Sumon spells

[Persuader]

Hi guys,

I am correct to asume that when you have an ary of lets say

2 x 10 bloodletters
2 x Skullcannons
1 x Lord of Change

That i can only summon bloodletters, skullcanons and other Lords of
Change? If this is the case, what about named characters? If i want to summon Gor-Rok then I have to have him first, an i suon a second one or can i only summon him if he died earlier in the game? Or can you summon any unit from the army your wizard is from?

Thanks

[Calisson]

I've seen a similar debate on other forums.
Did not see anything convincing to restrict summoning. Also, GW was responsive when asked and confirmed the idea that as long as you have the model available, the chaos sorcerer may summon it. No need to have a similar unit already deployed or previously deployed.

[Dalamar]

I believe the general idea behind the summoned units (and it is made clear by the rules for deployment of an army) is this:

Every warscroll your own is your army at all times. You may place them on the board, you don't have to. But if you own the warscroll, you can use it. If that means summoning a unit that came with the warscroll, go ahead.

The principle is that you buy a box of minis which comes with its rules and you shouldn't need to buy two boxes to use all of its rules.

[Daeron]

I really like that interpretation, and a great point about having to buy a unit a second time to be able to use the spell.

The counter argument I've seen around comes from these rules:

You can continue setting up units until you have set up all the units you want to fight in this battle, or have run out of space. This is your army. Count the number of models in your army – this may come in useful later. Any remaining units are held in reserve, playing no part unless fate lends a hand.

So your army is defined as the models being set up, and the others as playing no part in the game. If a unit, not in the game, gives a wizard the spell to play it, then it is taking part. Tne warscroll of a unit you didn't set up is not part of your army.

But you're right to doubt that GW wants you to buy 2 boxes of a unit before you can use the full rules of the unit. That's a very convincing point.

[Calisson]

I've seen that discussion elsewhere.
Some guy even asked GW and they were quickly responsive.
All GW responses I come to see are always on the relaxed side.
No surprise then, they did confirm that as long as you own the unit, you can use it, even if it was not deployed.

It makes sense, too. Why would you need to have to own two models of Great Unclean One or Keeper of Secrets, before you could summon one?