Cities of Sigmar – Pontifex Zenestra, Matriarch of the Great Wheel

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•CITIES OF SIGMAR WARSCROLL•
Pontifex Zenestra
Matriarch of the Great Wheel
5"
9
5+
2
4+
The Great Wheel turns, and the driving force is faith. As she gives her inspiring battlefield sermons, the raw celestial power of the God-King crackles out from Pontifex Zenestra’s sacred palanquin to incinerate enemy mages and heathens, whilst her acolytes bludgeon and hew any foolish enough to approach her without permission.
•CITIES OF SIGMAR WARSCROLL•
Pontifex Zenestra
Matriarch of the Great Wheel
Damage calculator
MELEE WEAPONS		AtkHitWndRndDmg
Sceptre of the Wheel
Sceptre of the Wheel34+4+1D3
Acolytes’ Club and Axe
Acolytes’ Club and Axe44+4+-1
BATTLE PROFILE

Unit Size: 1      Points: 170
Base size: 90 × 52mm
Can be reinforced: No
Regiment Options: 0-1 Freeguild Veteran, 0-1 Thaumaturgical Specialist, Any SIGMARITE

Passive
THE GREAT WHEEL TURNS: Zenestra’s followers defend her with a strength that can cow even a follower of the Dark Gods. Even those who profess no membership of the Cult of the Wheel inevitably find themselves caught up in a frenzy of zealotry that borders on madness.

Effect: Each time a model in a visible friendly SIGMARITE unit wholly within 12" of this unit is slain by a combat attack and that model was in combat with the attacking unit, make a number of zealotry rolls of D6 equal to that model’s Health characteristic. For each 6+, inflict 1 mortal damage on the attacking unit after the FIGHT ability has been resolved.

Your Hero Phase
5
VESSEL OF SIGMAR: Channelling the divine might of the God-King, Pontifex Zenestra is a powerful beacon of faith, blasting the enemy and granting those that battle within her blazing aura protection and might in equal measure.

Declare: Make a chanting roll of D6. If the roll is an unmodified 1, you can re-roll the dice.

Effect: Pick 1 of the following effects. Pick up to 2 different effects instead if the chanting roll was 10+.

Sanctified Ground: Until the start of your next turn, visible enemy units that use a CHARGE ability while they are within 9" of this unit have STRIKE-LAST for the rest of the turn.

Ardent Prayers: Add 1 to zealotry rolls for friendly SIGMARITE units until the start of your next turn.

Cast Out Evil: Roll a D3 for each visible enemy WIZARD and PRIEST on the battlefield. On a 2+, inflict an amount of mortal damage on that unit equal to the roll.
KEYWORDSPRAYER

KEYWORDS
UNIQUE, HERO, PRIEST (2), INFANTRY, WARD (4+)
ORDER, CITIES OF SIGMAR, SIGMARITE
Hit Roll
Roll a dice. If the roll equals or exceeds the attacking weapon’s Hit characteristic, the attack scores a successful hit: move on to the next step. If not, the attack fails and the attack sequence ends. Unmodified hit rolls of 1 always fail. If an unmodified hit roll for an attack made with a weapon is a 6, that attack is a critical hit.

Critical hits have no effect on their own but often trigger additional effects (see 20.0 Weapon Abilities).
Cover
Subtract 1 from hit rolls for attacks that target a unit that is behind or wholly on this terrain feature, unless that unit charged this turn or has the FLY keyword.
17.2 Mortal Damage
Some abilities inflict mortal damage. If an ability inflicts mortal damage on a unit, add that number of damage points to the unit’s damage pool for that ability (see 18.2 Allocating Damage).
Your Movement Phase
RETREAT: The fighters disengage from combat, though at the cost of lowering their defences.

Declare: Pick a friendly unit that is in combat to use this ability.

Effect: Inflict D3 mortal damage on that unit. That unit can move a distance up to its Move characteristic. That unit can move through the combat ranges of any enemy units but cannot end that move within an enemy unit’s combat range.
KEYWORDSCORE, MOVE, RETREAT
7.0 Combat Range
Each model has a combat range that extends 3" horizontally from its base and any distance vertically from that circle to form a cylinder. The combat range of a unit extends 3" horizontally and any distance vertically from every model in that unit. Units from opposing armies that are within each other’s combat range and that are visible to each other are in combat with each other. When a unit that is not in combat enters the combat range of a visible enemy unit, it moves into combat.
A model is considered to be in combat with an enemy unit if that unit is within the model’s combat range and visible to it’

  • A unit’s combat range extends 3" out from every model in that unit.
  • If any enemy models are within a unit’s combat range and visible to it, that unit is in combat.

FAQ / Errata

FAQ
Q:If a model in base-to-base contact with an enemy model retreats 3" directly away from the enemy model, is it still in combat with that enemy model?
A:
No.
Errata
Addenda: 7.0 Combat Range
Add the following:

‘A model is considered to be in combat with an enemy unit if that unit is within the model’s combat range and visible to it.’
Passive
FLY: Soaring above the battlefield, this unit can reach destinations that are inaccessible to other troops.

Effect: As this unit moves, it ignores other models, terrain features and the combat ranges of enemy units. It cannot end its move in combat unless specified in the ability that allowed it to move. Ignore any vertical distance moved for this unit.
Obscuring
While every model in a non-MONSTER non‐WAR MACHINE unit that does not have the FLY keyword is within 1" of this terrain feature, the following apply:
  • That unit is only visible to enemy units that are within its combat range.
  • The Range characteristic of that unit’s ranged weapons is halved (rounding down to the nearest inch).
Unstable
Models can move across but cannot be set up on or end any type of move on any part of this terrain feature that is more than 1" tall.
1.4.2 Obscuring Terrain
Examples: Wyldwood, fortress wall
Terrain Abilities: Cover, Obscuring, Unstable
6.0 Visibility
A target model is visible to another model (which we’ll call the ‘observing model’) if you can draw a straight line through the air (whether horizontal, diagonal or vertical) from any point on the observing model to any point on the target model that does not intersect any objects except for other models in the observing model’s unit. A target unit is visible to an observing unit if at least 1 model in the target unit is visible to at least 1 model in the observing unit. A model is always considered to be visible to itself.
If a rule or ability requires a target to be both within a given range of and visible to the unit using that ability, or to a model in that unit, both conditions must be met by the same model in the target. You could not, for instance, target a unit where one model is within range but not visible and another model is not in range but is visible.
  • If any part of another model can be seen by an observing model, both the target model and its unit are visible to that observing model.

In some cases, it might not be immediately clear whether a model is visible. If so, stoop down to get a look from behind the observing model. If any part of the other model is visible, even if it is just the tip of a spear, then that model is visible for rules purposes.

FAQ / Errata

FAQ
Q:If a non-FLY INFANTRY HERO (e.g. a Scinari Cathallar) is a Shrine Guardian of a Shrine Luminor, and that Shrine Guardian is within 1" of an obscuring terrain feature, is the Shrine Guardian visible to enemy abilities that target the Shrine Guardian?
A:
Yes.
Errata
6.0 Visibility
Add the following:

‘If a rule or ability requires a target to be both within a given range of and visible to the unit using that ability, or to a model in that unit, both conditions must be met by the same model in the target. You could not, for instance, target a unit where one model is within range but not visible and another model is not in range but is visible.’
13.1 Fight Abilities
Abilities with the FIGHT keyword follow a different sequence to other abilities. When the players are using
Combat Phase
abilities as described in 13.0, they cannot use FIGHT abilities.

After the players have finished using
Combat Phase
abilities that are not FIGHT abilities, they must alternate picking 1 eligible unit to use a FIGHT ability, starting with the active player. Each unit in combat must use a FIGHT ability if it is able to.

Once a player has no more units that are eligible to use a FIGHT ability, the other player continues to pick units that are eligible to use a FIGHT ability, one after another, until there are no more units that are eligible to use a FIGHT ability.

  • The active player uses Combat Phase abilities that are not FIGHT abilities, then the opponent does the same.
  • Players alternate picking a unit to use a FIGHT ability, starting with the active player.
  • Each unit must use a FIGHT ability if it is able to.

Errata

Addenda: fought
Add the following definition:

‘fought: A unit has fought if it used any FIGHT abilities in the same turn.’
1.0 Wizards and Priests
WIZARDS are special units that can cast spells, and PRIESTS are special units that can chant prayers. Spells and prayers are powerful abilities that can have a dramatic impact on the battle.

The SIGMARITE keyword is used in the following Cities of Sigmar warscrolls:

Cavalry Hero
Infantry Hero
Monster Hero
War Machine Hero
Cavalry
Infantry
• Brethren of the Bolt
• Hexbane’s Hunters
Monster
War Machine
18.1 Ward Saves
Units with the WARD keyword have the ‘Ward Save’ passive ability. The number after the WARD keyword indicates the ward value for the ward save. If a unit had WARD (5+), for example, its ward value would be 5. If a unit has more than one ward save, only the ward save with the lowest value applies to it; the other has no effect.

Passive
WARD SAVE: Whether through their uncanny reflexes, unnatural toughness or a source of mystical protection, these warriors can avoid otherwise lethal attacks.

Effect: In step 1 of the damage sequence (see 18.0), make a ward roll of D6 for each damage point in this unit’s damage pool. If the roll equals or exceeds this unit’s ward value, remove that damage point from the damage pool.

3.0 Prayers
The declare step of each prayer will tell you to make a chanting roll of D6. On an unmodified chanting roll of 1, the prayer fails, its effect is not resolved and you must remove D3 ritual points from the PRIEST using the prayer.

Otherwise, pick one of the following:
  • Give a number of ritual points to the PRIEST equal to the chanting roll (ritual points can be accumulated over multiple turns).
  • You can add the PRIEST’s ritual points to the chanting roll. If the chanting roll equals or exceeds the prayer’s chanting value (at the top-right corner of the prayer), it is answered: resolve the effect of the prayer, then reset the PRIEST’s ritual points total to 0.

All PRIESTS know the following prayer:
Your Hero Phase
SACRED RITES: The priest focuses on safely setting their ritual into motion.

Declare: Pick a friendly PRIEST to use this ability, then make a chanting roll of D6. On an unmodified chanting roll of 1, remove 1 ritual point from that PRIEST instead of D3.

Effect: Give a number to ritual points to the PRIEST equal to the unmodified chanting roll and do not reset the PRIEST’s ritual points to 0.
KEYWORDSPRAYER, UNLIMITED



EXAMPLE PRAYER
Once Per Battle, Your Hero Phase
7
RESURRECTION: A fallen hero is brought back from death, their vitality fully restored.

Declare: Make a chanting roll of D6.

Effect: Pick a friendly INFANTRY HERO that has been slain and return them to the battlefield. Set up that HERO wholly within 3" of this PRIEST.
KEYWORDSPRAYER

15.3 Pile-in Moves
Some abilities, such as FIGHT abilities, allow a unit to make a short move called a pile-in move to get into a better position for combat. To do so:

If your unit is in combat: Pick an enemy unit your unit is in combat with to be the target of the pile-in move. Each model in your unit can move up to 3". That move can pass through the combat ranges of any enemy units, but each model must end that move no further from the target unit. At the end of the move, your unit must still be in combat with all units that it was in combat with at the start of the move.

If your unit is not in combat: Each model in your unit can move 3" in any direction. That move can pass through and end within the combat ranges of any enemy units.

  • Pile in: move up to 3".
  • If in combat, the unit must end the move closer, or at least as close, to the target enemy unit.

The HERO keyword is used in the following Cities of Sigmar warscrolls:

Cavalry Hero
Infantry Hero
• Grombrindal, The White Dwarf
• Scourge of Ghyran Pontifex Zenestra
Monster Hero
War Machine Hero

The INFANTRY keyword is used in the following Cities of Sigmar warscrolls:

Infantry Hero
• Grombrindal, The White Dwarf
• Scourge of Ghyran Pontifex Zenestra
Infantry
• Brethren of the Bolt
• Hexbane’s Hunters

The ORDER keyword is used in the following Cities of Sigmar warscrolls:

Cavalry Hero
Infantry Hero
• Grombrindal, The White Dwarf
• Scourge of Ghyran Pontifex Zenestra
Monster Hero
War Machine Hero
Cavalry
• Scourge of Ghyran Freeguild Cavaliers
Infantry
• Brethren of the Bolt
• Hexbane’s Hunters

and others...

The CITIES OF SIGMAR keyword is used in the following Cities of Sigmar warscrolls:

Cavalry Hero
Infantry Hero
• Scourge of Ghyran Pontifex Zenestra
Monster Hero
War Machine Hero
Cavalry
• Scourge of Ghyran Freeguild Cavaliers
Infantry
• Brethren of the Bolt
• Hexbane’s Hunters

and others...

The SIGMARITE keyword is used in the following Cities of Sigmar warscrolls:

Cavalry Hero
Infantry Hero
Monster Hero
War Machine Hero
Cavalry
Infantry
• Brethren of the Bolt
• Hexbane’s Hunters
Monster
War Machine
19.0 Strike-first and Strike-last
If there are any STRIKE-FIRST units in combat after any non-FIGHT combat phase abilities have been used, other units cannot be picked to use a FIGHT ability until those units have been picked to use a FIGHT ability. After all those STRIKE-FIRST units have fought, the active player picks the next unit to fight.

If there are any STRIKE-LAST units in combat, they cannot be picked to use a FIGHT ability if there are any units in combat that do not have STRIKE-LAST and have not yet used a FIGHT ability.

If a unit has STRIKE-FIRST and STRIKE-LAST, treat it as if it had neither.

There may be situations when a unit that has STRIKE-FIRST is not in combat at the start of the phase, but because of moves such as pile-in moves, it is ‘pulled into combat’ later in the phase. In such cases, STRIKE-FIRST has no effect on that unit because it was not in combat at the start of the phase.

Abilities that allow a unit to use a FIGHT ability immediately after another unit do not override the STRIKE-FIRST or STRIKE-LAST constraints, so you could not pick a unit with STRIKE-LAST to fight immediately after a unit with STRIKE-FIRST.

FAQ / Errata

FAQ
Q:Can I use an ability that allows a friendly unit that does not have STRIKE-FIRST to fight immediately after a friendly unit that has STRIKE-FIRST if there are one or more enemy units with STRIKE-FIRST that have not yet been picked to fight?
A:
No. As mentioned in the sidebar next to 19.0, abilities that allow a unit to use a FIGHT ability immediately after another unit do not override the STRIKE-FIRST constraints, so you cannot pick a unit that does not have STRIKE-FIRST to fight until all other units that have STRIKE-FIRST have fought.
Q:If a friendly unit is the only unit that has STRIKE-FIRST on the battlefield and it has an ability that allows a friendly unit to fight immediately after it, in what order would units be picked to fight?
A:
If you are the active player, the unit that has STRIKE-FIRST would fight first, then you could use the ability to allow another friendly unit to fight immediately after it, and then you would pick the next unit to fight (i.e. three friendly units would fight back to back). If your opponent is the active player, the unit that has STRIKE-FIRST would fight first, you could still use the ability to allow another friendly unit to fight, and then your opponent would pick the next unit to fight.
Q:In the combat phase, if all eligible non-STRIKE‑LAST units have used a FIGHT ability, which player gets to pick the first STRIKE-LAST unit to fight?
A:
The alternating sequence of picking units to use a FIGHT ability would continue and so the player who did not pick the last non-STRIKE-LAST unit would get to pick the first eligible STRIKE-LAST unit in their army to use a FIGHT ability.
Errata
19.0 STRIKE-FIRST and STRIKE-LAST
In the first sentence, replace ‘at the start of the phase’ with ‘after any non-FIGHT Combat Phase abilities have been used’.
STRIKE-LAST
Remove the following text from STRIKE-LAST:
‘If both players have units with STRIKE-LAST, they alternate fighting with those units after all other eligible units have fought, starting with the active player.’
STRIKE-LAST
In the glossary entry for STRIKE-LAST, remove ‘, starting with the active player’.

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Faction Rules
• Battle Traits
• Battle Formations
• Heroic Traits
• Artefacts of Power
• Spell Lore
• Ironweld Innovations
• Prayer Lore
• The Iron March
• Allies of the Free Cities
• PATH TO GLORY
• SPEARHEAD
• The Duardin Ascendant
• Zenestra’s Zealots
• Sentinels of Embergard
• Fusil-Platoon
• Castelite Company
• Decorations for Valour
• PATH TO GLORY: COLLEGIATE ARCANE
Those HEROES can join an eligible regiment as a Thaumaturgical Specialist.

Infantry Hero

The PRIEST keyword is used in the following Cities of Sigmar warscrolls:

Infantry Hero
• Scourge of Ghyran Pontifex Zenestra

The UNIQUE keyword is used in the following Cities of Sigmar warscrolls:

Cavalry Hero
Infantry Hero
• Grombrindal, The White Dwarf
• Scourge of Ghyran Pontifex Zenestra
Monster Hero
Infantry
• Brethren of the Bolt
• Hexbane’s Hunters

The WARD keyword is used in the following Cities of Sigmar warscrolls:

Infantry Hero
• Grombrindal, The White Dwarf
• Scourge of Ghyran Pontifex Zenestra
Monster Hero
Infantry
• Hexbane’s Hunters
Monster
Endless Spell
• Wisper
Faction Terrain
Those HEROES can join an eligible regiment as a Freeguild Veteran.

Infantry Hero
Cavalry Hero
© Vyacheslav Maltsev 2013-2026