Champion

"By my honour, I will not yield!"

—Anonymous Champion^[20]

A Champion is a warrior of many cultures and factions who dedicates their lives to martial combat, excelling as no others on the field of battle.

Imperial Champions[]

Champions found in Imperial armies are not necessarily commanders of troops, but as individual combatants they are peerless. They live for the moments when their skills are tested to the utmost, for only then do they truly know just how good they are. Many Champions serve in armies, warbands, and martial orders, though others wander the Empire, selling their formidable skills to the highest bidder. Their weapons are inevitably among the finest to be had in the Old World.^[1a]

In the long months of winter when armies must be barracked, or during the rare times when the Empire's borders enjoy peace, it is common for the Champion of an Imperial regiment to request leave to wander the lands in search of opportunities to test their mettle. Each day spent enduring the monotony of camp or meaningless drills is a day where their prowess is wasted.^[20]

The Champion's commanding officer usually grants this request, knowing that the Champion will return to duty when needed. A wise leader knows it is better for a Champion to put their fighting abilities to the test elsewhere than turn them against their fellow soldiers in frustration.^[20]

A wandering Champion will seize any chance to increase their renown, whether it is dispatching a marauding Goblin warband or slaying a terrorising Minotaur in its forest lair. Accruing money is secondary to attaining glory, and a Champion will often lend their sword-arm to a worthy cause for no reward.^[20]

For them, it is enough that their deeds will be immortalised in story and song. The dream of the Champion is to not die old and rich, but fall with their bloodied sword in hand, dead enemies at their feet, and their deeds crowned with honour.^[20]

Regimental Champions[]

Amongst the armies of the Known World, regiments of many races or factions are often accompanied by a single, battle-hardened Champion. They are elite fighters, invariably skilled and tough, as their comrades look up to them and take great pride in their prowess. Each possesses a different title depending on the army and unit they fight for, as noted below.

Beastmen[]

Foe-Renders fight alongside regiments of Gors.^[17]

Gouge-Horns fight alongside regiments of Bestigors.^[17]

Halfhorns fight alongside regiments of Ungors and Ungor Raiders.^[17]

Bloodkine fight alongside regiments of Minotaurs.^[17]

Gorehoofs fight alongside regiments of Centigors.^[17]

Bretonnia[]

Villeins fight alongside regiments of Peasant Bowmen.^[3]

Yeoman Wardens fight alongside regiments of Men-at-Arms and Mounted Yeoman.^[3]

Grail Monks often act as secondary Champions within regiments of Men-at-Arms.^[27]

Battle Pilgrims may fight alongside regiments of Grail Pilgrims.^[24]

Cavaliers fight alongside regiments of Knights Errant.^[3]

Gallants, also known as First Knights, fight alongside regiments of Knights of the Realm, Pegasus Knights and Foot Knights.^[3]^[27]

Paragons fight alongside regiments of Questing Knights.^[3]

Grail Knights are great Heroes and Champions in their own right. In the event of an Errantry War, they may fight alongside regiments of Knights Errant.^[3]^[5]

Grail Guardians may fight alongside regiments of Grail Knights as first among equals.^[27]

Chaos Dwarfs[]

Overseers fight alongside regiments of Chaos Dwarf Warriors.^[18]

Deathmasks fight alongside regiments of Infernal Guard and Infernal Ironsworn.^[18]

Bull Centaur Ba'hals fight alongside regiments of Bull Centaur Renders.^[18]

Murder Bosses fight alongside regiments of Hobgoblin Cutthroats.^[18]

Wolf Bosses fight alongside regiments of Hobgoblin Wolf Raiders.^[18]

K'daai Manburners fight alongside regiments of K'daai Fireborn.^[18]

Daemons of Chaos[]

Bloodreapers, also known as Bloodhowlers, fight alongside regiments of Bloodletters.^[23]

Iridescent Horrors fight alongside regiments of Pink Horrors.^[23]

Plagueriddens fight alongside regiments of Plaguebearers.^[23]

Alluresses fight alongside regiments of Daemonettes.^[23]

Bloodhunters fight alongside regiments of Bloodcrushers of Khorne.^[23]

Pyrocasters fight alongside regiments of Flamers of Tzeentch.^[23]

Heartseekers fight alongside regiments of Seekers of Slaanesh.^[23]

Exalted Flamers fight alongside regiments of Burning Chariots of Tzeentch.^[23]

Exalted Alluresses fight alongside regiments of Exalted Seeker Chariots of Slaanesh and Hellflayers of Slaanesh.^[23]

Plaguebringers fight alongside regiments of Plague Drones of Nurgle.^[23]

Dark Elves[]

Lordlings fight alongside regiments of Dreadspears and Bleakswords.^[13]

Guardmasters fight alongside regiments of Darkshards.^[13]

Reavers fight alongside regiments of Black Ark Corsairs.^[13]

Bloodshades fight alongside regiments of Shades.^[13]

Heralds fight alongside regiments of Dark Riders.^[13]

Masters of Warlocks fight alongside regiments of Doomfire Warlocks.^[13]

Dread Knights fight alongside regiments of Cold One Knights.^[13]

Tower Masters fight alongside regiments of Black Guard.^[13]

Draich Masters fight alongside regiments of Executioners.^[13]

Handmaidens of Shards fight alongside regiments of Sisters of Slaughter.^[13]

Hags fight alongside regiments of Witch Elves.^[13]

Dwarfs[]

Old Guard, also known as Greatbeards, fight alongside regiments of Longbeards.^[10]

Veterans fight alongside regiments of Dwarf Warriors, Quarrellers and Thunderers.^[10]

Keepers of the Gate, also known as Gate Keepers, fight alongside regiments of Hammerers.^[10]

Ironbeards fight alongside regiments of Ironbreakers.^[10]

Ironwardens fight alongside regiments of Irondrakes.^[10]

Giant Slayers may fight alongside regiments of Slayers and Brothers of Grimnir.^[5]^[10]

Prospectors fight alongside regiments of Dwarf Miners.^[10]

Ol' Deadeyes fight alongside regiments of Dwarf Rangers.^[10]

The Empire[]

Preceptors, also known as First Knights, fight alongside regiments of Empire Knights and Teutogen Guard.^[2]^[5]

Inner Circle Preceptors fight alongside regiments of Inner Circle Knights and Demigryph Knights.^[2]^[21]

Reikscaptains fight alongside regiments of Reiksguard Knights.^[21]

Count's Champions fight alongside regiments of Greatswords.^[2]

Outriders fight alongside regiments of Pistoliers.^[2]

Sharpshooters fight alongside regiments of Outriders.^[21]

Sergeants, also known as State Troop Sergeants, fight alongside regiments of State Troops.^[2]

Marksmen fight alongside regiments of Handgunners, Archers and Crossbowmen.^[21]

Trackers fight alongside regiments of Empire Huntsmen.^[21]

Militia Leaders fight alongside Free Company Militia.^[21]

Duellists may fight alongside regiments of Swordsmen.^[2]

Prophets of Doom fight alongside Flagellants.^[21]

Wolf Brothers fight alongside regiments of Wolf-Kin.^[5]

Hunt Masters fight alongside regiments of Hunting Hounds.^[5]

Warrior Priests of Ulric may fight alongside regiments of Warriors of Ulric.^[5]

Greenskins[]

Orc Bosses fight alongside regiments of Orc Boyz.^[9]

Arrer Boy Bosses fight alongside regiments of Orc Arrer Boyz.^[9]

Boar Boy Bosses fight alongside regiments of Orc Boar Boyz.^[9]

Savage Orc Bosses fight alongside regiments of Savage Orcs.^[9]

Savage Orc Boar Boy Bosses fight alongside regiments of Savage Orc Boar Boyz.^[9]

Black Orc Bosses fight alongside regiments of Black Orcs.^[9]

Goblin Bosses fight alonside regiments of Goblins.^[9]

Wolf Rider Bosses fight alongside regiments of Goblin Wolf Riders.^[9]

Backstabbas fight alongside regiments of Nasty Skulkers.

Night Goblin Bosses fight alongside Regiments of Night Goblins.^[9]

Spider Rider Bosses fight alongside regiments of Forest Goblin Spider Riders.^[9]

High Elves[]

Sentinels fight alongside regiments of High Elf Spearmen.^[11]

Hawkeyes fight alongside regiments of High Elf Archers.^[11]

Bladelords fight alongside regiments of Swordmasters of Hoeth.^[11]

Sea Masters fight alongside regiments of Lothern Sea Guard.^[11]

High Helms fight alongside regiments of Silver Helms.^[11]

Harbingers fight alongside regiments of Ellyrian Reavers.^[11]

Guardians fight alongside regiments of White Lions.^[11]

Drakemasters fight alongside regiments of Dragon Princes.^[11]

Shadow-Walkers may fight alongside regiments of Shadow Warriors.^[11]

High Sisters fight alongside regiments of Sisters of Avelorn.^[11]

Keepers of the Flame fight alongside regiments of Phoenix Guard.^[11]

Kislev[]

Rotamasters fight alongside regiments of Winged Lancers.^[4]

Horse Archer Champions fight alongside regiments of Ungol Horse Archers.^[4]

Kossar Champions fight alongside regiments of Kossars.^[4]

Gryphon Legion Champions fight alongside regiments of Gryphon Legionaires.^[4]

Lizardmen[]

Spawn Leaders fight alongside regiments of Saurus Warriors.^[16]

Pack Leaders fight alongside regiments of Cold One Riders.^[16]

Revered Guardians fight alongside regiments of Temple Guard.^[16]

Skink Braves fight alongside regiments of Skinks.^[16]

Patrol Leaders fight alongside regiments of Skink Skirmishers.^[16]

Stalkers fight alongside regiments of Chameleon Skinks.^[16]

Kroxigor Ancients may fight alongside regiments of Kroxigor.^[16]

Sky Leaders fight alongside regiments of Terradon Riders.^[16]

Ripperdactyl Braves fight alongside regiments of Ripperdactyl Riders.^[16]

Ogre Kingdoms[]

Crushers fight alongside regiments of Ogre Bulls and Mournfang Cavalry.^[15]

Gutlords fight alongside regiments of Ironguts.^[15]

Thunderfists fight alongside regiments of Leadbelchers.^[15]

Maneater Captains fight alongside regiments of Maneaters.^[15]

Thunderlords fight alongside regiments of Rhinox Cavalry.^[25]

Greybacks fight alongside regiments of Yhetees.^[15]

Groinbiters fight alongside regiments of Gnoblars.^[15]

Skaven[]

Clawleaders fight alongside regiments of Clanrats.^[8]

Pawleaders fight alongside regiments of Slave Rats.^[8]

Fangleaders fight alongside regiments of Stormvermin.^[8]

Bringers-of-the-Word fight alongside regiments of Plague Monks.^[8]

Plague Chanters fight alongside regiments of Plague Censer-Bearers.^[8]

Nightleaders fight alongside regiments of Night Runners.^[8]

Rat Leaders fight alongside regiments of Rat Riders.

Death Runners may fight alongside regiments of Gutter Runners.^[8]

Bombardiers fight alongside regiments of Poisoned-Wind Globadiers.^[8]

Sharpshooters fight alongside regiments of Warplock Jezzails.^[8]

Packmasters fight alongside regiments of Giant Rats and Rat Ogres.^[8]

Master-Bred Rat Ogres fight alongside regiments of Rat Ogres.^[8]

Tomb Kings[]

Masters of Arms fight alongside regiments of Skeleton Warriors.^[14]

Masters of Arrows fight alongside regiments of Skeleton Archers.^[14]

Masters of Horses fight alongside regiments of Skeleton Horsemen.^[14]

Masters of Scouts fight alongside regiments of Skeleton Horse Archers.^[14]

Masters of Chariots fight alongside regiments of Skeleton Chariots.^[14]

Tomb Captains fight alongside regiments of Tomb Guard.^[14]

Necropolis Captains fight alongside regiments of Necropolis Knights.^[14]

Ushabti Ancients fight alongside regiments of Ushabti.^[14]

Vampire Counts[]

Skeleton Champions fight alongside regiments of Skeleton Warriors.^[7]

Doom Wolves fight alongside regiments of Dire Wolves.^[22]

Crypt Ghasts fight alongside units of Crypt Ghouls.^[7]

Crypt Haunters fight alongside units of Crypt Horrors.^[7]

Grave Seneschals fight alongside regiments of Grave Guard.^[7]

Hell Knights fight alongside regiments of Black Knights.^[7]

Tomb Banshees may fight alongside regiments of Cairn Wraiths.^[7]

Hellwraiths may fight alongside squadrons of Hexwraith spectral cavalry.^[7]

Kastellans fight alongside regiments of Blood Knights.^[7]

Vargoyles fight alongside regiments of Vargheists.^[22]

Warriors of Chaos[]

Wallcreepers fight alongside regiments of Flayerkin.^[5]

Chieftains may fight alongside regiments of Marauders.^[6]

Marauder Horsemasters may fight alongside regiments of Marauder Horsemen.^[19]

Doom Knights, also known as Knight Chieftains, fight alongside regiments of Chaos Knights.^[19]^[26]

Aspiring Champions may fight alongside regiments of Chaos Warriors.^[19]

Chosen Champions may fight alongside regiments of Chosen.^[19]

Hellreavers fight alongside regiments of Hellstriders of Slaanesh.^[19]

Skullhunters are Chaos Knights who are the greatest warriors found among a squadron of the Skullcrushers of Khorne.^[19]

Ogre Mutants fight alongside regiments of Chaos Ogres.^[19]

Dragon Ogre Shartaks fight alongside regiments of Dragon Ogres.^[19]

Wood Elves[]

Eternal Wardens, also known as Guardians, fight alongside regiments of Eternal Guard.^[12]

Lord's Bowmen fight alongside regiments of Glade Guard.^[12]

Master Scouts fight alongside regiments of Deepwood Scouts.^[12]

Glade Knights, also known as Horsemasters, fight alongside regiments of Glade Riders.^[12]

Wind Riders fight alongside regiments of Warhawk Riders.^[12]

Wildwood Wardens fight alongside regiments of Wildwood Rangers.^[12]

Bladesingers may fight alongside regiments of Wardancers.^[12]

Handmaidens of the Thorn fight alongside regiments of Sisters of the Thorn.^[12]

Wild Hunters fight alongside regiments of Wild Riders.^[12]

Waywatcher Sentinels, also known as Shadow Sentinels, fight alongside regiments of Waywatchers.^[12]

Branch Nymphs fight alongside regiments of Dryads.^[12]

Tree Kin Elders fight alongside regiments of Tree Kin.^[12]

Notable Champions[]

Markus Kruber - The former Sergeant of the 8th Ostland Swordsmen and a member of the famed Ubersreik Five.

Aldrad - The son of the Duke of Lyonesse and Cavalier of Aldrad's Lance.

Dagmar Nachgeben - The Count's Champion of the Middenheim Greatswords, who famously died defending the city's southern gatehouse.

Hans Zintler - A veteran Reikscaptain (Preceptor) of the Reiksguard who leads his own elite regiment of knights.

Bertrand le Grande - A noble Gallant who led a band of Knights of the Realm against the Black Grail.

Ska Bloodtail - The Fangleader of the famed Red Guard of Clan Mors.

Johann Novastus (Ulrike Stavonnus) - A veteran Battle Pilgrim who is secretly a woman, having fallen in love with a noble Grail Knight.

Preceptor Skarr - A Reikscaptain who accompanied Grand Marshal Helborg during his conflict with the Bretonnian Viscount d'Alembençon.

Estrebert - A zealous Battle Pilgrim and unquestioned leader of the Grail Pilgrims of Sir Letour.

Vaslo Kruld - A Winged Lancer turned Skullhunter who led a Skullcrushers warband during the End Times.

Grydal - A great Marauder Chieftain who ascended to Exalted Daemonhood.

Skweel Gnawtooth - One of Clan Moulder's greatest Packmasters.

Leonhard of Quenelles - A Bretonnian Gallant who led the charge against an army of Northmen.

Trivia[]

In the Warhammer Fantasy Battle tabletop game, Regimental Champions served as elite units that could be fielded within a regiment, often at the cost of extra points.

With the advent of the PC game Total War: Warhammer, several Champion units have been introduced as either full, elite regiments known as "Regiments of Renown" or as individual heroes and lords, likely for the purpose of expanding faction rosters. These units include the Kroxigor Ancient, Marauder Chieftain, Giant Slayer, Shadow-Walker and more.