Core Rules
21. Flying and Surging
21.00Flying and Surging#
This section supplements the basic rules for moving models, explaining how some units can fly over obstacles or surge closer to the enemy.
21.01Surge Moves#
Some rules allow a unit to make a surge move (21.02).
Making a Surge Move
• Unit *A* shoots, and *destroys* two models from unit *B*.
• Unit *B* has an ability that allows it to make a *surge move* of D6" after an enemy unit has shot, if one or more of its models were *destroyed* by those attacks. The active player rolls one D6, resulting in a 4.
• Unit *B* makes a *surge move*, each of its surviving models moving up to 4" towards the closest enemy unit (unit *C*). It ends this move *engaged* with that unit.
21.02Surge Move#
- Maximum distance
- As stated in the rule allowing this move type.
- Eligible if
- All of the following apply:
- The rule allowing this move type has been triggered.
- Your unit is not battle-shocked.
- Your unit is unengaged.
- Your unit has not moved this phase.
- Effect
- Your unit moves as described in Moving (03).
- Before moving
- Select the closest enemy unit to be the surge target.
- While moving
- Each model must end its move engaged with the surge target if possible.
- Each model that cannot end its move engaged with the surge target must end its move as close as possible to the surge target.
- After moving
- Your unit cannot be engaged with one or more enemy units that were not the surge target.
- Your unit cannot move again this phase.
21.03Flying Models#
Models with the FLY keyword, and units such models are part of, are said to be able to FLY. Some rules also refer to such models/units as FLYING models/FLYING units.
Each time a FLYING unit is selected to make a normal, advance, fall-back or charge move, before moving any models in that unit, the active player can declare that it will take to the skies. If it does, while resolving that move:
- Subtract 2" from the maximum distance.
- Each time a FLYING model moves:
- Ignore all vertical distance for the purposes of how far it has moved.
- It can move through all types of model (including enemy models and MONSTER/VEHICLE models).
- It can move horizontally and vertically through all categories of terrain feature.
Taking to the Skies
• This Riptide Battlesuit can Fly. It makes an *advance move* with a *maximum distance* of 16". 
• Before moving the unit, the active player declares that it will *take to the skies*. That move’s *maximum distance* is reduced to 14", but while making that move, the Riptide Battlesuit can move through all enemy units (including Vehicles) and all *terrain features*, ignoring any vertical distance that would normally be counted to ascend and descend *terrain features*.
FAQ
Q Q: When do the effects of a FLYING unit taking to the skies apply?
A: When that unit is selected to make a normal/advance/fall-back/charge move. Note that for an advance/charge move, this means you must declare that a unit will take to the skies before rolling for that advance/charge move.