Skarbrand is a Bloodthirster of Khorne, once his greatest champion, now the Exiled One. He’s a mindless engine of rage who’s carved a bloody path across the Warp and realspace, and he’s one of the most feared daemons in Warhammer 40k.
Who is Skarbrand?
Skarbrand was among Khorne’s most powerful Bloodthirsters. He led the eight Hosts of Murder and toppled the first palace of Slaanesh. His twin axes, Slaughter and Carnage, carry the spirits of defeated foes.
But his pride made him vulnerable. Tzeentch whispered to him, stoking his rage until Skarbrand struck Khorne himself. The blow only chipped the Blood God’s armour, and Khorne’s punishment was terrible: he choked away Skarbrand’s personality and hurled him across the Warp for eight days and nights. Skarbrand landed in a canyon, wings shredded, left as pure, mindless wrath.
- Title: The Exiled One
- Type: Bloodthirster of Khorne
- Weapons: Slaughter and Carnage
- Notable kills: Destroyed Slaanesh’s First Palace, slew Nurgle’s poxviathan
What makes him dangerous
Skarbrand doesn’t just kill, he spreads madness. His presence turns allies into frenzied killers, making even the most disciplined troops turn on each other. That’s why he’s a threat to entire armies, more than the people in front of him.
He’s also relentless. Banished from Khorne’s presence, he wanders the mortal and immortal realms, drowning his sins in blood without fully understanding why. He’s rage incarnate, and nothing short of banishment stops him.
Notable battles and sightings
Skarbrand has clashed with some of the Imperium’s greatest heroes. He fought Roboute Guilliman during the Terran Crusade, and it’s rumoured that Dante cleft him in two at the Gates of Pandemonium, banishing him back to the Warp.
During the Gheistos Cataclysm in M41, he rampaged against the Vorpal Swords. Later, on Lutoris Epsilon, his rage infected the defending Guardsmen, driving them into homicidal frenzies. He also allied with The Masque to attack Biel-Tan through a Webway Portal.
How he connects to wider lore
Skarbrand’s story ties directly into the Great Game between the Chaos Gods. Tzeentch’s manipulation of Skarbrand is a classic example of the Changer of Ways using a rival’s strength against him. It also shows Khorne’s unforgiving nature: even his greatest champion isn’t safe from his wrath.
For Chaos players, Skarbrand represents the purest form of Khorne’s domain: indiscriminate slaughter and the madness that follows. He’s a reminder that in the Warp, loyalty means nothing when rage takes over.
Key facts
- Skarbrand is a Bloodthirster of Khorne, known as the Exiled One.
- He was Khorne’s greatest champion before Tzeentch tricked him into attacking the Blood God.
- Khorne choked away his personality and threw him across the Warp for eight days and nights.
- His axes, Slaughter and Carnage, contain the spirits of defeated foes.
- He fought Roboute Guilliman during the Terran Crusade and may have been cloven by Dante.
- His presence spreads mindless rage, turning allies against each other.
FAQ
Why was Skarbrand exiled?
He struck Khorne after Tzeentch goaded him into a rage. Khorne choked away his personality and hurled him across the Warp, leaving only mindless fury.
What are Skarbrand’s axes called?
Slaughter and Carnage. They’re imbued with the spirits of defeated enemies.
Has Skarbrand ever been banished?
Yes, he’s been banished back to the Warp several times, including a rumoured defeat by Dante at the Gates of Pandemonium.