Book	Kind	Edition	Version	Last update
Warhammer 40,000
Warhammer 40,000	Rulebook	10	1.0	June 2023
Balance Dataslate
Balance Dataslate	Rulebook	10	January 2024	January 2024

Introduction

Welcome to the Warhammer 40,000 Core Rules! This page contain everything you need to know in order to wage glorious battle across the war-torn galaxy of the 41st Millennium.

Warhammer 40,000 is a tabletop war game in which players command armies of Citadel miniatures and attempt to defeat their opponent through a mixture of skill, tactics and luck. Storytelling is at the core of Warhammer 40,000, with the rules designed to bring to life the epic conflicts between the forces of Mankind, aliens and daemons in the grim darkness of the far future. The purpose of the game is for all players to have an enjoyable shared experience, putting their tactical skills to the test while admiring the spectacle of amazing miniatures clashing on fantastic battlefields. In this spirit, good sportsmanship and politeness are at the heart of the game.

Games of Warhammer 40,000 are won by scoring more Victory points than your opponent through achieving various objectives, from recovering vital relics to capturing enemy strongholds or eliminating the opposing Warlord.

The game is played in a series of battle rounds, broken into different phases during which players move, shoot and fight with their miniatures.

In a game as wide-ranging as Warhammer 40,000, there may be times when you are not sure exactly how to resolve a situation that has come up during play. When this happens, have a quick chat with your opponent and apply the solution that makes the most sense to both of you (or seems the most fun!). If no single solution presents itself, you and your opponent should roll off, and whoever rolls highest gets to choose what happens. Then you can get on with the fighting!

CORE CONCEPTS
An introduction to the essential rules terms and concepts that underpin every Warhammer 40,000 battle.

THE BATTLE ROUND
From manoeuvring your army to unleashing thunderous firepower and brutal assaults, the action in Warhammer 40,000 unfolds in a series of battle rounds in which each player takes a turn.

DATASHEETS AND UNIT ABILITIES
Every Warhammer 40,000 unit has a datasheet, reflecting the characteristics and abilities they can draw upon in battle.

STRATEGIC RESERVES AND STRATAGEMS
From well-timed Strategic Reserves to deftly executed Stratagems, gifted generals make use of all the tactical advantages at their disposal.

TERRAIN FEATURES
Warhammer 40,000 battles are fought across all manner of grim and perilous landscapes, often strewn with ruins, wreckage and other obstacles your forces must navigate while they fight.

MUSTER YOUR ARMY
Use these steps before battle to organise your warriors and war machines into a formidable fighting force.

MISSIONS
Before committing your forces to war, you must first establish your strategic goals and the nature of the battlefield to be fought over. This section presents the essential steps involved in preparing for any kind of Warhammer 40,000 battle.

ABILITIES

Many units in Warhammer 40,000 have one or more abilities listed on their datasheets that they can use in battle. Some of the most common of these are not written out in full on those datasheets, but are instead only referenced by name; the full details of these can be found on the Core Rules page ahead, marked with the symbol shown on the right.

HINTS AND TIPS
Some sections feature Hints and Tips, covering topics like dice-rolling practices and how to ensure you don’t damage your models while moving them around the battlefield. Note that these are not rules, they are simply pieces of advice you may find useful to apply to your own games.

SUMMARIES
Some rules in the sections ahead include bullet-pointed summaries for quick reference purposes. Note that these are not comprehensive, and you should always consult the full rules if you are unsure.

Unit: One or more models from the same datasheet.
Friendly Models/Units: All models/units from the same army.
Enemy Models/Units: All models/units from your opponent’s army.

CORE CONCEPTS

This section introduces various rules terms that you will find throughout the Core Rules and beyond. These key concepts form the basis of the Warhammer 40,000 rules, and are essential for every kind of battle.

Missions

To play a game of Warhammer 40,000, you must first select a mission. The mission will tell you how to muster your armies, create your battlefield and deploy your forces on the tabletop. It will also tell you any special rules that apply to the battle, and (most importantly!) what you need to do to win. You can find out more about missions here.

Armies

Each player in a game of Warhammer 40,000 commands an army of Citadel miniatures, hereafter referred to as models. The mission you have selected will guide you as to how big your army should be.

Army: All of the models under your command.

Units

Models move and fight in units. A unit can have one or more models from a single datasheet (see below). Models and units from the same army are said to be friendly in relation to each other. Models and units from your opponent’s army are referred to as enemy models and units. If a rule affects ‘models’ or ‘units’ without specifying that they are friendly or enemy, that rule affects all models or all units, regardless of whose army they are in.

Unit: One or more models from the same datasheet.
Friendly Models/Units: All models/units from the same army.
Enemy Models/Units: All models/units from your opponent’s army.

Datasheets

The rules you will need to use your models in games are presented on datasheets. Each unit has a datasheet; you will need the datasheets for all the units from your army. You can find out more about datasheets here.

Keywords

All datasheets have a list of keywords, separated into Faction keywords and other keywords. Faction keywords can be used to help you decide which models to include in your army, but otherwise both sets of keywords are functionally the same. In either case, keywords appear in KEYWORD BOLD. Keywords are sometimes linked to (or ‘tagged’ by) a rule. For example, a rule might say that it applies to INFANTRY units. This means it only applies to units that have the INFANTRY keyword on their datasheet. The pluralisation (or otherwise) of keywords does not affect which units the rule in question applies to.

Engagement Range

Engagement Range represents the zone of threat that models present to their enemies. While a model is within 1" horizontally and 5" vertically of an enemy model, those models – and their units – are within Engagement Range of each other.

Models cannot be set up or end a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move within Engagement Range of any enemy models. If for any reason a model cannot meet this condition, that model is destroyed.

Engagement Range: Within 1" horizontally and 5" vertically.
Models cannot be set up or end a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move within Engagement Range of any enemy models.

Unit Coherency

A unit that contains more than one model must be set up and end any kind of move as a single group, with all of its models within 2" horizontally and 5" vertically of at least one other model from that unit. While a unit has seven or more models, all of its models must instead be set up and end any kind of move within 2" horizontally and 5" vertically of at least two other models from that unit. This is called Unit Coherency.

If for any reason a model cannot be set up in Unit Coherency, that model is destroyed. If a unit cannot end a move in Unit Coherency, it cannot make that move and its models are returned to their previous positions.

At the end of every turn, each player must remove models, one at a time, from any of the units from their armies that are no longer in Unit Coherency, until only a single group of models from each of those units remains in play and in Unit Coherency. Models removed in this way count as having been destroyed, but they never trigger any rules that apply when a model is destroyed.

Unit Coherency: Within 2" horizontally and 5" vertically of:
- One other model from the same unit (in units of 2-6 models).
- Two other models from the same unit (in units of 7+ models).
At the end of every turn, if a unit is not in Unit Coherency, the controlling player must remove models until that unit is in Unit Coherency again.

A	Each model in this Sternguard Veterans unit of five models is within 2" of at least one other model in the unit. This unit is therefore in Unit Coherency.
B	Each model in this Termagants unit of ten models is within 2" of at least two other models in the unit. This unit is therefore also in Unit Coherency.

Battlefield

Battles of Warhammer 40,000 are fought on rectangular battlefields. This can be any surface upon which the models can stand – a dining table, for example, or the floor. Your mission will guide you as to the size of battlefield required.

Terrain Features

The scenery on a battlefield can be represented by models from the Warhammer 40,000 range. These models are called terrain features to differentiate them from the models that make up an army. Terrain features are set up on the battlefield before the battle begins. You can find out more about terrain features here.

Unless the mission you are playing instructs you otherwise, you should feel free to create an exciting battlefield using any terrain features from your collection.

Measuring Distances

Distances in Warhammer 40,000 are measured in inches ("). You can measure distances whenever you wish.

When measuring the distance between models, measure between the closest points of the bases of the models you’re measuring to and from. If a model does not have a base, measure to the closest point of any part of that model instead.

If a rule says it applies ‘within’ a certain distance, it applies at any distance that is not more than the specified distance. For example, within 1" means any distance that is not more than 1" away.

Hints and Tips
Wobbly Models

Sometimes you may find that a particular terrain feature makes it hard for you to place a model exactly where you want to. If you delicately balance a model in place, it is very likely to fall as soon as someone nudges the table, leaving your painted model damaged or even broken. In cases like this, provided it is still physically possible to place the model in the desired location, you may find it helps to leave a model in a safer position, provided both players agree and know its ‘actual’ location. If, later on, an enemy model is shooting the model, you will have to hold it back in place so that visibility can be determined.

Determining Visibility

Warhammer 40,000 uses true line of sight to determine visibility between models. To check this, get a ‘model’s perspective’ view by looking from behind the observing model. For the purposes of determining visibility, an observing model can see through other models in its unit, and a model’s base is also part of that model.

Model Visible

If any part of another model can be seen from any part of the observing model, that other model is visible to the observing model.

Unit Visible

If one or more models in a unit is visible to the observing model, then that model’s unit is visible to the observing model.

Model Fully Visible

If every part of another model that is facing the observing model can be seen from any part of the observing model, then that other model is said to be fully visible to the observing model, i.e. the observing model has line of sight to all parts of the other model that are facing it, without any other models or terrain features blocking visibility to any of those parts.

Unit Fully Visible

If every model in a unit is fully visible to an observing model, then that unit is fully visible to that observing model. For the purposes of determining if an enemy unit is fully visible, an observing model can see through other models in the unit it is observing.

Model Visible: If any part of a model can be seen, it is visible.
Unit Visible: If any model in a unit is visible, that model’s unit is visible.
Model Fully Visible: If every facing part of a model can be seen, it is fully visible.
Unit Fully Visible: If every model in a unit is fully visible, that unit is fully visible.

Dice

In order to fight a battle, you will require some six-sided dice (often abbreviated to D6). Some rules refer to 2D6, 3D6 and so on – in such cases, roll that many D6 and add the results together.

If a rule requires you to roll a D3, roll a D6 and halve the result (rounding up to a whole number) to get the D3 result, as shown below.

ROLLING A D3
DICE RESULT	D3 RESULT
or	1
or	2
or	3

If a rule requires a dice roll of, for example, 3 or more, this is often abbreviated to 3+. Where several consecutive dice results are relevant to a rule, these are often shown as a range (e.g. 1-3).

Re-rolls

Some rules allow you to re-roll a dice roll, which means you get to roll some or all of the dice again. If a rule allows you to re-roll a dice roll that was made by adding several dice together (e.g. 2D6, 3D6, etc.) then, unless otherwise stated, you must re-roll all of those dice again.

You can never re-roll a dice more than once, and re-rolls happen before modifiers (if any) are applied. Rules that refer to the value of an ‘unmodified’ dice roll are referring to the dice result after any re-rolls, but before any modifiers are applied.

Unmodified Dice: the result after re-rolls, but before any modifiers.
A dice can never be re-rolled more than once.
You must re-roll all dice if several need adding together (e.g. 2D6).
Re-rolls are applied before any modifiers.

Roll-offs

Some rules instruct players to roll off. To do so, both players roll one D6, and whoever scores highest wins the roll-off. If there is a tie for the highest roll, roll off again. Neither player is allowed to re-roll or modify any of the D6 when making a roll-off.

Hints and Tips
Dice Rolling

In a game of Warhammer 40,000 you and your opponent will be rolling, and in some cases re-rolling, lots of dice. It is good practice to always make sure your opponent knows what you are rolling dice for, and what abilities and rules are in effect that enable you to make any re-rolls.

Many gamers roll their dice somewhere on the battlefield, but some roll their dice elsewhere, such as in a dice tray. Wherever you roll your dice, make sure you roll the dice where your opponent can see the results too. If a dice is rolled out of bounds (i.e. it rolls off your battlefield, out of your dice tray or ends up on the floor), it is very common to ignore the result of that dice and roll it again. Rolling an out-of-bounds dice again doesn’t count as having re-rolled that dice.

If a dice does not lie flat on your battlefield after it has been thrown, it is called a cocked dice. Some players use a house rule that unless a dice is flat after it has been rolled, or unless you can balance another dice on top of a cocked dice without it sliding off, it must be rolled again. It is more common for players to roll the dice again only if they can’t be sure of the result. In any case, rolling a cocked dice again doesn’t count as having re-rolled that dice.

Sequencing

While playing Warhammer 40,000, you’ll occasionally find that two or more rules are to be resolved at the same time. If this occurs during the battle, the player whose turn it is chooses the order. If this occurs before or after the battle, or at the start or end of a battle round, the players roll off and the winner decides the order in which those rules are resolved.

The Battle Round

Minute by bloody minute the battle grinds on, from the opening volleys of shots through furious offensives and desperate counter-attacks, into the last dying moments when victory hangs by a thread.

Warhammer 40,000 is played in a series of battle rounds. In each battle round, both players have a turn. The same player always takes the first turn in each battle round – the mission you are playing will tell you which player this is. Each turn consists of a series of phases, which must be resolved in the following order.

COMMAND PHASE

Both players muster strategic resources, then you test your units’ battle readiness.

MOVEMENT PHASE

Your units manoeuvre across the battlefield and reinforcements enter the fray.

SHOOTING PHASE

Your units fire their ranged weapons at the foe.

CHARGE PHASE

Your units charge forward to battle at close quarters.

FIGHT PHASE

Both players’ units pile in and attack with melee weapons.

Once a player’s turn has ended, their opponent then starts their turn. Once both players have completed a turn, the battle round has been completed and the next one begins, and so on, until the battle ends.

COMMAND PHASE

Commanders gauge the flow of the battle, consolidating their objectives before making alterations to their battle plans and devising new tactics and strategies with which to defeat the foe.

Your Command phase is split into two steps. In the first, both players gain 1 Command point (CP) and you resolve any other Command phase rules; in the second, you test to see if any of your units are Battle-shocked.

COMMAND

BATTLE-SHOCK

1. Command

At the start of your Command phase, before doing anything else, both players gain 1CP. Command points are a strategic resource that you can spend during the battle to use Stratagems.

Then, if you have any other rules that need to be resolved in the Command phase, you do so now before progressing to the Battle-shock step.

Both players gain 1CP.
Resolve any other rules that occur in the Command phase.

2. Battle-shock

In this step, you must take a Battle-shock test for each of your units on the battlefield that is Below Half-strength. To do so, roll 2D6: if the result is greater than or equal to the best Leadership characteristic in that unit, the test is passed; otherwise, the test is failed and, until the start of your next Command phase, that unit is Battle-shocked.

While a unit is Battle-shocked:

The Objective Control characteristic of all of its models is 0.
If it Falls Back, you must take a Desperate Escape test for every model in that unit.
Its controlling player cannot use Stratagems to affect that unit.

Once you have taken Battle-shock tests for all of your units that require them, your Command phase ends and you progress to your Movement phase.

Take a Battle-shock test for each unit from your army on the battlefield that is Below Half-strength.
Roll 2D6: if the result is greater than or equal to the unit’s Leadership, the test is passed. Otherwise, the unit is Battle-shocked until the start of your next Command phase.
Battle-shocked units have an OC of 0 and their controlling player cannot use Stratagems to affect them.
Battle-shocked units must take Desperate Escape tests if they Fall Back.

Gaining Command Points

Outside of the CP players gain at the start of the Command phase, each player can only gain a total of 1CP per battle round, regardless of the source.

Starting Strength

The number of models a unit contains when it is added to your army is known as its Starting Strength.

Below Half-strength

Some rules will refer to a unit being Below Half-strength.

If a unit has a Starting Strength of 1, then it is said to be Below Half-strength while its remaining number of wounds is less than half of its Wounds characteristic.
For any other unit, while the number of models in that unit is less than half of its Starting Strength, that unit is said to be Below Half-strength.

Destroyed

Throughout a battle, models will suffer damage and be destroyed. When a model is destroyed, it is removed from the battlefield. When every model in a unit has been destroyed, that unit is destroyed.

Attached Units

Some CHARACTER units have the Leader ability, which lets them merge with other units (known as Bodyguard units) to form an Attached unit.

The Starting Strength of an Attached unit is equal to the combined Starting Strengths of all of its units (i.e. the number of models in the Leader unit added to the number of models in the Bodyguard unit). If either the Leader unit or the Bodyguard unit in an Attached unit is destroyed, the Starting Strength of the remaining unit is changed to be equal to its original Starting Strength.

Example: A Primaris Captain (Starting Strength 1) is attached to a unit of Intercessors (Starting Strength 5). This Attached unit has a Starting Strength of 6. If all the Intercessors are destroyed, the remaining Primaris Captain would revert to having a Starting Strength of 1.

For the purposes of rules that are triggered when a unit is destroyed, such rules are still triggered when one of the individual units that made up an Attached unit is destroyed (the Leader or the Bodyguard unit).

Example: If a rule awards you with 1VP each time an enemy unit is destroyed, and you target an Attached unit, you would gain 1VP if the Bodyguard unit is destroyed and 1VP if the Leader unit is destroyed (for a total of 2VP).

MOVEMENT PHASE

The ground shakes to the tread of marching feet and the growl of engines as armies advance across the battlefield and vie for advantageous positions.

Your Movement phase is split into two steps. First you can move your units, then you can set up reinforcements.

MOVE UNITS

REINFORCEMENTS

1. Move Units

Start your Movement phase by selecting one unit from your army that is on the battlefield to move:

Unless that unit is within Engagement Range of any enemy models, it can make a Normal move, or Advance, or Remain Stationary.
If that unit is within Engagement Range of any enemy models, it can either Remain Stationary or Fall Back.

After you have finished moving that unit, select another unit from your army to move, and so on, until you have done so with all of your units. Once you have moved all of your units, progress to the Reinforcements step of your Movement phase.

Each time you move a unit, you can move any of its models you choose to. The controlling player chooses the order in which to move their models. Whenever you move a model, you can pivot it and/or change its position on the battlefield along any path, but no part of its base can be moved across an enemy model or cross the edge of the battlefield. It can be moved over friendly models as if they were not there if you wish, but it cannot end its move on top of another model. The only exception to this is when moving MONSTER or VEHICLE models; such models cannot be moved over other friendly MONSTER or VEHICLE models and must be moved around them instead. The distance a model moves is measured using the part of its base that moves furthest along its path. If a model does not have a base, measure using whichever part of that model moves the furthest.

When a unit moves it can make a Normal move, Advance or Remain Stationary.
Units that are within Engagement Range of any enemy models can only Fall Back or Remain Stationary.

Remain Stationary

If a unit Remains Stationary, none of its models can be moved for the rest of the phase.

Normal Moves

When a unit makes a Normal move, each model in that unit can move a distance in inches less than or equal to its Move (M) characteristic, but no model can be moved within Engagement Range of any enemy models.

Normal Move: Models move up to M".
Cannot move within Engagement Range of any enemy models.

Advance Moves

When a unit Advances, make an Advance roll for that unit by rolling one D6. Add the result in inches to the Move characteristic of each model in that unit until the end of the phase. Each model in that unit can then make an Advance move by moving a distance in inches less than or equal to this total, but no model can be moved within Engagement Range of enemy models. A unit cannot shoot or declare a charge in the same turn that it Advanced.

Advance Move: Models move up to M+D6".
Cannot move within Engagement Range of any enemy models.
Units that Advance cannot shoot or charge this turn.

Fall Back Moves

When a unit Falls Back, each model in that unit can make a Fall Back move by moving a distance in inches less than or equal to its Move characteristic, and when doing so you can move it within Engagement Range of enemy models, provided it does not end that move within Engagement Range of any enemy models – if this is not possible, that unit cannot Fall Back.

A unit cannot shoot or declare a charge in the same turn that it Fell Back.

Desperate Escape Tests
Unlike when making other types of move, models can move over enemy models when making a Fall Back move as if those enemy models were not there, but you must take a Desperate Escape test for each model that will do so (excluding models that are TITANIC or can FLY) before any models in that unit are moved. In addition, if a unit is Battle-shocked when it is selected to Fall Back, you must take a Desperate Escape test for every model in that unit before any are moved.

Each time you take a Desperate Escape test for a model, roll one D6. For each roll of 1-2, one model from the unit that is Falling Back is destroyed (selected by you). The same model can only ever trigger one Desperate Escape test per phase.

Fall Back Move: Models move up to M".
Units that Fall Back cannot shoot or declare a charge in the same turn.
Models can move over enemy models when Falling Back, but you must take Desperate Escape tests for them before they do so (excluding models that are TITANIC or can FLY).
If a Battle-shocked unit is selected to Fall Back, take a Desperate Escape test for every model in that unit.
Desperate Escape Test: Roll one D6. On a 1-2, one model from that unit is destroyed.

A	The Sternguard Veterans are selected to make a Fall Back move, but to do so they must move through enemy models, so Desperate Escape tests are required.
B	The controlling player rolls one D6 for each model that moves through an enemy unit, resulting in a 1, 2, 4, 4 and 6. Two models are therefore destroyed.

Moving Over Terrain

Warhammer 40,000 battlefields are strewn with a wide variety of obstacles, structures and detritus collectively known as terrain features. When a model makes any kind of move, it can be moved over a terrain feature but not through it (so models can’t move through a wall, for example, but can climb up or over it).

A model can be moved over terrain features that are 2" or less in height as if they were not there. A model can be moved vertically in order to climb up or down any terrain features that are taller than this, counting the vertical distance up and/or down as part of its move. Models cannot end any kind of move mid-climb – if it is not possible to end the move as a result, that move cannot be made.

Models can move freely over terrain features 2" or less in height.
Models cannot move through terrain features taller than 2", but can climb up and down them.

A	The Von Ryan’s Leaper Advances towards the building. It moves a total of 9", moving freely over the pipe as it is only 2" in height.
B	The building is taller than 2" so the vertical distance of 3" must be counted as part of the move.

Flying

If a model can FLY, then when it makes a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move, it can be moved over enemy models as if they were not there, and can be moved within Engagement Range of enemy models when making such a move. Note this also means that MONSTER and VEHICLE models that can FLY can be moved over other MONSTER and VEHICLE models when making such a move. However, models that can FLY cannot end their move on top of any other models or within Engagement Range of any enemy models.

When a model that can FLY starts or ends a move on a terrain feature, instead of measuring the path it has moved across the battlefield, you instead measure its path ‘through the air’, as shown in the diagram below.

FLY models can move over enemy models when they make a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move.
FLY models that start or end a move on a terrain feature measure distance moved through the air when they make a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move.

In this example the Tyranid Prime makes a Normal move of 12" to end on top of the ruin. Because it can FLY it can move directly over the enemy Terminators as if they were not there, and it is the diagonal distance through the air that is measured.

2. Reinforcements

Some units have a rule that allows them to start the battle in Reserves, such as Deep Strike. Such units will arrive later in the battle and are known as Reserves units. Any Reserves units that have not been set up on the battlefield when the battle ends count as having been destroyed.

In the Reinforcements step of your Movement phase, if you have any Reserves units in your army, you can select one or more of them and set them up on the battlefield, one at a time. Once all your Reserves units that you wish to set up this turn have been set up, your Movement phase ends and you progress to your Shooting phase.

Details of how to set up Reserves units are described in the same rules that enabled the unit to be set up in Reserves. These rules will typically specify a distance away from all enemy models; whenever such a distance is specified, it always applies to the horizontal distance, even though normally you measure to and from the closest part of a model’s base.

Reserves units always count as having made a Normal move in the turn they are set up on the battlefield, and so cannot move further during this phase. Otherwise, units set up in this way can act normally this turn (shoot, declare a charge, fight, etc.).

Reserves Unit: A unit that starts the battle in a location other than the battlefield.
Always count as having made a Normal move in the turn they are set up on the battlefield.
Any specified distance from enemy models applies to horizontal distance.
Any Reserves unit not set up on the battlefield by the end of the battle counts as destroyed.

Transports

Some units can carry others across the battlefield, providing their passengers with greater speed and protection as they are ferried to the front lines or towards vital objectives.

Some models have the TRANSPORT keyword. The following rules describe how units can embark within and disembark from such models, and how they are used to move these passengers across the battlefield.

Transport Capacity

All TRANSPORT models have a transport capacity listed on their datasheet. This determines the type and maximum number of friendly models that can embark within them.

Units can start the battle embarked within a TRANSPORT model instead of being set up separately – declare which units are embarked within a TRANSPORT model before you set it up.

FIRING DECK

Some transports have firing hatches, ports or platforms from which embarked passengers can shoot.

Some TRANSPORT models have ‘Firing Deck x’ listed in their abilities. Each time such a model is selected to shoot in the Shooting phase, you can select up to ‘x’ models embarked within it. Then, for each of those embarked models, you can select one ranged weapon that embarked model is equipped with. Until that TRANSPORT model has resolved all of its attacks, it counts as being equipped with all of the weapons you selected in this way, in addition to its other weapons.

Firing Deck ‘x’: Each time this TRANSPORT shoots, select one weapon from up to ‘x’ models embarked within it; this TRANSPORT counts as being equipped with those weapons as well.

Embark

If a unit makes a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move, and every model in that unit ends that move within 3" of a friendly TRANSPORT model, they can embark within it. A unit cannot embark if it has already disembarked from a TRANSPORT model in the same phase. Remove the unit from the battlefield and place it to one side – it is now embarked within that TRANSPORT model. Unless otherwise stated, units cannot do anything or be affected in any way while they are embarked.

A unit can embark within a friendly TRANSPORT if all of its models end a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move within 3" of that TRANSPORT.
A unit cannot embark and disembark in the same phase.

Disembark

If a unit from your army starts your Movement phase embarked within a TRANSPORT model, that unit can disembark in that phase.

When a unit disembarks from a TRANSPORT model, set it up on the battlefield so that it is wholly within 3" of that TRANSPORT model and not within Engagement Range of any enemy models. If, for any reason, a disembarking model cannot be set up, that model’s unit cannot disembark.

Units that disembark from a TRANSPORT model that either Remained Stationary this phase or has not yet made a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move this phase can then act normally (make a Normal move, Advance, shoot, declare a charge, fight, etc.) in the remainder of the turn. Such a disembarking unit cannot choose to Remain Stationary.

Units that disembark from a TRANSPORT model that made a Normal move this phase count as having made a Normal move themselves; they cannot move further during this phase. Such a unit also cannot declare a charge in the same turn, but can otherwise act normally in the remainder of the turn.

Units cannot disembark from a TRANSPORT model that either Advanced or Fell Back this turn.

Units that start your Movement phase embarked within a TRANSPORT can disembark this phase, provided their TRANSPORT has not Advanced or Fallen Back.
If a unit disembarks before its TRANSPORT moves, it can act normally.
If a unit disembarks after its TRANSPORT moves, it cannot move or charge this turn, but can otherwise act normally.
Disembarking units must be set up wholly within 3" of their TRANSPORT and not within Engagement Range of any enemy models (or the unit cannot disembark).
Units that disembark this turn cannot Remain Stationary.

Destroyed Transports

If a TRANSPORT model is destroyed, any units embarked within that TRANSPORT model must immediately disembark (see below) before that TRANSPORT model is removed from the battlefield.

Units that disembark from a destroyed TRANSPORT model are not affected by that model’s Deadly Demise ability. Instead, you must roll one D6 for each disembarking model. For each roll of 1, that disembarking model’s unit suffers 1 mortal wound. In addition, if a unit disembarks from a destroyed TRANSPORT model:

Until the start of its controlling player’s next Command phase, that unit is Battle-shocked.
Until the end of the turn, that unit counts as having made a Normal move this turn, and cannot declare a charge this turn.

If a TRANSPORT is destroyed, any embarked units must disembark.
Roll one D6 for each model that disembarks: for each 1, that model’s unit suffers 1 mortal wound.
Until the start of its controlling player’s next Command phase, the disembarking unit is Battle-shocked.
Until the end of the turn, the disembarking unit counts as having made a Normal move, and cannot declare a charge.

Emergency Disembarkation

If a TRANSPORT model is destroyed and it is not possible to set up a disembarking unit wholly within 3" of that TRANSPORT model and not within Engagement Range of any enemy models, that unit must instead perform an Emergency Disembarkation. This is performed as described for disembarking from a destroyed TRANSPORT model, except that a unit that does so must be set up wholly within 6" of the destroyed TRANSPORT model (instead of wholly within 3") and not within Engagement Range of any enemy models, and when rolling for each disembarking model, that unit suffers 1 mortal wound for each roll of 1-3 (instead of for each roll of 1). If, for any reason, a disembarking model still cannot be set up, that model is destroyed.

Units disembarking a destroyed TRANSPORT that cannot be set up wholly within 3" of it must perform an Emergency Disembarkation:
- Must be set up wholly within 6" of it instead of wholly within 3".
- Suffer 1 mortal wound for each roll of 1-3, instead of each roll of 1.
- Any disembarking model that cannot be set up is destroyed.

The Terminators make an Advance move of 8" – all the models in the unit end that move within 3" of the Land Raider Crusader, and can therefore embark within it.

The Terminators are selected to disembark from the Land Raider Crusader and are set up wholly within 3" of it. The Land Raider Crusader has Remained Stationary, so the Terminators can then make an Advance move.

The Land Raider Crusader is destroyed, forcing the Terminators to disembark wholly within 3". The controlling player then rolls one D6 for each disembarking model, resulting in a 1, 3, 3, 5 and 6. The Terminator unit suffers 1 mortal wound and is now Battle-shocked.

SHOOTING PHASE

Guns thunder and shrapnel flies through the air. Bursts of muzzle flare and beams of las-fire illuminate the fog of war, and spent ammunition cartridges litter the battlefield.

Use the following sequence when a unit shoots.

SELECT ELIGIBLE UNIT

SELECT TARGETS

MAKE RANGED ATTACKS

REPEAT FOR NEXT ELIGIBLE UNIT

In your Shooting phase, if you have one or more eligible units from your army on the battlefield, you can select those units, one at a time, and shoot with them. Each unit can only be selected to shoot once per phase. Once all of the units you selected have shot, progress to your Charge phase.

A unit is eligible to shoot unless any of the following apply:

That unit Advanced this turn.
That unit Fell Back this turn.

Select Targets

Each time a unit shoots, before any attacks are resolved, you must select the enemy units that will be the targets for all of the ranged weapons you wish its models to make attacks with. Each time you select a target for a model’s ranged weapon, you can only select an enemy unit as the target if at least one model in that unit is both within range of that weapon and visible to that attacking model. An enemy model is within range of a weapon if the distance between it and the attacking model is equal to or less than that weapon’s Range characteristic.

If a model has more than one ranged weapon, it can shoot all of them at the same target or it can shoot each of them at a different target, but it cannot split attacks from the same weapon across more than one target. Similarly, if a unit has more than one model, those models can shoot at the same or different targets. In any case, when you select a target unit you must declare which models will target that unit with which weapons before any attacks are resolved. If any of these weapons have more than one profile that you must choose between, you must also declare which profile is being used.

Before a unit shoots, select the targets for all of its ranged weapons.
At least one model in the target unit must be visible to the attacking model and within range of the weapon being used.
Models with more than one ranged weapon can shoot them at the same or different targets, but models cannot split attacks from the same weapon across more than one target.
Models in the same unit can shoot at the same or different targets.

LONE OPERATIVE

Assassins and other covert agents are difficult to track and pinpoint in the swirling maelstrom of battle.

Unless part of an Attached unit (see Leader), this unit can only be selected as the target of a ranged attack if the attacking model is within 12".

Make Ranged Attacks

The shooting unit’s models now make attacks using their ranged weapons. Each time a model shoots with a ranged weapon, it will make a number of attacks equal to the Attacks (A) characteristic in that weapon’s profile. You make one Hit roll for each attack being made (see Making Attacks).

If you selected more than one target for your unit to shoot at, you must resolve all of the attacks against one target before moving on to the next target. If your unit is shooting more than one ranged weapon at a target, and those weapons have different profiles, then after you have resolved attacks with one of those weapons you must, if any other weapons with the same profile are also being shot at that unit, resolve those attacks before resolving any other attacks against the target.

Note that, provided at least one model in the target unit was visible to an attacking model and in range of that attacking model’s weapon when that target unit was selected, that weapon’s attacks can still be made, even if no models in the target unit remain visible to or in range of it when you come to resolve those attacks (for example, because models in the target unit have already been destroyed by attacks made with other weapons in the attacking model’s unit).

When a model shoots a weapon, it makes a number of attacks equal to that weapon’s Attacks characteristic.
Resolve all attacks against one unit before resolving attacks against any other unit.
Resolve all attacks made with the same weapon profile before resolving attacks with any other profile.
If a weapon was in range and its target was visible when selected, that weapon’s attacks can always be made.

Locked in Combat

A unit is not eligible to shoot while it is within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units.

While an enemy unit is within Engagement Rage of one or more units from your army, you cannot select that enemy unit as a target of ranged weapons.

MONSTER and VEHICLE units are exceptions to these rules, as described in the Big Guns Never Tire section.

Units cannot shoot while within Engagement Range of enemy units.
Units cannot shoot at targets within Engagement Range of friendly units.

STEALTH

Some warriors are masters of disguise and concealment.

If every model in a unit has this ability, then each time a ranged attack is made against it, subtract 1 from that attack’s Hit roll.

Big Guns Never Tire

Monsters and war engines can dispense death from afar even as they trample the masses before them.

MONSTER and VEHICLE units are eligible to shoot in their controlling player’s Shooting phase even while they are within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units. Ranged weapons equipped by MONSTER and VEHICLE units can target one or more of the enemy units they are within Engagement Range of, even if other friendly units are also within Engagement Range of the same enemy unit. Each time a MONSTER or VEHICLE model makes a ranged attack, if its unit was within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units when it selected its targets, unless that attack is made with a Pistol, subtract 1 from that attack’s Hit roll.

You can select an enemy MONSTER or VEHICLE unit within Engagement Range of one or more units from your army as a target of ranged weapons. Each time a model from your army makes a ranged attack against such a target, unless that attack is made with a Pistol, subtract 1 from that attack’s Hit roll.

Designer’s Note: A unit that is within Engagement Range of an enemy MONSTER or VEHICLE unit is still not eligible to shoot, and so cannot make ranged attacks against that MONSTER or VEHICLE unit (unless that unit is eligible to shoot even while within Engagement Range of enemy units, e.g. it is itself a MONSTER or VEHICLE unit, or its models are equipped with Pistols). Other units from your army that are eligible to shoot can, however, target and shoot that enemy MONSTER or VEHICLE unit.

MONSTERS and VEHICLES can shoot, and be shot at, even while they are within Engagement Range of enemy units. Each time a ranged attack is made by or against such a unit, subtract 1 from that attack’s Hit roll (unless shooting with a Pistol).

Making Attacks

Attacks are made using ranged or melee weapons. Attacks can be made one at a time or, in some cases, you can roll for multiple attacks together (see Fast Dice Rolling).

Use the following sequence to make attacks one at a time.

HIT ROLL

WOUND ROLL

ALLOCATE ATTACK

SAVING THROW

INFLICT DAMAGE

1. Hit Roll

When a model makes an attack, make one Hit roll for that attack by rolling one D6. If the result of the Hit roll is greater than or equal to the attack’s Ballistic Skill (BS) characteristic (if the attack is being made with a ranged weapon) or its Weapon Skill (WS) characteristic (if the attack is being made with a melee weapon), then that Hit roll is successful and scores one hit against the target unit. Otherwise, the attack fails and the attack sequence ends.

An unmodified Hit roll of 6 is called a Critical Hit and is always successful. An unmodified Hit roll of 1 always fails. A Hit roll can never be modified by more than -1 or +1.

Hit Roll (Ranged Attack): A hit is scored if the D6 result equals or exceeds that attack’s BS.
Hit Roll (Melee Attack): A hit is scored if the D6 result equals or exceeds that attack’s WS.
Critical Hit: Unmodified Hit roll of 6. Always successful.
An unmodified Hit roll of 1 always fails.
A Hit roll can never be modified by more than -1 or +1.

2. Wound Roll

Each time an attack scores a hit against a target unit, make a Wound roll for that attack by rolling one D6 to see if that attack successfully wounds the target unit. The result required is determined by comparing the attack’s Strength (S) characteristic with the target’s Toughness (T) characteristic, as shown below.

WOUND ROLL
ATTACK’S STRENGTH VS TARGET’S TOUGHNESS	D6 RESULT REQUIRED
Strength is TWICE (or more than twice) the Toughness.	+
Strength is GREATER than the Toughness.	+
Strength is EQUAL to the Toughness.	+
Strength is LESS than the Toughness.	+
Strength is HALF (or less than half) the Toughness.	+

If the result of the Wound roll is greater than or equal to the required number shown in the table above, then that Wound roll is successful and scores one wound against the target unit. Otherwise, the attack fails and the attack sequence ends.

An unmodified Wound roll of 6 is called a Critical Wound and is always successful. An unmodified Wound roll of 1 always fails. A Wound roll can never be modified by more than -1 or +1.

Critical Wound: Unmodified Wound roll of 6. Always successful.
An unmodified Wound roll of 1 always fails.
A Wound roll can never be modified by more than -1 or +1.

3. Allocate Attack

If an attack successfully wounds the target unit, the player controlling the target unit allocates that attack to one model in the target unit, as follows.

If a model in the target unit has already lost one or more wounds, or has already had attacks allocated to it this phase, that attack must be allocated to that model. Otherwise, that attack can be allocated to any model in the target unit. Note that it does not matter if that model is visible to or within range/Engagement Range of the attacking model.

If a model in the target unit has already lost any wounds or had other attacks allocated to it this phase, the attack must be allocated to that model.

4. Saving Throw

The player controlling the target unit then makes one saving throw. By default, this will be an armour saving throw using their model’s Save (Sv) characteristic, but some models have invulnerable saves that can be used instead (see below). To make an armour saving throw, roll one D6, then modify the result by the Armour Penetration (AP) characteristic of the attack. For example, if the attack has an AP of -1, then 1 is subtracted from the saving throw.

If the result is greater than or equal to the Save characteristic of the model the attack was allocated to, then that saving throw is successful and the attack sequence ends. Otherwise, that saving throw fails and that model suffers damage.

An unmodified saving throw of 1 always fails. A saving throw can never be improved by more than +1.

Saving Throw: Roll one D6 and modify by the attack’s AP. If the result is less than the Save of the model being rolled for, the saving throw is failed and that model suffers damage. Otherwise, that attack is saved.
An unmodified saving throw of 1 always fails.
A saving throw can never be improved by more than +1.

Invulnerable Saves

Whether shielded by force fields, enveloped in mystical energies or simply possessed of preternatural senses and lightning-fast reflexes, some warriors are protected by more than mere physical armour.

Some models have an invulnerable save listed on their datasheet. Each time an attack is allocated to a model with an invulnerable save, the controlling player must choose to use either that model’s Save characteristic or its invulnerable save, but not both. If a model has more than one invulnerable save, it can only use one of them – choose which it will use.

Unlike armour saving throws (which use a model’s Save characteristic), invulnerable saving throws are never modified by an attack’s Armour Penetration characteristic, but otherwise follow the normal rules for saving throws.

Invulnerable Save: Never modified by an attack’s AP.
The controlling player can choose to use either a model’s invulnerable save or its Save characteristic.

Mortal Wounds

Some attacks are so powerful that no armour or force field can withstand their fury.

Some attacks inflict mortal wounds. Each mortal wound inflicts one point of damage on the target unit, and they are always applied one at a time. Do not make a Wound roll or saving throw (including invulnerable saving throws) against a mortal wound – just allocate it as you would any other attack and inflict damage to a model in the target unit as described below.

Unlike damage inflicted by normal attacks, excess damage from mortal wounds is not lost if the damage can be allocated to another model. Instead, keep allocating damage to another model in the target unit until either all the damage has been allocated or the target unit is destroyed.

If, when a unit is selected to shoot or fight, one or more of its attacks can inflict mortal wounds on the target, resolve any normal damage inflicted by the attacking unit’s attacks on that target before inflicting any mortal wounds on that target. If an attack inflicts mortal wounds in addition to any normal damage, but the normal damage is subsequently saved, the target unit still suffers those mortal wounds, as described above.

Each mortal wound inflicted on a unit causes one model in that unit to lose one wound.
No saving throws can be made against mortal wounds.
Mortal wounds inflicted by attacks always apply after any normal damage, even if that damage was saved.

5. Inflict Damage

The damage inflicted is equal to the Damage (D) characteristic of the attack. A model loses one wound for each point of damage it suffers. If a model’s wounds are reduced to 0 or less, it is destroyed and removed from play. If a model loses several wounds from an attack and is destroyed, any excess damage inflicted by that attack is lost and has no effect.

A model loses a number of wounds equal to the attack’s Damage characteristic.
If a model is destroyed by an attack, any excess damage inflicted by that attack is lost.

FEEL NO PAIN

Some warriors refuse to be laid low, even by what should be fatal wounds.

Some models have ‘Feel No Pain x+’ listed in their abilities. Each time a model with this ability suffers damage and so would lose a wound (including wounds lost due to mortal wounds), roll one D6: if the result is greater than or equal to the number denoted by ‘x’, that wound is ignored and is not lost. If a model has more than one Feel No Pain ability, you can only use one of those abilities each time that model suffers damage and so would lose a wound.

Feel No Pain x+: Each time this model would lose a wound, roll one D6: if the result equals or exceeds ‘x’, that wound is not lost.

DEADLY DEMISE

From detonating ammo stores to corrosive innards or frenzied death throes, some targets are deadly even in defeat.

Some models have ‘Deadly Demise x’ listed in their abilities. When such a model is destroyed, roll one D6 before removing it from play (if such a model is a TRANSPORT, roll before any embarked models disembark). On a 6, each unit within 6" of that model suffers a number of mortal wounds denoted by ‘x’ (if this is a random number, roll separately for each unit within 6").

Example: A TRANSPORT model with the Deadly Demise D3 ability is destroyed. Before any models disembark and before removing it from play, its controlling player rolls one D6, getting a 6. There are three units within 6" of that destroyed model, so its controlling player rolls one D3 for each of them, inflicting mortal wounds accordingly.

Deadly Demise x: When this model is destroyed, roll one D6. On a 6, each unit within 6" suffers ‘x’ mortal wounds.

Hints and Tips
Fast Dice Rolling

The rules for making attacks have been written assuming you will resolve them one at a time. However, it is possible to speed up your battles by rolling the dice for similar attacks together. In order to make several attacks at once, all of the attacks must have the same Ballistic Skill (if it’s a ranged attack) or the same Weapon Skill (if it’s a melee attack). They must also have the same Strength and Armour Penetration characteristics, they must inflict the same Damage, they must be affected by the same abilities, and they must be directed at the same unit. If this is the case, make all of the Hit rolls at the same time, then all of the Wound rolls. Your opponent can then allocate the attacks one at a time, making the saving throws and suffering damage each time as appropriate.

Note that if all the models in the target unit would require the same saving throw against the attacks, and the order in which the attacks are allocated would make no difference, then your opponent can make all their saving throws at the same time, and can do so as soon as the Wound rolls have been made. If they do, they then allocate the attacks that resulted in failed saving throws one at a time, inflicting the damage as appropriate even though, strictly speaking, saving throws should be made after attacks have been allocated. In any case, remember that if the target unit contains a model that has already lost any wounds or has already had attacks allocated to it this phase, the controlling player must allocate further attacks to that model until either it is destroyed, or all the attacks have been saved or resolved.

If the attacks being allocated to a target inflict random damage, you cannot use the fast dice rolling approach exactly as stated above – you will need to roll the dice one at a time. Consider several attacks with a Damage characteristic of D3 being allocated to a target containing models with two wounds each. As excess damage is lost each time a model is destroyed, the order in which the attacks are allocated and resolved becomes important. If the results of those D3s were 1, then 2, then 3, the attacks would result in a total of two destroyed models, but applying them in the order 3, then 2, then 1 would result in two models being destroyed and a third being damaged with only one wound remaining. As such, the rolls should be made one at a time.

1	A unit of 20 Termagants targets a Terminators unit with their Fleshborers. As these weapons all have the same profile, the controlling player chooses to use the fast dice rolling method.
2	Each has an Attacks characteristic of 1, so the controlling player rolls twenty D6. Seven of the results are greater than or equal to the Fleshborers’ Ballistic Skill of 4+, so seven hits are scored, and seven Wound rolls are then made.
3	The Strength characteristic of those attacks is 5, which is equal to the Toughness of a Terminator, so rolls of 4+ are required to successfully wound the target. Of those seven rolls, five successfully wound.
4	As all the attacks have a Damage characteristic of 1, and as the saving throws required for the Terminators are all the same, the Space Marines player can continue to use the fast dice rolling method and make all of those saving throws at the same time, even though strictly you should allocate attacks beforehand.
5	The attacks all have an Armour Penetration characteristic of -1, so in this instance, even though the Terminators have an invulnerable saving throw, their normal Save characteristic will afford them a better chance of survival. The saving throws rolled result in a 1, 2, 4, 5 and 5, meaning that two are failed.
6	The Space Marines player now has to allocate those two attacks, one at a time. One Terminator model has already lost two wounds earlier in the battle, so they must allocate attacks to that model first. This means that model loses its last remaining wound (Terminator models have a Wounds characteristic of 3), and is destroyed. The last attack is allocated to a different model, and so that model suffers one wound.

Weapon Abilities

Some weapons have additional abilities in their profiles. Often these are unique to those weapons and are written out in full, but others are common to many weapons, and may only be referenced by name on a weapon’s profile. Some notable examples of these common abilities are defined here; further weapon abilities may be found in other locations such as Codexes.

Assault

Assault weapons fire so indiscriminately that they can be shot from the hip as warriors dash forward.

Weapons with [ASSAULT] in their profile are known as Assault weapons. If a unit that Advanced this turn contains any models equipped with Assault weapons, it is still eligible to shoot in this turn’s Shooting phase. When such a unit is selected to shoot, you can only resolve attacks using Assault weapons its models are equipped with.

Can be shot even if the bearer’s unit Advanced.

Rapid Fire

Rapid fire weapons are capable of long-ranged precision shots or controlled bursts at nearby targets.

Weapons with [RAPID FIRE X] in their profile are known as Rapid Fire weapons. Each time such a weapon targets a unit within half that weapon’s range, the Attacks characteristic of that weapon is increased by the amount denoted by ‘x’.

Example: A model targets a unit that is within half range of a weapon with an Attacks characteristic of 1 and the [RAPID FIRE 1] ability. That weapon therefore makes two attacks at the target, and you make two Hit rolls.

[RAPID FIRE X]: Increase the Attacks by ‘x’ when targeting units within half range.

Ignores Cover

Some weapons are designed to root enemy formations out of entrenched positions.

Weapons with [IGNORES COVER] in their profile are known as Ignores Cover weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, the target cannot have the Benefit of Cover against that attack.

Twin-linked

Dual weapons are often grafted to the same targeting system for greater lethality.

Weapons with [TWIN-LINKED] in their profile are known as Twin-linked weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, you can re-roll that attack’s Wound roll.

Pistol

Pistols can be wielded even at point-blank range.

Weapons with [PISTOL] in their profile are known as Pistols. If a unit contains any models equipped with Pistols, that unit is eligible to shoot in its controlling player’s Shooting phase even while it is within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units. When such a unit is selected to shoot, it can only resolve attacks using its Pistols and can only target one of the enemy units it is within Engagement Range of. In such circumstances, a Pistol can target an enemy unit even if other friendly units are within Engagement Range of the same enemy unit.

If a model is equipped with one or more Pistols, unless it is a MONSTER or VEHICLE model, it can either shoot with its Pistols or with all of its other ranged weapons. Declare whether such a model will shoot with its Pistols or its other ranged weapons before selecting targets.

Can be shot even if the bearer’s unit is within Engagement Range of enemy units, but must target one of those enemy units.
Cannot be shot alongside any other non-Pistol weapon (except by a MONSTER or VEHICLE).

Torrent

Torrent weapons shoot clouds of fire, gas or other lethal substances that few foes can hope to evade.

Weapons with [TORRENT] in their profile are known as Torrent weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, that attack automatically hits the target.

Lethal Hits

Some weapons can inflict fatal injuries on any foe, no matter their resilience.

Weapons with [LETHAL HITS] in their profile are known as Lethal Hits weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, a Critical Hit automatically wounds the target.

Lance

Lance weapons are deadly on the charge.

Weapons with [LANCE] in their profile are known as Lance weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, if the bearer made a Charge move this turn, add 1 to that attack’s Wound roll.

Indirect Fire

Indirect fire weapons launch munitions over or around intervening obstacles – nowhere is safe from their fury.

Weapons with [INDIRECT FIRE] in their profile are known as Indirect Fire weapons, and attacks can be made with them even if the target is not visible to the attacking model. These attacks can destroy enemy models in a target unit even though none may have been visible to the attacking unit when you selected that target.

If no models in a target unit are visible to the attacking unit when you select that target, then each time a model in the attacking unit makes an attack against that target using an Indirect Fire weapon, subtract 1 from that attack’s Hit roll and the target has the Benefit of Cover against that attack.

Example: An enemy unit is targeted by an attacking model equipped with a weapon with the [INDIRECT FIRE] ability. No models in the target unit are visible to the attacking model, so when resolving the attacks made with that weapon, subtract 1 from that attack’s Hit roll and each time an attack is allocated to a model in the target unit, it has the Benefit of Cover against that attack.

Can target and make attacks against units that are not visible to the attacking unit.
If no models are visible in a target unit when it is selected, then when making an attack against that target with an Indirect Fire weapon, subtract 1 from that attack’s Hit roll and the target has the Benefit of Cover against that attack.

Precision

Precision attacks can pick high-value targets out in a crowd, whether through the unerring aim of a sniper or the pinpoint accuracy of a blade-master’s strike.

Weapons with [PRECISION] in their profile are known as Precision weapons. Each time an attack made with such a weapon successfully wounds an Attached unit (see Leader ability), if a CHARACTER model in that unit is visible to the attacking model, the attacking model’s player can choose to have that attack allocated to that CHARACTER model instead of following the normal attack sequence.

When targeting an Attached unit, the attacking model’s player can have the attack allocated to a CHARACTER model in that unit visible to the bearer.

Blast

High-explosives can fell several warriors in a single blast, but firing them where your comrades will get caught in the ensuing detonation is simply unwise.

Weapons with [BLAST] in their profile are known as Blast weapons, and they make a random number of attacks. Each time you determine how many attacks are made with a Blast weapon, add 1 to the result for every five models that were in the target unit when you selected it as the target (rounding down). Blast weapons can never be used to make attacks against a unit that is within Engagement Range of one or more units from the attacking model’s army (including its own unit).

Example: If a weapon with the [BLAST] ability and an Attacks characteristic of 2D6 targets a unit that contains 11 models, and the roll to determine how many attacks are made is a 9, a total of 11 attacks would be made against that unit.

Add 1 to the Attacks characteristic for every five models in the target unit (rounding down).
Can never be used against a target that is within Engagement Range of any units from the attacking model’s army (including its own).

Melta

Melta weapons are powerful heat rays whose fury is magnified at close range.

Weapons with [MELTA X] in their profile are known as Melta weapons. Each time an attack made with such a weapon targets a unit within half that weapon’s range, that attack’s Damage characteristic is increased by the amount denoted by ‘x’.

Example: A model targets a unit that is within half range of a weapon with a Damage characteristic of D6 and the [MELTA 2] ability. If that attack inflicts damage on the target, it inflicts D6+2 damage.

[MELTA X]: Increase the Damage by ‘x’ when targeting units within half range.

Heavy

Heavy weapons are amongst the biggest guns on the battlefield, but require bracing to fire at full effect and are unwieldy to bring to bear at close quarters.

Weapons with [HEAVY] in their profile are known as Heavy weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, if the attacking model’s unit Remained Stationary this turn, add 1 to that attack’s Hit roll.

Add 1 to Hit rolls if the bearer’s unit Remained Stationary this turn.

Hazardous

Weapons powered by unstable and dangerous energy sources pose a substantial risk to the wielder every time they are used.

Weapons with [HAZARDOUS] in their profile are known as Hazardous weapons. Each time a unit is selected to shoot or fight, if one or more models attack with Hazardous weapons, then after that unit has resolved all of its attacks, you must take one Hazardous test for each Hazardous weapon that was just used by rolling one D6. For each roll of 1, that test is failed and one model in that unit equipped with a Hazardous weapon is destroyed (selected by the controlling player), unless that model is a CHARACTER, MONSTER or VEHICLE, in which case it suffers 3 mortal wounds instead. Note that if you selected a CHARACTER model in an Attached unit, the mortal wounds suffered must be allocated to that model first, even if there is another model in that unit that has lost one or more wounds or has had attacks allocated to it this phase.

Example: A unit of five models make five attacks with ranged weapons with the [HAZARDOUS] ability. After the unit has finished shooting, its controlling player rolls five D6. One of the results is a 1, and as no models in the unit are CHARACTERS, MONSTERS or VEHICLES, one of those models is destroyed.

After a unit shoots or fights, roll one Hazardous test (one D6) for each Hazardous weapon used. For each 1, one model equipped with a Hazardous weapon is destroyed (CHARACTERS, MONSTERS and VEHICLES suffer 3 mortal wounds instead).

Devastating Wounds

Some weapons can inflict strikes of such power that they make a mockery of armour

Weapons with [DEVASTATING WOUNDS] in their profile are known as Devastating Wounds weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, if that attack scores a Critical Wound, no saving throw of any kind can be made against that attack (including invulnerable saving throws). Such attacks are only allocated to models after all other attacks made by the attacking unit have been allocated and resolved.

Saving throws cannot be made against Critical Wounds scored by this weapon (including invulnerable saving throws).

Sustained Hits

Some weapons strike in a flurry of blows, tearing the foe apart with relentless ferocity.

Weapons with [SUSTAINED HITS X] in their profile are known as Sustained Hits weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, if a Critical Hit is rolled, that attack scores a number of additional hits on the target as denoted by ‘x’.

Example: A model makes an attack with a melee weapon with the [SUSTAINED HITS 2] ability. If the Hit roll is an unmodified 6 (a Critical Hit), then that attack scores a total of 3 hits on the target (1 from the successful Hit roll of 6, and 2 from the [SUSTAINED HITS 2] ability).

[SUSTAINED HITS X]: Each Critical Hit scores ‘x’ additional hits on the target.

Extra Attacks

Some warriors ride to battle atop trusty mounts that gore and trample nearby foes. Others wield combat weapons that deliver a frenzy of additional blows.

Weapons with [EXTRA ATTACKS] in their profile are known as Extra Attacks weapons. Each time the bearer of such a weapon fights, it can make attacks with that weapon in addition to the one it chooses to fight with. The number of attacks made with an Extra Attacks weapon cannot be modified by other rules.

The bearer can attack with this weapon in addition to any other weapons it can make attacks with.

Anti

Certain weapons are the bane of a particular foe.

Weapons with [ANTI-KEYWORD X+] in their profile are known as Anti weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon against a target with the keyword after the word ‘Anti-’, an unmodified Wound roll of ‘x+’ scores a Critical Wound.

Example: An attack made with an [ANTI-VEHICLE 4+] weapon will score a Critical Wound against – and so successfully wound – a VEHICLE unit on an unmodified Wound roll of 4+, while an attack made with an [ANTI-PSYKER 2+] weapon will score a Critical Wound against – and so successfully wound – a PSYKER unit on an unmodified Wound roll of 2+.

[ANTI-KEYWORD X+]: An unmodified Wound roll of ‘x+’ against a target with the matching keyword scores a Critical Wound.

CHARGE PHASE

Warriors hurl themselves into battle to slay with blade, hammer and claw. Strident war cries and frantic screams echo through the whirling smoke as the moment of cataclysmic violence draws near.

Use the following sequence to charge with your units.

SELECT ELIGIBLE UNIT

SELECT TARGETS

MAKE CHARGE ROLL

MAKE CHARGE MOVE

REPEAT FOR NEXT ELIGIBLE UNIT

In your Charge phase, if you have any eligible units from your army on the battlefield that you want to charge into close combat, you can select those units, one at a time, to declare a charge. Each can only be selected once per phase. Once all of these charges (if any) have been resolved, progress to the Fight phase.

A unit is eligible to charge if it is within 12" of one or more enemy units at the start of your Charge phase, unless any of the following apply:

That unit Advanced or Fell Back this turn.
That unit is within Engagement Range of any enemy models.
That unit is an AIRCRAFT unit.

Charge Bonus

Many warriors thunder headlong into combat, using the impetus of their charge to bring swift death to their foes.

Each time a unit makes a Charge move, until the end of the turn, that unit has the Fights First ability.

Charging with a Unit

Once you have selected an eligible unit to declare a charge, you must select one or more enemy units within 12" of it as the targets of that charge. The targets of a charge do not need to be visible to the charging unit.

You then make a Charge roll for the charging unit by rolling 2D6. The result is the maximum number of inches each model in that unit can be moved if a Charge move is possible. For a Charge move to be possible, the Charge roll must be sufficient to enable the charging unit to end that move:

Within Engagement Range of every unit that you selected as a target of the charge.
Without moving within Engagement Range of any enemy units that were not a target of the charge.
In Unit Coherency.

If any of these conditions cannot be met, the charge fails and no models in the charging unit move this phase. Otherwise, the charge is successful and the models in the charging unit make a Charge move – move each model a distance in inches up to the result of the Charge roll. When doing so, each model in the charging unit must end its Charge move closer to one of the units selected as a target of its charge. If you can also move a charging model so that it ends its Charge move in base-to-base contact with one or more enemy models while still enabling the charging unit to end its move satisfying all of the conditions above, you must do so. The controlling player chooses the order in which to move their models.

Charge Roll: 2D6".
Targets of a charge must be within 12" but do not need to be visible.
If the distance rolled is insufficient to move within Engagement Range of all targets while maintaining Unit Coherency, the charge fails.
Cannot move within Engagement Range of any unit that was not a target of the charge.
If the charge is successful, each model makes a Charge move less than or equal to the Charge roll, and must move into base-to-base contact with an enemy model if possible.

Charging Over Terrain

Unless otherwise stated, a model can be moved over a terrain feature when it makes a Charge move, but not through it.

A model can be moved over terrain features that are 2" or less in height as if they were not there. A model can be moved vertically in order to climb up, down and over any terrain features that are taller than this, counting the vertical distance up and/or down as part of its Charge move. Models cannot end a Charge move mid-climb – if it is not possible to make a Charge move as a result, the charge fails.

Models can be moved freely over terrain features 2" or less in height.
Models cannot move through terrain features taller than 2", but can climb up and down them.

The Von Ryan’s Leaper declares a charge against the Eradicators, who are on top of a terrain feature 3" in height. The horizontal distance between the two units when the charge is declared is 4 1/2". To end a Charge move within Engagement Range, the Tyranids player would need a Charge roll of 7 or higher.

Charging with Flying Models

When a model that can FLY starts or ends a Charge move on a terrain feature, instead of measuring the path it has moved across the battlefield, you instead measure its path ‘through the air’. In addition, it can be moved over other models as if they were not there. A model that can FLY cannot end any move on top of another model.

FLY models can move over other models when they make a Charge move.
FLY models that start or end a Charge move on a terrain feature measure distance moved through the air when they make a Charge move.

The Tyranid Prime is selected to declare a charge, and targets the Sternguard Veterans on top of the ruin. The Tyranids player rolls 10" for the Charge roll, allowing the Tyranid Prime to move within Engagement Range of its target.

Note that as the Tyranid Prime can FLY, it can move over the Terminators, and the distance moved is the diagonal distance through the air.

FIGHT PHASE

Carnage engulfs the battlefield as the warring armies meet head-on. Fangs and claws crunch through bone. Blades ring like hammers on anvils. Blood spurts and flesh tears as hate-filled foes tear one another apart.

The Fight phase is split into two steps. Units that have the ability to Fight First do so, followed by any remaining eligible units.

FIGHTS FIRST

Units that can Fight First do so

REMAINING COMBATS

Remaining units that can fight do so

In both steps of the Fight phase, players alternate selecting eligible units from their army, one at a time, starting with the player whose turn is not taking place, and fighting with them. Note that a player cannot pass or opt not to fight when they have one or more eligible units that could fight – they must select one of them to fight.

In both steps, a unit is eligible to fight if either or both of the following apply:

It is within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units.
It made a Charge move this turn.

No unit can fight more than once in the Fight phase. In each step, if all of one player’s eligible units that can fight during that step have fought, the opposing player can then fight with all of their remaining eligible units that can fight during that step, one at a time.

Once neither player has any eligible units to fight with during the current step, you progress to the next step. Once all eligible units have fought in every step, the Fight phase ends. The player’s turn then ends and, unless the battle ends, the next player’s turn begins.

Note that after an enemy unit has fought and finished its Consolidation move, it might be that previously ineligible units are now eligible – these units can then be selected to fight during the Remaining Combats step.

1. Fights First

In this step, all eligible units with the Fights First ability fight. Remember that this will include units that made a Charge move this turn and that have a Charge bonus.

FIGHTS FIRST

Some warriors attack with blinding speed, landing their blows before their foes can react.

Units with this ability that are eligible to fight do so in the Fights First step, provided every model in the unit has this ability.

2. Remaining Combats

In this step, all remaining eligible units fight. This includes any units with the Fights First ability that were not eligible to fight at the start of the Fight phase, but have since become eligible to fight.

Fight

When you select a unit to fight, it first Piles In, then its models make melee attacks, then the unit Consolidates.

Use the following sequence when a unit fights.

PILE IN

CONSOLIDATE

1. Pile In

When a unit Piles In, you can move each model in that unit that is not already in base-to-base contact with an enemy model up to 3" – this is a Pile-in move. For a Pile In to be possible, a unit must be able to end these moves within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units and in Unit Coherency. If these conditions cannot be met, no models in the unit can make Pile-in moves this phase and you progress to making melee attacks with that unit. Otherwise, the unit can make Pile-in moves.

Each time a model makes a Pile-in move, it must end that move closer to the closest enemy model. If it can also end that move in base-to-base contact with one or more enemy models while still satisfying all of the conditions above, it must do so. The controlling player chooses the order in which to move their models.

Pile-in Move: Up to 3".
Every model that moves must end closer to the closest enemy model, and in base-to-base contact with an enemy model if possible. The unit must end in Unit Coherency and within Engagement Range of at least one enemy unit (or no models can Pile In).

2. Make Melee Attacks

When a unit makes its melee attacks, before resolving those attacks you must first determine which models can fight, then select which melee weapon each of those models will make attacks with, then select the targets for those attacks.

Which Models Fight

When a unit makes its melee attacks, only models in that unit that are either within Engagement Range of an enemy unit, or in base-to-base contact with another model from their own unit that is itself in base-to-base contact with an enemy unit, can fight.

A model can fight if it is within Engagement Range of an enemy unit.
A model can fight if it is in base-to-base contact with another model from its own unit that is itself in base-to-base contact with an enemy unit.

Select Weapon

When a model fights, it must do so using a melee weapon it is equipped with. The weapons a model is equipped with are described on its datasheet. If a model has more than one melee weapon, it can only use one of them to make attacks with each time it fights, so you must now declare which it will use before resolving any of its attacks.

If the selected weapon has more than one profile to choose between, a model can only use one of them to make attacks with each time it fights, so you must also declare which profile it will use before resolving any of its attacks.

When a model fights, it will make a number of melee attacks determined by the Attacks (A) characteristic of the melee weapon it is using.

Each model that can fight does so using one of its melee weapons.
Each model makes a number of attacks equal to the Attacks characteristic of its selected weapon.

Select Targets

Before you resolve any melee attacks, you must first select the enemy units that will be the targets for all of those attacks. In order to select an enemy unit as the target of a melee attack, the attacking model must be either within Engagement Range of that enemy unit, or in base-to-base contact with another model in its own unit that is itself in base-to-base contact with that enemy unit.

If the melee weapon a model is using to fight with can make more than one attack, those attacks can all be made against the same target, or they can be split between different targets. Similarly, if a unit has more than one model, each model can make its attacks at the same, or different, targets. In either case, declare which attacks will target which units before any attacks are resolved.

If there are no eligible targets (because there are no enemy units within Engagement Range, for example) then that unit cannot make melee attacks this phase, but it can still Consolidate.

Select targets for all attacks before any are resolved.
Attacking model must either be within Engagement Range of an enemy unit to target it, or in base-to-base contact with another model in its unit that is itself in base-to-base contact with that enemy unit.

Make Attacks

Melee attacks follow the same attack sequence as ranged attacks (see Making Attacks), and you make one Hit roll for each attack being made.

If more than one enemy unit has been targeted by an attacking unit’s melee attacks, resolve all of the attacks against one target before moving onto the next.

If your unit is making attacks with more than one melee weapon against a unit, and those weapons have different profiles, then after you have resolved an attack with one of those weapons, if any other weapons with the same profile are also being used to make attacks against that unit, you must resolve those attacks before resolving any other attacks against the target.

Note that all of the attacks you have declared targets for are always resolved against the target units, even if, when you come to resolve an attack, no models in the target unit of that attack remain within Engagement Range of the attacking model’s unit (because of models being destroyed as the result of other attacks made by the attacking model’s unit, for example).

Resolve all attacks against one unit before moving onto the next.
Resolve all attacks with the same weapon profile before resolving any made with a different weapon profile.
All attacks declared against a target unit are resolved, even if no models in that unit remain within Engagement Range.

3. Consolidate

After a unit has finished making all of its melee attacks, it Consolidates. Each time a unit Consolidates, you can move each model in that unit that is not already in base-to-base contact with an enemy model up to 3" – this is a Consolidation move. For a Consolidation to be possible, a unit must be able to end these moves within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units and in Unit Coherency. If these conditions cannot be met, then each model in that unit can instead make a Consolidation move towards the closest objective marker, but only if, after doing so, that unit is within range of that objective marker and in Unit Coherency. If these conditions also cannot be met, no models in the unit can make Consolidation moves this phase and that unit’s fight ends.

If a unit can end its Consolidation within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units, then each time one of its models makes a Consolidation move, it must end that move closer to the closest enemy model. If it can also end that move in base-to-base contact with one or more enemy models while still satisfying all of the conditions above, it must do so. The controlling player chooses the order in which to move their models.

Consolidation Move: Up to 3".
Every model that moves must end closer to the closest enemy model, and in base-to-base contact with an enemy model if possible. The unit must end in Unit Coherency and within Engagement Range of at least one enemy unit if possible.
If the above is not possible, each model can move towards the closest objective marker, but this must result in the unit being within range of it and in Unit Coherency.
If the above is also not possible, no models can Consolidate.

The Termagant unit is selected to fight. First, the unit Piles In and all of its models move up to 3" in order to end closer to the closest enemy model, and in base-to-base contact if they can. Note that two Termagants are already in base-to-base contact with the foe – these models therefore do not move.

After making their Pile-in moves, five of the Termagants are within Engagement Range of the Sternguard Veterans, and so will get to make attacks. Three other Termagants are in base-to-base contact with models in their unit that are themselves in base-to-base contact with the Sternguard Veterans – these Termagants will also get to make attacks. The remaining two Termagants are too distant from the foe, and will not get to make attacks.

After the Termagants have made all of their attacks, one enemy model has been destroyed. The Termagants now Consolidate; just like when they Piled In, each model must move up to 3" in order to end closer to the closest enemy model, and in base-to-base contact if they can. Three Termagants are already in base-to-base contact, and so are not moved.

Datasheets

Each unit has a datasheet that lists the characteristics, wargear, abilities and keywords of its models. This section presents a summary of these elements and how they relate to playing the game.

Datasheet Name

Here you will find the name of the unit.

Profiles

These contain the following characteristics that tell you how mighty the models in the unit are:

Move (M): This is the speed at which a model moves across the battlefield. If a model has a Move of ‘-’ it is unable to move at all.

Toughness (T): This reflects the model’s resilience against physical harm.

Save (Sv): This indicates the protection a model’s armour gives them.

Wounds (W): Wounds represent how much damage a model can sustain before it succumbs to its injuries. If a model’s Wounds characteristic is reduced to 0, that model is destroyed.

Leadership (Ld): This reveals how courageous, determined or self-controlled a model is. The lower this number, the better a model’s Leadership is.

Objective Control (OC): This shows how effectively a model can exert control over an objective on the battlefield.

Abilities

Many units have special abilities and rules that may apply during the game, from Core Rules shared by many units to bespoke Psychic abilities and invulnerable saves. These will be described here, along with any rules that apply when larger models such as vehicles have suffered sufficient damage.

Some abilities are bestowed by items of wargear that models in a unit can be equipped with, and are known as Wargear abilities. These only apply while a model in the unit is equipped with the relevant item of wargear.

Weapons

Weapons are described with the following characteristics:

Range: How far the weapon can shoot. Weapons with a range of ‘Melee’ are melee weapons and can only be used in close combat. All other weapons are ranged weapons.

Attacks (A): This tells you how many attacks are made each time that weapon is used.

Weapon Skill (WS): This reflects the bearer’s skill in wielding the relevant melee weapon.

Ballistic Skill (BS): This shows how accurate the bearer is when shooting with the relevant ranged weapon.

Strength (S): How likely the weapon is to wound a foe.

Armour Penetration (AP): This represents the weapon’s ability to cut through the target’s defences.

Damage (D): The amount of damage inflicted by a successful wound.

Keywords

Datasheets have a list of keywords, separated into Faction keywords and other keywords. The former are used when deciding which models to include in your army, but otherwise both sets of keywords are functionally the same.

Unit Composition and Other Rules

This section details the number and types of models in the unit, and the default weapons and wargear those models are equipped with. It may also describe other interactions, such as how units with the Leader ability can attach to other units, and passenger restrictions that may apply to TRANSPORT models.

Wargear Options

Some datasheets have a bullet-pointed list of wargear options. When you include such a unit in your army, you can use these options to change the weapons and other wargear of models in the unit. The order you use these options in does not matter, but each can only be used once.

Leadership Tests

If a rule requires you to take a Leadership test for a unit, roll 2D6: if the total is greater than or equal to the best Leadership characteristic in that unit, that test is passed. Otherwise, it is failed.

Random Characteristics

Some characteristics are a random value instead of a number. For example, a model’s Move characteristic might be 2D6", or a weapon’s Attacks characteristic might be D6. When a unit with a random Move characteristic is selected to move, determine the entire unit’s move distance by rolling the indicated number of dice. For all other characteristics, roll to determine the value on an individual, per-model or per-weapon basis each time that characteristic is required.

Aura Abilities

Some abilities affect multiple models or units in a given range. These are known as Aura abilities and are tagged with the word ‘Aura’. A model with an Aura ability is always within range of its own Aura ability. A unit can be affected by more than one Aura ability at a time, but if a unit is within range of the same Aura ability more than once, that Aura ability only applies to that unit once.

Psychic Weapons and Abilities

Some weapons and abilities can only be used by PSYKERS. Such weapons and abilities are tagged with the word ‘Psychic’. If a Psychic weapon or ability causes any unit to suffer one or more wounds, each of those wounds is considered to have been inflicted by a Psychic Attack.

Deployment Abilities

Some abilities are used during deployment, or when setting a unit up – either on the battlefield or into Reserves. These are known as Deployment abilities, and some widespread examples of these are presented below.

DEEP STRIKE

Some units make their way to battle via tunnelling, teleportation, high-altitude descent or other extraordinary means that allow them to appear suddenly in the thick of the fighting.

During the Declare Battle Formations step, if every model in a unit has this ability, you can set it up in Reserves instead of setting it up on the battlefield. If you do, in the Reinforcements step of one of your Movement phases you can set up this unit anywhere on the battlefield that is more than 9" horizontally away from all enemy models.

Unit can be set up in Reserves instead of on the battlefield.
Unit can be set up in your Reinforcements step, more than 9" horizontally away from all enemy models.

SCOUTS

Scouts form the vanguard of many armies. Unnoticed by the enemy, they range ahead of the main force.

Some units have ‘Scouts x"’ listed in their abilities. If every model in a unit has this ability, then at the start of the first battle round, before the first turn begins, it can make a Normal move of up to x" as if it were your Movement phase – as can any DEDICATED TRANSPORT model such a unit starts the battle embarked within (provided only models with this ability are embarked within that DEDICATED TRANSPORT model). A unit that moves using this ability must end that move more than 9" horizontally away from all enemy models. If both players have units that can do this, the player who is taking the first turn moves their units first.

Example: A unit has the Scouts 6" ability. At the start of the first battle round, the controlling player can make a Normal move with that unit of up to 6".

Scouts x": Unit can make a Normal move of up to x" before the first turn begins.
If embarked in a DEDICATED TRANSPORT, that DEDICATED TRANSPORT can make this move instead.
Must end this move more than 9" horizontally away from all enemy models.

INFILTRATORS

Many armies employ reconnaissance units who can sit concealed, waiting for the right moment to strike.

During deployment, if every model in a unit has this ability, then when you set it up, it can be set up anywhere on the battlefield that is more than 9" horizontally away from the enemy deployment zone and all enemy models.

LEADER

Mighty heroes fight at the forefront of battle.

Some CHARACTER units have ‘Leader’ listed on their datasheets. Such CHARACTER units are known as Leaders, and the units they can lead – known as their Bodyguard units – are listed on their datasheet.

During the Declare Battle Formations step, for each Leader in your army, if your army also includes one or more of that Leader’s Bodyguard units, you can select one of those Bodyguard units. That Leader will then attach to that Bodyguard unit for the duration of the battle and is said to be leading that unit. Each Bodyguard unit can only have one Leader attached to it.

While a Bodyguard unit contains a Leader, it is known as an Attached unit and, with the exception of rules that are triggered when units are destroyed (pg 12), it is treated as a single unit for all rules purposes. Each time an attack targets an Attached unit, until the attacking unit has resolved all of its attacks, you must use the Toughness characteristic of the Bodyguard models in that unit, even if a Leader in that unit has a different Toughness characteristic. Each time an attack sucessfully wounds an Attached unit, that attack cannot be allocated to a CHARACTER model in that unit, even if that CHARACTER model has lost one or more wounds or has already had attacks allocated to it this phase. As soon as the last Bodyguard model in an Attached unit has been destroyed, any attacks made against that unit that have yet to be allocated can then be allocated to CHARACTER models in that unit.

Before the battle, CHARACTER units with the Leader ability can be attached to one of their Bodyguard units to form an Attached unit.
Attached units can only contain one Leader.
Attacks cannot be allocated to CHARACTER models in Attached units.

Stratagems

Command points can be spent during the battle to use Stratagems. All players can use the Core Stratagems presented here. Additional Stratagems can be found in Codexes and other publications.

When you use a Stratagem, reduce your CP total by the amount listed on that Stratagem. If you do not have enough CP for a specific Stratagem, you cannot use it. You can use the same Stratagem multiple times during a battle, but you cannot use the same Stratagem more than once in the same phase.

To use a Stratagem you must pay the CP specified.
The same Stratagem cannot be used more than once in the same phase.

Stratagems Key

EITHER PLAYER’S TURN

YOUR TURN

OPPONENT’S TURN

Stratagem Categories

Each Stratagem belongs to one of four categories, as described below. There are some rules (especially in Crusade games) that interact with Stratagems of a particular category.

BATTLE TACTIC: These Stratagems bolster a unit’s efficacy in battle, boosting their attacks or defensive capabilities at a critical moment.

EPIC DEED: These Stratagems are used by individual models or units to perform mighty feats of heroism.

STRATEGIC PLOY: These Stratagems enable units to gain new strategic insights, granting them a small but valuable window of opportunity.

WARGEAR: These Stratagems represent the effects of using specialised items of equipment in battle.

Modifying a Stratagem’s CP Cost

Rules that modify the CP cost of a Stratagem when you target a particular unit can only do so for a Stratagem that targets multiple units if every unit you target has the same ability to modify the CP of that Stratagem.

Rules that modify the CP cost of a Stratagem but that do not specify the name of the Stratagem can only be used to affect the CP cost of Battle Tactic Stratagems. This does not apply to the Air Caste Colossus, Striding Colossus or Towering Wraith Construct abilities.

Example 1: A Captain’s Rites of Battle ability enables that model to be ‘targeted by a Stratagem for 0CP’. This ability does not specifically name a Stratagem, and so it can only be used to use a Battle Tactic Stratagem for 0CP. Asurmen’s Tactical Acumen ability, however, enables you to ‘target this model’s unit with the Fire Overwatch Stratagem for 0CP’. As the name of the Stratagem is specified, that ability can be used even though Fire Overwatch is a Strategic Ploy Stratagem.

Example 2: A Callidus Assassin’s Reign of Confusion ability, when used, increases the cost of one of your opponent’s Stratagems by 1CP. This ability does not specifically name a Stratagem, and so it can only be used to increase the CP cost of a Battle Tactic Stratagem.

Stratagems that can be Used More Than Once per Phase/Turn

Rules that allow you to use a Stratagem even if another unit has been targeted by that Stratagem this phase or turn, but that do not specify the name of the Stratagem, can only be used to use Battle Tactic Stratagems.

COMMAND RE-ROLL

1CP

Core – Battle Tactic Stratagem

A great commander can bend even the vagaries of fate and fortune to their will, the better to ensure victory.

WHEN: Any phase, just after you make an Advance roll, a Charge roll, a Desperate Escape test or a Hazardous test for a unit from your army, or a Hit roll, a Wound roll, a Damage roll or a saving throw for a model in that unit, or a roll to determine the number of attacks made with a weapon equipped by a model in that unit.

TARGET: That unit from your army.

EFFECT: You re-roll that roll, test or saving throw.

COUNTER-OFFENSIVE

2CP

Core – Strategic Ploy Stratagem

In close-quarters combat, the slightest hesitation can leave an opening for a swift foe to exploit.

WHEN: Fight phase, just after an enemy unit has fought.

TARGET: One unit from your army that is within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units and that has not already been selected to fight this phase.

EFFECT: Your unit fights next.

EPIC CHALLENGE

1CP

Core – Epic Deed Stratagem

The legends of the 41st Millennium are replete with deadly duels between mighty champions.

WHEN: Fight phase, when a CHARACTER unit from your army that is within Engagement Range of one or more Attached units is selected to fight.

TARGET: One CHARACTER model in your unit.

EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, all melee attacks made by that model have the [PRECISION] ability.

INSANE BRAVERY

1CP

Core – Epic Deed Stratagem

Indifferent to their own survival, these warriors hold their ground against seemingly impossible odds.

WHEN: Battle-shock step of your Command phase, just before you take a Battle-shock test for a unit from your army.

TARGET: A unit from your army that must take a Battle-shock test.

EFFECT: Your unit automatically passes that Battle-shock test.

RESTRICTIONS: You cannot use this Stratagem more than once per battle.

GRENADE

1CP

Core – Wargear Stratagem

Priming their hand-held projectiles, these warriors draw back and hurl death into the enemy’s midst.

WHEN: Your Shooting phase.

TARGET: One GRENADES unit from your army that is not within Engagement Range of any enemy units and has not been selected to shoot this phase.

EFFECT: Select one enemy unit that is not within Engagement Range of any units from your army and is within 8" of and visible to your GRENADES unit. Roll six D6: for each 4+, that enemy unit suffers 1 mortal wound.

TANK SHOCK

1CP

Core – Strategic Ploy Stratagem

Ramming the foe with a speeding vehicle may be an unsubtle tactic, but it is a murderously effective one.

WHEN: Your Charge phase.

TARGET: One VEHICLE unit from your army.

EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, after your unit ends a Charge move, select one enemy unit within Engagement Range of it, then select one melee weapon your unit is equipped with. Roll a number of D6 equal to that weapon’s Strength characteristic. If that Strength characteristic is greater than that enemy unit’s Toughness characteristic, roll two additional D6. For each 5+, that enemy unit suffers 1 mortal wound (to a maximum of 6 mortal wounds).

RAPID INGRESS

1CP

Core – Strategic Ploy Stratagem

Be it cunning strategy, potent technology or supernatural ritual, there are many means by which a commander may hasten their warriors’ onset.

WHEN: End of your opponent’s Movement phase.

TARGET: One unit from your army that is in Reserves.

EFFECT: Your unit can arrive on the battlefield as if it were the Reinforcements step of your Movement phase, and if every model in that unit has the Deep Strike ability, you can set that unit up as described in the Deep Strike ability (even though it is not your Movement phase).

RESTRICTIONS: You cannot use this Stratagem to enable a unit to arrive on the battlefield during a battle round it would not normally be able to do so in.

FIRE OVERWATCH

1CP

Core – Strategic Ploy Stratagem

A hail of wildfire can drive back advancing foes.

WHEN: Your opponent’s Movement or Charge phase, just after an enemy unit is set up or when an enemy unit starts or ends a Normal, Advance, Fall Back or Charge move.

TARGET: One unit from your army that is within 24" of that enemy unit and that would be eligible to shoot if it were your Shooting phase.

EFFECT: If that enemy unit is visible to your unit, your unit can shoot that enemy unit as if it were your Shooting phase.

RESTRICTIONS: You cannot target a TITANIC unit with this Stratagem. Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes a ranged attack, an unmodified Hit roll of 6 is required to score a hit, irrespective of the attacking weapon’s Ballistic Skill or any modifiers. You can only use this Stratagem once per turn.

GO TO GROUND

1CP

Core – Battle Tactic Stratagem

Seeking salvation from incoming fire, warriors hurl themselves into whatever cover they can find.

WHEN: Your opponent’s Shooting phase, just after an enemy unit has selected its targets.

TARGET: One INFANTRY unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.

EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, all models in your unit have a 6+ invulnerable save and have the Benefit of Cover.

SMOKESCREEN

1CP

Core – Wargear Stratagem

Even the most skilled marksmen struggle to hit targets veiled by billowing screens of smoke.

WHEN: Your opponent’s Shooting phase, just after an enemy unit has selected its targets.

TARGET: One SMOKE unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.

EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, all models in your unit have the Benefit of Cover and the Stealth ability.

HEROIC INTERVENTION

2CP

Core – Strategic Ploy Stratagem

Voices raised in furious war cries, your warriors surge forth to meet the enemy’s onslaught head-on.

WHEN: Your opponent’s Charge phase, just after an enemy unit ends a Charge move.

TARGET: One unit from your army that is within 6" of that enemy unit and would be eligible to declare a charge against that enemy unit if it were your Charge phase.

EFFECT: Your unit now declares a charge that targets only that enemy unit, and you resolve that charge as if it were your Charge phase.

RESTRICTIONS: You can only select a VEHICLE unit from your army if it is a WALKER. Note that even if this charge is successful, your unit does not receive any Charge bonus this turn.

Strategic Reserves

Strategic Reserves are forces that one or both players have chosen not to deploy at the start of the battle. These rules explain how to place units into Strategic Reserves, as well as how and when they arrive on the battlefield.

These rules let you place units into Strategic Reserves – a special type of Reserves you can use to keep units off the battlefield until you require them. Note that while all Strategic Reserves units are also technically Reserves units, the reverse is not true, and so these rules do not apply to units that are using other rules that enable them to start the battle in Reserves (e.g. Deep Strike). Such units are instead set up as described by those other rules.

Placing Units into Strategic Reserves

Before the battle, when you are instructed to Declare Battle Formations, you can select one or more units from your army to be placed into Strategic Reserves (excluding FORTIFICATIONS).

The combined points value of all the units you wish to place into Strategic Reserves before the battle (including those embarked within TRANSPORT models that are themselves placed into Strategic Reserves) cannot exceed 25% of your total points limit for your chosen battle size, as shown in the table below.

STRATEGIC RESERVES
BATTLE SIZE	MAXIMUM COMBINED POINTS VALUE OF UNITS THAT CAN BE PLACED INTO STRATEGIC RESERVES BEFORE THE BATTLE
Incursion	250
Strike Force	500
Onslaught	750

Strategic Reserves: Units that are not deployed at the start of the battle.
Combined points value cannot exceed 25% of your army’s total.
Cannot put FORTIFICATIONS into Strategic Reserves.

Arriving from Strategic Reserves

Units that are placed into Strategic Reserves are called Strategic Reserves units, and can arrive later in the battle during the Reinforcements step of any of your Movement phases except during the first battle round.

Any Strategic Reserves units that are not on the battlefield at the end of the battle count as destroyed.

Strategic Reserves units can arrive in the Reinforcements step of your Movement phase, from the second battle round onwards.
Those not on the battlefield at the end of the battle count as destroyed.

Setting Up Strategic Reserve Units

Where on the battlefield a Strategic Reserves unit can be set up when it arrives depends on the battle round, as follows:

During the second battle round, Strategic Reserves units that arrive must be set up wholly within 6" of any battlefield edge, but no model in those units can be set up within the enemy deployment zone.
Starting from the third battle round, Strategic Reserves units that arrive must be set up wholly within 6" of any battlefield edge.

In any case, Strategic Reserves units cannot be set up within 9" horizontally of any enemy models. All other rules that apply when setting up Reserves units also apply when setting up Strategic Reserves units.

During the second battle round, set up wholly within 6" of any battlefield edge (not in enemy deployment zone).
From the third battle round onwards, set up wholly within 6" of any battlefield edge.
Cannot be set up within 9" of any enemy models.

Terrain Features

This section provides rules for using a range of terrain features that can transform your gaming table into an interactive, thematic battlefield set in the 41st Millennium. These rules help to bring your battlefield to life and introduce a new tactical dimension to your games.

Battlefields are populated with terrain features that your models will need to move over or around, and which can partially or fully block line of sight between models. The rules below apply to the most common terrain features on the battlefields of the 41st Millennium. Unless otherwise stated, models can move up, over and down terrain features following the normal rules for movement.

Many terrain features follow the normal rules for determining visibility between models, but some interact differently; in either case, this is stated below. Terrain features cannot be selected as the target of an attack.

Benefit of Cover

Shattered ruins and twisted wreckage afford much-needed shelter from enemy salvoes. Even heavily armoured warriors unfazed by small arms fire are thankful for such cover when foes bring their biggest guns to bear.

Models can sometimes gain a measure of protection from terrain features. The rules below detail the conditions under which a terrain feature confers the Benefit of Cover on a model.

Each time a ranged attack is allocated to a model that has the Benefit of Cover, add 1 to the saving throw made for that attack (excluding invulnerable saving throws). Models with a Save characteristic of 3+ or better cannot have the Benefit of Cover against attacks with an Armour Penetration characteristic of 0. Multiple instances of the Benefit of Cover are not cumulative – a model cannot benefit from this rule more than once at any one time.

Benefit of Cover: Add 1 to armour saving throws against ranged attacks.
Does not apply to models with a Save of 3+ or better against attacks with an AP of 0.
Multiple instances are not cumulative.

Craters and Rubble

Many battlefields bear the scars of heavy and sustained bombardment.

MOVEMENT

Models can be moved over this terrain feature, as described here.

VISIBILITY

Normal visibility rules apply.

BENEFIT OF COVER

Each time a ranged attack is allocated to an INFANTRY model that is wholly on top of this terrain feature, that model has the Benefit of Cover against that attack.

KEYWORDS: AREA TERRAIN, CRATER

Barricades and Fuel Pipes

Fuel pipes and purpose-made defence lines are excellent positions from which to repel the enemy.

MOVEMENT

Models can move up, over and down this terrain feature, but they cannot be set up or end any kind of move on top of it.

VISIBILITY

Normal visibility rules apply.

ENGAGEMENT RANGE

In the Charge phase, if an enemy unit is within 1" of this terrain feature, a charging unit on the opposite side of this terrain feature can still make a Charge move against that enemy unit provided it ends that Charge move as close as possible to this terrain feature and within 2" of that enemy unit.
In the Fight phase, units are eligible to fight – and models can make attacks – if their target is on the opposite side of this terrain feature and within 2" of them.

BENEFIT OF COVER

Each time a ranged attack is allocated to an INFANTRY model that is wholly within 3" of this terrain feature, if that model is not fully visible to every model in the attacking unit because of this terrain feature, that model has the Benefit of Cover against that attack.

KEYWORDS: OBSTACLE, BARRICADE

Battlefield Debris and Statuary

Discarded industrial machinery, power reactors, ancient statuary and other detritus of war litter the battlefields of the 41st Millennium.

MOVEMENT

Models can move up, over and down this terrain feature, but they cannot be set up or end any kind of move on top of it.

VISIBILITY

Normal visibility rules apply.

BENEFIT OF COVER

Each time a ranged attack is allocated to a model, if that model is not fully visible to every model in the attacking unit because of this terrain feature, that model has the Benefit of Cover against that attack.

KEYWORDS: OBSTACLE, BATTLEFIELD DEBRIS

Hills, Industrial Structures, Sealed Buildings and Armoured Containers

A sealed bunker, Mechanicus gantry-way, armoured container or even a simple hill can shelter troops from the enemy’s sight and provide a superior vantage point to those atop it.

MOVEMENT

These terrain features are raised areas that models can be set up on top of or end a move on top of, provided the model’s base does not overhang the terrain feature (if the model does not have a base, no part of that model that would be in contact with the battlefield at ground level can overhang that terrain feature). In addition, other terrain features can be set up on top of a HILL terrain feature, provided no part of those terrain features overhangs that HILL terrain feature.

VISIBILITY

Normal visibility rules apply.

BENEFIT OF COVER

KEYWORDS: HILL

Woods

Twisted woodlands and alien flora grow on many corpse-strewn battlefields, obscuring lines of fire and slowing the advance.

FOOTPRINT

When this terrain feature is set up on the battlefield, both players must agree upon its footprint – that is, the boundary of the terrain feature at ground level. This is so that players know when a model is wholly within this terrain feature. If this terrain feature is mounted on a base, then this will define its footprint.

MOVEMENT

Models can be moved over this terrain feature, as described here.

VISIBILITY

Models and units that are wholly within this terrain feature are never considered to be fully visible to an observing model. Similarly, if a model that is not wholly within this terrain feature must look through or over this terrain feature in order to draw line of sight to another model, then that other model is never considered to be fully visible to that observing model, and so it will have the Benefit of Cover from this terrain feature. AIRCRAFT and TOWERING models are exceptions to this – visibility to and from such models is determined normally, even if this terrain feature is wholly in between them and the observing model. Models that are wholly within this terrain feature can see out of it normally.

BENEFIT OF COVER

Each time a ranged attack is allocated to a model, if that model is either wholly within this terrain feature, or it is not fully visible to every model in the attacking unit because of this terrain feature, that model has the Benefit of Cover against that attack.

KEYWORDS: AREA TERRAIN, WOODS

Ruins

The galaxy is littered with the shattered remains of once-proud cities, and countless troops have sought shelter from enemy bombardment within their husks.

FOOTPRINT

PLUNGING FIRE

Each time a model that is wholly within this terrain feature makes a ranged attack, if that model is 6" or more vertically from ground level, and every model in the target unit is at ground level, improve the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1.

MOVEMENT

INFANTRY and BEAST models can move through this terrain feature (walls, floors, ceilings, gantries, chains, etc.) as if it were not there. A model cannot end a move within a wall, a floor, etc.
INFANTRY, BEASTS and FLY models can be set up or end a move on any floor level of this terrain feature, but if that level is not the ground floor, such models can only do so if their base does not overhang the floor at that level (if a model does not have a base, no part of that model that would be in contact with the battlefield at ground level can overhang that floor). All other models can only be set up or end a move on the ground floor of this terrain feature.

VISIBILITY

Models cannot see over or through this terrain feature (i.e. a unit outside this terrain feature cannot draw line of sight to a target on the other side of it, even if it would be possible to draw line of sight to that target through open windows, doors, etc.). AIRCRAFT models are exceptions to this – visibility to and from such models is determined normally, even if this terrain feature is wholly in between them and the observing model. Models can see into this terrain feature normally, and models that are wholly within this terrain feature can see out of it normally. TOWERING models that are within this terrain feature can also see out of it normally.

BENEFIT OF COVER

KEYWORDS: AREA TERRAIN, RUINS

Example Battlefields

In the far future, battles are fought across an infinite variety of strange and alien planets where no land is left untouched by the tempest of war. Crystal moons, derelict space hulks, carnivorous death worlds and war-ravaged cityscapes are just a few of the fantastical landscapes that can be recreated.

Battlefields are typically created by placing Battlezones next to each other. Battlezones are Citadel terrain sets that include two boards (each approximately 22" by 30" in size) and a range of terrain features designed to be set up evenly on those boards for the best Warhammer 40,000 gaming experience. Don’t worry if your battlefield doesn’t match these requirements, but keep in mind that playing on a battlefield that is either a barren wasteland or filled to overflowing with terrain features may give an advantage to one side or the other.

Below is an example of a battlefield set up for a Strike Force battle, with a good mixture of different terrain features fairly distributed across the battlefield. Their placement will create a dynamic gaming experience that doesn’t favour one player over the other.

Importantly, some terrain features that block visibility have been placed near the middle of the battlefield, ensuring that it is not easy to see from one side of the battlefield to the other. Battlefields where this is not the case can advantage armies that rely on shooting, or disadvantage armies that rely on melee. There is also sufficient room for larger models such as vehicles to manoeuvre around the terrain features, especially near the edges, without getting trapped.

Matched Play Focused: This is a Strike Force battlefield (44" x 60") set up with an aspirational number and mixture of terrain features. Their placement creates a battlefield that does not give an advantage to one player or the other, making it well suited to an aspirational matched play game. While this battlefield uses lots of Battlezone: Fronteris terrain features, you could achieve the same gaming experience using many different kinds of terrain, bearing in mind the concepts discussed above.

Matched Play Focused: This Strike Force battlefield has fewer terrain features set up on it than the one below. The terrain has still been set up so as not to give an advantage to one player or the other, and there is still terrain set up in the middle that blocks visibility from one side of the battlefield to the other. As a result, this battlefield would make for an ideal matched play game. Battlefields with less terrain than this will start to advantage armies that rely on shooting over melee.

Narrative Play Focused: This Strike Force battlefield has an ideal number and mixture of terrain features. The largest pieces of AREA TERRAIN have been set up along the two long battlefield edges, while the middle of the battlefield only has a scattering of OBSTACLES to provide any kind of shelter from enemy fire. While this battlefield is not ideal for a matched play game, it would make for a very thematic set-up for a narrative play game.

Matched Play Focused: This Strike Force battlefield is very similar to the one above in terms of number and types of terrain features, but they have been set up more evenly across the battlefield, and the middle contains terrain features that block visibility from one side of the battlefield to the other. This battlefield doesn’t give an advantage to one player or the other, and is far more suited to a typical matched play game.

Matched Play Focused: This Combat Patrol battlefield (44" x 30") has an ideal number and mixture of terrain features. These are set up evenly across the battlefield, there is still space for units to manoeuvre around them, and lines of sight cannot easily be drawn from one edge to the other, giving neither player a clear advantage.

Matched Play Focused: This Combat Patrol battlefield has been set up with fewer terrain features than the battlefield above, but the positioning of these does not favour one player over the other. A battlefield with fewer terrain features than this will afford units no way to gain protection from ranged attacks, and so will give a strong advantage to armies that rely on shooting, while disadvantaging armies that rely on melee.

Narrative Play Focused: This Combat Patrol battlefield has an ideal number and mixture of terrain features, and has been set up to create a strong thematic battlefield that, while not ideally suited to all play styles, sets the scene for a thrilling narrative encounter.

Aircraft

The airspace above a battle is often thronged with activity. Fighters and bomber craft hurtle through the skies, duelling with one another and strafing enemy formations on the ground.

Some models have the AIRCRAFT keyword. The following rules describe how such models operate on the battlefield.

Deploying Aircraft

When you are instructed to Declare Battle Formations, AIRCRAFT models must start the battle in Reserves instead of being set up on the battlefield. Once the battle has started, AIRCRAFT models are then treated as Strategic Reserves units for all rules purposes. Only units that are themselves placed into Reserves can start the battle embarked within AIRCRAFT TRANSPORT models that are in Reserves.

HOVER

Some aircraft can use vectored thrusters or anti-grav technology to hover over the battlefield, the better to hunt their prey or deploy embarked troops.

Some AIRCRAFT models have ‘Hover’ listed in their abilities. When you are instructed to Declare Battle Formations, before doing anything else, you must first declare which models from your army with this ability will be in Hover mode.

If a model is in Hover mode, then until the end of the battle, its Move characteristic is changed to 20", it loses the AIRCRAFT keyword and it loses all associated rules for being an AIRCRAFT model. Models in Hover mode do not start the battle in Reserves, but you can choose to place them into Strategic Reserves following the normal rules if you wish.

Aircraft in the Movement Phase

AIRCRAFT models cannot Advance, Fall Back or Remain Stationary. If, when an AIRCRAFT model is selected to move in the Movement phase, any enemy units are within Engagement Range of it, that AIRCRAFT model can still make a Normal move.

Each time an AIRCRAFT model makes a Normal move, first move the model straight forward, and it must move a minimum of 20" – all parts of the model’s base must end the move at least this far from where they started. After it has moved, it can pivot on the spot up to 90° – this does not contribute to how far the model moves. If, when making a Normal move, any part of an AIRCRAFT model’s base crosses the edge of the battlefield, or it cannot move a minimum of 20", that model’s move ends and it is placed into Strategic Reserves. There is no upper limit to how far AIRCRAFT models can move, and their Move characteristic is therefore 20+".

If placed into Strategic Reserves, an AIRCRAFT model will always arrive from Strategic Reserves in your next turn.

AIRCRAFT can only make a Normal move, and can do so even when within Engagement Range of enemy models.
AIRCRAFT must move straight forward at least 20", and can then make one pivot of up to 90°.
AIRCRAFT that cross the edge of the battlefield, or that cannot make their minimum move, are placed into Strategic Reserves.

Aircraft and the Movement of Other Models

When a unit is selected to move in the Movement phase, if the only enemy models that are within Engagement Range of that unit are AIRCRAFT models, then that unit can still make a Normal or Advance move.

Whenever a model makes any kind of move, it can be moved over enemy AIRCRAFT models as if they were not there, and can be moved within Engagement Range of enemy AIRCRAFT models, but it cannot end that move on top of another model or within Engagement Range of any enemy AIRCRAFT models.

Units can still make a Normal or Advance move if they are only within Engagement Range of enemy AIRCRAFT.
Models can move within Engagement Range of enemy AIRCRAFT, but cannot end a move within Engagement Range of enemy AIRCRAFT.
Models can move over AIRCRAFT when they make any kind of move.

Aircraft in the Charge and Fight Phases

AIRCRAFT units cannot declare a charge, and only units that can FLY can select an AIRCRAFT unit as a target of their charge. Such units can end their Charge move within Engagement Range of one or more enemy AIRCRAFT units.

An AIRCRAFT model is only eligible to fight if it is within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units that can FLY, and it can only make melee attacks against units that can FLY. Only models that can FLY can make melee attacks against AIRCRAFT units.

AIRCRAFT models cannot make Pile-in or Consolidation moves. Each time a model makes a Pile-in or Consolidation move, unless that model can FLY, AIRCRAFT models are ignored for the purposes of moving closer to the closest enemy model.

Only units that can FLY can charge at or make melee attacks against AIRCRAFT.
AIRCRAFT cannot charge, Pile In or Consolidate, and can only make melee attacks against units that can FLY.
When a model Piles In or Consolidates, unless it can FLY, ignore AIRCRAFT when determining the closest enemy model.

A	The Stormtalon Gunship begins the Movement phase within Engagement Range of the Tyranid Prime. The Stormtalon is an AIRCRAFT model and is not in Hover mode, so is free to make a Normal move.
B	The Stormtalon must move a minimum of 20" straight forward, even though this would bring it within Engagement Range of an enemy unit.

C	After finishing its Normal move, the Stormtalon can then pivot on the spot up to 90º.
Note that if at any point during its move the Stormtalon would leave the battlefield due to the minimum movement requirement, it is placed into Strategic Reserves and will arrive in its controlling player’s next turn.

Muster Your Army

In order to play a game of Warhammer 40,000, you will need to muster an army. To do so, follow the sequence below.

1. Select Battle Size

With your opponent, select one of the battle sizes below. This will determine the total number of points each player can spend to build their army and, as a result, how long the battle will last. Points are a measure of a unit’s power on the battlefield; the higher a unit’s points value, the more powerful that unit is. The points values for units are presented in other publications, such as Codexes and the Munitorum Field Manual. You will need to refer to these when building your army.

INCURSION
Points per Army	1000
Duration	Up to 2 hours

STRIKE FORCE
Points per Army	2000
Duration	Up to 3 hours

ONSLAUGHT
Points per Army	3000
Duration	Up to 4 hours

2. Start Your Army Roster

The details of your army must be recorded on an Army Roster. This can be written on a piece of paper or recorded using the Warhammer 40,000 app. Players must show their finished Army Roster to their opponent before battle commences.

You can download blank Army Roster following this link.

3. Select Army Faction

Note on your Army Roster one Faction keyword to be your army faction.

4. Select Detachment Rules

Note on your Army Roster one set of Detachment rules for your army. Some Detachment rules list units that you either must include or cannot include in your army; you must follow all such rules when building your army.

5. Select Units

Select all the units you want to include in your army. Your army must include at least one CHARACTER unit. Each time you include a unit in your army, it can take any upgrade, Enhancement or options it has access to. Note on your Army Roster the number of models in the unit, any weapons, wargear, upgrades and any Enhancement it has, and its points value. Subtract this points value from the total permitted for your battle size.

You can only include a unit in your army if:

That unit has the Faction keyword you chose for your army in step 3.
You have enough points remaining.
Your army does not already contain three units with the same datasheet name as that unit – or six units with the same datasheet name as that unit if it is a BATTLELINE or DEDICATED TRANSPORT* unit.

Only CHARACTERS can be given Enhancements and your army cannot include more than three Enhancements in total. No unit can have more than one Enhancement and each Enhancement included in your army must be unique. EPIC HEROES cannot be given any Enhancements. Your army cannot include the same EPIC HERO more than once.

* Every DEDICATED TRANSPORT unit from your army must start the battle with at least one unit embarked within it, or it cannot be deployed for that battle and will instead count as having been destroyed during the first battle round.

6. Select Warlord

Select one CHARACTER model from your army to be your Warlord – this will be the leader of your army – and make a note of this on your Army Roster. Your Warlord gains the WARLORD keyword.

Missions

Before you can wage war in a game of Warhammer 40,000, you must first select a mission. The Core Rules include a single mission – Only War – that is ideal to get the action started quickly. Others can be found elsewhere in this or other books, or you could play a mission of your own creation. If you and your opponent can’t agree which mission to play, you must roll off, and the winner decides.

Muster Armies

Players muster their armies based on their selected battle size, as described in Muster Your Army section. Each mission will guide players on what size of battle they can play, and may include further rules that could affect how players pick their armies.

Read Mission Objectives

Each mission will state what its primary objectives are, and may also include one or more special rules. These cover unique situations, or abilities that can be used in the battle.

Create the Battlefield

Each mission will include details of the size of the battlefield that you will need. Each mission will also instruct you if any terrain features or objective markers must be set up, and will provide details of where to set them up. Otherwise, it is assumed you are using the guidelines to create your battlefield. If you are using a battlefield that is a different size or shape to those guidelines, you will need to adjust distances, and the location of deployment zones, objective markers and terrain features, in an appropriate way.

Determine Attacker and Defender

Players roll off and the winner is the Attacker – their opponent is the Defender.

Declare Battle Formations

In the order stated below, both players now secretly note down:

Which of their Leader units will start the battle attached (they must specify which Leader unit is attached to which Bodyguard unit).
Which of their units will start the battle embarked within TRANSPORT models (they must specify which units are embarked within which models).
Which of their units will start the battle in Reserves (including Strategic Reserves).

When both players have done so, they declare their selections to their opponent.

Deploy Armies

Each mission includes a deployment map that shows where each player can set up the models in their army (called their deployment zone), and will list any restrictions that apply to setting up.

Determine First Turn

Each mission will tell you how to determine which player has the first turn.

Resolve Pre-battle Rules

Players alternate resolving any pre-battle rules units from their armies have, starting with the player who will take the first turn.

Begin the Battle

The first battle round begins. Players continue to complete battle rounds until the battle ends.

End the Battle

Each mission will tell you when the battle ends. This will typically be after a set number of battle rounds have been completed, or when one player has achieved a certain victory condition.

Determine Victor

Each mission will tell you what you need to do in order to win the game. If neither player manages to achieve a victory then the game is considered to be a draw.

Objective Markers

Objective markers represent objects of tactical or strategic import that both sides are attempting to secure, such as valuable artefacts, vital supplies or communications nodes. If a mission uses objective markers, it will state where they are located on the battlefield. These can be represented using any suitable marker, but we recommend using round markers that are 40mm in diameter.

When setting objective markers up on the battlefield, place them so they are centred on the point specified by the mission. When measuring distances to and from objective markers, measure to and from the closest part of them. Models can move over objective markers as if they were not there, but they cannot end a move on top of an objective marker.

At the start of the battle, each objective marker on the battlefield is said to be contested, and so is not controlled by either player. To control an objective marker, a player will first need to move models within range of it. A model is within range of an objective marker if it is within 3" horizontally and 5" vertically of that objective marker.

Every model has an Objective Control (OC) characteristic listed on its datasheet. To determine a player’s Level of Control over an objective marker, add together the OC characteristics of all the models from that player’s army that are within range of that objective marker. A player will control an objective marker at the end of any phase or turn if their Level of Control over it is greater than their opponent’s. If both players have the same Level of Control over an objective marker, that objective marker is contested.

A model is within range of an objective marker if within 3" horizontally and 5" vertically.
Level of Control: Add together the OC characteristics of all of a player’s models within range of the objective marker.
An objective marker is controlled by the player with the highest Level of Control over it (in a tie, it is contested).
Models cannot end a move on top of an objective marker.

Hints and Tips
Objective Markers and Terrain Features

Many players choose to bring the narrative of their missions to life by positioning objective markers within exciting terrain features on the battlefield. When setting up terrain features, you can place them where an objective marker would be, so long as you can reposition that objective marker directly on top of that terrain feature and it lies flat, without overhanging any part of it. That objective marker should still be more than 1" away from all impassable parts of that terrain feature (such as the walls of a ruin) so that there is sufficient room for models to move around it.

If it is not possible to set up terrain features or objective markers in this way, and both players agree, you can nudge the positions of any terrain feature or objective marker so that these conditions are satisfied. Of course, the final position of an objective marker should still be as close as possible to the location indicated on your mission’s deployment map, but if both players are happy to tweak the battlefield arrangement to forge a stronger narrative, you should feel free to do so.

Mission Map Key

Attacker’s Deployment Zone
The Attacker must set up their army within this area.

Defender’s Deployment Zone
The Defender must set up their army within this area.

No Man’s Land
The region of the battlefield that is not within either player’s deployment zone is known as No Man’s Land.

Objective Markers
The locations of objective markers on the battlefield are typically shown on the deployment map of the mission being played, and are represented by this icon.

Attacker’s Battlefield Edge

Defender’s Battlefield Edge

Centre of Battlefield

Mission

Only War

The time has come to prove your worth as the greatest commander in the galaxy! All that stands between you and ultimate glory is an opposing force bent upon your destruction. Destroy the enemy army and secure strategic sites littered across the battlefield while stopping your foe from doing likewise.

MUSTER ARMIES
First, players will need to muster armies based on the battle size they have selected, as described in Muster Your Army section. This mission is designed for Incursion, Strike Force and Onslaught battle sizes.

MISSION OBJECTIVES

CAPTURE AND CONTROL

Progressive Objective

Starting from the second battle round, at the end of each player’s Command phase, the player whose turn it is scores 1 Victory point (VP) for each objective marker they control (to a maximum of 3VP per turn).

CREATE THE BATTLEFIELD
Players now create the battlefield and set up terrain features using the guidelines in Example Battlefields section. The minimum size of your battlefield depends on the battle size you have selected, as shown in the table below.

BATTLEFIELDS
BATTLE SIZE	MINIMUM BATTLEFIELD SIZE
Incursion/Strike Force	44" x 60"
Onslaught	44" x 90"

Players must then alternate setting up objective markers on the battlefield, starting with whichever player wins a roll-off, until a total of four have been placed. Objective markers cannot be placed within 6" of any battlefield edge, or within 9" of any other objective markers.

DETERMINE ATTACKER AND DEFENDER
Players roll off and the winner is the Attacker – their opponent is the Defender.

DECLARE BATTLE FORMATIONS
In the order stated below, both players now secretly note down:

Which of their Leader units will start the battle attached (they must specify which Leader unit is attached to which Bodyguard unit).
Which of their units will start the battle embarked within Transport models (they must specify which units are embarked within which models).
Which of their units will start the battle in Reserves (including Strategic Reserves).

When both players have done so, they declare their selections to their opponent.

DEPLOY ARMIES
Players then alternate deploying their units, one at a time, starting with the Attacker. Models must be set up wholly within their controlling player’s deployment zone. Continue setting up units until both players have set up all the units from their armies, or you have run out of room to set up more units. If one player has finished setting up their army, their opponent continues to set up the remaining units from their army.

If both players have units with abilities that allow them to be set up after both armies have deployed, the players must roll off after all other units have been set up and alternate setting up those units, starting with the winner.

DETERMINE FIRST TURN
Players should roll off again, and the winner takes the first turn.

RESOLVE PRE-BATTLE RULES
Players now resolve any pre-battle rules their armies have.

BEGIN THE BATTLE
The first battle round begins. Players continue to resolve battle rounds until the battle ends.

END THE BATTLE
The battle ends when all of the models in one player’s army have been destroyed, or once the fifth battle round has ended (whichever comes first).

DETERMINE VICTOR
If, at the end of the battle, one army has been destroyed, the player commanding the opposing army is the victor. Otherwise, the player with the most Victory points is the victor (in the case of a tie, the battle is a draw).

Core Rules

Books

Introduction

CORE CONCEPTS

Missions

Armies

Units

Datasheets

Keywords

Engagement Range

Unit Coherency

Battlefield

Terrain Features

Measuring Distances

Hints and TipsWobbly Models

Determining Visibility

Model Visible

Unit Visible

Model Fully Visible

Unit Fully Visible

Dice

Re-rolls

Roll-offs

Hints and TipsDice Rolling

Sequencing

The Battle Round

COMMAND PHASE

1. Command

2. Battle-shock

Gaining Command Points

Starting Strength

Below Half-strength

Destroyed

Attached Units

MOVEMENT PHASE

1. Move Units

Remain Stationary

Normal Moves

Advance Moves

Fall Back Moves

Moving Over Terrain

Flying

2. Reinforcements

Transports

Transport Capacity

Embark

Disembark

Destroyed Transports

Emergency Disembarkation

SHOOTING PHASE

Select Targets

Make Ranged Attacks

Locked in Combat

Big Guns Never Tire

Making Attacks

1. Hit Roll

2. Wound Roll

3. Allocate Attack

4. Saving Throw

Invulnerable Saves

Mortal Wounds

5. Inflict Damage

Hints and TipsFast Dice Rolling

Weapon Abilities

Assault

Rapid Fire

Ignores Cover

Twin-linked

Pistol

Torrent

Lethal Hits

Lance

Indirect Fire

Precision

Blast

Melta

Heavy

Hazardous

Devastating Wounds

Sustained Hits

Hints and Tips
Wobbly Models

Hints and Tips
Dice Rolling

Hints and Tips
Fast Dice Rolling