Core Rules01. Core Concepts
changed01.02Units and Models
A unit can contain one or more models. These models move and fight together as a single group. Most models have a base, which is also part of that model for all rules purposes.
Rules sometimes affect ‘friendly’ or ‘enemy’ models or units, which are defined as follows:
- Friendly units and models are those in your army.
- Enemy units and models are those in your opponent’s army.
If a rule affects units or models without specifying that they are friendly or enemy, that rule affects any unit or model, regardless of whose army they are in. When an effect or ability applies to a unit, it applies to every model in that unit.
01.02.01 - Starting Strength and Half-Strength
The number of models a unit contains at the start of the first battle round is its starting strength. The starting strength of an attached unit is the number of models that unit contains at the start of the first battle round.
Some rules refer to units being below starting strength, or at – or below – half‑strength. The meaning of these terms varies depending on a unit’s starting strength, as shown below.
| STARTING STRENGTH OF 1 | STARTING STRENGTH OF 2 OR MORE | |
|---|---|---|
| BELOW STARTING STRENGTH | Model's remaining wounds are less than its W characteristic. | Number of remaining models in the unit is less than its starting strength. |
| AT HALF-STRENGTH | Model's remaining wounds are half of its W characteristic. | Number of remaining models in the unit is half of its starting strength. |
| BELOW HALF-STRENGTH | Model's remaining wounds are less than half of its W characteristic. | Number of remaining models in the unit is less than half of its starting strength. |
Example: A Captain (1 model) is attached to a unit of Intercessors (5 models). This attached unit has a starting strength of 6. If three Intercessors were destroyed, the unit would be at half‑strength. If four Intercessors were destroyed, the unit would be below half‑strength. If all of the Intercessors were destroyed, the remaining Captain would be below half‑strength, despite having his full wounds remaining.
01.02.02 - Persisting Rules Effects
Some rules apply an effect that lasts until a certain duration has passed (e.g. until the start of your next turn). Such effects are known as persisting effects.
If a persisting effect applies to a unit when you place it in strategic reserves or when it embarks within a TRANSPORT, make a note of that effect and its duration; if that unit is set up on the battlefield again, any persisting effects continue to apply to that unit for their full duration.
If you have a rule that specifies when it is triggered (e.g. 'In the Shooting phase') and it does not specify how long it is active for, it is only active for the duration of that specified period (e.g. until the end of that Shooting phase). After that period, that effect is no longer applicable/active.
If a rule or effect is given to a unit and it does not specify how long it is active for, it is only active for the phase in which it was given.
01.02.03 - Revived and Adding Models to a Unit
When a rule revives, resurrects, returns or adds models to a unit, the specified number of models are added to the unit.
- If a rule revives, resurrects or returns models to a unit, it does so through destroyed models from that unit.
- This cannot expand a unit beyond its starting strength.
- Unless otherwise stated, such models are added with all wargear and enhancements they started the battle with, and with their full W remaining.
Models returned to a unit on the battlefield must be set up as follows:
- They must be set up in coherency with models in that unit that started that phase on the battlefield.
- They can be set up engaged with one or more enemy units, but only if those enemy units were already engaged with the unit that model is being returned to.
If a leader or support model in an attached unit is destroyed and subsequently revived, they are still part of that attached unit and they must be returned to it if possible.
When a model revives, resurrects, returns or is added to an embarked unit, if that TRANSPORT has sufficient remaining transport capacity for that model, that model is returned to that unit and is embarked. Otherwise, that model is destroyed, but it does not trigger rules that apply when a model is destroyed.
01.02.04 - Not On The Battlefield
A unit that is embarked within a TRANSPORT or that is in strategic reserves is not on the battlefield. The following applies to such units:
- That unit is not visible to any other units (units are visible to themselves).
- Any other unit is not visible to that unit.
- Players cannot measure distances to or from that unit (units are within range of their own abilities).
This means units not on the battlefield cannot be selected or targeted by any attack or rule that requires a unit to be visibleor within a certain distance (other than their own abilities).
Such units can still use their other rules, and are still units in the controlling player's army and so can be affected by rules that require a player to select a unit from an army, as well as rules that affect all units in an army.
The controlling player must make battle-shock rolls for units that are not on the battlefield in their Command phase if they are battle-shocked, or if they are at or below half-strength.
01.02.05 - Other Model / Unit
When a rule refers to models or units ‘other’ than the one with that rule (or one already mentioned by that rule), it means a different model or unit to that original one.
Different instances of the same datasheet are still considered to be ‘other’ units.
01.02.06 - Splitting Units
Some rules allow you to split units into smaller units (e.g. the Transport ability of Drukhari Venoms). When using such rules:
- The same models can only be subdivided in this way once (e.g. those smaller units cannot themselves be split further).
- If a rule is used to split a unit into multiple units before the battle, the starting strength of each individual unit is changed to be equal to the number of models in that unit.
- A unit must be split into two units, each containing as equal a number of models as possible (when splitting a unit in this way, make a note of which models form each of the two new units). If a rule states a specific starting strength of the split units, but this is not possible based on the number of models in the unit being split (e.g. due to attached Leader/Support models), split the unit as stated above.
01.02.07 - Describing Units
When a rule mentions a unit, it may have a descriptor for the unit (e.g. Terminator unit, hidden unit, battle-shocked unit, visible unit, controlling unit). For such descriptors to apply to a unit, that unit must have at least one model in that unit that meets that descriptor.
This does not give that rule to every model in the unit, unless that rule specifically states that it gives that rule to the unit, in which case every model in that unit gains that rule, as described in Units and Models (01.02).
Example: A hidden unit would be a unit that has a model in it that is hidden.
01.02.08 - A (Unit/Model/Object)
Some rules may refer to 'a' unit/model/object without specifying an exact number. In such cases, the meaning is 'one or more', rather than exactly one.
Example: If a rule has a condition that requires a unit to be 'within range of an objective', that condition is still met if that unit is within range of more than one objective.
01.02.09 - Tokens
Tokens are gaming aids that some rules instruct you to place next to model/unit to remind you and your opponent that a model/unit either has a limited-use ability or is under the effects of a particular rule. Tokens are not counted as models for any purposes (even if they are being represented by a model). If another model needs to move into the space occupied by a token, reposition the token to allow that move to be made.
01.02.10 - Adding a new unit to your army
Some rules add a new unit to your army during a battle. That unit’s starting strength is determined when it is added to your army, but is otherwise determined in the same way as for other units.
01.02.11 - All Types of Model
When a rule mentions ‘all types of model’, this is inclusive of friendly and enemy models and all keywords, e.g. MONSTER/VEHICLE models.
01.02.12 - Replacing One Model with Another
When a rule tells you to place one model where another model was, or to replace one model with another:
- Mark the point on the battlefield beneath the centre of the base of the model to be replaced (or its central axis, for a unit with FRAME).
- Place the other model so that the centre of its base (or its central axis, for a unit with FRAME) is directly over that point.
If you cannot do the above because you would need to place one model on top of another model, or because you would need to place a model overhanging the battlefield edge, instead place the new model as close as possible to that point.
changed01.04Measuring Distances
Distances in Warhammer 40,000 are measured in inches ("). You can measure distances whenever you want to.
When a rule refers to a model’s position in relation to anything else on the battlefield, unless otherwise stated, measure to or from the closest part of that model’s base.
01.04.01 - Within / Wholly Within
Rules in Warhammer 40,000 will often apply to models or units that are within or wholly within a certain distance. The following definitions explain what these terms mean:
- Within: If a rule says it applies ‘within’ a specified distance, it applies at any distance that is not more than that distance. For example, within 1" means any distance that is not more than 1" away
- Model/Unit Within: A model is within a specified distance if any part of its base is within that distance. A unit is within a specified distance if one or more of its models are within that distance.
- Model/Unit Wholly Within: A model is wholly within a specified distance if every part of its base is within that distance. A unit is wholly within if every model in that unit is wholly within the specified distance. A model with the frame keyword is wholly within a specified distance if all parts of that model are within the specified distance.
Example: A model is wholly within a terrain area if no part of its base extends beyond the footprint of that terrain area. A unit is wholly within a specified distance if every model in that unit is wholly within that distance.
01.04.02 - Closest Or Nearest Model/Unit
When a rule refers to the closest or nearest model or unit, this is the closest model or unit to the model or unit using that rule.
If two or more are equally close, the controlling player of the model or unit using that rule selects which is the closest for the purposes of that rule.
01.04.03 - As Close As Possible
If a rule instructs you to move a model as close as possible to a unit or model you must end that model’s move in base contact with that unit or model if its move is sufficient to do so without breaking any other restrictions (such as coherency), or as close as you can achieve if its move is not sufficient.
- If a model is already as close as possible to a unit or model when it is instructed to make a move as close as possible towards a unit or model, that model cannot be moved, but still counts as having made the move in question.
If a rule instructs you to move a model as close as possible to an objective you must end that model’s move within range of an objective if its move is sufficient to do so without breaking any other restrictions (such as coherency), or as close as you can achieve if its move is not sufficient.
- If that model is already within range of an objective it can move up to the maximum distance of that move but must end its move still within range of that objective.
01.04.04 - Base Contact or Base to Base Contact
When two models’ bases are touching, they are in base contact – also known as base-to-base contact – and are as close as possible (01.04.03).
When moving a model from your army into base contact with an enemy model during a move, if that enemy model overhangs its base such that it is not physically possible to be in base contact with that model, until the end of the turn, those models are considered to be in base contact with each other while all of the following are true:
- The distance your model could move was sufficient to move it into base contact with the enemy model if there was no overhang.
- The models are as close as possible together.
- Any part of one model is within 1" of any part of the other model.
01.04.05 - Table Quarters
When a rule refers to a table quarter, or table quarters, divide the battlefield with imaginary lines 1mm thick drawn lengthwise and widthwise through the centre of the battlefield to create four equal rectangles. These rectangles are the table quarters.
01.04.06 - Drawing a Line
When a rule tells you to draw a line, unless otherwise stated:
- That line has no thickness.
- That line must be straight.
Core Rules09. Movement Phase
changed09.07.01Desperate Escape
If a stratagem or ability forces a unit to make a Desperate Escape test, that unit:
- Must make one hazard roll for each model in that unit.
- Must make a battle-shock roll.
09.07.01 - Desperate Escape Test
Some rules may reference the term 'Desperate Escape test'. In all instances this means the hazard rolls made for the desperate escape mode of a fall-back move.
Abilities that subtract from a unit's Desperate Escape test instead subtract from those hazard rolls.
If a stratagem or ability instructs a unit to make a Desperate Escape test, that unit:
- Must use the desperate escape mode when it is selected to make a fall-back move.
Example 1: A battle-shocked unit makes a fall-back move away from a unit of Bloodletters that have the Bane of Cowards ability. As a result of Bane of Cowards, because the unit making the fall-back move is battle-shocked, the hazard rolls they make as part of their desperate escape will be at -1.
Example 2: If an ability allows a unit to re-roll Desperate Escape tests, that unit can re-roll hazard rolls made for the desperate escape mode of a fall-back move.
FAQ
ErrataCP Generated by a Warlord
When a rule states that 'At the start of the battle round, if a model with this ability is your WARLORD, gain 1CP.' you do not gain the 1CP while your WARLORD is destroyed.
QWhen using the Windrider Host detachment, does the Ride the Wind detachment rule allow ASURYANI MOUNTED or VYPER units from my army to make an ingress move in the first battle round?
Yes.
QWhen my Biovores unit uses the Seed Spore Mines ability, does my unit lose hidden?
QWhen using the Grot Shields stratagem, are hits by [TORRENT] weapons considered 'hit rolls that result in a hit'?
QWhen a unit with Firing Deck is equipped with another unit's weapons, do abilities that affect those weapons while they are equipped by that other unit affect those weapons while they are equipped by the unit with Firing Deck?
No.
For example, if a unit of Flash Gitz with an attached Big Mek with the Targetin' Squigs enhancement is embarked within a Trukk, when that Trukk uses Firing Deck to equip the Flash Gitz' Snazzguns, those weapons:
- Do not benefit from the Flash Gitz' Finderz Keeperz ability.
- Do not benefit from the Big Mek's More Dakka ability.
- Do not benefit from the Targetin' Squigs enhancement.
ErrataDesperate Escape Test Updates
Second example added, and the following section updated:
If a stratagem or ability instructs a unit to make a Desperate Escape test, that unit:
- Must use the desperate escape mode when it is selected to make a fall-back move.
- Must make one hazard roll for each model in that unit.
- Must make a battle-shock roll.
QWhen a unit with Firing Deck is equipped with another unit's weapons, do abilities that affect those weapons while they are equipped by that other unit affect those weapons while they are equipped by the unit with Firing Deck?
No.
For example, if a unit of Flash Gitz with the Supa-snazz Dakka upgrade and an attached Big Mek is embarked within a Trukk, when that Trukk uses Firing Deck to equip the Flash Gitz' Snazzguns, those weapons:
- Do not benefit from the Flash Gitz' Finderz Keeperz ability.
- Do not benefit from the Big Mek's More Dakka ability.
- Do not benefit from the Supa-snazz Dakka upgrade.
ErrataDrawing a Line
When a rule tells you to draw a line, unless otherwise stated:
- That line has no thickness.
- That line must be straight.
ErrataReplacing One Model with Another
When a rule tells you to place one model where another model was, or to replace one model with another:
- Mark the point on the battlefield beneath the centre of the base of the model to be replaced (or its central axis, for a unit with FRAME).
- Place the other model so that the centre of its base (or its central axis, for a unit with FRAME) is directly over that point.
If you cannot do the above because you would need to place one model on top of another model, or because you would need to place a model overhanging the battlefield edge, instead place the new model as close as possible to that point.
QCan a unit that used the rapid disembark mode this turn (e.g. using a Trukk's Pilin' Out ability) be targeted with the Heroic Intervention stratagem?
QWhen I select one of Thulia Ghuld’s Icon of War abilities, when do I select the unit that ability affects?
When you have selected the Icon of War ability you want to use.
QDoes an Arkanyst Evaluator's Science Guild Support ability give that model Lone Operative if the only other unit within 3" is another Arkanyst Evaluator?
QWhen a unit with Firing Deck is equipped with another unit's weapons, do abilities that affect those weapons while they are equipped by that other unit affect those weapons while they are equipped by the unit with Firing Deck?
No.
For example, if a unit of Flash Gitz with the Supa-snazz Dakka upgrade and an attached Big Mek with the Targetin' Squigs enhancement is embarked within a Trukk, when that Trukk uses Firing Deck to equip the Flash Gitz' Snazzguns, those weapons:
- Do not benefit from the Flash Gitz' Finderz Keeperz ability.
- Do not benefit from the Big Mek's More Dakka ability.
- Do not benefit from the Targetin' Squigs enhancement.
- Do not benefit from the Supa-snazz Dakka upgrade.
ErrataAURIC CHAMPIONS, SUPERIOR CREATION
Change to:
ADEPTUS CUSTODES INFANTRY model only. (Once per battle, per army) At the end of a phase in which this model is destroyed, roll one D6: 
▪ On a 2+, set this model back up on the battlefield as close as possible to where it was destroyed, unengaged, with 3 wounds remaining.
ErrataShield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike, Core Abilities Section
Add 'Leader'.
QWhen I select one of Thulia Ghuld’s Icon of War abilities, when do I select the unit that ability affects?
When you have selected the Icon of War ability you want to use.
QWhen my Biovores unit uses the Seed Spore Mines ability, does my unit lose hidden?
ErrataPenitent Host Detachment, Desperate for Redemption Detachment Rule
Change first paragraph to:
‘At the start of theyour battleCommand round,phase, you can select one of the following Vows of Atonement to be active for your army until the start of theyour next battleCommand round.phase. You can only select each Vow of Atonement once per battle.'
ErrataTriumph of Saint Katherine, Solemn Procession Ability
Change to:
‘Each time you gain 1 Miracle dice at the start of the battleyour round,turn, if this model is on the battlefield, do not roll one D6 to determine the value of that Miracle dice; it has a value of 6.’
ErrataCallidus Assassin
▪ Neural Shredder Weapon: Remove ‘[PRECISION]’, add ‘[BLAST 2]’:
Neural Shredder [ANTI-INFANTRY 2+,BLAST 2, TORRENT]
RANGE 12" A D6 BS N/A S 5 AP -2 D 1
■ Acrobatic Escape Ability: Change to:
▫ At the end of the Fight phase, if this unit is engaged, this unit can make a fall-back move of up to D6".
▫ At the end of your opponent’s turn, if this unit is more than 3" from all enemy units, you can use this ability. If you do:
▫ Place this unit in strategic reserves.
▫ This unit must make an ingress move in your next Movement phase (including in your first turn).
■ Reign of Confusion Ability: Change to:
'Once per turn, when your opponent targets a unit from their army within 12” of this model with a stratagem, this model can use this ability. If you do increase the CP cost of that use of that stratagem by 1CP.'
ErrataAgile Manoeuvres, Sudden Strike
Change to:
‘TRIGGER: When an eligible unit from your army ends a charge move.
EFFECT: Until the end of the turn, each time a model in that unit makes a pile-in or consolidation move, it can move up to 6" instead of up to 3".
ErrataSeer Council Detachment, Unshrouded Truth Stratagem, Target and Effect Sections
Change to:
'TARGET: One ASURYANI INFANTRY unit from your army (excluding WRAITH CONSTRUCT units) that has not been selected to move this phase, was not set up on the battlefield this phase, and is within 9" of one or more friendly ASURYANI PSYKER models.
Effect:
▪ Place your unit in strategic reserves.
▪ Your unit has Deep Strike.
▪ Your unit must make an ingress move this phase.'phase (including in your first turn).'
ErrataThe Visarch, Core Abilities section
 RemoveRemove ‘Leader’, add ‘Support
QWhen using the Windrider Host detachment, does the Ride the Wind detachment rule allow ASURYANI MOUNTED/VYPER units from my army to make an ingress move in the first battle round?
Yes.
QDoes an Arkanyst Evaluator’s Science Guild Support ability give that model Lone Operative if the only other unit within 3" is another Arkanyst Evaluator?
ErrataIMPERIAL ARMOUR - Agamatus, Ares Gunship, Coronus Grav Carrier, Orion Assault Dropship, Caladius Grav-tank and Pallas Grav Attack
Add FRAME to the following:
Agamatus, Ares Gunship, Coronus Grav Carrier, Orion Assault Dropship, Caladius Grav-tank and Pallas Grav Attack
ErrataIMPERIAL ARMOUR - Orion Assault Dropship
The following unit has M 14":
Orion Assault Dropship
ErrataIMPERIAL ARMOUR - Orion Assault Dropship Keywords section
The following units lose the Aircraft keyword:
Orion Assault Dropship
ErrataIMPERIAL ARMOUR - Ares Gunship Abilities
The following unit loses the Hover core ability:
Ares Gunship.
ErrataIMPERIAL ARMOUR - Ares Gunship
The following unit has M and OC of "-":
Ares Gunship.
ErrataAuric Champions Detachment, Assemblage of Might Detachment Rule
Change to:
'At the start of your Command phase, select one unit from your opponent’s army. Until the start of your next Command phase, each time a model in an ADEPTUS CUSTODES CHARACTER unit from your army makes an attack that targets that enemy unit, add 1 to the Wound roll.
ErrataAuric Champions Detachment, Champion of the Imperium Enhancement
Change to:
'ADEPTUS CUSTODES model only. The range of the bearer’s Null Aegis or Deadly Unity ability is increased to 9".'
ErrataAuric Champions Detachment, Martial Philosopher Enhancement
Change third sentence to:
'Once per battle, in your opponent's Movement phase, when an enemy unit ends a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move within 8" of the bearer, if the bearer's unit is not within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units, it can make a Normal move of up to 6".'
ErrataAuric Champions Detachment, Shoulder the Mantle Stratagem
Change to:
'WHEN: Your Movement phase, before the Reinforcements step.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS CUSTODES CHARACTER model from your army that is not leading a unit.
EFFECT: Select one friendly unit (excluding Battle-shocked and Attached units) within 2" horizontally and 5" vertically of your model that it could lead (as described in the Leader section of its datasheet). Your model attaches to that unit as a Leader. Change that unit’s Starting Strength accordingly.'
ErrataShield Host Detachment, Martial Mastery Detachment Rule
Change first paragraph to:
'At the start of the battle round, you can select one of the bullet points below. If you do, until the start of the next battle round, that bullet point’s effects apply.'
ErrataShield Host Detachment, Castellan’s Mark Enhancement
Change to:
'SHIELD-CAPTAIN model only. After both players have deployed their armies, you can select up to two ADEPTUS CUSTODES units from your army (excluding ANATHEMA PSYKANA units) and redeploy all of those units. When doing so, any of those units can be placed into Strategic Reserves, regardless of how many units are already in Strategic Reserves.'
ErrataTalons of the Emperor Detachment, Taloned Pincer Stratagem, Target Section
Change 9" to 8".
ErrataAnathema Psykana Rhino, Venerable Land Raider – Keywords section
Add the 'FRAME' keyword.
ErrataDatasheets
Change the following weapon characteristics:
Weapon - Changes - Units
Boltgun - S5, AP-1 - Prosecutors
Castellan Axe (ranged) - S5 - Allarus Custodians, Custodian Wardens, Shield-Captain, Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour
Combi-bolter - S5, AP-1 Venerable Contemptor Dreadnought
Gnosis (ranged) - S5 - Valerian
Guardian Spear (ranged) S5 - Allarus Custodians, Custodian Guard, Custodian Wardens, Shield-Captain, Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour
Master-crafted Boltgun - S5, AP-1 - Knight-Centura
Sentinel Blade (ranged) - S5 - Custodian Guard, Shield-Captain
Storm Bolter - S5, AP-1 - Anathema Psykana Rhino, Venerable Land Raider
Vertus Hurricane Bolter - S5, AP-1 - Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike, Vertus Praetors
ErrataShield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike and Vertus Praetors, Ranged Weapons
Change profiles to:
Salvo Launcher [TWIN-LINKED] RANGE 24", A 1, BS 2+, S 10, AP‑3, D D6+1
Vertus Hurricane Bolter [RAPID FIRE 3, TWIN-LINKED] RANGE 18", A 3, BS 2+, S 4, AP‑1, D 2
ErrataShield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike, Profile
Change Toughness characteristic to ‘7’ and Wounds characteristic to ‘8’.
ErrataValerian, Core Abilities
Add ‘Deep Strike'.
ErrataVertus Praetors
■ Profile: Change Toughness characteristic to ‘7’ and Wounds characteristic to ‘5’.
■ Quicksilver Execution Ability: change to:
‘Once per battle, after this unit ends a Normal or Advance move, you can select one enemy unit (excluding MONSTERS and VEHICLES) that it moved over during that move, then roll one D6 for each model in this unit: for each 2+, that enemy unit suffers 2 mortal wounds.’
QIf an enemy model is within 12" of any part of a unit that is led by a CHARACTER with the Radiant Mantle Enhancement when that enemy model selects targets for its attacks, do those attacks suffer from the -1 Hit roll penalty?
Yes.