When a player selects his army he may give certain models magic items. Each magic item costs a fixed number of points which is added to the points value of the model carrying it. Choose the magic items you wish to include and write them down on your army's roster sheet. When you arrive ready for battle you will have your magic items selected and already allocated to individual models.

Magic items can only be carried by character models, except for standards which can only be carried by an army's battle standard bearer or by regimental standard bearers indicated in the army list itself. The points value of the magic item is added to the points cost of the character or the standard bearer model.

Remember that the points value of a regiment's standard bearer is double the value of an ordinary trooper, and the cost of a magic standard is on top of this. For example, if an ordinary trooper costs 10 points the standard bearer would cost 20 points. If the standard bearer carried a magic standard worth 25 points his total value would therefore be 45 points (20+25).

Characters cannot carry an unlimited number of magic items; they are limited to the maximum number of items shown on the chart below. Although we have described characters as either heroes or wizards the same restrictions apply to Orc Bosses, High Elf Mages and other equivalents as per normal. Wights, Liches and Vampires are listed separately as they have no level as such.

Unless specified otherwise in the army lists, an army's general is usually a Lord. The army's battle standard bearer is usually a Champion, and as such he could have one magic item which can be either a magic standard or another magic item.

A character may carry up to the number of magic items indicated. However, a character cannot carry more than one magic weapon, more than one shield, or more than one type of magic armour. Note that some magic armour includes a shield. In addition, some magic items can only be used by characters of a specific race, or by wizards and not heroes. These limitations are indicated on the card itself.

With the exception of scrolls, a player's army may not include duplicates of magic items. In the case of scrolls you can include as many as you want within the normal limitations for individuals. Scrolls can only be used by wizards and can only be used once.

Although a player's army cannot include duplicates of magic items (except scrolls) there is nothing wrong with opposing sides both having the same magic items. The cards are not intended to be divided between the two players as the spell cards are, they are used for reference and can be passed from player to player as convenient.

This does mean that if both armies have the same magic item both sides will be aware of the fact because both players will wish to consult the card. This is unavoidable but not really a problem; perhaps each magic item displays a strange awareness of its twin so that its wielder can sense the presence of his opponent.

Because both sides are very likely to use scrolls there are duplicate cards, one in the original Warhammer game and further sets in the Warhammer Battle Magic game.