Warhammer: The Game of Fantasy Battles (5th Edition)
Warhammer: The Game of Fantasy Battles (5th Edition) Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
- The Game Rules
- Characteristics
- Weapons and Armour
- Units of Troops
- The Turn
- Movement
- Moving Troops
- Charging
- Shooting
- Hitting the Target
- Wounds
- Removing Casualties
- Close Combat
- Hitting the Enemy
- Results
- Losers Take a Break Test
- Fleeing Troops
- Pursuit
- Redress the Ranks
- Psychology
- Panic
- Fear
- Terror
- Stupidity
- Frenzy
- Hatred
- Weapons and Units
- Heroes and Wizards
- Monsters
- Bound Monsters Rule
- Flyers
- Chariots
- Fighting Chariots
- War Machines
- Stone Throwers
- Cannons
- Bolt Throwers
- Leaders, Standards and Musicians
- The General
- Daemons
- Magic
- Skirmishers
- Buildings
- Points Values
- Appendix 1: Commentary on the Rules
- Appendix 2: Notes on Scale and Measurement
- Appendix 3: On House Rules
The Game Rules
If you have never played Warhammer before we recommend that you refer to the separate Getting Started sheet before reading this rulebook. The guide is designed to give you an overall idea about how the game works before you read the rules themselves. If you are an old Warhammer campaigner then you'll find the greater part of the contents of this new rulebook familiar to you. The game is not very different from its predecessors - and deliberately so - for players who have spent time and energy building up their armies would be roughly served if we were to alter the basis on which their collections have been assembled. Rather, our intention has been to make the game rules as clear as possible, and to remove anomalies and mistakes from the previous version.
Whether you are new to command or a veteran of many battles it is worth reading through this rulebook from the beginning. Don't worry about remembering every rule right from the start, as you can always refer to the rulebook during the game if necessary. All the important rules are summarised on the separate playsheet.
Don't be daunted by the thickness of this book or the apparent complexity of some of the rules, many of which are designed for exceptional creatures or war machines, or provide extra detail concerning weaponry, fighting in buildings, and so forth. The core of the rules are contained in the section up to and including the Psychology section, and we suggest novice players ignore the sections beyond until they have fought at least one game.
In compiling this book we have tried to make the rules as concise as possible without resorting to mincing, legalistic language or to long and tedious lists of conditions attempting to cover every imaginable circumstance. We have included many diagrams and at the back of the book you'll find further examples, clarifications and notes. When situations arise where players can find no clear answer in the rulebook, and they certainly will for there is nothing more liable to bizarre circumstances than a fantasy battle, then players must feel free to improvise a rule or agree upon a procedure for themselves.
This rulebook contains all the rules for the Warhammer game that are not specific to individual races. You will find special rules for individual races, monsters and creatures under their description in the Battle book. Further special rules for specific armies are included in the Warhammer Armies series of army guides. Rules for further use of magic, including spellcasting and magic weapons, are given in full in the separate Warhammer Magic supplement as they are far too substantial to include in the Warhammer box.
Players will find suggested rules for setting up the battlefield, deployment, and working out who has won in the accompanying Battle book. These are regarded a matter of player choice rather than part of the rules of the game, and so have been removed from the rulebook itself.
What You Will Need to Play
In addition to model armies, a suitable battlefield, and two players, there are a few more essential items you need to play Warhammer. Most of these items are included in the Warhammer box, while the rest are all readily available.
Dice. You will need as many ordinary, 6-sided dice as you can get hold of. Warhammer includes a number of dice, and this will be enough to play a game, but you can never have too many! Warhammer includes two special dice: the Artillery dice marked 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 'misfire', and the Scatter dice marked with arrows and 'hit' symbols. These dice are used to represent the effects of cannons and stone throwing engines, and are included in the game.
Measuring. We have included two plastic range rulers in the game to help you measure your moves and work out firing ranges. You will need at least one retractable measuring tape to measure longer distances.
Record keeping. Pencil and paper are needed to record details of your troops, casualties and other minor details during play. We have provided roster sheets and file cards which can be used to record such details, and you may wish to make further copies of these or to devise your own record system.
Characteristics
In the Warhammer World there are many different types of warriors, from ordinary archers and spearmen to lordly knights riding mighty chargers. There are monstrous creatures too, some quite small like Goblins and others huge like fire-breathing Dragons. In order to represent these different creatures in the game we have nine characteristics which describe the various aspects of their physical or mental make up.
Movement Allowance (M). Often simply called move, this shows the number of inches a creature can move on the tabletop under normal circumstances. For example, a Goblin with a move of 4 can move 4 inches.
Weapon Skill (WS). Defines how accomplished or skilled a warrior is with his weapons, or how determined and vicious a monster is. WS is rated on a scale of 1 to 10 and the higher the score the more likely the fighter is to hit a hand-to-hand combat opponent. An ordinary human has a WS of 3 whilst a battle-hardened leader might have a WS of 4 or 5 or possibly even higher.
Ballistic Skill (BS). Shows how good a warrior is with ranged weapons such as bows, crossbows or even thrown rocks. BS is rated on a scale of 1 to 10 and the higher this score is the easier a creature finds it to hit with missile attacks. Some monsters have natural weapons that can be used at range (they might be able to spit venom, for example) and their BS is used to determine whether they hit or not.
Strength (S). Shows how strong a creature is. Strength is rated on a scale of 1 to 10. An exceptionally puny creature might have a Strength of 1 whilst a mighty Giant might have a Strength of 6 or even higher. Most men have a Strength of 3. Strength tells us how hard a creature can hit and thus how easily it can hurt an opponent it has struck.
Toughness (T). Toughness is a measure of a creature's ability to resist damage, or withstand physical damage and pain, and reflects such factors as the toughness of a creature's flesh, hide or skin, or the depth of its fur. Toughness is rated on a scale of 1 to 10 and the tougher a creature is the better it can withstand an enemy's blows.
Wounds (W). Shows how much damage a creature can take before it either dies or is so badly hurt it can't fight any more. Most humans and human-sized creatures have a Wounds characteristic value of 1. Large monsters are often able to withstand several wounds that would slay a smaller creature and so have a Wounds value of 2, 3, 4 or more.
Initiative (I). Initiative is rated on a scale of 1 to 10 and indicates how fast a creature can react. Creatures with a low Initiative score are slow and cumbersome whilst creatures with a high Initiative score are much more quick and agile. Humans have an I score of 3. In close combat Initiative dictates the order in which creatures strike, since faster creatures will be able to attack before slower ones.
Attacks (A). Indicates the number of times a creature attacks during close combat. Most creatures attack only once and have an A value of 1, although some monsters or warriors of exceptional skill may be able to strike several times and have an A score of 2, 3 or more.
Leadership (Ld). A creature with a high Leadership value is courageous, steadfast, and self-controlled. A creature with a low value is the opposite! Leadership is rated on a score of 1 to 10. Humans have a Ld value of 7, which is average, whilst cowardly Goblins have a Ld of only 5.
0 Level Characteristics
Some creatures have been given a '0' for certain characteristics which means they have no ability whatsoever in that field! This usually applies to creatures unable to use missile weapons, so they have a BS of 0, but it might equally well apply to other characteristics too. For example, an ordinary horse has no Attacks (A 0). If a creature or object has a WS of 0 then it cannot defend itself in hand-to-hand combat, and any blows struck against it will automatically hit.
Characteristic Profiles
Every creature in the Warhammer World has a characteristic profile which lists the value of its different characteristics. In the Battle book you will find profiles for many of the races and monsters of the Warhammer World. The profile columns are: Troop Type, M, WS, BS, S, T, W, I, A, Ld. The examples in the manual are an Orc and a Man (Orc: M 4, WS 3, BS 3, S 3, T 4, W 1, I 2, A 1, Ld 7; Man: M 4, WS 3, BS 3, S 3, T 3, W 1, I 3, A 1, Ld 7).
As you can see, an Orc and a Man are very similar in many respects. They both move at the same speed - 4", and they both have the same Weapon Skill and Ballistic Skill which means they are very evenly matched in combat. Both have the same Strength value, so they can deliver blows with equal potency. When it comes to Toughness the Orc wins over the Man - the Orc's value is 4 compared to 3. This is not a huge difference, but it makes the Orc better able to withstand blows and gives it the edge in hand-to-hand fighting. Both creatures have 1 wound, which is the normal value for man-sized creatures. The Orc loses out when it comes to Initiative. This is not a terrible disadvantage, but it does mean that the Man will strike his blows before the Orc when they get stuck into hand-to-hand fighting. Both races have the same Leadership - 7 - which is about average.
Weapons and Armour
Intelligent creatures such as Men, Orcs, Elves and so forth carry weapons and may wear armour. Some are armed with bows or other missile weapons enabling them to strike at a distance. Others are equipped with spears or swords to fight hand-to-hand. Later we will be describing special rules to reflect the differences between different weapons.
Most troops wear armour and carry shields to protect them from the savage blows of their enemies. Armour greatly affects a warrior's chance of survival and so influences the outcome of combat. The more heavily armoured troops are, the harder they are to kill.
Armour
For purposes of the game armour is divided into the following categories.
Shield. A shield is excellent for warding off blows and absorbing the shock of impacting spears, arrows, and such like. Many troops carry shields into battle.
Light armour. Troops might wear a metal breastplate or a chainmail or scale armour coat. These are described as light armour because they offer slightly less protection than heavy armour and also weigh less.
Heavy armour. This is a completely enclosing suit of armour as worn by knights. It is made from metal plates and is very heavy and cumbersome. An enclosing suit of chainmail armour can also be classed as heavy armour, so the definition is not a completely rigid one.
Barding. Barding is armour made for a horse. It can be metal or it can take the form of a thick quilted coat with a linen covering bearing a knight's coat of arms.
Units of Troops
On the battlefield troops don't fight as a disorganised mob of individuals, they fight in properly organised units with officers to lead them. Such units are often referred to as regiments or, in the case of cavalry, squadrons. Units of troops march in disciplined ranks and they are trained to manoeuvre as a solid block.
Generally speaking, a unit is made up of troops of the same type. All the models in a unit will be of the same race, and will have the same weapons and armour as well as the same characteristics profile. For example, you could have a regiment of human archers armed with longbows and wearing light armour, or a unit of heavily armoured knights riding warhorses. Although in reality creatures of the same race vary - some are weaker, faster or braver than others, we assume that the differences average out over the unit as a whole.
Formations
Units are arranged on the battlefield in a formation which consists of one, two, three, or more ranks. As far as possible, the unit always has the same number of models in each rank, and where this is not possible it is always the rearmost rank which is left short. Units can change their formation during the battle, but this takes up time and may slow the unit down as described later.
Examples: because it consists of thirteen models, a Goblin unit cannot be arranged in complete ranks; the last three 'loose' models are positioned in the rear rank. If two more models were added to the unit it would be arranged in three complete ranks. A unit of sixteen Skinks may be arranged in two ranks of eight. A unit of fifteen High Elves is arranged in three complete ranks of five models, the leader positioned in the centre of the front rank with the standard and the musician to either side.
Leaders, Musicians and Banners
Units of troops always have a leader, and commonly include a standard bearer who carries the unit's banner, and a musician such as a drummer or warrior with a horn.
The leader model is always placed in the middle of the front rank of the unit. If a unit does not include a specific model to represent its leader, then the leader is assumed to be the model in the middle of the front rank. The unit's standard bearer and musician must also be placed in the front rank where possible. When the unit turns round to face the side or rear its leader, together with standard bearer and musician, are automatically rearranged into the new front rank.
As we shall see later a unit can also be joined by a hero or wizard, in which case these models are also arranged into the front rank alongside the leader, standard bearer and musician. Don't worry about this for now, we'll discuss special rules for heroes and wizards later on.
Facing
All the models taking part in the battle are assumed to face directly forward from the front of their base. This applies equally to units of troops as to large monsters and heroic characters fighting on their own. This is important because a model can only see things that lie in a 90 degree arc in front of it. Being able to see the enemy is vital when it comes to shooting and deciding whether units can charge their foe.
The Facing rule (shown in a diagram): a model sees only what lies within the 90 degree arc projected forward from the front of its base. It is worth remembering this simple rule right from the start as it becomes very important once the game is underway.
Cavalry
As well as units of warriors fighting on foot, the armies of the Warhammer World include troops riding horses, giant wolves, spiders and other creatures. Horse-sized creatures and their riders are referred to as cavalry. Bigger creatures are referred to as monsters and these have special rules as described later. Rules for cavalry are discussed throughout the game where appropriate.
The difference between monsters and cavalry is defined by the number of Wounds the creature has on its characteristic profile. If a mount has 1 Wound it is a cavalry model; if it has more than 1 Wound it is a monster. Examples of cavalry models include troops riding horses, warhorses, Elven steeds, giant wolves, warboars, spiders and any other mounts that have 1 Wound on their characteristic profile.
A cavalry model is treated in all respects as a single model. Should the rider be slain the entire model is removed from the battle.
Cavalry models use the rider's Leadership characteristics value for all tests that require it. When the model is attacked it is the rider's Toughness and Wounds which are used. The mount's Toughness, Wounds and Leadership are never used, but are included on its characteristic profile because such creatures sometimes appear on their own or pulling chariots.
Monsters, Chariots and War Machines
Some of the most spectacular combatants in the game are not regiments of troops at all but mighty heroes sitting astride huge monsters such as Dragons, Wyverns and Griffons. Monsters and riders are covered by the special rules described in this rulebook.
Model chariots are an impressive option for many armies. For purposes of definition a model consists of the chariot itself plus its crew and whatever creatures are pulling it. Chariots make very suitable means of transport for an important sorcerer or general. Special rules for chariots are included in this rulebook.
Different armies can field different kinds of war machines too, from primitive stone throwing engines to cannons and even stranger devices. As with chariots a model is defined as the machine itself plus its crew. Rules for the common types of war machines are included in the War Machines section of this rulebook. Rules for the more unusual devices specific to certain armies are covered in the Warhammer Armies books.
The Turn
Battles are fought between two opposing sides - two armies that will struggle for supremacy using all their armed might and cunning. The warring armies are commanded by kings and generals, wizards and heroes. Their model counterparts are commanded by you - the player.
In a real battle lots of things happen at once and it is very difficult to tell exactly how the battle is progressing at any one moment. In Warhammer we represent the howling maelstrom of action in turns, in a similar way to chess or draughts. Each player takes one complete turn, then his opponent takes a turn. The first player then takes another turn, followed by the second player again, and so on: each player taking a turn one after the other until the battle is over. To decide which side takes the first turn it is usual for both players to roll a D6 and the player who rolls highest goes first. See the Battle book for more about different ways of setting up a battle and deciding which side has the first turn.
Within the turn actions are performed in a fixed order - this is called the turn sequence. Each turn is divided up into phases during which the player moves all his units, shoots all his missiles, then resolves all hand-to-hand combat, and so on.
The Turn Sequence
When it is your turn it is up to you to keep track of where you are in the turn sequence. If you forget, your opponent should be able to remind you. Each turn is divided into the following phases. These phases are always completed in the order given below, and all actions in that phase must be resolved before moving onto the next phase.
- Start of the Turn. The rules often call upon a player to make tests or actions 'at the start of the turn'. These are mostly psychology tests as discussed in the Psychology section, or special rules which apply to a specific race such as the Animosity rule for Orcs and Goblins.
- Movement. During the movement phase you may move your models as defined in the rules for movement.
- Shooting. During the shooting phase you may fire any missile weapons as described in the rules for shooting.
- Close Combat. During the close combat phase all troops in hand-to-hand combat may fight. Note that this is an exception to the normal turn sequence in that both sides fight, not just the side whose turn it is.
- Magic. In the magic phase wizards may cast spells. The full Warhammer rules for spellcasting and magic are described in the separate Warhammer Magic supplement.
Improvising
Warhammer is an involving game, with many different races, weapons, and endless possibilities. In a game of this size and level of complexity there are bound to be some occasions where a particular situation lies outside the rules as they are written. This is inevitable, as it would be impossible to cover every circumstance without writing many hundreds, if not thousands, of pages of dull and pedantic text. Warhammer players should feel free to improvise where necessary, resolving situations in a friendly and mutually agreeable way, and evolving the game far beyond the published rules if they wish.
When you come across a situation not covered fully by the rulebook, be prepared to interpret a rule or come up with a suitable rule for yourselves.
When a situation of contention arises players should agree on a fair and reasonable solution and get on with the game as quickly as possible. The most common way of resolving disputes is for both players to roll a D6 to see whose interpretation applies in that instance. After the game is over sit down and discuss what happened and see if you can reach an agreement in case the situation arises again. Remember, you're playing to enjoy a challenging battle with friends, where the spirit of the game is more important than winning at any cost.
Exceptions
There are exceptions to the general turn sequence when things are worked out as they occur rather than in any strict order. Quite often the actions of one player will trigger some special weapon or the sudden appearance of a particular troop type. This is rather like stepping onto a land mine or sinking into quicksand - consequences resulting from movement which may be conveniently resolved there and then. Inevitably there will be the odd occasion when events can be worked out in one phase or another with little real difference.
Movement
During the movement phase, or move phase, you get the opportunity to move your forces on the battlefield. As with the turn sequence, the things that you can do within the movement phase are performed in a strict sequence. An overview of each part of the sequence is given below and further rules governing movement are discussed in the section entitled Moving Troops.
- Declare Charges. If you want any of your troops to charge you must declare this at the very start of the movement phase.
- Rally Fleeing Troops. If any of your troops are fleeing you may attempt to rally them.
- Compulsory Moves. Move troops that are subject to a compulsory movement rule.
- Move Chargers. Move charging troops and resolve other movement resulting from the charge.
- Remaining Moves. Move the rest of your troops.
Declare Charges
At the start of your move phase the first thing you must do is declare which units will charge. Except in a few unusual circumstances explained later, you are never forced to charge. It is always your decision which units, if any, will charge the enemy. However, charging is the only way models are normally allowed to move into hand-to-hand combat. If you want to attack an enemy then you must charge him - you cannot simply move into hand-to-hand combat without declaring a charge.
To declare a charge indicate which unit is charging and nominate the enemy unit it is going to attack. For example, you might declare that your Bretonnian Knight unit is charging the enemy's Saurus Warrior unit.
A unit may only declare a charge if at least one model in the unit can see at least one enemy model in the opposing unit. It is not necessary for every model to be able to see an enemy - the whole unit is assumed to have the enemy in sight so long as one model can do so.
Troops can only charge up to a predetermined distance - their 'charge distance' as explained later. When you declare a charge you must do so without measuring the distance to the target, you must therefore rely on your estimate of the distance to ensure your troops can reach their target.
When deciding whether to charge you must also take into account any terrain that might slow you down as described later. Deciding whether to charge or not calls for good judgement of distances!
Examples: a Troll can see a regiment of Bretonnian bowmen within its 90 degree arc of sight and may declare a charge; a Hero facing the wrong way can neither see nor charge the bowmen. A unit of Bretonnian Knights that can see the Saurus unit may declare a charge; another unit facing the wrong way cannot. Only one model needs to see the enemy for the unit to declare a charge.
Charge Responses
When you declare your charges your opponent declares how each charged unit will respond. A charged unit has three response options: stand and shoot, hold or flee.
Stand and shoot. If the charged unit has missile weapons and the chargers are more than half their charge move away, then troops can shoot at the chargers as they advance. Work this out immediately - refer to the Shooting section for rules governing missile weapons.
Hold. A unit can stand fast and receive the charge, individual troopers bracing themselves for the inevitable impact. This is the usual response of troops who do not have missile weapons or who are too close to their enemy to use them.
Flee. Flee means just that - when your unit sees the enemy thundering down upon them they turn tail and run! This is a rather desperate option as once troops begin to run they tend to carry on going, and may run away from the battlefield altogether whether you want them to or not. As soon as a unit declares it is fleeing it is moved directly away from the charging enemy by 2D6" if its movement characteristic is 6" or less, or 3D6" if its move is more than 6". The fleeing unit is repositioned facing away from the chargers. Move the fleeing models immediately the distance indicated by the dice roll. This is explained in more detail in the full rules governing fleeing models in the Close Combat section.
Rallying
Having declared charges and charge responses, the player whose turn it is now has the opportunity to rally any of his units that are currently fleeing. Troops are normally forced to flee when they are defeated in hand-to-hand combat, if they are frightened by large monsters, or if they have suffered some other unusually traumatic experience. Fleeing troops are of no fighting value unless they can be rallied, which means they come to their senses and stop fleeing in readiness to fight once more.
Because fleeing usually results from hand-to-hand combat the rules for fleeing troops can be found in the Close Combat section of this book. In the rally phase of his turn a player makes a test to determine whether his fleeing units manage to rally. If they rally then they remain where they are for the turn but may immediately adopt a new fighting formation facing towards the enemy. If the fleeing troops fail their Rally test and continue to flee then they are moved next along with other compulsory movement.
Compulsory Moves
After the player has attempted to rally any units that are fleeing, it is time to make any compulsory moves that the rules require.
Generally speaking, a player can move his units how he wishes within the confines of the rules governing movement. However, sometimes troops go out of control for some reason, either because they are overcome by sheer terror, because they are compelled by magic, or because they are disorientated or confused. The player has no control over the movement of these troops and so these are referred to as compulsory moves.
The most common kind of compulsory move is fleeing. Fleeing troops always flee away from their enemy or towards their own base table edge, and they always move a randomly determined distance.
All compulsory movement is done now before other movement takes place. This gives troops moving in this fashion the opportunity to get in the way, block lines of advance and do all sorts of other annoying things.
Move Chargers
Once any compulsory moves are complete, it is time for the player to move any units that have declared a charge. Chargers are moved towards their target in accordance with the movement rules in the next section. When troops charge they move twice as fast as normal, representing a run or gallop, and this double speed move is called a charge move. For example, troops with a normal move of 4" per turn have a charge move of 8".
Sometimes you may find yourself able to charge an enemy unit in the flank or rear. This is particularly good as an attack from an unexpected direction will sometimes throw the enemy into a panic and might give you an advantage in combat too. A charging unit's position at the start of the movement phase determines whether it charges into the flank, the rear or the front of the enemy unit.
If the charging unit is in the target's frontal zone when the charge is declared it charges into the front. As units generally begin the game facing each other this is the most common situation. If the charging unit comes from the flank zone it charges into the side; if in the rear zone it charges into the rear.
A unit's front, flank and rear zones extend out from its corners forming 4 quadrants of 90 degrees (see the diagram in the manual). Often the position of a charging unit straddles two areas, in which case you must judge which area the unit is mostly in. If the situation is so close you can't determine where a unit should charge then roll a dice to decide.
Remaining Moves
Once compulsory moves and charges have been resolved it is time to move the rest of your troops. Generally speaking, you do not have to move troops at all if you do not wish to, or you can move them as short or great a distance as you like up to their permitted maximum move distance. The rules governing movement, the encumbering effects of weighty armour, hindering terrain, obstacles to movement, and manoeuvring units on the battlefield are covered in the following section. These rules apply to all movement except where noted otherwise, and so cover charges and compulsory movement as well as ordinary moves.
Moving Troops
This section contains all the common rules for moving armies on the tabletop. The same rules govern almost all movement, including the movement of chargers and most compulsory moves. Any exceptions that apply to chargers and fleeing troops are discussed separately. Also, a few creatures move in a special way, flying monsters for example. These are exceptions to the usual rules which, for the sake of convenience, are discussed elsewhere.
Moving the armies is an important and often decisive part of the Warhammer game. When opposing commanders are well matched, movement can be as challenging and satisfying as a game of chess. However, unlike a chess board the tabletop is not divided into exact squares, and instead movement is determined using a measuring tape or ruler.
The nature of the game, the varied terrain it is fought over, and the stability of the models themselves, means that it is impossible to be absolutely accurate about the movement of troops - the odd fraction of an inch will inevitably disappear as lines are neatened and models edged together. On the whole this need not cause concern during play as it is better to keep the game flowing rather than worrying about unavoidable imprecision. It is recommended that where a move is especially important or an exact measurement is critical, then it is good practice to agree what you are doing with your opponent before moving troops.
Movement Rate
Normal movement rate is defined as the Movement (M) characteristic value of a model minus any reduction imposed for the effect of encumbering armour.
During their move phase units can move up to their movement rate in inches. For example, Men have a Movement characteristic of 4 and so may move up to 4". Elves, naturally faster and nimbler of foot, move up to 5". You do not have to move the full distance allowed or even at all if you prefer, but you cannot move further than your normal move rate unless charging, marching, pursuing or fleeing (all of these types of move are discussed later).
Troops wearing a great deal of armour move more slowly because the weight of their gear impedes movement. The table below indicates the reduction in move incurred through wearing armour.
| Armour Worn | Reduction in Movement Rate |
|---|---|
| Shield, Light Armour or Heavy Armour alone, or Shield and Light Armour | None |
| Shield and Heavy Armour | -1" |
| Cavalry mount with Barding armour | -1" |
For example, a Man with no armour can move 4"; with a shield and wearing heavy armour he suffers a penalty of -1" and so can move 3".
A man riding a horse can normally move 8". If carrying a knight with heavy armour and shield, and if the horse is wearing barding, then the knight moves 8", -1" for the rider's armour and shield, and -1" for the horse's barding, which equals a move of 6". A horse without barding carrying a warrior wearing heavy armour and shield would move 7".
Manoeuvre
Troops move and fight in a tight formation of one or more ranks. Such a formation is often referred to by an appropriate title such as a regiment or, in the case of cavalry a squadron, or it can simply be called by the cover-all term 'unit'.
While a unit moves it must maintain its formation, which means that models are not free to wander off on their own. The formation can move straight forward as a body perfectly easily, but if it wishes to change direction then it must make a manoeuvre. There are three specific manoeuvres that enable a unit to turn about or rearrange its ranks: wheel, turn and change formation. In addition, there is a fourth special manoeuvre called reforming.
Wheel. To wheel, the leading edge of the formation moves forward, pivoting round one of the front corners. The unit swings round rather like the spoke of a wheel and completes the manoeuvre facing a different direction. When it wheels the entire unit counts as having moved as far as the outside model. Once the wheel is complete you may use any movement the unit has left. For example, you might wheel 2" to the left and move 2" straight forward, for a total move of 4". A unit can wheel several times during its move as long as it has enough movement and is not charging. A unit which is charging may only wheel to align itself to the enemy as described later.
Turn. To turn a unit all the models remain in place, but are turned round through 90 degrees or 180 degrees to face their side or rear. To make a turn a unit must surrender a quarter of its move - a unit with a move of 4" must give up 1" to turn for example. When a unit turns to face its side or rear, the unit leader is automatically rearranged into the front rank, together with the standard bearer, musician and any characters included in the unit. If there is insufficient space in the ranks, models may be rearranged into the rear ranks as the player wishes.
Change formation. A unit of troops can also change its formation by adding or reducing the number of ranks in which it is deployed. For example, a unit of two ranks may increase its depth to three ranks by moving models from the front two ranks to form a new third line. A unit must surrender half of its move to either add or deduct one rank. A unit may therefore add or deduct two ranks if it does not move at all. When redeploying ranks in this manner it is important to remember that a unit always has the same number of models in each rank, except for the rear rank which may have the same or fewer models. A rear rank is still a rank whether it is full or whether it contains only one model, although only ranks of 4 or more models are of any value in hand-to-hand combat as described later.
Reform. A unit of troops can change the direction in which it is facing and rearrange its formation all at once by means of a manoeuvre called reforming. The leader issues the order to adopt a new formation, and the troops mill about until they assume their new positions. A unit of troops can reform during its movement phase so long as it is not in hand-to-hand combat and is otherwise free to move as it wishes. The player declares the unit is reforming and it regroups into a new formation. Arrange the unit into a new formation of as many ranks as you please facing whichever direction you wish. A unit which reforms cannot move that turn, because it takes the entire movement phase to reform. Reforming troops cannot shoot with missile weapons that turn, because they are too busy assuming their new formation.
Terrain
Troops only move their full movement rate over unobstructed ground. They will slow down if impeded by broken ground such as bushes or woods. Terrain is divided into four types to simulate this: open, difficult, very difficult and impassable.
Open terrain is clear ground that doesn't impede movement at all. The battlefield is basically all open terrain unless otherwise indicated. This will normally include hills so long as they are not too steep, as well as features such as roads, paths, gateways and other firm surfaces.
Difficult terrain includes the following:
- Brush, scrub and other clinging vegetation.
- Debris, wreckage, loose rocks and boulders.
- Fords, streams and shallow water.
- Marshes, bogs and thick mud.
- Freshly ploughed, flooded and muddy fields.
- Sand dunes and areas of deep sand.
- Stairs, steps and ladders.
- Steep or treacherous slopes. This can include particular hills if both players agree before the game, but otherwise hills are considered to be 'open' terrain.
- Woods, orchards, growing crops and other dense foliage.
Troops cross difficult ground at 1/2 speed. So if your unit has a move of 4" it can only move 2" through a wood. If troops move over open ground and difficult terrain during the same turn, then their movement over the open ground is at full speed and that over difficult ground is reduced to 1/2 speed exactly as normal. For example, a Man moves 2" across open ground and then enters a wood. He now has 2" of his move left. This is covered at half speed for the difficult terrain so he only moves a further 1" through the wood.
Very difficult terrain includes areas that are even more arduous to move through such as the following:
- Incredibly thick woods packed with briars and thorns.
- Almost sheer slopes that need to be climbed on hands and knees.
- Fast flowing but still fordable rivers.
Very difficult terrain reduces movement to 1/4 speed. Fractions are rounded up to the nearest 1/2" to prevent unnecessary complication.
Impassable terrain is terrain so difficult to move through that it cannot be crossed during the course of a battle. It includes terrain features such as rivers, lakes, impenetrable swamps and sheer cliffs. Troops must go round impassable terrain.
Players may decide before battle is joined whether certain terrain features will be difficult, very difficult or impassable during the course of the battle.
Obstacles
Obstacles are things like hedges, fences, walls and trenches that troops must clamber over to cross. Although obstacles may be similar in some respects to difficult ground, in that a hedge and a wood might both contain trees, there is an important difference. Obstacles are basically linear barriers, such as a wall, which troops must cross over before they can proceed. Difficult terrain describes an area of ground such as a bog or marsh that slows down overall speed.
It takes a model half of its movement phase to cross an obstacle. So if a model has a move of 4" it must surrender 2" to cross a hedge or a wall. If a model has insufficient move left to cross an obstacle it has reached, then it must halt in front of it. The model does not count as half way across if it has 1" of its 4" move remaining, for example. Where an entire unit of troops is attempting to cross an obstacle the penalty continues to apply to the whole unit so long as any of the models are crossing.
It is not uncommon for the front of a unit to end up on one side of a linear obstacle and the back to be on the other side. This is fine. Place the part of the unit which has crossed on the far side of the obstacle and leave the part that has yet to cross on the other side. As long as the ranks on both sides are in contact with the obstacle this is perfectly acceptable. Once troops have moved over the obstacle the unit's ranks are returned to base contact. Remember that the unit suffers a half move penalty until all its troops have crossed the obstacle.
If a wall, hedge or fence has a gate in it then it is assumed to be open unless otherwise agreed, and troops may move through the gate without penalty.
If a unit's formation is divided by an obstacle then it may not manoeuvre by turning or wheeling, and it may not change its formation. The unit must cross the obstacle before it can do any of these things.
Bear in mind that a unit of troops can suffer the reduced speed for moving over difficult terrain and the half move penalty for crossing an obstacle. If troops are moving at half speed of 2" across difficult terrain, across a freshly ploughed field for example, then they must still surrender a half their move phase to cross a hedge or fence, a -1" penalty in this case.
Charging
Chargers are moved after compulsory movement and before you move the rest of your army. Make sure you complete all charges before moving other troops. Chargers move at double their normal movement rate, but must make the usual deductions for crossing terrain and obstacles. For example, mounted knights have a normal move of 6" and so can charge up to 12". If they are moving over difficult terrain such as a muddy field they move at half speed, reducing their charge distance to 6".
Before you move a charging unit check that the enemy has declared his response and that troops electing to flee have been moved and troops electing to stand and shoot have done so. Measure the distance between the chargers and their target.
A Failed Charge
If the enemy has fled, or if you have estimated your charge incorrectly your troops might not be able to move far enough to reach their intended target. If this is the case the charge has failed. If a charge fails the unit is moved at its normal movement rate rather than its double speed charge. The unit is moved directly towards the intended target as if it were charging but halts once it has covered its normal move distance. This represents a situation where troops have begun to charge before realising it is impossible to reach their enemy; consequently their movement peters out and they lose impetus and enthusiasm. A unit that fails its charge cannot shoot with missile weapons that turn.
Example: Knights with a normal move of 6" declare a charge against a regiment of Saurus. They can charge up to 12". The player measures the distance and finds the Saurus are 13" away - the charge has failed. Because the charge has failed the unit must move towards the Saurus as if it were charging, but halts once it has covered its normal move distance of 6".
Manoeuvring During a Charge
A charging unit cannot turn or change formation. This is because the troops are running or galloping once the charge has begun, and are unable to execute delicate manoeuvres even if they were able to hear the orders of their leaders above the shouting and din.
When a unit charges an enemy the player must endeavour to bring as many models into combat as possible. This can sometimes be achieved by moving the chargers straight forward, but often it will be necessary to wheel slightly to face the enemy. A unit can wheel once at the start of the charge in order to bring as many models to face the enemy as it can. If the chargers would not hit their target were they to move straight forward, then they must wheel to face their enemy, and must endeavour to bring as many models as possible into combat.
If chargers need to wheel towards their target, execute the wheel as already described measuring the distance wheeled as you normally would. This distance counts as part of the total distance charged. For example, if a unit can charge 12" it might wheel 4" to bring models to face the enemy and then move up to 8" towards them. Once a unit has completed any required wheel it is moved straight forward towards the enemy and stops as soon as the two units touch.
Aligning the Combatants
Once the charging unit is in contact it is automatically aligned against its enemy to form a battle line. This extra alignment move is free (and might result in the most distant models moving further than their charge move). If it is impractical to align a unit properly because of interposing terrain, other models, or whatever, then it is acceptable to re-align the charged unit as well (or instead) so that the battlelines remain neat. A confusing situation may arise when interposing terrain or models make it impossible to align the whole unit, for example. Rather than clutter the rules with endless clarifications we have included further examples in the back of the rulebook.
Moving Engaged Units
Once opposing units are engaged in hand-to-hand combat they may not move away until one side or the other breaks or is destroyed. Units already engaged in hand-to-hand combat at the start of their turn cannot move but must continue to fight in the hand-to-hand combat phase.
Charge Reactions
If your opponents stand and shoot it is possible that they may cause sufficient casualties to force a Panic test as you charge in. Panic tests and other special psychological tests are explained later in the Psychology section. This might result in your charge being brought to a halt before contact is made with the enemy. This is why it is important to work out fire from enemies who stand and shoot before moving chargers. If the chargers are out of missile range at the beginning of their charge, then work out missile casualties at the maximum range of the weapon.
If your opponents flee as you charge then they will move directly away from you either 2D6" or 3D6" depending on whether their movement rate is up to 6" or more than 6" as explained later. It may be that fleeing troops move too far for the chargers to catch them, in which case the chargers move a normal move exactly as for any other failed charge.
If fleeing troops do not move far enough to avoid their attackers then they are in deep trouble! If the chargers have sufficient movement to catch them then the entire fleeing unit is destroyed. The chargers only need to catch one model to destroy the whole unit as it flees. The fleeing troops are run into the ground by their enemy or scattered beyond any hope of recovery. See the rules for fleeing troops in the Close Combat section for more details.
Redirecting a Charge
If your opponent flees it can happen that another enemy unit is presented within your charge range. For example, where two enemy units are placed one behind another, if the front unit flees the chargers will be faced by the second. If this fresh enemy unit is within the chargers' charge move then the charger is allowed to redirect the charge. The player must declare that his unit is charging against the new target, and the target must make a response as normal. However, the revealed enemy unit may not stand and shoot because its frontage is covered by its own side's troops as they flee past or through their formation. Therefore it is only possible for the enemy unit to either flee or hold.
Oddball Stuff
A charge can sometimes trigger extra movement from the enemy. For example, Goblin Fanatics will leap out of their units as soon as enemy approach within 8". This happens out of the normal sequence: the charge is halted as soon as the chargers move within 8" and the Goblin Fanatics are moved and any damage they cause is worked out straight away. It is up to the player to say that he has out of sequence movements or actions to perform at the appropriate moment.
Flank and Rear Charges
Being charged from a direction you cannot see and thought was safe is a frightening thing for even the bravest of troops. With his field of vision narrowed by his position in the ranks, the average soldier has only a limited knowledge of what is happening on the battlefield. If the enemy has somehow got round behind him he might reasonably assume the battle is lost. Doubt will be sown in his mind and he may become disoriented and confused. His fighting efficiency may be impaired. If he is fighting hand-to-hand combat he might even panic and flee, thinking the enemy is upon his unguarded back.
Troops who are charged in the flank or rear whilst they are already fighting other enemy must take a Panic test to see whether their nerve holds as described later. This test is taken as soon as it is established that chargers are in range, but before moving any troops. The rules for Panic tests and other psychological tests are explained in full in the section on Psychology.
If a unit is charged in the flank or rear by a unit of 5 or more enemy models then it loses any rank bonuses that it would otherwise have in hand-to-hand combat. Units ranked up in depth normally fight better because the troops in the rear ranks are able to physically support those in the front, lending their weight to the formation, but a unit which is charged in the flank or rear will lose this advantage. See the Close Combat section for details of combat results and how rank bonuses work.
If a unit is attacking an enemy in the flank or rear it gains the advantage of fighting a formation unprepared to fight in that direction. Consequently, the attackers receive extra combat bonuses as described in the Close Combat section.
When a unit is attacked in the sides or rear, any models touching the enemy may be turned round so that they are seen to be fighting. They can fight whether they are turned or not - but they look a bit more hopeful facing the enemy! Obviously these individual models can be turned back again should the attackers be driven off or destroyed.
Marching
Marching at the double allows troops that are away from the main fighting zones to move more rapidly. This represents the swift movement of reserves by means of a rapid march, and helps to ensure that units don't get stranded away from the fighting.
Marching troops move at twice their normal movement rate with weapons sheathed or shouldered. They are literally 'going at the double'. A unit on the march is not prepared for combat so marching is not suitable for use close to the enemy. In reality no troops would approach the enemy with weapons unready. Troops can march if there are no enemy models within 8" at the start of the turn. If there are enemy models within 8" at the start of the turn the unit is busy preparing to fight and so cannot march. Note that the marching unit can move closer than 8" to an enemy as it moves.
A unit on the march cannot change formation or turn as this would disrupt its movement. It can wheel as normal, as you might imagine a column of troops would do in order to follow a route or path, for example. A marching unit cannot move through difficult or other obstructive terrain or cross obstacles. It must stop if it comes to these features. A unit on the march cannot shoot missile weapons during the shooting phase. It is unprepared for combat and any weapons carried are not ready to be used.
Models which move individually such as heroes and characters who are on their own or large monsters with riders, can march move in the same way as units of troops. In the case of individual models their speed bonus is not due to them 'marching' in formation, but takes account of their freedom to move, breaking into a run, avoiding scattered vegetation and hummocks in the ground, and so forth.
Fast Cavalry
Mounted models with a saving throw of no better than 5+ and a normal move rate of at least 6" are classed as fast cavalry. These nimble, lightly armoured cavalry can manoeuvre much more easily than slow, ponderous foot troops encumbered by weapons and armour.
During their move fast cavalry are allowed to turn without incurring any penalties on their move distance. Fast cavalry are permitted to change their formation once during their movement by any number of ranks and with no penalty to their move. The manoeuvrability of fast cavalry is so great that they can even take advantage of their ability to turn and/or change formation whilst marching - unlike other troops who are unable to march and turn or change formation at the same time.
Snaking
A unit deployed in a long column with models lined up one behind the other can move very easily. The lead model is not restricted by troops either side and so can choose a snaking path which twists about. This is called snaking. Trailing models are placed so that they follow the path of the lead model. This is a special type of movement unique to long lines of troops. It isn't a very practical formation for fighting, but it is very handy for threading your way through buildings and between obstacles.
Keeping 1" Apart
Players will sometimes find the movement of troops results in the tabletop becoming quite crowded, especially where several different units are engaged in hand-to-hand fighting. It is obviously important to establish which units are actually fighting, and which are close by but not engaged - perhaps merely passing by, for example. For this reason it is an accepted convention that opposing troops are kept at least 1" apart when they are not fighting. Models which would otherwise approach to within 1" of an enemy without engaging them are simply halted 1" away. Remember that units may only engage in hand-to-hand fighting by means of a charge, except in exceptional circumstances, as noted later.
Shooting
Once movement is complete it is time to work out your shooting. Troops armed with bows, crossbows, or other missile weapons may shoot at any enemy targets they can see. You may also shoot with any war machines such as stone throwers, bolt throwers and cannons, although the rules for these are covered in a separate section of the rulebook.
There is no particular order in which shooting must be resolved. Nominate one of your units you want to shoot with and select the enemy target you wish to shoot at. For example, you might choose to shoot your Bretonnian bowmen at the Goblin wolf riders or at a unit of Goblin spearmen. Once you have declared your target measure the range and resolve shooting using the rules described. Continue until you have shot with everything able to do so including any war machines you have.
Range
All missile weapons have a maximum range which indicates the greatest distance they can shoot. If your declared target lies beyond this maximum range then your shots automatically miss. This is why you must pick your target before measuring the range.
For example: The Lizardman player is using short bows, which have a range of 16". He declares he is opening fire on the nearest Bretonnian unit. When he measures the distance he finds the Bretonnians are 17" away. His hail of arrows falls short of the jeering men.
It often happens that some models in a firing unit will be in range and others will be out of range. If this is the case then only those who are in range can shoot and the remainder automatically miss.
| Weapon | Maximum Range |
|---|---|
| Short Bow | 16" |
| Bow | 24" |
| Long Bow | 30" |
| Crossbow | 30" |
| Repeating Crossbow | 24" |
| Sling | 18" |
| Javelin | 8" |
| Thrown axe, spear | 4" |
| Thrown knife, dart | 6" |
| Handguns | 24" |
| Pistol | 6" |
These ranges are the maximum distances that the weapons can fire. Missiles lose power and accuracy long before they reach maximum range so ranges are divided into short and long. Short range is up to half the maximum range of a weapon. Long range is between half and maximum distance. As we shall see later, there are modifiers that make it more difficult for a weapon to hit at long range.
For example: Short range for a short bow is up to 8". A target at more than 8" counts as being at long range.
Who Can Shoot
The direction a model faces in is assumed to be the actual direction faced by the creature it represents. Common sense dictates that a model cannot shoot at something it cannot see. To represent this, a target must lie within a 90 degree arc projected from the front of the shooter (the firing arc). Where models are on square bases this can be imagined easily by projecting a line through the corners of the base.
A shooter's line of sight, and therefore his shot, is blocked if there is anything between him and his intended target. Interposing models or scenery will therefore block line of sight. Because of this, except as noted later, only models in the front rank of a unit are able to shoot as those behind will not be able to see past their friends.
Imagine a real battlefield with its contours, morning mists and haze of dust. Picture the woods and hedges that obscure vision, the sudden fall of ground that hides your enemy, and distances that blur friend with foe. Towering over our miniature battlefield we are unaware of all this, but the troops represented by our models would not be so lucky. Just as their real life counterparts cannot see through hills or hedges we must assume that our models cannot see behind corresponding scenic features.
As it is impossible for us to say exactly what everyone's model scenery looks like, it is not practical to be definitive about which kinds of building or terrain block line of sight. You must be prepared to use your own judgement within the following guidelines. Perhaps the easiest way of checking whether a model can see another is to get down over the table and take a model's eye view, but remember you must be reasonable about this as in reality it would be much more difficult to see enemy troops than over a perfectly flat, mist free gaming table.
Hills, boulders and buildings. Hills, large boulders and buildings obscure sight over level ground. An interposing hill or house will block your line of sight and prevent models shooting through it.
Hedges and walls. Hedges and walls block line of sight over level ground. However, a model placed directly behind and touching an obstacle is assumed to have taken up a position where it can see and shoot over the obstacle, with head and shoulders clearly visible. Such a model can shoot but it can also be seen and shot at.
Woods. Woods block line of sight if the shooter and the target lie on either side of the wood. It is only possible to see through 2" of woodland, so if a model inside a wood is within 2" of the edge he can see out and shoot and he can also be seen and shot at. Further than 2" inside the wood a model can neither be seen by models outside nor can he see them. If both target and shooter are inside the wood then missile range is reduced to the farthest you can see - which is 2".
Troops. Troops, friendly or unfriendly, block line of sight beyond them. It is not possible to shoot directly through one model to hit another.
Elevated Positions
Troops occupying elevated positions such as hills and the tops of buildings, can see over the heads of models, over the tops of lower hills, and over lower buildings, trees, and obstacles. This enables them to shoot over the heads of models below them. Not only can such troops see and shoot, but they can also be seen and shot at because they are standing high up, exposing themselves to view.
One of the most useful aspects of this rule is apparent when you have a unit deployed on a hillside: models in a rear rank higher up the slope can see over the heads of ranks in front of them and so can shoot. This can enable many more models to shoot than is possible over level ground where only the front rank is able to bring its weapons to bear.
Cover
Troops take advantage of cover to hide from enemy missile fire. This makes them harder to hit because they can duck back out of the way leaving arrows to splinter against a wall or tree. There are two sorts of cover: hard cover and soft cover.
Hard cover offers real physical protection as well as partially concealing the target from view. The corner of a building, a large rock, walls and wooden palisades are all types of hard cover. Troops positioned at windows and doors also count as being behind hard cover. A model positioned at the corner of a building so that he is peeking round is protected by hard cover. Models in trenches or pits are also considered to benefit from hard cover.
Soft cover partially shields a target from view but provides little physical protection against incoming missiles. You can hide behind a hedge but a crossbow bolt or an arrow will go straight through it. Hedges and woodland provide soft cover. Troops within woods automatically count as being in soft cover.
Shooting and Hand-to-Hand Combat
Units engaged in hand-to-hand fighting are far too busy to use missile weapons and therefore may not shoot.
Players might wish to shoot at targets that are engaged in hand-to-hand combat. This is possible but not necessarily a good idea as your troops are likely to hit the wrong target and kill a friend rather than an enemy. Troops fighting hand-to-hand are taking part in a vast swirling melee, and under the circumstances it is virtually impossible for distant shooters to tell friend from foe or get a clear view of the target.
Troops are permitted to shoot at units in hand-to-hand combat but if they do so hits must be divided equally between both sides. Odd hits are allotted to either side randomly such as by rolling a D6: a score of 1-3 = a hit on your side, while 4-6 = a hit on your enemy. On the whole, it is not a good idea to shoot into hand-to-hand combat.
As described later some large weapons utilise a template to determine how many models are hit by a falling stone, a gout of dragon fire, and so on. Normally, models under the template are considered targets and will be hit on an appropriate dice roll. See the section on War Machines for details. A weapon which uses a template can also be fired into hand-to-hand combat, in which case the casualties are worked out as follows.
If a template is positioned in such a way that it touches only models from one side, and none of the models it touches are actually fighting (i.e., in base contact with their enemy) then all casualties are worked out exactly as normal. The shot has struck in such a way that all hits fall on that unit.
If a template is positioned in such a way that it touches any models from either side that are fighting, or models from both sides whether fighting or not, then work out the number of hits as normal but distribute them equally to both sides. The shot has fallen in the thick of the fighting and both sides suffer the consequences.
Stand and Shoot
If a unit that has missile weapons is charged then it can respond by shooting at chargers coming from more than half their charge move away. This is called 'stand and shoot'. These shots are worked out once all charges have been declared and before the chargers are moved. Work out the shots at the measured range and apply the -1 to hit modifier for shooting at a charging target.
A unit which stands and shoots does so out of the normal turn sequence, in the other side's movement phase before chargers are moved. Note that chargers who begin their move within half their charge distance of the enemy cannot be shot at in this way. They are too close, and there is insufficient time for the unit to shoot at their enemy.
Dividing Shots
In most circumstances a unit of troops takes aim and shoots at a single target, obeying the command of their leader who is assumed to direct the unit's fire. The entire unit fires at a single target, such as a unit of enemy troops or a huge monster or chariot.
A unit may divide its fire between two or more enemy targets if it is impossible for all the models to shoot at a single target. For example, it might be that no one target is visible to all shooters either because it is obscured or because it is so close to the unit that it lies outside the arc of vision of some of the shooters.
In the case of individual enemy models such as large monsters, heroes, Goblin Fanatics and similar, it is permitted to divide shots against these and against other more distant targets, even if all the unit could shoot against the single enemy model. This allows a unit to spread its fire against a group of single models. (For example, a unit of Elf archers could fire entirely at a Dragon, but because the Dragon is a single model the player may divide his fire between the Dragon and a more distant unit of Goblin Spearmen.)
Hitting the Target
The chance of a shooter scoring a hit on his target depends on his Ballistic Skill, or BS. The higher the individual's BS, the greater his chance of hitting.
To determine whether you hit you must roll a D6 for each model shooting. Count how many models in your unit are shooting, and roll that number of dice. It is easiest to roll all the dice at once, although you don't have to do so. If you have a lot of models shooting you might need to roll several batches of dice. The following table shows the minimum D6 score you will need to hit.
| BS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score needed | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | -1 | -2 | -3 |
If you score at least the number required you have hit, if you score less you have missed.
For example: You fire with 5 Goblin archers. Goblins have BS 3, so you need a score of at least 4 to hit. You roll 5 dice and score 1, 2, 2, 4, and 6 which equals 2 hits and 3 misses.
Of course, you cannot roll less than 1 on a D6, so troops with a BS of 6 or more will always hit where no other modifiers apply. However, circumstances can make it harder to hit as described below, and this may increase the dice score required so that even troops with very high BS values can find it difficult to hit their target.
To Hit Modifiers
Shooting isn't simply a matter of pointing your weapon at the target and letting fly. Factors other than your Ballistic Skill affect the chance of hitting, such as range and cover as already discussed. There are other factors too, some of which make it easier to hit, and others that make it harder. Factors that make it easier are added to your die roll. Factors that make it harder are subtracted from your dice roll.
+1 Shooting at a large target. A large target is anything which in real life would stand over approximately 10 feet tall or which is especially bulky. Ogres and Trolls are large targets for example, while Men, Orcs, Elves and the vast majority of troops are not. Cavalry models are not considered to be large targets if they are riding horses, wolves, boars or comparable beasts. Large monsters, chariots and most war machines are large targets.
-1 Shooting at long range. If your target lies at over half your maximum range you are less likely to hit. Sometimes you will find some of the shooters are within short range and some are at long range. If this is the case you must roll two batches of dice, one for each range band.
-1 Shooting while moving. If the shooter moved during the movement phase then his chance of hitting is reduced. Even a simple turn or change of formation is enough to reduce his concentration and so counts as movement for this purpose.
-1 Shooting at a single character model or skirmishers. If your target is a single man-sized character model, whether on foot or cavalry, then this penalty applies. The penalty also applies when shooting at enemy in a skirmish formation, or at any single man-sized model on its own. See the section on Heroes and Wizards for a complete explanation of rules for shooting at character models, and see the section on Skirmishers for rules regarding skirmishing troops.
-1 Shooting at a charging enemy. If you are charged and elect to stand and shoot at your attacker then your chance of hitting is reduced. While the enemy thunder towards you your aim will be distracted and your shot hurried as you abandon your weapon to take up a sword.
-1 Target is behind soft cover. If your target is behind soft cover then your chance of hitting is reduced.
-2 Target is behind hard cover. If your target is behind hard cover your chance of hitting is drastically reduced.
All shooting to hit modifiers are cumulative. So, for example, if you are shooting at long range at a target behind soft cover your chance of hitting is reduced by -2. This means that with a BS of 5 you would need to roll a 4 to hit instead of the 2 normally required.
For example: 10 Goblin archers open fire at a unit of Elves. The Goblins have a BS of 3 and their targets are 10" away. To make matters worse, the Elves are standing behind a hedge - soft cover! The bold Gobbo ladz are armed with short bows which means their targets are at long range (short range being 8" or less for these weapons). Because their BS is 3 the Gobbos need a 4 to hit but since their targets are in cover and at long range this means that they suffer a penalty of -2. So each archer needs to roll a 6 to hit as 6-2 = the 4 required. The player rolls 10 dice and manages to get two 6's - two hits!
7+ to Hit
If to hit modifiers result in a required score of 7 or more then it is still possible to score a hit though very unlikely. As it is impossible to roll a 7 on a D6 you will need to first roll a 6, and then for each shot scoring a 6 you will need to roll a further score as shown on the chart below, so for example in order to score an 8 you must roll a 6 followed by a 5 or more. If you require a score of 10 or greater then it is impossible to hit.
| Score Required | Dice Roll Needed |
|---|---|
| 7 | 6 followed by a 4, 5 or 6 |
| 8 | 6 followed by a 5 or 6 |
| 9 | 6 followed by a 6 |
| 10 | Impossible! |
Wounds
Not all hits will wound their target - some might glance off armour or clothing, while others might graze their target causing no real harm. Some creatures are so tough that arrows do not easily pierce their flesh, or they are so resilient that they are able to ignore missiles sticking in their bodies.
Once you have hit your foe, you must roll again to see if you wound him. To do this you must compare the weapon's Strength value with the target's Toughness value. The Strength values of common missile weapons are given on the next page; the target's Toughness 'T' is included on his profile. Roll a D6 for each hit you have scored and consult the table below. Find the weapon's Strength and look down that row. Then scan along to the column for your target's Toughness. The number indicated is the minimum score on a D6 required to score a wound.
Wound Chart
Rows are the weapon's Strength (S); columns are the target's Toughness (T).
| S \ T | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | N | N | N | N | N |
To use the chart first find your weapon's Strength down the left hand side. Now cross reference this against your target's Toughness along the top. Where the two lines meet is a number, which is the minimum score required on a D6 to score a wound. Roll a D6, if you score equal to or more than the score required you have wounded your target. If you score less then the hit has either rebounded from the creature's hide, entangled itself in clothing, or merely nicked his flesh causing no appreciable damage.
If you have scored several hits on an enemy unit then roll all the wound dice together to save time - so if you have 4 hits then roll 4 dice to wound. It is fastest to simply pick out the hit dice which have scored hits and roll them again to see if they cause wounds.
N. Where the table shows an 'N' this indicates that the target is simply too tough for you to hurt. N stands for no effect - or no chance!
Weapon Strength
The following examples show the strength of various missile weapons. They are included here as examples: the section on Weapons describes all missile and hand-to-hand fighting weapons in more detail.
| Weapon | Strength |
|---|---|
| Shortbow | 3 |
| Bow | 3 |
| Longbow | 3 |
| Repeating Crossbow | 3 |
| Sling | 3 |
| Crossbow | 4 |
| Hand Gun | 4 |
Continuing our earlier example: The Goblin player, having scored 2 hits against the Elves consults the table. His ladz' short bows are S3. The Elves are Toughness 3. He sees that he needs to roll 4 or better to wound an Elf. He rolls a 4 and a 2, wounding one Elf.
Armour
Models that are wounded still have a chance to avoid damage if they are wearing armour or carrying shields, or if they are riding a horse or similar creature. These models have an armour saving roll or armour save.
Roll a D6 for each wound your troops have suffered. If you roll greater than or equal to the armour save of the model the wound has been absorbed or deflected by its armour.
| Armour Worn | Armour Save | Armour Save if Cavalry |
|---|---|---|
| None | None | 6+ |
| Shield or light armour | 6+ | 5+ |
| Shield and light armour or heavy armour only | 5+ | 4+ |
| Shield and heavy armour | 4+ | 3+ |
| Riders with shield and heavy armour, riding armoured mounts | - | 2+ |
Cavalry models automatically have an armour save of 6 even if the rider is wearing no armour. This represents the extra protection afforded by the horse or other mount. If the rider is wearing armour then his armour save will be 1 better than it would be if he were on foot. For example, a Man wearing light armour and carrying a shield has an armour save of 5+ on foot and 4+ when mounted.
Note that this bonus only applies to cavalry and not to big monsters with riders. Rules for big monsters and riders are discussed in the section on Monsters.
For example: A trooper carrying a shield and wearing light armour has an armour save of 5+. This means he must roll a 5 or 6 to be saved by his armour. To continue our example from above, the Goblin archers have scored 1 wound on the Elf troops. Since the Elves are wearing light armour and have a shield their armour saving throw is 5+. The Elf player rolls a 2. Not surprisingly he has failed. If he had scored a 5 or 6 the arrow would have bounced off and the Elf would have been unharmed.
Armour Save Modifiers
Some weapons are so powerful that they can punch right through armour, so armour provides less protection against them. Such weapons confer modifiers that are subtracted from the foe's armour saving throw. This is shown by the table below.
| Strength of Hit | Reduces Armour Save By |
|---|---|
| 3 or less | None |
| 4 | -1 |
| 5 | -2 |
| 6 | -3 |
| 7 | -4 |
| 8 | -5 |
| 9 | -6 |
| 10 | -7 |
For example: A crossbow has a Strength of 4. A crossbowman hits a warrior in light armour with shield. Normally the warrior would need to roll 5 or 6 to make his save and avoid taking the wound but because of the crossbow's enormous hitting power 1 is subtracted from his dice roll. This means he must now roll 6 to save.
Maximum Save
Observant readers will have noticed that the best save on the armour chart is 2+ on a D6. It is possible to get a better save than this, for example magic armour can improve the wearer's armour save, but it is never possible to get a better basic armour save than 1+ before save modifiers are applied. If a model has a save of 1+ its armour will automatically save against Strength 3 or weaker hits.
Removing Casualties
Most human-sized troops can only sustain 1 wound before they fall casualty. Some models can take several wounds before they become casualties, but these are the exceptions rather than the norm. The number of wounds a model can sustain before it falls casualty is indicated by its Wounds value or 'W' on its profile.
Casualties
Where troops have only a single wound casualties are removed as follows. If a unit of troops is hit and suffers wounds which it does not save, then for each wound suffered one model is removed as a 'kill'. Although it is convenient to think of casualties as slain, individual warriors are not necessarily dead, they may be temporarily knocked out or incapacitated, or simply too badly wounded to carry on fighting. For our purposes the result is the same so we treat all casualties as if they were killed and remove them from the game.
The player who has suffered casualties removes 'killed' models from the unit. Although casualties would really fall amongst the closest rank it is convenient to remove models from the rear rank of the unit. This keeps the formation neat and represents rear rankers stepping forwards to cover gaps in the line as they appear. If the unit is deployed in a single rank then casualties are removed roughly equally from either end, representing the troops gathering about their officers and standard.
Multiple Wound Casualties
If models have more than 1 wound then casualties are removed as follows. Imagine that a unit of Minotaurs suffers 5 wounds from arrow fire. Minotaurs are big monsters and each model has 3 wounds. The arrows would fall randomly among the unit, possibly wounding several creatures, but for our purposes we shall remove whole models where possible. So, 5 wounds equals 1 model dead (3 wounds) with 2 wounds left over. The wounds left over are not enough to remove another model, so the player must make a note that 2 wounds have been suffered by the unit. If the unit takes another wound from some other attack, then another Minotaur model is removed. It is obviously important to keep a record of wounds taken by units such as this.
Cavalry Casualties
In the case of cavalry models all shots are worked out against the rider. If the rider is slain the mount is removed as well. This is a convenient and practical way of representing cavalry, as it dispenses with the need for individual dismounted riders and loose mounts. Obviously some riders are dead, horses bolt and run away, and some mounts are killed throwing their riders to the ground. However, these things can be left to the imagination while models are removed as a single piece.
Note that this only applies to ordinary cavalry (mounts which have 1 wound on their profile) and not to large monsters with riders. Large monsters have more than 1 wound on their profile and are covered by the rules for Monsters.
Panic Tests
It is extremely difficult for troops to keep their nerve while people all round them are falling to arrow fire. To simulate this any unit taking substantial casualties may be called upon to take a Panic test. A Panic test is a psychological test and it is described in the section on Psychology along with other effects such as fear, terror and so on.
Fast Dice Rolling
You will have gathered by now that it is necessary to roll quite a few dice to resolve shooting - whole handfuls at once in fact! This doesn't take as long as you might imagine because all the dice are rolled together. The most practical way of going about this is to take as many dice as you have troops shooting and roll them all at once. So, if you're shooting with 10 Archers roll 10 dice. Then pick out any dice which score a hit and re-roll them to wound. So, from 10 dice rolled 4 might typically score hits, these are re-rolled and may score 2 wounds, for example. Dice which score wounds are picked out and handed over to the opponent to take his saving throws. This same system applies when you work out hand-to-hand combat damage too, as described in the next section.
Close Combat
Once shooting has been resolved it is time to deal with the brutal cut and thrust of close combat, hand-to-hand fighting or melee, as it's sometimes called. Once engaged in hand-to-hand fighting units cannot move or shoot missile weapons, they must stand toe-to-toe with their enemy until one side is destroyed or forced to flee. Regardless of which player's turn it is all models that are in contact with the enemy must fight. The close combat phase is therefore an exception to the normal turn sequence in that both sides take part in the fighting.
Like the movement phase the close combat phase follows a set order or sequence as outlined below.
Close Combat Phase
- Fight Combats. Each unit involved in combat fights as explained in the rules below. Fight all the combats before working out results.
- Results. Work out which side has won each combat and by how much. The losing side will have lost by 1, 2 or more 'points' as explained later.
- Break Tests. Each unit that loses in combat must take a Break test as explained in the rules. Any units failing their Break test are termed 'broken' and a note is made or models are turned round to show this. Take all Break tests now.
- Panic Tests. If friendly units have broken then units nearby must take a Panic test as described in the Psychology section. Take any required Panic tests now.
- Flee! Units which have been broken or which have failed their Panic test must flee away from their enemy as described in the rules. Move all newly fleeing troops now.
- Pursue. Units whose enemies have broken and fled that turn are allowed to pursue them and might possibly catch and destroy them as described in the rules.
- Redress Ranks. At the end of the close combat phase formations are tidied up ready for the next phase.
Combats
Work out each combat one at a time - resolve the fighting for all the troops involved in one combat before moving on to the next. A combat is often a fight between a single unit of troops from each side, but it is possible that several units, monsters, and heroes may become involved. So long as fighting units are interconnected they are participating in the same combat.
Example: in the manual's diagram there are three separate combats: one between two units and an Elf griffon rider on the left; a huge fight between two units of Elves, two units of Goblins and a Goblin chariot in the centre; and a combat between two opposing units, an Orc Wyvern rider and an Elf bolt thrower on the right.
Who Strikes First
In the desperate hack and slay of close combat the advantage goes to the best and fastest warriors, or those who have gained the extra impetus of charging into combat that turn. To represent this, combatants strike blows in a strict order.
Troops who have charged that turn automatically strike first. Otherwise, all blows are struck in strict order of Initiative (I). Combatants with a higher Initiative strike first followed by those with a lower Initiative. This is important because if a model is slain before it has a chance to strike it obviously cannot fight back. Striking first is a big advantage, which is why it is better to charge your enemy rather than allow him to charge you.
If opposing troops have the same Initiative then the side which won the combat in the previous turn may strike first, or if this doesn't apply you can roll a D6, and the player who scores highest goes first.
For example: A bunch of Orc boar riders charges a group of Elf spearmen. The Elves have an Initiative of 6, while the Orcs only have Initiative 2. The Orcs strike first because they charged. Next turn the Elves will go first because of their higher Initiative.
Which Models Fight
A model can fight if its base is touching the base of an enemy model. Even models attacked in the side or rear may fight, and if you wish they may be temporarily turned in the ranks to indicate they are doing so.
If a model is touching more than one enemy it can choose which to attack. If a model has more than 1 attack, it can divide its attacks as the player wishes so long as he makes this clear before rolling to hit. For example, if faced with an enemy hero and an ordinary enemy trooper you might decide to attack the trooper because he is easier to kill, or you could take the outside chance of slaying the hero.
In the case of cavalry mounts that have their own attacks, the rider's attack and the mount's attack are worked out separately. This means that some cavalry have two lots of attacks: the rider attacks and his mount attacks as well. For example, warhorses and giant wolves have their own attack.
Hitting the Enemy
To determine whether hits are scored roll a D6 for each model fighting. If you have more than 1 Attack (A) with your troops then roll a D6 for each Attack. For example, 10 Elves have 1 Attack each so roll 10 dice, but 10 Minotaurs have 2 Attacks each so roll 20 dice.
The dice roll needed to score a hit on your enemy depends upon the relative Weapon Skills (WS) of the attacker and his foe. Compare the Weapon Skill of the attacker with the Weapon Skill of his opponent and consult the chart below to find the minimum D6 score needed to hit.
To Hit Chart
Rows are the attacker's Weapon Skill; columns are the opponent's Weapon Skill.
| Attacker WS \ Opponent WS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
If you look at the chart you will see that if your warrior's Weapon Skill is greater than that of his enemy you hit him on a dice roll of 3+. Otherwise you hit on a 4+, unless the enemy's Weapon Skill is more than double yours in which case you require a 5+.
Cavalry
When you are fighting against cavalry all blows are struck against the rider using the rider's WS and never against the mount. A mount fights using its own WS if it has its own attack.
Defended Obstacle
Troops lining up behind a wall, hedge or other obstacle can adopt a position to defend it. The front rank is moved right up against the wall to show this. Enemy who wish to attack the defenders can do so by charging them as normal. Attacking models do not have to physically cross the obstacle, indeed they are unable to do so whilst it remains defended, and instead the front rank is positioned on the opposite side of the obstacle to the defenders.
If attacking an enemy behind a wall or a hedge, inside a building, or behind some other defended obstacle you will require a 6 on a D6 to hit. It is very difficult indeed to hit enemy in these circumstances. This penalty applies to a unit that is attacking troops which have already taken up position behind the defended obstacle. The penalty does not apply to both sides in the combat even though the obstacle lies between them. The defending side has the advantage of already taking up a good position with its weapons sticking out or over gaps in the hedge or wall, whilst the other side must mount an assault in the face of a wall of sword points or spear tips.
The attacking side continues to suffer the '6 to hit' penalty until it wins the combat. Once the attackers have won the combat they are assumed to have climbed over or onto the wall, and further combats are fought as normal.
Fighting with Two Weapons
Some warriors carry two weapons, one in either hand, and are able to rain down even more attacks on their enemy. If a warrior carries two weapons in this way then he receives one extra Attack from his left hand. It doesn't matter if his Attack (A) value is 2 or more, a warrior receives only +1 Attack from his extra weapon.
Wounds
Not all successful hits are going to harm your enemy - some may rebound from armour or bounce off tough hide, while others may cause only superficial damage which doesn't prevent the creature fighting. Once you have hit your foe you must roll again to see whether your hits inflict wounds.
This procedure is exactly the same as described for shooting. Consult the Wound Chart given in the Shooting section (the manual repeats the same chart here), cross referencing the attacker's Strength (S) with the defender's Toughness (T). Both values appear on the profiles of the creatures fighting. The chart indicates the minimum score on a D6 required to cause a wound. Roll a D6, if you score equal to or more than the score required you have wounded your target. If you score less then the hit has caused no appreciable damage.
N. Where the table shows an 'N' this indicates that the target is simply too tough for you to hurt. N stands for no effect - or no chance!
Weapons Modifiers
Unlike hits from shooting, the Strength value (S) of the attacker is used to determine wounds rather than the strength of the weapon itself. However, some weapons confer a bonus on the attacker's Strength. For example, Bretonnian Knights charging with lances receive a +2 bonus on their Strength. These bonuses are discussed together with other special rules in the section on Weapons.
Armour
Combatants that are wounded have a chance to avoid damage if they are wearing armour or carrying shields. This is exactly the same as described for shooting, and the same rules apply. For each wound suffered the player rolls a D6. If he rolls greater than or equal to the armour save of his troops then that wound has been absorbed or deflected by the warrior's armour.
For example, an Elf wearing light armour has an armour save of 6 so you will need to roll a 6 to save him. If he had a shield as well he would save on a 5 or 6, and so on. You may find it helpful to re-read the section on armour and the description in the Shooting section.
Armour Save Modifiers
Some creatures are so powerful that armour provides less protection against them. They can beat their way right through armour when they hit, either with a weapon or with their claws and teeth. The higher a creature's Strength the more easily it can pierce armour. If weapons give a Strength bonus then this increases the strength of a hit and makes it easier to pierce armour. The chart below shows the reduction in the enemy's armour saving throw compared to the attacker's Strength. This is exactly the same as for damage from shooting.
| Strength of Hit | Reduces Armour Save By |
|---|---|
| 3 or less | None |
| 4 | -1 |
| 5 | -2 |
| 6 | -3 |
| 7 | -4 |
| 8 | -5 |
| 9 | -6 |
| 10 | -7 |
For example, if a warrior has heavy armour and a shield his armour save is 4+. If attacked by a creature with Strength 4 his save is reduced to 5+, if attacked by a creature with S5 his save is reduced to 6, and if attacked by a creature with S6 or more he has no armour save at all.
As described in the Shooting section, it is possible for a model to have a basic armour save of 1+ in some circumstances, in which case the armour will automatically save against Strength 3 hits or weaker. However, a model cannot ever have a basic armour save of better than 1+ before modifiers are applied.
Removing Casualties
Close combat casualties are removed in the same way as shooting casualties and you may wish to re-read that section at this point. Although casualties would, in reality fall amongst the rank fighting, it is most convenient to assume that rear rankers will step forward to fill any gaps. In most circumstances it is therefore practical to remove casualties straight from the rear ranks of a unit.
Models which fall casualty are not removed from the tabletop immediately, but are placed behind their unit. This is important for two reasons. Firstly, when it comes to working out who has won the combat you need to know how many casualties have been caused, and this is much easier if the models are left behind their units. Secondly, models which are removed before they have a chance to attack may not do so, and any rear ranker stepping forward to replace them cannot attack that turn. This means that the first side to strike has a significant advantage, as any casualties inflicted will reduce the number of enemy left to fight back.
Excess Casualties
It can sometimes happen that a unit causes more casualties than there are enemy models in base contact. When this happens the excess casualties are removed as normal. This represents the attackers springing forward and following up their assault by striking over the fallen bodies of their foes. Such is the ferocity of their attack and the surprise caused by their success that the excess casualties are struck down where they stand and have no chance to attack back.
Results
For each separate combat you must determine which side has won. Do this once all the units engaged in the combat have fought.
Begin by adding up all the wounds caused by each side in the combat. It does not matter which particular units suffered the wounds, just add them all up. Do not forget to add the wounds taken by big creatures that have not been removed as casualties.
The side which has inflicted the most wounds wins the combat. The other side has lost. If both have inflicted the same number of wounds then the result is a draw. However, a side can claim extra bonus points under certain circumstances - for example if it has a standard bearer, if it is attacking the enemy in the flank, or if it is fighting from higher ground.
Each bonus point is added to the number of casualties you have inflicted. So for example, if both sides cause 3 wounds the result is a draw, but if one side has a battle standard it adds +1 to its score, beating the enemy by 4 points to 3. These bonus points can make all the difference between winning and losing the combat. The table below summarises the bonus points.
Once both sides have established their total points, including the number of casualties caused and bonus points, compare the values to discover which side has won the combat.
The higher the winner's score compared to the loser's the bigger and more decisive the victory. An 8 point against 7 point victory is only a slight win for example, because the difference in scores is only 1 point. An 8 point against a 2 point victory is extremely decisive as the difference in scores is a whopping 6. This difference in scores is important because it is used when working out whether a defeated enemy stands his ground or turns and flees.
Bonus Points Table
+1 Extra Rank. If your formation is at least 4 models wide then you may claim a bonus of +1 for each rank behind the first at the start of the combat, up to a maximum of +3. The bonus can be claimed for an incomplete rear rank so long as it contains at least 4 models. If you have several units fighting in a combat count the bonus from your deepest unit. Do not add up the bonuses from all the units fighting. This bonus is lost if the unit is charged in the flank or rear by an enemy unit of 5 models or more.
+1 Standard. If any of your units includes a standard bearer then you may add a +1 bonus. Note that if you have several standards then you still only add +1, not +1 for each standard. Rules for standards are described later.
+1 Battle Standard. If the army's battle standard bearer is fighting in the combat, or is included in a unit of troops which is involved in the combat, then you may add a further +1.
+1 High Ground. If you are fighting from higher position than your enemy then you may add a +1 bonus. For example, troops occupying the crest of a hill.
+1 Flank Attack. If you are fighting against an enemy unit's flank you may add a +1 bonus, so long as your entire unit numbers at least 5 models. If both sides have troops attacking in the flank then the side with the most number of flanking units gets the bonus. The bonus is only applied once, regardless of how many flanking units are involved in the combat.
+2 Rear Attack. The same comments apply as for a flank attack but to units attacking in the rear. This bonus and the bonus for a flank attack are cumulative, so if you are attacking in the side and rear you will receive a bonus of +3.
+1 per excess wound: Overkill. If a challenger kills his opponent and scores more wounds than the enemy has, then each excess wound scores +1 overkill bonus towards the combat result. This bonus only applies in a challenge as described in the section on Heroes and Wizards.
Combat Results: Examples
Example 1. Six Bretonnian Knights have charged into 15 Saurus warriors arranged into three ranks of 5. Let us imagine the Knights inflict 4 wounds, striking down 4 of the enemy Sauruses. In reply the remaining Saurus warrior inflicts 1 wound and kills a single Knight. To decide who wins the combat each side adds up the number of wounds it has caused. In this case the Knights score 4 and the Sauruses 1. However, the Sauruses have +2 from their extra ranks, and so have a final score of 3. The Sauruses still lose by 4 to 3, but the difference is only 1.
Example 2. We've assumed that the remaining Saurus warriors have stood their ground, and have been joined by a unit of 32 Skinks fighting in a formation 8 wide and 4 deep. The Skinks storm in from the flank, striking the side of the Knights' formation. This time the Skinks strike first as they have charged, inflicting 1 casualty on the Knights. The Knights strike next as their Initiative is higher than that of the Saurus warriors, and they kill 3 of their enemies. In reply the Sauruses inflict a further casualty on the Knights. To work out which side has won count up the wounds caused by each side. The Sauruses and Skinks have caused 2 against the Knights' score of 3. However, the Lizardmen receive a rank bonus of +3 from the Skink unit. Note that only one bonus is added from ranks, and this is always that of the deepest unit participating. In addition the Skinks are making a flank attack and so earn an extra +1. The Lizardmen's total is therefore 2 (wounds) + 3 (ranks) + 1 (flank) = 6 against the Knights' 3. The Lizardmen win by a difference of 3.
Example 3. There are several units engaged in the combat. The existing units are continuing to fight, whilst 5 Bretonnian bowmen have charged the Skinks in the flank. For the sake of our example, we'll assume the bowmen have a standard too. The bowmen strike first as they have charged, inflicting 1 casualty on the Skinks. The Knights strike next causing 1 casualty on the Sauruses, the Sauruses kill 2 Knights, whilst the Skinks kill no Knights but the models fighting on the flank manage to kill 1 Bowman. The wounds inflicted by each side amount to 2 caused by the Bretonnians and 3 caused by the Lizardmen. The Lizardmen lose their rank bonus from the Skinks because they have been charged in the flank - nor are there sufficient Saurus warriors remaining to provide an extra rank. Also, the Lizardmen's flank bonus is lost because both sides now have one unit fighting to a flank cancelling each other out. The Bretonnians earn an extra +1 for the bowmen's standard. The total scores are therefore 3 on each side... a draw!
Losers Take a Break Test
The side that loses a combat must take a test to determine whether it stands and fights or turns tail and runs away. This is called a Break test. You need to take a separate Break test for every unit involved in the combat. Depending on which units pass and which fail their test, some may break and flee whilst others stand their ground. Troops which are better led, braver, and more professional are more likely to stand firm, whilst wild, temperamental troops are far more likely to run for it.
Take the test as follows. Firstly, nominate which unit you are testing for. Roll 2D6 and add the scores together. Add the difference between the winner's and loser's combat score. If the total is greater than the unit's Leadership (Ld) value then the unit is broken. Broken units will turn tail and flee once all combat on the entire battlefield has been worked out. Until all combat has been worked out simply turn a few of the rear rank models round to remind you that the unit is broken.
For example: A unit of Elf archers is fighting a unit of Goblin spearmen. The Goblins inflict 3 wounds on the Elves, and the Elves inflict 4 wounds on the Goblins. However, the Goblin player has 4 complete ranks in his formation, and as each extra rank adds +1 to his score this gives him 3 + 3 = 6 points against the Elves' 4. The Elves have therefore lost the combat, even though they have caused more casualties - the vast numbers of Goblins pressing from the back have overwhelmed them. The Elves must therefore take a Break test adding +2 to their dice score. Elves have a good Leadership value (8) but with the extra +2 modifier on the dice the player will have to roll 6 or less to stand and fight. The player rolls 2D6 and scores 7, the +2 modifier brings his total to 9 which is greater than the unit's Leadership so the Elves are broken.
Panic Tests for Breaks
Once all defeated units have taken a Break test, then each remaining unit within 12" of friendly units which have broken or been wiped out is called upon to take a Panic test, as described in the Psychology section. This represents the spread of panic amongst the army as friendly units collapse and turn tail. Panic is a special psychological effect, and the full rules for panic are covered in the following section of the rules. However, it is worth bearing in mind at this stage that Panic tests must be taken once all Break tests are complete but before fleeing troops are moved.
Fleeing Troops
Once you have completed all of the Break tests resulting from combat that turn, and having taken any necessary Panic tests, it is time for broken troops to flee. Fleeing troops turn directly away from their enemy and run as fast as they can. They abandon their formation and run from their enemy in complete rout, blindly scrambling over the ground in their efforts to avoid destruction.
It is difficult to say precisely how far fleeing troops will run because they are no longer fighting as a body but milling around in a frightened mob. To represent this dice are rolled to establish how far the fleeing unit moves. If the unit normally moves 6" or less roll 2D6. If the unit moves more than 6" roll 3D6. The result is the distance covered by the fleeing troops, minus any penalty for terrain or obstacles.
Move the fleeing unit directly away from its enemy so that it is 2D6" or 3D6" away from them and facing in the opposite direction. Fleeing troops will move round friends where possible, but will move straight through friends if necessary. Individual fleeing models that would otherwise end up in the middle of a friendly unit are instead placed to the side or beyond them if this is the only option. A fleeing unit is destroyed if caught by pursuers as described under Pursuit.
Subsequent Actions of Fleeing Troops
If they are not destroyed then fleeing units continue to move 2D6" or 3D6" towards their own side's table edge during their subsequent movement phases. They must attempt to leave the battlefield as quickly as possible. This is a 'compulsory move' so fleeing troops are moved before other troops once charges have been declared (see the Movement section).
A unit which is fleeing can do nothing else. For example, it cannot fight and it cannot shoot with missiles. Where there is room it will move round obstacles that block its path, including units of troops. Fleeing troops will not move towards enemy unless they have no other choice - if they are surrounded, for example.
If any models from a fleeing unit leave the table edge the entire unit is considered to have left the battlefield and is removed from play. Troopers have scattered beyond recovery or have found places to hide themselves until the battle is over.
If enemy troops charge a unit that is already fleeing then the unit automatically flees from the charge. The unit makes its 2D6" or 3D6" flee roll like any other unit fleeing from a charge. The charging enemy destroys the fleeing troops if it catches them in the same way as it would for a charge against any other fleeing troops. If they do not catch the fleeing troops then the charge is failed (see Movement for the rules relating to charges and charge reactions).
Rally Test
A fleeing unit may attempt to stop fleeing in its movement phase by taking a Rally test. This represents the efforts of leaders and brave individuals to call a halt to the rout, bring the troops to their senses and restore order. This is called rallying.
Rally tests are taken in the movement phase after charges have been declared but before further movement (see the sequence at the start of the Movement section). To take a Rally test roll 2D6. If the score is equal to or less than the unit's Leadership (Ld) then the unit stops fleeing and has rallied. The unit must spend the remainder of the turn reforming and may not shoot or fight, though the player may rearrange its formation and turn it to face whichever direction he chooses.
If a fleeing unit has suffered a great many casualties it will be unable to rally - its warriors are too demoralised and are interested only in escape. A unit must have at least 25% of its original number of models surviving to be able to rally. If a fleeing unit has less than 25% of its original number left, the unit cannot rally and will continue to flee until it leaves the table or is destroyed.
Pursuit
If a unit wins a combat and all the enemies it is fighting flee, then the victorious unit must normally pursue. The troops triumphantly surge forward, hacking at their retreating foes as their backs are turned, cutting them down as they run and scattering them before their uncontrolled fury. Note that a unit will only pursue if all the enemies it is fighting flee - if one enemy unit breaks and flees whilst another fights on then the victorious troops cannot pursue. Like fleeing, pursuit is a hectic and uncontrolled affair, so dice are rolled to determine how far the pursuing unit moves.
Pursuit Move
Once fleeing troops have been moved victorious units will pursue. To find out how far they pursue roll 2D6 or 3D6 in the same way as for fleeing troops. Pursuers are moved the distance indicated straight forward. If the pursuers roll more than the distance fled by their enemy they are judged to have caught them, and the entire fleeing unit is overrun and destroyed. If the pursuers do not catch the fleeing unit then no further casualties are caused and the pursuers are simply moved the distance indicated towards their fleeing enemies. Where pursuers don't catch their foe but roll equally, leave a slight gap between the units to indicate this.
Note that units do not continue to pursue in subsequent turns; pursuit is a single bonus move which is made when a beaten enemy flees.
Pursuit into Fresh Enemy
It sometimes happens that pursuers move so far that they hit a fresh enemy unit. The pursuers are carried forward against the enemy unit as they chase their fleeing enemy. This is treated as if it were a new charge. The pursuing unit has no choice in the matter, they must charge against the fresh enemy. The unexpectedly attacked unit can only respond to the charge by 'holding'; any attempt to flee, shoot, or do anything else amidst the confusion of running bodies is deemed impossible.
The resulting combat is worked out in the following turn. The pursuers are charging and so get all the usual benefits and bonuses as if they had charged that turn, even though their charge actually occurred during the close combat phase of the previous turn.
Assuming pursuers do not encounter any fresh enemy they move the distance indicated by their dice roll and thereafter are ready to fight normally. So, in their following turn they may charge, march or move normally exactly like any other unit, and no penalty is imposed because of their pursuit move.
Avoid Pursuit
A player may decide that he would sooner his unit did not pursue. Normally a unit must pursue if it is able to do so, but the player may attempt to halt the pursuit by making a test against the unit's Leadership (Ld). This represents the unit's leader calling to his troops to hold, while their natural inclination is to run after the enemy and cut them down as they scatter. Roll 2D6, and if the score is equal to or less than the unit's Leadership value then the test is passed and the unit may remain stationary instead of pursuing.
A unit does not have to pursue if it is defending a wall, a hedgerow, a house, or a comparable obstacle or fortification. As pursuing would force the unit to abandon its secure position there is a great incentive to stay put! In this situation, the player can choose to pursue or not as he wishes.
Pursuit off the Table
A unit which pursues its fleeing enemy off the table returns to the same point in its following movement phase. The unit may not move that turn other than to position itself along the table edge, though it may shoot and otherwise participate in the game as normal.
Redress the Ranks
Once fleeing troops and pursuers have been moved it is time to tidy up the formations of fighting units in preparation for the next phase. This will not always prove necessary, as much depends upon the casualties inflicted and combat results.
Remember, a unit must always contain the same number of models in each rank as the first, except for its rear rank which may contain fewer. The process of redressing the ranks is intended to ensure that this remains true following combat, and also affords victors the chance to adjust their formation slightly by expanding their frontage or lapping round as described below.
Fleeing Units
Units which have fled abandon their formation and so have no opportunity to redress their ranks at this time. The unit forms a rough block or mass of troops, and models are arranged in a higgledy piggledy manner to show their disorganised status.
Units Taking Casualties
Casualties are usually removed from the back of a unit's formation in which case the unit is left exactly as it is. Remember, a unit engaged in combat cannot move in its move phase, and so has no opportunity to change its formation.
If a unit is fighting in a single rank, forming a line of troops, then casualties are removed from either end. If this results in an enemy attacking the side of the formation becoming separated from the combat, then compensate for this by moving one or both units so that they remain in contact where possible.
If a character model is fighting as part of a unit's formation, perhaps leading the unit into battle, then his death will leave a gap in your front rank. In this case move a model forward from the rear rank to fill the gap, or, if the unit is fighting in a single rank, move a model from one edge. See the section on Heroes and Wizards for more about character models.
Expand Frontage
If a unit wins the combat it can move models from rear ranks and place them in the forward ranks to increase the width of the formation thereby allowing more models to fight. You can increase the width of the formation by up to two models on either or both flanks. (Example: the Goblins win the combat and expand their formation by moving eight models to increase the width of the unit by two on each flank. Remember - units must maintain equal-sized ranks apart from the rearmost rank.)
Lapping Round
If a unit wins the combat and its formation already extends to the enemy's flanks, then models may be moved from the rear ranks round the sides of the enemy unit. These extra models are described as lapping round. You may move up to two models around each flank, assuming that there is room and that the flank is not blocked by another unit, buildings, or terrain. Once models have covered the enemy's flanks, further models may be lapped around the rear should they win a further turn. In this way it is possible to extend your line and surround an enemy unit completely.
Models which are lapping round the flank or rear are ignored for purposes of establishing a unit's rank bonus in hand-to-hand combat. Lapping round models in this way might therefore reduce your rank bonus by reducing the number of ranks fighting. However, units which are lapping round do receive the extra bonuses for flank and rear attacks so long as the entire unit consists of five or more models. This means that in most cases it is well worth lapping round where you can.
If a unit is defeated in hand-to-hand fighting then any models already lapping round are immediately returned to the rear rank of their formation. They have been driven off by the enemy and forced to regroup behind the unit's main body.
Bear in mind that all models touching base-to-base are allowed to fight in hand-to-hand combat, so troops along the sides of 'flanked' units can fight back against troops that are lapping round. Players might wish to physically turn the models round to face their enemies in order to show this, although it is not strictly necessary to do so.
Psychology
It is an unfortunate fact that in the heat of battle troops often don't respond as you, their commander, might want them to. Faced with terrifying supernatural foes their courage might fail, or they could simply be too dim to understand the orders they have been given. The hatred engendered by age-long feuds can overwhelm military discipline and leave troops overcome with bloodlust at the sight of their ancestral foes. Warriors can be so overwhelmed by berserk fury that they will charge into battle regardless of their orders.
As the army commander it is your duty to know about these things and take them into account in your plans. If you do not you may find that you are defeated before you even begin.
The Psychology rules represent these factors in the game and call upon the player to make occasional tests to determine whether his troops are affected by adverse psychology. Most psychology tests are made in the same way, so we'll describe the procedure first before we look at the individual psychological factors.
Taking Psychology Tests
When taking psychology tests roll 2D6 and compare the result to your Leadership (Ld) value. If the result is less than or equal to the unit's Leadership score the test is passed and all is well. If the result is greater than the unit's Leadership score then the test is failed.
Players will immediately realise that a psychology test is taken in the same way as a Break test in hand-to-hand combat and uses the same characteristic, namely Leadership. However, a Break test is not a psychology test. The two tests are quite separate. This is important because some bonuses apply specifically to Break tests and others apply specifically to psychology tests.
Using Rider's Leadership
Note that in the case of cavalry, chariots, and heroic individuals riding monsters it is the rider's Leadership that is used and not that of the mount or monster. If a chariot has several crew, use the highest value.
Using Leaders' Leadership
If a unit of troops is led by a character then the entire unit can test against his Leadership value. Characters often have better Leadership than ordinary troopers, so a regiment led by a superior character will be less prone to the effects of psychology. See the Heroes and Wizards section for rules concerning characters and units of troops.
The Order of Tests
Many psychology tests are taken at the start of the player's turn. For example, Panic tests caused by friends fleeing nearby and Stupidity tests are both taken at the start of the turn. When a player is called upon to take different tests at the start of the turn then do them in the same order as they are listed here. So, if a unit is obliged to take a Panic and a Stupidity test then take the Panic test first, and only if this is passed will it be necessary to take the Stupidity test.
Panic
Panic is the most common and the most important psychological effect. Battles are often won or lost because an army panics and flees, even though it may not have been beaten in combat. Troops who see their friends run can easily lose their nerve and flee themselves, causing other troops to lose heart until soon the whole army is fleeing in blind panic.
A unit must take a Panic test in the following circumstances:
- Fleeing unit within 4" at the start of the turn.
- Friends break from hand-to-hand combat within 12".
- Charged in the side or rear whilst engaged in combat.
- Fleeing friends destroyed by chargers within 4".
- General slain.
- 25% casualties from shooting or magic.
1. Fleeing unit within 4" at the start of the turn. A unit must test at the start of its turn if there is one or more units of fleeing friends within 4". However, the unit does not have to test if it outnumbers the fleeing unit (or if it outnumbers the fleeing units combined if there are two or more within 4"). Such a unit takes heart from its numbers and is not therefore panicked by its fleeing friends. For example, a fleeing unit of 10 models is ignored by a unit of 11 or more, a fleeing unit of 14 is ignored by units of 15 or more, and so on. Note that it is the size of the fleeing unit/s which is important - not the number of individual models within 4".
2. Friends break from hand-to-hand combat within 12". Test during the hand-to-hand combat phase if one or more friendly units break within 12" as a result of being defeated in hand-to-hand combat. In order to avoid confusion between units which are fleeing from combat and units which are fleeing as a result of panic, work out all combat results first, and then take all resultant Panic tests. A unit only needs to take one Panic test on account of breaking friends in each hand-to-hand combat phase, regardless of how many units of friends break within 12".
The same test must also be taken if a friendly unit within 12" is destroyed in hand-to-hand combat, unless it is a unit of one model with less than 5 wounds on its original profile, in which case no test is necessary. Although a unit which is destroyed cannot be broken as it no longer exists, its destruction is still extremely unnerving for friends nearby!
3. Charged in the side or rear while engaged in combat. A unit must test if it is fighting in hand-to-hand combat and is charged in the side or rear by an enemy unit of five models or more. Make the test as soon as the charge is declared and determined to be in reach. No test is required if the charging unit is unable to reach its target unit. Also, no test is required if the charging unit amounts to fewer than five models.
4. Fleeing friends destroyed by chargers within 4". If a friendly unit flees from a charge and is caught and destroyed, then all friendly units within 4" of the final position of the fleeing troops must take a Panic test once all charges are complete but before hand-to-hand fighting starts. No test is required for a unit that outnumbers its destroyed friends, in the same way as described for '1', above.
5. General slain. If your army's general is killed then every unit in your army must take an immediate Panic test. With your leader dead rumour of defeat spreads across the battle front like wildfire! This is often the moment when battles are won and lost.
6. 25% casualties from shooting or magic. A unit must take a Panic test if it suffers 25% of its number as casualties in the enemy's shooting phase, or 25% of its number as casualties in the enemy's magic phase. Only one test is required in any phase - if this is passed then any subsequent casualties are weathered without qualm. For example, a unit of 12 models must test if it suffers 5 or more casualties from enemy shooting.
This test must also be taken by a charging unit if its enemies stand and fire and inflict 25% casualties. This may result in the charging unit panicking before it contacts its target, in which case it is forced to flee from the hail of arrows unleashed by the defenders!
This test must also be taken if the unit suffers 25% casualties from randomly moving enemies, magical effects or unusual terrain types as might be included as 'special rules' by the players. This is intended as a 'catch-all' rule to cover units which suffer high casualties from something other than normal hand-to-hand fighting, shooting or magic. A good example is casualties inflicted by a crashing gyrocopter, by whirling Goblin fanatics, or by Squig hoppers or Steam Tanks, the last two of which both cause casualties as they move.
Panic Effects
A unit that fails a Panic test will flee in the same way as described for units which break in hand-to-hand combat or which flee from a charge. Fleeing troops abandon their formation and are moved in a rough mass or mob 2D6" or 3D6" away from the enemy or most obvious source of threat, but the player is allowed to decide exactly where to flee within these guidelines. See the Close Combat section for rules governing fleeing troops.
Note that if a unit panics at the start of its turn because of fleeing friends within 4" then it may not attempt to rally that turn. The unit must flee during the compulsory movement part of its movement phase.
If a unit is engaged in hand-to-hand combat and it panics then the normal Flee and Pursuit rules apply. The fleeing unit can therefore be pursued if its enemy won the preceding combat, and consequently the fleeing unit may be destroyed in the same way as a unit which breaks following defeat in combat. If the enemy did not win the previous combat (or if the two have not yet fought for some reason) then the enemy cannot pursue.
Note that a unit which panics and flees from combat does not cause other units to panic as a result (i.e., because friends break from hand-to-hand combat within 12"). A test is only required for friends that are defeated in combat and then broken as a result.
It is conceivable that a situation occurs where both players agree a Panic test is in order, even though the rules don't strictly require it. This is most likely to happen if fighting a scenario you have invented, perhaps where ambushers spring a trap, where boulders are thrown from cliffs, or some such circumstance the players have contrived. If both players agree then a Panic test can be taken to represent the unsettling situation in which a unit finds itself.
Fear
Fear is a natural reaction to huge or especially ugly and unnerving monsters. Some creatures inspire fear as indicated in the Armies books, including large and disturbing monsters such as Trolls as well as supernatural horrors such as Skeletons.
A unit must take a Fear test in the following situations:
- If charged by a feared enemy. If a unit is charged by an enemy that it fears then it must make a test to overcome its fear. Test when the charge is declared and determined to be within its charge range. If the test is passed the unit can fight as normal. If the unit fails its test, and if it is outnumbered by the charging enemy, it will flee. If the unit fails its test but is not outnumbered by the charging enemy it will fight as normal, but must roll 6's to score hits in the first turn of combat.
- If a unit wishes to charge a feared enemy. If a unit wishes to charge an enemy that it fears then it must take a test to overcome its fear. If the test is failed the unit may not charge and must remain stationary for the turn.
A unit defeated in hand-to-hand combat is automatically broken without a Break test if it is fighting an enemy that it fears and which outnumbers it. If the fear-causing enemy does not outnumber the unit then a Break test is taken as normal. See the Close Combat section for details of combat results, Break tests and fleeing troops.
Terror
Some monsters are so huge and threatening that they are considered to be even more frightening than those described by the Fear rules. Such creatures cause terror. Troops confronted by monsters or situations that cause terror must test to see whether they overcome their terror. Should they fail they will be completely terrified and reduced to gibbering wrecks. Troops only ever test for terror once in a battle. Once they have overcome their terror they are not affected again.
If a creature causes terror then it automatically causes fear as well, and all the rules described above apply. However, you never have to take a Terror and a Fear test from the same enemy or situation - just take a Terror test: if you pass the Terror test then you automatically pass the Fear test too. As you only ever take one Terror test in a battle, any subsequent encounters with terrifying monsters or situations will simply count as fear.
- A unit must test to overcome its terror if charged by or wishing to charge an enemy that causes terror.
- A unit must test for terror at the start of its turn if there is an enemy which causes terror within 8".
A unit which fails its Terror test will flee away from the source of its terror in the same way as if it had failed its Break test in hand-to-hand combat or decided to flee from a charge. A unit being charged will flee immediately like any unit which flees from a charge. A unit attempting to charge or failing a test at the start of its turn will flee in its movement phase.
A unit which flees in terror from an enemy within 8" at the start of its turn may not attempt to rally that turn. It will flee in the compulsory part of its movement phase, in the same way as a unit which panics because of fleeing friends within 4" (see Panic).
Remember that only a single test is ever made for terror by any unit during the whole game, whether it is made because of a charge or because the unit finds itself within 8" of a terrifying monster.
Fear and Terror in Large Monsters
Obviously a large monster is less likely to suffer from fear or terror itself. There is no way a huge Dragon is going to be scared of a Troll, for example. These special liabilities also apply to any rider of a large monster too, so a Dragon rider wouldn't be afraid of a creature that would frighten him were he on foot. The following rules apply:
- A creature that causes fear is not affected by enemies that cause fear. Faced with an enemy that causes terror, a fear-causing monster only suffers fear, not terror. For example, a Troll causes fear and a Dragon causes terror. The Dragon is not at all worried by the Troll, but the Troll fears the Dragon.
- A creature that causes terror is not affected by fear or terror at all. For example, a Dragon rider is completely unworried by fear or terror because his mount causes terror.
Units Led by Fear or Terror Causing Models
It sometimes happens that an enemy unit of ordinary troops is led by a mighty hero or a monster which causes fear or terror. In this situation you must test for fear/terror if a charge will result in you fighting the hero or monster in question.
In the case of terror you must also test if you are within 8" of the creature at the start of your turn, but not necessarily because you are within 8" of the unit as a whole. However, if you are charging a unit of troops in the side or rear, so that you won't have to fight a monster in the front rank, then you do not have to test. Basically this is common sense - if you don't have to confront the beast then no test is required.
Stupidity
Many large and powerful creatures are unfortunately rather stupid. Even some otherwise quite intelligent creatures act stupidly now and again because they are readily confused or distracted, or perhaps because they are drugged or have been knocked insensible. The Stupidity rules represent the sort of slow wittedness or dumb behaviour which some especially stolid or stubborn beasts are prone to. Creatures that are stupid are indicated in the Armies books and include such monstrous creatures as Trolls.
Stupid creatures must make a test at the start of their turn to see whether they overcome their stupidity. Make a test for each unit of stupid troops. If you pass the test by rolling their Leadership value or less on 2D6 then all is well and good - the creatures behave reasonably intelligently and the player may move and fight with them as normal. Nothing untoward has occurred beyond a bit of drooling and the odd spontaneous cackle.
If the test is failed then all is not well. The following rules apply until the creatures' following turn when they must test once more to see whether they are overcome by stupidity.
- If already in hand-to-hand combat half of the stupid creatures suddenly stop fighting. They stare around blankly and wonder where they are. If the unit has an odd number of models or if a stupid creature is fighting on its own then roll a D6. If the result is 4 or more the odd model fights; if not it stands around vacantly. Note that only stupid creatures are affected. If a unit contains stupid creatures and other creatures (a unit of Trolls led by a Goblin chieftain, for example) then the other creatures are not affected.
- If not in hand-to-hand combat the unit momentarily forgets what it is doing. Roll a D6 to determine how the unit moves this turn. This is compulsory movement and so occurs before other movement but after charges have been declared (see the Movement section). Any non-stupid creatures with the unit must also move as described - they are carried along by the movement of the rest of the unit and risk being trampled and squashed if they attempt to do otherwise.
- 1-3: Move the unit directly forwards at half normal speed. Any enemy troops encountered are automatically charged. If there are friends in the way both units blunder into each other and their ranks become confused, in which case both units are pinned in place for the rest of the turn and neither may move further.
- 4-6: The unit stands around in a confused and ineffective manner. It will do nothing for the remainder of the turn while the stupid creatures stare about them, squabble, or lie down for a bit of a rest.
Creatures affected by stupidity are quite unaware of anything happening around them, such is their state of confusion. Once overcome by stupidity they ignore all further psychology tests. This means that stupid creatures cannot be affected by panic, fear, etc, but they can still be broken in hand-to-hand combat by failing a Break test exactly as normal. Stupid troops which flee are not affected by stupidity until they have rallied, after which they must take Stupidity tests at the start of each of their subsequent turns.
It sometimes happens that a cavalry model will be riding a stupid creature, for example a Dark Elf riding a Cold One. If a rider's mount is stupid then he will have to test for stupidity at the start of his turn, but the rider's Leadership characteristic is used rather than that of the mount. If the test is failed the rider is obliged to hang on while the creature behaves in whatever bizarre manner the rules dictate, but the rider can fight normally if he gets the opportunity.
Frenzy
Certain warriors can work themselves into a fighting frenzy, a whirlwind of destruction or raging fury in which all concern for their personal safety is ignored in favour of mindless violence and liberal doses of mayhem. Many of these frenzied warriors are drugged or tranced, and have driven themselves into a psychotic frenzy with chanting, singing, yelling and screaming.
These troops are described as frenzied. No psychology test is required for frenzy, and the following rules apply automatically.
- Frenzied troops must always charge if there are enemy within charge reach when charges are declared. The player has no choice in the matter - the unit will automatically declare its charge.
- Frenzied troops fight with double their Attack characteristic (A) in hand-to-hand combat. Troops with 1 Attack on their profile therefore have 2, troops with 2 Attacks double up to 4 and so on. If troops have an extra weapon then they receive +1 extra Attack for this as normal, so if they have 1 Attack on their profile they would receive 2+1 = 3 Attacks in total.
- Frenzied troops always pursue fleeing enemy whether the player wants to or not. They must even pursue if they are defending an obstacle. Unlike other troops they may not attempt to hold back as they are far too crazed with battle lust.
- Immune to other psychology. Once they are within their own charge distance of enemy models frenzied units are not affected by other psychology. So long as they are within charge distance of the enemy they are immune to panic, fear, terror etc, and do not have to make these tests. Note that this immunity only extends to psychology tests, it does not include Break tests in hand-to-hand combat which must still be taken as normal.
- Defeat ends frenzy. Troops defeated in hand-to-hand combat, as determined by the combat results, are no longer frenzied. Their exuberant, crazed frenzy has been beaten out of them and they continue to fight as ordinary warriors for the rest of the battle.
Characters, such as heroes and wizards, are affected by other special rules for frenzy, as covered in the section on Heroes and Wizards.
Hatred
Hatred is a powerful emotion and instances of hatred and rivalry are commonplace in the Warhammer World. There are grudges borne over centuries, racial animosity bordering on madness, and irreconcilable feuds which have left generations of dead in their wake. Some races hate other races with such bitter conviction that they will fight almost to the death rather than flee from them.
Like frenzy, no psychology test is taken for hatred. The following rules apply.
- Troops who hate their hand-to-hand combat adversaries take any Break tests with a Leadership value of 10. They do not reduce this value regardless of the combat results, how many casualties they have suffered or other combat bonuses. This means they will never break unless they roll 11 or 12 on 2D6.
- Troops fighting hand-to-hand combat with a hated foe may re-roll any misses when they attack in the first turn of any combat. This bonus only applies in the first turn of a combat and represents the unit venting its pent up hatred on the foe. After the initial round of blood-mad hacking they lose some impetus and subsequently fight as normal for the rest of the combat.
- Troops who hate their enemy must always pursue them if they flee. They cannot attempt to avoid pursuit by testing their Leadership as other troops can.
If you are new to the Warhammer game, then you will be pleased to know that you have now read all of the rules required to play. If you've not already fought a battle, we'd suggest you play at least one game before reading any further. The rest of this book introduces special rules covering weapons, characters, flying creatures, war machines and magic. None of these are vital to the understanding of Warhammer, but they do make the game considerably more challenging and entertaining.
Weapons and Units
The game rules as described allow for differences in the Strength and Toughness of opponents, and for differences in their armour, but not for different kinds of weapons. Players who have already mastered the basics of combat might wish to introduce further detail by using the rules that follow. These describe the different kinds of hand-to-hand combat weapons used in the Warhammer World together with appropriate rules for each. Troops armed with a spear or halberd, for example, receive specific benefits in particular situations.
Some weapons confer both advantages and disadvantages, such as a double-handed axe or sword which give a huge Strength bonus but always strike after the enemy. You will soon realise that different weapons often imply different tactical options, and are suited to certain styles of play. For example, Bretonnian Knights armed with lances need to charge to use their weapons effectively so a player must be careful to manoeuvre them into position so that he can charge. On the other hand, spears are best suited to a defensive strategy where you know your troops are not going to benefit from charging because they are slower than the enemy. These weapons and more besides are described below.
All the models in a unit of troops carry the same weapons, so it will be a unit of spearmen, or halberdiers, and so forth. It is acceptable to include the odd model which is differently armed for the sake of variety whilst continuing to count the whole unit as identically armed, but it is important that the overall appearance of the unit is not misleading. For example, if it is a unit of spearmen then most of the troops must carry spears and where a few carry other weapons these are counted as spears regardless.
Many players like to mix models in a unit so that some are armed with swords, others spears, a few have double-handed axes, and so on. This is particularly effective with Goblins and Skaven, where you wouldn't really expect much uniformity amongst the masses. As far as the game is concerned a mixed unit is treated as if it were armed with hand weapons (axes, clubs, maces, swords and such like) even where it includes a mixture of other weapons. No special rules are applied to these units on account of their varied weaponry.
All troops are assumed to carry a sword, long dagger, or other comparable hand weapon. In addition, some troops carry another weapon such as a spear, double-handed axe or halberd. Troops armed in this way can choose to use their hand weapons rather than their other weapons if the player prefers, but must then continue to use hand weapons for the entire duration of the combat. For example, troops with double-handed axes might put them aside and fight with swords where they do not wish to strike last.
Hand Weapons
Hand weapons is the term used to describe all swords, axes, clubs, hammers, maces and other similar weapons wielded in one hand. The difference between these weapons is slight so they are all considered together. No additional rules apply to hand weapons - the normal rules assume troops are armed in this fashion.
Double-Handed Weapons
This category includes all axes, swords, hammers and clubs that are so large they have to be wielded with two hands. These are ferocious weapons! A blow from a double-handed axe can cut a foe clean in half and easily break armour apart. The disadvantage is that they are very heavy to swing, so the bearer may be slain by a more nimble foe before he has a chance to strike.
- Double-handed weapons require both hands to use. If the bearer has a shield he may not use it in hand-to-hand combat. It is assumed to be left on the ground or slung on his back during the fighting.
- Double-handed weapons are heavy to swing and so leave the user vulnerable to a more lightly armed foe. Double-handed weapons always strike last regardless of which side charges or relative Initiative levels. If both sides are armed in this way the side with the highest Initiative strikes first.
- Double-handed weapons confer a +2 Strength bonus on all hits. If the wielder's Strength is 5 then all hits from a double-handed weapon will be at Strength 7, for example. As the enemy's armour save is affected by the Strength of the hit, this will be reduced too. In the case of a Strength 5 hit the saving throw drops by -2.
Flails
Flails are swung with both hands and consist of heavy weights, often spiked, attached to a pole or handle by means of heavy chains. It is extremely tiring swinging these heavy and cumbersome weapons.
- Troops using flails require both arms to swing them and cannot therefore use shields in hand-to-hand fighting. If they carry shields they are put aside or slung onto backs before the fighting begins.
- In the first turn of any hand-to-hand combat troops equipped with flails add +2 to their Strength, so men with a Strength of 3 will hit with a Strength of 5 for example. Any enemy saves are taken with the modifier for fighting high Strength opponents.
- In subsequent turns the flail users begin to tire and so do not receive any Strength bonus.
Halberds
The halberd is a heavy bladed weapon mounted on a sturdy shaft. The steel blade has a point like a spear as well as a heavy cutting edge like an axe. It is held in both hands and used to chop as well as thrust, so it is a very adaptable and extremely effective weapon for infantry.
- Troops equipped with a halberd require both arms to wield it and cannot use shields in hand-to-hand fighting. If they carry shields it is assumed they are slung onto their backs or placed on the ground before the fighting begins.
- Halberds are heavy weapons and a mighty swing can cause considerable damage. Halberds therefore confer a +1 Strength bonus on all hits. A man with a Strength of 3 therefore hits with a Strength of 4 if fighting with a halberd. The Strength of a hit affects the armour save of the target, so this may be reduced as well. In the case of a human with a Strength of 3 a halberd hit has a Strength of 4 and -1 to save for instance.
Spears
Spears are useful weapons for both foot and horse, but they are used quite differently for each. A foot unit with spears is able to fend off enemy with a mass of spear points, making it an ideal defensive weapon. A cavalry unit armed with spears can employ them like lances to ride down enemy troops, spitting them as the horsemen ride into their ranks. The following rules reflect the advantages of foot and mounted soldiers equipped with a spear.
- Infantry armed with spears may fight with two ranks of troops because warriors in the second rank can thrust their weapons forward past those fighting in front. This enables models directly behind front rank fighters to fight as well. However, this advantage only holds so long as the spearmen do not move. If they charge their careful formation is affected and they may only fight in a single rank that turn. Spearmen fight in two ranks if the enemy charge them while they stand their ground. This means that a block of spearmen makes a very good defensive formation, but is less well suited to attack.
- Cavalry armed with a spear receive a +1 Strength bonus when they charge. If the wielder's Strength is 3, for example, his total Strength will be 4 when he charges. Note that this bonus only applies when the cavalryman charges and it only applies for that turn. Any hits at a Strength of 4 or more confer the extra modifier on the enemy's saving roll.
Lances
Cavalry armed with lances are the ultimate shock troops. When they crash into the enemy ranks their steel-tipped lances rip through armour and flesh, smashing bones and flinging foes to the ground. Lances are only effective as they charge, thereafter the warrior either drops his lance and fights on with a sword, or else he continues to use the butt of the lance to punch at his foe. It is very important that lance-armed cavalry successfully charge the enemy rather than allowing themselves to be charged. The charging side always has an advantage, but in the case of lancers this is greater than for any other troops.
- Cavalry armed with lances receive a +2 Strength bonus when they charge. If the wielder's Strength is 3, for example, his total Strength will be 5 when he charges. Note that this bonus only applies when the cavalryman charges and only for that turn. Any hits at a Strength of 4 or more confer the appropriate modifier on the enemy's saving roll.
Missile Weapons
We have already looked at the rules for bows, crossbows and other missile weapons in the rules for Shooting, but we have gathered them here to be complete. Some of these weapons have special rules.
Bow (Range 24", Strength 3). Bows are probably the most common of all missile weapons in the Warhammer World. They are carried by most races and almost every army. No particular special rules apply to the bow.
Short Bow (Range 16", Strength 3). Some creatures are too small to carry full-sized bows so they carry a short bow, basically a small bow with a reduced range. Some cavalry also carry a shortened bow which they can shoot more easily from horseback than a larger bow. Otherwise it is exactly the same as a bow.
Long Bow (Range 30", Strength 3). The long bow is a powerful bow favoured by experienced archers. It can fire an arrow substantially further than an ordinary bow. Other than its longer range no special rules apply to the long bow.
Crossbow (Range 30", Strength 4). The crossbow is a more complex device than an ordinary bow. It is very difficult to draw back the string of a crossbow once it has been fired: the shooter must either brace the weapon against the ground with his feet while he heaves the string up, or he must employ some kind of mechanical device such as a windlass or lever. This means that a crossbow inhibits the movement of its users compared to a bow, but it is much more powerful and has a longer range. Troops may not move and fire a crossbow in the same turn. The weapon takes a long time to reload, so if the unit moves it may not shoot.
Repeating Crossbow (Range 24", Strength 3). The repeating crossbow is a much lighter and less powerful type of crossbow that can be easily and quickly redrawn for firing. It has a magazine of bolts which allows a single bolt to drop into place ready for firing as the string is drawn. The repeating crossbow can fire a hail of shots in the time it takes to shoot one ordinary crossbow bolt. You have the option of firing a repeating crossbow either once or twice during the shooting phase. If you fire once work out hits and damage exactly as normal in which case the weapon is identical to an ordinary bow. If you fire twice then each shot suffers a -1 to hit penalty due to decreased accuracy. Repeating crossbows may choose to fire either once or twice if they stand and shoot against a charging enemy.
Sling (Range 18", Strength 3). The sling is another uncommon weapon, largely because it is no more powerful than a bow and has a shorter range. It is little more than a looped strip of cloth or leather into which a stone is placed. The sling is whirled about the slinger's head and the sling stone released towards the target. The one advantage of the sling is that you can vary the rate of fire by releasing the sling shot before you have worked up full impetus. This reduces the range but enables the slinger to shoot far faster. A unit of slingers may fire twice in their shooting phase if they do not move in their movement phase. They cannot shoot at over half range (9") if they fire twice, but as all such shots count as short range they avoid the -1 penalty for shooting at long range. Note that slingers cannot fire twice when they stand and shoot against a charging enemy as there is insufficient time.
Javelin and other thrown weapons. The javelin is a light spear. It is too flimsy to use in hand-to-hand fighting but is perfectly balanced for throwing at the enemy. It is not a very common weapon in the Warhammer World because it has a very short range. There are a few other weapons which are even less common but which work in a similar way, for example throwing knives, darts, and throwing axes. Note that these last are different weapons from the axes used in hand-to-hand combat, and that ordinary axes cannot be thrown. All of these weapons are thrown by hand and they all depend upon the skill and strength of the caster for their effect. For the sake of completeness we have included these other weapons on the chart below. All of them use the same rules as javelins although they have different ranges.
| Weapon | Range | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Javelin | 8" | As the thrower |
| Throwing Axe | 4" | As the thrower +1 |
| Dart | 6" | As the thrower |
| Throwing Knife | 6" | As the thrower |
- Javelins and other thrown weapons have such a short range there is no need for the usual -1 penalty for shooting at over half range. Ignore this penalty.
- Use the Strength of the warrior throwing the javelin to work out damage from hits. The javelin has no Strength of its own because its effectiveness depends on how hard it is thrown. Note that in the case of throwing axes the Strength is +1 on that of the thrower to represent the extra weight of the weapon.
- Troops using javelins and other thrown weapons do not suffer the -1 to hit penalty for shooting and moving. This is because a run-up is helpful when throwing a javelin rather than a hindrance!
Hand Guns
The hand gun is a simple firearm consisting of a metal barrel mounted onto a wooden stock. The gunpowder charge is ignited by poking a length of burning cord, or match as it is called, into a small touch hole. Some of the more advanced versions have levers and springs which hold the burning match and triggers which release the firing mechanism and fire the gun.
Gunpowder technology is not especially advanced so hand guns are not very reliable weapons: the gun barrels tend to burst and the powder often fails to fire. The greatest advantage of the hand gun over the bow or other old fashioned weapons is that the lead shot can penetrate the thickest armour.
Hand Gun (Range 24", Strength 4).
- A hand gun takes a complete turn to load so you may only fire every other turn. For example, if you fire in your first turn you cannot fire in the second turn, but you can fire again in your third turn.
- You cannot move and fire a hand gun in the same turn, so if you move in your movement phase you are unable to fire that turn.
- Hand gunners can adopt a formation of two ranks in order to increase their fire rate. The first rank can shoot and then you may either move the front rank to the rear or you can move the rear rank through to the front. This means that the models in the new front rank will not have fired, and they are free to shoot in their next turn. This is the only movement possible when a unit fires.
- Hand guns are even better at penetrating armour than their Strength value of 4 suggests. Therefore the enemy must deduct a further -1 from his armour save, so the save modifier is -2 rather than -1 for a Strength 4 hit.
Pistol
A pistol is simply a small hand gun fired by a spring mechanism. Pistols can be fired in hand-to-hand combat at point blank range as well as at longer ranges. Because pistols take a long time to reload it is usual to carry two, so that one is always ready for firing while the other is being reloaded.
Pistol (Range 6", Strength 4).
- A pistol takes a complete turn to reload, so you may only fire every other turn. If you have two pistols then you can fire one every turn.
- A pistol can be used in hand-to-hand fighting as well as for shooting. A model with a sword or other weapon in one hand and a pistol in the other receives an extra Attack. In hand-to-hand fighting work out pistol shots exactly like attacks from a sword or other hand weapon. Successful hits are resolved with a Strength of 4 regardless of the firer's Strength. You don't have to reload a pistol in hand-to-hand fighting as it is assumed the pistols are also used as heavy clubs (many have weighted butts for this purpose) but after combat is over you cannot shoot with pistols if they were used in hand-to-hand fighting in the previous turn.
- Pistols are even better at penetrating armour than their Strength value of 4 suggests. Therefore the enemy must deduct a further -1 from his armour save, so the save modifier is -2 rather than -1 for a Strength 4 hit.
Heroes and Wizards
The Warhammer World would not be what it is without the presence of potent individuals, great heroes, valiant champions, mighty wizards and rotten-hearted necromancers. These characters add an entirely different aspect to the game either as valuable leaders of warriors, or powerful individuals able to fight against vast numbers of lesser mortals. These models are known as characters. There are two broad types of character: heroes and wizards.
Heroes
Heroes are heroic individuals: people who are tougher, meaner and more powerful than the average warrior. Perhaps they are faster than a typical member of their race, maybe they are stronger, more skilled with weapons, or they could be natural leaders with the power to inspire others.
In reality an individual could have almost any combination of unique abilities, but on the tabletop we find it sufficient to divide heroes into three broad types: Champions, Heroes and Lords. In some cases these are known by different names appropriate to their nation or race. Orc characters, for example, are known by the 'Orcy' titles of Bosses, Big Bosses and Warbosses.
Of course, these three types of valiant individual cannot really represent every nuance of distinction between mighty warriors, but it does enable us to fight with comparably powerful characters, whether they are goodly knights or the most rotten-hearted perpetrators of evil.
Champions, Heroes and Lords have superior characteristic values compared to ordinary members of their race as shown on the chart below (add these to the race's profile).
| Troop Type | M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champion | - | +1 | +1 | +1 | - | - | +1 | +1 | - |
| Hero | - | +2 | +2 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +2 | +2 | +1 |
| Lord | - |
For example, in the case of men the values are shown below.
| Troop Type | M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Man | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| Champion | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| Hero | 4 |
In the case of Orcs the values are as follows. As you can see Orcs and Goblins have different names for the three types of character: a Champion is called a Boss, a Hero is a Big Boss, and a Lord a Warboss.
| Troop Type | M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orc | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| Orc Boss | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Orc Big Boss | 4 |
From these examples it is clear that the three types of character are quite different.
Champions are brave fighters, with an extra Attack in combat and superior Weapon Skill, but they are not especially good leaders. Champions are therefore useful individuals when it comes to bolstering the fighting power of a unit of troops, but they are not great war leaders.
Heroes are more resilient and even better fighters; they will fight on if they suffer a wound and provide extra leadership.
Lords are even better fighters and can take even more damage before they are slain, but their greatest value is their inspirational leadership and the extra confidence they instil in others. Although the Leadership bonus may seem quite small in relation to the value of a typical warrior (9 compared to 7 for a human warrior, for example) this is a BIG difference in game terms, as you will quickly discover.
Wizards
Magic is everywhere in the Warhammer World, it permeates all living creatures and every inanimate thing. Its power is there to use for good or ill. Magic is almost as important as the fighting abilities of warriors, for it can make all the difference between victory and defeat. As a consequence, mighty rulers and noble lords employ their own wizards to protect them and fight on their behalf. In the Empire the Emperor himself encourages the study of magic so that he may have powerful battle wizards to help fight his wars. In Ulthuan in the far west, the High Mages of the Elves practise the most potent of all sorceries. Even Orcs and Goblins, low minded as they are, have Shamans who can blast the enemy with raw magic. Of all the intelligent races of the Old World only the Dwarfs have no wizards. Their skills lie in the manufacture of fabulous magical artifacts and inscribing runes of power.
There are four levels of wizard: Wizard, Wizard Champion, Master Wizard and Wizard Lord. As with heroes these four types are not intended to represent every possible variation in an individual's abilities; they are useful categories that enable us to match comparable wizards against each other.
| Troop Type | M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wizard | - | - | - | - | +1 | - | +1 | - | - |
| Wizard Champion | - | - | - | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | - | - |
| Master Wizard | - |
For example, in the case of men the values are as shown below.
| Troop Type | M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Man | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| Wizard | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| Wizard Champion | 4 |
Wizards and Armour
Wizards wear little or no armour even in the thick of battle, as large amounts of metal upset their magic harmonics and inhibit the use of their powers. Instead they are likely to be protected by powerful spells and magic items. Many wizards wear decorative vambraces, wrist bands, and smaller pieces of armour, but this is insufficient to warrant a saving throw or to affect their ability to cast spells.
A wizard mounted as a cavalry model may ride a horse with barding armour without affecting his own ability to cast spells. Otherwise a wizard wearing armour may not cast spells, not even spells that are bound within a magic item. This does not stop the wizard using other magic items however. The exception to this rule is Chaos armour, which is saturated with magic, and does not therefore prevent a Chaos Sorcerer casting spells (see the separate Warhammer Magic supplement).
The complete rules for wizards, spellcasting, and many magic items are covered by the separate Warhammer Magic game. We have included a selection of magic items in Warhammer to give players a taste of what it is like to use magic. Refer to the Magic section of the rulebook for a description of how these work.
Moving Characters
A character model is moved and fights as an individual piece, except that he may also join up with and fight alongside units of troops as described below.
When a character moves he must take into account any penalties for crossing terrain and obstacles as normal, but because he is not part of a larger formation he does not have to change direction by turning or wheeling - he can change direction freely as he moves. So, a character can move a fraction of his movement distance, head off in another direction, move a little more, change direction again, and so on.
Note that a character's freedom to move doesn't mean he can shoot at or charge an enemy he cannot see. He must still be able to see his enemy when charges are declared. Similarly, he cannot dash round the side of a unit to charge in the rear if he begins his move in front of it.
Because characters can turn freely as they move they can be turned to face any direction once they have moved - in order to see a target the character intends to shoot at, for example.
The exception to this rule is if the character makes a compulsory move, such as a charge, flee or pursuit, in which case the model must finish its move facing the direction of travel. Obviously, in this situation the character is far too preoccupied with what is in front of him to worry about looking round for fresh targets.
Characters moving on their own are allowed to march just like formations of troops, although in their case this represents their freedom to move as they will, natural dynamism and an uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time (in true heroic fashion!). Individual characters can march at double their normal Movement distance.
Characters and Units
A unit of troops can include a single Champion character. Champions are often extremely strong, tough or astute members of their race, and comrades look up to them and take pride in their prowess. Although Champions are characters, they are also members of their regiment and always fight as part of it, moving, attacking, fleeing, and pursuing alongside the unit as a whole. If the unit has any special rules which apply to it, then these also apply to the Champion. Unlike other characters a Champion never moves and fights on his own, and can never leave his unit or join others.
The Champion is always armed and equipped in the same way as the rest of his unit, barring the addition of a single magic weapon or armour. See the Magic section. The Champion can also be the unit's commander, although units can have a separate leader and Champion model if you prefer. Except where noted elsewhere, the Champion is always placed towards the centre of the front rank along with the unit's leader, standard and musician.
Apart from Champions, who always fight as part of their regiment as described above, characters can move and fight on their own. In effect, they are individual units of one model. During the battle a character can join a unit of ordinary troops, in which case he becomes part of that unit until he leaves it.
To join a unit of troops a character has only to move so that he is touching it. Once he has joined the unit the model is automatically placed in its front rank. Note that a character will inevitably use up a proportion of his move to reach the unit he is joining. If the unit has not already moved then its further movement is limited to that remaining to the character; any movement lost represents time wasted waiting for the character.
Although characters are normally placed in the front rank of a unit they join, if the unit is already engaged in combat then the character may be placed anywhere in order to fight an enemy - even at the sides or rear of the formation. However, once combat is over the character is automatically placed in his rightful place in the front rank.
Except in the circumstances noted below, a character who is part of a unit of troops can leave during the movement phase. A character is able to leave one unit of troops and join another if you so wish, but note that he is unable to join and leave the same unit in a single turn. A character may never leave a unit of troops while it is subject to some compulsory movement rule. For example he cannot leave a unit which is fleeing, which has declared a charge, which has rallied that turn (because it cannot move) or which is engaged in hand-to-hand combat.
If a unit declares a charge any characters included in it must charge too. Once hand-to-hand fighting has begun a character will not be able to leave a unit he has joined until all the fighting is over and any compulsory movement such as fleeing and pursuit has been resolved. A character cannot leave a unit he is with by charging unless obliged to do so by some psychology rule (such as Frenzy) or other special rule. As he is part of the unit when charges are declared he cannot be treated as a separate unit in his own right.
If a character forms part of a unit of troops then his maximum movement will be dictated by the unit as a whole. He simply moves along like an ordinary member of the unit. If the character moves more slowly than his unit then the whole unit will have to slow down so that he can keep up!
If a unit is engaged in combat and a character is positioned in the formation such that he cannot fight, perhaps because he is in the front rank and the formation has been charged in the rear, or because the enemy unit is smaller and the character is stranded beyond the fighting, then the player is allowed to move the character into a position where he can fight in his next movement phase. Simply swap the character for a trooper model that is already fighting. This can mean the character loses the chance to fight in the first turn of combat.
Note that although the above rule allows a character to move within a unit in order to fight an enemy, he cannot move once he is already fighting. For example, he cannot move from the front to the rear if he is already fighting to the front, he must stay where he is and fight the enemy he is touching. Nor can a character move into a non-fighting rank to avoid fighting unless he is deliberately refusing a challenge as described later.
Shooting at Characters
The Shooting rules are written from the point of view of units of troops firing upon other units of troops. A character moving around on his own is treated as a unit consisting of one model. In this respect a character is a viable target just like a regiment of infantry.
However, in reality a lone individual would be likely to escape the notice of enemy on the battlefield, strewn as it is with stragglers from destroyed regiments, wounded making their way back to camp, and the inevitable confusion and debris of conflict. The following rules represent the fact that characters are harder to shoot at than larger units of troops.
- A character model more than 5" from a friendly unit of five or more models can be shot at without restriction. Characters prone to jumping up and down in front of the enemy are asking for it, so it serves them right if they get shot!
- A character model within 5" of a friendly unit of five or more models can only be picked out as a target if he is the closest possible target. This restriction enables characters to move around behind the battlelines without attracting an unrealistic and unreasonable amount of missile fire.
- If a character is part of a unit which consists of at least five models in total then he cannot be shot at. Any shots against the unit will hit ordinary troopers and not the character. If the unit drops in size to less than five models, then further hits are randomised in a suitable way. For example, in the case of a unit consisting of two ordinary models and a character, there is a 1 in 3 chance of hitting the character so roll a D6 for each hit scored. In this case any roll of 1, 2, 3 or 4 shows an ordinary model has been hit; a roll of 5 or 6 indicates the character is hit.
- If a character is substantially larger than the troops he is with or near to, then he can be picked out as a target regardless of the rules given above. If a character rides a horse then he will stand out amongst a unit of infantry, if he rides a Dragon he will be an obvious target amongst a unit of cavalry, and so on.
When deliberately shooting at a man-sized character model, either on foot or cavalry, there is a -1 to hit penalty as described in the Shooting section. This is because the normal chance of hitting assumes the target is massed up in ranks. This is not the case when you are shooting at a single character, especially if there are other potential targets to distract the shooter's attention. Note that this -1 does not apply if you are shooting at a character who is riding a large monster as described in the Monsters section. In such a case the shooter does not suffer the -1 penalty and benefits from the +1 to hit a large target as well.
Hand-to-Hand Fighting
When a unit closes with its enemies in hand-to-hand fighting character models will inevitably find themselves confronted by enemy troops. As described in the Close Combat section, models can attack any enemy models whose base they are touching. Troopers confronted by character models will usually have the option of attacking a character or ordinary enemies, as bases will usually overlap slightly when models move into combat. Where a player has a choice of attacking characters or ordinary troops, he must nominate which model/s he is striking against before rolling to hit.
Characters often come face-to-face with enemy characters, and the same choice applies to them as to other models - they may attack any enemy whose base they are touching. If a character has more than 1 Attack he can divide his attacks amongst characters and ordinary troops as described in the Close Combat section. The challenge is an important exception to this rule as described below.
As with combat between ordinary warriors, casualties inflicted by a character can extend beyond the models the character is touching. If a character has, say, 4 Attacks and is facing 2 enemy troopers then his attacks are worked out against these. However, if the character scores sufficient wounds to slay 3 or 4 models then the enemy unit loses 3 or 4 troopers, not just 2. Don't be fooled by the fact that models are static and the battle lines rigid and straight. What is represented is real combat! Heroes are just the type to strike boldly left and right, stepping forward to deliver fresh attacks, cutting down foes who step forwards to block a gap.
If a character attacks an enemy character, or another individual model such as a monster, then any excess wounds caused by those attacks are not carried over onto ordinary troopers fighting alongside. The attacker has chosen to concentrate his attacks on a single special foe and any wounds left over are wasted and do not count towards the result of the combat. The exception to this rule is during the challenge as described below.
Challenges
In each turn before working out any hand-to-hand combat, each side is allowed to issue challenges as described below. The challenge represents one-on-one combat between powerful rivals, the final showdown between mighty adversaries in the midst of battle.
One challenge can be issued in each combat that is being fought. For each combat start with the player whose turn it is. The player can choose one character model from amongst those already fighting to make a challenge. The second player has the option of refusing or meeting a challenge. If he refuses then no challenge takes place, and the refusing player must retire a character from the combat as described below. The challenger fights normally in the following combat. If the challenge is accepted the player selects one of his characters from those already fighting in the combat to take up the challenge.
If the player whose turn it is does not issue a challenge then his opponent may issue one himself. The other player may then accept or decline in the same way. However, note that a challenge cannot be issued unless there is a character to fight - ordinary troopers or monsters cannot take up a challenge.
Note that in order to participate in a challenge, either to issue it or to meet it, a character must be fighting in combat already. This means the model must actually be positioned base-to-base against an enemy model. A character who is not already fighting, for example because he is in the front of a formation which has been attacked in the rear, cannot take part in a challenge.
If a challenge is refused then the declining player must retire one character nominated by his opponent. The retiring character is removed from the engaged rank and placed at the back of the formation. The retired character may not fight or do anything else that turn. The (so-called) hero has chosen to hide away behind his fellows rather than face the challenger one-on-one. The retired character is automatically returned to a fighting rank at the end of that hand-to-hand combat phase ready to fight in the following turn.
Once a challenge is accepted the two rivals are moved in the ranks so that they are opposite each other. If the models are especially large it may be more convenient to remove them altogether and place them beside the fighting units. When combat is worked out these two will fight together. No other models may attack them even if their bases are touching, and no other models may shoot at them or use magic to attack them. Once the challenge is underway no further challenges may be issued in that combat until one character is slain. The challenge might therefore last over several turns of combat.
If characters are riding monsters or steeds which have their own attacks then these fight during the challenge as well as their rider. If the character is riding a chariot then no other crew can fight, but creatures pulling the chariot can fight. Any attacks from a chariot impact are worked out as usual, i.e. before the rest of the combat and before any challenge. Because any wounds inflicted represent impact damage they do not count towards the challenge, although they will count towards the overall combat result as normal.
Although Greater Daemons are not characters in the normal sense they are powerful individuals with a sense of heroic pride and honour. Greater Daemons can make challenges and can take up a challenge in the same way as another character. Note that this exception applies only to Greater Daemons, not to other daemons, and not to large monsters such as Dragons or Giants.
Sometimes a single character, possibly mounted on a huge monster, will attack a unit of troops. If the single character finds himself challenged he cannot refuse as he has no formation to hide behind.
Overkill
Excess wounds caused when attacking characters are normally discounted because all the effort of these attacks goes into fighting the character. As any excess wounds are not inflicted they are not counted towards the combat result. However, when fighting a challenge any excess wounds scored do count towards the combat result, even though they are not actually inflicted. This is called the Overkill rule.
The Overkill rule represents the situation where troops are watching their hero battling for his life against his adversary. All eyes are focussed on the mighty clash and both sides are yelling encouragement. If the troops see their Champion crushed to a bloody pulp before their eyes they will inevitably get a bit upset and might decide to turn tail and run rather than stick around for a dose of the same. In practical terms the Overkill rule means that it is a positive advantage to crush a challenged enemy as overwhelmingly as possible. It also means that players will benefit if they meet a challenge with as powerful a character as possible. Players are advised to avoid taking on especially dangerous opponents with lowly Champions, although, of course, even the most modest character will generally do better than an ordinary trooper.
Leadership and Unit Psychology
If a unit of troops includes a character it may use the character's Leadership value for any Leadership-based tests it takes. Where a unit includes several characters use the highest Leadership amongst them. This is a very important rule, as it provides units of poor troops with the leadership they need. This is especially true of Goblins, which are all but useless without a proper character to lead them. Leadership is important because it is used for psychology tests, Rally tests, and also for Break tests in combat.
The exception to this rule concerns units that are skirmishing. Skirmishing units do not benefit from the leadership of a character who is with them, their formation is too dispersed and it is therefore impossible to communicate the character's orders from man to man (see Skirmishers).
While a character is with a unit of troops he is considered to be part of the unit in all respects. This means that if the unit flees then he must flee with them at the same speed, if the unit pursues then he must pursue, if the unit declares a charge then he must charge as part of it. Some implications of this are discussed in the following paragraphs.
If a unit of troops panics, or is forced to flee because of a Fear or Terror test, then any character who is part of the unit must also flee even if he is immune to panic, fear or terror. If a unit is affected by frenzy or forced to pursue because of hatred, any character must move along with the unit but does not benefit from any bonus for these unless he is affected by frenzy/hatred himself. In other words, a character does not go into a frenzy just because he is with a unit that can do so, although he has no choice but to accompany them when they charge.
If a unit is affected by stupidity any characters must move as the unit moves, although a character can always fight normally unless he is stupid himself. Remember, a character cannot leave a unit when it turns stupid and stands still or moves stupidly because such a unit is bound by a compulsory movement rule, the character must therefore stay put. We can imagine he is trying to goad the stupid creatures into activity, or perhaps he is pinned down or hemmed in by the dribbling brutes and unable to move of his own volition.
If a character is liable to a psychological rule which doesn't apply to the rest of the unit, he must make any appropriate tests on his own and will react on his own. This can sometimes cause the character to separate involuntarily from the unit. For example if he is obliged to charge because of frenzy, compelled to pursue because of hatred, or forced to move or stand immobile due to stupidity.
Stone Throwers, Cannon and Characters
Some shooting weapons such as stone throwers have an area template that the firer is allowed to place anywhere he wishes. This allows the player to deliberately aim his shot on a character model. Cannons also allow you to choose exactly where to aim shots, and so can be aimed directly against characters.
In the case of missile weapons that can be aimed in this way, there is a special rule which allows characters to either jump out of the way, throw themselves to the ground, or somehow avoid destruction by their amazing luck or uncanny reactions. This is intended to prevent characters becoming targets for these weapons in a manner which is unrealistic, unfair and definitely unheroic! This rule applies to all missile weapons which work in a different way to ordinary shooting, and which are not therefore restricted by the rules regarding shooting at characters described above.
A character model who is part of a larger unit may be lucky enough to avoid death from cannon shot, a boulder from a stone thrower, or a comparable missile, thanks to a warning shouted by a comrade. Possibly one of his companions shoves him out of the way, or pushes him to the ground. A trooper spots the fateful missile heading towards his leader, and shouts "Look out, Sir!" or some such warning, and hopefully alerts the character in time for him to duck or adroitly avoid the hurtling missile. The missile slips past the character and hits the man standing beside or behind him.
If a character is part of a unit and is hit by cannon fire, a stone thrower, or other missiles not governed by the normal target restriction, then roll a D6. On the roll of 6 the character fails to hear the warning and is hit by the missile. Work out damage as normal. On the roll of 1 to 5 the character is alerted to the danger and avoids the missile. The character is not hit and the missile strikes another model instead, so transfer the hit onto an adjacent model in the unit.
Note that some magic spells work like conventional shooting, in which case the normal rules for shooting at characters with arrows, etc, will apply. In other cases magic works in different ways, either like cannons or stone throwers or differently altogether. This is covered in detail in the separate Warhammer Magic supplement together with rules for spellcasting and magic items.
Characters Riding Monsters
If a character is riding a creature that causes fear or terror, then the entire combined model of rider and mount is assumed to cause fear or terror. The rider is only affected by fear and terror in the same way as the mount he is riding and any tests that are required are taken using the rider's Leadership. See the Psychology section for a detailed explanation of how this works. For example, a Dragon causes terror and so is unaffected by fear or terror - it is a huge monster and is hardly likely to be upset by smaller less frightening creatures. A Dragon rider is also immune to fear and terror. Perched on top of a huge Dragon his courage is bolstered beyond the point where he has to worry about such things.
If a monster is subject to some inhibiting psychological effect, such as hatred or stupidity, then the appropriate tests must be made. However, all Leadership tests can be taken using the rider's Leadership characteristic. This represents the rider's ability to control the beast and impose his own will over the creature's natural instincts. If the monster is affected by frenzy, stupidity, hatred or whatever, it will carry its rider along with it, but the rider himself is not affected by the psychological reaction. So, if a monster goes stupid and is unable to fight this does not affect the rider who may fight on as normal. The same rule applies to monsters pulling chariots: any psychological tests are taken using the best Leadership value of the chariot crew.
Remember that a character riding a large monster does not benefit from the -1 to hit when being shot at. This penalty only applies when shooting at roughly man-sized characters on foot or as cavalry. Also, the rider and monster will suffer from the +1 to hit when shot at because they represent a large target.
Frenzied Characters
The rules for frenzied warriors have already been discussed in the Psychology section and can affect characters as well as ordinary troops. Frenzied characters often have many attacks, and the stress and strain placed upon them is considerable. There is only so much that mortal flesh and blood can stand! To represent this a special test is required. Work out a character's attacks and afterwards roll 2D6. If the dice score is greater than the character's total number of attacks, then the individual has survived the insane bout of mad hacking without suffering any harm. If the dice score is less than or equal to the total number of attacks then the individual reduces his Attacks characteristic value by -1 for the rest of the game. As a frenzied character's Attacks are doubled, this will effectively reduce his Attacks by 2.
Once a character has 1 Attack on his profile no further tests are necessary. His Attacks characteristic cannot be reduced to less than 1.
Special Characters
We have invented three types of hero and four types of wizard in order to give us a variety of different characters. However, we can easily imagine all kinds of wild individuals with different characteristic values from those given for Champions, Heroes, Lords and Wizards. The characters described above are 'standard' types. They are typically representative of their race, and of the sort of heroes and wizards you can expect to find in a Warhammer army. Variant types of character, those differing from the standard types, are referred to as 'special characters'.
Special characters are the Warhammer equivalent of famous warleaders and mages, individuals renowned amongst their own kind and abhorred by their enemies. For example there are the mighty leaders of nations such as the Emperor Karl-Franz of the Empire, Orc and Goblin Warlords such as Grom the Paunch of Misty Mountain, Malekith the Witch King of the Dark Elves, and many more besides. There are also important military leaders and high ranking nobles, such as Bretonnian dukes, Elector Counts from the Empire, and devious Skaven Seers. All of these special characters are quite different from the standard types. Some are better fighters than others, but some are better leaders, while many carry specific magical weapons or ride large monsters.
Numerous special characters are described in the Warhammer Armies books and other Warhammer supplements and, of course, players can get together and make up their own if they wish.
Monsters
The Old World is a vast and untamed place where wild and monstrous creatures roam the dark forests and tall mountains. There are many creatures that are roughly human in appearance, though a little larger than a man, like Orcs, Trolls, and Minotaurs, but there are also bigger and more bizarre monsters in abundance: Griffons, Dragons, Manticores, and many more besides. It is with these large monsters that this section of the rules is concerned. Large monsters may be ridden to battle by mighty heroes and wizards.
Large monsters are independent and powerful elements of the army. Some monsters develop loyalty and devotion to their masters and will fight for them willingly, while others are placed under enchantments or simply driven forward towards the enemy in the hope that they will attack the right side.
Large monsters can fight as if they were a unit consisting of one model in the same way as heroes and wizards. Also like characters, they do not have to turn or wheel to change direction, but can pivot about on the spot without penalty. See the section on Heroes and Wizards for more details.
Monster Packs
If you have several monsters of the same type then you can choose to form them into a single unit or 'monster pack' if you wish, but you do not have to do so. The advantage of lumping monsters together is that they will benefit from making all Leadership tests on the best Leadership value of the group in exactly the same way as a unit of troops led by a heroic character. For example, a Dragon rider could be accompanied by a pack including other Dragons, and the whole would benefit from his Leadership (Ld).
When fighting in a monster pack each model must be within 5" of another in the same group forming a rough line or clump. In the same way as squadrons of chariots the monster pack does not have to adopt a formation as such and is therefore referred to as a 'loose' unit. The models are still moved individually but must remain within their monster pack for the duration of the game.
Monsters and Riders
Large monsters are most commonly employed as mounts for characters. A monster and its rider or riders count as a single model in the same way as a cavalry model although different rules apply.
Horses, wolves, warboars and other similar sized creatures that only have 1 wound are covered by the rules already described for cavalry. As you will recall, a mounted knight is a cavalry model. If the knight is slain then the complete model is removed including the horse he is riding. To represent the value of the horse and to make cavalry appropriately resilient an extra +1 is added to the knight's saving throw, but otherwise no account is made of separate casualties for man and rider. This system is fine for these smaller creatures, but obviously wouldn't work for big monsters such as Dragons which are far larger and much more difficult to kill than a horse or a wolf.
If a mount has 2 or more wounds then it is classed as a 'monster' and the following rules are used for riders and mounts. These rules would therefore apply to a hero riding a Griffon, a wizard mounted on a Wyvern, a Dragon and its lordly rider, and so on. No additional +1 is added to the rider's saving throw, as the advantages of riding the monster are worked out in other ways instead.
Shooting at Monsters
As a single model the monster and its rider are considered to be a single target. It is not possible to shoot specifically at either rider or mount. All shots are taken against the whole model and any hits are randomised between the rider and monster as described below.
When you shoot at a character riding a monster the usual restrictions for shooting at characters apply as explained in the section on Heroes and Wizards. However, monsters are so big that the chance of being able to find a unit of comparably sized creatures to shelter inside or nearby is rather slim. A character riding a big monster is therefore easy to pick out as a target. Because the monster is a large target the enemy adds +1 to his to hit score.
The normal -1 to hit that applies to man-sized characters on foot or as cavalry does not apply to characters who are riding monsters. The whole target is simply so obvious that there is no doubt as to where the character is! You might wish to re-read the rules for shooting at characters in the Heroes and Wizards section to clarify this.
Randomise Hits
When shooting at a large monster and its rider roll to hit the model as normal, adding +1 because the monster is a large target. Once you have established how many hits have been scored you must apportion them between the rider and the monster. For each hit scored roll a D6:
| D6 Score | Hit |
|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3, 4 | The monster. Roll to wound the monster as normal. |
| 5 or 6 | The rider. Roll to wound the rider as normal. |
Work out wounds separately on the rider and his mount. Take any saving throws due to the target as normal. Most monsters do not have an armour saving throw as they have no armour, but some have scaly hide which confers a separate save. Riders are permitted saves for their armour, but remember they do not receive the additional +1 as do cavalry riding smaller creatures.
If a monster has two or more riders (a very unusual combination) then randomise hits to see which rider is hit and work out any resultant wounds on that individual. If models are glued in place (as is likely) it will be necessary to make a note of any casualties suffered.
Excess Wounds
If a rider is slain and suffers more wounds than he has on his profile any excess wounds are discounted. They are not carried through onto the monster, nor onto a second rider if the monster has two riders. Similarly, any excess wounds inflicted on the monster are discounted, they are not carried over onto the rider. Where monsters are fighting as part of a monster pack wounds are never carried over from one monster to another. In this respect ridden monsters and chariots follow the same rules for excess wounds.
Hand-to-Hand Combat
In hand-to-hand combat the enemy is faced with a deadly monster and, more often than not, a potent hero as well. The monster attacks using its own characteristics, and the rider attacks separately using his characteristics. As the monster and rider are likely to have different Initiative values they might strike their blows at different times. These attacks are worked out entirely normally, one batch for the rider and one batch for the monster.
Enemy Attacks
When it comes to attacking back, the enemy will be faced with two potential targets, the rider and the monster. The enemy can choose to direct his attacks against either the rider or the monster, and can distribute attacks between them in any way he likes. The opposing player must state how many attacks are against the monster and how many are against the rider before he rolls any dice, otherwise all attacks are assumed to be against the rider.
Attacks are worked out exactly as normal, and the score required to hit will depend upon the relative values of the monster or the rider's Weapon Skill, like all hand-to-hand fighting.
Slain Riders and Monsters
Wounds must be recorded separately for the rider and his mount. If the mount is slain then the rider may continue to fight on foot if you have a separate model to represent him. If the rider is slain the monster will behave in an erratic fashion, possibly going wild and attacking its own side or running rampant among both armies. Remember that these big monsters are often hand-reared by their masters, and so are likely to go uncontrollably wild if their rider is slain. Roll a D6 and refer to the Monster Reaction Table to determine how the monster reacts for the rest of the game.
Monster Reaction Table
1. The monster takes to the air if it has wings. If not, it makes for the nearest table edge as fast as it can and tries to leave the battlefield. The monster will avoid any troops or scenery blocking its way and will attempt to go round them to find an escape route. If attacked the monster will fight back, but it will not charge of its own volition unless it is forced to do so by a psychology rule. It will not use any breath or other range weapon unless it is shot at, in which case it may return fire. Once it has left the table the monster does not return.
2. The monster attacks the nearest target that it can see, favouring enemy if there is a choice of two equally distant targets. It must charge if able to do so, and if unable to charge must move towards the nearest target as fast as possible. Once in hand-to-hand combat it will fight normally. It will use any breath or other range weapon to attack the nearest troops if able to do so.
3. The monster attacks the nearest enemy that it can see. It must charge if able to do so, and if unable to charge must move towards the nearest enemy as fast as possible. Once in hand-to-hand combat it will fight normally. The monster will use any breath or other range weapon to attack the nearest enemy troops if able to do so.
4. The monster moves randomly in its fury and confusion, angrily attacking anything in its path. Move the monster along with other compulsory movement in the move phase. Roll a Scatter dice to determine the direction moved. If there are any troops, enemy or friends, within charge reach in the direction shown then the monster charges them. In this case it will charge even if it could not normally charge because it could not see the target at the start of its turn. If no targets are within charge reach the monster moves as fast as it can towards them. It will use any breath or other range weapon to attack the nearest troops if able to do so. Once in hand-to-hand combat it will fight normally.
5. The monster remains where it is but will turn to face the nearest enemy. If any enemy approach within charge range it will charge them. If in hand-to-hand combat the monster will fight normally. If the opportunity arises it will use any breath weapon to attack the nearest enemy.
6. The monster remains steadfastly where it is, guarding the fallen body of its beloved master. The monster will not move but it will face towards and use any breath or similar ranged weapon to attack enemy who approach within range. If the monster is in hand-to-hand combat it will fight, but it will not pursue fleeing enemy. The monster will remain by its master to the end, faithfully protecting him against harm or capture.
Bound Monsters Rule
Large unridden monsters can be included in most armies as described in the Warhammer Armies books. Such creatures are ferocious and dangerous, and appear on the battlefield only because they are bound by powerful spells or their masters have spent a lifetime training them. In the hurly-burly of battle such creatures do not always react as their commander might wish. They might break free of their binding spells or be overcome by their natural instincts. Creatures affected by this rule are indicated in the Warhammer Bestiary section of the Battle Book.
Bound Monster Test
Only unridden monsters need to take a Bound Monsters test. Test at the start of the turn for each bound monster. Roll 2D6 against the monster's Leadership value as you would for a psychology test. Always use the monster's own Leadership; it cannot benefit from the Leadership of a character or the general. If the score is more than the monster's Leadership roll a D6 to discover what it does that turn.
| D6 | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 | Deserts. If it has wings the monster flies off from the battlefield and does not return. If it does not have wings it will move at double-pace towards and off the table edge, taking the swiftest route. The monster will leave hand-to-hand fighting if it is already engaged, and will not attack or attempt to charge fresh enemy. |
| 2-5 | Struggles. The monster struggles against its enchantment or training and will neither move nor attack this turn. It will not use any breath or special weapons either. |
| 6 | Fight On. If engaged in hand-to-hand fighting the monster will fight with half its normal number of attacks rounding down. Otherwise it will neither move nor fight as described for 'Struggles'. |
Flyers
Some creatures in the Warhammer World have wings and can fly, soaring quickly from one side of the battlefield to the other. This mobility is extremely useful as it allows the creature to choose its opponents, or to avoid a fight if it is seriously out-matched.
Representing creatures that can fly poses a few problems on the gaming table. It is impractical if not down-right hazardous to suspend heavy models above the tabletop as we might ideally wish! The following rules are intended to capture the feel of fast moving aerial combat in a practical manner without worrying unduly about the third dimension.
Models that have wings are normally capable of flight and for the sake of convenience are termed 'flyers'. Flyers are moved during the player's movement phase along with other models. Most flyers are also capable of moving along the ground by walking or running. If a flyer has a Movement characteristic value (M) this represents its ground movement in the same way as any other model. When moving along the ground using its Movement characteristic all the usual movement rules apply as described in the Movement section. A flyer may either fly or move along the ground, but cannot combine both in the same turn.
Movement of Fliers
In the Warhammer game, flight is represented by a 'long swoop' or 'glide' of up to 24". The flyer starts off on the ground, takes off, flies to where it wishes to go, and then lands. Flyers therefore begin and end their movement on the ground. The exception to this is 'flying high', as explained later.
Flyers do not benefit from the extra move distance conferred on ground moving models by charging or marching. They cannot march, and they charge at their normal speed as explained below. A flyer may charge an enemy within its 24" flight move. The charge must be declared in the normal way, and the enemy has the usual response options. The flying move is not doubled as is a ground charge.
Flyers suffer no movement penalties for changing direction, overflying scenery or crossing obstacles. Flying creatures may overfly other models, including enemy troops, without penalty. Flyers may not move, land in or take off from within a wood or from any terrain feature that both players consider would not allow it. Flyers may not land on top of enemy formations - if they wish to attack an enemy they must engage in combat as described below. If flyers wish to enter a wood they must land outside it and walk inside using their ground movement.
Most flyers are large monsters but some units of troops can fly: Harpies, for example. Where flyers fight in units the same rules apply, but the unit must remain whole just like any other unit. So, the entire unit will charge, fly high, and so forth. Flying units must keep to a formation like other troops. However, if the models are mounted on flying bases or have very broad wingspans, it will be impractical to arrange them base-to-base to manoeuvre in the conventional manner. Instead, they are placed next to each other as closely as possible and individual models move freely in order to change formation or face a different direction.
Hand-to-Hand Combat (Flyers)
A flyer is able to use its lengthy flight move to charge into hand-to-hand combat. Regardless of which direction the flyer comes from, the model is always placed against the middle of the target unit's front if possible. However, if the target is already engaged in hand-to-hand combat to its front, then flyers can be positioned to the sides if the attack comes from the flank, or to the rear if it comes from behind. This represents the flyer charging down upon his foe with a series of swoops or passes. In reality the flyer is wheeling above the unit, making attacks against models within it. However, this is difficult to represent on the tabletop, and for this reason combats are worked out against the target's front.
Hand-to-hand combat between flyers and their enemies is worked out in the same way as other combat except that they never suffer the '6' to hit penalty when attacking troops behind a defended obstacle. Work out casualties for both sides and calculate the combat results as normal. The losing side must take a Break test and if it fails the test must flee just like in any other combat.
The distance flyers flee is based on their flying move rather than their ground move. The normal flee distance for flyers is therefore 3D6" in common with all models whose move is more than 6". If flyers must flee along the ground due to some constraint which prevents them flying, then they flee 2D6" or 3D6" depending on their Movement characteristic value like other troops. For example, if they are in the middle of a wood, or if they are under some magical influence which prevents them flying. Flyers pursue fleeing enemy in exactly the same way as ordinary troops. Their normal pursuit rate is therefore 3D6" and the same comments apply as for fleeing.
Driven Off
This rule is unique to flying creatures and it represents the way in which highly mobile flying creatures can be forced to back away from combat by stubborn resistance. The rule only applies to flyers that are capable of flying at the time - if fighting inside a wood or if unable to fly for whatever reason, then flyers are not driven off.
If flyers lose a combat, but pass their Break test and so do not flee, then they are automatically driven off instead. This means they have been beaten away by their foes' stubborn resistance and forced to fly out of their immediate reach. The models are immediately moved 3D6" away from the enemy as if they were fleeing, except that they can turn to face whatever direction they wish at the end of their move.
Driven off models are free to move and fight normally once they have moved. They are not fleeing and other than being driven away from combat suffer no penalties. Although they have been driven off they have not been broken and the enemy does not pursue. Characters riding flying creatures who are engaged in a challenge are driven off in the same way as other troops, thereby bringing the challenge to an end.
Flying High
A flyer may choose to 'fly high' during his turn instead of making a normal flying move. This represents a flyer ascending far into the air above the battlefield. All that observers on the ground can see is a tiny black dot amongst the clouds. These rules represent models flying high, diving down onto the battlefield, and engaging in combat against each other above the clouds.
By necessity the rules are rather long, but large flying creatures are rare and special, so it's worth the extra effort involved! However, we would recommend that players ignore these special rules until they have learned and used the rest of the flying rules. Some players prefer to ignore the Flying High rules altogether, and if you and your opponent are so minded there is no reason why you shouldn't do so - simply assume that high winds make it impossible to fly high.
At the start of his movement phase, when charges are declared, the player also declares which of his flying models will fly up high. These models are removed from the tabletop during the movement phase. Any models which fly up high are placed on a side table, or some other convenient spot designated for all models from either side which are up high. The model is now said to be 'high' or 'up high'.
A flying model that is already up high at the start of its turn may either remain where it is or dive down onto a designated point on the battlefield (but not into a wood!).
A model may not fly high unless it is already on the table at the start of the turn. A model cannot therefore begin the game flying high. Similarly, a model cannot fly high on any turn in which it re-enters the battlefield, for example if it pursued an enemy off the table. A model may not fly high if it is subject to some compulsory movement rule or a rule which prevents it flying. For example, if engaged in combat at the start of the turn, if fleeing, when pursuing, or if it is in a wood and therefore unable to fly.
Diving
A model which is up high at the start of the turn can dive anywhere onto the battlefield. The player declares the model is diving at the start of the movement phase at the same time as declaring charges. To dive down onto the battlefield the player nominates a spot and places the model accordingly. The model has completed its move for that turn.
Diving Charges
A player can dive directly onto an enemy unit by means of a diving charge. The charge is declared in the normal way at the start of the movement phase. The model dives onto an enemy unit and is placed at the unit's front unless the enemy is already frontally engaged, in which case it may be placed at the side or rear in the same way as a normal flyer's attack.
The normal charge responses can be made against a diving charge (stand and shoot, hold or flee). Stand and Shoot responses are made at the maximum range of the weapon (as is normal for charges from beyond a weapon's maximum range).
If an enemy flees from a dive then the attacking model is placed in its nominated position and may move no further. The flying model does not chase the fleeing enemy and is considered to have expended its entire movement by diving. Troops fleeing from such an attack will therefore always escape. Preferred targets for dive attacks will therefore be enemy already engaged in combat, or static targets such as war engines (whose crews may flee none-the-less).
Combat Up High
All flying models that are up high, from both sides, are placed together on a side table or suitable location away from the game. They are assumed to be wheeling around each other and aware of each other's presence above the battlefield. They may attack each other with 'glancing blows' as described below, but note that they are not affected by psychology in respect to other models which are high. This is because of the fleeting nature of aerial warfare, where it is easy to wheel out of danger and avoid confrontation.
Whilst up high a model may not shoot weapons at troops on the table, cast spells on to the table, or do anything to troops on the table. Similarly, a model that is up high cannot be shot at by troops on the table or have spells cast upon it by wizards on the table. The process of flying high puts you above and beyond the battlefield.
Glancing Blows
A model that is up high may attack an enemy model that is also up high. These attacks represent glancing blows inflicted while the combatants swoop and climb, circling round each other and 'dog fighting' in the sky. Glancing blows are worked out differently from ordinary combat. All combat fought whilst flying up high is struck in this way; ordinary combat is never fought between models that are up high.
In the close combat phase the player whose turn it is may strike glancing blows with models which are up high against enemy models which are also up high. No charge needs to be declared, the player simply pairs off his model against his opponent's model. The player may choose which of his models will attack which enemy model/s, and he may decide to attack all of his models against the same enemy if he wishes.
Glancing blows are fought as follows. The attacker makes all his attacks in the normal way, including any attacks from ridden monsters. So, roll to hit, and roll to wound as normal. If fighting against a monster and rider, work out which is hit exactly as you would for combat on the ground. Take any saving throws exactly as you normally would. Once the attacker has struck his glancing blows the combat is over. There is no combat result, no Break tests are taken and neither model will flee or pursue. The attacker has pounced, struck his blows, and the two models have parted.
Note that the model which has been attacked does not strike glancing blows. Only the player whose turn it is fights. This is very different from normal combat, and represents the fleeting, momentary fighting as an attacker swoops upon and past his enemy.
As well as single large monsters and their riders, some units of troops can also fly, such as Harpies for example. In this case the unit acts as a body, and the entire unit will attack a single target. Similarly, the entire unit is considered as a target for glancing blows, so it is possible to kill several models as a result of an attack.
If the rider of a monstrous creature is killed whilst flying up high, then the monster will fly off, away from the battlefield, and takes no further part in the game. If a rider's mount is killed then the rider is in trouble. He will plummet to the ground slightly away from the battlefield area and is killed by the fall.
While up high models may not shoot missile weapons, use breath template weapons, or cast spells against each other. Although we can imagine how these things might be possible, it would take many pages of extra rules to add this level of detail. More properly such detail belongs to a separate game or supplement.
Chariots
Chariots make ideal transport and fighting machines for characters. They are also sufficiently powerful to stand up to large monsters and even regiments of troops. Most chariots have at least two crew members, one to control the team pulling the chariot and the other to fight. Chariots can be pulled by horses, but many of the races of the Warhammer World employ far more deadly creatures. For example, Goblins harness wolves to their chariots, while Orcs favour brutal snorting warboars, and the chariots of the Undead are pulled by cadaverous skeleton steeds hung with tatters of rotting flesh.
The Chariot Model
A chariot, including its crew and the creatures pulling it, is considered to be a single model in the same way as a powerful character riding a large monster. In fact, you can think of the chariot as being another kind of monster, albeit one constructed from wood and iron rather than flesh and blood!
Chariot Units
Chariots can move and fight individually in the same way as character models or large monsters. Each chariot is, in effect, a unit of one model. This is how most players prefer to use their chariots and it is most appropriate where there are only a few chariots on each side.
Chariot Squadrons
If you have several chariots then you can choose to form them into a single loose unit or 'chariot squadron' if you wish. You do not have to do this, you can field the chariots as single units of one model if you prefer. The advantage of lumping your chariots together is that they will benefit from making all Leadership tests on the best Leadership value of the group in exactly the same way as a unit of troops led by a heroic character.
When fighting in a squadron in this way each chariot must be within 5" of another chariot in the same squadron forming a rough line or clump. The squadron does not have to adopt a formation as such and for this reason is referred to as a 'loose' unit. The models are still moved individually but must remain within their squadron for the duration of the game.
Excess Wounds
Excess wounds inflicted against chariots are never carried through onto other chariots, not even where chariots are fighting in the same squadron. In this respect chariots continue to fight as if they were single models, even when fighting in squadrons. However, they still take Break and psychology tests as one unit, will flee and pursue as one unit, and in other respects are treated as a unit. The reason excess wounds are ignored is that the models will not necessarily be touching (they can be up to 5" apart) and also because chariots are important parts of your army it seems appropriate that they should be treated individually.
Moving Chariots
A chariot moves at the same speed as the creature that pulls it. Chariots can never march, although they double their move when charging in the same way as other models. When you move a chariot model simply measure the distance and make your move. There is no need to turn or wheel, as the chariot is able to turn freely to face any direction you wish, just like a large monster.
Obstacles and Terrain
Chariots cannot move over obstacles or difficult terrain, except to cross a river at a bridge or a ford. A chariot compelled to move over terrain it cannot normally cross is likely to be damaged as its wheels strike rocks, its body becomes entangled in undergrowth, or it careers headlong through a wall. If forced by circumstance into difficult terrain or over an obstacle, the chariot sustains D6 Strength 6 hits. These are randomly distributed among the chariot, crew, and creatures in the same way as hits from shooting (see below for a description of how to do this). Chariots sometimes have to cross obstacles or difficult terrain for reasons beyond their control, for example if they are forced to flee from close combat.
Fighting Chariots
Chariots' WS
Chariots do not have a separate Weapon Skill, so when they fight in hand-to-hand combat the enemy compares his Weapon Skill against that of the chariot's crew. If the chariot has crewmen with different Weapon Skill levels then he always counts the highest. If all crewmen are slain and you still wish to strike blows against the chariot, count its WS as 0 and therefore all attacks hit automatically.
Allocating Hits
A chariot model comprises three distinct parts: the crew, the creatures pulling it, and the chariot body itself. When enemy troops are shooting arrows or other missiles at the chariot, or when foes attack the chariot in hand-to-hand combat, any successful hits are randomly allocated between the crew, creatures and chariot body. This is shown on the chart below.
Roll a D6 for each hit scored and consult the chart for shooting or hand-to-hand fighting. The difference between the two charts reflects the difficulty of hitting crew with missiles from a distance, compared with the vulnerability of crew once they get stuck in to hand-to-hand combat and are exposing themselves to attack.
| D6 | Shooting | Hand-to-Hand |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Crew Member | Chariot Body |
| 2-3 | A Creature | A Creature |
| 4-6 | Chariot Body | A Crew Member |
If you hit a part that has already been destroyed, then re-roll the result until you hit another. So, if you have killed all the creatures you will re-roll any further hits on creatures.
Work Out Wounds
Once you have allocated each hit, work out further wounds exactly as you normally would against ordinary troopers. If the crew have identical characteristics then it is not necessary to establish which is hit, the player may remove any one crew model as a casualty or make an appropriate note where crew models have been glued into place. Where the crew have different characteristics, if one is a hero for example, then it is necessary to further decide which has been hit. This can be done by rolling randomly using a D6 as appropriate (for example, if there are two crew 1-3 = the hero, 4-6 = the other crew member).
Chariots have their own Toughness value, Wounds, and other characteristics for the chariot body as indicated on their profile. In most cases this is as follows, although in some instances a chariot may be especially large with more wounds or greater Toughness.
| M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chariot | - | - | - | 7 | 7 | 3 | 1 | - | - |
Slain Creatures
If some of the creatures pulling a chariot are slain then it will move proportionately slower. For example, a chariot pulled by two horses normally travels 8" but this is reduced to 4" with only one horse as half the horses have been slain. Obviously, the more creatures there are to pull the chariot the smaller the proportional reduction in its movement should they be slain. Should all the creatures be slain then the chariot is brought to a halt.
Slain Crew
A chariot can continue to fight so long as it has at least one crewman left. If all its crew are slain, and assuming it can still move, then the chariot will move randomly in its own movement phase. This is worked out along with other compulsory movement (see the Movement section). The chariot rampages 2D6" up to its maximum speed in a completely random direction. This can be established using the Scatter dice. If you roll a double then the creatures collapse with exhaustion before the chariot moves and the model is removed from the battle. Otherwise, the chariot model is moved the distance indicated. If the chariot collides with troops then it comes to a halt and a round of hand-to-hand combat follows just as if the chariot had charged.
Destroying the Chariot
If the chariot body suffers a wound then this is recorded. Once the chariot body has suffered its full complement of wounds it is destroyed and the entire model is removed from the battle. The creatures pulling the chariot are either killed in the wreckage or run away and take no further part in the conflict. Any surviving crew may continue to fight on foot if the player has models to represent them, otherwise they are considered to be killed.
Chariot Attacks and Impact Hits
A chariot has three types of attack: attacks from its crew, attacks from the creatures if they have them, and impact hits from the chariot's superstructure, scythes, blades, etc. Of these the impact hits from the chariot are usually the most dangerous, causing considerable damage as the chariot thunders into the enemy ranks. Chariots only inflict impact hits when they charge because they need to move forward, trampling or knocking aside enemy, crushing them under their wheels or slicing them with their scythes.
When a chariot charges it automatically causes D6 hits, plus 1 for each scythe blade fitted to its wheels or to the chariot body (this will normally be +2). These hits are inflicted first, before any attacks from either side in the combat. Note that no roll is made to score impact hits, the charging chariot automatically causes hits.
| Impact Hits Inflicted | |
|---|---|
| Charging | D6 + 1 per scythe |
| Otherwise | None |
All impact hits from the chariot are worked out using the Strength value of the chariot itself, i.e. 7 in most cases. The main danger from a chariot comes during its charge, so it is vitally important for chariots not to allow themselves to be outmanoeuvred and charged by the enemy. Chariots caught out in this way get no impact hits and are likely to be overwhelmed.
Impact hits against a unit of troops are worked out against the troops rather than against any characters in the unit. If a chariot charges against a single character on his own, then the impact hits will obviously strike the character, but in other cases it is assumed that the character is canny enough to avoid the crushing chariot whilst those around him fall beneath its wheels.
Chariot Crew and Creatures in Combat
Chariot crew may fight against enemy in contact with the chariot, whether to its front, sides or rear. They strike blows in normal Initiative order, and attack first during a charge, exactly like other warriors. All crew fight, including the driver. Many players find it helpful as well as convenient to glue their chariot onto a card or wooden base large enough to accommodate the model, as this makes it clear which enemy models are fighting.
The creatures pulling a chariot may fight if they have their own attacks. Wolves, for example, have their own attacks. Due to the restrictions of harness and reins, creatures can only attack enemy directly in front of them. Work out attacks in Initiative order, and attack first during charges, exactly as normal.
A character in a chariot may issue or meet a challenge. Any creature attacks from the chariot count towards the challenge, but crew (other than the character) cannot fight in the combat at all. Any impact hits are worked out against the ordinary troopers in the unit rather than the character; they are not considered part of the challenge.
Fleeing and Pursuing Chariots
Chariots flee and pursue exactly like ordinary troops. If broken in hand-to-hand combat and forced to flee they move 2D6" or 3D6" depending on their speed. If caught by pursuers they are destroyed. Similarly they pursue fleeing enemies at the same rate, and will destroy them if they are caught.
Templates and Chariots
If firing at a chariot with a stone thrower, or other weapon which has a template, position the template as normal. Each part of the chariot is treated separately, so the creatures/crew/chariot body are potentially hit if these actual models are within the template area. Treat each crew member, creature and the chariot body as separate targets.
War Machines
War machines are an important part of many armies in the Warhammer World. Gigantic cannons are amongst the most spectacular of these engines of war, but their manufacture is difficult and the secrets of gun casting and gunpowder manufacture are carefully guarded. Orcs and other less sophisticated races build gigantic stone throwers which lob boulders high into the air to come crashing down upon enemy formations or behind city walls. Bolt throwers are powerful giant crossbows that can send a spear-sized bolt clean through several ranks of enemy skewering each in turn! These are all relatively common war machines that can be found in several armies.
A war machine model comprises the machine itself plus a crew which is usually two or three crewmen. The crew figures are based separately, unlike with a chariot or a ridden monster where the crew or riders are likely to be physically glued to the chariot or mount. This is necessary because a war machine's crew can be forced to flee away from their machine, either because they are broken in combat or because they panic.
Each war machine can fight as a single unit of one model rather like a chariot or a hero riding a large monster. This is the usual way in which war machines are deployed, especially in small armies which might have only one or two machines.
Batteries
If an army includes several war machines of the same type these can be organised into units called batteries. War machines are automatically assumed to be formed into a battery when deployed within 5" of each other at the start of the game. For purposes of forming batteries all stone throwers count as the same type of machine regardless of their size, and the same is true of cannons and great cannons.
When fighting in a battery each war machine must remain within 5" of another machine in the same battery forming a rough line or clump. The battery does not have to adopt a formation as such and for this reason is referred to as a 'loose' unit. The models are still moved individually but must remain within their battery for the duration of the game.
A character model may join a unit of war machines in the same way as he might join a unit of troops. Note, however, that batteries never include their own Champions - only units of troops have Champions. The unit will benefit from the associated character's Leadership value in the same way as would a unit of troops. In the case of batteries, the character must be positioned with a specific machine for purposes of allocating damage from shooting hits. However, only crew can operate a machine, a character cannot operate a war machine. Characters do not actually become crew when they join a machine, and are never hurt should the machine malfunction. They keep sufficient distance between themselves and the dangerous mechanism to be safe.
Excess wounds inflicted against war machines are never carried through onto other war machines, not even where they are fighting in the same battery. In this respect war machines continue to fight as if they were single models, even when fighting in batteries. However, they still take Break and psychology tests as one unit, will flee and pursue as one unit, and in other respects are treated as a unit. Note that this is consistent with the rules which apply to squadrons of chariots, and so shouldn't be too hard to remember.
War Machines in Combat
The crews of the war machines described here all fight in the same way, so rather than repeat ourselves three times over the rules have been collected together for ease of reference. Note that some of the war machines described in the Warhammer Armies books have their own special rules.
When shooting at a war machine shots are worked out against the entire model and any hits scored are randomised against the crew and machine. This is essentially the same procedure as for shots at characters riding large monsters and for chariots. War machines and their crews generally constitute a large target (more than 10' high or broad in real terms) and so the shooter benefits from a +1 to hit bonus. Once hits have been established randomise where they strike as shown below.
| D6 Score | Hit |
|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3, 4 | The machine - Roll to 'wound' the machine. |
| 5 or 6 | A crewman - Roll to wound a crewman. |
Once all crew are slain, or if they flee, or once the machine is destroyed, further hits do not need to be randomised but will strike a crewman or the machine as appropriate.
Any shots from stone throwers, or any weapons which use a template, are worked out in the same way as described for chariots. If a crewman lies under the template he is hit; if the machine lies under the template it is hit.
Usually a machine's crew are identical, so it is not necessary to determine which is hit, but if a battery includes a character he may be hit by shots directed at the machine. In this case, randomise any crew hits to determine whether the character is hit. For example where there are two crew and a character roll a D6: 1-2 = crewman A, 3-4 = crewman B, 5-6 = character.
If charged, a war machine's crew can either hold or flee but cannot stand and shoot as the machines are too cumbersome to allow this. Where machines fight in a battery the entire battery must declare the same response, and must either hold or flee from the charge.
In hand-to-hand fighting the crew will defend their machines and models are automatically repositioned so that they can fight enemy in contact with the machine. If several machines are organised into a battery all the crew from all the machines plus any characters with the battery may group together to fight so long as individual crewmen/characters do not move further than their normal move distance to reach an enemy. Enemy models can divide attacks between crew, characters or machines that they are touching. The machine itself does not fight.
If a machine's crew flees from a charge then the chargers can either continue to charge past the machine in order to destroy its crew or, if the player prefers, they can stop when they reach the machine and attack it. The machine itself does not flee as such, but is abandoned by its crew and any associated characters.
If crew flee from hand-to-hand fighting their machine is abandoned. The victors must ignore it in order to pursue unless the player elects to restrain pursuit and passes the required Leadership test to do so.
Note that once separated from their machines crewmen become individual models. Consequently, the number of crewmen fleeing is used as the basis for Panic tests on friendly troops nearby. For purposes of rallying the original number of crewmen is considered to be the original size of the unit. Thus six crewmen fleeing from a battery of machines would cause a Panic test in friends nearby (as there are five or more) even though they may have abandoned only three machines.
A machine attacked in hand-to-hand fighting is assumed to have a WS of 0 and is therefore hit automatically. An enemy attacking an abandoned war machine is not considered to be engaged in combat. No combat results are worked out and the attackers are free to move away from the machine as they wish.
An abandoned machine can be re-crewed by crew members from any other war machine from the same side if their own machine has been destroyed or abandoned. Crew may deliberately abandon a war machine in order to crew another. Crew models will not fight away from a machine and if they are charged whilst not serving as crew they will always flee.
Stone Throwers
Stone throwers are powerful and destructive weapons that lob large boulders high into the air, sending them crashing through enemy ranks crushing limbs and armour alike. Many races of the Warhammer World use these devices. Not all are built in the same way by any means: some use a massive counterweight to catapult their missile into the air while others use torsion power like a giant crossbow. The bigger the engine, the larger the rock it can throw and the more damage it can do. The very largest stone throwers can hurl a projectile big enough to knock down buildings and even city walls!
Work out the results of stone throwing in the shooting phase. To work out damage you will need the round missile template with the hole in the centre. The stone is not as big as the template of course (that would require a very large engine indeed) but shatters on impact sending shards of sharp stone over a wide area.
Pivot the stone thrower on the spot so that it is pointing in the direction you wish to shoot. The crew do not need to be able to see their target, but they must be able to see that there are enemy in the direction they are firing. Now declare how far you wish to fire the rock. You must do this without measuring the distance to your target, so you must guess the range as accurately as you can. Once you have made your guess place the missile template directly over the spot where you have guessed.
For example: You are firing a stone thrower at a unit of Bretonnian Knights in front of you. You make your guess and declare that you are firing 28" directly towards the centre of the Knights. Having made your guess you take the template and measure 28" towards your target. If you have made a good guess the template will lie over your intended target. If not, don't worry - there's still a chance the stone may veer off course and hit something.
Scatter and Artillery Dice
To decide whether the missile lands where you have aimed it roll both the Scatter dice and the Artillery dice. The Scatter dice is the dice marked with arrows on four sides and the word HIT on two sides. If you roll a HIT then the missile lands exactly where you have aimed it. If you roll an arrow then the missile veers in the direction shown by the arrow.
The Artillery dice is marked 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and MISFIRE. If you roll a misfire then something has gone wrong - roll a D6 and consult the Misfire Chart below. A misfire roll automatically cancels out the whole shot regardless of the Scatter dice result. If you roll a number on the Artillery dice then this is the distance in inches the missile veers off target as shown by the arrow on the Scatter dice. Move the template the distance indicated in the direction shown by the arrow. If you roll a HIT then the numbers are ignored; a number simply indicates that the shot has not misfired.
For example: You guess bang on and the template lies directly in the middle of your chosen target. You roll both dice. The Scatter dice shows a HIT! You have landed bang on target. The Artillery dice score is 4 - the number indicates that nothing is amiss and the shot lands exactly where you aimed it. If the Artillery dice had been a misfire then the whole shot would have been messed up as described on the Misfire Chart.
Misfire Chart for Stone Throwers
| D6 Roll | Result |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | Destroyed! The engine cannot stand the strain placed upon it and breaks under the tension as it is fired. Bits of wood and metal fly all around, the stone tumbles to the ground splintering the engine and throwing debris into the air. The engine is destroyed and its crew slain or injured. Remove the engine and its crew. |
| 3-4 | Disabled. The normal smooth running of the machine and its crew is disrupted by some accident or freak occurrence. A rope snaps and lashes about wildly, a crewman sets the machine up wrongly so that it pulls itself apart, or maybe a careless operator becomes entangled in the mechanism. The engine does not shoot this turn and cannot fire next turn either while the damage is repaired. To help you remember it is a good idea to turn the machine round to face away from the enemy. In addition, one of the crew is slain - caught by a snapping rope, entangled in the machinery, or thrown high into the air in place of the stone! |
| 5-6 | May not shoot. A minor fault prevents the machine shooting this turn. A crewman drops the stone as he lifts it into position, maybe a ratchet jams or a rope loosens. The machine is unharmed and may shoot as normal next turn. |
Working Out Hits (Stone Throwers)
Once you have established where the stone lands damage can be worked out. Any model that lies directly under the hole is hit automatically - note that only one model can lie within the hole and if there is any doubt it is the model which is under the exact centre that is hit. Models whose bases lie under the rest of the template are hit on a D6 roll of 4+.
You will have to use your judgement and common sense to decide exactly which models lie under the template - sometimes it is not easy to judge precisely. As a rule of thumb a model can be considered as a potential hit if at least half of its base area lies under the template, while models whose bases are only touched or grazed can be ignored.
Stone Thrower Diagram example: the stone has landed in the middle of a unit. The model under the centre of the template is hit and 8 other models may be hit. Eight dice are rolled scoring 4 hits plus the original 1 making a total of 5.
Once you have worked out which models are struck by your missile work out damage in the usual way. Roll for each target to see whether you cause damage. Stone throwers have a Strength of 7 or more, so they cause damage on the roll of a 2+ against most human or similarly sized targets. Refer to the damage chart for details. A damaging hit from a stone thrower causes either D3 or D6 wounds depending on its size, but as most creatures have only 1 wound it is not necessary to take this dice roll. It is, however, useful when attacking characters and big monsters.
No armour saving throw is permitted against wounds from a stone thrower. When a big rock lands on you you are squashed regardless of what armour you may be wearing!
Profiles (Stone Throwers)
Stone throwers vary in design - some are bigger than others, some are positively monstrous! Basically, however, there are two types: ordinary sized ones and big ones. Details are given below for typical examples.
| Maximum Range you may Guess | Strength | Wounds | Armour Save | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Thrower | 48" | 7 | D3 | None |
| Big Stone Thrower | 60" | 10 | D6 | None |
Being large, solid devices stone throwers are difficult to destroy. However, it's possible for them to become the target of other engines of war or they may be attacked by large monsters. Stone throwers therefore have a profile like a creature with a Toughness value and a number of wounds which they can sustain before they are destroyed. As with other details these might vary in specific cases, but a typical engine has the values shown here.
| Move | Toughness | Wounds |
|---|---|---|
| As crew | 7 | 3 |
The move rate is the speed the stone thrower can move with its full crew - if any crew are slain its speed is reduced proportionally. A machine cannot move and shoot in the same turn except to turn to face its target. Generally speaking, war machines have such a long range that it is pointless moving them about.
Loss of Crew (Stone Throwers)
A stone thrower requires a full crew to work it properly - to carry stones, wind ropes, push the machine round to bear on its target, and so on. If one crewman is slain then the rest can just about get by without slowing up the machine noticeably. If two or more crewmen are slain then the remaining crew will be unable to cope, and the stone thrower will have to miss a whole turn before it can shoot again. This is in addition to any penalty imposed by a misfire result. Obviously the engine requires at least one crewman to work, and should they all be slain the machine is useless.
Stone Thrower Summary
- Declare target and guess range.
- Position template and roll Scatter and Artillery dice.
- If the Artillery dice is MISFIRE refer to Misfire Chart, otherwise...
- If the Scatter dice is a HIT the stone has struck home.
- If the Scatter dice is an arrow the stone has landed in the direction shown 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10" away from the aiming point as shown on the Artillery dice.
- The single model in the exact centre is hit. Remaining models under the template are hit on the D6 score of a 4+.
- Work out hits as normal. Models are allowed no armour saving throw from a stone thrower.
Cannons
Cannons are dangerous if sometimes unpredictable weapons whose manufacture is limited to human and Dwarf experts. When they work cannons can shatter the most determined enemy, pouring deadly shot into his massed formations, levelling his cities and toppling huge monsters. But cannons often go wrong. Weaknesses in the casting methods can leave minute cracks or other deficiencies which cause them to explode when fired. Gunpowder can fail to ignite or may explode prematurely. Despite the occasional spectacular accident, cannons are extremely potent weapons that have been instrumental in winning more than one battle on behalf of their users.
Cannons are fired in the shooting phase along with other missile weapons. To shoot your cannon first turn it on the spot so that it points towards your intended target. Now declare how far you wish to shoot - e.g. 24", 30", 32" etc. The ball travels the distance you have nominated, plus the score of the Artillery dice. Roll the Artillery dice, and add the score to the distance you have declared. The ball travels the total distance towards the target, and will land short, pass straight over, or hit depending on how accurately you have guessed the range and what effect the dice has. Remember the dice will always add at least 2" to your estimate, and can add up to 10", so you should aim a few inches short of your target.
Once you have established where the cannonball hits place a small coin or other marker directly over the spot. The cannonball does not stop where it hits the ground, but bounces straight forward and cuts a line through any targets in the way. To determine how far the ball bounces roll the Artillery dice again and mark the spot where the ball comes to land. Any models between the points where the ball strikes the ground and where it eventually comes to land are hit by the flying cannonball.
Any model struck by a cannonball takes a Strength 10 hit resolved in the normal manner. If the cannonball wounds its target then it causes not 1 wound but D4 or D6 wounds depending on the size of the cannon. As most models have only 1 wound anyway it will not be necessary to roll this extra dice, but it is important when it comes to rolling for heroes, big monsters, and engines of war which can take several wounds. Wounds caused by cannon shot cannot be saved by armour. No armour saving throw is permitted for wounds caused by cannons. If a cannonball hits you no amount of armour is going to do you any good.
For example: You are firing a cannon at a unit of Goblins in front of you. You make your guess and declare that you are "aiming 12" directly towards the middle of that Goblin unit." Having made your guess you roll the Artillery dice and score 4, which equals 4". This makes a total of 16". Measure 16" towards the Goblins and place a marker where the ball hits. If you have guessed well this will be just in front of them. The ball now bounces forward the score of the Artillery dice. This time you roll an 8 and the ball bounces straight through the Goblin unit hitting all the models in the way.
Misfires
You roll the Artillery dice twice when a cannon is fired, so you have two chances of rolling a misfire result. However, the two results will be different. If you roll a misfire when you roll the first dice the cannon has literally misfired and may explode. If you roll a misfire on your bounce roll then this merely indicates the ball has stuck in the ground and does not bounce.
If you roll a misfire as you shoot the cannon then consult the chart below.
Cannon Misfire Chart
| D6 Roll | Result |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | Destroyed! The cannon explodes with a mighty crack. Shards of metal and wood fly in all directions leaving a hole in the ground and a cloud of black smoke. The cannon is destroyed and its crew slain or injured. Remove the cannon and its crew. |
| 3-4 | Malfunction. The powder fails to ignite and the cannon does not fire. The crew must remove the ball and powder before the cannon can shoot again - which takes another turn! The cannon therefore cannot fire either this turn or the next turn. It is a good idea to turn the cannon round to indicate this. |
| 5-6 | May not shoot. A minor fault prevents the cannon firing this turn, perhaps the fuse is not set properly or maybe the crewmen mishandle the loading procedure. The cannon is unharmed and may shoot as normal next turn. |
If you roll a misfire on your bounce roll then the cannon is unharmed, the misfire result merely indicates that the cannon ball sticks in the ground where it hits. If the shot lands on top of a model then that particular model is hit as normal, but there is no further bounce damage.
Profiles (Cannons)
Cannons are hand forged by master craftsmen, and every cannon is different with little standardisation in the way of calibres or length. Individual cannon can be extremely large, but most are either large cannons, such as the Empire's Great Cannon, or smaller cannons. Details are given below for typical examples. The difference between the two sorts is range and damage. Bigger cannons carry a larger charge and so have a longer range and cause more damage.
| Maximum Range you may Guess | Strength | Wounds | Armour Save | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cannon | 48" | 10 | D4 | None |
| Great Cannon | 60" | 10 | D6 | None |
Cannons are cast from iron or bronze and are built into solid carriages. They are very difficult to destroy although the enemy may try to attack them with other engines of war, large monsters or magic for example. They therefore have a profile like a creature with a Toughness value and a number of wounds which they can sustain before they are destroyed. As with other details these might vary in specific cases, but a typical cannon has a value as shown here. The move rate is the speed the cannon can be moved by a full human crew assuming it has wheels. A cannon which does not have wheels cannot be moved. If any crew are slain the cannon's speed is reduced proportionally.
| Move | Toughness | Wounds |
|---|---|---|
| As crew | 7 | 3 |
A cannon cannot move and shoot in the same turn except to turn to face its target. Generally speaking cannons have such a long range that it is pointless moving them about.
Loss of Crew (Cannons)
A cannon requires a full crew to work properly - to carry cannonballs, load gunpowder, push the machine round to bear on its target, and so on. If one crewman is slain then the rest can just about get by without reducing the rate of fire. If two or more crewmen are slain then the remaining crew will be unable to cope, so when it shoots the cannon must miss a whole turn before it can shoot again. This is in addition to any penalty imposed by a Misfire result. Obviously the cannon requires at least one crewman to work, and should they all be slain the machine becomes useless.
Summary of Cannon Fire
- Align cannon on target and declare the distance you are aiming.
- Roll the Artillery dice and add the score to the distance aimed. The cannonball travels forward this distance before striking the ground.
- If you roll a misfire refer to the Misfire Chart.
- Mark the point where the cannonball strikes the ground and roll the Artillery dice to establish the bounce distance. All models in the path of the bounce are hit.
- If you roll a misfire for the bounce the cannonball has stuck in the ground and does not bounce.
- Work out the effect of hits normally. Models have no armour saving throw for a cannon hit.
Bolt Throwers
Bolt or dart throwers are large crossbows which shoot a spear-sized missile. They are so large that they are mounted on their own stand, often with wheels so they can be pivoted easily. A crew of two or more is required to wind back the powerful torsion arms and position the huge bolt ready for firing. On the whole these weapons are nowhere near as large or cumbersome as stone throwers and cannons.
Bolt throwers are fired in the shooting phase along with other missile weapons. To shoot your bolt thrower first turn it on the spot so that it points towards your intended victim. The bolt travels straight forward and (hopefully) hits the first target in its path.
To determine whether the bolt strikes its target roll a D6 to hit using the crew's BS in the same way as bow shots, crossbows, and other missile weapons. The usual modifiers apply, except no penalty is imposed for turning the machine, as it is designed to be used in this way. See the Shooting section for details. If you score a hit work out damage as described below. If you miss then the bolt hits the ground or sails into the air and comes down harmlessly somewhere else.
Working Out Damage from Hits (Bolt Throwers)
A bolt thrower is a powerful weapon which can hurl its bolt through several ranks of troops, piercing each warrior in turn. If you hit then resolve damage against the target using the bolt thrower's full Strength of 5. If the model is slain then the bolt hits the trooper in the second rank directly behind: resolve damage on the second model with a Strength of 4. If the second rank trooper is slain then a model in the third rank is hit: resolve damage with a Strength of 3. Continue to work out damage as the bolt pierces and slays a model in each rank, deducting -1 from the Strength for each rank pierced.
A model damaged by a bolt thrower sustains not 1 but D4 wounds, which means that even large monsters can be hurt or slain by a hit from a bolt thrower. Armour saves are not allowed for hits from a bolt thrower, because the missiles are so fast and deadly that any armour is pierced along with its wearer. Because saves are not taken a target with only 1 wound will be slain if it takes damage, there is therefore no need to roll the D4 to decide the number of wounds.
Profiles (Bolt Throwers)
The bolt thrower hurls a sharp-tipped spear which causes considerable damage. The chart below shows its details.
| Range | Strength | Damage | Armour Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48" | 5, -1 per rank | D4 | No save is allowed |
A bolt thrower is made from solid wood and iron. They have a profile like a creature with a Toughness value and a number of wounds which they can sustain before they are destroyed. The move rate is the speed the bolt thrower can be moved by its full crew assuming it has wheels. An engine which does not have wheels cannot be moved. If crew are slain the bolt thrower's speed is reduced proportionally. A bolt thrower cannot move and shoot in the same turn except to turn to face its target.
| Move | Toughness | Wounds |
|---|---|---|
| As crew | 7 | 3 |
Loss of Crew (Bolt Throwers)
Some bolt throwers have a crew of two and if one crewman is slain then the remaining crewman can just about get by without slowing up the machine noticeably. Should a bolt thrower require a larger crew then the loss of a second crewman will reduce its rate of fire to every second turn in the same way as for stone throwers and cannons.
Summary of Bolt Throwers
- Align bolt thrower on target and roll to hit.
- Resolve damage at Strength 5. No armour save is allowed for a bolt thrower.
- If the target is slain roll damage against the second rank at Strength 4.
- Continue rolling for damage until you fail to slay the target or run out of ranks. Deduct -1 from the Strength for each rank already pierced.
Other War Machines
Stone throwers, bolt throwers and cannons are common to several armies, but in addition there are many strange war machines which are available only to specific armies. These are described in the Warhammer Armies books together with the special rules that apply to them. Examples include Flame cannons which spout a sheet of flame, devastating multiple-barrelled cannons, and the deadly Skaven warpfire thrower.
Some of these unique war machines are so different that they have entirely new rules, but others are similar to the machines described above in that they consist of a weapon and crew. In general, when shooting at such machines, all hits are randomised between the machine and crew in the same way as hits on stone throwers, cannons and bolt throwers. Also generally speaking, when fighting hand-to-hand against such machines the same rules apply as to the crews of stone throwers, cannons and bolt throwers. Exceptions to these procedures are described together with the special rules for the weapons in the appropriate Warhammer Armies books.
Leaders, Standards and Musicians
So far we have described units of troops as consisting of identical rank-and-file troopers. However, more often than not, warriors march to war under the leadership of a captain or some such officer, to the accompaniment of a drum or horn, and beneath the fluttering standards of their cities and rulers. Standards and drums also have a practical value: they are used to signal to the troops, direct their unit's movement, and provide a highly visible point around which formation changes and manoeuvres can be made. The rules described below represent the boost that standards and musicians give to a unit's fighting prowess.
As already described earlier, the leader model must be placed in the middle of the front rank of the unit. The unit's standard bearer, musician, Champion and any characters that have joined the unit, must also be placed in the front rank. When the unit turns round to face the side or rear its leader, together with standard, musician and any characters, are automatically rearranged into the front rank. Except as discussed elsewhere, these special models, including any characters which have joined the unit, are always positioned in the front rank, with the leader in the middle.
Leaders
A unit must always include a leader model to represent its captain or senior officer, chieftain, or other worthy. He does not fight better than his men and his profile is exactly the same. His inclusion is intended to provide a visual focus for the unit to make it look more splendid! The leader is always placed in the centre of the front rank of the unit. If there is no obvious leader model in the unit then the individual in the centre of the front rank is automatically assumed to be its leader.
The unit's leader has the same weapons and armour as his men, and if the model itself actually lacks a shield or substitutes a sword for a trooper's spear, then these differences are ignored during the game itself. The leader fights exactly like other ordinary members of his unit.
Leader models are not normally removed as casualties, an ordinary trooper may be removed instead. This represents the second in command taking over, or the most spirited trooper assuming command in his commander's place. When removing casualties most players leave their leader model until the very last, although this is entirely a matter of choice.
A unit of troops can include a Champion character model as already described in the Heroes and Wizards section. The Champion can also be the unit's leader if you wish, or alternatively you can have a separate Champion and leader. It makes no difference whether your leader and Champion are one and the same or two different models, except that it enables you to add a further interesting model to the unit.
Standards
A unit of troops may carry a standard which might take the form of a flag, banner, totemic idol or similar device. The standard is carried by a standard bearer. The standard bearer is assumed to be armed and armoured like the other models in the unit and fights in exactly the same way. Although the model might actually lack a shield or substitute a spear for a sword, such things are ignored as making no difference to the unit's overall fighting ability. The standard bearer also has to carry a banner as well as fight, but he is chosen from the meanest and most determined individuals in the unit, and this more than makes up for any disadvantage suffered because of the weight and inconvenience of his standard or difference in his armour or weaponry.
The enemy cannot specifically attack standard bearers or musicians as he can character models. Standard bearers are not normally removed as casualties, as it is assumed that if the standard bearer were killed another trooper would pick up the banner and take his place. Therefore, the player can always remove an ordinary trooper in preference to a standard bearer, even if the ordinary trooper is not in base contact with the enemy.
If a unit includes a standard bearer then it will be more determined than ever to fight hard and beat the foe. A unit which has a standard bearer may therefore add +1 to its combat result when deciding which side has won hand-to-hand combat. See the Close Combat section for a complete description of how to work out which side has won the combat.
Capturing standards. If a unit is defeated in hand-to-hand combat and subsequently breaks and flees, then the enemy automatically captures its standard if they pursue. The standard is captured regardless of whether the pursuers catch and destroy the fleeing troops. If victors do not pursue then the standard is lost in the tide of battle but it is not captured. In either case the standard bearer model is removed from the unit, and, in the case of a unit which is not destroyed, it is replaced with an ordinary trooper model. Note that standards are only lost if the unit is defeated and broken in hand-to-hand combat, not if the unit flees after it has panicked or because of a failed Fear test.
Captured standards may be placed behind the unit which captured them and carried about as trophies for the rest of the game. Trophies have no fighting value; they are merely used to indicate that the unit has captured its adversaries' flag. The player's standard bearer model is surrendered for the duration of the game and his jubilant enemy places it behind his unit to proclaim his victory. Trophies may be recaptured along with the defeated unit's own standard if it breaks and flees from combat. Captured trophies may therefore be recaptured by beating the unit that has them, thereby avenging their initial loss and restoring them to a proper place of honour. Once the game is over a player can claim extra 'victory points' for standards he has captured as described in the Battle book.
Musicians
An army marches under its banners but it does so to the beat of drums and the call of blaring horns. A unit of troops may include a musician model, either a horn blower or a drummer, to accompany it into battle. Like standard bearers, musicians fight just like an ordinary member of their unit, even if the model itself has slight variances in armour or weaponry. Also like standard bearers, the player does not have to remove musicians but can substitute an ordinary model instead. Unlike standard bearers, however, musicians are not removed automatically when a unit breaks and flees from combat. Their instruments are somewhat lighter and less cumbersome than a weighty standard. Musicians cannot be captured as trophies.
A musician model is placed in the front rank of its unit. His effect on the fighting ability of the unit is not as great as a standard bearer but is useful none-the-less. If a unit of troops has a musician fighting in its front rank then an inspiring horn blast or rousing drum beat can turn a drawn combat result into a win.
If a hand-to-hand combat is drawn then each side rolls a D6 for each musician model fighting in the combat. The side which rolls the highest individual score wins the combat by 1 point. If the highest scores are equal then neither side wins and the combat is drawn. If one side has a musician and the other doesn't, then the side with the musician automatically wins by 1 point.
The General
Every army has a heroic character to command it. We refer to this character as the general, although this is only to distinguish him from other heroes. He might be an Orc chieftain, a Bretonnian duke, an Elector Count of the Empire, or whatever. Many armies are commanded by the ruler of their entire nation. For example, the Emperor of the Empire and King of Bretonnia are mighty warriors who are ever ready to ride out at the head of their forces.
The general of your army is always the character with the highest Leadership value. If several characters have the same value then choose one to be the general. He is in command of the whole army and, more than any other model, he represents you personally. The general is an important character because he can inspire others to fight on where otherwise they might turn and flee.
Any unit within 12" of the general model may use the general's Leadership value instead of its own when making a Leadership-based test. This means that a unit near the general can use his superior Leadership when testing for Break tests in hand-to-hand combat, when attempting to rally, or for psychology tests such as fear and panic.
The Battle Standard
A general can be accompanied by a special standard bearer carrying either his personal banner or the battle standard of the army itself. This battle standard does not have to move along with the general but it is most useful when he is close by. An army's battle standard is usually carried by a character model who has appropriately heroic characteristics. Unlike ordinary standards the battle standard cannot be passed on if its bearer is slain. Should the bearer be slain then the battle standard can be captured in the same way as a unit banner. See the rules concerning standards for details.
A battle standard bearer can join a unit of troops in the same way as any other character. If he is with a unit that is fighting in hand-to-hand combat then the unit receives an extra +1 combat bonus when working out combat results. This is in addition to the usual +1 bonus for the unit's own standard. This is the only circumstance when an extra banner confers a further bonus. Normally troops fighting alongside their banners only receive +1 no matter how many banners are involved.
Any unit within 12" of the battle standard may retake a failed Break test. The unit is only allowed to retake this test once. If the general is within 12" of the unit as well then it will also benefit from being able to use his Leadership value. These two factors combined, the general's Leadership and the opportunity to re-take a failed throw, mean that units near to the general and the battle standard will tend to hold their ground come what may.
Note that a battle standard allows a unit to retake a failed Break test - and only a Break test. A battle standard does not entitle a unit to retake any other Leadership test, such as a psychology test or a test to rally.
Skirmishers and the General
Skirmishing units are unusual in that their formation is dispersed and individual models fight without the benefits of structured ranks and files. Each warrior must think for himself, and is not necessarily aware of what is happening at the other end of the unit. Consequently skirmishers do not benefit from using the general's Leadership if he is within 12", nor do they re-roll failed Break tests because of the battle standard (see Skirmishers).
Daemons
Daemons inhabit the magically saturated other-dimension which the sorcerers of the Warhammer World call the Realm of Chaos. Fortunately for men and other material creatures, it is difficult for daemons to manifest themselves in the material world, for they need to be surrounded by the magic of Chaos to sustain them. To a daemon the world of mortal creatures is like a barren desert, devoid of sustenance, bearable for short periods, but ultimately destructive in the long term. For a daemon to find itself in the ordinary universe is rather like man trying to breathe underwater, or a fish deprived of water, and the daemon will eventually dissolve into nothingness.
On occasions daemons can be sustained by potent and evil sorcery, though usually for a short time only. The most powerful magic of all is created, often unwittingly, by the followers of Chaos in the Warhammer World. Every drop of blood they shed, and every victory they achieve, draws fresh magical power into the world. Given sufficient bloodshed and destruction daemons can draw succour in the Warhammer World, enabling them to march to the annihilation of mankind and all mortal creatures.
Special Daemon Rules
Several armies can include daemons of which the most common by far are the armies of Chaos. Rules for Chaos daemons are covered in complete detail in the Realm of Chaos Warhammer Armies book. However, because daemons are quite interesting monsters that other warriors may have to fight, the rules are also given here.
Most daemons fight in units of several models in the same way as Men, Elves and other mortal troops. Greater Daemons are the largest and most powerful daemons just as mighty characters are the most powerful members of their race. Greater Daemons are considered to be characters, and the rules applying to character models also apply to Greater Daemons. For example they can fight on their own as units of one model, and they can issue and meet challenges.
Daemon Saving Throw
Daemons are not fashioned from physical matter but from the raw stuff of magic. The blood that flows through their veins is not mortal blood but the boiling ichor of sorcery, fiery with preternatural vigour, corrosive as acid, and deadly as the most potent poison. Their flesh too is unnatural, though it might sometimes appear deceptively ordinary. Many daemons have iron hard skin or flesh that is tough as steel or solid as rock. Others have transmaterial bodies: their form is neither physical nor ethereal but somewhere inbetween so that it glows with magic energy.
Although their bodies are tough, daemons are still vulnerable to normal weapons. The magic energy flowing through their veins acts like armour, protecting daemons from blows which would otherwise slay them, absorbing the impact or deflecting sharp edges. This gives all daemons a saving throw in the same way as armour. The saving throw varies from daemon to daemon but is usually 4+ on a D6, or 3+ in the case of daemon cavalry (+1 for cavalry as normal). This save takes into account the daemon's magical intangibility or 'daemonic aura' as this effect is called. This saving throw is reduced by high Strength hits in the same way as physical armour.
Daemons are vulnerable to magic weapons because their own bodies are fashioned from magic energy. Their normal daemon saving throw cannot save them against wounds inflicted by magic weapons in hand-to-hand combat. The exception is the Greater Daemon of Khorne which has Chaos armour that is protected against magic weapons by powerful enchantments.
Daemon Animosity
Just as the Warhammer World is riven with internal strife so the Realm of Chaos is partitioned between rival powers. Daemons of different kinds vie with each other for supremacy and for the favours of the great powers of Chaos - the Chaos gods themselves. The different kinds of daemon are strongly aligned to one of these gods: Khorne the Blood God and master of battles, Tzeentch the Lord of Sorcerers, Nurgle the Plague Lord, and Slaanesh the Prince of Chaos.
If a Chaos army includes daemons of two or more Chaos gods then you must take into account the rivalry between them. This can mean that your troops will sometimes attack each other rather than the enemy. This is called Daemon Animosity.
If you have daemons of different Chaos gods within 12" at the start of your turn, and they are not already engaged in combat, you must make a Daemon Animosity test to see what they do. Roll a D6 for each unit of daemons or each individual Greater Daemon model. Note that daemon steeds, familiars and such like do not suffer from Daemon Animosity as described. Only Greater Daemons and daemonic units are obliged to test. Also, bear in mind that daemons engaged in hand-to-hand combat do not need to test, although they may still be attacked by rivals who do. Daemons already fighting each other due to the effects of Daemon Animosity do not have to test further as they are already affected.
Daemon Animosity Table
| D6 Roll | Result |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | The daemons recognise their rivals and are overcome with rage. Immediately move the daemon/unit towards its rivals so that it charges and engages them in hand-to-hand combat. Move the unit/daemon regardless of whether it would otherwise be able to cover the distance to its rivals - their mutual magical antithesis draws the rivals together. The rival daemons will fight each other in hand-to-hand combat that turn and continue to fight each other in following turns. Fighting will only stop if the Chaos player rolls a 5 or 6 at the start of one of his subsequent turns. Daemons will not flee from a combat when fighting against rivals in this way, so no Break test is necessary. Once they cease fighting the rivals are moved apart but may not move further that turn and so may not charge an enemy that turn either. If rival daemons are charged by enemy while fighting each other they will ignore their attackers altogether unless they are also daemons in which case they may fight as normal. |
| 3-4 | The daemons are unsettled by the proximity of their rivals, shouting and screaming in an outrageous manner. The daemon/unit will not move or do anything else this turn, but otherwise they are unaffected and will fight back if attacked in hand-to-hand combat. |
| 5-6 | The daemon/unit tolerates the presence of its rivals. Continue normally with no further effect. |
Magic
All magic comes from the alternate dimension that sorcerers call Chaos. Its natural inhabitants are daemons - creatures made of pure magic - and its greatest powers are the mighty gods of Chaos. These are immeasurably potent entities given life and form by the nightmares, subconscious terrors and insane ambitions of mortal creatures. In places where the fabric of the universe is weak raw magic leaks into the Warhammer World. Some mortals seek to bind and control this force, believing that they can use magic to gain wealth, power and prestige. Such individuals are either very wise or utter fools, earnest scholars or dabblers in things that are better left untouched.
Magic in the Warhammer Game
A Warhammer battle is as much about magic as the clash of arms in deadly combat. Of course, you do not have to include magic in your games if you prefer not to, although you will be depriving yourself of a large measure of enjoyment.
The complete rules for magic and spellcasting are not included in this game because there are so many spells and magic items that there isn't enough space. The complete magic rules, together with spell cards for all the different sorts of magic (High Magic, Dark Magic, Orc Waaagh Magic, Skaven Magic etc) and many magic items, are included in the separate Warhammer Magic supplement.
We have included a selection of cards representing magic items in Warhammer so that you can get a taste of what magic is about. The rules below do not constitute the entire rules for magic by any means, but they will be sufficient to enable you to use the items included in the game. We suggest that you take the Magic Item cards so that you can look at them while you are reading the following rules.
Magic Items
Magic items are things like enchanted swords, magically forged armour, and magical devices such as crowns and rings which confer strange abilities upon their wearers. Only characters can carry these magic items and the number they can have is limited depending on the type of character as shown on the chart below.
| Character | No. of Magic Items |
|---|---|
| Champion | 1 |
| Hero | 2 |
| Lord | 3 |
| Wizard | 1 |
| Wizard Champion | 2 |
| Master Wizard | 3 |
| Wizard Lord | 4 |
There is a further kind of magic item which takes the form of a magic standard. This is a flag, banner or totem which can be carried by a regiment's standard bearer. Regiments entitled to carry magic standards are indicated in the Warhammer Armies book for their race.
Every magic item is represented by its own card and, with a few exceptions, an army may include only a single example of each item. The card includes the rules for the item as well as its points value. Every item has a points value appropriate to its effect: the more powerful it is the more 'points' it costs. Points values are discussed later on, and points values for different characters, war machines and troops are given in the Warhammer Armies books for each army.
Magic Swords
We've included four magic swords in the Warhammer game by way of example: the Blade of Leaping Bronze, the Ogre Blade, the Blade of Ensorcelled Iron and the Biting Blade.
Any character can carry a magic sword and use it in combat in preference to an ordinary weapon. However, a character can only use one magical weapon and cannot use another weapon at the same time. For example, a character cannot carry a magic sword in one hand and an ordinary sword in the other. Magic items require skill and concentration to use and demand all of a warrior's attention!
If you take a look at the four swords you will see that they confer different abilities on their wielders, but all help to make them better fighters as you might expect. If a character has the Blade of Leaping Bronze he has 2 extra Attacks in combat, so a Bretonnian Champion with 2 Attacks would have 4 Attacks for example. Similarly, a character carrying the Ogre Blade adds +2 to his Strength, so a Saurus Champion with Strength 5 has a Strength of 7 when using this weapon. The Blade of Ensorcelled Iron enables the bearer to add an extra +1 to his dice when rolling to hit. The Biting Blade reduces the enemy's saving throw by a further -1 on top of any of the usual modifiers for Strength, so if hit by a Bretonnian Champion with a Strength of 4 the enemy suffers a -2 save modifier rather than the usual -1.
Magic Armour
We've included two cards representing magic armour: Armour of Meteoric Iron and the Enchanted Shield. Wizards cannot wear armour because it interferes with their magical senses and makes it impossible for them to cast spells. Other characters can wear magic armour and benefit from its protection. Magic armour either replaces ordinary armour entirely or supplements it as you will see from the two examples. A character cannot wear ordinary armour and the equivalent magical armour on top!
The Armour of Meteoric Iron comprises an entire suit of armour including a shield and gives its wearer an armour save of 2+. This is better than normal heavy armour and shield which would give a save of only 4+. If the wearer were riding a horse his save would improve to 1+, but it can never be better than 1+... 1+ is the best save you can get! The Enchanted Shield can be carried in conjunction with ordinary armour instead of an ordinary shield and gives a saving throw of 5+ rather than 6+ like an ordinary shield. If combined with heavy armour it therefore gives a save of 3+ rather than 4+.
Magic Standards
Two cards for magic standards are included in Warhammer namely the Dread Banner and the War Banner. A unit's standard bearer can carry a magic standard if his Warhammer Armies book indicates that he can. Generally speaking, only the best units are allowed to carry these powerful items, as befitting their status.
The Dread Banner inspires fear in all those who encounter it, and the unit which carries it therefore causes fear as described in the Psychology section of this rulebook. The War Banner endows its bearers with steely determination and courage, adding +1 to their combat results score in any combat.
Dread Banner card (Magic Banner, 50 points): This magic banner may be carried by a standard bearer. The Dread Banner is most horrible to behold, inspiring fear in all those who gaze upon it. A unit bearing this banner causes fear as described in the Warhammer rulebook. As the unit causes fear it is, of course, not affected by fear itself.
Enchanted Items
There are, of course, many other strange and exotic kinds of magic items from magic rings to protective amulets and potions. We've included the Potion of Strength by way of an example. This heady brew confers a one turn bonus, boosting the drinker's Strength value by a massive +3!
Magic Spells
Wizards can cast magic spells to aid their side's forces or to thwart the efforts of the enemy. There are many different kinds of wizard and many spells, and you will find complete rules for spellcasting and spells in the Warhammer Magic supplement. However, if you are new to Warhammer you might like to try out a few spells immediately. To give you an idea of how interesting and effective magic can be we've included the rules for casting three different spells: Fireball, Teleport and Curse. These rules are only a brief version of the full rules for casting magic spells, but they will serve our immediate purpose.
Casting Spells
A wizard can cast spells in the magic phase of his own turn. In the Warhammer Magic game the number of times a wizard can cast spells is determined by a separate deck of cards, but for now we'll let the wizard cast any one of the three spells described. So, in your magic phase choose a spell and cast it at a suitable target or, in the case of Teleport, move your wizard to a new position.
Dispelling Spells
In the Warhammer Magic game the same cards that are used to determine whether a wizard can cast spells are also used to counter the enemy's magic. However, for now we'll allow one attempt to dispel each spell as it is cast. If your enemy casts a spell then roll a D6 - if you roll a 5 or 6 the spell is dispelled immediately and is not cast.
In your own turn you can also attempt to dispel a curse that the enemy has cast upon you. Roll a D6 and if you roll a 5 or 6 the curse is dispelled. If you have a wizard you may forgo casting a spell and instead dispel a curse on a roll of 3, 4, 5 or 6.
Spells
Fireball. With a sorcerous gesture the wizard throws a ball of magical flame in a direction chosen by the player. The fireball travels up to 24" and strikes the first model in its path. The target suffers a single Strength 4 hit. No armour saving throw is permitted against a wound caused by a fireball.
Teleport. The wizard can use this spell to instantly transport himself to anywhere he likes on the battlefield. He can be moved directly into hand-to-hand combat if you wish and counts as charging in the first round of combat.
Curse. The wizard can cast this spell on any enemy unit within 24". Once it is cursed the enemy unit remains cursed until the spell is dispelled, or until the caster decides to curse another unit. Only one enemy unit can be cursed at any one time. A cursed unit suffers a -1 penalty on all rolls to hit when shooting and when attacking in hand-to-hand combat.
Skirmishers
A skirmish is an encounter between small groups fighting in a loose or dispersed formation rather than formal ranks and files. Such an encounter might take place over a broad area of woodland or a group of buildings, where skirmishers can spread out to infiltrate a wood or occupy buildings.
In a battle only specified troops are allowed to skirmish as indicated in the Warhammer Armies book army lists. However, any units can adopt a skirmish formation in order to enter buildings as described in the Buildings section.
A unit which can skirmish is not obliged to fight in a rigid formation of ranks and files. Instead, it can fight as a loose group or rough line. This enables skirmishers to move more quickly and to take advantage of minor folds in the ground, scrub, and other small features to shelter from shooting.
Skirmish Formation
Skirmishers can be deployed on the battlefield either in a standard formation of ranks and files or in a skirmish formation consisting of a loose group or rough line. Models in a skirmishing unit are positioned up to 2" apart so that they are not touching each other.
A unit may adopt a skirmishing formation during the battle assuming it is free to move normally. Simply move the models apart to form a rough clump or line with each model moving up to its usual skirmish move distance. Skirmishing troops can readopt a conventional formation if the unit includes a musician. The drummer or horn player sounds the call to reform and the unit regroups into ranks and files about the musician model. See the Movement section for the Reforming rule.
Moving Skirmishers
Troops in skirmish formation move in a loose group with models up to 2" apart. Should the group be split as a result of casualties, or should individuals become divided from it for some reason, the player must rectify this in his next movement phase.
Skirmishing models are moved in the same way as individual character models. The unit does not turn or wheel and instead each model is moved in any direction without penalty. Once movement is complete the entire unit must form a loose group or line with models no more than 2" apart.
Skirmishers move around obstacles or over tough ground more easily than troops in formation. They suffer no movement penalties either for crossing obstacles or for moving over difficult or very difficult ground.
Because they are not restrained by a close formation skirmishers can move up to double pace. So, a skirmishing unit with a Movement characteristic of 4 moves up to 8" rather than 4". Skirmishers do not double their 'doubled' move to charge or march. They simply move up to double their move rate all the time. Their standard move value is still used to work out pursuit and fleeing distances.
Skirmishers moving faster than their standard Movement characteristic value are assumed to be concentrating on moving and are unable to shoot that turn. They are running too fast, and do not have time to stop and shoot at their enemy.
Shooting at Skirmishers
An enemy shooting at a skirmishing target suffers a -1 to hit penalty in the same way as if they were shooting at a man-sized character model. See the Shooting section for to hit modifiers. If a character is fighting as part of a skirmishing unit of troops the -1 to hit penalty is applied only once and not twice.
Skirmishers in Combat
A unit of skirmishers may charge an enemy that is visible to at least one model when charges are declared. All models within charge reach are moved individually towards their foe and arranged into a fighting line. Any models unable to reach the enemy are placed loosely behind or beside those fighting so that the unit remains in a clump or line with models up to 2" apart.
Skirmishers have no formation of ranks and files and so lose some of the normal bonuses that apply to such units. Skirmishers receive no combat bonus for additional ranks in their formation. Skirmishing units have no flanks or rear in combat. This means the enemy cannot receive a bonus for fighting to their flanks or rear. Similarly the unit cannot be charged in the flank or rear whilst engaged in combat, so no Panic test is required for this.
When skirmishing units are engaged in hand-to-hand combat, it is possible that some models will be fighting whilst others are left out of the combat. In this case any models not fighting the enemy are allowed to move in their movement phase and shoot at suitable targets in their shooting phase. Models not already fighting must move into the combat in subsequent turns if they can possibly do so. Models are moved as part of ordinary movement, no charge is declared, and they do not count as charging.
Just as individual skirmishers who are not fighting are able to move and shoot, so they can also be shot at by the enemy. The enemy does not have to randomly allocate hits between friend and foe as is normal when shooting into a hand-to-hand engagement.
Characters and Skirmishers
A character can join a skirmishing unit and fight with it, moving as a skirmisher while he does so. Because the unit is spread out it does not benefit from the character's Leadership value. The unit makes all tests against the troops' own Leadership and the character is bound by the result. Similarly, skirmishers cannot test on the general's Leadership if he is within 12", and cannot re-roll Break tests because there is a Battle Banner within 12". In both of these cases the unit is judged to be so dispersed that the chances of all of its men seeing or hearing the commands of a character are nonexistent.
Buildings
Buildings provide interesting features on the battlefield. Not only are they attractive but they can also be important from a tactical point of view. Towers might overlook the battlefield providing an excellent vantage point for archers, wizards or war machines. Troops deployed into buildings will be hard to winkle out and are able to defend their position against a much more numerous enemy. A good general knows that it is not always profitable to occupy buildings just because they are there, as it is easy to waste vital time taking a village that the enemy then ignores or circumvents. Players must weigh the tactical considerations for themselves, and decide whether or not a particular building has any tactical value.
Occupying Buildings
It is not possible for units of troops to enter buildings, courtyards, or small walled fortifications in a conventional formation. In order to do so they must break into a skirmish formation as described in the Skirmishers rules section. Although only specified types of troops can skirmish on the battlefield, any troops can skirmish in and around buildings.
Models may enter a building in their movement phase by moving through an unguarded door or window which is judged to be large enough to accommodate them. A unit of troops may be divided between several buildings, or a building and the surrounding area. Models can leave a building through an unguarded door or window in the same way, but are not allowed to enter and leave the same building in a single turn.
The number of models it is possible to place inside a building will depend upon its size. If your model buildings have roofs and floors that can be removed the models can be placed physically inside which simplifies matters considerably. However, most buildings do not offer this facility, so players must decide before the game how many models the building can contain. Obviously, models that are too large to fit into the building cannot do so - a Dragon or Troll is simply too large to fit into a cottage!
Unless your buildings have removable roofs and floors you will need to keep a separate record where models occupy a building. This can be done in any suitable manner, for example by writing down how many models are inside on a scrap of paper and placing the piece of paper under or beside the building. Point out to your opponent where troops are moving into buildings to avoid confusion later on.
Except where buildings are really huge you will not need to move troops about inside. Models inside the building are assumed to be wherever you wish, and can shoot from any windows, doors or other openings as opportunity permits. However, if a building is very large, roughly speaking more than 6" along any side, then this can lead to unreasonable situations. If a building were 24" long for example, it would be ridiculous to allow a model to romp from one end to the other in a single turn. Should you wish to employ such grandiose buildings then you must be prepared to either make them in such a way that models can be placed inside, or record movement within them by means of graph paper charts or maps, noting down where models are each turn.
Shooting from Buildings
Models inside buildings can shoot from arrow-slits, windows, doors or other openings. Up to two models may shoot from a single opening. Models on flat roofs, parapets, balconies or such-like can also shoot. Troops occupying a building do not all have to shoot at the same target, but shoot as individuals choosing permissible targets as you wish.
Models which have shot from windows or other openings in their own turn can be seen and shot at by the enemy in their turn. Models inside buildings benefit from the advantage of being behind hard cover (-2 to hit) as well as being in skirmish formation (a further -1 to hit).
Fighting Inside Buildings
A unit that wishes to attack an enemy-held building must adopt a skirmish formation in order to move through doors or windows. This is automatically accomplished as soon as the charge is declared. Attackers can move straight through any unguarded doors or ground floor windows but must stop if there is a defender guarding the entrance.
Up to two models per side can fight across a window or doorway. The defenders benefit from the rule for fighting across defended obstacles, so the attackers will need 6's to hit regardless of their Weapon Skill characteristic (WS) until they win a round of combat.
When both sides have troops inside a building, and assuming models cannot physically be placed inside the building model itself, then it will be necessary to resort to a map or ground plan. Quickly draw out a rough ground plan of the building noting the position of windows and doors. Place the ground plan as near to the games table as close as possible. The defender places his models onto the ground plan and attackers are transferred over as they move into the building. Further movement and combat can then be resolved on the plan, and models transferred back to the gaming table as they leave the building.
Destruction
Buildings are very tough but not so tough that they cannot be destroyed by large machines or monsters. To represent this buildings are given a Toughness value and a number of wounds in the same way as other constructions such as war machines and chariots. As it is not strictly appropriate to talk about 'wounds' in this context we refer to them as damage points instead - remember that damage points and wounds are exactly the same thing.
Large Buildings
If a building is very large it would be inappropriate to destroy it all at once. You might prefer to divide up a large building into several portions and to consider each separately. For example, a lord's manor house could have a main hall and two wings. This would conveniently divide into three parts for purposes of recording damage.
Damage on Buildings
The chart below lists types of buildings and suggests Toughness values and damage points for them. As most gamers make their own buildings you may prefer to tailor each building's values to its appearance. This is left entirely up to players to decide for themselves.
| Type of Building | Toughness | Damage Points |
|---|---|---|
| Mud or straw huts, light wooden shacks or outhouses | 7 | 2 |
| Timber or brick house or log built cabin | 8 | 5 |
| Stone house | 9 | 5 |
| Stone tower or fortification | 10 | 10 |
| A heavily reinforced and barred door | 6 | 1 |
| A secured fortress gate | 8 | 5 |
If a building sustains its full quota of damage points it collapses. Models inside a collapsing building must make their basic armour saving roll or they are trapped and slain. Models which pass their armour save may be moved outside the building.
We have included values for a variety of building types as well as heavy doors and fortress gates, as you may wish to experiment with games where defenders shut the doors of their tower or castle whilst attackers attempt to batter down the defences. Ordinary domestic doors are not considered to offer any significant defence.
And Finally...
This section includes many suggestions and ideas rather than reams of hard and fast rules. This is simply because it is impossible for us to imagine what kind of scenery you have available or might wish to construct. Ambitious players might want to construct a whole townscape of temples and palaces, sorcerer's towers, public squares and who knows what!
If you're making your own buildings you will undoubtedly want to incorporate interesting features such as spiral stairways, terraces, sweeping bridges and aerial walkways, gatehouses, drawbridges, and so on. For example, a winding staircase could take half a turn to climb or a turn if it is very long, a narrow corridor could allow passage to only four models per turn, and so on. Such matters are left to players to determine as they feel appropriate.
Points Values
Points values are a useful means of working out evenly matched armies. By allocating a fixed points value to each kind of warrior, monster and war machine it is possible to field armies to a mutually agreed total. A game with, say, 1,000 points on each side will, theoretically at least, be an equal contest of skill and generalship.
In order to assemble armies to a fixed points value you will need access to the 'army list' for your chosen force. Each army has its own list defining the costs of each troop type and character, and how many of each an army is normally permitted to use. Each Warhammer Armies book contains the army list for that army as well as exhaustive background, special rules, 'Eavy Metal painting guides and other useful information. Although we don't have space to provide all the army lists or points values in the Warhammer game itself, we can take a look at how the points value system works and provide some examples.
Points
Each type of creature is judged to be worth a fixed number of points, in the case of a man this is 5 points, an Elf is 8, a Dwarf 8, a Goblin 2 1/2 and so on. Cavalry models are worth more points because they are faster and more deadly, especially if the mount can fight as well. The charts give further examples.
Heroes and wizards of each race are also given a points value. This is greater than an ordinary member of their race as you might imagine. A Human Champion is 30 points for example, whilst a Hero is 65 and a Lord 100. Further examples are included on the charts.
Each warrior's value must also take account of his weapons and armour, as well as any magic items he carries, and so on. Every warrior's points cost includes a sword or other suitable hand weapon for free, but other weapons must be paid for. For example a spear costs 1 point, a shield 1 point, and a bow 2 points. Further examples are included on the charts. Some very weak warriors, such as Goblins, can buy their weapons more cheaply because they are relatively less effective.
Common Races of the Warhammer World
| Creature | Points |
|---|---|
| Man | 5 |
| Orc | 5 1/2 |
| Skaven | 4 1/2 |
| Goblin | 2 1/2 |
| Elf | 8 |
| Dwarf | 8 |
| Saurus Lizardman | 14 |
| Skink Lizardman | 4 1/2 |
Common Weapons
| Weapon | Points |
|---|---|
| A single sword, axe or other hand weapon | Free |
| An extra hand weapon | 1 |
| Spear | 1 |
| A lance for a mounted warrior | 2 |
| A double handed axe, sword or other weapon | 2 |
| Bow | 2 |
| Short bow | 1 |
| Long bow | 3 |
| Crossbow | 3 |
Armour (Points)
| Armour | Points |
|---|---|
| Shield | 1 |
| Light armour | 2 |
| Heavy armour | 3 |
| Armoured barding for a horse or other steed | 4 |
Mounted Troops
The value of ordinary cavalry is double the value of the rider including his equipment, plus a variable bonus for his mount. Characters don't double in cost but pay only the fixed bonus for their mounts instead.
| Mount | Points |
|---|---|
| Horse | Rider x 2 |
| Warhorse | Rider x 2 + 3 |
| Giant Wolf | Rider x 2 + 4 |
| Elven Steed | Rider x 2 + 3 |
| Warboar | Rider x 2 + 8 |
Typical Monsters
| Monster | Points |
|---|---|
| Great Eagle | 75 |
| Giant | 200 |
| Griffon | 150 |
| Manticore | 200 |
| Treeman | 280 |
| Troll | 65 |
| Wyvern | 180 |
Heroes (Points)
| Race | Champion | Hero | Lord |
|---|---|---|---|
| Man | 30 | 65 | 100 |
| Orc | 33 | 72 | 110 |
| Goblin | 15 | 33 | 50 |
| Elf | 48 | 104 | 180 |
| Dwarf | 48 | 104 | 180 |
| Saurus | 32 | 82 | n/a |
| Skink | 20 |
Note that Sauruses and Skinks don't have Lord characters.
Wizards (Points)
| Race | Wizard | Wizard Champion | Master Wizard | Wizard Lord |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Man | 56 | 118 | 190 | 287 |
| Orc Shaman | 57 | 118 | 211 | 287 |
| Goblin Shaman | 28 | 83 | 159 | 253 |
| Elf | 59 | 121 | 219 | 328 |
Finding Points Values
Points values are based on these values, but are often modified slightly to take into account special abilities or vulnerabilities. You will find the full points values for each army in its own army list in the appropriate Warhammer Armies book. You will also find some examples on the sample file cards provided with Warhammer.
By way of example, consider the Bretonnian Bowman. He is an ordinary man (5) points and in addition to his sword he carries a longbow (+3 points). His points value is therefore 8.
The Saurus Warrior is far more expensive as befits his huge muscular frame and relentless attack. His basic value is 14 and in addition to his club or mace he carries a shield (+1). His points value is therefore 15.
The remaining models in the Warhammer box are both exceptions to the basic system. In the case of the Knights their points have been slightly modified to take into account their special Knightly abilities. Skinks are also an exception. Because their points value is so cheap they are allowed to buy extra equipment at half cost, paying 1/2 point for their short bow rather than 1. Creatures with a basic value of less than 5, such as Goblins and Skaven, are able to buy extra equipment at half cost to reflect their poor fighting qualities.
Appendix 1: Commentary on the Rules
This appendix offers some observations on the game rules. These notes have been placed here at the back so that the rules themselves could be kept reasonably concise. Amongst the commentaries are some further rules which we have found to be occasionally useful. Strictly speaking, these are not part of the game rules proper, so we refer to them as 'conventions' to distinguish them.
A convention is a rule which has been mutually agreed upon by the players, and which aims to cover a particular circumstance or situation. All players adopt conventions during play, sometimes without realising they are doing so. The object is to enable the game to flow smoothly and realistically where a strict interpretation of the rules would produce an unsatisfactory result for whatever reason.
(The section headings in this appendix are descriptive labels added by the transcriber; the manual's own headings could not be reliably recovered from the scan text.)
Adding and Reducing Ranks
Units can add or reduce the depth of their formation by a single rank at a penalty of half a move, or by two ranks if they remain stationary. A rear rank still counts as a rank even if it has only one model in it, although no hand-to-hand combat benefit is conferred unless it contains at least four models.
For example, a unit of 15 models in 3 ranks can be redeployed into 2 and 4 ranks. In both cases the centre front model remains in place (the ideal position for the unit's leader) whilst the length of the line is reduced or expanded as evenly as possible about this centre point. Often you will have to decide to move models from the left or right hand side because the number of models in the line shifts from odd to even, but you must still endeavour to keep the centre front rank model as close to the centre as possible.
The easiest way to reduce a rank is to remove an entire rank from the formation, and then rearrange the models evenly to the sides. When adding a rank remove a file from one end of the formation and line it up at the back, then, if there is sufficient room, remove the file from the other side of the formation and line it up - and so on until there is no room left to rearrange a whole file.
When adding or reducing ranks you must be careful to ensure there is room for the models to fit in their new formation. If space is blocked by other models or impassable terrain or buildings, if the edges of a line should creep into difficult terrain the unit does not already occupy, or if models must move over an obstacle, then the formation change is not permitted.
Fast Cavalry Changing Formation
Fast cavalry are capable of incredible feats of speed and manoeuvre, being able to make any number of turns without penalty and capable of changing their formation by any number of ranks without penalty once as they move. This enables a unit in a column to deploy to its left and right into a single line.
The first thing to note is that the unit has deployed as equally as possible about the front model. It would deploy about the middle model in the front if the unit were formed into a wider column. Units changing their frontage rapidly in this fashion always do so about the centre front model (the leader). This applies equally to units forming column from line, or otherwise adding or reducing ranks to lengthen or shorten a line.
The second thing to note is that the models at the rear of the column have actually moved a long way! The longer the column the further they move. This is not a problem in itself - fast cavalry are supposed to be fast and manoeuvrable after all - but it can become a problem if the column is very long indeed, say twenty models for example. For this reason, when deploying from a column into a line, models must be within a move of the position they wish to occupy in the front rank. If they cannot reach the front rank they are automatically placed in a second or rear rank. Models may actually move further than their move in order to reach a rear rank, but if they do so the frontage of the unit will be reduced as a result.
The third point is that models moving from the rear of the column might find their most direct path blocked by difficult terrain, obstacles or other troops. In this case models must be able to trace a clear path to their new position without crossing the difficult terrain/obstacle/troops, and they may not travel further than a move to do so as already discussed. As a general rule, if models at the rear of a formation cannot trace a path to their intended position without moving into difficult terrain, crossing an obstacle, or moving through other troops then the unit cannot redeploy as intended.
Declaring Charges
Players are not permitted to measure to their intended target when they declare a charge. A player must use his judgement when declaring a charge, because if the target is too far away he will only be permitted to make a normal move and also loses any opportunity he might otherwise have to shoot with missile weapons. On the whole, a failed charge is bad news for the would be charger; not only might he suffer unnecessary 'stand and shoot' hits but he will be vulnerable to an enemy charge in the next turn.
When he declares a charge a player must be reasonably sure that his unit will reach his target. A player cannot attempt to gain an advantage by declaring a charge if it is immediately obvious his unit cannot reach its target. In most cases this will be disadvantageous, but it is possible that an advantage might be gained in some situations. Where it is blindingly obvious a unit would be unable to reach its target a player is not permitted to declare a charge.
Moving Chargers
Moving chargers is perfectly straightforward in most cases. However, a battle being what it is, fought over infinitely variable terrain and subject to the strangest of circumstances, charging can sometimes degenerate into a tangle of units scattered all over the countryside. If players bear in mind the following principles they should be able to sort out even the most complex situations.
- Firstly, make charges one unit at a time. The position of a charging unit may affect the ability of another to reach its target. The charging player may decide in which order he will move his units.
- A charging unit must be able to see its enemy. That is to say, the enemy unit must lie within the 90 degree arc of vision of at least one model in the unit.
- A charging unit that is already facing its enemy can advance directly forward in a straight line until it hits the enemy target.
- Alternatively, a charging unit can wheel at the start of its move in order to face its enemy. It must do this if it would not otherwise hit the enemy unit or if it would not hit the enemy's front/side or wherever the charge is aimed. A wheel must result in more models entering the combat than would do so by charging directly forward. A wheel that reduces the number of models that would otherwise fight is not allowed.
- Apart from this initial wheel no other manoeuvres are allowed in a charge. Units cannot wheel again, nor may they turn, nor can they change their formation.
Aligning Chargers
Once the charging unit has struck its opponent the combat is committed and it only remains to align the antagonists where the charge has been made at an angle. Bear in mind what is really happening. The two units have clashed and some warriors in advance of the rest have struck the enemy first, but the rest will pile in beside them and gradually both sides come together into a pulsating wave that ebbs and flows as the troops fight. For purposes of the game we simply move the combatants against each other so that a battleline is formed, and for the sake of convenience it is easier to move the chargers. Therefore, the charging unit is aligned to its target.
This extra 'wheel in' happens automatically and can result in some models moving further than their normal charge distance. On the whole this isn't worth worrying about, however, in extreme circumstances this can appear odd. For example, if a very long line of troops is involved in an oblique charge over a long distance. In this situation it is suggested that individual models in the front rank of the charge are permitted to move no further in total than 3 times their normal move (in other words their charge move + an extra normal move). Any models in the front rank which must move further than this to reach their target are automatically repositioned to a rear rank and the unit's formation is altered accordingly.
A player who charges in such an extreme manner is really asking too much of his troops. There is the further consideration that a player might use this rule to his advantage or might inadvertently gain advantage from it causing embarrassment all round. Therefore, a player who is forced to reduce his unit's front rank in this way loses the normal advantage of striking first during the charge - the troops strike in Initiative order instead. In addition, any charging bonuses for weapons are ignored. Furthermore, the charger loses all benefits from rank bonuses that would normally apply to his combat result for that turn. These penalties represent the general exhaustion of the chargers and the state of confusion amongst their rapidly rearranged ranks.
Blocked Alignment and Impeded Charges
Sometimes it is impossible or impractical to align a charging unit because of interposing terrain, obstacles or friendly models. Troops are not permitted to move over obstacles or into new areas of difficult terrain or over another model in order to align. For example, a unit cannot align all of its front rank because there is a wood at the end of its flank. This might equally well have been a friendly unit, an obstacle or anything that would halt or slow down movement. The same problem can also occur during the charge itself. The charging unit finds that it clips a friendly unit or impassable obstacle on its extreme flank before it meets the enemy. In both situations the recommended solution is the same.
The formation finds itself confronted by something it would sooner avoid. In reality troops will fall out of line to miss such things. The warrior at the end doesn't want to end up in the wall or wood, and so drops behind instead. Where an obstacle, friendly unit or new terrain impedes a charge or alignment the unit's front rank must be reduced in length to allow the line through. It is only necessary to reduce the line on the blocked flank. The whole formation is then redressed into an appropriate number of ranks.
Where a unit is forced to reduce its line like this the same penalty is imposed to that for overlong charges. It is necessary to do this to discourage players from taking a cavalier attitude towards squeezing through gaps, and to prevent any advantage being gained by creating a deeper formation. So, a unit forced to reduce its line during a charge loses the automatic right to strike first (strike in Initiative order instead), loses any weapons bonuses due to charging, and loses its entire rank bonus for combat results in the first turn of fighting.
Having laid down some very harsh guidelines about overlong charges and impeded charges it is only proper to point out that winning because your opponent has misjudged a charge by a fraction of an inch is no victory at all! Players are encouraged to play in a spirit of cooperation, and should be prepared to allow some slight repositioning of units rather than spoil a good game. If in doubt be generous... or roll a dice to decide where things are very close.
Confused Targets
Often it is impossible to charge one enemy without charging another at the same time. Sometimes this can happen because the edge of a formation clips an enemy unit and engages it 'accidentally'. In this situation assume the charge has been redirected onto the new target which can make a normal charge response (i.e., it can flee, stand and fire or hold). If the charger has already suffered stand and fire shooting from its original target then tough! The commander has misjudged and must pay the price.
Multiple Targets
It often happens that two or more units are lined up together, so that a charge against one will result in others becoming involved. For example, a charge against the left hand unit will inevitably bring the other unit into combat. In a case like this the charging player should declare his charge against whichever unit he intends to bring most models to bear against. However, because it is inevitable other units will be brought into the combat they are also allowed to make a normal charge response - i.e., a unit can flee, stand and fire or hold even if it is not the target of the charge, if it is inevitable it will become engaged in the combat.
Of course, units will never line up exactly. It is inevitable that a charge will hit one unit before the other if only by a fraction of an inch. So, where do you draw the line? If a unit is a fraction of an inch behind one to its side, does it avoid combat or is it drawn into the fighting? The best way to deal with this is to stop the charge as soon as you hit any unit. Then align the charge to the unit as normal. If the process of alignment carries you into further enemy units then those units become drawn into the combat and the whole lot are aligned into a battleline in order to bring as many models into combat as possible. In these cases it is often necessary to move all the units, chargers and targets, in order to form a convincing battleline. Units hit during realignment have the usual options for charged troops: they can flee, hold or stand and fire.
It can happen that a unit finds itself just out of combat because it is fractionally further away than one lined next to it, or at a slight angle compared to the chargers. In reality the chargers would not simply stop and form a neat line whilst their enemy are so close. Therefore, the chargers are automatically moved into contact if they are within 1" of the second enemy unit and assuming the chargers have enough move left to reach them. Either move the enemy unit into position, as this is usually easiest, or shuffle all the units together until a battleline is formed.
Multiple Charges
Sometimes a player will declare several charges at once, often aimed at the same or adjacent enemy units. In such a case the chargers must be specific about their target, it is not enough to say, "I'll charge those two units over there". Where there is potential confusion in a series of charges then it is sensible to complete one charge at a time, though the player can decide which order to make his charges in. If an initial charge fails because the enemy flees, because the chargers are forced to flee by missile fire, or for whatever reason, then it is possible the first chargers will end their move short of their target, potentially blocking the path of the second charging unit.
Overkill
The Overkill rule is not intended to make powerful characters invincible. It is designed to overcome the unrealistic situation where a Champion challenges a powerful character simply because the player knows the Champion has only 1 wound to lose, therefore making it impossible for the superior character to win a combat. Obviously, it is still better to make a challenge with a Champion rather than allow a powerful character to slay ordinary troopers. In almost all cases, the Champion has more chance of reducing the number of wounds suffered. The rule is intended to discourage players making challenges with weaker characters where they have better characters who might more appropriately make or meet a challenge.
The Overkill rule enables a powerful character riding a huge monster to use its fighting ability to cause a great many wounds in combat. However, it seems wholly inappropriate that characters should take double advantage of this by equipping themselves with magic weapons that cause multiple wounds (see Warhammer Magic). This could enable a character to build up a ridiculous number of overkill wounds, simply because each wound inflicted multiplies up to D3, or even D6. To allow for this, don't multiply up wounds beyond the point the enemy character is dead. For example, if the enemy has 3 wounds and you inflict 3 wounds then don't multiply up the score at all - 3 wounds are inflicted. If you inflict 2 wounds on the character then multiply up the first wound and if this is sufficient to kill the character then stop; if not, multiply up the second wound as you would expect. The result is to keep the Overkill rule bonus within reasonable bounds.
Chariot Impact Hits
When a chariot charges into an enemy unit a variable number of wounds is inflicted as a result, usually D6 or D6+2 if the chariot has scythed wheels. Normally, these hits are worked out against the troops comprising the unit, but sometimes this can be inappropriate - if the rank struck contains only characters for example!
A charging chariot often ends up base-to-base with a mix of characters and ordinary troops in the same unit. If the chariot is touching at least one ordinary trooper then all the hits can be worked out against the unit if the attacking player prefers. On the other hand the player might sooner spread the hits amongst characters and ordinary troops. If the chariot is touching a mix of characters, or a mix of characters and ordinary troops, then hits can be allocated evenly amongst them. The player can decide where odd hits go, but must distribute them as evenly as possible.
For example - a chariot smashes into a unit of Goblins and ends up touching 2 Goblin Spearmen, a Champion and a Shaman. The Chariot rolls a total of 6 hits. Allocating these as evenly as possible equals 2 hits on the Spearmen, 1 on the Champion and 1 on the Shaman - with 2 left over which the player sensibly allocates 1 each to the Champion and Shaman.
Bear in mind that this allocation of hits only applies because the chariot is an indiscriminate machine. Attacks from the crew are worked out as normal, the player can decide which of the models in base contact he will attack.
Positioning Characters with Units (Page 62)
The rules dictate that when a character joins a unit the model is automatically placed in the unit's front rank, displacing a model that is already there. The exception is if the unit is already engaged in hand-to-hand combat, in which case the character can be placed in any fighting rank (so if the unit is fighting to its side the character can be placed to the side, for example).
This rule works fine when a character model is on the same size base as the unit. However, if the character is on a larger base it is often impractical to swap the character model for a trooper model, as there simply isn't room to do so. This is particularly obvious with characters mounted on large monsters or in chariots, but it is also a common problem with characters mounted on horses, warboars, etc. The most convenient solution is to place the character at the edge of the unit so that he is touching, but not actually included in its formation. The character has joined the unit and is part of it, but is positioned at the end of the first rank rather than inside the formation itself. This does not spoil the unit's rank bonus, the unit receives the same bonus it would if the character were not there.
To avoid confusion the player must declare that the character has joined the unit, and the model must be positioned so that it is touching the unit base-to-base. It is important to distinguish between models which are part of units, and models which are merely close by. For this reason models which are not part of a unit should be kept a visible distance away - at least 1/2".
Moving into Established Combats
Models moving into an established combat in subsequent turns must be moved against the front of the unit if positioned at the front at the start of the turn. If attacking from the side they are moved against the side, and if attacking from the rear they can be moved against the rear. They cannot dash round the flanks of the enemy and attack in the rear if they begin the turn to the enemy's front.
Skirmishers: Facing and Casualties
As skirmishing models are moved individually, models can be arranged to face any direction once they have moved. Thus a skirmishing group might be arranged with models facing outwards in every direction. This is useful, because the unit can then 'see' all round and will be able to charge an enemy in any direction assuming he is within reach. If the unit is making a compulsory move, such as a pursuit or flee, then it seems ridiculous that models should remain free to face any direction. Such models must always end their move facing the direction in which they have moved.
Although their formation is dispersed, excess wounds inflicted on a unit in hand-to-hand combat can still follow through onto models which are not themselves fighting. Casualties are removed from models at the rear of the group in the same way as normal formations. It is sometimes necessary to shuffle a skirmishing unit slightly because casualties result in the odd model becoming isolated from the main body. This is not a problem so long as no advantage is sought, and will help to keep the battlefield neat and smooth the game along.
Turning Models in Flank and Rear Charges
When a unit is charged in the flank or rear it is usual to turn any individual models that are fighting to their side or rear so they are facing their attackers. This doesn't mean the unit is turned or that it is facing a different direction, just the models which are actually touching an enemy. The combat bonuses for attacking in the flank or rear still apply.
It can happen that if a unit is small, and is deployed in one rank, all of its models are turned to face an attack from the rear because all of its models are touching their attackers. In this case the chargers do receive the combat bonus for attacking in the rear but only in the first turn of fighting. This is because it becomes rather confusing to do otherwise, while the unit is obviously sufficiently small to effect a turn without undue disorder in the ranks. A one turn penalty is therefore both an appropriate and effective solution.
Losing Rank Bonus
If a unit is charged in the flank or rear by an enemy unit of 5 models or more then it loses its rank bonus in combat. This represents the unit being thrown into confusion as a result of the attack, preventing troops from lending their weight to the fighting ranks. Note that the penalty applies for the rest of the combat and continues to apply even if the unit charging to the flank or rear is subsequently broken and flees. The point is that the unit has become disordered, and won't get a chance to reorganise itself until the combat is over.
We decided that 5 models were needed to prevent single flyers or character models gaining an unfair advantage by zipping round onto an enemy's flanks. However, you could make a case where especially large monsters count. In the end we found it impossible to frame a general rule to this effect, but suggest that large monsters with 5 or more wounds on their profile count as 5 models for this purpose.
Flyers and Defended Obstacles
Flyers do not suffer the to hit penalty when attacking troops behind walls, hedges or other defended obstacles. This is because flyers fight by overflying or swooping onto their enemy, and are not held up by walls or such-like. Although flyers are usually positioned to the front of the unit they are fighting, it is absurd to imagine they come screeching to a halt in mid-air! In fact they continue to swoop over and around the enemy, but for convenience we place the models against the front. If scenery is designed in such a way that flyers would obviously find it difficult to attack their target then players can agree an appropriate penalty or restriction for themselves.
Appendix 2: Notes on Scale and Measurement
Measurements
Warhammer utilises traditional Imperial measurements of feet and inches, but it is perfectly possible, if less convenient, to play the game in centimetres should players prefer to do so. Rather than attempt to translate distances into their metric equivalents, we recommend that players simply double all distances and measure in centimetres. So 12" becomes 24cm, 4" becomes 8cm and so on. This has the effect of slightly reducing the move distances and ranges compared to a game played in inches, but this is tolerable and can even be regarded as advantageous in that it allows a game to be played in a slightly smaller area. Randomly generated distances can also be accommodated easily using this method, simply by doubling the scores rolled.
Scale
In Warhammer each model represents a single warrior, monster, machine or whatever, whilst an inch on the tabletop is equivalent to about five feet in real life - the same as the scale height of the models themselves. Players might correctly point out that in the real world a bowman can shoot an arrow well over 200 yards rather than the paltry 40 yards or so represented by the weapon's maximum Warhammer range of 24". The reason is that we have reduced all measured distances to produce a playable tabletop game. The game's designers reduced distances roughly in the proportion of 1" equals 10 yards, so a bow with a range of 24" is judged to have an effective range of 240 yards. The alternative is to allow the bow a range of 144" and fight all battles in a car park!
A similar observation could be made about the number of models comprising a regiment of troops. It would be impractical though not actually impossible to field regiments comprising hundreds of models, so battles are represented using fewer troops than a literalist might demand. The ten or twenty models in a game unit stand for a regiment of several hundred troops, and for this reason regiments manoeuvre and react as if they were larger formations. As both sides field regiments reduced in size, the relative values are preserved and the results amount to the same thing. To put it another way, if 10 Elves can beat 10 Goblins then 100 Elves can beat 100 Goblins just as convincingly!
Time
Players sometimes ask how long a time is represented by a single turn of play. Does a turn last for hours or does it represent a few minutes? Warhammer has been designed as a game, so events which might realistically last for hours have been compacted into a shorter time though with the same overall results. A real battle might last for most of a day, whilst a Warhammer game will typically last for 5 or 6 turns on each side. We presume that these 5 or 6 turns represent the passage of about the same number of hours or perhaps slightly longer.
Of course, in reality a warrior can shoot more than 5 or 6 times in that many hours, he can move much further, and so forth. However, we compact events together and cut out all the time spent in inactivity. In a real battle troops stand idle for much of the time, only moving into action when required, and then expending much of their energy all at once. If you like, think of a Warhammer turn as a short period of activity together with longer periods of idleness, waiting for orders, resting, and so forth. Similarly, just as one model stands for many, so an arrow or crossbow bolt might be thought of as representing a whole shower of missiles fired by shooters who have limited supplies of missiles, and who would soon become tired by repeated firing.
Appendix 3: On House Rules
Most gamers like to make up their own rules, to invent characters, and perhaps even design their own scenarios. Traditionally, when players re-interpret or modify the game rules, or add new rules of their own, these are referred to as 'house rules' - literally the rules played when gaming at that person's house. When you go round to a fellow enthusiast's home it is only fair to play to his house rules.
Warhammer lends itself to adaption very well and players should feel free to change, remove, or add to the rules if they wish. For example, why not stage an attack on a Dwarf miners' mule train - you'd have to make up rules for mules and wagons, possibly allowing time for loading up the train with gold, and decide how the loss of their gold affects the miners. Obviously it's possible to imagine many ways of representing such a scenario, or any situation, from a raid into underground catacombs to sieges, street riots, bank robberies and bar room brawls.
Experienced and very confident players go even further, changing some of the basic rules themselves to suit their own style of play. Warhammer is supposed to be a broad set of game rules that hardened veterans can adapt, change or add to as they please. The only disadvantage of making up your own house rules is that you will have to revert to the normal rules when playing other gamers, or if you're taking part in a formal competition where a common standard is required.
Games Workshop will happily answer any queries about the Warhammer rules. Most gaming groups evolve their own way of doing things, resolving unforeseen circumstances in an agreeable manner, and inventing new rules to suit themselves.