The Second Spell: A Deep Dive into Endless Spells and Wizards in Age of Sigmar
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What happens when a wizard attempts to cast a second endless spell in a single hero phase in Warhammer Age of Sigmar? The short answer is: they can’t. The rules are quite explicit: a wizard can only attempt to cast one endless spell per hero phase, regardless of whether they are different endless spells. This limitation is a core mechanic designed to balance the power of these potent magical entities on the battlefield.
Understanding the Endless Spell System
The allure of endless spells is undeniable. These manifestations of raw magic, with names like the Burning Head and the Soulsnare Shackles, offer incredible battlefield control, damage output, and tactical advantages. However, their power is carefully regulated by the rules surrounding their casting and deployment.
The One-Spell Limit
The cornerstone of endless spell management is the restriction on casting. A wizard, no matter how powerful, is limited to a single attempt to cast an endless spell during each of your hero phases. This prevents one wizard from dominating the battlefield with multiple endless spells in a single turn. Consider it a magical fatigue factor – channeling the power to birth an endless spell is taxing, even for the most gifted arcanists.
Army-Wide Cap
Beyond the individual wizard limitation, there’s also a limit on the total number of endless spells your army can bring to the battlefield. While the core rules might suggest you can summon one endless spell per wizard, the battlepacks used in matched play impose a hard cap of three endless spells per army. This prevents armies stacked with wizards from overwhelming the board with an endless barrage of magical effects.
Casting and Binding
When a wizard attempts to cast an endless spell, they follow the standard casting procedure. They select the endless spell they wish to cast, make a casting roll (typically rolling 2D6 and aiming to meet or exceed the casting value of the spell), and if successful, place the endless spell on the battlefield within the specified range. Once summoned, an endless spell remains in play until it is dispelled or otherwise removed from the battlefield.
The power of an endless spell doesn’t just end there. Once an endless spell is successfully cast, it can be bound to the wizard who cast it. This allows the wizard to control the endless spell’s movement and actions during subsequent hero phases. However, binding is not automatic. Some endless spells may have specific binding requirements, such as a successful roll on a dice. It’s important to review the warscroll for each individual endless spell to understand how it works.
Strategic Considerations
The casting restrictions and army-wide cap on endless spells force players to make strategic choices during army building and gameplay. Which endless spells offer the best tactical advantage for your army composition? Which wizards are best suited to cast them? How do you allocate your limited endless spell slots? These are crucial questions to consider when planning your strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Endless Spells
Here are some common questions about endless spells to help you navigate the arcane complexities of their rules:
1. Can I attempt to cast the same endless spell twice in the same hero phase using different wizards?
No. Even if you have multiple wizards who know the same endless spell, you cannot attempt to cast the same endless spell more than once in the same hero phase.
2. If my first attempt to cast an endless spell fails, can I try to cast a different one?
No. A wizard cannot attempt to cast more than one endless spell in the same hero phase, regardless of the outcome of the first attempt.
3. Can an allied wizard cast my faction’s endless spells?
Generally, no. Most faction-specific endless spells can only be cast by wizards with the appropriate faction keyword. Allied wizards typically do not possess these keywords.
4. Can I resummon an endless spell that was dispelled?
You cannot summon the same endless spell twice in the same battle round. Additionally, you cannot summon an endless spell in the same round it was dispelled.
5. What happens if I summon an endless spell and it is immediately dispelled?
Unfortunately, you’ve used up your chance to summon an endless spell that turn, and that spell will have to wait for the next battle round.
6. Can Nagash cast any endless spell?
Nagash can cast any Death-themed endless spell. Many Death endless spells have rules explicitly stating Nagash can cast them. Furthermore, he gains the Ossiarch Bonereapers keyword if he’s part of an OBR army, allowing him to cast their endless spells as well.
7. Does playing a land count as a spell in Age of Sigmar?
This question is more relevant to Magic: The Gathering. In Age of Sigmar, there’s no equivalent to “playing a land.”
8. If I have a unit of wizards, can each wizard in the unit attempt to cast an endless spell?
No. The “one endless spell per hero phase” rule applies to individual wizards, not units. Each wizard within the unit could potentially cast an endless spell, but only one can attempt it in any given hero phase.
9. How does the wording ‘attempt to cast’ affect the rules?
The ‘attempt to cast’ wording is crucial. It means that even if the casting roll fails, that wizard’s opportunity to cast an endless spell for that hero phase is spent. The limit is on the attempt, not the successful casting.
10. Can endless spells target heroes with the HERO keyword?
Whether or not an endless spell can target a hero depends on the specific rules of the endless spell in question. Always consult the warscroll for each endless spell to determine its targeting restrictions.
11. What happens when an endless spell is within range of multiple wizards?
If an endless spell is within range of multiple wizards, only the wizard that is currently bound to it may attempt to use its abilities. Unless specified otherwise in the warscroll.
12. Are there any abilities that let me cast multiple endless spells?
While there aren’t usually abilities that let you outright cast multiple endless spells in a turn, some factions or heroes might have abilities that modify the core rules slightly. For example, certain abilities might allow a hero to summon an endless spell outside of the normal hero phase at the cost of command points.
13. What is the difference between an invocation and an endless spell?
Invocations are prayers used by priests to summon and heal units of their chosen god. Endless spells are summoned by wizards.
14. If I am using the narrative play rules, does the endless spell hard cap still exist?
In narrative play, the army composition rules are much more flexible. Check the specific rules of your narrative campaign to determine if there are limits on endless spells.
15. Where can I learn more about the strategy and tactics of Age of Sigmar?
There are many resources available to learn more about Age of Sigmar. The official Warhammer Age of Sigmar website is a great place to start. You can also find valuable information on forums, blogs, and YouTube channels dedicated to the game. Furthermore, groups such as the Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org, offer valuable insight into game mechanics, strategy, and community engagement.
Mastering Endless Spells
Understanding the limitations and nuances of casting endless spells is key to mastering the magical aspect of Age of Sigmar. By carefully planning your army composition, choosing the right endless spells for your strategy, and managing your wizards effectively, you can harness the power of these arcane entities to dominate the battlefield.