Kroak has one spell level 2 empire wizard gets in 12" uses rod of power ( i think, its some arcane item) steals a spell and removes it from the wizard This lets the empire wizard do deliverance of itza at a bound level of 20 and kroak can no longer cast magic. that boys and girls, is why GW need to give us an FaQ anyone wondered what happens when a poisoned attack bolt thrower rolls a 6 to hit? since it has automatically wounded and you dont need to roll to wound does it take out an entire unit of chaos knights in one bolt???
Mm I am not that familiar with empire magic items, but from what you describe it sounds like it would work it'd just be incredibly powerful against Kroak. As to the bolt thrower, yes that is a common question. Given the unlikelyhood of it actually happening (remember, stegs should be in combat ASAP) it isn't as overpowered as it seems, the model is expensive remember and it usually won't be able to line up chaos knights at their flank. But, we shall have to wait for an FAQ to see, which will hopefully come soon since the old one has been removed from the site.
I severely doubt GW will rule that the bolt kills the whole rank... probably just auto-wound the first guy. I think a good way to reflect a chance of poisoning subsequent models would be to just roll a D6 before rolling to wound the next model. If you roll a 6, then the second model is poisoned, if not, roll to wound as normal.
We lose a Strength.. we can't wheel for free.. the odds you roll a 6 with only one dice is rather small.. so why not let it kill those models.. Does the item really work like that? I don't got the current Empire book with me.. so i don't really know.. But it seems pretty strong.. but that makes you think twice about taking special characters.
Aldred's Casket of Sorcery. I'm familiar with the item, here's how it works: It's an Enchanted Item (meaning, it can be taken by any character) and costs XXX points (under 50). At the beginning of the owner's magic phase, one enemy wizard within 12" is selected (I'm not sure if this selection is random or not) and one (randomized) spell is removed on a 4+. That character can no longer cast that spell, and the character with the Casket may cast it once as a bound spell before it is completely removed from play. So yes, the character will get to unleash a power level 20 Deliverance of Itza and then Lord Kroak can no longer cast. And, if any of you are wondering, this sucks with VC when your 450 point caster Lord can no longer cast Invocation of Nehek. My advice: Don't take Lord Kroak vs. Empire.