Warhammer 40,000 rules

Core Rules

08. Command Phase

08.00Command Phase#

In the Command phase, both players gain Core CP, then you check the combat readiness of your forces and use any strategic-level abilities you may have.

The Command phase is resolved by following these steps:

1. START OF COMMAND PHASE
2. GAIN CORE CP
3. BATTLE-SHOCK
4. COMMAND ABILITIES
5. END OF COMMAND PHASE

08.01Start of Command Phase#

Rules that are triggered at the start of the Command phase are resolved now.

08.02Gain Core CP#

Both players gain 1 Command Point (CP).

08.02.01 - Command Points#

Command Points are a valuable resource you can spend to use stratagems (15). The Gain Core CP step ensures that both players gain 1CP each turn. While these are termed Core CP here, they are Command Points like any other. Other rules sometimes mention ‘Core CP’ when referring to these Command Points

08.03Battle-Shock Step#

The active player must now make one battle-shock roll (01.07) for each unit in their army that fulfils one or both of the following conditions:

  • That unit is currently battle-shocked.
  • That unit is at, or below, half‑strength.

If a unit was battle-shocked at the start of this step and its battle-shock roll during this step succeeds, it is no longer battle-shocked.

08.03.01 - Multiple Battle-shock Rolls#

In the Battle-shock step (08.03), unless otherwise stated, no more than one battle-shock roll can be made by each unit. If for any reason a unit must make a battle-shock roll in this step before one it is required to make for being battle-shocked or at or below half-strength, that unit does not also have to make the battle-shock roll for being battle-shocked or at or below half-strength.

Battle-shock Examples

This unit has a *starting strength* of 3 so is not at or *below* *half-strength*, but it is currently *battle-shocked*, so a *battle-shock roll* must be made for it. If that roll succeeds, the unit will no longer be *battle-shocked*.

This unit has a *starting strength* of 10. It has five models remaining, so it is *at half-strength* and a *battle-shock roll* must be made for it.

This unit has a *starting strength* of 5. It has two models remaining, so it is *below half-strength* and a *battle-shock roll* must be made for it.

This Vehicle has a *starting strength* of 1 and a *W* characteristic of 11. It has 3 wounds remaining, so it is *below half-strength* and a *battle-shock roll* must be made for it.

08.04Command Abilities#

Rules that are triggered in the Command phase (excluding those that are triggered at the start or end of this phase, when gaining Core CP, or by battle-shock rolls) are resolved now.

08.05End of Command Phase#

Rules that are triggered at the end of the Command phase are resolved now, in the following order:

1. First resolve rules triggered at this point other than mission rules.

2. Both players then consult their mission; if one or both players have achieved any aspects of their mission that are triggered at this point, resolve them now.