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  Age of Darkness Rulebook
  Age of Darkness RulebookRulebook31.2October 2026

FAQ

Q:Vehicles ‘cannot be locked in combat’ does that mean they cannot be attacked or ‘Engaged’?
A:
No. Vehicles cannot be locked in combat, but they can be targeted by attacks and Engaged as normal.
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.
Q:Does an Armour Penetration Test always fail on a Dice result of a 1, even if the total of the Test is greater than, or equal to, the Armour Value?
A:
Yes.
Q:Can Line of Sight be drawn from any part of a Model to any part of a target Model?
A:
Yes.

Designer’s Note: We recommend Players agree if any elements of Models should be ignored for this purpose. We recommend ignoring any elements that extend the Model excessively outside the boundaries of its base such as bayonets, long weapon barrels or anything that makes the Model taller than others of a similar type such as banners/vexilla, helmet crests or aerials.
Q:Can Line of Sight be drawn over the top of a
Vehicle Model?
A:
Yes.

Designer’s Note: If the straight line drawn between any point on one Model and any point on its target passes over the Vehicle rather than through the body of the Vehicle, then Line of Sight can be drawn.
Q:Can Line of Sight be drawn over the top of Medium or Heavy Area Terrain?
A:
No.

Designer’s Note: All Area Terrain is considered to be ‘infinitely high’ and Line of Sight can only be drawn through it the specified distances (no maximum distance for Light, 3" for Medium and 0" for Heavy Area Terrain), even if the Models drawing Line of Sight are taller or higher up than the piece of Area Terrain between them.
Q:When a Rule requires a ‘majority’ value to be used, does this mean the value which occurs most frequently in that Unit, even if that value does not occur on more than 50% of Models in the Unit?
A:
Yes.
Q:If a Model selects to use a Weapon with the Force (X) Special Rule in a Challenge, does a Willpower Test need to be made each time the Player selects that Weapon in the Focus Step if they wish to benefit from the improved Characteristic during that round?
A:
Yes.
Q:If a Model in a Challenge is affected by the Phage (X) Special Rule, do the effects apply to other Models in their Unit?
A:
No.
Q:If a successful Aerial Reserves roll is made for a Model with the Flyer Sub-Type, can you choose for that Model to not arrive from Reserves?
A:
No.
Q:When a Player selects to make multiple Shooting Attacks with a Vehicle, does every Weapon on that Vehicle have to target a different enemy Unit?
A:
No.
Q:Can more than one Unit each make a Reaction as a response to an enemy Action? For example, can two or more Units make a Reposition Reaction in response to one enemy Unit ending a Move within 12" and within Line of Sight of both of them?
A:
Yes.
Q:If a Vehicle Unit is Destroyed as part of a Combat, can Aftermath options be selected as normal by the winning Player?
A:
Yes.
Q:If a Detachment may only include a specific Unit in a specific Force Organisation Slot (for example, Support Slots in an Apothecarion Delegation Detachment may only be used to select Apothecary Units), does this restriction also apply to any applicable slots added to that Detachment, for example using the Logistical Benefit Prime Advantage?
A:
Yes.
Q:If a Unit makes an Emergency Disembarkation as a result of their Transport being destroyed during the Controlling Player’s Movement Phase, can that Unit be selected to Move during that same Turn if able?
A:
Yes.
Q:Is a Unit that makes an Emergency Disembarkation in the Controlling Player’s Turn required to make Charges as Disordered Charges during that same Turn?
A:
Yes.
Q:If a Scatter Roll would result in a Weapon with the Blast (X) Special Rule hitting the Vehicle Model making that Shooting Attack, which Armour Facing is used to resolve the Attack?
A:
Treat the Shooting Attack as originating from the Model over whose base the Blast Marker was originally placed before the Hit Test was made.
Q:If the First Strike Mission Special Rule is in use and two or more enemy Units are Removed as Casualties during my first Player Turn, can I choose which Unit to score Victory Points for?
A:
Yes.
Q:Are two individual items of wargear counted as a paired version if a profile exists for that paired version (for example, can a model with two lightning claws use the weapon profile for ‘pair of lightning claws’)?
A:
No.
Q:If the value of X for a Special Rule with an ‘(X)’ value is halved, is that value rounded up?
A:
Yes.
Q:Can Legion Tactica, Gambits, Advanced Reactions and Additional Detachments be used from Rites of War other than the ones selected for your Army?
A:
No.
Q:If a Weapon is referenced in place of X, in the Co-axial (X) Mounted wargear entry, and the referenced weapon is exchanged, is the Weapon referenced in the Co-axial (X) Mounted wargear entry changed to match?
A:
Yes.
Q:If more than one Unit has been destroyed which would be eligible for the First Strike (X) or Giant Killer (X) Secondary Objective, does the Player scoring that Secondary Objective decide which Unit is used?
A:
Yes.
Q:If the hole at the centre of a Blast Marker would Scatter off the Battlefield, does it stop when it touches the Battlefield Edge?
A:
Yes.
Q:When a Unit Deep Strikes, is it treated as moving a distance equal to its full Movement Characteristic?
A:
Yes.

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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.
ENGAGED
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.
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.
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.
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 can score Victory Points for destroying enemy Units.

The Controlling Player of a Unit that includes a majority of Models with the Vanguard (X) Special Rule scores Victory Points equal to the value of X when:
  • An enemy Unit that is within 3" of an Objective Marker, or was within 3" of an Objective Marker at the start of the Player Turn has its last model Removed as a Casualty by an attack made by that Unit.
  • An enemy Unit that is within 3" of an Objective Marker, or was within 3" of an Objective Marker at the start of the Player Turn gains the Routed Tactical Status while in a Combat with that Unit.
The Vanguard (X) Special Rule may only be used to score Victory Points once per Objective per Player Turn. If a Unit includes Models with different values of X for this Special Rule, the Controlling Player may select which one is used. 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 or any other bonuses.
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.
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).

The example pictured above shows a Unit of Salamanders in Unit Coherency - all of the Models form one contiguous group with no more than 2" between each Model and at least one other member of the same Unit.

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:
  1. Select Target Unit.
  2. Check Target.
  3. Declare Weapons.
  4. Set Fire Groups.
  5. Select Fire Group To Resolve.
  6. Make Hit Tests.
  7. Make Wound Tests.
  8. Select Target Model.
  9. Make Saving Throws & Damage Mitigation Tests.
  10. Select Next Fire Group.
  11. Remove Casualties.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Glancing Hits – For each Glancing Hit result, the target Unit suffers 1 Glancing Hit. Saving Throws or Damage Mitigation Rolls may be made to discard the Glancing Hit in the appropriate Step of the attack process. If not discarded, a Glancing Hit inflicts no Damage, but instead the attacking Player must roll once on the Vehicle Damage Table (see below) in the Remove Casualties step of the process.
Stunned
The Stunned Status reflects a Unit rendered insensible or stopped in its tracks by the sheer force of an impact, explosion or other battlefield event.

The Stunned Status is primarily inflicted as part of the effects of the Stun (X) Special Rule, but may also be applied by specific Special Rules.

The following Rules apply to any Unit that includes one or more Models that have the Stunned Status:
Pinned
The Pinned Status reflects a Unit that has been forced to take cover in the face of overwhelming firepower or the sudden crack of a sniper’s rifle.

The Pinned Status is primarily inflicted as part of the effects of the Pinning (X) Special Rule, but may also be applied by specific Special Rules.

The following Rules apply to any Unit that includes one or more Models that have the Pinned Status:
Suppressed
The Suppressed Status reflects a Unit that is distracted and confused by heavy enemy fire, environmental effects or psychological warfare.

The Suppressed Status is primarily inflicted as part of the effects of the Suppressive (X) Special Rule, but may also be applied by specific Special Rules.

The following Rules apply to any Unit that includes one or more Models that have the Suppressed Status:
Vehicle Damage Table
DICERESULT
1-2IMPAIRED SENSORS: The Model gains the Stunned Status.
3-4BROKEN MOTORS: The Model gains the Pinned Status.
5-6WEAPONS DAMAGED: The Model gains the Suppressed Status.

If a Model that already has a specific Status would have that Status applied to them again by a result from the Vehicle Damage Table, then they instead lose a single Hull Point (no Saving Throw of any kind or Damage Mitigation Roll may be taken against 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 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.
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.
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.
Line of Sight
Some Rules will ask Players to determine Line of Sight between two Models or a Model and a point on the Battlefield, checking whether one Model can ‘see’ another. Most often this is part of an attack, as a Model must have Line of Sight to its target in order to make any attack.

To determine Line of Sight, use a tape measure or other device to determine if an unbroken straight line can be drawn between the first Model and its target. If a piece of Terrain, Model with the Vehicle Type or other obstruction breaks the line between those two Models then there is no Line of Sight, if the line is unobstructed then both Models have Line of Sight to each other.

In the example pictured above, a Salamander is in close proximity to two Iron Warriors. The topmost Iron Warrior and the Salamander have Line of Sight to each other, as no terrain or other obstruction breaks the line between the two Models. However, no Line of Sight exists between the lower Iron Warrior and the Salamander, as the building breaks the line between the two Models.

Area Terrain only obstructs Line of Sight if the line passes through more than 3" of an Area of Terrain - except for Heavy Area Terrain, which always obstructs Line of Sight, and Light Area Terrain, which never blocks Line of Sight. Models that do not have the Vehicle Type do not obstruct Line of Sight regardless of their size. Models that are Embarked on another Model, in Reserves or otherwise not on the Battlefield never have Line of Sight to any other Model. Note that if a Model has Line of Sight to another Model, then that Model must have Line of Sight to the first Model, and that a Model is always considered to have Line of Sight to itself and is always considered to be in range of itself while it is on the Battlefield.

When determining if a Model has Line of Sight to a Unit, it only needs to have Line of Sight to one Model that is part of that Unit. This does not grant that Model Line of Sight to any other Models in the Unit that are otherwise hidden and does not affect how or to which Models wounds or Hits can be assigned.
Model
A Model is a single gaming piece - usually representing one warrior or war machine on the Battlefield. A Model is the smallest category of gaming element referred to by the Rules - with Units composed of one or more Models, Detachments composed of one or more Units, and Armies composed of one or more Detachments. Some larger Models may contain multiple elements arranged on a single Base, but these are counted as a single Model as they are still a single playing piece that is moved as a single element by the Controlling Player.
Area Terrain
Area Terrain grants Cover Saves.

A zone of closely packed Terrain is considered Area Terrain. Any Area Terrain on the Battlefield must have a clearly delineated zone which it covers, as agreed by all Players. As with Terrain Pieces, some Area Terrain may have a Base, but these are ignored for the purposes of measuring distances or adjudicating the placement of Models - other Models may be placed on top of an Area Terrain Base, and never count as being in Base Contact with Area Terrain. When placing a zone of Area Terrain, the Players must define a boundary for that zone of Area Terrain. This can be the Base, if the zone has one, or any other clear boundary point that shows where the Area Terrain begins and ends.

Any Model that is within the boundary of a zone of Area Terrain is eligible for a Cover Save and all zones of Area Terrain are also considered Difficult Terrain. The Cover Save provided by a given zone of Area Terrain is determined by its class, either Light Area Terrain, Medium Area Terrain or Heavy Area Terrain, as noted below:
  • Light Area Terrain provides a 6+ Cover Saves to all Models within its boundaries.
  • Medium Area Terrain provides a 5+ Cover Save to all Models within its boundaries.
  • Heavy Area Terrain provides a 4+ Cover Save to all Models within its boundaries.

Medium Area Terrain blocks Line of Sight if that Line of Sight passes through more than 3" of an Area of Terrain. Heavy Area Terrain always blocks Line of Sight, Models within Heavy Area Terrain cannot ever draw Line of Sight to any other Models and Models outside of Heavy Area Terrain cannot draw Line of Sight to Models within Heavy Area Terrain. Line of Sight can never be drawn through Heavy Area Terrain, regardless of the distance covered by the Terrain. Light Area Terrain does not block Line of Sight.

Some Areas of Terrain may include multiple levels, such as ruins with more than one floor upon which Models can be placed. These follow all of the usual Rules for Terrain levels, and the floors are all considered as being within the same Area of Terrain - with the exception that Weapons with the Blast (X) and Barrage Special Rules are only required to attack the uppermost floor if the Target Model or point on the Battlefield is on one of the numbered floors or on the Battlefield surface directly under the first Terrain level. This is intended to stop attacks targeting Models distant from any levels within an Area of Terrain being unfairly protected from attack by Weapons with the Barrage Special Rule.
Force (X)

By force of will a trained battle-psyker can channel the eldritch power of the Warp into their weapons and magnify their power greatly. Such power can come at a great cost, and if the psyker’s control wavers, they may be devoured by the very power they sought to chain.

A Weapon with this Special Rule may double a Characteristic with a Willpower Check, but may suffer Perils of the Warp.

When selected to be used as part of a Combat or Shooting Attack, a Willpower Check may be made for the Model that will use this Weapon to make attacks. If it is successful then the Characteristic listed as X is doubled (if that Characteristic is AP, then the AP is instead changed to AP 2). If a double is rolled when making this Willpower Check then the Model using the Weapon to make attacks suffers Perils of the Warp.
Willpower (WP) – The Willpower Characteristic is primarily used for Checks made for Psychic Attacks or Powers. For more details see the Rules for Psychic Powers. When a Model’s Willpower 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 Willpower of 0 but uses a Model with a higher value to make a Willpower Check suffers no penalties.
Characteristic
A Characteristic is a specific type of value attached to Models. Each Characteristic is expressed as a name, such as ‘Weapon Skill’ and a linked numerical value. While most Models will have the same Characteristics (notably Models with the Vehicle Type have a different set of Characteristics to other Models), the values attached to those Characteristics will often be different and determine how effective that Model is at certain actions in a Battle. A full list of Characteristics and the purpose of each is presented here.
Phage (X)

Vile toxins, exotic radiation and all-consuming chemical agents all sap the abilities of warriors in the field even as they kill them. Most terrible are the effects of phosphex, choking the life and strength from those it touches, or the fleshcorroding properties of the dreaded life-eater virus.

Unsaved Wounds with the Phage (X) Special Rule reduce a Characteristic by 1.

If an attack made for a Weapon or Model with this Special Rule inflicts one or more Unsaved Wounds on a Target Unit, then once the Shooting Attack or Initiative Step in which the Unsaved Wound was inflicted has been completely resolved, all remaining Models in the Unit that was the target of the attack must reduce the Characteristic that is the value of X for that variant of the Phage (X) Special Rule by 1 for the remainder of the Battle. Models in a Unit may have any number of different Characteristics reduced by 1 by the Phage (X) Special Rule, but no individual Characteristic may be reduced by more than 1 by the Phage (X) Special Rule no matter how many Unsaved Wounds with any variant of that Special Rule are allocated to Models in that Unit.
The Flyer Sub-Type
The following Rules are exceptions to the Core Rules that always apply to a Model with the Flyer Sub-Type at all times during a Horus Heresy Battle:
  • Whilst on the Battlefield, a Model with the Flyer Sub-Type does not block Line of Sight or the Movement of any Model.
  • When moving a Model with the Flyer Sub-Type, ignore all Terrain effects and Rules. However, a Model with the Flyer Sub-Type may still not end a move in or on Impassable Terrain, a Terrain Feature or a Building.
  • Models with the Flyer Sub-Type may move through Models with the Vehicle Type, but never inflict Hits on enemy Units they move through and are never eligible to be the Target of the Death or Glory Advanced Reaction.
  • No Model of any kind may join a Unit that includes a Model with the Flyer Sub-Type.
  • A Model with the Flyer Sub-Type can never gain any Tactical Statuses and ignores any Rules that would force it to do so.
  • A Model with the Flyer Sub-Type may never be Locked in Combat or attacked in any way during the Assault Phase and may not be targeted by attacks made using a Melee Weapon.
  • A Model with the Flyer Sub-Type may never make a Reaction of any kind, unless that Reaction specifically states it may be made by Models with the Flyer Sub-Type - but can be targeted by Reactions.
  • When a Player is instructed to roll on the Vehicle Damage Table for a Model with this Sub-Type, no roll is made. Instead, the Model loses a single Hull Point.
Movement Phase: Reposition
This Reaction allows the Reactive Player to move a Unit when an enemy Unit ends its move within 12".

Trigger: The Reactive Player may declare a Reposition Reaction in Step 2 of the Move Sub-phase process, if an enemy Unit ends a move within 12" and in Line of Sight of a Unit under the Reactive Player’s Control.

Cost: The Reactive Player must spend 1 point of their Reaction Allotment to declare a Reposition Reaction - this cost paid as soon as the declaration is made.

Target: The Target Unit is always the Unit whose move triggered the Reaction. Once the cost has been paid, the Reactive Player must select one Unit under their control that is within 12" and has Line of Sight to the Target Unit - that Unit is the Reacting Unit.

Process
  1. Once a Reposition Reaction has been declared, the Active Player must completely resolve the Target Unit’s movement.
  2. Once the Target Unit has finished its move, the Reactive Player may move the Reacting Unit. When making this move, each Model in the Reacting Unit may move a number of inches up to the Base Value of its Initiative Characteristic.
  3. Once the Reacting Unit has completed this move, the Movement Phase continues as normal.
Detachment
A Detachment is a gaming element composed of one or more Units. The composition of a given Detachment is decided by the Controlling Player during Army selection based on the Force Organisation Chart being used for that Army. A Detachment’s main function is in the selection of an Army, and during an individual Battle imposes only limited restrictions for the Models and Units that are part of that Detachment. Any restrictions imposed on Units during a Battle based on the Detachment it was selected as part of will most often be due to interactions between Units of different Factions.
Logistical Benefit – Add one additional Force Organisation Slot to the Detachment that includes the Prime Slot, this Slot may be of any Battlefield Role other than High Command, Command, Warlord or Lord of War. This Advantage may only be selected once per Detachment.
Emergency Disembarkation
Some Rules will instruct a Player to have a Unit make an Emergency Disembarkation. This is done using the following procedure:
  1. The Controlling Player of the Unit making an Emergency Disembarkation selects one Model from that Unit and places it anywhere in Base Contact with the hull or Base of the Model it was Embarked upon. When Disembarking, a Model’s Base cannot be placed within 1" of an enemy Model or within Impassable Terrain. If there is no other location for the Disembarking Model to be placed then it is instead Removed as a Casualty.

  2. Once a Disembarking Model has been placed, it remains in contact with the Model with the Transport Sub-Type that it was Embarked upon and may not be moved, then the next Model in the Unit making an Emergency Disembarkation must be placed. Models placed after the first must be placed in Base Contact with the hull or the Base of the Model it was Embarked upon if possible.

  3. If any Models making an Emergency Disembarkation after the first cannot be placed in contact with the hull or Base of the Model on which they were Embarked then they may instead by placed in Base Contact with another Model from the same Unit that has already been placed as part of the Emergency Disembarkation.

  4. Repeat this process until all Models from the Unit making an Emergency Disembarkation have been placed on the Battlefield - unlike a regular Disembarkation they do not need to be in Unit Coherency. Any Model making an Emergency Disembarkation that cannot be placed on the Battlefield using the Rules presented here must instead be Removed as a Casualty.

  5. Once all Models from a Unit making an Emergency Disembarkation have been placed on the Battlefield then a Cool Check must immediately be made for that Unit. If this Check is failed then the Unit that made the Emergency Disembarkation gains the Pinned Status.
Transport

From armoured transports, to fleet orbital shuttles and even more esoteric modes of travel, mounting infantry atop faster moving transports is an ancient tactic. The best transports offer a safe haven for fragile infantry as well as a means to traverse even the most difficult terrain at speed.

All Models with the Transport Sub-Type are bound by a set of Rules regarding how they operate:
  • All Models with the Transport Sub-Type have a Transport Capacity Characteristic, which determines the maximum number of Models that can Embark upon it - one Model per point of Transport Capacity, unless another Rule states otherwise.
  • Only Models with the Infantry or Paragon Type may Embark or Disembark upon a Model with the Transport Sub-Type.
  • A Unit may only Embark on a Model with the Transport Sub-Type if all Models in the Embarking Unit have the same Faction as the Model with the Transport Sub-Type.
  • A Model with the Transport Sub-Type may only have a single Unit Embarked upon it at any one time (Models with the Specialist Sub-Type, Command Sub-Type or Paragon Type that have joined a Unit are considered part of that Unit and may Embark alongside it).
  • A Unit may not be partially Embarked on a Model with the Transport Sub-Type - either all Models or no Models in a Unit may be Embarked on a given Model.
  • If a Model with the Transport Sub-Type has a Unit Embarked upon it, the Embarked Unit is not considered part of the same Unit. The two remain separate Units for all purposes.
Turn
A Battle is split into a number of Turns. Once the last Turn of a Battle has been completely resolved, the Battle ends. In general, when used without a qualifier, the term Turn refers to Battle Turns.
Combat Assignment: Strike Mission
Once assigned a Strike Mission in the Reserves Sub-Phase, a Model must be immediately placed onto the Battlefield by its Controlling Player. The Model may be placed anywhere along the Battlefield Edge that is within the Controlling Player’s Deployment Zone. This deployment can trigger the Intercept Advanced Reaction, but any attacks made at the Model are made as Snap Shots.

In the Movement Phase, a Model with a Strike Mission can be selected and must then move up to a number of inches equal to its Movement Characteristic straight forwards without turning. At this point a Combat Air Patrol can be declared by the Reactive Player. A Unit Embarked on a Model that has been assigned a Strike Mission may not Disembark, nor may any Unit Embark upon the Model assigned a Strike Mission.

In the Shooting Phase, a Model that has been assigned a Strike Mission may make Shooting Attacks, but may only attack with Weapons that have the Centreline Arc of Fire or the ‘Guided Missile’ Trait. Attacks made with a Weapon that has the Centreline Arc of Fire must be made as Snap Shots unless another Rule or Special Rule dictates otherwise. At the end of the Controlling Player’s Shooting Phase, the Model assigned a Strike Mission is removed from play and returned to Aerial Reserves.
Initiative Modifier (IM) – This Characteristic is applied as a modifier to a Model’s Initiative Characteristic to determine that Model’s Combat Initiative. A Weapon with an Initiative Modifier of 0 forces the Model attacking with it to set their Combat Initiative to a value of 0. Furthermore, a Weapon with an Initiative Modifier of ‘1’ imposes no modifier to the Initiative Characteristic of a Model.
Attacks Modifier (AM) – This Characteristic is applied as a modifier to a Model’s Attacks Characteristic to determine how many Dice are rolled when making attacks with this Weapon. A Weapon with an Attacks Modifier Characteristic of 0 may not be used to make attacks during the Fight Sub-Phase. Furthermore, a Weapon with an Attacks Modifier of ‘A’ imposes no modifier to the Attacks Characteristic of a Model.
Strength Modifier (SM) – This Characteristic is applied as a modifier to a Model’s Strength Characteristic to determine the Strength used to make Wound Tests in Combat. A Weapon with a Strength Modifier Characteristic of 0 automatically fails any Wound Tests during the Fight Sub-Phase and no Dice are rolled (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). Furthermore, a Weapon with a Strength Modifier of ‘S’ imposes no modifier to the Strength Characteristic of a Model.
Armour Penetration (AP) – This Characteristic is used to determine if a Model Hit by attacks made with a Weapon may make an Armour Test. Like Saving Throws, lower values are more valuable for this Characteristic. When modifying the Armour Penetration Characteristic the same Rules are used as those for modifying Saving Throws.
Damage (D) – This Characteristic determines how the Wounds or Hull Points Characteristic of a Target Model that fails a Saving Throw after sustaining a wound from a Weapon is modified. A Weapon with a Damage Characteristic of 0 cannot inflict Damage on a Model, regardless of the Weapon’s other Characteristics or Special Rules.
Rules and Special Rules
The term Rule refers to any instructions that allow Players to resolve game actions as part of a Battle, covering all of the interactions between Models and Units (such as moving, Shooting and making Assaults). All of the material in the Principles of Combat, Rules of Battle and Battles in the Age of Darkness sections of this book are considered to be Rules. Special Rules modify how a Rule works, but do not present new basic game instructions, and in this book are mostly found in the Armoury of the Age of Darkness section. In all cases, Special Rules take precedence over Rules where the two present differing instructions.
Traits
Traits are a special kind of Characteristic, one which all Models have but which confers no inherent Rules or benefit on its own. Instead, Traits are used by other Special Rules and effects to target specific Models and apply benefits or penalties. The most common Traits are those for Allegiance and Faction, which are possessed by almost all Models. Allegiance requires that each Model have either the Loyalist or Traitor Trait, and most Models will gain one or more Traits based on the Army List from which they were selected.

For example, a Legionary selected from the Imperial Fists Faction and selected as part of a Loyalist Army would have the Loyalist and Imperial Fists Traits. On their own these Traits have no effect on the Model’s Characteristics, Points cost or other features, but Rules that target Imperial Fists or Loyalist Models will apply their effects to the Model.

In addition to Models, Weapons can also have Traits. These are usually different to those possessed by Models, but are used for the same purposes. Weapons will commonly have Traits that define the type of Weapon it is or a specific type of usage. For example, a bolt pistol has the following Traits: Assault, Bolt. These identify which ‘family’ of Weapons it belongs to for any Rules that might only affect ‘Bolt’ Weapons and notes that it can be used for attacks where only ‘Assault’ Weapons may be used.

While they appear similar to Characteristics, it is important to note that Traits never have a ‘value’ attached to them. Furthermore, Traits cannot be modified in any way by another Special Rule or effect during a Battle, unless a Rule specifically states it affects a Trait.
Rending (X)

Some weapons cleave flesh with ease, inflicting terrible wounds that no mortal toughness can resist. Though of less use against armour and steel, such munitions are capable of tearing bloody holes in the ranks of advancing infantry and stalling any attack in its tracks.

With a Weapon that has the Rending (X) Special Rule, there is a chance that a Hit Test may result in an automatic wound.

When any Hit Test is made for an attack with the Rending (X) Special Rule, if the result of the Dice roll, before any modifiers are applied, is equal to or greater than the value of X attached to this variant of the Rending (X) Special Rule, then if a Hit is inflicted by that Hit Test, that Hit becomes a ‘Rending Hit’.

When required to make a Wound Test for a Rending Hit, no Dice are rolled and the Wound Test succeeds automatically regardless of the Weapon’s Strength or the Target’s Toughness. The Wound Test is treated as if the result had been ‘6’ for the purposes of any Rules that would be triggered on certain results of a Wound Test. Wounds caused by a Rending Hit use the AP and Damage Characteristics of the Weapon used to make the attack and retain any Special Rules that Weapon had.

If the Target Unit for an attack made with a Weapon that has this Special Rule includes any Models with the Vehicle Type, then this Special Rule has no effect.
Breaching (X)

Designed to pierce the armour worn by heavy infantry, some weapons have gained a fearsome reputation on the battlefields of the Horus Heresy. While many such weapons are rare or temperamental in use, the sheer power of their attacks more than makes up for this.

With a Weapon that has the Breaching (X) Special Rule there is a chance that a Wound Test may result in the Wound ignoring Armour Saves.

When any Wound Test is made for an attack with the Breaching (X) Special Rule, if the result of the Dice roll, before any modifiers are applied, is equal to or greater than the value of X attached to this variant of the Breaching (X) Special Rule, then if a wound is inflicted by that Wound Test, that wound becomes a ‘Breaching Wound’.

A Breaching Wound is always treated as having an AP Characteristic of 2 regardless of the Characteristics of the Weapon used to make the attack.

Lightning claw

Melee Weapon
Melee Weapon
IM
AM
SM
AP
D
Special Rules
Traits
Lightning claw
Lightning claw
I
A
S
3
1
Rending (6+), Breaching (6+)
Power

Pair of lightning claws

Melee Weapon
Melee Weapon
IM
AM
SM
AP
D
Special Rules
Traits
Pair of lightning claws
Pair of lightning claws
I
+2
S
3
1
Rending (6+), Breaching (6+)
Power
Advanced Reactions
Advanced Reactions are more complex ploys and tactical tricks that can be made by commanders in the heat of Battle. They may only be used by the Reactive Player and require the expenditure of Reaction Points in order to be used, following the general Rules presented for Core Reactions. Unlike Core Reactions, which represent the most common types of Reaction and will see use in most Battles, Advanced Reactions represent rarer situations and depending on the Armies in use may not see use in some Battles.

This rulebook presents a number of Advanced Reactions that may be made by a Player of any Faction or Allegiance. Future publications may present additional Advanced Reactions that may only be used by Players of a specific Faction or Allegiance, or that cover more niche situations.

The following Advanced Reactions are presented in this section:
Co-axial (X) Mounted – Co-axial Mounted Weapons will be linked to another Weapon, specified by the value of X attached to the Mount Rule. A Co-axial Mounted Weapon may only attack targets in the same Firing Arcs as the Weapon to which it is linked. Furthermore, a Co-axial Mounted Weapon must always be used to attack the same target as the Weapon to which it is linked - if it cannot then it may not be used to attack.
First Strike (X): If a Player causes one or more enemy Units to have all of their remaining Models Removed as Casualties (Units that Fall Back off the Battlefield count for this purpose) in their first Player Turn as the Active Player, then that Player scores Victory Points. The number of Victory Points scored is equal to the value of X attached to this Secondary Objective.
Giant Killer (X): If an enemy Lord of War or Warlord Choice is Removed as a Casualty for any reason, then the Opposing Player scores Victory Points. The number of Victory Points scored is equal to the value of X attached to this Secondary Objective (this may only be scored once per Battle, regardless of the number of qualifying Units Removed as Casualties).
Deep Strike

Deep strike deployments are usually conducted en-masse and at a distance from the enemy, lest the attacking force be destroyed in detail as it lands.

The Deep Strike Special Rule allows a Unit to enter play anywhere on the Battlefield.

A Unit that includes only Models with the Deep Strike Special Rule that enters play from Reserves may make a Deep Strike instead of deploying as described in the Reserves Rules. No more than one Unit may attempt a Deep Strike in a given Player Turn. The Unit attempting a Deep Strike may have another Unit without the Deep Strike Special Rule Embarked upon it if the Deep Striking Unit includes Models with the Transport Sub-Type (note that some Missions may allow more Units to attempt a Deep Strike in the same Player Turn. This will be specifically noted in the Mission Special Rules section of that Mission). Note that in Missions where the Reserves Mission Special Rule is not in use, the Deep Strike Special Rule has no effect. Furthermore, Units may not make use of the Deep Strike Special Rule during the first Battle Turn, even if they enter play from Reserves.

To perform a Deep Strike, the Active Player must declare an Eligible Unit that has entered play from Reserves in the Reserves Sub-Phase as the Deep Striking Unit. The Active Player must then select one Model from that Unit and place it anywhere on the Battlefield. This Model must be placed at least 1" away from any enemy Model, Battlefield Edge or piece of Impassable Terrain. Once this first Model has been placed, the remaining Models in the Unit must be placed within Unit Coherency with at least one other Model in the same Unit and within 6" of the first Model placed. No Models may be placed within 1" of an enemy Model, any Battlefield Edge or a piece of Impassable Terrain. Any Models that cannot be placed using these Rules must be Removed as a Casualty immediately. This deployment must take place during the Reserves Sub-Phase, and a Unit that deploys as a Deep Strike may not move in the Move Sub-Phase of the same Player Turn or have a Charge declared for it in the Charge Sub-Phase of the same Player Turn, but may make Shooting Attacks as normal. A Unit that is Embarked on a Model that is deployed as part of a Deep Strike may Disembark during the Move Sub-Phase of the same Player Turn, but may not make any move other than the move made to Disembark and may not have a Charge declared for it in the Charge Sub-Phase of the same Player Turn.

Enemy Units may declare Intercept Reactions against a Unit deployed as part of a Deep Strike, but not Reposition Reactions.
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