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The Rules

Quick Start Guide The Core Rules

Matched Play Battlepack

First Blood

The Core Rules

This page explains how to play games of Warhammer Age of Sigmar with your collection of Citadel Miniatures.


	Contents Books CORE RULES 1.0 Core Concepts 2.0 Tools of War 2.1 Measuring Distances 2.1.1 Within and Wholly Within 2.2 Dice 3.0 Factions 4.0 Warscrolls 5.0 Abilities 5.1 Keywords 5.2 Using Abilities 5.3 The Rules of One 5.4 Passive Abilities • Abilities Example 6.0 Visibility 7.0 Combat Range Setting Up for Battle 8.0 The Armies 9.0 Battleplans 9.1 Battlefield Map 9.1.1 Setting Up Objectives and Terrain Features 9.1.2 Territories 10.0 The Deployment Phase 10.1 Universal Deployment Phase Abilities The Battle 11.0 Battle Sequence 12.0 Start of Battle Round 13.0 Turn Phases 13.1 Fight Abilities 14.0 Universal Core Abilities 14.1 Movement Phase 14.2 Shooting Phase 14.3 Charge Phase 14.4 Combat Phase Movement 15.0 Movement 15.1 Coherency 15.2 Moving Across Terrain 15.2.1 Jumping Down 15.3 Pile-in Moves 15.4 Flying Attacking 16.0 Picking Targets 17.0 The Attack Sequence 17.1 Attack Modifiers and Caps 17.2 Mortal Damage 17.3 Fast Dice Rolling 18.0 The Damage Sequence 18.1 Ward Saves 18.2 Allocating Damage 18.3 Slain Models 18.4 Destroyed Units Attacking Diagram • Attacking Example Special Rules 19.0 Strike-first and Strike-last 20.0 Weapon Abilities 21.0 Healing 22.0 Returning and Adding Models 23.0 Tokens 24.0 Setting Up Units 24.1 Reserve Units 24.2 Replacement Units 25.0 Guarded Heroes 26.0 Random Characteristics 27.0 Modifier Order 28.0 Advanced Ability Rules 28.1 Persisting Effects 28.2 ‘Once per’ Timings 29.0 Contradictory Rules 30.0 Order of Effects End of Turn 31.0 End of Turn Overview 32.0 Objectives 32.1 Contesting Objectives 32.2 Objective Control 32.3 Terrain Control 33.0 End of Battle Round ADVANCED RULES Commands 1.0 Commands Overview 1.1 Earning Command Points 1.2 Using Commands 2.0 Hero Phase Commands 3.0 Movement Phase Commands 4.0 Shooting Phase Commands 5.0 Charge Phase Commands 6.0 Attacking (Shooting and Combat) Commands 7.0 Defensive Commands 8.0 End of Turn Commands Terrain 1.0 Terrain Overview 1.1 Wholly on Terrain and Behind Terrain 1.2 Universal Terrain Abilities 1.3 Terrain Sizes 1.4 Terrain Types 1.5 Faction Terrain 1.6 Charging Units on Terrain 1.7 Scenery Pieces Citadel Terrain List Magic 1.0 Wizards and Priests 1.1 Power Level 2.0 Spells 3.0 Prayers 4.0 Unbinding Spells 5.0 Jealous Mages and Fickle Gods 6.0 Known Spells and Prayers 7.0 Manifestations 7.1 Severed Connection 7.2 Banishing Manifestations Army Composition 1.0 Getting Started 1.1 Army Roster 1.2 Points Limit 1.3 Battle Profiles 2.0 Factions 2.1 Battle Formations 2.2 Armies of Renown 3.0 Adding Units 3.1 Regiments 3.2 The General 3.3 Reinforced Units 3.4 Unique Units 3.5 Regiments of Renown 3.6 Auxiliary Units 3.7 Faction Terrain Features 4.0 Finishing Touches 4.1 Enhancements 4.2 Lores Command Models 1.0 Champions 2.0 Musicians 3.0 Standard Bearers Battle Tactics 1.0 Battle Tactics Overview 2.0 Picking Battle Tactics 2.1 Completing Battle Tactics 3.0 Universal Battle Tactics BATTLEPACKS • Spearhead • Path to Glory • Matched Play

Books

Book	Kind	Edition	Last update
Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Core Rules
Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Core Rules	Rulebook	4	September 2024
Battle Profiles & Rules updates
Battle Profiles & Rules updates	Rulebook	4	November 2024

CORE RULES

The Core Rules explain the basic concepts of the game, including how your units move, shoot, charge and light. These rules are used in all games of Warhammer Age of Sigmar.

1.0 Core Concepts

Battles in Warhammer Age of Sigmar are fought on a surface that is referred to as the battlefield. Each battle uses a scenario called a battleplan, which will explain how to set up the battlefield and how to determine the winner.

Each player is the commander of an army. Each army belongs to a faction and is made up of groups of models called units. Models and units in your army are referred to as friendly models and units, and models and units in your opponent’s army are referred to as enemy models and units.


	The Most Important Rule While you’re playing Warhammer Age of Sigmar, you might encounter a rules situation that you aren’t sure how to resolve. If you’re new to the game, we recommend discussing with your opponent and agreeing on a fair and reasonable solution so you can get on with the game as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the Special Rules section includes detailed instructions on how to resolve these situations.

Rules Summaries

This page have red boxes, such as this one.
These give you short summaries of important rules.
If you need to read a rule in full, refer to the main text.


	Designer’s Notes This page have grey boxes, like this one, that provide commentary on the rules or other supplementary information. These boxes provide additional insight or context, but do not contain any rules needed to play the game.

2.0 Tools of War

To fight a battle, you will need:

A tape measure
Some dice
A surface to play on (the battlefield)
2 armies of Citadel Miniatures

2.1 Measuring Distances

Distances in Warhammer Age of Sigmar are measured in inches ("), between the closest points on the bases of the models you’re measuring to and from. You can measure distances whenever you wish. When measuring the distance between units, always measure the distance between the closest points on the bases of the closest models in each unit. If a model does not have a base, measure to and from the closest point on the model instead.

2.1.1 Within and Wholly Within

A model is within a certain distance of something (e.g. another unit, a territory or an objective) if any part of its base is within that distance. A model is wholly within a certain distance of something if every part of its base is within that distance.

A unit is within a certain distance of something if any part of the base of any model in the unit is within that distance. A unit is wholly within a certain distance of something if every part of the bases of all of the models in the unit is within that distance.

2.2 Dice

Warhammer Age of Sigmar uses six-sided dice, often abbreviated to D6.

Some rules refer to ‘2D6’, ‘3D6’ and so on - in such cases, roll a number of dice equal to the number before ‘D6’ and add the results together.
A roll of ‘2+’ means a roll of 2 or more, a roll of ‘3+’ means a roll of 3 or more, and so on.
If a rule requires you to roll a D3, roll a dice and halve the total, rounding up. For D3 rolls, a roll of ‘2+’ means a result of 2 or more after halving the total and rounding up.
Effects that allow you to modify a dice roll are called modifiers.
If you are instructed to roll off, each player should roll a dice. Whichever player has a higher roll wins the roll-off. If the result is a tie, each player should roll off again until there is a clear winner, unless otherwise specified.
Some rules allow you to re-roll a dice roll, which means you get to roll some or all of the dice again. You cannot re-roll a dice more than once, and re-rolls happen before modifiers to the roll (if any) are applied.

3.0 Factions

Each army belongs to a faction, e.g. Stormcast Eternals or Skaven. Each faction has a set of faction rules, which include battle traits, battle formations, enhancements and lores. These can be found in various publications but most commonly in the faction’s battletome.

4.0 Warscrolls

The rules for each unit are contained on a warscroll:

The MOVE characteristic determines how quickly the unit can move across the battlefield (see 15.0).

The HEALTH characteristic determines how many damage points can be allocated to a unit before a model in the unit is slain (see 18.2).

The CONTROL characteristic determines how well each model in the unit can contest objectives (see 32.2).

The SAVE characteristic determines how well armoured the unit is. This characteristic is the roll you need to equal or exceed to save a model from harm, so a lower value is better (see 17.0).

The UNIT TYPE.

The KEYWORDS that the unit has (see 5.1)

The WEAPONS the unit is armed with. Weapons are either melee weapons, used to make combat attacks, or ranged weapons, used to make shooting attacks. Each weapon has its own characteristics (see 16.0).

Any special ABILITIES the unit can use (see 5.0).

5.0 Abilities

The vast majority of things that units can do in Warhammer Age of Sigmar are called abilities. This is an example of an ability:

Timing

Name and description

Declare instructions

Effect

Keywords


	Ability icons give you an idea what kind of effect the ability has at a glance. Movement Ability Offensive Ability Defensive Ability Shooting Ability Rallying Ability Special Ability Control Ability

5.1 Keywords

Some abilities have one or more keywords listed at the bottom of the ability on their keywords bar, e.g. the ‘Shoot’ ability shown above has the CORE, ATTACK and SHOOT keywords. Units also have a keywords bar on their warscroll.

Keywords let you know which abilities can be used or which units can be picked as targets for an ability. For example, the ‘Charge’ ability can only be used by a unit if it did not use an ability with the RUN or RETREAT keyword earlier in the turn. The singular and plural forms of a keyword are synonymous for rules purposes.


	5.2 Using Abilities The timing of an ability tells you when it can be used. When using an ability, follow these steps: 1. Declare the Ability: Tell your opponent which ability is being used. If the ability has Declare instructions, resolve them at this step. 2. Use Reactions: Starting with the active player (see 12.0), the players alternate using any abilities with an appropriate Reaction timing. 3. Resolve the Effect: Follow the instructions in the Effect part of the ability.

5.3 The Rules of One

A unit cannot use more than 1 CORE ability per phase (see 14.0).
A unit cannot use the same ability more than once per phase, unless specified otherwise.
A unit cannot be affected by the same passive ability more than once at the same time. For example, if a unit is within range of two different terrain features that have the ‘Cover’ passive ability, the effect only applies to it once.

5.4 Passive Abilities

Abilities that have the Passive timing are called passive abilities. Passive abilities are not declared. The effects of passive abilities always apply if the conditions of the ability are met, and they must be applied if it is possible to do so.

Abilities Example

Ben and Jes are fighting a battle, and Ben’s Rat Ogors have charged into Jes’s Liberators. It is Ben’s turn to pick a unit to fight. The following example shows how abilities are used, but don’t worry too much about the specific abilities, as they will be explained later in the rules.

Ben uses the ‘Fight’ ability. Tie first step is to resolve any Declare instructions for the ability. In this case, Ben picks his unit of Rat Ogors to use the ability, then they make a pile-in move. Finally, Ben picks Jes’s Liberators unit as the target of all the Rat Ogors’ attacks.

Any Combat Phase

FIGHT: Locked in a deadly melee, the fighters strike out at their foes.

Declare: Pick a friendly unit that is in combat or that charged this turn to use this ability. That unit can make a pile-in move. Then, if that unit is in combat, you must pick one or more enemy units as the target(s) of that unit’s attacks.

Effect: Resolve combat attacks against the target unit(s).

KEYWORDS

CORE, ATTACK, FIGHT

After declaring the ability, Ben has the first opportunity to use any reactions. As ‘Fight’ has the ATTACK keyword, Ben is able to use the ‘All-out Attack’ ability to improve his Rat Ogors’ attacks.

Reaction: You declared an ATTACK ability

ALL-OUT ATTACK: The warriors fight with a frenzied vigour.

Used By: The unit using that ATTACK ability.

Effect: Add 1 to hit rolls for attacks made as part of that ATTACK ability. This also affects weapons that have the Companion weapon ability.

After Ben uses ‘All-out Attack’, Jes uses the ‘All-out Defence’ ability to try to protect his Liberators against the upcoming onslaught. Ben then passes on using any further reactions, then Jes does the same.

Reaction: Opponent declared an ATTACK ability

ALL-OUT DEFENCE: The soldiers close ranks to hold off an incoming attack.

Used By: A unit targeted by that ATTACK ability.

Effect: Add 1 to save rolls for that unit in this phase.

‘All-out Attack’ and ‘All-out Defence’ are examples of Advanced Rules, which are used in certain battlepacks.

Now that the Declare instructions have been resolved and both players have had a chance to use reactions, Ben can resolve the effect of the ability, resulting in 2 Liberators being slain (see 18.3).

Any Combat Phase

FIGHT: Locked in a deadly melee, the fighters strike out at their foes.

KEYWORDS

CORE, ATTACK, FIGHT

6.0 Visibility

A target model is visible to another model (which we’ll call the ‘observing model’) if you can draw a straight line through the air (whether horizontal, diagonal or vertical) from any point on the observing model to any point on the target model that does not intersect any objects except for other models in the observing model’s unit. A target unit is visible to an observing unit if at least 1 model in the target unit is visible to at least 1 model in the observing unit. A model is always considered to be visible to itself.


	If any part of another model can be seen by an observing model, both the target model and its unit are visible to that observing model.


	In some cases, it might not be immediately clear whether a model is visible. If so, stoop down to get a look from behind the observing model. If any part of the other model is visible, even if it is just the tip of a spear, then that model is visible for rules purposes.

Even though only half of this Liberator can be seen, he counts as being visible. A model is visible no matter how much of the model is blocked from sight or how little of it is visible; if any part of the model can be seen, it is visible.

An observing model’s visibility can be blocked by enemy models. The Rat Ogor in this shot is visible to the Liberator on the right but is not visible to the Liberator on the left because it is hidden by the Plague Furnace.

The Liberator at the back of this unit can see through their fellows. Models don’t block the visibility of other models in their unit - it is assumed that they fight in such a way as to not obstruct one another’s attacks.

7.0 Combat Range

Each model has a combat range that extends 3" horizontally from its base and any distance vertically from that circle to form a cylinder. The combat range of a unit extends 3" horizontally and any distance vertically from every model in that unit. Units from opposing armies that are within each other’s combat range and that are visible to each other are in combat with each other. When a unit that is not in combat enters the combat range of a visible enemy unit, it moves into combat.
A model is considered to be in combat with an enemy unit if that unit is within the model’s combat range and visible to it’


	A unit’s combat range extends 3" out from every model in that unit. If any enemy models are within a unit’s combat range and visible to it, that unit is in combat.

A model’s combat range extends 3" horizontally outwards from it in all directions and an infinite distance vertically. Note that this is measured from the edge of its base, not the centre.

A unit’s combat range extends 3" horizontally and any distance vertically from all models in the unit. As you can see, this forms a sort of ‘cloud’.

Even though both Rat Ogors are within the combat range of the Liberator, the Rat Ogor behind the wall is not visible to the Liberator and is therefore not in combat.

A unit is in combat with a visible enemy unit if any of its models are within the combat range of that enemy unit. Even though 1 Rat Ogor is not within the Liberators’ combat range, its unit is still in combat.

Setting Up for Battle


	Unless specified otherwise in the battlepack or battleplan: Set up objectives. Set up terrain. Determine territories. Deploy armies. The player who lost the roll-off to choose territories decides who begins deployment.

8.0 The Armies

Before starting a battle, both players will need an army. Some battlepacks use pre-made armies, while others include rules on how to fill your army roster.

9.0 Battleplans

Before any battle, you’ll need to pick a battleplan. A variety of battleplans are available in each battlepack, and additional battleplans are available in other publications. Each battleplan is a scenario to play - it outlines territories, objectives and victory conditions, in addition to any special rules that apply to that battle.

9.1 Battlefield Map

Each battleplan includes a battlefield map that is divided into quarters. The map will show the locations of any objectives and the players’ territories. Each battlepack or battleplan will indicate the recommended battlefield size based on the size of game you are playing.

9.1.1 Setting Up Objectives and Terrain Features

Many battlefields have key locations called objectives, and almost all battlefields have terrain features such as buildings, ruins and woods. Unless otherwise specified, players should first set up objective markers at the locations indicated by a gold circles (

) on the deployment map, then set up terrain features in a mutually agreeable manner. Many battlepacks and battleplans include further instructions for setting up terrain.

9.1.2 Territories

Unless otherwise specified in the battlepack or battleplan, after terrain has been set up, the players should roll off. The winner decides which territory belongs to which player. Their opponent decides which player begins deployment.

A unit is within a territory if any part of the base of any model in the unit is within that territory.
A unit is wholly within a territory if every part of the base of every model in the unit is within that territory.
The area of the battlefield that is neither player’s territory is neutral territory.

10.0 The Deployment Phase

Once the battlefield is ready, the players must deploy their armies. This is done in a special phase called the deployment phase. The deployment phase happens once per battle, before the start of the first battle round (see 12.0).

Step 1 - Deploy Faction Terrain Features

Some factions have faction terrain features, which have their own warscrolls and are set up using DEPLOY TERRAIN abilities. The player who begins deployment must use DEPLOY TERRAIN abilities first, followed by their opponent.

Step 2 - Deploy Armies

Unless otherwise specified in the battleplan, the players alternate using DEPLOY abilities to deploy their units, starting with the player who begins deployment. Once one player has no more DEPLOY abilities to use, their opponent must continue to use DEPLOY abilities until they also have no more to use.

Step 3 - Use Deployment Phase Abilities

After both players have finished deploying their units, the player who begins deployment can use any

Deployment Phase

abilities that are not DEPLOY or DEPLOY TERRAIN abilities, in the order of their choosing, then their opponent can do the same.


	Player who begins deployment can use any DEPLOY TERRAIN abilities, followed by their opponent. Players alternate using DEPLOY abilities. Player who begins deployment must use any other Deployment Phase abilities, then their opponent can do so.

10.1 Universal Deployment Phase Abilities

Reaction: Deployment Phase

DEPLOY UNIT: Additional forces take to the field.

Declare: Pick a unit from your army roster that has not been deployed to be the target.

Effect: Set up the target unit wholly within friendly territory and more than 9" from enemy territory. After you have done so, it has been deployed.

KEYWORDS

DEPLOY

Reaction: Deployment Phase

DEPLOY FACTION TERRAIN: The army has taken to the field surrounding an important and powerful landmark.

Declare: Pick a friendly faction terrain feature that has not been deployed to be the target.

Effect: Set up the target faction terrain feature wholly within friendly territory, more than 3" from all objectives and other terrain features. After you have done so, it has been deployed.

KEYWORDS

DEPLOY TERRAIN

Reaction: Deployment Phase

DEPLOY REGIMENT: A mighty hero leads their retinue into battle.

Declare: Pick a regiment from your army roster to be the target. No units in that regiment can have already been deployed.

Effect: Keep using DEPLOY abilities without alternating until all units in that regiment have been deployed. You cannot pick units that are not in that regiment as the target of any of those DEPLOY abilities.

KEYWORDS

DEPLOY

A regiment is a collection of units. It is one of the main building blocks of an army (see ‘Army Composition’ in the Advanced Rules).

Some factions have special DEPLOY abilities, such as the ‘Scions of the Storm’ ability of the Stormcast Eternals.

The Battle


	The battle lasts a fixed number of battle rounds. Each battle round contains 2 turns. The player whose turn is taking place is the active player. Each turn contains 7 phases. In each phase, the active player uses abilities first, then their opponent does the same.

11.0 Battle Sequence

Each battle lasts a number of battle rounds, specified in the battleplan. During each battle round, each player will take a turn. Each turn is broken down into multiple phases (see 13.0).

12.0 Start of Battle Round

At the start of each battle round, follow these steps:

1. Determine the Active Player: If it is the first battle round, the player who finished setting up their army first decides who will take the first turn (unless otherwise specified in the battlepack or battleplan).

If it is not the first battle round, the players make a roll-off called the priority roll and the winner decides who will take the first turn. If the roll-off is a tie, the player who took the first turn in the previous battle round decides who will take the first turn in the current battle round.

When it is a player’s turn, regardless of whether they take the first or second turn, they are referred to as the active player.

2. Determine the Underdog: Whichever player has the fewest victory points is the underdog for the battle round. If the players are tied (e.g. in the first battle round), then there is no underdog, unless otherwise specified.

3. Start of Battle Round Abilities: The active player can use any

Start of Battle Round

abilities first, then their opponent can do the same.

13.0 Turn Phases

Each player’s turn is broken down into 7 phases, as shown below. In each phase, the active player can use any abilities with the ‘Your (...) Phase’ or ‘Any (...) Phase’ timing in the order of their choosing. For example, in the Movement Phase, the active player could use abilities with the

Your Movement Phase

Any Movement Phase

timing.

Once the active player has finished using abilities, their opponent can then use any abilities with an ‘Enemy (...) Phase’ or ‘Any (...) Phase’ timing, in the order of their choosing.

13.1 Fight Abilities

Abilities with the FIGHT keyword follow a different sequence to other abilities. When the players are using

Combat Phase

abilities as described in 13.0, they cannot use FIGHT abilities.

After the players have finished using

Combat Phase

abilities that are not FIGHT abilities, they must alternate picking 1 eligible unit to use a FIGHT ability, starting with the active player. Each unit in combat must use a FIGHT ability if it is able to.

Once a player has no more units that are eligible to use a FIGHT ability, the other player continues to pick units that are eligible to use a FIGHT ability, one after another, until there are no more units that are eligible to use a FIGHT ability.


	The active player uses Combat Phase abilities that are not FIGHT abilities, then the opponent does the same. Players alternate picking a unit to use a FIGHT ability, starting with the active player. Each unit must use a FIGHT ability if it is able to.

14.0 Universal Core Abilities

The following CORE abilities can be used by any unit. Remember that each unit can use a maximum of 1 CORE ability per phase (see 5.3).

14.1 Movement Phase

Your Movement Phase

NORMAL MOVE: The warriors advance across the battlefield.

Declare: Pick a friendly unit that is not in combat to use this ability.

Effect: That unit can move a distance up to its Move characteristic. That unit cannot move into combat during any part of that move.

KEYWORDS

CORE, MOVE

Your Movement Phase

RUN: The unit rushes into position.

Declare: Pick a friendly unit that is not in combat to use this ability.

Effect: Make a run roll of D6. That unit can move a distance up to its Move characteristic added to the run roll. That unit cannot move into combat during any part of that move.

KEYWORDS

CORE, MOVE, RUN

Your Movement Phase

RETREAT: The fighters disengage from combat, though at the cost of lowering their defences.

Declare: Pick a friendly unit that is in combat to use this ability.

Effect: Inflict D3 mortal damage on that unit. That unit can move a distance up to its Move characteristic. That unit can move through the combat ranges of any enemy units but cannot end that move within an enemy unit’s combat range.

KEYWORDS

CORE, MOVE, RETREAT

14.2 Shooting Phase

Your Shooting Phase

SHOOT: The warriors take aim and unleash a deadly volley.

Declare: Pick a friendly unit that has not used a RUN or RETREAT ability this turn to use this ability. Then, pick one or more enemy units as the target(s) of that unit’s attacks (see 16.0).

Effect: Resolve shooting attacks against the target unit(s).

KEYWORDS

CORE, ATTACK, SHOOT

14.3 Charge Phase

Your Charge Phase

CHARGE: With a mighty battle cry, the warriors charge into combat with the enemy.

Declare: Pick a friendly unit that is not in combat and has not used a RUN or RETREAT ability this turn to use this ability. Then, make a charge roll of 2D6.

Effect: That unit can move a distance up to the value of the charge roll. That unit can move through the combat ranges of any enemy units and must end that move within 1/2" of a visible enemy unit. If it does so, the unit using this ability has charged.

KEYWORDS

CORE, MOVE, CHARGE

14.4 Combat Phase

Any Combat Phase

FIGHT: Locked in a deadly melee, the fighters strike out at their foes.

Declare: Pick a friendly unit that is in combat or that charged this turn to use this ability. That unit can make a pile-in move (see 15.3). Then, if that unit is in combat, you must pick one or more enemy units as the target(s) of that unit’s attacks (see 16.0).

Effect: Resolve combat attacks against the target unit(s).

KEYWORDS

CORE, ATTACK, FIGHT

Movement

15.0 Movement

Some abilities allow a unit to move. When a unit moves, each model in that unit can move, one at a time, in the order chosen by that unit’s commander.

When a model moves, it can pivot and change direction as often as you like, but no part of that model’s base can move a greater total distance than the maximum allowed by the ability used. Models cannot move beyond the edge of the battlefield or through other models, and they can never end a move standing on top of another model (the base counts as part of the model).

A model’s base is assumed to remain parallel with the battlefield as it moves. If a model ends its move on an uneven surface, it must be able to stand up by itself with its base as close to parallel with the battlefield as possible (in other words, models cannot lie flat on the battlefield or lean against terrain to stop them from falling over).

This Grey Seer is using the ‘Normal Move’ ability to change its position on the battlefield. No part of that move can be within the combat range of the Liberators, so the Grey Seer has to stay outside the area marked in blue.


	When moving a unit, move any number of models in that unit. Each model can turn and pivot, but no part of its base can move farther than the maximum distance. Units can move any distance up to the maximum specified in the ability. Units must end their move in coherency.

15.1 Coherency

Any time a unit is set up or ends a move, it must be in a single group. A unit is considered to be in a coherent group if each model in that unit is within coherency range, measured horizontally, of at least 1 other model in that unit (ignore differences in height between the two models).

For the majority of units, coherency range is 1/2", though some units (particularly those with large models with overhanging parts) have a longer coherency range noted on their warscroll for ease of play. While there are 7 or more models in a unit, that unit is considered to be in a coherent group if each model in that unit is within coherency range of at least 2 other models in that unit.

If it is not possible for a unit to end a move in a single coherent group, that move cannot be made.


	After finishing a move, a unit must be in a single group. Coherency range is 1/2" horizontally. Each model must be within coherency range of a different model from the same unit. While a unit has 7+ models, each model must be in coherency with 2 other models in the unit.

15.2 Moving Across Terrain

When a model moves, it can move over terrain features but not through them. A model can be moved over terrain features that are 1" or less in height as if they were not there. A model can be moved vertically in order to climb up or down any terrain features that are taller than 1", counting the vertical distance as part of its move. Models cannot end a move mid-climb.


	Models can move freely over terrain features 1" or less in height. Models can climb up and down terrain features, and they can jump down from a higher ledge. Models cannot end a move mid-climb or mid-jump.

15.2.1 Jumping Down

When a model that is on a terrain feature moves, it can jump down from the edge of the terrain feature to land on a lower part of the same or a different terrain feature or to land on the battlefield. To do so, you must trace the path of the model’s move to the edge of the terrain feature. Then, that model can jump down any distance, but doing so immediately ends their move. Models cannot end any kind of move mid-jump - if it is not possible to end the move as a result, that move cannot be made.

As a model moves across terrain, its base is assumed to stay in contact with the terrain feature and parallel to the battlefield. Models can climb up or down terrain. They can jump down too, but this ends their move.

15.3 Pile-in Moves

Some abilities, such as FIGHT abilities, allow a unit to make a short move called a pile-in move to get into a better position for combat. To do so:

If your unit is in combat: Pick an enemy unit your unit is in combat with to be the target of the pile-in move. Each model in your unit can move up to 3". That move can pass through the combat ranges of any enemy units, but each model must end that move no further from the target unit. At the end of the move, your unit must still be in combat with all units that it was in combat with at the start of the move.

If your unit is not in combat: Each model in your unit can move 3" in any direction. That move can pass through and end within the combat ranges of any enemy units.


	Pile in: move up to 3". If in combat, the unit must end the move closer, or at least as close, to the target enemy unit.

15.4 Flying

Units with the FLY keyword have the following passive ability:

Passive

FLY: Soaring above the battlefield, this unit can reach destinations that are inaccessible to other troops.

Effect: As this unit moves, it ignores other models, terrain features and the combat ranges of enemy units. It cannot end its move in combat unless specified in the ability that allowed it to move. Ignore any vertical distance moved for this unit.


	When moving flying units, move them horizontally in any direction, ignoring intervening models and terrain, and place them where you wish, so long as they are allowed to end their move on that spot. Note that some units have the FLY keyword even if that unit can’t really fly. This often represents units that bounce, bound or skitter across the battlefield so adeptly that they might as well be flying!

Attacking


	Pick targets for all attacks when declaring an ATTACK ability. If a unit is in combat, it can only attack units it is in combat with and that are visible to it. If making a combat attack, the target must be within the attacking model’s combat range. If making a shooting attack, the target must be visible and within the weapon’s Range. A unit cannot make shooting attacks if it is in combat, unless otherwise specified.

16.0 Picking Targets

When declaring an ATTACK ability for a unit, you must pick the target unit(s) for its attacks. The number of attacks each model can make is equal to the Attacks characteristic of the weapons it is using. In most cases, models attack with every weapon on their warscroll (melee weapons for combat attacks, ranged weapons for shooting attacks), though some warscrolls specify that certain models in the unit are armed with special weapons or that the unit must pick between multiple weapons when it attacks.

If the unit is in combat, it can only target units that are in combat with it. If a model has more than one attack, you can split the attacks between eligible targets as you wish.

Combat attacks are made with melee weapons. The target unit(s) must be within the combat range of the attacking model and visible to it. The model must attack with all of the melee weapons it is armed with.

Shooting attacks are made with ranged weapons. The target unit(s) must be within a distance equal to the Range characteristic of the weapon being used and visible to the attacking model. Models cannot make shooting attacks if their unit is in combat, unless otherwise specified (see 20.0 Weapon Abilities).

17.0 The Attack Sequence

Resolve steps 1-4 below for each attack made against a target unit, one attack at a time. If you picked more than one target unit for the ATTACK ability, resolve all the attacks made against one unit before moving on to the next, in an order of your choosing. Once you are familiar with the attack sequence, see ‘Fast Dice Rolling’ (see 17.3) if you want to speed up play.

Hit Roll: Roll a dice. If the roll equals or exceeds the attacking weapon’s Hit characteristic, the attack scores a successful hit: move on to the next step. If not, the attack fails and the attack sequence ends. Unmodified hit rolls of 1 always fail. If an unmodified hit roll for an attack made with a weapon is a 6, that attack is a critical hit.

Critical hits have no effect on their own but often trigger additional effects (see 20.0 Weapon Abilities).

Wound Roll: Roll a dice. If the roll equals or exceeds the attacking weapon’s Wound characteristic, the attack successfully wounds: move on to the next step. If not, the attack fails and the attack sequence ends. Unmodified wound rolls of 1 always fail.

Save Roll: The commander of the target unit rolls a dice, subtracting the attacking weapon’s Rend characteristic from the roll. Unmodified save rolls of 1 always fail. If the roll equals or exceeds the Save characteristic of the target unit, the attack fails and the attack sequence ends. If not, it is a successful attack: move on to the next step.

Determine Damage: The attack inflicts a number of damage points on the unit equal to the Damage characteristic of the weapon. Inflicted damage points are added to a temporary damage pool for the target unit.

Keep track of the number of damage points in the damage pools of target units. Placing dice next to those units is a handy way of doing this.

After completing these steps for all of the attacks made as part of that ATTACK ability, the attacks for that ability are resolved and you can move on to the damage sequence (see 18.0).

17.1 Attack Modifiers and Caps

Modifiers to hit rolls, wound rolls and save rolls are capped to prevent overwhelming combinations of abilities. When making a hit roll or a wound roll, add up all positive and negative modifiers that apply to the roll, then cap the result at a maximum of +1 (if positive) or a minimum of -1 (if negative).

When making a save roll, add up all the positive and negative modifiers that apply to the roll, then cap the result at a maximum of +1. Note that, unlike hit rolls and wound rolls, there is no cap on the amount that can be subtracted from save rolls.

17.2 Mortal Damage

Some abilities inflict mortal damage. If an ability inflicts mortal damage on a unit, add that number of damage points to the unit’s damage pool for that ability (see 18.2 Allocating Damage).

17.3 Fast Dice Rolling

In order to speed up play, it is often possible to make several attacks at once. If you choose to do so, all of the attacks must have the same Hit, Wound, Rend and Damage characteristics, the same weapon abilities (if any - see 20.0), and they must target the same enemy unit. If this is the case, make all of the hit rolls at the same time, then all of the wound rolls and finally all of the save rolls. Then, add up all the damage points inflicted on the target unit and move on to the damage sequence (see 18.0).

If the attack sequence ends for an attack made while fast dice rolling, it doesn’t stop the attack sequence for all the attacks, just that specific attack.

18.0 The Damage Sequence

After resolving the effect of any ability that inflicts damage points on a unit, follow the steps below. If the ability inflicted damage points on more than one unit, follow the steps below for each of those units, one at a time. Each commander allocates damage points to their own units, in the order of their choosing, starting with the active player.

Resolve ward saves for all damage points in the target unit’s damage pool, if applicable (see 17.0).
Allocate the damage points in the unit’s damage pool and remove slain models (see 18.3).

18.1 Ward Saves

Units with the WARD keyword have the ‘Ward Save’ passive ability. The number after the WARD keyword indicates the ward value for the ward save. If a unit had WARD (5+), for example, its ward value would be 5. If a unit has more than one ward save, only the ward save with the lowest value applies to it; the other has no effect.

Passive

WARD SAVE: Whether through their uncanny reflexes, unnatural toughness or a source of mystical protection, these warriors can avoid otherwise lethal attacks.

Effect: In step 1 of the damage sequence (see 18.0), make a ward roll of D6 for each damage point in this unit’s damage pool. If the roll equals or exceeds this unit’s ward value, remove that damage point from the damage pool.

18.2 Allocating Damage

After resolving the effect of any ability that inflicts damage points (whether via attacks, mortal damage or both), you must allocate the damage points.

When allocating damage points to a unit, the damage points in its damage pool are allocated to it one at a time. Each time the number of damage points allocated to the unit equals the Health characteristic of that unit, 1 model in that unit is slain (and removed from play) and the number of damage points allocated to that unit is reset to 0. Keep allocating damage points until there are none left in the damage pool.

If the number of damage points allocated to a unit is not enough to slay a model, keep track of the number of damage points currently allocated to the unit (most players place a dice or markers next to the unit). While a unit has any damage points allocated to it, it is damaged.

18.3 Slain Models

The commander of a unit must pick which model(s) in the unit are slain. However, after each slain model is removed, the unit must be in a single coherent group (see 15.1). If this is not possible, continue to remove models, one at a time, until the unit is in a single coherent group. You must remove the fewest models possible to make the unit a single coherent group.

18.4 Destroyed Units

When the last model in a unit is slain, the unit is destroyed and all remaining damage points inflicted on that unit have no effect. Similarly, if something causes a unit to be destroyed, all models in the unit are slain and removed from play.

Attacking Diagram


	Attacker makes a hit roll of D6. If the roll equals or beats the weapon’s Hit characteristic, it is a successful hit. Attacker makes a wound roll of D6. If the roll equals or beats the weapon’s Wound characteristic, it is a successful wound. Defender makes a save roll of D6. Subtract the attacking weapon’s Rend characteristic from the roll. If the result is less than the defending unit’s Save characteristic, it is a successful attack. Inflict an amount of damage on the target equal to the attacking weapon’s Damage characteristic. Resolve ward saves. Allocate damage points. Unmodified hit rolls, wound rolls and save rolls of 1 always fail.

Attacking Example

Erik’s Stormcast Eternals are facing off against Emma’s Skaven in a close game of Spearhead. Erik’s Liberators have charged (see 14.3), and in the declare step of the ‘Fight’ ability, they have piled in towards Emma’s Clawlord (see 15.3) and targeted that unit with all of their attacks (see 16.0). In this example we’ll be using fast dice rolling to speed up play.

Erik’s 4 Liberators armed with Warhammers attack first. They can each make 2 attacks (as a Warhammer has an Attacks characteristic of 2), and Erik needs to make hit rolls equal to or higher than their Hit characteristic of 3+. The Liberators score 5 successful hits out of 8 attacks.

Erik’s hit rolls

	MELEE WEAPONS	Attacks	Hit	Wound	Rend	Damage	Ability
	Warhammer	2	3+	3+	1	1	Crit (Mortal)

	Atk	Hit	Wnd	Rnd	Dmg	Ability
Warhammer
	2	3+	3+	1	1	Crit (Mortal)


	2 Erik then makes a wound roll for each of the 5 hits. The Warhammers have a Wound characteristic of 3+. The Liberators successfully wound with 3 of their attacks. Erik’s wound rolls


	3 Emma makes a save roll for each of the 3 successful wounds. Her Clawlord has a Save characteristic of 4+, but the Warhammers have a Rend characteristic of 1, so Emma must subtract 1 from each roll, meaning she now needs to roll a 5 or more. The Clawlord successfully saves 1 of the 3 attacks, resulting in 2 damage points being added to his damage pool (1 for each Warhammer, as they have a Damage characteristic of 1). Emma’s save rolls

Erik repeats this process with the remaining Liberator in the unit, who wields a mighty Grandhammer. He scores 2 hits, one of which is a critical hit of 6. This result triggers the Grandhammer’s Crit (Mortal) weapon ability, which inflicts 2 mortal damage (see 17.2), directly adding 2 damage points to the damage pool.


Erik’s hit rolls		Erik’s wound roll

Erik then makes a wound roll for the other hit, which successfully wounds.

	MELEE WEAPONS	Attacks	Hit	Wound	Rend	Damage	Ability
	Grandhammer	2	3+	2+	1	2	Crit (Mortal)

	Atk	Hit	Wnd	Rnd	Dmg	Ability
Grandhammer
	2	3+	2+	1	2	Crit (Mortal)


	5 Emma makes a save roll for the successful wound, and again must subtract 1 from the roll due to the Grandhammer’s Rend characteristic of 1. Unfortunately, her save roll is unsuccessful, resulting in another 2 damage points being added to the damage pool, as the Grandhammer has a Damage characteristic of 2. The Liberators’ attacks are resolved, so Emma must move on to the damage sequence. Emma’s save roll


	6 The Clawlord is in grave peril, with 6 damage points in the damage pool (and only 7 Health!). Fortunately, he has WARD (6+), which gives him one last chance to avoid the damage. Emma makes a ward roll for each of the 6 damage points in the damage pool, and 2 of those rolls are sixes, meaning 2 damage points are removed from the damage pool. The remaining 4 damage points are allocated to the Clawlord. Emma places a dice next to the Clawlord to keep track of the number of damage points that are currently allocated to that unit. The Clawlord is now damaged - luckily for Emma, this allows her Clawlord to use his ‘Cornered Rat’ ability to exact revenge on the dastardly Liberators... Emma’s ward rolls

Special Rules

19.0 Strike-first and Strike-last

If there are any STRIKE-FIRST units in combat at the start of the phase, other units cannot be picked to use a FIGHT ability until those units have been picked to use a FIGHT ability. After all those STRIKE-FIRST units have fought, the active player picks the next unit to fight.

If there are any STRIKE-LAST units in combat, they cannot be picked to use a FIGHT ability if there are any units in combat that do not have STRIKE-LAST and have not yet used a FIGHT ability.

If a unit has STRIKE-FIRST and STRIKE-LAST, treat it as if it had neither.


	There may be situations when a unit that has STRIKE-FIRST is not in combat at the start of the phase, but because of moves such as pile-in moves, it is ‘pulled into combat’ later in the phase. In such cases, STRIKE-FIRST has no effect on that unit because it was not in combat at the start of the phase. Abilities that allow a unit to use a FIGHT ability immediately after another unit do not override the STRIKE-FIRST or STRIKE-LAST constraints, so you could not pick a unit with STRIKE-LAST to fight immediately after a unit with STRIKE-FIRST.

20.0 Weapon Abilities

Some weapons have one or more of the passive weapon abilities below. If a weapon has multiple weapon abilities that apply on a critical hit, before the attack sequence starts, the commander of the attacking model must pick 1 of those abilities to use.

UNIVERSAL WEAPON ABILITIES

Anti-X (+1 Rend): Add 1 to this weapon’s Rend characteristic if the target has the keyword after ‘Anti-’ or fulfils the condition after ‘Anti-’. Multiples of this ability are cumulative. For example, if a weapon has both Anti-charge (+1 Rend) and Anti-HERO (+1 Rend), then add 2 to the Rend characteristic of the weapon for attacks that target a HERO that charged in the same turn.

Charge (+1 Damage): Add 1 to this weapon’s Damage characteristic if the attacking unit charged this turn.

Companion: Unless otherwise specified, this weapon is not affected by friendly abilities that affect weapon characteristics or the attack sequence, except for those that apply negative modifiers to it (e.g. ‘Covering Fire’).

Crit (2 Hits): If an attack made with this weapon scores a critical hit, that attack scores 2 hits on the target unit instead of 1. Make a wound roll for each hit.

Crit (Auto-wound): If an attack made with this weapon scores a critical hit, that attack automatically wounds the target. Make a save roll as normal.

Crit (Mortal): If an attack made with this weapon scores a critical hit, that attack inflicts mortal damage on the target unit equal to the Damage characteristic of that weapon and the attack sequence ends.

Shoot in Combat: This weapon can be used to make shooting attacks even if the attacking unit is in combat.


	The Companion weapon ability restricts things like mounts from benefiting from most effects that augment a unit’s capabilities.

21.0 Healing

Some abilities allow you to heal a unit. To heal a unit, remove a number of damage points from the unit equal to the number in brackets after ‘Heal’, e.g. Heal (2).

22.0 Returning and Adding Models

Some abilities allow you to return slain models to a unit or add new models to a unit. In either case, set up those models, one at a time, in coherency (see 15.1) with the model(s) in that unit that were not returned or added this turn. The new models can only be set up in combat with an enemy unit if their unit is already in combat with that enemy unit.


	Returned models must be set up in coherency with the models in their unit that were not returned as part of that ability. Returned models can only be set up in combat with an enemy unit if their unit is already in combat with it.

23.0 Tokens

Tokens are not considered to be models for rules purposes and can be ignored or moved out of the way for purposes of visibility, coherency or abilities. They cannot be picked as the target of abilities. Their purpose is to indicate persisting effects on units they are placed next to. Each time a unit with a token finishes a move or is set up, place the token next to the unit.

24.0 Setting Up Units

Some abilities allow you to set up a unit on the battlefield. When doing so, you must set up all models in that unit. If this is impossible, you cannot use that ability. A unit set up on the battlefield in a phase other than the deployment phase cannot use MOVE abilities in the movement phase of the same turn.

24.1 Reserve Units

Some abilities allow you to set up units in reserve. These units are placed to one side instead of being set up on the battlefield. At the start of the fourth battle round, units that were set up in reserve using a DEPLOY ability and that are still in reserve are destroyed.

24.2 Replacement Units

Some abilities allow you to set up a replacement unit. When setting up that unit, it should have the same warscroll type, weapon options and number of models as the original unit, unless otherwise specified in the ability. Many of these abilities specify the proportion of models in the replacement unit (e.g. half the number of models from the original unit). In these cases, you can pick which models from the original unit are set up.

The replacement unit is otherwise treated as a new unit; any keywords or abilities the original unit gained during the battle, and any persisting effects that applied to it, do not apply to the replacement unit. Each unit can only be replaced once, and you cannot replace replacement units.


	Because a replacement unit is treated as a completely new unit, it could, for instance, use a Once Per Battle ability on its warscroll even if the unit it replaced used that ability earlier in the battle.

25.0 Guarded Heroes

All HEROES that are not MONSTERS or WAR MACHINES have the ‘Guarded Hero’ passive ability:

Passive

GUARDED HERO: The leader is shielded by their warriors, who close ranks around them to protect them from harm.

Effect: If this HERO is within the combat range of a friendly unit that is not a HERO:

Subtract 1 from hit rolls for shooting attacks that target this HERO.
If this HERO is INFANTRY, they cannot be picked as the target of shooting attacks made by units more than 12" from them.


	Understandably, MONSTERS and WAR MACHINES don’t benefit from the ‘Guarded Hero’ ability. These units are very conspicuous targets even if they are surrounded by their fellows!

26.0 Random Characteristics

Some warscrolls show a random characteristic roll instead of a fixed value. When this is the case, the value of the characteristic is generated by the commander of the unit in question each time an ability requires that characteristic.

In the case of random weapon characteristics, generate a random Attacks characteristic for each model in the attacking unit each time you declare an ATTACK ability, and generate a random Damage characteristic each time you inflict damage with that weapon (roll once for each attack).


	When using a random characteristic, generate it each time it is needed for an ability. When using random Damage, generate it for each attack made.

27.0 Modifier Order

The effects of some abilities modify a characteristic or roll. Unless stated otherwise, a characteristic or roll cannot be modified to less than 1. ’Ilie exception to this is Rend, which can be modified to a minimum of 0 (‘-’).

If a characteristic uses a random characteristic roll (see above), apply characteristic modifiers after that characteristic has been generated.

If a characteristic or roll is halved or would be modified to a value that is not a whole number, round it down to the nearest whole number.

Apply characteristic modifiers in the following order:

1. Modifiers that set a characteristic to a fixed value.
2. Modifiers that multiply or divide a characteristic.
3. Modifiers that add to or subtract from a characteristic.

If there are multiple modifiers of the same type (e.g. that set a characteristic), apply them in the Order of Effects (see 30.0).

28.0 Advanced Ability Rules

Unless stated otherwise, units using or picked as part of an ability must be on the battlefield.
If an effect states that a unit can do something, its commander can choose whether to resolve that part of the effect or not.
If an effect states that a unit must do something, its commander has no choice and must resolve that part of the effect. If this is impossible, no part of the effect is applied but the ability is still considered to have been used.
When ‘this unit’ appears in ability text (most often on warscrolls), it means the unit that is using the ability.
If an ability affects more than one unit, the player who used the ability can choose the order in which units are affected by it.
When resolving an effect, if you need to roll a dice for multiple affected units, roll and resolve the effect for one unit before moving on to the next.
If an ability instructs you to pick more than 1 unit, each unit you pick must be a different unit unless stated otherwise.

28.1 Persisting Effects

Some abilities have effects that aren’t immediately resolved (e.g. ‘add 1 to save rolls for this unit for the rest of the turn’ or ‘this unit has WARD (5+) for the rest of the turn’). These effects count as the effects of passive abilities (see 5.4) for their duration.

28.2 ‘Once per’ Timings

The timing part of some abilities says Once Per Phase, Once Per Turn or Once Per Battle. If the ability is used by a unit, it can be used a maximum of one time in that phase, turn or battle by each unit that can use the ability. If the ability is used by a player, it can be used a maximum of one time in that timing window by that player.

Some abilities that are used by units say Once Per Phase (Army), Once Per Turn (Army) or Once Per Battle (Army). These abilities can be used a maximum of one time in that phase, turn or battle regardless of the number of units in the army that can use the ability.


	Who is Using the Ability? Most abilities are found on warscrolls, but many appear elsewhere - the best examples being the Universal Core Abilities (see 14.0). While abilities on warscrolls are always used by the unit whose warscroll it is, some abilities that do not appear on warscrolls will tell you explicitly to pick a unit to use the ability. In both cases, it should be clear which unit is using the ability. Some abilities that do not appear on warscrolls, most commonly enhancements (see Army Composition, 4.1), are given to certain units in your army. In such cases, the unit to which the enhancement was given is the one using the ability. Abilities that neither appear on a warscroll nor tell you to pick a unit to use the ability are used by you, the player. Finally, for the purposes of the rules in this section, when a rule refers to a player using an ability, this includes abilities used by units in that player’s army.

29.0 Contradictory Rules

If two or more rules contradict, if one of those rules states that something cannot do something, this takes precedence over rules that state it can or must do that thing, unless the second rule specifically overrides the restriction of the first. For example, while the ‘Normal Move’ ability states you cannot move into combat during that move, the ‘Fly’ ability specifies to ignore the combat ranges of enemy models during a move.

Excepting the above, the effect of the most recently used ability takes precedence.

30.0 Order of Effects

The effects of passive abilities are considered to be applied more recently than the effects of other abilities and rules.

The effects of the active player’s passive abilities are considered to be applied more recently than the effects of their opponent’s passive abilities, whose passive abilities are considered to be applied more recently than the effects of neutral passive abilities (e.g. passive abilities on a terrain feature that is in neither player’s army). The active player chooses the order in which neutral passive effects are applied.

Some abilities have a delayed effect (e.g. ‘each time a friendly unit uses a FIGHT ability, after that ability has been resolved, Heal (D3) that unit’). If more than one of these effects would be resolved at the same time, the active player resolves the delayed effects of their abilities first, in an order of their choosing, then their opponent does the same.

End of Turn


	An objective marker is a 40mm round marker. A model contests an objective if the objective marker is within its combat range. A player gains control of an objective if the sum of the Control characteristics of friendly models contesting that objective is higher than that of enemy models. Check if you gain control of objectives at the start of the first battle round and at the end of each turn. An objective remains in your control until your opponent gains control of it. Terrain features are controlled in the same way as objective markers but do not remain in your control if no friendly models are contesting them.

31.0 End of Turn Overview

At the end of each turn, follow these steps:

1. The active player can use any abilities with the

End of Your Turn

End of Any Turn

timing, in the order of their choosing, then their opponent can use any abilities with the

End of Enemy Turn

End of Any Turn

timing, in the order of their choosing.
2. Determine which player controls each objective (if any).
3. The active player scores victory points as described in the battleplan.

32.0 Objectives

Many battleplans award victory points for controlling objectives, which are represented by objective markers. Unless otherwise specified, objective markers are round and 40mm wide. Models can move over and end their moves on objective markers. If an objective marker is on the border between territories, it is within all those territories but wholly within none of them. Objective markers don’t block visibility.

32.1 Contesting Objectives

Unless otherwise specified, if an objective is within a model’s combat range, that model is contesting that objective. If any models in a unit are contesting an objective, that unit is contesting that objective.

Each unit can only count as contesting a single objective for the purposes of determining objective control (see 32.2). Before determining objective control, for each of their units contesting two or more objectives, the active player must pick one of those objectives for it to contest. Then, their opponent does the same.

Designer’s Note: For purposes other than determining objective control, a unit can contest more than one objective.

32.2 Objective Control

At the start of the first battle round and at the end of each turn, follow this sequence for each objective in an order chosen by the active player:

Starting with the active player, each player determines the control score of each of their units that is contesting that objective. A unit’s control score is the combined Control characteristics of all the models in that unit that are contesting the objective. Some abilities modify a unit’s control score, but it cannot be reduced to less than 1.
Each player adds up the control scores of all of their units contesting that objective. This is their army control score for that objective.
The players compare their army control scores for that objective. If one player’s score is higher, that player gains control of that objective. Once a player gains control of an objective, it remains under their control until their opponent gains control of it.


	Sometimes objective markers get accidentally nudged while you are moving models around. This is perfectly fine - just remember to put them back in their proper positions when determining objective control.

32.3 Terrain Control

Some battleplans require you to gain control of a terrain feature. Terrain features are controlled in the same way as objectives, but terrain features do not remain in your control if your units are no longer contesting them. Each unit can contest 1 objective and 1 terrain feature at the same time.

33.0 End of Battle Round

At the end of each battle round, the active player can use any

End of Battle Round

abilities, then their opponent can do the same. Each battleplan will specify the number of battle rounds that should be fought. If you have completed the number of battle rounds specified in your battleplan, the battle has ended, and you should follow the rules included in that battleplan to determine the winner.

ADVANCED RULES

Each Advanced Rules section is designed to be modular, allowing each battlepack to specify which Advanced Rules to use with that battlepack. This book contains the following Advanced Rules sections:

COMMANDS

These rules explain how you can earn command points to use powerful commands that allow you to react to abilities and interact in your opponent’s turn. If you are not using the Commands rules, ignore any abilities that have the command point symbol in the corner.

TERRAIN

These rules go into more detail about how your models interact with terrain features, such as how they can take cover or even draw power from arcane nexuses.

MAGIC

If you’d like to wield unlimited mystical power by including WIZARDS, PRIESTS and manifestations in your battles, see Magic.

ARMY COMPOSITION

If you’re ready to build your own army roster and customise your army with regiments, battle formations and enhancements, see Army Composition.

COMMAND MODELS

Here you will find rules for special models called champions, standard bearers and musicians, which are found in many Warhammer Age of Sigmar units.

BATTLE TACTICS

Add an additional tactical challenge to your games by including secondary objectives called Battle Tactics.


	BUILD YOUR OWN BATTLEPACK There are many, many ways to play Warhammer Age of Sigmar, from Path to Glory battlepacks, which focus on narrative-driven battles linked in an ongoing campaign, to Spearhead and Matched Play battlepacks, in which the emphasis is on balance and competitive play. In addition to using official battlepacks, we’d encourage you to use the rules in this section as a toolbox, mixing and matching the elements within to build your own battleplan or battlepack to play with your friends. Are you excited to field your entire collection against your friends or to see which monster reigns supreme? Maybe you want to design your own battleplans and special rules, or perhaps you want to keep things simple in order to teach a younger sibling how to play. These rules provide an open framework that makes each of these things possible. Here are some ideas to get you started: Instead of using the Advanced Rules for Army Composition, make an army based on your favourite Black Library story or based on a made-up scenario that sounds exciting to you. For instance, how would 5 different Stormcast Eternals heroes fare against a pair of massive Chaos monsters? Design your own battleplan by dividing portions of the battlefield into a territory for each player, placing objectives and thinking up a fun twist for the battle. Have fun and experiment with different ideas - why not try alternating placing objectives instead of having fixed locations, or try having two smaller battlefields connected by realmgates? Learn the Advanced Rules by introducing each module into your battles one at a time - for instance, start by experimenting with Commands, then try adding Magic into your battles, and finally put them all together to outwit your opponent and score Battle Tactics.

Commands


	Any ability with a command point cost () is a command. Each player gains 4 command points at the start of each battle round. The underdog gains 1 extra command point. Each unit can only use 1 command in each phase. Each command can only be used 1 time by each army in each phase. You must pay the command point cost to use a command.

1.0 Commands Overview

Some abilities, called commands, require that you spend one or more command points (

) to use that ability. Any ability that has a command point cost (indicated in the top right corner of the ability) is a command.

1.1 Earning Command Points

At the start of each battle round, after determining the underdog, each player gains 4 command points. If there is an underdog, they gain 1 extra command point. At the end of the battle round, the players’ command points are reset to 0 (any that have not been used are lost).

1.2 Using Commands

Commands are used in a similar manner to any other ability. However, each unit can only use 1 command in each phase, each command can only be used 1 time by each army in each phase, and you must spend a number of command points equal to the command point cost to use a command.

2.0 Hero Phase Commands

Any Hero Phase

RALLY: With an inspiring call to action, wounded soldiers get a second wind and fresh troops take the field to replace their fallen comrades.

Declare: Pick a friendly unit that is not in combat to use this ability.

Effect: Make 6 rally rolls of D6. For each 4+, you receive 1 rally point. Rally points can be spent in the following ways:

For each rally point spent, Heal (1) that unit.
You can spend a number of rally points equal to the Health characteristic of that unit to return a slain model to that unit.

You can spend the rally points in any combination of the above. Unspent rally points are then lost.

Enemy Hero Phase

MAGICAL INTERVENTION: A warrior learned in the mystic arts utters a rapid incantation to disrupt the enemy’s plans.

Declare: Pick a friendly WIZARD or PRIEST to use this ability.

Effect: That friendly unit can use a SPELL or PRAYER ability (as appropriate) as if it were your hero phase. If you do so, subtract 1 from casting rolls or chanting rolls made as part of that ability.

3.0 Movement Phase Commands

Enemy Movement Phase

REDEPLOY: Taking initiative, the warriors hastily reposition to respond to enemy movements.

Declare: Pick a friendly unit that is not in combat to use this ability.

Effect: Each model in that unit can move up to D6". That move cannot pass through or end within the combat range of an enemy unit.

KEYWORDS

MOVE, RUN

Reaction: You declared a RUN ability

AT THE DOUBLE: At a command from their general, the warriors sprint to a key position on the battlefield.

Used By: The unit using that RUN ability.

Effect: Do not make a run roll as part of that RUN ability. Instead, add 6" to that unit’s Move characteristic to determine the distance each model in that unit can move as part of that RUN ability.

4.0 Shooting Phase Commands

Enemy Shooting Phase

COVERING FIRE: The warriors unleash a quick volley at a nearby enemy unit before it charges into combat.

Declare: Pick a friendly unit that is not in combat to use this ability, then pick the closest enemy unit (to that unit) that can be picked as the target of shooting attacks to be the target.

Effect: Resolve shooting attacks for the unit using this ability against the target. You must subtract 1 from the hit rolls for those attacks.

Designer’s Note: This change allows reactions such as ‘All-out Defence’ to be used in response to ‘Covering Fire’.

KEYWORDS

SHOOT, ATTACK

5.0 Charge Phase Commands

Enemy Charge Phase

COUNTER-CHARGE: Seeing the need for decisive action, the warriors charge forth to stall the enemy’s advance or enact a bold interception.

Declare: Pick a friendly unit that is not in combat to use this ability.

Effect: That unit can use a CHARGE ability as if it were your charge phase.

Reaction: You declared a CHARGE ability

FORWARD TO VICTORY: With their charge faltering, a rousing command gives the unit renewed energy to reach their foes.

Used By: The unit using that CHARGE ability.

Effect: You can re-roll the charge roll.

6.0 Attacking (Shooting and Combat) Commands

Reaction: You declared an ATTACK ability

ALL-OUT ATTACK: The warriors fight with a frenzied vigour.

7.0 Defensive Commands

Reaction: Opponent declared an ATTACK ability

ALL-OUT DEFENCE: The soldiers close ranks to hold off an incoming attack.

Used By: A unit targeted by that ATTACK ability.

Effect: Add 1 to save rolls for that unit in this phase.

8.0 End of Turn Commands

End of Any Turn

POWER THROUGH: The warriors use their sheer mass or resilience to drive through a group of weaker foes, leaving broken bodies in their wake.

Declare: Pick a friendly unit that charged this turn to use this ability, then you must pick an enemy unit in combat with it to be the target. The target must have a lower Health characteristic than the unit using this ability.

Effect: Inflict D3 mortal damage on the target. Then, the unit using this ability can move a distance up to its Move characteristic. It can pass through and end that move within the combat ranges of enemy units that were in combat with it at the start of the move, but not those of other enemy units. It does not have to end the move in combat.

KEYWORDS

MOVE

Terrain

1.0 Terrain Overview

Terrain features add interest and tactical challenges to the battlefield. The battleplan or battlepack you are using will explain how to set up terrain.


	The Citadel Terrain List includes a list of Warhammer Age of Sigmar terrain features and tells you which terrain abilities each of them has.

1.1 Wholly on Terrain and Behind Terrain

A model is wholly on a terrain feature if its base is on that terrain feature and no part of its base extends past the edge of that terrain feature. A unit is wholly on a terrain feature if every model in that unit is wholly on that terrain feature.

When a unit is targeted by an attack, the unit is considered to be behind a terrain feature if it is impossible to draw a straight line from a model in the attacking unit to a model in the target unit without that line passing across that terrain feature. Ignore parts of the terrain feature within the attacking unit’s combat range for the purposes of determining if the target is behind that terrain feature.

1.2 Universal Terrain Abilities

Each terrain feature has one or more of the following passive abilities:

Cover: Subtract 1 from hit rolls for attacks that target a unit that is behind or wholly on this terrain feature, unless that unit charged this turn or has the FLY keyword.

Impassable: Models cannot move across, be set up on or end moves on any part of this terrain feature.

Obscuring: A unit cannot be targeted by shooting attacks if it is behind or wholly on this terrain feature, unless it has the FLY keyword.

Place of Power: HEROES within 3" of this terrain feature can use the ‘Activate Place of Power’ ability.

Unstable: Models can move across but cannot be set up on or end any type of move on any part of this terrain feature that is more than 1" tall.

Start of Any Turn

ACTIVATE PLACE OF POWER: The hero draws on the power of a nearby mythical landmark.

Declare: Pick a friendly HERO within 3" of any Places of Power to use this ability.

Effect: Roll a dice. On a 1, inflict D3 mortal damage on that HERO. On a 2+:

If that HERO is a WIZARD or PRIEST, add 1 to casting rolls or chanting rolls for that HERO this turn.
If that HERO is not a WIZARD or PRIEST, they can use the ‘Unbind’ or ‘Banish Manifestation’ ability this turn as if they had WIZARD (1).

KEYWORDS

CORE

1.3 Terrain Sizes

Terrain that fits into an area no larger than 7" x 7" is small.
Terrain that is not small and fits into an area no larger than 7" x 12" is medium.
Terrain that is too big to fit into an area 7" x 12" is large.

1.4 Terrain Types

Each terrain feature in Warhammer Age of Sigmar is one of the following types:

Obstacle
Obscuring Terrain
Area Terrain
Place of Power
Faction Terrain

Before the battle begins, players must agree on which type applies to each terrain feature.

1.4.1 Obstacles

Examples: Ruins, debris, statues, barricades
Terrain Abilities: Cover, Unstable

1.4.2 Obscuring Terrain

Examples: Wyldwood, fortress wall
Terrain Abilities: Cover, Obscuring, Unstable

1.4.3 Area Terrain

Examples: Hills, Stormvault
Terrain Abilities: Cover

1.4.4 Places of Power

Examples: Realmgate, Cleansing Aqualith, Nexus Syphon
Terrain Abilities: Cover, Place of Power, Unstable

1.5 Faction Terrain

Some factions have special terrain features called faction terrain features. Faction terrain features have their own warscrolls. They are not considered to be units, with the following exceptions:

In the combat phase, they are treated as if they were units for the purposes of movement, combat range and being in combat. Units can finish a charge move within 1/2" of an enemy faction terrain feature as if it were a unit.
They can be picked as targets of enemy abilities as if they were units. They are not affected by enemy abilities that do not involve picking targets.
Damage points can be inflicted on them as if they were units and they can be destroyed.
If a terrain feature has any melee or ranged weapons, it can use the ‘Fight’ and ‘Shoot’ Core abilities as if it were a unit.
Terrain features that have a Move characteristic of 0" (‘-’) cannot move (note that pile-in moves are a type of move).

Some faction terrain features allow you to place a unit on them (this will be clearly specified in that terrain feature’s rules). When doing so, instead of measuring range or visibility to and from the unit that is on that terrain feature, measure to and from the terrain feature instead. Unless otherwise specified, units on a faction terrain feature cannot use FIGHT abilities.

If a unit placed on a terrain feature is removed from it (e.g. if an ability removes them from the battlefield), that unit counts as having left that terrain feature and loses any special role or benefits it had as a result of being placed on it.


	The Citadel Terrain List shows the number of scenery pieces each terrain feature can consist of. If you are using terrain features that are not included on that list, agree with your opponent before setting up the battlefield how many scenery pieces make up each terrain feature.

1.6 Charging Units on Terrain

In some cases, it is not possible to reach an enemy unit using a CHARGE ability when they are wholly on a terrain feature (e.g. a unit on top of a tower) because the charging unit is unable to end their move mid-way up the terrain feature and there is not enough room for the models to be placed at the top. In these cases, the charging unit can end their charge within 1/2" of that terrain feature instead if this would result in the charging unit ending their move in combat with any enemy units wholly on a terrain feature.

1.7 Scenery Pieces

Some terrain features, such as wyldwoods or collections of smaller timeworn ruins, are made up of multiple scenery pieces. Each scenery piece that makes up a part of the same terrain feature must be set up so that all of the scenery pieces fit into the area that corresponds to the terrain feature’s size (see 1.3). The full collection of scenery pieces is considered to be a single terrain feature.


	This battlefield uses Citadel terrain, so the players were able to simply look up the terrain type of each terrain feature in the Citadel Terrain List. 1 Ruined Domicile (Obstacle) 2 Domicile Shell (Obstacle) 3 Guardian Idol (Obstacle) 4 Cleansing Aqualith (Place of Power) 5 Nexus Syphon (Place of Power) 6 Wyldwood (Obscuring Terrain)


	The second battlefield uses scratch-built terrain. Before setting up the terrain, both players discussed and agreed on the terrain type of each terrain feature they were using, as shown below. 1 Place of Power 2 Area Terrain 3 Obstacle 4 Obscuring Terrain

Citadel Terrain List

This list shows you which terrain types apply to which sets of Citadel Terrain and the number of scenery pieces (Terrain, 1.7) that make up each terrain feature. New terrain will be added to this list as it is released. Note that not all of this terrain is currently available, but it is included here for players who have those terrain features in their collections. If a terrain feature lists multiple options for its number of scenery pieces and size, pick which apply to it before setting it up.

Terrain Feature	Terrain Type	Scenery Pieces per Terrain Feature	Size
Arcane Ruins	Obstacle	1-3	Small-Large
Awakened Wyldwood	Faction Terrain	1-3	Small-Large
Azyrite Ruined Chapel	Obstacle	1-2	Small-Large
Azyrite Ruins	Obstacle	2	Small-Large
Azyrite Shattered Plaza	Obstacle	1-2	Small-Large
Bad Moon Loonshrine	Faction Terrain	1	Medium
Baleful Realmgate	Place of Power	1	Small
Barbed Venomgorse	Obstacle	1-3	Small-Large
Bone-tithe Nexus	Faction Terrain	1	Large
Chaos Dreadhold Crucible	Area Terrain	1	Large
Chaos Dreadhold Helfort	Area Terrain	1	Small
Chapel	Place of Power	1	Small
Charnel Throne	Faction Terrain	1	Small
Cleansing Aqualith	Place of Power	1	Medium
Corpsewrack Mausoleum	Obstacle	1-3	Small-Large
Deathknell Watch	Obscuring Terrain	1	Medium
Domicile Shell	Obstacle	1	Small
Dominion of Sigmar: Hallowed Stormthrone	Area Terrain	1	Large
Dominion of Sigmar: Shattered Temple	Area Terrain	1	Large
Dominion of Sigmar: Timeworn Ruins (ruins)	Obstacle	1-3	Small
Dominion of Sigmar: Timeworn Ruins (statue of Sigmar)	Obstacle	1	Small
Dragonfate Dais	Place of Power	1	Medium
Dreadfire Portal	Place of Power	1	Medium
Dreadstone Blight	Obscuring Terrain	1	Large
Enduring Stormvault	Area Terrain	1	Large
Eternity Stair	Place of Power	1	Small
Fane of Slaanesh	Faction Terrain	1	Small
Feculent Gnarlmaw	Faction Terrain	1	Small
Fortified Manor	Obstacle	1	Large
Garden of Morr	Obstacle	1-3	Small
Gloomtide Shipwreck	Faction Terrain	1-2	Small
Gnarlwood Watchcamp	Obstacle	1-3	Small
Gnawhole	Faction Terrain	1	Small
Great Mawpot	Faction Terrain	1	Medium
Guardian Idol	Obstacle	1	Small
Herdstone	Faction Terrain	1	Small
Magewrath Throne	Place of Power	1	Small
Magmic Battleforge	Faction Terrain	1	Small
Mawpit	Faction Terrain	1	Medium
Nexus Syphon	Place of Power	1	Small
Numinous Occulum	Place of Power	1	Medium
Ophidian Archway	Obstacle	1	Medium
Penumbral Engine	Place of Power	1	Small
Pit Dredger Camp	Obstacle	1-3	Small
Ravaged Shrine	Obstacle	1-2	Small
Realmscape: Megadroth Remains	Obstacle	1-2	Small
Realmshaper Engine	Faction Terrain	1	Small
Ruined Domicile	Obstacle	1-2	Medium-Large
Shardwrack Spine	Obstacle	1-3	Small-Large
Shrine Luminor	Faction Terrain	1	Small
Sigmarite Dais	Place of Power	1	Large
Sigmarite Mausoleum	Obstacle	1-3	Small-Large
Skull Altar	Faction Terrain	1	Small
Temple of Skulls	Area Terrain	1	Large
Varanite Syphon Camp	Obstacle	1-3	Small-Large
Walls and Fences	Obstacle	1-3	Small-Large
Warscryer Citadel	Place of Power	1	Large
Watchtower	Obscuring Terrain	1	Small
Witchfate Tor	Obscuring Terrain	1	Medium
Wyldwood	Obscuring Terrain	1-3	Small-Large

Magic


	WIZARDS can cast spells; PRIESTS can chant prayers. Each WIZARD and PRIEST can use a number of spells or prayers per phase equal to their power level. Each WIZARD can use a number of UNBIND abilities per phase equal to their power level. Each spell or prayer can only be used once per turn.

1.0 Wizards and Priests

WIZARDS are special units that can cast spells, and PRIESTS are special units that can chant prayers. Spells and prayers are powerful abilities that can have a dramatic impact on the battle.

1.1 Power Level

Each WIZARD and PRIEST has a power level, shown in brackets after the keyword, e.g. WIZARD (2). A WIZARD or PRIEST’s power level determines the number of SPELL, PRAYER or BANISH abilities they can use per phase, in any combination. For example, a WIZARD (2) unit could use 1 SPELL and 1 BANISH ability in their commander’s hero phase.

2.0 Spells

The declare step of each spell will tell you to make a casting roll of 2D6. If the roll does not equal or exceed the spell’s casting value (at the top-right corner of the spell), the spell fails and its effect is not resolved.

If the unmodified casting roll includes 2 or more rolls of 1, the spell is miscast: the spell fails, its effect is not resolved, D3 mortal damage is inflicted on the WIZARD that used it, and that WIZARD cannot use any more spells in that phase.

Enemy reactions can only be used if the casting roll equals or exceeds the spell’s casting value. So long as the spell is not unbound (see 4.0), then it is successfully cast: resolve its effect.

EXAMPLE SPELL

Your Hero Phase

MYSTIC SHIELD: The caster's allies are bathed in an unearthly glow that protects them from harm.

Declare: Pick a visible friendly unit wholly within 12" of this WIZARD to be the target. Then, make a casting roll of 2D6.

Effect: The target has WARD (6+) this turn.

KEYWORDS

SPELL

3.0 Prayers

The declare step of each prayer will tell you to make a chanting roll of D6. On an unmodified chanting roll of 1, the prayer fails, its effect is not resolved and you must remove D3 ritual points from the PRIEST using the prayer.

On an unmodified chanting roll of 2 or more, pick one of the following:

Give a number of ritual points to the PRIEST equal to the chanting roll (ritual points can be accumulated over multiple turns).
Add the PRIEST’s ritual points to the chanting roll. If the chanting roll equals or exceeds the prayer’s chanting value (at the top-right corner of the prayer), it is answered: resolve the effect of the prayer, then reset the PRIEST’s ritual points total to 0.

EXAMPLE PRAYER

Once Per Battle, Your Hero Phase

RESURRECTION: A fallen hero is brought back from death, their vitality fully restored.

Declare: Make a chanting roll of D6.

Effect: Pick a friendly INFANTRY HERO that has been slain and return them to the battlefield. Set up that HERO wholly within 3" of this PRIEST.

KEYWORDS

PRAYER

4.0 Unbinding Spells

Each WIZARD can use the ‘Unbind’ reaction a number of times per phase equal to their power level. Th is is an exception to The Rules of One (Core Rules, 5.3).

Reaction: Opponent declared a SPELL ability

UNBIND: The wizard saps the energy from an enemy’s spell, nullifying its effects.

Used By: A friendly WIZARD within 30" of the enemy WIZARD casting the spell.

Effect: Make an unbinding roll of 2D6. If the roll exceeds the casting roll tor the spell, then the spell is unbound and its effect is not resolved. This reaction cannot be used more than once per casting roll.

KEYWORDS

UNBIND

5.0 Jealous Mages and Fickle Gods

No more than 1 friendly WIZARD can cast the same spell per turn, unless that spell has the UNLIMITED keyword. Likewise, no more than 1 friendly PRIEST can chant the same prayer per turn, unless that prayer has the UNLIMITED keyword. Keep in mind that each unit can still only use any given spell or prayer ability once per phase (see The Rules of One, Core Rules, 5.3).


	But Khorne Hates Sorcery! Even though wizards and priests draw upon very different sources of power in the lore, the former harnessing the motes of magic that permeate the realms and the latter calling upon the divine might of the gods themselves, such nuances are lost on the average person in the realms! For rules purposes, the miraculous abilities of both wizards and priests are dealt with in the Magic module.

6.0 Known Spells and Prayers

WIZARDS and PRIESTS can only use spells or prayers that they know. Each WIZARD and PRIEST knows any spells or prayers on its warscroll, plus all of the spells and prayers in the spell lores, manifestation lores and prayer lores you take for your army, as appropriate (see the Army Composition module).

7.0 Manifestations

There are two types of manifestation: endless spells, which can be summoned by WIZARDS, and invocations, which can be summoned by PRIESTS. Each manifestation has its own warscroll, and the spell or prayer that allows that manifestation to be summoned will be found in the appropriate manifestation lore. No more than 1 friendly WIZARD or PRIEST can attempt to summon the same manifestation per turn, and a friendly WIZARD or PRIEST cannot attempt to summon a friendly manifestation that was removed from play in the same turn. Manifestations are not considered to be units, with the following exceptions:

They are treated as if they were units for the purposes of movement, combat range, being in combat and setting up other units. Units can finish a charge move within 1/2" of an enemy manifestation as if it were a unit.
If they have any melee or ranged weapons, they can use the ‘Fight’ and ‘Shoot’ CORE abilities as if they were units.
If they have a Move characteristic greater than 0" (‘-’), they can use CORE MOVE abilities as if they were units.
They can be picked as targets of enemy abilities as if they were units. They are not affected by enemy abilities that do not involve picking targets.
Damage points can be inflicted on them as if they were units and they can be destroyed.
Manifestations that have a Move characteristic of 0" (‘-’) cannot move. For the purposes of movement, combat range, being in combat and setting up other units, they are only treated as if they were units in the combat phase. Units can finish a charge move within 1/2" of an enemy manifestation that has a Move characteristic of 0" (‘-’) instead of within 1/2" of an enemy unit.
Models can move through manifestations but cannot end a move on them.

7.1 Severed Connection

If the WIZARD or PRIEST that summoned a manifestation is slain, that manifestation is removed from the battlefield.

7.2 Banishing Manifestations

All WIZARDS and PRIESTS can use the ‘Banish Manifestation’ ability:

Your Hero Phase

BANISH MANIFESTATION: The wizard or priest disrupts the arcane forces sustaining a manifestation, wiping it from existence.

Declare: Pick a friendly WIZARD or PRIEST to use this ability, pick a manifestation within 30" of them to be the target, then make a banishment roll of 2D6. Add 1 to the banishment roll for each additional enemy manifestation on the battlefield after the first.

Effect: If the banishment roll equals or exceeds the banishment value listed on the manifestation’s warscroll, it is banished and removed from play. You cannot pick the same manifestation as the target of this ability more than once per turn.

KEYWORDS

BANISH

Army Composition


	Pick a points limit: 1000 points or 2000 points. If other points limit, agree with opponent. Pick your faction. Pick your battle formation (if any). Form regiments. Each regiment has 1 HERO and 0-3 non-HERO units (0-4 if your general’s regiment). Add auxiliary units (if any). Auxiliary units are units that aren’t part of a regiment. If your opponent has more auxiliary units than you, you receive 1 extra command point each battle round. Add faction terrain features (if any). Pick enhancements (1 from each enhancement table). Pick up to 1 spell lore, 1 prayer lore and 1 manifestation lore.

1.0 Getting Started

1.1 Army Roster

These rules will explain how to create an army roster to prepare for a battle. You can find a blank army roster printable copy below:

1.2 Points Limit

Before you start filling your roster, you and your opponent must agree on a points limit for the battle. You can agree on any points limit, but most players use a limit of 1000 points, 2000 points or somewhere in between. No more than half of your points can be spent on a single unit.

1.2.1 Underspending

In many cases, the total points cost of the units in your army will not add up to the exact points limit, but you might not have enough points left to add another unit. If the points cost of your army is 50 or more points lower than the points limit of the battle, you gain 1 extra command point at the start of the first battle round.

1.3 Battle Profiles

The information you’ll need when building your army roster is found in each unit’s battle profile. The battle profile for a unit will be in the same publication as its warscroll (usually a battletome).


	Battle profiles are regularly updated to improve balance. When we republish them, the new version takes precedence over versions with an earlier publication date or no publication date.

2.0 Factions

The first thing you need to do when building your army roster is to pick your faction (e.g. Stormcast Eternals or Skaven).

Each faction has its own warscrolls, battle profiles and faction rules. These can be found in various publications but most commonly in the faction’s battletome.

2.1 Battle Formations

Many factions contain one or more battle formations. Each battle formation grants unique benefits to your army. The faction rules for your faction will explain any battle formation options.

2.2 Armies of Renown

Some factions have access to rules for themed armies called armies of renown. If you choose to use an army of renown, the rules for that army of renown replace the normal faction rules for that army.

3.0 Adding Units

3.1 Regiments

Armies are made up of one or more regiments, each of which is led by a HERO. You must have at least 1 regiment in your army, and you can include a maximum of 5 regiments. To add a regiment, pick 1 HERO from your faction, then pick up to 3 non-HERO units to accompany them.

Each HERO’s battle profile lists which units can be added to their regiment, and each non-HERO unit’s battle profile lists any relevant keywords it has. The battle profiles of some HEROES (such as named characters) may say that they can be added to the regiment of another HERO.

3.2 The General

You must pick 1 HERO in your army that is leading a regiment to be your general. If any units in your army have the WARMASTER keyword, you must pick one of those units to be your general. Your general’s regiment can include up to 4 non-HERO units in addition to your general.

3.3 Reinforced Units

When you add a unit to your army roster, you can add it as a reinforced unit. A reinforced unit has twice as many models as its minimum unit size and costs twice as many points. If a unit has a minimum unit size of 1, it cannot be reinforced.

3.4 Unique Units

You cannot include the same UNIQUE unit more than once in your army. UNIQUE units cannot be reinforced.

3.5 Regiments of Renown

In addition to creating your own regiments, you can also spend points to include 1 Regiment of Renown. Regiments of Renown are pre-built regiments, each with their own special abilities. The rules for each Regiment of Renown will specify which factions can include it. A unit in a Regiment of Renown cannot be your general even if it is a WARMASTER.

You cannot include more than 1 Regiment of Renown in your army unless otherwise specified in the notes column of that regiment’s battle profile.
Units in a Regiment of Renown cannot use (but can be picked as the target of, if otherwise eligible) any faction rules from the faction they are allied into, including enhancements and lores, unless they have a keyword that matches that faction’s name.
If an ability allows you to set up a replacement unit (Core Rules, 24.2) for a unit in a Regiment of Renown, that unit also counts as being part of that Regiment of Renown.

3.6 Auxiliary Units

Auxiliary units allow you to take any units from your faction without the constraints of regiments, at the cost of potentially giving your opponent an advantage. You can add any number of units to the auxiliary units section of your army roster. However, the player with the fewest auxiliary units on their roster gains 1 extra command point at the start of each battle round (if the players have the same number of auxiliary units, neither player receives an extra command point). HEROES that have compulsory regiment options cannot be taken as auxiliary units.

3.7 Faction Terrain Features

If your faction has a faction terrain feature, or a set of faction terrain features, you can pick 1 to include on your army roster. Faction terrain features do not cost any points.

4.0 Finishing Touches

4.1 Enhancements

Each set of faction rules include a number of enhancements that can be given to units, e.g. heroic traits, mount traits and artefacts of power. You can take 1 enhancement from each enhancement table in your faction rules. Each enhancement table lists which units are eligible to be given that enhancement. UNIQUE units cannot be given enhancements.

While some abilities allow you to take extra enhancements, the same unit can never have more than 1 enhancement of the same type, and you can never include the same enhancement in your army more than once.

4.2 Lores

You can pick 1 spell lore available to your faction. If you do, all WIZARDS in your army know all spells from that lore.

You can pick 1 prayer lore available to your faction. If you do, all PRIESTS in your army know all prayers from that lore.

You can pick 1 manifestation lore available to your faction. If you do, all WIZARDS in your army know all spells from that lore, and all PRIESTS know all prayers from that lore.

Command Models

1.0 Champions

Units with the CHAMPION keyword have one or more champion models. If there is a number after the CHAMPION keyword, that number indicates the proportion of models in that unit that can be champions. In any other case, 1 model in the unit can be a champion. Units with the CHAMPION keyword have the following passive ability:

Passive

CHAMPION: A veteran fighter leads the charge.

Effect: Add 1 to the Attacks characteristic of weapons used by champions in this unit.


	If a unit had CHAMPION (1/10) on its keywords bar, then 1 model in that unit could be a champion for every 10 models in the unit.

2.0 Musicians

Units with the MUSICIAN keyword have one or more musician models. The number after the MUSICIAN keyword indicates the proportion of models in that unit that can be musicians. Units with the MUSICIAN keyword have the following passive ability:

Passive

MUSICIAN: The beat of a drum or the blast of a horn drives the soldiers ever onward.

Effect: While this unit contains any musicians, if it uses the ‘Rally’ command, you can make one additional rally roll of D6.

3.0 Standard Bearers

Units with the STANDARD BEARER keyword have one or more standard bearer models. The number after the STANDARD BEARER keyword indicates the proportion of models in that unit that can be standard bearers. Units with the STANDARD BEARER keyword have the following passive ability:

Passive

STANDARD BEARER: The unit’s standard provides a rallying point in the chaos of battle.

Effect: While this unit contains any standard bearers, add 1 to this unit’s control score.


	Let your opponent know which models in a unit are champions, musicians and standard bearers if it’s not already clear from the miniatures.

Battle Tactics


	Battle tactics are picked using the ‘Tactical Gambit’ ability at the start of your turn and are completed at the end of your turn. Each battle tactic is worth 4 victory points.

1.0 Battle Tactics Overview

During a battle, each player can score extra victory points by completing battle tactics.

2.0 Picking Battle Tactics

Battle tactics are picked by using the ‘Tactical Gambit’ ability, below.

Once Per Battle Round, Start of Your Turn

TACTICAL GAMBIT: You order your troops to seize an opportunity that has arisen amidst the flow of battle.

You cannot use this ability if you went second in the previous battle round and chose to go first in the current battle round.

Effect: Pick 1 battle tactic that you have not yet attempted. You can attempt to complete that battle tactic this turn.

2.1 Completing Battle Tactics

If, at the end of your turn, you have completed the battle tactic you chose to attempt this turn, you score 4 victory points.

3.0 Universal Battle Tactics

DO NOT WAVER: We must not falter on any front. Stand fast, and keep the enemy at bay.

You complete this battle tactic at the end of your turn if 2 or more friendly units fought this turn and no friendly units were destroyed this turn.

SLAY THE ENTOURAGE: Leave the enemy’s commander exposed by targeting members of their personal guard.

Pick a unit in the enemy general’s regiment. You complete this battle tactic if that unit is destroyed this turn.

ATTACK ON TWO FRONTS: Divide and conquer by approaching the foe from two directions.

You complete this battle tactic at the end of your turn if you control 2 or more objectives that you did not control at the start of your turn and at least 1 of those objectives was controlled by your opponent at the start of your turn.

TAKE THEIR LAND: Secure a foothold within enemy territory.

Pick a terrain feature wholly or partially within enemy territory and wholly outside friendly territory. You complete this battle tactic if you control that terrain feature at the end of your turn.

SEIZE THE CENTRE: Secure a strong central position from which your forces can dictate the flow of battle.

You complete this battle tactic at the end of your turn if 2 or more friendly units are within 3" of the centre of the battlefield and are not in combat.

TAKE THE FLANKS: Surround the enemy, then close in for the kill.

You complete this battle tactic at the end of your turn if you have al least 1 friendly unit within 6" of each short battlefield edge, none of those units are wholly within friendly territory, and none of those units were set up this turn.

BATTLEPACKS

While the Core Rules and the Advanced Rules explain how to build an army and how your warriors move and fight, battlepacks provide a framework for your battles. They cover things like how big the armies should be, where the armies deploy and what players need to do to win.

Each battlepack is associated with one of the three different ways to play Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Spearhead, Path to Glory and Matched Play.

Spearhead

Spearhead is the simplest way to play Warhammer Age of Sigmar, but it has amazing tactical depth and re-playability. The armies used in games of Spearhead are pre-made, and the battles are fought on fold-out, double-sided gameboards. You can walk straight into your nearest Warhammer store and grab a Spearhead army and gaming pack off the shelf.

Each Spearhead army has its own set of Spearhead rules that you can download from warhammer-community.com, including warscrolls designed specially for use with Spearhead battlepacks. If you wish to experiment with a wide variety of factions on the tabletop, Spearhead is the perfect choice. This gaming mode is also ideal for newcomers to Warhammer Age of Sigmar.

Path to Glory

Path to Glory allows you to play through a series of linked battles called a campaign. You begin with a warlord and a small group of units, but, eventually, your army will grow in size and your units will unlock powerful new abilities via the Path system. Path to Glory is all about the story of your army - it’s less about winning or losing and more about the narrative that arises from your decisions in battle - and, of course, your dice rolls!

Many Path to Glory players like to keep a diary or some other record of how their army fares over the course of its campaign, which can be great ‘imagination fuel’ for writing a story of your own in which the heroes and units in your army are the protagonists. It’s not uncommon for two Path to Glory armies, or even specific warriors within those armies, to develop ongoing rivalries. Many characters in the universes of Warhammer have arisen from campaigns just like those in Path to Glory!

Although it’s entirely possible to play Path to Glory by yourself (you will still need an opponent for each battle, of course), this battlepack really shines as a campaign system involving several players with Path to Glory armies. That way, the story you create together and the influence your armies have on one another becomes all the more compelling. The beginner battlepack for Path to Glory is Ascension.

Matched Play

Matched Play is a gaming mode designed for balance and equal victory conditions for both players. The starter battlepack for Matched Play is First Blood. It makes use of the most common Advanced Rules, and it includes a set of three battleplans that use different numbers of objectives in symmetrical arrangements. Most Matched Play battlepacks use the Army Composition rules. For many players, experimenting with different army rosters, sometimes called ‘list-building’, is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the hobby. Your knowledge of not only the units available to your faction but also those from opposing factions will be pivotal in this selection process. These choices may be hard to make at first, but once you’ve got a few games under your belt, you’ll be crafting competitive rosters in no time!

Matched Play battlepacks are great for gaming clubs and events. It is the ideal format for ‘pick-up’ games between players who might not have met or played each other before. You can just select an army in advance according to the rules in the battlepack, turn up at the club or event, find an opponent who has done the same and then play, knowing that the game will be as fair as possible. The simplicity of the battlepack means that, with a group of experienced players, you can play several games over the course of a day.


	Next Steps: The General’s Handbook If Matched Play is your thing, or you simply want to expand your gaming toolbox with extra battleplans and special rules, then the General’s Handbook is essential. The General’s Handbook is an annual supplement - released each summer - that contains rules for the current Matched Play season. It acts as a baseline rules pack for competitive gaming events and is your gateway to the wider world of Matched Play. Across the globe, Matched Play tournaments using the General’s Handbook take place virtually every weekend. Wherever you live, you’re likely to find a Matched Play tournament you can reach, and they’re well worth attending. Not only will you get to meet up with a warm and welcoming community of fellow hobbyists, you’ll get to play some great games and see some truly amazing armies. And, of course, there are usually prizes on offer in the form of certificates, trophies and, sometimes, exclusive gaming aids!


	Critical hits have no effect on their own but often trigger additional effects (see 20.0 Weapon Abilities).


	Keep track of the number of damage points in the damage pools of target units. Placing dice next to those units is a handy way of doing this.

The Core Rules

Books

CORE RULES

1.0 Core Concepts

The Most Important Rule

Rules Summaries

Designer’s Notes

2.0 Tools of War

2.1 Measuring Distances

2.1.1 Within and Wholly Within

2.2 Dice

3.0 Factions

4.0 Warscrolls

5.0 Abilities

5.1 Keywords

5.2 Using Abilities

5.3 The Rules of One

5.4 Passive Abilities

Abilities Example

6.0 Visibility

7.0 Combat Range

Setting Up for Battle

8.0 The Armies

9.0 Battleplans

9.1 Battlefield Map

9.1.1 Setting Up Objectives and Terrain Features

9.1.2 Territories

10.0 The Deployment Phase

Step 1 - Deploy Faction Terrain Features

Step 2 - Deploy Armies

Step 3 - Use Deployment Phase Abilities

10.1 Universal Deployment Phase Abilities

The Battle

11.0 Battle Sequence

12.0 Start of Battle Round

13.0 Turn Phases

13.1 Fight Abilities

14.0 Universal Core Abilities

14.1 Movement Phase

14.2 Shooting Phase

14.3 Charge Phase

14.4 Combat Phase

Movement

15.0 Movement

15.1 Coherency

15.2 Moving Across Terrain

15.2.1 Jumping Down

15.3 Pile-in Moves

15.4 Flying

Attacking

16.0 Picking Targets

17.0 The Attack Sequence

17.1 Attack Modifiers and Caps

17.2 Mortal Damage

17.3 Fast Dice Rolling

18.0 The Damage Sequence

18.1 Ward Saves

18.2 Allocating Damage

18.3 Slain Models

18.4 Destroyed Units

Attacking Diagram

Attacking Example

Special Rules

19.0 Strike-first and Strike-last

20.0 Weapon Abilities

21.0 Healing

22.0 Returning and Adding Models

23.0 Tokens

24.0 Setting Up Units

24.1 Reserve Units

24.2 Replacement Units

25.0 Guarded Heroes

26.0 Random Characteristics

27.0 Modifier Order

28.0 Advanced Ability Rules

28.1 Persisting Effects

28.2 ‘Once per’ Timings

Who is Using the Ability?

29.0 Contradictory Rules

30.0 Order of Effects