FAQ
Books
| Book | Kind | Edition | Version | Last update |
 Age of Darkness Rulebook | ||||
| Age of Darkness Rulebook | Rulebook | 3 | 1.1 | October 2025 |
FAQ
| Q: | Vehicles ‘cannot be locked in combat’ does that mean they cannot be attacked or ‘Engaged’? |
| A: |
| Q: | When a Model explodes and hits a Vehicle, how do you decide which Armour Facing is hit? |
| A: | The Armour Facing in which the exploding Model is present is hit, if the Model is split between more than one Armour Facing then the Player controlling the Model that is hit chooses which Armour Facing it is hit on. |
| Q: | Do the effects of a selected Gambit apply outside of the Challenge Sub-Phase? |
| A: | No, the effects of a Gambit selected at any point in a Battle have no effects outside of the Challenge Sub-Phase, nor are they cumulative from Challenge to Challenge. |
| Q: | If an Enemy Unit which cannot Control or Contest Objective Markers (e.g, due to containing Models with the Heedless Special Rule or the Cavalry Sub-Type) is forced to Fall Back after starting the Assault Phase within 3" of an Objective, as described in the second bullet point of the Vanguard (X) Special rule, is that condition (referred to as a status) for scoring Victory Points as per the Vanguard (X) Special Rule met? |
| A: | No. |
| Q: | Allied Detachments may only total up to 50% of the total Points Limit for any Army. Does this include the Points Value of Units in other Detachments, such as Apex Detachments or Auxiliary Detachments, linked to the Allied Detachment? |
| A: | Yes. |
| Q: | Are Reserves and Aerial Reserves considered the same for moving Units ‘into Reserves’ or affecting Units ‘in Reserves’? |
| A: | No. Where the term Reserves is used, this applies to only Units expressly placed in Reserves, and does not extend to Units placed in Aerial Reserves. Similarly, where reference to Aerial Reserves is made, this only applies to Units specifically placed in Aerial Reserves and does not extend to Units in Reserves. |
| Q: | The Tactical Status rules state that a Unit affected by a Tactical Status can never gain a bonus due to being Stationary. Does the Stable Sub-Type overrule this? |
| A: | No. |
| Q: | When are Models counted as ‘moving through’ or ‘moving through a Unit’ in play? |
| A: | A Model is counted as moving through another Unit when its Line of Movement either crosses the base of a Model from another Unit or passes between two Models from another Unit that are in Unit Coherency with each other. |
| Q: | If a Unit moves into Base Contact with an enemy Unit as part of a Set-up Move, is it considered to have made a successful Charge Move? |
| A: | Yes. |
| Q: | Are a Psychic Weapon and a Weapon with the Psychic Trait the same thing? |
| A: | No. |
| Q: | Does the Alpha Legion Lies and Obfuscation Special Rule affect how far any Line of Sight drawn through an area of Terrain of any kind is deemed to be? |
| A: | No. |
| Q: | If the last Model in a Unit is Removed as a Casualty in the Morale Sub-Phase due to failing a Check to resist gaining a Tactical Status and having the Malefic Sub-Type, are Victory Points awarded via the Vanguard (X) Special Rule if the Shooting Attack which caused the Check was made by a Unit with a majority of Models with the Vanguard (X) Special Rule? |
| A: | Yes. |
| Q: | Can the Reactive Player make a Reaction that has a cost of 0 if their Reaction Allotment is or has been reduced to 0 for that Player Turn? |
| A: | Yes. |
| Q: | Does the bolter (Primary) component of a combi-weapon count as a bolter for the purposes of the Fury of the Legion Special Rule? |
| A: | No. |
| Q: | Can Models with the Malefic Sub-Type gain the Disgraced Status or a Cybertheurgic Status? |
| A: | Yes. |
| Q: | Can the Gun Down and Pursue aftermath options be used against an enemy Unit which had Disengaged from the same combat? |
| A: | No. |
| Q: | Can a Weapon with the Heavy (X) or Ordnance (X) Special Rules be used to make Reactions if this Special Rule would cause the Ranged Strength Characteristic to be increased to a value that stops that Weapon being a Defensive Weapon? |
| A: | No. |
| Q: | Outside of making Shooting Attacks as part of a Reaction, do Models count as Stationary before their Controlling Player’s first Player Turn? |
| A: | No. |
| Q: | If a Shooting Attack made as part of a Reaction inflicts a Glancing Hit, can that Glancing Hit apply a Tactical Status to the Target Unit via the Vehicle Damage Table? |
| A: | No. |
| Q: | Are Victory Points gained due to the Vanguard (X) Special Rule if an attack which targets a Unit that is Controlling or Contesting an Objective causes all Models within 3" of that Objective from the targeted Unit to be Removed as Casualties, but does not cause the last Model from that Unit to be Removed as a Casualty? |
| A: | No. |
| Q: | What do ‘friendly’ and ‘enemy’ refer to? |
| A: | Models or Units under the control of a Player are friendly Models or Units, while Models or Units under the control of that Player’s opponent are enemy Models or Units. |
| Q: | Can an Army that has a Primary Detachment that includes Units with a variant of the [Mechanicum] Faction Trait include any Allied Detachments that also include Units with a variant of the [Mechanicum] Faction Trait? |
| A: | Yes*. *Designer’s Note: As per the rules for Allied Detachments, such a Detachment would not be able to include any Units with the same Mechanicum Faction Trait as any included in the Primary Detachment. For example, if the Primary Detachment included Units with the Reductor, Cybernetica and Lacrymaerta Faction Traits, an Allied Detachment in the same Army could not include any Units with any of these Faction Traits, but could include Units with the Myrmidax, Macrotek, Malagra or Archimandrite Faction Traits. |
| Q: | If a Model has its Characteristics changed during Army Selection (for example, by applying a Prime Advantage to that Model), is the adjusted Characteristic considered to be the Model’s Base Characteristic used during the Battle? |
| A: | No. |
| Q: | If a Vehicle Model is making a Shooting Attack with a Weapon with the Blast (X) or Template Special Rule, does the whole Blast Marker or Template have to be placed within that Weapon’s Firing Arc? |
| A: | No*. *Designer’s Note: It is worth noting that the selected Target Unit for that Shooting Attack must still lay within that Weapon’s Firing Arc, and the Blast Marker’s central hole or the Template must still be placed so at least one Model in the Target Unit remains under it. |
| Q: | If a Model with a given Tactical Status is part of a Unit or joins a Unit where no other Models have that Tactical Status, are the Models that do not have the Tactical Status subject to its effects? |
| A: | Yes. |
| Q: | If the only Models with a given Tactical Status leave a Unit, are the Models that do not have the Tactical Status still subject to its effects? |
| A: | No. |
Fall Back – All Models in the Unit gain the Routed Status if they did not already have it. Units with the Routed Status must then make an immediate Fall Back Move.
LOCKED IN COMBAT – If the Assault Sequence ends and at least one Target Unit has neither been forced to Fall Back or been entirely Removed as Casualties, then the Units involved remain in place with at least one Model from each Unit in Base-to-Base Contact with an enemy Model. These Units are ‘Locked in Combat’ and may not be selected or moved in the Movement Phase or selected to make Shooting Attacks in the Shooting Phase. They may be selected during the Fight and Challenge Sub-Phases of the Assault Phase by the Active Player, but may not make a Charge or otherwise be selected in the Charge Sub-Phase.
COMBAT – A Combat is a reference to two or more Units conducting an ongoing struggle, where at least one Model from each Unit is in Base-to-Base Contact. Outside of the Assault Phase, a Combat is considered one entity and no other Unit may move through it or end a move within 1" of any Model in the Combat. No Unit in a Combat may be the target of any Shooting Attack.
ENGAGED
A Model is Engaged if either:
A Model is Engaged if either:
- That Model is in Base Contact with an enemy Model in the same Combat.
- That Model is no more than 2" from another Model in the same Unit which is in Base Contact with an enemy Model.
Heedless
Among the tumult of battle, some warriors take no stock in tactical considerations and focus solely upon the murderous arts demanded of them.
A Unit that includes any Models with this Special Rule cannot claim Objectives.A Unit that includes any Models with this Special Rule cannot Control or Contest any Objective Marker - this overrides any other Rule or Special Rule that may apply to the Unit regardless of the source of the Rule or effect.
Cover Save (COV) – A Cover Save is used to negate wounds that would normally ignore or bypass an Armour Test. Few Models will have a Cover Save Characteristic, but other Rules may grant them one temporarily - such as Area Terrain. When a Model’s Cover Save is at its minimum value of ‘-’, that Model may not make Cover Tests.
Cavalry
Cavalry use their fast speed to strike deep into enemy territory and escape before their opponent is able to react. This type includes units mounted on bikes, jetbikes, land speeders and even traditional cavalry mounted on riding beasts.
The following Rules apply to all Models with the Cavalry Type:- When making a Fall Back Move for a Model with the Cavalry Type, that Model moves a distance equal to the Initiative Characteristic of the Model plus the total of two Dice rolled and added together.
- Models with the Cavalry Type may not make use of any Cover Save granted by Terrain Features or Areas of Terrain.
Vanguard (X)
Warriors trained to break the foe’s lines are often at the forefront of their host, but are ill-suited to holding ground in the face of an enemy counter-attack.
A Unit that includes Models with this Special Rule scores fewer Victory Points for controlling Objectives, but can score Victory Points for destroying enemy Units that hold Objectives.A Unit that includes a majority of Models with the Vanguard (X) Special Rule may only ever score 1 Victory Point for Controlling an Objective, regardless of that Objective’s value. However, the Player that controls a Unit that includes a majority of Models with the Vanguard (X) Special Rule gains Victory Points equal to the value of X in the Vanguard (X) Special Rule, in addition to any Victory Points scored for controlling an Objective, whenever either of the following two statuses are fulfilled:
- If an attack made for a Unit that includes a majority of Models with the Vanguard (X) Special Rule causes the last Model in an enemy Unit that is Controlling or Contesting an Objective to be Removed as a Casualty.
- If a Unit that includes a majority of Models with the Vanguard (X) Special Rule has at least one attack made for it in a Combat that results in one or more enemy Units that had at least one Model within 3" of an Objective at the start of that Assault Phase either Falling Back from Combat or being Massacred.
Note that the Vanguard (X) Special Rule may only be used to score Victory Points once per Objective per Player Turn - no matter how many enemy Units were Controlling or Locked in Combat near that Objective.
| COMMAND – The line officers of an Army. |
Allied Detachments
Armies do not have to include an Allied Detachment and can include more than one, but no more than 50% of the Points Limit may be spent on allied Units and all Allied Detachments must be a different Faction than the Primary Detachment.An Army does not have to include an Allied Detachment, but may include any number of Allied Detachments the Controlling Player chooses - as long as the total Points Value of all Units selected in all Allied Detachments combined is no more than 50% (rounded up to the nearest whole number) of the Points Limit set for a Battle. All Units selected to fill Force Organisation Slots in an Allied Detachment must be selected from a different Faction than that used for the Primary Detachment. If more than one Allied Detachment is included in an Army, then all Allied Detachments in the Army must be of a different Faction than the Primary Detachment, but may be the same as other Allied Detachments.
Each Command Force Organisation Slot filled in an Allied Detachment allows the Controlling Player to select one Auxiliary Detachment to be added to the Army. If multiple Command Force Organisation Slots are filled, then multiple Auxiliary Detachments may be added to the Army - these may be multiple instances of the same Auxiliary Detachment or different Auxiliary Detachments as the Player desires. Auxiliary Detachments added to the Army when selecting Command Choices for an Allied Detachment remain separate Detachments, but are linked to that Allied Detachment that allowed their selection and must use the same Army List to select any Units that are selected to fill Force Organisation Slots. Players may choose not to add additional Detachments when eligible to do so.
Points, Points Limits, And Points Value
Points are used to gauge the relative value of a given Model, Unit, Special Rule or item of Wargear. Every Army is selected by expending Points from a fixed Points Limit agreed before a Battle (the standard Points Limit for a Battle is 3,000 Points) to add Units to the Army. Each Army List assigns a fixed Points Value to each Model, Unit and option available as part of that Army List, a value which is only used as part of selecting an Army. The Points Value of each Unit and the total Points Value of the Army must be listed on that Army’s Army Roster. The total Points Value of an Army can be any value equal to or lower than the Points Limit for that Battle - but may not be greater than the Points Limit agreed.
| HIGH COMMAND – The highest ranked officers of an Army. |
Apex Detachments
An Army can include any number of Apex Detachments, depending on the number and type of High Command Choices selected.An Army may include any number of Apex Detachments. The number available in any Army is determined by the number of High Command Force Organisation Slots that have been filled, with each such Slot filled allowing a single Apex Detachment to be taken. Any High Command Force Organisation Slots that were optionally used to include an additional Auxiliary Detachment in the Army do not also allow an Apex Detachment to be included - for each High Command Slot the Controlling Player may include one Apex Detachment or one Auxiliary Detachment, not both. All Apex Detachments are linked to other Detachments, usually Primary Detachments, which determines which Army List and Faction must be used by the Apex Detachment. Each High Command Force Organisation Slot filled in an Apex Detachment allows the Controlling Player to select an additional Apex Detachment or Auxiliary Detachment to be linked to the Primary Detachment. Furthermore, each Command Force Organisation Slot filled in an Apex Detachment allows the Controlling Player to select an additional Auxiliary Detachment to be linked to the Primary Detachment.
Auxiliary Detachments
An Army can include any number of Auxiliary Detachments, depending on the number and type of Command Choices selected.An Army may include any number of Auxiliary Detachments. The number available in any Army is determined by the number of Command Force Organisation Slots that have been filled, with each such Slot filled allowing a single Auxiliary Detachment to be taken. A Player may also choose to include an Auxiliary Detachment for one or more of the High Command Force Organisation Slots available to them, gaining one Auxiliary Detachment for each High Command Slot selected, but any High Command Slots selected in this manner no longer grant the Player an Apex Detachment. All Auxiliary Detachments are linked to other Detachments, usually either Primary or Allied Detachments, which determines which Army List and Faction must be used by the Auxiliary Detachment.
Reserves
Various Rules will allow or require Players to place Units in Reserves. Reserves is an area outside of the bounds of the Battlefield - Models that are in Reserves may not be selected or attacked during any Player’s Turn, but do not count as having been Removed as Casualties. Models that are in Reserves should be kept near the Battlefield, but separate from any Models Removed as Casualties and must be made known to all other Players in the game.While Units are in Reserves, the Controlling Player may freely declare that Units in Reserves have Embarked upon another friendly Unit that is in Reserves if the Unit would normally be capable of doing so. Likewise, Models in Reserves that are capable of joining or leaving Units may join or leave a friendly Unit that is also in Reserves freely by means of the Controlling Player declaring it is so.
Entering Battle From Reserves
In the Reserves Sub-Phase of the Active Player’s Movement Phase, each Unit that the Active Player has in Reserves must take a Reserves Test. See Rules for taking Reserves Test and moving Models into play from Reserves.
Entering Reserves from the Battlefield
A Unit may only enter Reserves from the Battlefield if a Special Rule allows it to do so. Where this is the case, the Special Rule in question will detail how this is accomplished. The only Core Rules that allow Models to enter Reserves from the Battlefield are those for Models with the Flyer Sub-Type.
In general Models may not move ‘off of the Battlefield’, and moving to the Battlefield Edge does not allow a Unit to enter Reserves.
Aerial Reserves
As such, all Models with the Flyer Sub-Type must always begin any Battle in a special type of Reserves referred to as Aerial Reserves. Aerial Reserves operate in exactly the same fashion as Reserves, with the exception that only Rules that specifically reference Aerial Reserves can allow Models to enter or leave Aerial Reserves or otherwise modify or affect Models in Aerial Reserves or any Reserves Rolls made for them.Moved vs Stationary
In order to have moved, one or more Models in a Unit must end the Movement Phase in a different position than that which they started the Phase. A Model cannot be ‘moved’ in such a fashion that it ends its ‘move’ in the same position as it began the move. In cases where the distance a Model has been moved is important to a Rule, only the distance between that Model’s position at the start of the Movement Phase and its position at the end of the Movement Phase is counted. When determining this distance, if the direct line between a Model’s starting position and current position passes through an Area of Impassable Terrain or other obstacle through which a Model cannot move, then count the distance of the Model’s path of movement around the obstacle rather than the direct line between its start and end positions. If, when a Player has the option of moving a Unit, they choose not to move any of the Models in that Unit, and no Models in the Unit otherwise change position on the Battlefield, other than to pivot in place, then that Unit is considered to be Stationary.
Stable
Certain vehicles are designed to mount one or more large and cumbersome weapons, most often long ranged artillery cannon. Such vehicles are large and heavy enough, or designed with specialised systems to stabilise them whilst they are moving, to allow for the continuous firing of their primary weapons.
The following Rules apply to all Models with the Stable Sub-Type:- A Model with this Sub-Type always gains any benefits for having remained Stationary when making Shooting Attacks, regardless of whether the Model moved in the preceding Movement Phase or the distance moved. This does not count if the Model has Rushed in the preceding Movement Phase.
- When making multiple Shooting Attacks in the same Shooting Phase, a Model with this Sub-Type does not have to make all attacks as Snap Shots.
Unit Coherency
To be in Unit Coherency all Models in a Unit must be no more than 2" measured horizontally or 6" vertically from at least one other Model that is in the same Unit. In addition, all Models in a given Unit must form one contiguous group while also maintaining Unit Coherency, and even if the Models retain Coherency may not split into separate groups. When measuring distance to determine if a Unit is in Unit Coherency, all distances are measured Base-to-Base (see the Rules for Measuring).
A Unit must remain in Unit Coherency while on the Battlefield. All Models in a Unit that is being moved must end that move in Unit Coherency - if they cannot then they may not be moved. When removing Models from a Unit, Models may be removed in a manner that means the Unit will no longer be in Unit Coherency, however, note this may lead to penalties being applied - see the Rules for Out of Coherency below.
Trait
A Trait is similar to a Characteristic, in that it is attached to specific Models, however a Trait has no numerical value attached to it. Unlike Characteristics a Trait has no intrinsic Rules attached to it, but other Rules may operate differently when targeting a Model with a specific Trait.
Removed as a Casualty
A Model Removed as a Casualty is directly removed from the Battlefield, without disturbing the position of any other Model or Terrain Piece. Once removed from the Battlefield it should be placed in a location distinct from Models in Reserves and outside the bounds of the Battlefield. Once Removed as a Casualty a Model may not be returned to the Battlefield and all Rules or effects targeting or originating with that Model end immediately and have no further effect. No Rule or effect may draw Line of Sight or Range to a Model that has been Removed as a Casualty for any reason. If a Model with the Transport Sub-Type is Removed as a Casualty while Models are Embarked upon it, then before the Model with the Transport Sub-Type is removed all Models Embarked upon it must immediately make an Emergency Disembarkation.A number of Rules, including Tactical Statuses and Victory Conditions are triggered by the removal of Models as Casualties, and as such all Players should be made aware of any Models that are Removed as Casualties. Furthermore, any Player may request to see which Models have been Removed as Casualties by any Player at any point during the Battle.
Shooting Attacks
A Shooting Attack is the process by which a Unit makes a coordinated series of attacks targeting an enemy Unit.In order to make a Shooting Attack for a Unit that has been selected during the Attack Sub-Phase, as part of a Reaction or for any other Rule or Sub-Phase that requires a Shooting Attack to be made, the following procedure must be followed:
As part of the Rules for conducting a Shooting Attack, the term ‘Attacking Unit’ will be used to refer to the Unit whose Models will be making attacks as part of that Shooting Attack, while the term ‘Attacking Player’ will be used to identify the Player that controls the Attacking Unit. The term ‘Target Unit’ will be used to refer to the Unit that is selected as the Target Unit for the Shooting Attack.
Player
A Player is the actual person moving Models and making rolls, the Player of the game. Battles will include more than one Player, and the Rules will often refer to the Active Player (the Player currently taking their Player Turn) and the Reactive Player (the Player not currently taking their Player Turn, and thus only allowed to interact with the game through Reactions) in order to differentiate between them. Sometimes the Rules will also refer to the Controlling Player, that is the Player that Controls the Unit, Model or other game element the Rule is referring to.
Player Turn
A Player Turn is defined as one cycle through the Turn Sequence with the same Player acting as the Active Player in each Phase. Once a Player Turn has been completed, a new one is begun with the other Player taking the role of Active Player.
Weapon Skill (WS) – The Weapon Skill Characteristic is primarily used to determine a Model’s ability to attack during a Combat in the Assault Phase, with a higher value making it both easier for the Model to make attacks and more difficult for opponents to do so (see Melee Hit Tests). If a Model’s Weapon Skill is reduced to 0 then that Model cannot make attacks in a Combat (if the Hit Test could have triggered a variable Special Rule, then that Rule is considered to automatically fail to activate as part of the Test). Enemy Models whose attacks target a Model with Weapon Skill 0, or a Unit whose majority Weapon Skill is 0, treat the Target Model as though it had a Weapon Skill of T to determine the Target Number for any Hit Tests required.
Leadership (LD) – The Leadership Characteristic is primarily used to resolve Checks to determine when a Unit will stand its ground or flee. For more details see the Combat Resolution Rules. When a Model’s Leadership Characteristic reaches 0, any Check it is used to determine the Target Number for automatically fails with no Dice rolled. However, a Unit that includes one or more Models with a Leadership of 0 but uses a Model with a higher value to make a Panic or Leadership Check suffers no penalties.
The Disgraced Status
A Model with the Disgraced Status has its Weapon Skill and Leadership Characteristics halved for the duration of the Assault Phase in which the Status is gained. All effects that would normally apply to a Unit that includes a Model with a Status affect any Models in the same Unit as a Model with the Disgraced Status - including being reduced to a Combat Initiative of 1. Unlike other Statuses, the Disgraced Status is automatically removed in the End Phase of the same Player Turn in which it was inflicted with no Check needed to remove it. Note that Models that would be unaffected by other Statuses are also unaffected by the Disgraced Status and the Disgraced Status can be removed before the End Phase by other Rules and effects that can remove Statuses.A Unit that includes Models with the Routed Status can include Models that have the Disgraced Status.
Gun Down – The Unit may make a Shooting Attack targeting any one enemy Unit that has Fallen Back from the selected Combat. This attack is considered a Volley Attack for Rules that affect such attacks and attacks may only be made in this Shooting Attack using Weapons with the Assault Trait.
Pursue – Roll a single Dice for each Unit that has been chosen to Pursue. Each Model in a Pursuing Unit must move a number of inches equal to their Initiative Characteristic, added to the result of the Dice rolled for the Unit that Model is part of, directly towards the nearest enemy Model from a Unit that has made a Fall Back Move from the selected Combat. If any Model from the Unit that is Pursuing ends its move in Base Contact with an enemy Model, then it is considered to have made a successful Charge and is Locked in Combat with the Unit that includes that enemy Model.
In the example pictured above the Unit marked in green has beaten the Unit marked in yellow. The yellow marked Unit has Fallen Back, while the green marked Unit will Pursue. The red marked Unit was not a part of the Combat. All Models in the green marked Unit must move directly towards Models in the yellow marked Unit when making their Pursue Move and cannot move towards Models in the red Marked Unit even though it is closer.
Heavy (X)
Some weapons are so heavy that, while they can be fired on the move, are more powerful when properly braced and made ready before shooting. Warriors on the battlefield must use their judgement to decide when speed is required and when the full firepower of their arsenal must be unleashed.
Weapons with the Heavy (X) Special Rule gain +1 to a Characteristic when Stationary.When making a Shooting Attack with a Weapon that has the Heavy (X) Special Rule, a modifier of +1 is added to a Characteristic if the Model with that Weapon is part of a Unit that remained Stationary in the Controlling Player’s previous Movement Phase. If the Characteristic listed is AP, then instead it improves the AP by one Step (see the Rules for modifying Saves and AP). The value of X in the specific variant of the Heavy (X) Special Rule determines which Characteristic gains the +1 modifier.
Ordnance (X)
Huge artillery cannon and vast laser weapons are commonly employed as the primary armament of the greatest war machines of the Imperium. These weapons are devastating when properly braced and prepared for firing - more than capable of destroying smaller war engines in a single blast.
Weapons with the Ordnance (X) Special Rule double the value of a Characteristic when Stationary.When making a Shooting Attack with a Weapon that has the Ordnance (X) Special Rule, a modifier of x2 is applied to a Characteristic if the Model with that Weapon is part of a Unit that remained stationary in the Controlling Player’s previous Movement Phase (if that Characteristic is AP, then the AP is instead changed to AP 2). The value of X in the specific variant of the Ordnance (X) Special Rule determines which Characteristic gains the x2 modifier.
Strength (S) – The Strength Characteristic is primarily used to determine the effectiveness of Wound Tests inflicted by Melee Weapons, with a higher value making it easier to inflict wounds. If a Model’s Strength Characteristic is reduced to 0 then any Wound Tests made that would use that Characteristic or for any Melee Weapon automatically fails and no Dice are rolled for it (if the Wound Test could have triggered a variable Special Rule, then that Rule is considered to automatically fail to activate as part of the Test).
Defensive Weapons – All Weapons on a Model with the Vehicle Type that have a Strength Characteristic of 6 or less are Defensive Weapons. Other Weapons may also be specifically designated as Defensive Weapons on their profile. When a Player chooses to have a Model with the Vehicle Type attack multiple different Units in the same Shooting Phase, Defensive Weapons do not have to make their attacks as Snap Shots.
Combat Initiative Score – A Model’s Combat Initiative score is the combined value of that Model’s current Initiative Characteristic and the Initiative Modifier Characteristic of the Weapon used to make attacks for that Model. It determines in which Initiative Step attacks may be made for that Model.
Initiative Step – A Combat Round is made up of Initiative Steps, each of which has a value assigned to it to show the order in which they are resolved. In each Initiative Step, Models whose Combat Initiative score is equal to the value of the Initiative Step may make attacks. Initiative Steps are always resolved in descending order, from highest to lowest. As such, Initiative Step 10 is resolved before Initiative Step 9. Models removed from Combat before the Initiative Step in which they can attack lose the opportunity to make attacks.
Glancing Hits – A Glancing Hit inflicts no Damage, however for each Glancing Hit, the attacking Player must roll once on the Vehicle Damage Table in Step 11 of the Shooting Attack process or Step 10 of the Initiative Step process (Players may find it useful to place a marker to remind them of this).
Destroyed & Removed as Casualties
Throughout these Rules the terms ‘Destroyed’ and ‘Removed as Casualties’ have been used to refer to Models and Units that have been taken out of play by enemy action - usually as the result of a Shooting Attack or Combat. Units that are ‘Destroyed’ or entirely ‘Removed as Casualties’ are often used as a means for the Opposing Player to score Victory Points and thus win a Battle. The two terms can be used interchangeably, but most often the term ‘Removed as Casualties’ is used to refer to the removal of an entire Unit that was composed of multiple Models, while ‘Destroyed’ is more commonly used to refer to the removal of a single Model or a Unit that was composed of a single large Model, such as a tank.
Primary Detachments
All Armies must include one, and no more than one, Primary Detachment.Every Army must include a single Primary Detachment - and may never include more than one. Each High Command Force Organisation Slot filled in the Primary Detachment allows the Controlling Player to select one Apex or Auxiliary Detachment to be added to the Army. Likewise, each Command Force Organisation Slot filled in the Primary Detachment allows the Controlling Player to select one Auxiliary Detachment to be added to the Army. If multiple Command Force Organisation Slots are filled, then multiple Auxiliary Detachments may be added to the Army - these may be multiple instances of the same Auxiliary Detachment or different Auxiliary Detachments as the Player desires. Apex and Auxiliary Detachments added to the Army in this manner are linked to the Primary Detachment and must use the same Army List to select any Units that are selected to fill Force Organisation Slots in those Detachments. Players may choose not to add additional Detachments when eligible to do so.
Blast (X)
Some weapons trade precision for indiscriminate destruction, high explosive impacts that can devastate a wide area. From artillery shells to high energy blasts, such weapons are popular tools of destruction on the battlefields of the Horus Heresy.
Attacks made with the Blast (X) Special Rule use a Blast Marker to determine how many Hits are caused.When making attacks with a Weapon that has the Blast (X) Special Rule, before any Hit Tests are made, a Blast Marker must first be placed to determine how many Hits may be inflicted by the attack. The Player making the attack must place the Blast Marker indicated in brackets as part of the Special Rule so that the hole in the middle is entirely over the Base of any one Model in the Target Unit. Once the Blast Marker has been placed, the Player making the attack must make a Hit Test for the attack, and each Model from the Target Unit that is fully or partially under the Blast Marker will suffer 1 Hit if the Hit Test is successful.
Hits on Other Units
If any Models from Units other than the Target Unit are fully or partially covered by the Blast Marker, then a new Fire Group must be created for those Hits and set to one side. Continue resolving the Shooting Attack on the original Target Unit, and once that Shooting Attack has been completely resolved begin a new Shooting Attack to resolve those additional Fire Groups generated for Units other than the original Target Unit.
If any Models from Units other than the Target Unit are fully or partially covered by the Blast Marker, then a new Fire Group must be created for those Hits and set to one side. Continue resolving the Shooting Attack on the original Target Unit, and once that Shooting Attack has been completely resolved begin a new Shooting Attack to resolve those additional Fire Groups generated for Units other than the original Target Unit.
If the Hit Test is unsuccessful then no Hits are inflicted and the Player making the attack must make a Scatter Roll for the Blast Marker. Once a Scatter Roll has been made for the Blast Marker and it has been moved, one Hit is inflicted on a Unit for each Model from that Unit that is wholly or partially covered by the Blast Marker.
Hits can be scored on both friendly and enemy Units by attacks using the Blast (X) Special Rule. Hits inflicted by Weapons with the Blast (X) Special Rule are allocated in the same manner as other Hits, regardless of which actual Models were under the Blast Marker and the Blast Marker may not be used to inflict Hits on specific Models.
If a Fire Group includes multiple attacks made with the Blast (X) Special Rule, do not place multiple Blast Markers. A single Blast Marker is placed using the Rules detailed above, and a Hit Test is made for each attack in that Fire Group. For each successful Hit Test, one Hit is inflicted for each Model from the target Unit that is fully or partially under the Blast Marker. If any Hit Tests are unsuccessful then, after any Hits made by successful Hit Tests are counted, a single Scatter Roll is made for the Blast Marker, regardless of the total number of unsuccessful Hit Tests. For each Hit Test that was unsuccessful, one Hit is inflicted on a Unit for each Model from that Unit that is wholly or partially covered by the Blast Marker after the Scatter Roll has been resolved.
Firepower (FP) – This Characteristic is used to determine how many Dice are rolled when making attacks with this Weapon. A Weapon with a Firepower Characteristic of 0 may not be used to make attacks of any kind.
Template
Template weapons shoot clouds of fire, gas or other lethal substances, rather than shells or bullets.
Weapons and attacks with the Template Special Rule use the Flame Template to determine how many Models they Hit.When making attacks for a Weapon or other effect that has the Template Special Rule, or otherwise uses a Template, no Hit Tests are made for the attack. Instead, when directed to make Hit Tests for such an attack, a single Template is placed to determine how many Hits are generated. A Template must be placed so that its narrow end is touching the Base of the Model, the edge of a Model’s Hull (if it has the Vehicle Type) or other point being used to make the attack, and so that no part of the Template covers or touches a friendly Model’s Base, Hull or otherwise would inflict Hits on a friendly Model. Within these restrictions, the Player making the attack may place the Template in an orientation of their choosing as long as at least one Model from the original Target Unit remains under the Template. If the Template cannot be placed under these restrictions, such as if it cannot be placed without covering or touching friendly Models, then no attack may be made.
Once the Template has been placed, a number of Hits using the profile of the Weapon or effect are inflicted on the Target Unit equal to the number of Models touched or covered by the Template. If the Weapon or attack has a Firepower Characteristic greater than 1 then only a single Template is placed, but the number of Hits inflicted per Model touched or covered by the Template is equal to the Firepower Characteristic of the attack or Weapon. If more than one enemy Unit has Models that are touched or covered by the Template in its final position, then Hits are inflicted on all such Units as noted above, Hits on Units other than the original target form a new Fire Group that must be placed to one side and used to resolve a separate Shooting Attack on the additional Target Unit once all attacks and Fire Groups from the original Shooting Attack have been fully resolved. When resolving Armour Penetration Tests for Hits inflicted by a Weapon with this Special Rule, the position of the Model that was used to make the attack is used to determine which Armour Facing is used.
Note that the Rules require a Template to be placed in Base Contact with the Model being used to make the attack, but this Model is not counted as having been Hit by the attack and does not stop the attack from being made. However, this only applies to the individual Model being used to make the attack, not to other Models in the same Unit.
Weapons with this Special Rule will have their Range Characteristic as Template’. This does not count as a value of ‘0’ or ‘-’. If a Rule requires a number for the Range Characteristic then all Weapons and attacks with this Special Rule are considered to have a Range Characteristic of ‘8’.
OTHER TEMPLATES
In some rare cases a Weapon may use a different Template than the standard Flame Template, in these cases the Template Rule may be expressed with a bracketed section stating which Template must be used when attacking with that Weapon. Otherwise, the Rules for its use are unchanged from those noted under the Template Special Rule, with the exception of the Range Characteristic it is considered to have.
An example of this is the use of the Hellstorm Template for certain very large Weapons. In this case the Rule would be expressed as ‘Template (Hellstorm)’ and the attack would be resolved using the Template Special Rule, but placing the larger Hellstorm Template. Weapons with the Template (Hellstorm) Special Rule are considered to have a Range Characteristic of ‘16’ when a Rule requires such weapons to have a numbered Range Characteristic.
In some rare cases a Weapon may use a different Template than the standard Flame Template, in these cases the Template Rule may be expressed with a bracketed section stating which Template must be used when attacking with that Weapon. Otherwise, the Rules for its use are unchanged from those noted under the Template Special Rule, with the exception of the Range Characteristic it is considered to have.
An example of this is the use of the Hellstorm Template for certain very large Weapons. In this case the Rule would be expressed as ‘Template (Hellstorm)’ and the attack would be resolved using the Template Special Rule, but placing the larger Hellstorm Template. Weapons with the Template (Hellstorm) Special Rule are considered to have a Range Characteristic of ‘16’ when a Rule requires such weapons to have a numbered Range Characteristic.
Blast Marker
A Blast Marker is a round Marker of a specific diameter used to determine which Models have been hit by certain types of attack and other effects. The standard size for a Blast Marker is a 3" diameter Marker, but 5" (Large) and 7" (Massive) are also used. Blast Markers and the Rules for using them are presented here.
Template
A Template is a type of Marker of irregular shape, unlike Blast Markers which are always circular. The most common type of Template is the teardrop shaped Flame Template, which is used like a Blast Marker to determine which Models are hit by certain attacks. Templates and the Rules for using them are presented here.