Arkhan the Black

When I said it is similar to General/BSB and Leadership, I already expected the discussion to be in a similar vein, including the knack of reading things that are not there. 

Exactly. Unless specifically stated otherwise, normal rules apply. The Immunity to Panic special rule specifically states that a model with this rule does not have to take Panic tests. However, as we have seen in a recent thread, it does not contain a specific exemption that units containing models with and without that rule do not need to test. Arkhan's rules specifically state that he "uses spells from the Lore of Death, even if he is your Army's Hierophant." 

The rules for Khatep specifically state "he must be your Army's Hierophant" - nothing more, nothing less. There is clearly no stated exemption that other Wizards can have a higher level. You could argue that it is somehow implied, but since it does not follow logically or grammatically from the written rule, that would be RAI, not RAW. 

Als already stated above: 


The two rules conflict, but it is a conflict of your choice, not a necessary one. It is similar to Detachments in the Watchtower scenario raised in another thread. You cannot claim AB>BRB to deploy a Regiment in the Watchtower, and then deploy its Detachments within 3" (unless the tower would be in or within 3" of the deployment zone). If you have two options, one which follows all the rules, and one of which creates an unnecessary conflict, you choose the first one. 

But as always, if you and your opponent agree, feel free to play it differently. 

Or perhaps the writers didn't consider a buff from a magic item to be important to determining who the highest level wizard is for the Hierophant rule.

Without talking to the writer, we don't know for sure, but given the existence of the other L4 character who MUST be the Hierophant, I'd bet it's the case.

Just my opinion, of course, YMMV.

Perhaps, but if so, he forgot to specify that it was to be discounted for the Hierophant rule. 

I'm all for them not being able to be in the same army together.

Raw not broken and makes perfect lore sense given Khatep's loyalty to Settra and Arkhan's to Nagash.

Both have massive egos and would insist on being Hierophant.

Khatep has to be Hierophant RAW and Arkhan can F right off with his level 5.

One of the rare instances of GW getting it absolutely right imo 😀

You are still required to abide by all rules of the game at all times.  Just because your opponent is unaware you violated a rule doesn't make it okay.  Also magic items must be revealed when they have an effect on the game.  ie. In this example when choosing the Hierophant.

It's a time sequence. Obviously you should explain to the rival player. But the Hierophant must be selected in the precise moment of models deployment instead the Liber Mortis that is revealed later in the choosing spells phase (not earlier).


So, there is no rule violation in that precise moment. Both wizard are the same 4 level and the player must choose Khatep as Hierophant due to his special rule.


In other way, you can choose not to use the Liber Mortis in all the game (spoiler alert: nobody plays this way), in that case Arkhan still is lvl 4 until you reveal the object. It means that Arkhan becomes a lvl 5 wizard only when Liber Mortis is revealed.

What thegoat says. The Liber Mortis special rule specifically states: "Whilst Arkhan the Black has the Liber Mortis his Wizard level is increased to 5." He has the Liber Mortis by default - he has it at every stage, before and during the game, until it is effectively destroyed.