The Burning Head: A Deep Dive into Aqshy’s Fiery Skull in Age of Sigmar

The Burning Head is a terrifying endless spell in Warhammer: Age of Sigmar, born from the searing magic of Aqshy, the Realm of Fire. It manifests as a blazing skull that hurtles across the battlefield, incinerating enemies and inflaming the passions (and anger!) of those nearby. It’s a potent tool for destruction, offering both offensive power and tactical mobility for armies that can harness its fiery essence. As a predatory endless spell, the Burning Head can move each hero phase, giving the caster a degree of control over its destructive path.

Understanding the Lore and Mechanics

The Burning Head isn’t just a fiery projectile; it’s a manifestation of Aqshian magic, embodying the realm’s volatile and destructive nature. The sight of this infernal death’s head is enough to instill fear and rage in opponents, making it a powerful psychological weapon as well as a destructive force.

On the tabletop, the Burning Head is summoned with a casting value of 6 and a range of 8″. Once summoned, it’s considered a predatory endless spell, meaning it can move during the hero phase. Its movement stat is 9″, and it has the ability to fly, allowing it to traverse terrain and reach vulnerable targets with ease. Upon summoning, the controlling player gets to make a move with it immediately, letting them unleash its fiery power without delay.

Tactical Applications

The Burning Head’s combination of speed, flight, and destructive potential makes it a versatile asset in any army. It can be used to:

• Disrupt enemy formations: Hurtling through ranks of troops, the Burning Head can inflict significant casualties and force opponents to reposition.
• Target vulnerable units: Its speed and flight allow it to reach backline support units, artillery, or lone heroes, disrupting enemy plans.
• Create a distraction: The threat of the Burning Head can force opponents to react, diverting their attention from other key areas of the battlefield.
• Control the battlefield: Because the Burning Head is predatory, the caster controls it to move and potentially block off key areas or narrow passages, adding a layer of battlefield control.

FAQs: Mastering the Burning Head

Can any wizard cast the Burning Head?

Generally, no. While any wizard can technically attempt to cast an endless spell, faction-specific endless spells, like the Burning Head, are typically restricted to wizards of that faction (in this case, likely those aligned with Aqshy or certain Chaos factions). An allied wizard from a different faction might not be able to cast it.

What happens if the Burning Head moves off the board?

If the Burning Head moves off the edge of the battlefield, it is automatically dispelled and removed from play. Careful positioning and movement are crucial to keeping it active.

Can I unbind the Burning Head if my opponent casts it?

Yes! You can attempt to dispel the Burning Head. To do so, pick the Burning Head as your target, which must be within 30″ of a friendly WIZARD or PRIEST and visible to them. Then, make a dispelling roll by rolling 2D6. If the roll is greater than the casting value of the Burning Head (6), it is dispelled and removed from play.

What happens if the wizard who summoned the Burning Head is slain?

The Burning Head remains in play and continues to move as a predatory endless spell. The next player to take a hero phase can control its movement.

Can the Burning Head be used in conjunction with other endless spells?

Yes, but with limitations. A wizard cannot attempt to cast more than one endless spell in the same turn, even if they are different endless spells. So, you’ll need multiple wizards to bring multiple endless spells to bear in a single turn.

Is the Burning Head affected by terrain?

While the Burning Head can fly over most terrain, certain magical terrain features might interact with it. Check the specific rules for any terrain pieces in play to see if they have any effect on endless spells.

How durable is the Burning Head? Can it be destroyed?

The Burning Head is removed from play when it is dispelled, or moves off the board.

What armies benefit most from using the Burning Head?

Armies that excel at controlling the battlefield, have strong wizards, or can benefit from disrupting enemy formations are prime candidates for using the Burning Head. Armies with strong melee presence can use the Burning Head to clear paths for their troops, while ranged-focused armies can use it to target enemy support units.

Does the Burning Head deal mortal wounds?

The provided text doesn’t specify if it deals mortal wounds, though it is indicated it scorches troops and incinerates them. Check the warscroll for its full rules.

How does the Burning Head interact with units that have immunity to fire?

Units with immunity to fire will be unaffected by the Burning Head’s damage. Consider targeting them with other units or spells that deal different types of damage.

Can the Burning Head be targeted by enemy spells or abilities?

Yes, the Burning Head is a valid target for enemy spells and abilities, including dispelling attempts.

Is the Burning Head a good choice for beginners?

The Burning Head is relatively straightforward to use, making it a decent choice for beginners. However, mastering its movement and maximizing its impact requires some experience and tactical thinking.

Does the Burning Head have a points cost?

Yes, the Burning Head has a points cost, which must be factored into your army list.

How does the Burning Head interact with command abilities?

The Burning Head itself cannot benefit from command abilities, as it is not a unit. However, its presence on the battlefield can influence the use of command abilities by forcing opponents to react or by creating tactical opportunities for your other units.

Where can I learn more about Age of Sigmar tactics and strategy?

There are numerous online resources, including forums, blogs, and video tutorials, dedicated to Age of Sigmar tactics and strategy. Engaging with the community and practicing on the tabletop are the best ways to improve your skills. You can also find information about gaming and learning at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

The Burning Head is a potent and versatile endless spell that can add a significant edge to your Age of Sigmar army. By understanding its mechanics, tactical applications, and limitations, you can harness its fiery power to achieve victory on the battlefield.