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Blight Grenade

In the Warhammer 40,000 setting, Blight Grenades are thrown weapons used by Plague Marines.

They are similar in form and function to Death Heads.

Codex: Chaos (1996)

Codex: Chaos (1996), p75 — Close Combat Weapons

Blight Grenades

StrengthDamageSave Mod.Area
D610special

Blight grenades are made from the shrunken heads of those killed by Nurgle's favourite plagues. The head is filled with virulent pus and infected, biting flies before its orifices are stoppered with wax. When the grenade is thrown it splatters across the target area, forming puddles of purulent slime and noisome clouds of buzzing flies.

The standard Grenade rules apply for throwing a Blight grenade, and they may be used for targetting an area of ground like Smoke or Blind grenades. Place a Blight marker where the grenade lands (some are included in the colour section but Wound markers from Warhammer 40,000 serve just as well). Models within 2" of the marker will suffer a hit; models partially within range will be hit on a D6 roll of 4, 5 or 6. Affected models suffer a hit with a Strength value of D6 which will inflict 1 wound.

Roll for the Strength of tha attack separately against each target. If a 1 is rolled for the Strength of any hit the Blight has dissipated to the point where it is no longer dangerous (just unpleasant). In this case the S1 hit is resolved then the marker is removed and has no further effect on the game - any other models which were in the area of effect have a lucky escape. Any Nurgle daemons or Chaos models which bear the Mark of Nurgle are immune to the effects of Blight grenades.

Any armour saving throws for affected models apply as normal and are not modified. Note that even sealed armour is no sure defence against the Blight: flies will block up breathers, pus may work its way into flexible joint and eye pieces and so on. Models affected by the Blight cannot take saving throws for energy fields or dodges.

Exposed crewmen on vehicles may be affected by the Blight just like foot troops. Roll a D6 for enclosed vehicles within range. On a 6 the Blight gets inside and affects the crew: roll a D6 for the Strength of the hit against each crewman as noted above. Dreadnoughts and robots are completely unaffected by Blight grenades.

Blight markers that are still in place can continue to infect anyone who moves within 2" of them in future turns. Models which were affected in previous turns which do not move out of the area of effect of a Blight marker in their next movement phase will also suffer an additional hit. Roll for the Strength of the hit as above: on a roll of 1 the Blight marker is removed after inflicting a S1 hit.

Codex: Chaos Space Marines (1999)

Codex: Chaos Space Marines (1999), p28 — Chaos Gifts

Blight Grenades: These are made from the shrunken heads of those killed by Nurgle's favourite plagues. The head of the victim is filled with virulent pus and infected, biting flies and then its orifices are sealed with wax. When the grenade is thrown it splatters across the target area, forming puddles of purulent slime and noisome clouds of buzzing flies.

An enemy unit that has one or more models charged by a model armed with blight grenades suffers a -1 to hit modifier. These effects also count against Chaos models in base contact with models from the enemy unit unless they are followers of Nurgle (ie, Plague Marines, Nurgle Daemons or characters with the Mark of Nurgle). Note that the whole unit is affected, not just the troops fighting the model armed with the blight grenades. There is no additional effect if a unit is attacked by two or more models armed with these grenades.

Codex: Chaos Space Marines (2002)

Codex: Chaos Space Marines (2002), p51 — The Book of Nurgle - The Lord of Decay

Blight Grenades

These are made from the shrunken heads of those killed by Father Nurgle's favourite plagues. Any enemy unit charged by one or more models with blight grenades suffers a -1 to hit modifier in the ensuing close combat round.

Codex: Chaos Space Marines (2007)

Codex: Chaos Space Marines (2007), p38 — Plague Marines

Should the enemy close to within assault range, the Plague Marines can defend themselves with blight grenades. These contain virulent toxins that eat away at armour, and fill the air with thick clouds of blinding spores. The most ostentatious blight grenades are 'death's heads' made from the severed heads of fallen enemies. The brains are infected and pustulent, and maggots, slime and other noxious ingredients are added, before the head is sealed with ancient wax.

[...]

Blight Grenades: These are defensive grenades, which means that enemy units do not gain their bonus Attacks for charging if they are assaulting a unit of Plague Marines.

Imperial Armour 7: The Siege of Vraks, part 3 (2009)

Imperial Armour 7: The Siege of Vraks, part 3 (2009), p182 — Plague Marine

Plague Marine

A corrupted 'Plague Marine' encountered during the later stages of the Vraks campaign, affiliation unknown, although its ancient pattern of armour indicates a connection to the Death Guard Traitor legion or one of its sub-factions, most likely the Apostles of Contagion.

5. Blight Grenades

Also known as a 'death head' grenade, it is made from a conquered foe of Nurgle. Constructed by Nurgle sorcerers, the severed head is covered with a waxy mix of slime and blood until it is watertight. The brain cavity is then filled with pus and left to fester, becoming a poisonous gas. The result is a missile which bursts on impact, releasing a deadly acidic gas.

Mark of the Xenos (2011)

Mark of the Xenos (2011), p126 — Plague Marine Weapons

Blight Grenades

Bloated and swollen with disease, the Plague Marines long to share their pathogens with those who are hale and hearty. Cultivating these contagions into explosive devices designed to wound and infect over a large area, Blight grenades expose those who are injured by the corrupted pieces of plague-ridden shrapnel to the most deadly of toxins. These contagions can penetrate cracks in armour, cause flesh to boil and slough away, and fill the air with blinding spores, all the while keeping the victim alive until the very end - so they can better enjoy the gifts of the Lord of Decay. Some versions of Blight Grenades resemble maggot-filled shrunken heads.

Black Crusade (2011)

Blight Grenade

Black Crusade (2011), p159 — Blight Grenade

Most commonly created using radioactive or biological waste, a Blight Grenade is a crude but deadly grenade which can poison an area and everything within it. These weapons are particularly popular amongst the followers of Nurgle, who delight in the use of poisons and contamination.

These weapons ignore armour unless it is environmentally sealed. When used the cloud of noxious fumes and poisons remains in effect for 1d10 Rounds. Anyone entering the blast area takes 1d10 Energy damage with the Toxic Quality. Again, this damage ignores armour unless environmentally sealed.

Codex: Chaos Space Marines (2002)

Codex: Chaos Space Marines (2012), p66 — Blight Grenades

Blight grenades are the hollowed-out heads of the Plague Marines' enemies, filled with potent contagions and sealed with wax so that they burst apart on impact.

Models with the Mark of Nurgle only. Blight grenades count as both assault and defensive grenades.