Warhammer Age of Sigmar (Second Edition) Core Rules
Warhammer Age of Sigmar (Second Edition) Core Rules Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The Core Rules
The following rules explain how to play a game of Warhammer Age of Sigmar. First, you must prepare the battlefield and muster an army of Citadel Miniatures. The battle is then fought in a series of battle rounds, where each player takes a turn to move and fight with their army.
Battleplans
Before fighting a battle, you must pick a battleplan to use. The battleplan will tell you how to set up the battlefield, where each army will be set up, any special rules that apply to the battle, and (most importantly!) what you need to do in order to win.
Warscrolls
The Citadel Miniatures in Warhammer Age of Sigmar are referred to as 'models'. Each model has a warscroll, which provides all of the information needed for using the model in a game. Some models can be included in formations known as warscroll battalions, which provide additional rules.
The Armies
Each player in a game of Warhammer Age of Sigmar commands an army. Armies can be as big as you like, and you can use as many models from your collection as you wish. The more models you decide to use, the longer the game will last and the more exciting it will be. Typically, a game with around a hundred miniatures per side will last for about an evening.
Models from your army are referred to as friendly models, and models from the opposing army are referred to as enemy models. If a rule states that it affects 'models' or 'units' without specifying that they are friendly or enemy, then it affects all models, friend or foe.
Units
Models fight in units. A unit can have one or more models, but cannot include models that use different warscrolls. A unit must be set up and finish any sort of move as a single group, with all models within 1" horizontally, and 6" vertically, of at least one other model from their unit.
If a unit is split up at the end of a turn, models must be removed from the unit until only a single group of models remains in play (see Split Units).
Sometimes there will not be enough room to set up all of the models from a unit. When this is the case, any models that cannot be set up are considered to have been slain.
Tools of War
In order to fight a battle you will require a ruler or tape measure (to measure distances) and some dice. Warhammer Age of Sigmar uses six-sided dice (sometimes abbreviated to D6). Some rules refer to 2D6, 3D6 and so on – in such cases, roll that many dice and add the results together. If a rule requires you to roll a D3, roll a dice and halve the total, rounding up. If a rule requires a dice roll of, for example, 3 or more, this is often abbreviated to 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 result that was made by adding several dice together (e.g. 2D6, 3D6 etc.) then, unless otherwise stated, you must roll all of those dice again. You can never re-roll a dice more than once, and re-rolls happen before modifiers to the roll (if any) are applied. Rules that refer to the result of an 'unmodified' dice roll are referring to the result after any re-rolls but before any modifiers are applied.
Roll-Offs
Sometimes a rule may require the players to make a roll-off. When this is the case, each of the players rolls a dice, and whoever rolls highest wins the roll-off. If there is a tie for the highest roll, make the roll-off again. Neither player is allowed to re-roll or modify any of the dice when making a roll-off.
Measuring Distances
Distances in Warhammer Age of Sigmar are measured in inches ("), 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 and from the closest point of that model instead.
When measuring the distance between units, always use the closest model from each unit to measure how far apart the units are. So, for example, a unit is within 12" of another unit as long as any model from one unit is 12" or less from any model from the other unit. You can measure distances whenever you wish.
Keywords
Every warscroll includes a list of keywords that apply to the model the warscroll describes. Keywords appear in Keyword Bold in the rules.
Keywords are sometimes linked to (or 'tagged' by) a rule. For example, a rule might say that it applies to 'all Order models'. This means that it would apply to models that have the Order keyword on their warscroll.
The Battlefield
All games of Warhammer Age of Sigmar are fought upon a battlefield. This can be any flat surface upon which the models can stand, and can be any size or shape provided it's at least 2-foot square.
The scenery found on a battlefield is represented by models from the Warhammer Age of Sigmar 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 and the armies deploy.
A good guide is to have at least one terrain feature for every 2-foot square area of the battlefield.
The Battle Begins
With the battleplan chosen and the battlefield prepared, you are now ready to deploy your armies for the coming conflict. Before the battle begins you must set up your army, choose your general, and use any pre-battle abilities.
Set Up Armies: Details of how the armies should be set up can be found in the battleplan you are using.
Sometimes an ability will allow a unit to be set up in a location other than the battlefield; when this is the case, tell your opponent where the unit is set up and keep it to one side rather than placing it directly on the battlefield. It will arrive later as a reserve unit.
Reserves: Reserves are units that are part of your army, but which have an ability that allows you to set them up in a location other than on the battlefield and deploy them later once the battle has begun. Setting up a reserve unit is not considered a move for the unit, but it may restrict a unit's ability to move in the same turn. Any reserves that have not been set up when the battle ends are treated as if they had been slain when you are working out which side won the battle.
Choose General: Once you have finished setting up all of your units, nominate one of the models you set up to be your general. If your general is slain, pick another model from your army to become your new general.
All models from the same unit must be within 1" of at least one other model from their unit.
Battle Rounds
A Warhammer Age of Sigmar battle is fought in a series of battle rounds, each of which is split into two turns – one for each player. Once the first player has finished their turn, the second player takes theirs. Once the second player has also finished, the battle round is over and a new one begins.
At the start of each battle round, the players must roll off, and the winner decides who takes the first turn. If the roll-off is a tie, then the player who went first in the last battle round can choose who goes first in this one, but if it is the first battle round, the player that finished setting up their army first chooses who has the first turn.
Turn Sequence
- Hero Phase – Cast spells and use heroic abilities.
- Movement Phase – Move units across the battlefield.
- Shooting Phase – Attack with missile weapons.
- Charge Phase – Charge units into combat.
- Combat Phase – Pile in and attack with melee weapons.
- Battleshock Phase – Test the resolve of depleted units.
Hero Phase
Many of the abilities found on warscrolls are used in your hero phase. In addition, Wizards in your army can cast spells in this phase.
Command Abilities
If you have any Heroes in your army, you can use command abilities. Some command abilities are available to all armies, while others are specific to certain models and appear on their warscroll. Some of these command abilities can only be used if that model is your general; when this is the case, it will be noted in the rules for the command ability.
In order to use any command ability you must spend 1 command point. You start the battle with 1 command point for each warscroll battalion you have in your army. In addition, you receive 1 command point at the start of each of your hero phases. You can use the same command ability several times in the same phase as long as you have enough command points to do so. Any command points you do not use can be used in a future turn. A command ability will usually specify when it is used; if it does not, it is used in your hero phase.
Three command abilities are available to all armies:
- At the Double: You can use this command ability after you make a run roll for a friendly unit that is within 6" of a friendly Hero, or 12" of a friendly Hero that is a general. If you do so, the run roll is treated as being a 6.
- Forward to Victory: You can use this command ability after you make a charge roll for a friendly unit that is within 6" of a friendly Hero, or 12" of a friendly Hero that is a general. If you do so, re-roll the charge roll.
- Inspiring Presence: You can use this command ability at the start of the battleshock phase. If you do so, pick a friendly unit that is within 6" of a friendly Hero, or 12" of a friendly Hero that is a general. That unit does not have to take battleshock tests in that phase.
Movement Phase
Start your movement phase by picking one of your units and moving each model in that unit until you've moved all the models you want to. You can then pick another unit to move, until you have moved as many of your units as you wish. No unit can be moved more than once in each movement phase.
Movement
You can change the position of a model on the battlefield by making a move with the model. Models can be moved in the movement phase, the charge phase and the combat phase, and some abilities may allow a model to make a move in other phases too.
Whenever you move a model, it can be moved in any direction or combination of directions, but cannot be moved across other models or their bases, nor can it cross the edge of the battlefield. You can pivot the model at the end of the move so that it is facing in any direction. The distance a model moves is measured using the part of the model's base that moves furthest from its starting position (including pivoting). If the model has no base, measure the move using whichever part of the model moves furthest from its starting position.
Remember that a unit must finish any type of move as a single group, with all models within 1" horizontally, and 6" vertically, of at least one other model from their unit. If this is impossible, then the move cannot be made.
Moving Over Terrain
Unless stated otherwise, a model can be moved over a terrain feature but not through it (so models can't move through a wall, or pass through a tree, but can climb up or over them). A model can be moved vertically in order to climb or cross a terrain feature, counting the vertical distance up and/or down as part of its move.
Normal Moves
Moves made in the movement phase are referred to as normal moves, to differentiate them from charge moves (made in the charge phase) and pile-in moves (made in the combat phase). A model making a normal move can move a distance in inches equal to or less than the Move characteristic shown on its warscroll.
Enemy Units and Retreats
When you make a normal move for a model, no part of the move can be within 3" of an enemy unit.
Units starting a normal move within 3" of an enemy unit can either remain stationary or retreat. If a unit retreats, it can move within 3" of an enemy, but must end the move more than 3" from all enemy units. Models in a unit that retreats can't shoot or charge later in the same turn.
Running
When you pick a unit to make a normal move, you can declare that it will run. Make a run roll for the unit by rolling a dice. Add the result of the run roll to the Move characteristic of all models in the unit for that movement phase. The unit can then move up to that distance in inches. Models in a unit that runs can't shoot or charge later in the same turn.
Flying
If the warscroll for a model says that the model can fly, it can pass across models and terrain features as if they were not there when it makes any type of move. Any vertical distance up and/or down is ignored when measuring a flying model's move. It cannot finish the move on top of another model.
Shooting Phase
In your shooting phase, you can shoot with models armed with missile weapons. Pick one of your units. Each model in the unit attacks with all of the missile weapons it is armed with. Remember that models that have run or retreated cannot shoot in the same turn. After all models in the unit have shot, you can choose another unit to shoot with, until all units that you want to shoot with have done so.
Enemy Units
A unit can shoot when it is within 3" of the enemy, but if it does so it can only target enemy units that are within 3" of it with its shooting attacks. A unit can shoot at an enemy unit that is within 3" of another friendly unit without penalty.
Look Out, Sir!
You must subtract 1 from hit rolls made for missile weapons if the target of the attack is an enemy Hero that is within 3" of an enemy unit that has 3 or more models. The Look Out, Sir! rule does not apply if the target Hero is a Monster.
Charge Phase
Any of your units within 12" of the enemy in your charge phase can attempt to make a charge move. Pick an eligible unit and make a charge roll for it by rolling 2D6. Each model in the unit can move a number of inches equal to the charge roll. You cannot make a charge move with a unit that has run or retreated earlier in the turn, or with a unit that is within 3" of an enemy unit.
The first model you move from a unit making a charge move must finish the move within ½" of an enemy model (you do not have to pick the target for the charge before making the charge roll). If that's impossible, or you decide not to make the charge move, the charge fails and no models in the unit can move in this phase.
Once all models in one unit have made their charge moves, you can pick another eligible unit to make a charge attempt, until all units that you want to make charge attempts have done so.
Combat Phase
In the combat phase, the players take it in turn to pick units to fight with, starting with the player whose turn is taking place.
When it is your turn, you must either pick an eligible unit to fight with, or pass (note that you cannot pass if there is an eligible unit from your army that can fight). A unit is eligible to fight if it is within 3" of an enemy unit, or if it made a charge move in the same turn. No unit can fight more than once in each combat phase.
If you pick a unit to fight, it first piles in, and then the models in the unit must attack.
If you pass, you do nothing, and the option to fight or pass goes back to your opponent. If both players pass in succession, the combat phase ends.
Piling In
A unit can make a pile-in move if it is within 3" of an enemy unit or has made a charge move in the same turn. If this is the case, you can move each model in the unit up to 3". Each model must finish its pile-in move at least as close to the nearest enemy model as it was at the start of the move.
Fighting
Each model in the unit must attack with all of the melee weapons it is armed with.
Battleshock Phase
In the battleshock phase, both players must take battleshock tests for units from their army that have had models slain during the turn. The player whose turn it is tests first.
You must make a battleshock roll for each unit that has to take a battleshock test. To make a battleshock roll, roll a dice. Add the number of models from the unit that have been slain this turn to the dice roll, and add 1 to the unit's Bravery characteristic for every 10 models that are in the unit when the test is taken.
If the modified battleshock roll is greater than the unit's modified Bravery characteristic, the battleshock test has been failed. If the test is failed, for each point by which the modified roll exceeds the unit's modified Bravery characteristic, one model in that unit must flee. You decide which of the models from your units flee – remove them from play and count them as having been slain.
Split Units
At the end of each turn, you must remove models from any of the units in your army that are split up into two or more groups, until only one group of models from the unit remains in play. The models you remove count as having been slain.