Nurgle Daemon Warbands and Lore: Plaguebearers of Nurgle, Nurglings, and Harbingers of Decay

The lore behind Nurgle daemons is as rich as it is rotten. From the bloated Great Unclean One to the joyful chaos of Nurglings, these grotesque entities are manifestations of Grandfather Nurgle’s love. The infamous Plaguebearers of Nurgle serve as his tallymen, eternally counting the infections they spread. Meanwhile, characters like the Harbinger of Decay, Sloppity Bilepiper, and Spoilpox Scrivener bring narrative and menace to every battlefield.

You’ll find these characters spread across Warhammer Underworlds, Warcry, and Age of Sigmar campaigns, often leading pestilent warbands through realms both fantastical and futuristic. In Warhammer 40K, Nurgle’s influence is equally terrifying through the corrupted forms of the Death Guard, once noble Space Marines now serving Nurgle’s will.

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Painting Guides for Daemons of Nurgle: From Nurglings to Great Unclean Ones

Painting your Nurgle models is one of the most creatively satisfying challenges in the hobby. With so many textures—tentacle, pustule, fleshy bits, and rusted armor—there’s endless opportunity to experiment with color, contrast, and technique.

Start with a reliable basecoat. Use Wraithbone or Zandri Dust for pale, sickly undertones. For skin, Rakarth Flesh followed by a Reikland Fleshshade or Agrax Earthshade wash provides a rich, putrid finish. Layer up with Ogryn Camo, Elysian Green, and Death Guard Green for that classic Nurgle tone.

Want to spice up your Plaguebearers or Nurglings? Try Screamer Pink or Xereus Purple in wounds or around sores for a bruised look. Highlight using Screaming Skull, Ushabti Bone, or Flash Gitz Yellow for skin contrast. For eyes or oozes, use Blood Angels Red, Nazdreg Yellow, or even Blood for the Blood God for that wet, infected effect.

Don’t forget metallics—Leadbelcher washed with Nuln Oil and highlighted with Runefang Steel gives a corroded, plague-ridden feel. Add ‘Ardcoat or Gloss Varnish on open sores or weapons for shine and texture.

Rotmire Creed and Other Warbands of Decay Across Warcry and Age of Sigmar

Nurgle’s presence is vast. In Age of Sigmar, the Maggotkin of Nurgle are a resilient, disease-spreading faction featuring Plague Drones, Rotmire Creed, and Grandfather’s Gardeners from Warhammer Underworlds. Their warbands are often slow but incredibly durable, spreading contagion with every step.

In Warhammer 40K, the Death Guard bring ancient warriors to the field, combining classic space marine resilience with Nurgle’s gifts. Units like the Plaguebearer, Nurgling, and Great Unclean One cross game systems, offering both consistency and thematic strength.

From corrupted knights to bubbling nurglings, there’s endless variety. Consider mixing Daemons of Nurgle with Gitz allies or Slaves to Darkness for creative narrative armies in AoS, or combine Nurgle Daemon Skin tones and Druchii Violet shading to bring your own lore to life.

Nurgle Painting Techniques: Tips for Death Guard and Chaos Daemons

• Always drybrush after applying washes to pick out texture.
• Use Abaddon Black and Skrag Brown to deepen recess areas.
• Layer Drakenhof Nightshade or Carroburg Crimson for bruising.
• Touch-up highlights with Edge Highlights on raised details for definition.
• Use Athonian Camoshade for added filth in shaded skin areas.
• Add patina with desaturated greens and purples for a worn decay look.
• Refer to Tale of Painters, Golden Demon galleries, and the Nurgle Archives on Games Workshop’s site for inspiration.

Whether you’ve just started painting, or you’re entering a Golden Demon competition, Nurgle’s putrid charm offers unmatched opportunity to explore color theory, texture, and narrative in your miniature painting. Let decay reign supreme in your next painting project.

Final Thoughts: Death Guard, Maggotkin, and Plaguebearers in Warhammer Glory

With armies like the Death Guard, Daemons of Nurgle, and the Maggotkin of Nurgle, you’re not just playing a faction—you’re telling a grotesque, grand tale of entropy. Between plaguebearers, nurglings, and ancient warbands touched by Grandfather Nurgle, your models can embody the beauty of decay in both Warhammer Underworlds and open-table warfare.

So prime with purpose, undercoat in filth, and spread the plague with pride. Decay has never looked so glorious.

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