades). On the other hand, a Wraith Champion with the Scythe of Destruction will eat up enemy characters for lunch. Unfortunately, whether this makes the Wraith invincible in HtH is under much debate, so make sure your gaming group allows this. Also, that SoD is much more useful used elsewhere. But, just the threat of a SoD armed Wraith is enough. If they don't, don't feel to bad. Just hit'em back with a Sword of Destruction armed Vampire.
Altough Undead rank and file are tough, they are not great fighters, so your Heroes are
important. Wight Lords are one of the best deals, since they are as tough as some Lords
and cost only as much as a human hero, a welcome relief in an expensive army.
Mummy Tomb Kings are a midway point between Wight Lords and the elite Vampire Counts. Take one along if you need the Tomb King's Crown. Since they have pretty great Strength, Toughness, and Wounds, give him something to raise his Weapon Skill to a more acceptable level, or just get him a Blade of Darting Steel. An interesting tactic is to give a Tomb King Boots of Flight and Heart of Woe. Charge the strongest unit and when you die, BOOM! Strength 5+D6 Hits for 4". If you can spare the point, mount him on a Hippogriff (too bad the Undead can't ride a Pegasus) and give him the Heart and a Dark Mace. Make sure you're touching as many figures and unleash the power of the mace. When your opponent retaliates, blast 'em with the Heart.
Vampire Counts are your foremost fighters, just as good or even better than your general and they're level two necromancers. They're only a bit weaker than Vampire Lords and cost 175 points less. Give them a nice magical sword and a Golden Helm, or a magical armor if you don't need their magic, and they can easily take on most opposing Lords. Also, you might want to give him a Sword of Destruction if you can't afford that Vampire Lord.
One of the best Battle Standard Bearers in the game, three Wounds will at least keep this much targeted character in the game for a while. Pretty decent price too. A must take, since many Undead die when they break.
Since your general's also your main wizard, and Vampires can usually do backup magic, Lesser Necromancers aren't used that often. Your main mage is already taking up a hefty amount of points and you really don't need more wizards. Allied Skeven Warlocks are cheaper, lets you carry some more scrolls, and gives you access to Skaven Magic, which isn't that bad.
The most powerful character in the Undead army, and probably the entire game, the Undead General is the sustainer of the Undead army. Often, they are forced into sulking role in the back since they are so vital. Don't let this happen. These guys are such good fighters that they don't need much offensive magical items, so stock up on defense - Black Amulet, Golden Helm of Atrazar, Cloak of Mists and Shadows, and Carstein Ring for Vampire Lords. However, your Special Characters are generally better and cheaper. Their only fault is that most of then can't ride monsters or chariots, so unless you really want your general on a monster or chariot, stick with Special Characters. A popular option is to mount a Vampire Lord with the Sword of Destruction on a Manticore or, if you can afford it, a Dragon. Even Chaos Lords will be no match for such a character.
The basic Undead troops, Skeleton Warriors are way too expensive. Their high cost and
sub-average stats makes you want to cry and laugh at the same time. Although they don't
break and cause fear, they aren't justification enough. Zombies led by a character with
Crown of Command are much better deals. Don't bother to give them bows since their BS is
so low that they're not likely to hit anything. If you really want, take along a big unit
and tie up that unit of Chaos Knights. An alternative is to take a smaller unit armed to
the teeth since when you raise more Skeletons, they're equipped like the unit. Hell
Banner/Banner of Doom's a good buy since you cause fear and Vanhel's DM is so useful for
pursuing...
Skeleton Horsemen, on the other hand, are pretty good once you give them the Doomrider Banner. Arm 'em with lances and watch your enemy cringe as you inflict 4+ S5 hits. You can also arm these guys to the teeth and raise some more. A good tactic is to take a lead a unit of Skeleton Horsemen with a Wight Lord carrying both stones of Le Marquis. Use Bridge of Shadows to charge 'em, cast Van Hel's and get a couple hits in. Next turn, you'll count as charging, since you used Bridge of Shadows, so use both stones for 10+ S6 auto hits. Not many can withstand this.
What can I say, here are the missile fodder of your army. Another testimony to the fact that you should clean your corpse thoroughly of all flesh before raising it. Give them double-handed weapons, since they'll be striking last anyways, get a big whopping unit, and lead it with a Mummy Tomb King wearing The Tomb King's Crown. Place them centrally so the Tomb King doesn't slow them down too much. Cursed Book for the Tomb Kings pretty good as it will let you actually have some Zombies left alive in the front ranks to attack.
If you can live with their idiotic rule about feasting on the dead, Ghouls are great troops with Toughness 4 and two Attacks. Don't bother leading them with a Crown of Command, just boost their Combat Resolution as much as you can since they automatically break if they lose combat. As for their feasting, there's nothing you can do except use them defensively or stick them in the middle where they're bound to meet up with another enemy unit.
Ghosts are a weaker version of their deadly brethren, the Wraiths. Altouh Wraiths are better, their cheap cost and etherealness make Ghosts useful protection for your character against missiles.
The elite troops of the Undead, Wights with their Toughness of 4 and three Wounds can take on any enemy. Leadership 8 and Wight weapons don't hurt either. Make sure you mount them since this costs only two points instead of the usual doubling. Take a Banner of Might along, since they're WS isn't that great. A unit of Wight Knights with the Undead Battle Standard carring the Banner of Might led by a Wight Lord is a truly formidable foe. You may want to take a Crown of Command along if you're really worried about breaking.
The notoriously tough nobles of Araby, mummies have more Wounds than most Lords of other armies. Bring along an anti-magic item so you don't get fried by spells. There is almost no easy way to take on a even a fairly small unit of Mummies that are protected from magic. Vanhel's is essential since they're so slow. They don't have that high initiative, so consider giving them double handed weapons for two (four with Vanhel's) swings of Strength 6 destruction.
Because of their 24" flying rate, Carrions are essential to an Undead army. They aren't that strong, so stay away from characters and elite troops. Take out those war machine that are probably the only danger to your Lords (Even Nagash will succumb to multiple cannon hits), then hang back. Use Vanhel's to charge fleeing units and cut them down.
The most powerful of the lesser Undead, these souless husks of Necromancers will srike terror into the hearts of your enemies. Terror, Chill Attack, Etherealness, and three Wounds are just too good to pass by. They don't have a minimum unit size, so always take at least a Wraith. Etherealness make Wraith great war machine hunters. Your only problem is getting these guys to the enemy's back line, where most of their war machines would be. Vanhel's helps, but Bridge of Shadow is preferable, if you can get it. Remember, Wraith can break, and you never want to test on a five. Bring along a Wight Lord with the Crown of Command and if you don't mind being called a cheater, the Talisman or Obsidian, Spellshield, or Spelleater Shield.
The only reasonable missile weapon in the Undead army, Skull Chuckers are pretty good, and don't cost a lot. Take at least three to ensure an average of one HIT per round. Great against Goblins, Skaven, and Humans, since they have large numbers and low Leadership. Even if you miss, the chances that you'll hit something is pretty good against a cheap army like Goblins, Humans, and Skaven, and since even a single Wound will cause Panic, the low Leadership of the aforementioned races will present a problem for your them. Don't worry if you need more Catapults or it blows up from a misfire, you can always raise more.
Just like Skull Chuckers, you can alway repair, recrew, resteed, or create more Undead Chariots. Undead Chariots aren't as strong as other Chariots, but they do cost less. Personally, I don't use chariots. Skull Chuckers are much better and easier to raise (only a roll of 9+ rather than 10+). Don't forget that one can have a Magic Standard.
Ordinary Dragons may seem much better than the Zombie Dragon at first, but these guys aren't that bad. Mind you, they aren't really worth their point value, but are pretty effective against heavily armored targets are units with high Tounghness. Pestilence breath is one of the better breath attacks, since it'll Wound everyone hit on a 4+, no need to make a separate To Hit and To Wound rolls. The Zombie Dragon will eat knights for breakfast. A must take against an Empire or Chaos army.
Probably the best character in the game, Nagash can even defeat the Bloodthirster. Stats that rival Greater Daemons, Save against all attacks, and a level five necromancer, even the forces of Chaos cringe when facing the Supreme Lord of Undeath. He's got fixed magic items, but they're well chosen. Just remember, Nagash isn't invincible (altough he's pretty darn close). This guy is a cannon and other warmachine magnet, until you pull off the Dark Mist...:)
The general of choice for an offensive Undead army, Vlad is a close combat monster. Take Isabella along, wait until she gets killed, and charge that Chaos Lord or Dwarven High King (with full nine runes totalling 600+ points) with eight attack (thing I don't get is why Necromancer Lords and Liches have more attacks than a Vampire Lord) carrying a Sword of Desruction. Another option is to protect him with a Black Amulet and Carstein ring, arm him with a Blade of Leaping Gold (11 Attacks while Frenzied!!!). Bring along a Skabskrath for additional mayhem. Or, if you're facing a Bloodthirster, take the Talisman of Ravensdark and let the Greater Daemon of Khorne charge.
If you take Vlad, always take Isabella along. The chance to get a frenzied Vampire Count is just too good to pass by. Give Isabella a Heart of Woe and either Carstein Ring or Dark Mace of Death or a Sword of Destruction, if available, and charge! However, don't just throw her away. She may cost 25 points less than a normal Vampire Count, but she's still not something to sacrifice. Take chances, but don't do anything stupid. Isabella can easily take on Lord-level characters by herself.
Although a bit on the expensive side (as expensive as Nagash!) Mannfred is a good buy if you want your general to be prepared for anything. Take along a Book of Nagash, Black Amulet, Carstein Ring, and a nice sword and you'll have one of the most powerful and safest characters in the game. His stats are good enough that he can take on any enemy chracters.
The most popular Undead general, Heinrich costs 60 points less than a normal Necromancer Lord. Only drawback is that he can't ride monsters or chariots, but 60 points saved in a point-strapped character intensive army is well worth not being able to ride a monster. Give him a Book of Nagash, Skull Staff, and two of the following: Black Amulet, Cloak of Mists and Shadows, Staff of Damnation, or Ring of Corin. This is one of the safest way to field an Undead General, since the Book of Nagash and Skull Staff will make you one of the most powerful wizards on the field and you can hang back, stay away from combat, and cast away. One cheesy tactic is to hide behind a hill or building, raise skeleton horsemen and send them through the obstacle. Or, take the Chaos Tomb Blade and Cursed Book, get locked into combat with that 100+ Skavenslave/Crown of Command unit, and hack aways, getting 4-5 additional magic cards. Take along the Chalice of Fate and re-roll and high Winds of Magic. You'll easily domninate the magic phase.
Although he's not cheaper than normal like Heinrich, Arkhan has access to the Arkhan's
Chariot. It's a steal at 50 points considering that it's stronger than a normal Undead
Chariot, it's got scythed wheels, the Manticore head can attack, and most of all, it can
fly. Who needs a monster when you've got a flying Chariot that does D6+2 automatic
Strength 6 hits? Equip him similiarly to Heinrich. You might want to take along a decent
weapon if you plan to charge a lot, such as the Sword of Destruction. The ultimate Undead
cheese is Arkhan with his chariot, SoD, and the following spells: Dark Mist, Hand of Dust,
and one other spell. Cast Dark Mist, and with the SoD, you'll be almost invulnerable.
Charge the baddest character your opponent has, cause some wounds with the chariot, then
Hand of Dust him over to your side. :)
Krell is not very useful unless you have a small army. In a decent-sized army, Krell is demoted to Hero roles, and Vampire Counts are much better and cost only 40 more points. In fact Mummy Tomb Kings are almost as good and cost 60 points less. Only advantage Krell has is that he can carry three magical items. You could always make him your general, hide him somewhere he can't get hurt, and have Vlad wreck havoc. Your general will be safe, so you won't have to worry about your army falling apart.
Settra, like Krell, is good for small armies or as a secondary character. You may want
to take him along if you've grown tired of High Elves and their blasted Drain Magic. He's
a buffed up Tomb King and tough as hell, with Toughness of 6 and a whopping 5 Wounds, for
half the cost of a Nec Lord. He's still a mummy, so make sure you protect him from fire.
Dragonhelm seems like a pretty good item, so's the Tomb King's Crown, since his WS of 5
will greatly help the low skilled Undead regiments. Remember to mount since Movement of 3
will bog you down, especially since he can march move. If he's not your general, give him
a Heart of Woe, charge the largest, baddest unit, and enjoy the carnage. Remember, he can
carry Undead Wizard only items, so he might be a good character to hold that Staff of
Damnation.
There's nothing special about the Doom Lord. He's just your basic Nec Lord on a
Manticore. He's pretty useful in a large game as he allows you to field another Nec Lord.
Since the Manticore can fly, and can take on just about anybody, fly over to the rear
lines of your opponent, take out his war machines, then slow him down by being within
8" and pummel 'em with spells. When you've decided that you've toyed with them
enough, or they begin to annoy you, charge they butts off.