Core Rules
15. Stratagems
WTC 5 rulings on this section
For the purposes of any rules that require "Your army" to have done something or have a specific buff such as The Waaagh! it is considered to be completed or active if it is true for at least part of your army for the purposes of a stratagem or ability that is used on such a unit.
If a player has a "Vect" like ability to increase the cost of a Stratagem and does not have enough CP to pay the increased cost of it the unit that was targeted with that Stratagem that unit still counts as having been the target of a stratagem this phase.
Unless they state otherwise, stratagems that do not list they target friendly or enemy models or units, can only be used on models or units from your own army.
If a stratagem specifically requires two units to activate (not "select up to two units" but "select two units") and you only have one unit eligible, you cannot use this stratagem.
Both abilties to reduce the CP cost of a stratagem, like a Space Marine Captain's Rites of Battle ability and the ability to increase the cost, like Lady Malys's Mind Like a Steel Trap and other "Vect" abilities, happen at the same time, so when using a stratagem, discuss with your opponent about the consequences of the use of those. Then the active player will be the first to decide to use their ability and then their opponent.
15.00Stratagems#
Stratagems can be used by spending Command Points, to create epic moments of tactical brilliance or peerless martial might. They are used when a player deems that a critical point in the battle is reached, where extra combat prowess or fleeting but powerful effects are required to tip the balance in their favour.
15.01Using Stratagems#
During the battle, both players can use stratagems. Each stratagem states:
- How many CP it costs to use.
- WHEN: When it can be used.
- TARGET: Which units it can target.
- EFFECT: What the effects of using that stratagem are.
- RESTRICTIONS: Any additional restrictions that apply.
Each player can use the same stratagem multiple times during the battle, but the following restrictions apply:
- Each player cannot use the same stratagem more than once in the same phase.
- Unless otherwise stated, each player cannot target the same unit with more than one stratagem in the same phase.
Each time you use a stratagem, resolve the following sequence:
1. Select targets as described in that stratagem.
2. Reduce your CP total by the CP cost listed in that stratagem. If that stratagem contains a section that carries an additional CP cost (e.g. +1CP), you can only use that additional section if you increase the CP cost of that stratagem by the amount shown. If you do not have enough CP remaining, you cannot use that stratagem.
3. Resolve the effects of that stratagem.
CORE STRATAGEMS
All players can use core stratagems (see overleaf). Additional stratagems can be found in Codexes and other publications.
15.01.01 - Modifying CP Cost#
Some rules modify the cost of using certain stratagems. In such cases, the following points apply:
- The CP cost of a stratagem use can never be modified below 0CP.
- If a rule modifies the CP cost of a stratagem when you use it, but does not specify a duration for that modifier, that modifier only applies to that usage of that stratagem.
15.01.02 - Affected By A Stratagem#
If a unit is selected as the target of a stratagem, it is said to be affected by that stratagem.
15.01.03 - Stratagem Definitions#
- Your Opponent’s Stratagems: stratagems that your opponent uses are sometimes referred to as your opponent’s stratagems.
- Your Stratagems: stratagems that you use are sometimes referred to as your stratagems.
- Your Unit (in Stratagems): The term ‘your unit(s)’ in the Effect section of stratagems always relates to the unit(s) selected in the Target section of that stratagem, and never refers to any other units from your army.
FAQ
Q After using an ability that increases the CP cost of a stratagem, must my opponent continue to use the selected stratagem at the increased cost if they have the necessary CP available?
Yes.
Q After using an ability that increases the CP cost of a stratagem, if my opponent does not have the necessary CP available for the selected stratagem, what happens?
No CP are spent and that stratagem's effects are not resolved (but that stratagem still counts as having been used this phase).
Q If a stratagem contains a section that carries an additional CP cost (such as the Into the Fray option of Heroic Intervention), is that additional cost considered to be a modifier?
No, a stratagem that costs 1CP and is making use of an optional +1CP section has an original cost of 2CP.
15.02 Command Re-Roll #
- When
Any phase, just after you make one of the following rolls for a friendly unit or model:
- Advance roll
- Charge roll
- Damage roll
- Hazard roll
- Hit roll
- Save roll
- Wound roll
- A roll to determine the number of attacks generated with a weapon.
- Target
That unit or model.
- Effect
You re-roll that roll. If you are rolling more than one dice together, select one of those dice to re-roll (excluding charge rolls, which you must re-roll in full).
15.03 Epic Challenge #
- When
Fight phase, just after a friendly CHARACTER unit is selected to fight.
- Target
That CHARACTER unit.
- Effect
Select one CHARACTER model in your unit. Until the end of the phase, that model’s melee weapons have the [PRECISION] ability.
15.04 Insane Bravery #
- When
Battle‑shock step of your Command phase, just before you make a battle-shock roll for a friendly unit.
- Target
That unit.
- Effect
That battle-shock roll, is automatically successful
- Restrictions
You cannot use this stratagem more than once per battle.
FAQ
Q Q: Can I use the Insane Bravery stratagem on a battle-shocked unit?
A: No, as a unit's controlling player cannot target that unit with stratagems (01.07).
15.05 Crushing Impact #
- When
Your Charge phase, just after a friendly MONSTER/VEHICLE unit ends a charge move.
- Target
That MONSTER/VEHICLE unit
- Effect
Resolve the following sequence:
1. Select one enemy unit engaged with your unit.
2. Select one model in your unit engaged with that enemy unit.
3. Roll a number of D6 equal to the T characteristic of that model: for each 1, your unit suffers 1 mortal wound; for each 5+, that enemy unit suffers 1 mortal wound (to a maximum of 6 mortal wounds per unit)
15.06 Explosives #
- When
Your Shooting phase.
- Target
One friendly unengaged EXPLOSIVES/GRENADES unit that is eligible to shoot and did not make an advance move this turn.
- Effect
Resolve the following sequence:
1. Select one EXPLOSIVES/GRENADES model in your unit.
2. Select one unengaged enemy unit within 8" of and visible to that model.
3. Roll six D6: for each 4+, that enemy unit suffers 1 mortal wound (06.02).
15.09Snap Shooting#
- Eligible if
- As stated in the rule allowing this shooting type.
- Effect
- Your unit shoots as described in Making Attacks (04).
- While shooting
- You can only target one visible enemy unit within 24" of your unit (and only if it is an eligible target).
- Each attack only hits on an unmodified hit roll of 6 (irrespective of the attacking weapon’s BS characteristic or any modifiers).
- You cannot re‑roll hit rolls.
- After shooting
- Until the end of the phase, your unit is not eligible to start an action.
15.10 Smokescreen #
- When
Start of your opponent’s Shooting phase.
- Target
One friendly SMOKE unit.
- Effect
Until the end of the phase, each time an attack targets either your SMOKE unit, or a unit that is not fully visible to the attacking model because of one or more models in your SMOKE unit, the target has the benefit of cover against that attack (13.08).
15.11 Heroic Intervention #
- When
End of your opponent’s Charge phase.
- Target
One friendly unengaged unit within 12" of one or more enemy units. You can only select a VEHICLE unit if it is a CHARACTER/WALKER unit.
- Effect
Resolve a charge with your unit (11.02). While doing so, before making the charge roll, you must select one of the following modes:
- Leap to Defend: When selecting charge targets, you can only select enemy units that made a charge move this phase and are within the maximum distance.
15.12 Counteroffensive #
- When
Fight step of your opponent’s Fight phase, just after an enemy unit has resolved its attacks.
- Target
One friendly unit that is eligible to fight.
- Effect
Until the end of the phase, your unit has the Fights First ability and it must be the next unit you select to fight (12.04).