Rules and Background

Rules Team, Rules Team Advisors, Balancing Team, Rules Review Team,
Army Design Team, Playtesting Team, Background Team, Lectoring Team
Art and Layout
Michele Bertilorenzi – cover art, p. 33, 51, 99, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 156/157
Enrico Bertilorenzi – p. 12, 52, Paweł Jakub Górecki p. 18, 22, 23, 81, 82, 87, 116, 117
Lucas Svedberg – p. 4, 61, 65, 67, 124, 125, Grégoire Veauléger – p. 14, 41, 44, 47, 49, 95, 130
Thomas Karlsson – p. 11, 15, 42, 45, 54, 76/77, 89, 97, 103, 114, 121, 138/139, 141, Marta Stawrowska – p. 79
Davide Castelluccio – p. 13, 48, 80, Rafis Khuzin – p. 32, 46, 50, 106, Adalidsilvano – p. 31, 34, 119, 137
Mikhail Shubin – p. 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, Ollie Cuthbo – p. 19, 101, Alberto Bontempi – p. 98
Marcos Barragan – p. 21, 56, 68, 104, 109, The Galapalo – p. 9, 17, 35, 71, 86, 91, 110, 118
B.R.U.T.A.L. – p. 131, Johan Aronson – p. 72, 115, Krys Rackham – p. 10, 16, 24, 27, 40, 78, 112, 127
Kacper Bucki – document layout
The 9th Age Team
the-ninth-age.com/index.php?team/
Version and Date
1.3.5 – 04 April 2017
 4 Rulebook
 SUNNA MYTH
Part One
The Sun Maiden came, in our time of greatest need. Let her mighty deeds be written here, that she might
not pass out of memory, but be remembered evermore.
— The Book of the Askar, Chapter One, taken from the Sunna Cycle
I t was in the cold years, when the sun was pale
and the summers were short, that the goddess
came to us. In that time of darkness, the beasts of
the wood, barbarians of the wastes and brutes of
the mountains descended upon us, and we were
swept before them as reeds before the flood. First
to rise from the mass of foes was Bragh, the Black
Bull, slayer of a hundred chieftains, shattering ar-
mour and bodies with his great mace.
The people of the Askar lay in the path of his
westward rampage. Their King, Warin, saw all
hope was lost. Still he marshalled ninety brave
warriors to hold a ford over the river Gewache,
and buy his people time to escape the approach-
ing doom. The eve of the battle found him in a
riverside shrine, deep in prayer. To Ullor, Father
of Winter, he prayed for blizzards. To Volund, the
Smith, he prayed for strength of arm and steel of
spine. Finally, to Sunna, he prayed that his people
would see another dawn. The alarm was raised as
he finished railing at the silence of the gods; the
beasts came as the daylight failed.
Each defender gave their life dearly. No man fell
with his blade unblooded; a score of foes fell be-
neath their feet. Yet it was not enough, for Bragh
then took the field. The Askar died to his mace,
until only King Warin stood between the Black
Bull and the western shore. Great horns gored
Sunna Myth
valiant Warin's horse, and a single blow shattered
the King's shield and arm both. The Bull stood
ready to deliver the deathstroke, when a lone sol-
dier leapt forward.
Helm dislodged, golden hair flowed to the war-
rior's waist, Warin was stunned to see a wom-
an plant her boots in the bloody water between
King and Beast. Dwarfed by the Bull, even a brave
Askar maiden could not hope to hold back that
enemy. But at this moment, the dawn broke, with
a fire not seen in a decade. A blinding blaze of
light from the eastern horizon ignited her pol-
ished breastplate and sword. The brilliance stag-
gered Bragh as the woman struck. The first blow
cut through Bragh's heel, bringing him crashing
to one knee. The second sunk deep into his chest,
drawing a roar of pain that shook the earth. The
third and final blow drove straight between the
monster's open jaws, and into his skull.
As the Black Bull fell, the beasts fled. Though only
one in nine survived, the King's men rushed to
Warin's side, pulling him from the river to face
his rescuer. All clamoured to know the name of
their saviour, yet the King stilled them by falling
to one knee. He knew that face, lit by the dawn’s
glory, and knew his prayers had been answered.
He offered her his sword, even as he spoke: "It is
Sunna. She has come."
5 Rulebook
 CONTENTS

5 Sunna Myth 40 Magic Phase

8 Introduction 41 Wizards
8 What is The 9th Age: Fantasy Battles? 41 Spells
8 The Scale of the Game 44 Magic Phase Sequence
10 Models, Units and Formations 46 Spellcasting Sequence
10 Models 47 Miscast
11 Units 48 Bound Spells
48 Magical Effects
14 General Principles
14 Turn 50 Shooting Phase
15 Dice 50 Shooting Phase Sequence
16 Battlefield Logistics 56 Close Combat Phase
16 Measuring Distances 56 Close Combat Phase Sequence
17 Line of Sight 57 Round of Combat Sequence
18 Unit Spacing 59 Winning a Round of Combat
18 Board Edge 61 Break Test
62 Pursuits and Overruns
20 Characteristics
65 Combat Reform
20 The Characteristics Profile
20 Performing a Characteristic Test 66 Sunna Myth
22 Setting up a Game 68 Attacks and Panic
22 Building an Army 68 Attack Sequence
22 Army Restrictions 69 Distribute Hits
25 Warbands and Grand Armies 69 To-Wound Rolls
25 Hidden or Open Lists ? 69 Armour Saves and Armour Modifiers
25 Optional Rules for Hidden Lists 70 Regeneration and Ward Saves
70 Inflicting Wounds
26 The Pre-Game Sequence
70 Removing Casualties
30 Deployment Phase
71 Panic Test
30 Deployment Phase Sequence
72 Troop Types
32 Movement Phase
73 Models on Foot and Mounted Models
32 The Movement Phase Sequence
73 Troop Type Rules
32 Declaring Charges
75 Troop Types Summary
38 Compulsory Moves
78 Close Combat Weapons
38 Remaining Moves
39 Pivots and Wheels

Contents 6 Rulebook
78 Mundane Equipment
79 Shooting Weapons
80 Artillery Weapons
81 Armour Types
82 Characters
82 Lone Characters
82 Characters Joined to Units
85 The General
85 The Battle Standard Bearer
86 Challenges
90 Command Group
90 Musician
90 Standard Bearer
90 Veteran Standard Bearer
90 Champion
92 Terrain
92 Terrain Types
92 Terrain Features
96 Victory Conditions
97 Who is the Winner?
Contents
98 Special Rules
100 List of Special Rules
113 Applying Special Rules
116 Magical Items
118 List of Common Magical Items
126 Geography
128 World Hymn
134 Religion
136 Supernals
138 Legend of Avras
140 Elder Races
140 The Armies of The 9th Age
142 Lost Civilisations
143 The Realms of Humanity
144 The Barbarian Hordes
146 The Legions of Chaos
147 The Restless Dead
148 Sunna Myth
150 Summaries
7 Rulebook
 INTRODUCTION
Beat us, burn us, brand us: you only make the Herd stronger.
WHAT IS THE 9TH AGE:
FANTASY BATTLES?
T he 9th Age: Fantasy Battles, often simply called
The 9th Age, is a community-made miniatures
war game in which two grand armies clash in an
epic battle for power or survival. Each army can
be composed of simple foot soldiers, skilled arch-
ers, armour-clad mounted knights, powerful wiz-
ards, legendary heroes, epic monsters, huge drag-
ons, and more. The game takes place on a 4 by 6
foot battlefield and uses six-sided dice to resolve
different actions such as charging into battle, let-
ting arrows loose, or casting spells.
THE SCALE OF THE GAME
Playing tabletop war games is often an exercise
in abstract thought, especially when it comes to
mass battle games like The 9th Age. As such there
is no prescribed scale while playing The 9th Age;
a single miniature could represent a single, a doz-
en, or even a hundred warriors. Though players
are welcome to interpret the scale as they like, the
distances used in the rules do not seem realistic if
the scale of 1:1 compared to the actual size of the
miniatures is used for the game. The scale of min-
iatures used for The 9th Age is roughly 1:72 when
compared to real-life sized equivalents. Based
on that, 1" in the game would be roughly equal
to 1.5 meters in real life. An average human-like
creature in the game has a movement value of 4"
which means that in a single movement phase
it would move only 6 meters (12 if marching).
Likewise a ranged weapon like a longbow has an
effective range of 30" in the game which would
equal roughly 45 meters, which is 5 times short-
er than the average historic effective range of the
weapon of around 250 meters.
Introduction
— Last words of Gnak, Prophet of the Beasts
For example, players could use the historic range
of the longbow to determine what kind of distance
1" represents in a game. In that case 1" would be
slightly more than 8 meters and much closer to
representing the distances assumed when writ-
ing the rules for this game.
Just as we can imagine that the combatants in the
game are actually smaller than the miniatures
that represent them, so we can imagine that a
single miniature does not necessarily represent a
single warrior. We could imagine a unit of 10 elite
elven warriors representing exactly 10 elves or
some other group size like 20, 50 or 100. At the
same time a unit of 10 weedy goblin runts could
just represent 10 goblins, but is more likely to
represent some larger group of 100, 200, or 500
of the little creatures. At this point one may ask
about characters and monsters. These models are
meant to represent exceptional individuals and
especially potent creatures that are worth entire
regiments on their own. It may be easier to come
to terms with a miniature of a character repre-
senting not just the character itself but also his
bodyguards and assorted staff that might follow
such a hero to battle.
In the same vein, the pieces of terrain could be
viewed to represent exactly what they are, but
they could also be visual representations of far
greater things for the purpose of the game. So a
copse of trees could represent a forest, a stream
could actually be a wide river, a single house
could denote a hamlet, and a tower could repre-
sent a keep.
8 Rulebook
We believe the timescale of the game to be even
more arbitrary than the scale of the game. The ac-
tion of moving in the movement phase could take
several minutes of real time while casting spells
in the magic phase or shooting in the shooting
phase could be near instantaneous events. Like-
wise the actions of two units clashing in the close
combat phase could represent only a few heart
beats in real time, while a challenge between two
mighty individuals could be a drawn combat last-
ing minutes or more. Hence, no quantitative value
can be assigned to a game turn or turn sub-phase.
Introduction
We do not wish to tell players how to imagine
their fights or how many individuals each minia-
ture should represent, but we believe that an easy
equation of 1" being roughly equal to 10 meters
is a good representation of the size of the game.
An average game will be played on a 72"x48"
table and thus represents a real-life area of 720
by 480 meters or roughly 50 football pitches. In
medieval times (the closest thing we have to our
fantasy world) this would represent an average
sized battlefield where two forces with soldiers
numbering from a few hundred to several thou-
sand would meet.
9 Rulebook
 MODELS, UNITS
AND FORMATIONS
I have seen larger armies, and more ferocious. But they fought as a swarm of insects that moves and thinks
as one.
— Destrian explorer Captain Fernando Cabeza, on his return from the jungles of Virentia
MODELS
Models represent fighting warriors, monsters,
and spellcasters. Everything that stands on the
same base is considered the same model (e.g. a
dragon and its rider or a Cannon and its three
crewmen are considered a single model).
Models, Units and Formations
Bases and Base Contact
All models are placed on a square, rectangular, or
round base. The extent of the model​is considered
to be its base. Base sizes are given as two measure-
ments in millimetres: front-width x side-length.
(For example, a normal cavalry​base is 25x50mm).
In some rare cases models have round bases. In
these cases, only as single measurement is given:
the diameter of the base. (For example, a standard
War Machine​ base is a round 60mm base). Two
units are considered in base contact with each
other if the rectangles formed by the outermost
edges of their Footprints (called Boundary Rec-
tangle) are touching one another, including corner
to corner contact. Two models are considered to
be in base contact with each other if their bases
are touching one another, including corner to cor-
ner contact. When incomplete ranks or Charac-
ters with Mismatching base cause empty gaps be-
tween two models in units in base contact, these
models are considered to be in base contact with
each other over such empty gaps.
Multipart Models
Models with more than one Characteristics Pro-
file are called Multipart Models. For example, a
cavalry model is a model with two parts (the rid-
er and its mount), a chariot can be described as a
single model consisting of five parts (two horses,
two crewmen and one chariot chassis), while a
normal foot soldier is a model which consists of a
single part. Each part of such a model has its own
Characteristics Profile and can be referred to as a
"model part". Whenever a rule, ability, spell, and
so on affects a Model, all parts of the model are
affected, unless the rule specifically states it only
affects a model part.
10 Rulebook
 UNITS
All models are part of a unit. A unit is either a
group of models deployed in a formation consist-
ing of ranks (along the width of the unit) and files
(along the length of the unit) or a single model
operating on its own. Whenever a rule, ability,
spell and so on affects a unit, all models in the
unit are affected. When forming a unit, all mod-
els in the unit must be perfectly aligned in base
contact with each other and face the same direc-
tion. All ranks must always have the same width,
except the last rank which can be shorter than the
other ranks; if so, this is called an incomplete rear
rank. Note that it’s perfectly fine for the last rank
to have empty gaps in it, as long as the models are
aligned with those of the other ranks.
Rank-and-File
Normal models in a unit are called Rank-and-File
models (R&F). Characters are not R&F models,
but all other models are.
Full Ranks
A Full Rank is any rank which is at least 5 models
wide. Some units (such as Monstrous Infantry)
require fewer than 5 models to form a Full Rank,
see Troop Types section for details.
Models, Units and Formations
Horde Formation
Units in ranks of 10 or more models (6 or more in
the case of Monstrous Ranks) are considered to
be in Horde Formation.
Footprint
A unit's Footprint is the area occupied by the
combined bases of all the models in a unit.
Centre of Unit
A unit's Centre is defined by drawing an imagi-
nary rectangle around the outer edges of the
unit's Footprint. The Centre of this box is consid-
ered to be the Centre of the unit.
Unit Facing and Arcs
A unit has 4 arcs: front, rear, and two flanks. Each
arc is determined by extending a straight line
from the corners of the unit's bases, in a 135° an-
gle from the unit's front (for the front arc), rear
(for the rear arc) or flanks (for the flank arcs),
see figure 1. Units on round bases don't have arcs
(they can draw Line of Sight from any point on
their bases, in any direction).
11 Rulebook
 Figure 1
This unit has 3 ranks and 6 files. The
base on the side is a Character with a
Mismatching base that has joined the
unit. The last rank is incomplete and only
contains 3 models. The unit's Footprint is
the area occupied by the bases of all the
models within the unit (the green area).
The Centre of the unit is the centre of the
rectangle drawn around its outer edges
(marked with a red x). The front, side and
rear arcs are defined by using a 135° an-
gle from the unit's edges.

The Footprint is the area covered by the

bases of all models in the unit.

The Boundary Rectangle is the area

drawn around the outer edges of the
unit’s Footprint.

Models, Units and Formations 12 Rulebook

 Sir, on behalf of Empress Sophia I hereby grant you a commission of 5,000 men and 27 galleons for
the purpose of re-establishing control of the imperial colony of Aguadulce. You will set sail this sum-
mer to Virentia, where you will refortify and expand the encampment, and oversee the plantations’
immediate return to productivity.
As you know, the colony was recently abandoned after an encounter with a local species of giant
reptile. This is what we know:
The ancient creatures known as saurians were thought to be nothing but legend until Captain Fer-
nando Cabeza reported several sightings in the jungles around Aguadulce. The reptilians walk on two
legs, carry weapons and other tools, and have appeared in varying forms, most growing to around 4
feet. When the animals reportedly provided our colonists with food during their first winter, Cabeza
determined that their size and lack of intelligence made them perfectly suited to working in the
plantation.
After several months of successfully capturing and harnessing the
labour of many such creatures, Cabeza reported a number of
plantation workers struck down by poisoned darts. The rep-
tiles used a fast-moving, shifting formation that made it dif-
ficult to return fire.
The camp soon came under full-scale attack; the garri-
son of 300 mercenaries and the other colonists were
ordered back behind the palisades. Using pistols and
crossbows, the enemy were temporarily forced back,
but soon returned in larger numbers, using what
Cabeza described as “a huge, be-spiked monster”
to break down the wooden defences. Only a
handful of men returned to the ship.
This report no doubt explains the much larg-
er expeditionary force with which you have
been entrusted. The colony at Aguadulce
is much too profitable to abandon – your
services to the Destrian Empire are of the
utmost importance to its future. The Em-
press herself has expressed an interest and
will be notified of your progress. She ex-
pects great things.
— Letter from Minister Lord Raul Llerena
to Colonel Sabino Virgen, 956 A.S.

Models, Units and Formations 13 Rulebook

 GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Whoever said ‘know thy enemy’ forgot to add ‘from a distance’.
TURN
T he 9 Age: Fantasy Battles is a turn-based
th
game. A standard game lasts for 6 Game
Turns, each divided into two Player Turns. At
the beginning of the game, one player has the
first Player Turn, in which they use their units to
perform various actions, such as moving, casting
spells, or attacking, while their opponent gets to
react. After this, the other player has their first
Player Turn. When this comes to an end, Game
Turn 1 is complete. In Game Turn 2, the first play-
er now has their second Player Turn, and so on,
until both players have completed 6 Player Turns.
This marks the end of the game.
Player Turn
Each Player Turn is divided into four Phases, per-
formed in the following order:
1 Movement Phase
2 Magic Phase
3 Shooting Phase
4 Close Combat Phase
General Principles
— Alvaro Najar, former captive of the vermin swarms
Active and Reactive Player
The Active Player is the player whose turn it cur-
rently is.
The Reactive Player is the player whose turn it
currently is not.
Simultaneous Effects
Whenever two or more effects occur at the same
time, resolve effects controlled by the Active Play-
er first. Each player is free to decide in which or-
der their own simultaneous abilities resolve. If
there is a choice involved (such as abilities that
may or may not be activated), the Active Player
must declare the use of their abilities before the
Reactive Player. Once both players have declared
the use and order of their abilities, resolve their
effects, starting with those of the Active Player.
For example, if both players have abilities that
may be activated at the beginning of the Magic
Phase, the player whose Magic Phase it is must
choose first whether or not they are using their
abilities and in which order. Then the Reactive
Player may choose to use their abilities or not.
After this, the effects of the abilities from both
sides are resolved, starting with the Active Play-
er's abilities.
14 Rulebook
 DICE
Rolling Dice
In The 9th Age: Fantasy Battles, dice are often
used to determine random outcomes. The most
commonly used type is the six-sided dice, named
"D6", with a range from 1 to 6. The effects of a dice
roll are often dependant on whether the rolled
value is equal to or higher than a set value (such
as a dice roll that is successful if the dice rolls ‘3’
or higher). This is often referred to as a “3+” (or
2+, 4+, 6+, etc.). Sometimes, you are called upon
to roll more than one of these dice at the same
time. This is represented by a number before the
type of dice rolled, such as “3D6”, which means to
roll 3 six-sided dice and add the results together.
On other occasions, a dice roll may be modified by
adding or subtracting a number, such as D6+1. In
such cases, simply add the relevant number to, or
subtract it from, the result of the roll. Lastly, some
effects in the game call for rerolling certain dice,
such as “failed to-wound rolls”, or “Ward Save re-
sults of '1'”. When you encounter such situations,
reroll the relevant dice. Note that rerolling a dice
is not considered a modifier.
Dice can only be rerolled once. The second re-
sult is final, no matter the cause/source or result.
General Principles
Rolling a D3
The game sometimes requires the roll of a D3.
This is performed by rolling a D6 and then halv-
ing the result, rounding up, so that the result can
only be 1, 2 or 3. If the game requires a natural ‘1’
or a natural ‘6’ when rolling D3, it always refers to
the value of the D6 before halving.
The Direction Dice
and Random Directions
The Direction Dice is a special six-sided dice with
all sides marked with an arrow. Certain rules may
ask the player to determine a random direction.
In such cases, roll the Direction Dice and then use
the direction in which the arrow points.
Representing the Direction Dice
with a standard D6
Alternatively the Direction Dice can be represent-
ed by rolling a standard six-sided dice and using
the side with a single dot (i.e. the ‘1’) to represent
the direction of an arrow as depicted in Figure 2.
If rolling a result of ‘1’ or ‘6’ (‘1’ and ‘6’ are on op-
posite faces on a standard dice), use the central
dot in the ‘5’ to represent the direction of the ar-
row instead.
Figure 2
Two different ways of representing a Direction
Dice.
15 Rulebook
 BATTLEFIELD
LOGISTICS
I would give half my men for a single reliable report from the field.
— General Schmismark

MEASURING DISTANCES
T he unit of measurement in The 9th Age: Fanta-
sy Battles, is the inch ("). An inch corresponds
to 2.54 cm. All distances and ranges are indicat-
tain distance. Measure the distance between the
closest points. If this distance is less than the giv-
en range, they are considered to be within range.
ed and measured in inches. To determine the This means that a model is always within range
distance between two points on the Battlefield of itself and that the entire model/unit does not
(or two units, or any other elements), you must need to be within range, only a fraction of it.
always measure from the closest points, even if When measuring distances to and from a unit,
the line of measuring goes through any kind of measure from their Boundary Rectangles.
intervening or obstructing element. Ignore such
Players are always allowed to measure any dis-
obstructions for the purposes of measurement.
tance at any time.
The rules often refer to things being within a cer-

Battlefield Logistics 16 Rulebook

 LINE OF SIGHT
A model can trace a Line of Sight to its target (a
point or model) if you can extend a straight line
from the front of its base directly to its target
without leaving the model's front arc and without
being interrupted by Obscuring Terrain or by the
base of a model which has a larger Height than
both the unit and its target. When drawing Line
of Sight from several models inside a unit, this
should be done for each model independently.
Line of Sight cannot be drawn outside the unit's
front arc and models never block Line of Sight to
other models within the same unit. A unit is con-
sidered to have a Line of Sight to a target if one or
more models in the unit has Line of Sight.
Model Height
Models are divided into the following three Heights:
Standard
Any model with one of the following Troop Types:
Infantry, War Beast, Swarm and War Machine.
Large
Any model with one of the following Troop Types:
Cavalry, Monstrous Infantry, Monstrous Beast,
Monstrous Cavalry and Chariot.
Gigantic
Any model with the Towering Presence special rule.

We see a deadly sin on every street corner, in every

home, and we tolerate it. We tolerate it morning,
noon, and night. Well, not anymore. I'm setting the
example. What I've done is going to be studied and
followed... forever.
— Words of Supreme Inquisitor Jän Damhirschkuh

Battlefield Logistics 17 Rulebook

 UNIT SPACING
All units must, under normal circumstances, be
separated by more than 1" from any other units
(friends or foes) and from Impassable Terrain
(remember that distances to units are meas-
ured from their Boundary Rectangles). A unit
may come up to ½" of these elements during the
course of a move but must be kept more than 1"
away once the move ends. Certain forms of move-
ment are specifically allowed to break this spac-
ing rule, with the best example being a charge
which allows a unit to engage enemies in Close
Combat. Other types of moves may allow a unit
to come closer than 1" to friendly units or Im-
passable Terrain, but only a charge allows direct
contact with enemy units. If a unit is allowed to
temporarily break the spacing rule for one reason
or another, it ignores the Unit Spacing rule with
regards to the unit or Impassable Terrain that it is
closer than 1" to, for as long as it remains closer
than 1" (it may however still not move into base
contact with an enemy unit without charging it).
Once the units are separated by more than 1", the
Unit Spacing rule automatically applies again.
Battlefield Logistics
BOARD EDGE
The board edge represents the boundaries of the
game. Units can move temporarily outside the
board edge on the condition that no more than
25% of the unit’s Boundary Rectangle is outside
the board and as long as the move does not end
with any part of the unit outside the board.
Dearest Petrus,
I hope this letter finds its way true. I have wit-
nessed the most incredible things from beyond
the world’s edge, and I wish you were here to
see them. We have returned once again to Fred-
ericksberg, which seems to have grown even in
the few weeks I was away. We sailed north to find
what lies in the oceans between Virentia and Si-
lexia. We followed a chain of islands that swept
in an unerring curve like the rim of some great
terrestrial platter. Each jungle-covered isle has at
its centre a vast obsidian structure, ancient and
ruined, carved with symbols none of us can fath-
om. The islands are deserted and – other than
these gigantic fragments of black stone – they are
unremarkable. But when we attempted to sail be-
tween them and explore what lies on the western
side of their perimeter, we were forced to turn
back. The ship was warped by strange forces,
its wooden beams coated in terrifying, pulsating
growths. Several crewmen were taken ill with
unusual symptoms, and we were even harried by
large, tentacled creatures that lurked in the water
by night. Fortunately, I have survived these trib-
ulations and hope to return to your sweet – and
safe – embrace, as soon as I possibly can.
Your loving Gertrude
930 A.S.
— Letter undelivered by Sonnstahl Postmaster;
recipient deceased
18 Rulebook
Battlefield Logistics 19 Rulebook
 CHARACTERISTICS

We’re strong, they’re puny.

— Famous orcish proverb

THE CHARACTERISTICS Value of 0

When a Characteristic value is 0, it can also be la-
PROFILE belled as a dash (“-”) or an asterisk “*”.
Each model has a Characteristics Profile, which
0 Weapon Skill
contains 9 different Characteristics:
The model part is automatically hit in Close Com-
M Movement bat and can only hit in Close Combat on 6+.
The movement speed of the model, in inches. 0 Ballistic Skill
WS Weapon Skill The model part cannot use Shooting Weapons.
How likely it is for the model to land hits and 0 Strength
avoid being hit in close combat. Attacks with Strength 0 cannot wound.
BS Ballistic Skill 0 Toughness
How likely it is for the model to land a hit with Attacks rolling to wound against a model with
ranged weapons. Toughness 0 wound on 2+.
S Strength 0 Wounds
The higher the strength, the easier it is to wound A model with its Wounds reduced to 0 is removed
other models and crush armour. as a casualty.
T Toughness 0 Attacks
A high toughness withstands blows more easily. A model part with an unmodified Attacks of 0 can
W Wounds never make normal Close Combat Attacks.
When the model loses this many wounds, it is
removed as a casualty. PERFORMING A
I Initiative CHARACTERISTIC TEST
Models with a higher initiative strike first in close To perform a Characteristic Test, roll a D6. If the
combat. result is less than or equal to the tested Charac-
A Attack teristic, the test is passed. Otherwise the test is
The number of times the model can attack in failed. A test always fails on the result of ‘6’. This
close combat. means that models that have a Characteristic with
a value of 0 will automatically fail Characteristic
Ld Leadership
Tests targeting that Characteristic.
Shows the model's discipline and ability to stand
When a model with more than one value for a Char-
and fight.
acteristic (such as a horse and its rider) is called
All Characteristics have a numeric value between upon to take a Characteristic Test, take a single test
0 and 10 and can never go beyond this range. for the combined model, using the highest Charac-
teristic available. When a unit as a whole takes a
Characteristic Test, the highest value is used.

Characteristics 20 Rulebook
 Using Borrowed
Characteristics
In certain situations a model may borrow or use
the Characteristic of another model. In this case
the value of the borrowed Characteristic is taken
after applying any modification from equipment,
spells or special rules to which the owner of the
Characteristic is subject to. Modification from
equipment, spells or special rules that affects the
unit will then be applied to this (following the
rules for Priority of Modifiers below).
Performing a Leadership Test
To perform a Leadership Test, the player rolls 2D6
and compares the result with the Leadership Char-
acteristic of a model. If the roll result is equal to or
less than the Leadership value, the test is passed.
Otherwise, the test is failed. If a unit takes a Lead-
ership Test and more than one Leadership value
is available (for example when a Character joins
a unit), the player may choose which Leadership
value to use.
Many different game mechanics exist that may call
for a Leadership Test, such as performing a Pan-
ic Test or a Break Test. All such game mechanics
are Leadership Tests, regardless of any additional
rules and modifications described in the relevant
sections of the rulebook.
Characteristics
Priority of Modifiers
When Characteristics (or other values) are modi-
fied, modifiers are applied in a strict order:
Characteristics borrowed* or set to certain values
(such as Inspiring Presence or a failed Fear Test)
Multiplications (such as halved, doubled or mul-
tiplied by 3). Unless noted otherwise, round frac-
tions up.
Addition and Subtraction (such as -1 or +3).
*If a borrowed Characteristic is modified, apply
these modifiers before borrowing the Character-
istic.
When several modifiers within the same group are
to be applied, apply them in the following order:
1. Increasing modifiers (something that makes
the value greater) with a maximum value (for
example, "+1 Leadership, to a maximum of 7").
2. Other increasing modifiers.
3. Decreasing modifiers (something that makes
the value smaller) with a minimum value.
4. Other decreasing modifiers.
If a more detailed order is needed, apply modifi-
ers chronologically, starting with the modifier that
was applied first. Remember that Characteristics
can never (not even temporarily) be modified
above 10 or below 0.
This Priority order applies to all modifiers, not
only Characteristic Modifiers.
21 Rulebook
 SETTING UP A GAME

I have never heard of a battle won without solid preparation.

— Tania Féret, military tactician and Equitan Minister of War

BUILDING AN ARMY Seven deadly gods, Seven downward slopes

T he 9th Age: Fantasy Battles includes a series

of Armybooks which contain descriptions of
the different armies. Each army has unique char-
seven ways to prod, seven bloodied hopes
seven holy paths to hell, seven are your burning fires,
and your trip begins seven your desires…
acters, troops, and rules. All unit entries within an
Armybook are divided between different Catego- — From The Child of the Sun,
ries, which may be constrained to represent a min- by Eiserne Jungfrau, Sunnan prelate and poet
imum or maximum percentage of the army cost.
The first step to build an army is to write down a
selection of units, options, and their Point Costs
on a document, called the “Army List”. The exact
composition of an army is subject to certain rules
and restrictions which this chapter will describe
in detail.

Point Costs
Each unit, weapon, upgrade, Magical Item, etc.
costs a certain amount of points. A unit’s Point
Cost is the sum of its starting Point Cost and the
Point Costs of all its additional models and up-
grades. An army’s Point Cost is the sum of all its
units’ Point Costs.

ARMY RESTRICTIONS
An army in The 9th Age: Fantasy Battles is subject
to basic composition rules:

Army Points
Before building an army, decide with your oppo-
nent on the size of the battle, the Army Points.
The combined points value of every unit in your
army, including options and equipment, must not
exceed the Army Points. An army may fall below
the limit only by 40 points or less.

Setting up a Game 22 Rulebook

 Army Categories
All units are separated into Categories. The num-
ber of points one can spend on these Categories
differs and is defined in each Armybook. The Cat-
egory to which a unit belongs is marked in the Ar-
mybook with icons next to the unit entry’s name.
Characters
All armies include a Character Category, compris-
ing heroic leaders and mighty wizards. This Cat-
egory always has a maximum amount of points
that can be spent on it, usually 35% of the Army
Points. All unit entries that belong to this Catego-
ry are also considered Characters and follow the
rules for Characters given in the Character chap-
ter in the rulebook.
Core
Core represents the backbone of the army, a Cate-
gory of units that an army must include. The core
Category will always be given with a minimum
amount of points that must be spent on this Cat-
egory, usually around 25% of the Army Points.
Special
Special is a category with neither a maximum
nor a minimum limit. You are free to spend any
amount of points on units in this Category.
Army specific
On top of the three generic Categories (Charac-
ters, Core, Special), all armies have one or more
army specific Categories, with limits defined
within the Armybook.
The traitor General Fontaine continues to refuse to
see me. I believe he is now little more than a puppet
of his “Queen”, an extraordinary pale beauty, who
fills his head with visions of power and prestige.
She must be dealt with immediately.
— Ambassador Duchess Mathilde to King Henry of
Equitaine in 962 A.S. concerning the ruler of Avras.
Shortly after this missive, an assassin was caught
after failing to kill Fontaine’s wife
Setting up a Game
Units belonging to more than one Category
Some units can be included in more than one
Category, which is represented by more than one
icon next to their entry’s name. In these cases,
simply count the unit’s point cost towards the
limits of all its Categories (but only once towards
the Army Points).
Adding Categories
Choosing certain options can make a unit count
towards another Category in addition to its orig-
inal Category. For example, giving a unit shooting
weapons might make this unit also count towards
the army’s “Ranged Support” Category. This is
marked by a small icon for the Category connect-
ed to an option, appearing to the right of the unit
name and with a description next to this option.
Splitting cost between Categories
In some rare cases a unit’s cost can be split be-
tween different Categories, where the cost for
some particular option is additionally counted
towards a different Category than the unit. This is
marked in the unit entry by a split icon, half rep-
resenting one Category the combined unit counts
towards and half the icon of the other Category
the option counts towards.
For example, a 250 pts Elf Hero, counted towards
the Characters Category, decides to ride a 500
pts Dragon, which is an option marked to count
additionally towards the Beasts and Monsters
Category. In this case, the player must count the
combined unit point cost (250 + 500 = 750 pts)
towards Characters and the Dragon point cost
(500 pts) towards Beasts and Monsters.
23 Rulebook
 Duplication Limits
Certain units and options are limited in number
in the army.
0-X items per army
Some items in the Armybooks are marked with
“0-X items per army” (for example “0-2 Units per
Army”, “0-2 Models per Army”, “0-2 Mounts per
Army”, “0-2 Upgrade per Army” etc). Such items
can be included from zero to X times in the same
army. The maximum limit (X) is doubled for
Grand Armies and halved for Warbands, rounding
fractions up (see below).
One of a Kind
Units, upgrades, and items marked as “One of a
Kind” may only be taken once per army. This is
not changed for Warbands or Grand Armies.
Setting up a Game
Additional Restrictions
Minimum Army Size
Every army must contain a minimum of 4 units,
excluding Characters. For this purpose, all units
with the War Machine Troop Type count together
as one.
The General
One Character in the army must be named the
General. At least one Character must therefore be
included in the army who is eligible to fulfill this
role. The General must be the Character with the
highest Leadership in your army, excluding the
Battle Standard Bearer and Characters with the
special rule "Not A Leader". If two (or more) el-
igible Characters are tied for highest Leadership,
you are free to choose which Character is your
General. This must be noted in the Army List.
24 Rulebook
 WARBANDS AND
GRAND ARMIES
The rules for army composition are modified de-
pending on the size of an army. An army that is
unusually small or unusually large is subject to
the following rules.
Warbands
Armies of 3000 points or less are called Warbands.
The minimum army size is decreased to 3 units.
Warband duplicate limit
All 0-X Units per Army, 0-X Choice per Army and
0-X Models per Army are halved for Warbands,
rounding fractions up.
Grand Armies
Armies of 8000 points or more are called Grand
Armies.
Grand Army duplicate limit
All 0-X Units per Army, 0-X Choice per Army and
0-X Models per Army are doubled for Grand Ar-
mies.
HIDDEN OR OPEN LISTS ?
Rules are written and balanced based on the prin-
ciple of openness, i.e. your opponent knows with
which Magical Items your models are equipped.
We encourage players to share their full Army
Lists with their opponents at the start of the game.
This Army List should include all units, unit op-
tions, Magical Items, special abilities, point costs,
and so on. The only things that are not open to
your opponent are things that are explicitly stat-
ed as hidden or secret. Note that the presence of
an assassin in the army (and its equipment) is
still open.
OPTIONAL RULES
FOR HIDDEN LISTS
Some players may prefer to use so-called hidden
lists. For such players, we include the hidden list
rules. Please note that the game is not balanced
with these rules in mind. In this format, most of
your army roster will be open (meaning that your
opponent should know what your army consists
of before the game starts).
Setting up a Game
However, some parts of your army are secret or
“hidden”. Both players should provide their oppo-
nent with the open part of their army (a “mun-
dane Army List”) before the game begins.
The following is included in the hidden part of
your army.
1. Magical Items that are picked from the com-
mon list of Magical Items.
2. Magical Items that are specific to Armybooks,
as well as any option that follows the rules for
Magical Items such as Daemonic Items and
Dwarven Runes.
Anything not on that list belongs to the open part
of the Army List. In addition, all Magical Items
(and similar) that have a mundane part should be
presented with the open part of your army (such
as a Magical Weapon's or Magical Armour's type).
If an army has two or more units or models that
are identical regarding their open part but have
hidden differences, the player must be able to tell
the units apart in the hidden list. For example if
a player fields two units identical in every way
except that one has a Magical Standard and the
other doesn’t, the Army List may specify that the
unit with the Magical Standard has a red banner
while the unit with a blue banner possesses no
such Magical Item.
Revealing Magical Items
A Magical Item (or similar) must be revealed the
first time it is used. An item is considered as being
used when it affects or could affect the game in
any way. For example:
• It affects a dice roll (even if the actual result of
the dice has no effect).
• It alters an attack (such as a Magical Weapon,
or any item with a special rule that affects an
attack).
• It alters a saving throw (reveal the item before
rolling the saving throw). Note that an item
that affects the save the same way as the mun-
dane counterpart would (such as many magi-
cal shields) does not need to be revealed.
An item that increases movement only counts as
being used if the unit moves further than it could
without it or when charging (declare that you
have the item before rolling the charge distance
but after reactions are taken). When revealing
Dwarven Runic Items, only reveal the rune that is
being used, not the entire combined item.
25 Rulebook
 THE PRE-GAME
SEQUENCE
Makeitworkmakeitworkmakeitwork!!!
— Last words of Alfred von Haupt, steam tank operator

P layers must go through several steps in order

to set up a game of The 9th Age: Fantasy Bat-
tles. These steps are referred to as the pre-game
sequence. The first and foremost step is to find
a suitable opponent and agree on the size of the
game. The players may then share their Army
Lists and begin building the Battlefield, followed
by randomizing the deployment type, randomiz-
ing the Secondary Objectives of the game, de-
termining Deployment Zones, and generating
Wizard spells. The last step will consist of going
through what is called the Deployment.
Before the game can begin, some preparations
have to be made.
1 Decide on Game Size.
2 Share Army List with Opponent.
3 Build the Battlefield.
4 Randomize Deployment Type.
5 Randomize Secondary Objectives.
6 Determine Deployment Zones.
7 Generate Spells.
8 Deployment Phase.
The Size of the Game
In The 9th Age: Fantasy Battles, two armies oppos-
ing each other on the battlefield must have rough-
ly the same point cost. This ensures that the bat-
tle will be decided through the clever strategies
and tactics of the players rather than by an unfair
difference in army size. The first step to setting
up a game is to agree on the total point cost of the
army that each player will bring. This pre-deter-
mined point cost will henceforth correspond to
the size of the game. Armies are typically worth
between 1500 and 3000 points for small engage-
ments, between 3000 and 8000 points for seri-
ous battles and beyond 8000 points for mighty
clashes between epic armies. For the most bal-
anced gaming experience, we recommend battles
around 4500 points.
Sharing Army Lists
After deciding the size of the game, the next step is
for both players to swap Army Lists and share all
relevant information about the upcoming game.
Alternatively, the players may agree to keep cer-
tain aspects about their armies secret, which they
will progressively reveal during the course of the
game. For more information please see the sec-
tion on Hidden Lists.

The Pre-Game Sequence 26 Rulebook

 Building the Battlefield
A game of The 9th Age: Fantasy Battles is played
on a board that is 72" wide and 48" deep. For
smaller battles involving Warbands, it is recom-
mended to use a board that is 36" wide and 48"
deep, while for bigger games involving Grand
Armies it is recommended to adjust the size de-
pending on the size of the armies. While some
battles may take place on a completely flat board,
a Battlefield typically has Terrain Features placed
upon it. The players can freely agree on the size,
type and number of Terrain Features to be placed,
as well as their positions. If an agreement cannot
be reached, the game provides the following de-
fault rules for setting up a randomly generated
Battlefield.
• First, divide the gaming board into 24" x 24"
sections (18" x 24" if the board is 36" x 48").
• Place the following Terrain Features in the
centre of a randomly selected section (max
1 piece in each section): One Building or Im-
passable Terrain (randomly decide which of
the two), one Hill, and one Forest. Then move
each Terrain piece 2D6" in a random direction.
• Next, add 2D3 (1D3 if the board is 36" x 48")
additional pieces of Terrain following the rules
above to determine their positions. Roll a D6
and consult the table below to determine the
type of each additional Terrain Feature.
1 Hill
2 Forest
3 Field
4 Water
5 Wall
6 Ruin
• All Terrain Features must be placed at least 6"
away from each other. You may move the piec-
es as little as possible from their rolled posi-
tion in order to meet this criterion. If it is not
possible to place the Terrain piece more than
6" away from any other Terrain then discard
the problematic piece.
• Recommended Terrain piece sizes are be-
tween 6" x 8" and 6" x 10" except for Walls
which are 1" x 10".

The Pre-Game Sequence 27 Rulebook

 Deployment Type
Randomize which deployment type to use by rolling a D6 and consulting the following table.

1-2: Frontline Clash

The Table is divided into halves by a straight line through the
centre of the board, parallel to the table's long edges. Deploy-
ment Zones are areas more than 12" away from this line.

3-4: Refused Flank

The Table is divided into halves by a diagonal line across the
table. Whoever gets to choose the Deployment Zone decides
which diagonal to use. Deployment Zones are areas more than
9" away from this line.

5: Encircle
The Table is divided into halves by a straight line through the
centre of the board, parallel to the table's long edges. The play-
er who gets to choose the Deployment Zone decides if they
want to be the attacker or the defender. The attacker may de-
ploy more than 9" from the central line if within ¼ of the ta-
ble's length from either table edge (18" on a 72" table), and
more than 15" from the central line elsewhere. The defender
does the opposite: more than 15" away from the central line if
within ¼ of the table's length from the table’s short edges, and
more than 9" away from the central line elsewhere.

6: Counterthrust
The Table is divided into halves by a straight line through the
centre of the board, parallel to the table's long edges. Deploy-
ment Zones are areas more than 6" away from this line. No
unit can be deployed within 18" of an enemy unit (excluding
special deployment such as Scouts).
Players must deploy only a single unit on their deployment
turn (all characters and all war machines still count as a single
deployed unit).

The Pre-Game Sequence 28 Rulebook

 Secondary Objectives
Before picking Deployment Zones, randomize
which Secondary Objective to use by rolling a D6
and consulting the table below.
1-2 Hold the Ground
3-4 Breakthrough
5 Capture the Flags
6 Secure Target
Hold the Ground
Secure and hold the Battlefield centre. Place a
marker to show the centre of the Board if needed.
Breakthrough
Invade the enemy territory. Keep track of the De-
ployment Zones.
Capture the Flags
Valuable targets must be annihilated. After mov-
ing Vanguards, before determining who has
the first Player Turn, both players take turns in
openly choosing three enemy units with Scoring,
or will choose all units with Scoring if there are
fewer than four in the army. The player that fin-
ished deploying first chooses a unit with Scoring
first. Units with Scoring not currently on the table
(such as Ambushing units) may still be chosen.
Secure Target
Critical resources must not fall into enemy hands.
After determining Deployment Zones, both play-
ers place one marker on the Battlefield, starting
with the player that picked Deployment Zone.
Each player must place the marker more than 12"
away from their Deployment Zone and 24" away
from the other marker.
See the Victory Conditions section for more de-
tails on how to capture an objective and the im-
pact on the Victory Points at the end of the game.
Deployment Zones
In Frontline Clash and Counterthrust deployment
types the players must pick one of the long board
edges as their Deployment Zone, while in a Re-
fused Flank deployment type, the players must
pick one of the corners. In an Encircle deployment
type the players must decide who is the attack-
er or defender. To determine which player uses
which Deployment Zone, randomize the player
that chooses their Deployment Zone. For example,
a player may roll a D6 and get to choose on a 4+
The Pre-Game Sequence
Generating Spells
Starting with the player that picked their Deploy-
ment Zone, each player must now generate spells
for all their Wizards. To do this, pick a Wizard and
consult the chosen Path of Magic (the Path used
by the Wizard must be noted on the Army List).
All Magic Paths can be found in Fantasy Battles:
The 9th Age: Paths of Magic.
Spells numbered 1-6
All Paths contain “Learned Spells”, which are
Spells numbered 1 through 6. Roll a D6 for each
Spell the Wizard has to see which spells the Wiz-
ard can cast in this battle. If a '1' is rolled, the
Wizard knows the Learned Spell number 1, and
so on. If a duplicate Learned Spell is rolled (either
because another Wizard in the same army has al-
ready rolled the spell or because the same Wiz-
ard rolled a double), the Wizard must replace the
duplicate result with another freely chosen spell
from the same Path that has not already been
rolled.
Spells numbered 0
Some paths include Spells labelled number 0.
This is a special type of Learned Spell for which
a Wizard may exchange one of its other Learned
Spells in the same Path. Note that this spell can-
not be duplicated.
Two Wizards in the same army cannot know the
same Learned Spells, and no Wizard can know a
single Learned Spell more than once (if you are
unable to replace the duplicate Learned Spells
with a Spell not known by any other friendly Wiz-
ard, the spell is lost). Spells that are not generat-
ed using these rules (such as spells belonging to
Wizards with predetermined spells, or any Bound
Spells) are ignored for the purpose of duplicated
spells. A player can have more than one such spell
in the army.
Spells numbered “A” or “T”
Some paths include Spells labelled as either “A” or
“T”. These are special types of spells called Attrib-
ute Spells and Trait Spells respectively. Any Wiz-
ard that knows at least one Learned Spell from
the Path also knows the Attribute and/or Trait
Spells of the same path in addition to its other
Spells.
29 Rulebook
 DEPLOYMENT PHASE

No one can truly command the loyalty and obedience of a hundred thousand howling creatures from the
nether realms, but I can... inspire them. And I will accomplish magnificent things.
— Greater Daemon of Greed (name cannot be rendered in human language)

DEPLOYMENT PHASE Deploy Remaining Units

SEQUENCE The other player must now deploy the rest of
their army. Count how many units are deployed
1 Decide on Game Size. in this step and remember the value. This value
is called the “Undeployed Units Number” and will
2 Share Army List with Opponent. be used at the end of this sequence. As before, de-
3 Build the Battlefield. ploying all remaining War Machines and Charac-
ters counts as one unit each.
4 Randomize Deployment Type.
5 Randomize Secondary Objectives.
6 Determine Deployment Zones.
7 Generate Spells.
8 Deployment Phase.

Determine Who Deploys First

The player who did not choose the Deployment
Zone decides which player deploys first.

Deploy Units
The players then take turns deploying their units
fully inside their own Deployment Zone. On each
of their turns, a player must deploy at least one
unit but may choose to deploy any number of
units. All units with the War Machine Troop Type
count as a single unit during the Deployment
Phase and must all be deployed at the same time.
The same goes for all Characters. Once a player
has deployed all of their units (excluding units
that are not deployed using the normal rules,
such as scouting or ambushing units), that player
must announce whether they will roll to play first
or second.
Other Rules And Abilities
Put into effect all remaining rules and abilities
described as taking place right before the battle.
Roll For First Turn
Both players must now roll a D6. The player that
finished deploying first adds the “Undeployed
Units Number” score to their dice roll.
If the player who finished deploying first gets a
higher result, they play first or second as was pre-
viously announced.
If the score is a tie or the player who finished de-
ploying second wins, they can now choose which
player has the first turn.

Deployment Phase 30 Rulebook

Deployment Phase 31 Rulebook
 MOVEMENT PHASE

Go ahead, run. The joy is in the chase.

— Attributed to Bragh, the Black Bull, scourge of Vetia

THE MOVEMENT PHASE DECLARING CHARGES

SEQUENCE If you want any of your units to engage an enemy
unit in Close Combat, you must declare which of
The Movement Phase is divided into the follow-
your units will attempt to charge which enemy
ing steps.
unit, one at a time. Each time the Active Player de-
Start of the Movement Phase (and clares a charge, the Reactive Player must declare
1
start of the Player Turn). the charged unit's Charge Reaction.
2 Declare Charges. Charges can only be declared at targets that are in
the charging unit’s Line of Sight and that the charg-
3 Move Chargers.
ing unit has a chance of completing the charge
4 Compulsory Moves. against. This means that the target unit must be
within the charger's potential Charge Range and
5 Remaining Moves.
there must be enough room to move the charger
6 End of Movement Phase. into base contact with its target. When consider-
ing if a charge is possible, do not take potential Flee
Charge Reactions into account (not even manda-
tory ones), but do take already declared charges
into account (since charging models might have a
chance to move out of the way).

Charge Reactions
A unit that has a charge declared against it must
immediately declare its Charge Reaction, before
any more charges are declared. There are three
different Charge Reactions: “Hold”, “Stand and
Shoot” and “Flee”.
Hold
A Hold reaction means that
the unit does nothing. A unit
Engaged in Combat can only
choose a Hold reaction.

Movement Phase 32 Rulebook

 Stand and Shoot
A Stand and Shoot reaction may be taken if the
charged unit has Shooting Weapons, the charg-
ing unit has more than half of its frontage in the
reacting unit’s Front Arc and the charging unit is
further away than its Movement value (using the
lowest value among the charging models if it has
more than one). The charged unit immediately
performs a Shooting Attack as if in the Shooting
Phase, even if the enemy is beyond the weapon's
maximum Range. (Remember to apply any appli-
cable modifiers like Long Range and Stand and
Shoot). After this, follow the rules for Hold reac-
tion. A unit can only choose this Charge Reaction
once per turn, even if it is charged multiple times.
Flee
The charged unit immediately flees directly away
from the charging enemy (in the direction of a
line drawn from the Centre of the charging unit
through the Centre of the charged unit). After a
unit completes the Flee movement, any unit that
declared a charge towards this unit may immedi-
ately attempt to Redirect their Charge. An already
fleeing unit that is charged must always choose
to flee.
Redirecting a Charge
When a unit chooses the Flee Charge Reaction,
the charger may try to Redirect the Charge. If so,
roll a Leadership Test. If failed, the unit will try to
complete the charge towards the unit that fled. If
passed, the unit can immediately declare a new
charge towards another viable target unit, which
may choose their Charge Reaction as normal. If
more than one unit declared a charge against the
fleeing unit, each may try to redirect its charge in
any order chosen by the Active Player. A unit can
only redirect a charge once per turn. If the situa-
tion arises that a unit redirects a charge and the
second target also flees, the charging unit may opt
to Charge either target, but must declare which
before rolling the Charge Range.
Movement Phase
Move Chargers
Once all charges and Charge Reactions have been
declared, chargers will try to move into combat.
Choose a unit that has declared a charge in this
phase and roll its Charge Range and move the
Charger. Repeat this with all units that have De-
clared a Charge this phase.
Charge Range
A unit's Charge Range is normally 2D6, plus the
unit's Movement Characteristic. If this is equal to
or higher than the distance between the charg-
er and its intended target, the Charge Range is
sufficient and the charger can proceed to make
a Charge Move (provided it has enough space).
If the Charge Range is less than the distance (or
there is no space to complete the charge), the
charge has failed and the charger performs a
Failed Charge Move.
Charge Move
A Charge Move is resolved as follows:
• The unit may move forward an unlimited dis-
tance.
• A single Wheel can be performed during the
move. This Wheel may not exceed 90°.
• The front of the charging unit must contact the
enemy unit in the Facing where the more than
half of the charging unit's frontage was when
the charge was declared (see figure 4). If the
frontage of the charging unit is equally split in
two, randomize which of the two Facings the
unit is in before declaring any Charges.
• The charging unit ignores the Unit Spacing
rule. It can still only move into base contact
with an enemy which it declared a charge
against.
33 Rulebook
 Aligning Units Charge Fleeing Unit
If the charger manages to move into base contact, When charging a fleeing unit, follow the same
the units must now be aligned towards each oth- rules as for a normal Charge Move, except that
er so that the contacting facings are parallel and the charging unit can move into contact with any
in contact. To accomplish this manoeuvre, the Ac- Facing of its target, no aligning is made and no
tive Player rotates the charging unit around the maximizing of base to base contact is taken into
point where it contacted the enemy, towards the consideration. Once the charger reaches base
enemy. If this will not bring the two units into full contact with the fleeing target, the fleeing unit is
contact, for example due to interfering Terrain or removed as a casualty. The charging unit can take
other units, players may rotate the charged unit a Leadership Test. If the test it passed, the unit
instead (towards the charging unit) if this will may perform a Post-Combat Pivot manoeuvre.
achieve proper contact between them, or do a
combination of the two, rotating the enemy unit
as little as possible. The charged unit should only
be moved if it is the only way to align the units,
and it can never be moved if it is already Engaged
in Combat. These moves are considered part of
the Charge Move and thus ignore the Unit Spacing
rule. A unit that is forced to make an Align Move
when it is charged never has to take Dangerous
Terrain Tests due to this move.
Maximizing Contact
Charge moves must be made so the following
conditions are satisfied as best as possible, in de-
creasing priority.
• 1st priority: Not charging more than one en-
emy unit. If unavoidable to charge more than
one unit, all units that are charged this way
may declare Charge Reactions.
• 2nd priority: Not rotating (see Aligning Units)
the charged unit at all. If rotating the charged
unit is unavoidable, rotate the unit as little
as possible. Remember that units Engaged in
Multiple Charges
Combat are never rotated.
If more than one unit has declared a charge
• 3rd priority: The total number of friendly units
against a single enemy unit, charges are moved
in the Combat is maximized (note that this is
in a slightly different manner. Roll Charge Range
only applicable when multiple units charge
for all the units charging that same unit before
the same unit).
moving any of them. Once it has been established
• 4th priority: The number of models (on both which units will reach their target, move the
sides) in base contact with at least one enemy charging units (and/or the Failed Charges) in the
model is maximized (including models Fight- order that best satisfies the priority order of the
ing Over Gaps). Maximizing Contact rule.
If it is unavoidable to break one or more of the
Impossible Charge
above conditions, you must avoid breaking the
When moving the charges, this sometimes results
more prioritized conditions (lower numbers),
in a situation where units block each other from
even if this means the total number of condi-
reaching combat (or there is not enough space to
tions you break are more numerous. As long as
fit all chargers). When this happens, the units that
all above conditions are satisfied as best as possi-
can no longer make it into combat make a Failed
ble, charging units are free to move as they please
Charge Move.
(obeying the rules for Move Chargers).

Movement Phase 34 Rulebook

 Blocked Path
To prevent certain abusive situations where a
unit​cannot charge an enemy unit​well within
Charge Range and Line of Sight due to a convo-
luted positioning of enemy units, the following
rules are applied. If a unit​is unable to complete a
charge solely due to unengaged enemy units that
it could not charge (normally), it can make a spe-
cial Charge Move: Move the unit​straight forward
up to its Charge Range. If this brings it into base
contact with the enemy, the enemy is charged. In-
stead of doing the normal Aligning Units, the ene-
my performs a Combat Reform to bring the units
into alignment with each other. Combat reform
so that the facing in which the unit was charged
is preserved, so that the charged unit​does not
change its number of ranks or files, and so that the
number of models (on both sides) in base contact
with an enemy is maximized. If it is not possible
to align the units without changing the number of
ranks or files, you may change number of ranks or
files and do not have to maximize models in base
contact. If the enemy unit​ is unable to perform a
Combat Reform to Align the units, the Blocked
Path Charge Move cannot be performed.
Movement Phase
Failed Charge
If a unit does not roll a sufficient Charge Range,
or is unable to complete the Charge for other rea-
sons, it performs a Failed Charge Move instead.
The highest D6 rolled when rolling Charge Range
is the move distance. Wheel the unit so that a for-
ward movement will move the centre of the unit
towards the centre of its intended target, and
then move forward. Note that this is not a Charge
Move and thus the Unit Spacing rule is not ig-
nored. If the charged unit was destroyed before
moving the charger, mark the final centre of the
unit and move towards that point. A unit that has
failed a Charge cannot move any further in this
movement phase and cannot shoot in the subse-
quent Shooting Phase.
To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they
misname empire; and where they make a wilder-
ness, they call it peace.
— From the Orcanium
(De origine et situ Orcorum Goblinorumque)
by Avrasi historian Explicitus
35 Rulebook
a) b) Figure 3
More than half of the charging
unit's frontage is in the ene-
my's front arc, so the charging
unit must contact the front
facing.

a) b) Figure 4
Example of Charge where
Blocked Path is applicable.
Blue unit Charges the left-
most green unit, but neither
the units cannot be Aligned
towards each other, solely due
to the rightmost yellow unit.
Blue unit performs a Blocked
Path move: It moved forward
until it contacts the green unit,
which then performs a combat
reform to Align the units.

a) 1 2 Figure 5
The charging purple unit tries
to maximize models in base
contact. However the units
cannot be aligned without the
charged unit making an Align
Move (a). Since the charging
unit can move into contact
without the enemy Aligning
(b), it must do so instead.
b) 1 2

Movement Phase 36 Rulebook

a) Figure 6
a) Multiple units declaring a Charge
against single unit. Follow the prior-
ity given by Maximizing Contact.
1. Not rotating
2. Maximize the number of units in the
combat
3. Maximize the number of models in
base contact with an enemy

b) b) The number of units (4) is maxi-

mized. Once this is satisfied the num-
ber of models in base contact must
be maximised (11 models: 7 vs 4)

c) c) The number of units (4) is maxi-

mized. Once this is satisfied the num-
ber of models in base contact must
be maximised (11 models: 7 vs 4)

d) d) The number of units (4) is maxi-

mized. But the number of models
in base contact must be maximised
(10: 6 vs 4)

e) e) The number of units (3) is not maxi-

mized.

Movement Phase 37 Rulebook

 COMPULSORY MOVES
In the Compulsory Moves sub-phase, models that
do not have a choice concerning whether to move
or not (such as fleeing units, units with Random
Movement or units that have failed a Stupidi-
ty Test) must move. First, roll Rally Tests for all
fleeing friendly units (and make the appropriate
moves after the tests passed or failed), then move
your non-fleeing units that move in the Compul-
sory Moves sub-phase, in any order.
Rally Tests
At the start of the Compulsory Moves sub-phase,
each fleeing friendly unit must take a Leadership
Test (in an order chosen by the Active Player).
Units that are at 25% or less of their starting
number (unit size on army list), including joined
Characters, must take this Leadership Test at half
their Leadership (round fractions up). For exam-
ple; a unit started the game as 40 models, was re-
duced to 9 models, but two Characters had joined
the unit. This unit takes a Rally Test on its nor-
mal Leadership. Any unit that passes its test is no
longer considered fleeing and may immediately
perform a Reform. A unit that has rallied cannot
move any further in this movement phase and
cannot shoot in the subsequent Shooting Phase.
If the test is failed, the unit immediately performs
a Flee Move.
Flee Moves
To perform a Flee Move, roll the Flee Distance,
which is normally 2D6". Move the fleeing unit this
distance straight-forward. If this move should
make the fleeing unit end its move within 1" of
another unit or Impassable Terrain, extend the
Flee Distance with the minimum distance needed
for the unit to get clear of all such obstructions.
If fleeing models move through enemy models or
Impassable Terrain, they must take a Dangerous
Terrain (3) Test. If the Flee Move takes the flee-
ing unit into contact with (or beyond) the Board
Edge, the unit is destroyed. Remove the unit as
a casualty as soon as it touches the Board Edge
(possibly causing Panic Tests to nearby units).
Note that Flee Moves are often preceded by a Piv-
ot. If this is the case, this Pivot follows the same
rules as the Flee Move. Flee Moves ignore all ob-
structions.
Movement Phase
Fleeing Units
When a unit is fleeing, it cannot perform any vol-
untary actions (a voluntary actions is an action
that a unit would normally have the option to
not to perform). This includes (but is not limit-
ed to): Declare Charges, Charge Reaction (oth-
er than flee), Move in any way other than a Flee
Move, Shoot, Channel, Cast Spells, Dispel Spells,
or activate “One Use Only” items which need to
be activated. Other models cannot receive Inspir-
ing Presence or Hold Your Ground from a fleeing
model.
REMAINING MOVES
In the Remaining Moves sub-phase, units that ha-
ven't moved in this phase yet will get a chance to
do so.
1. Start of the Remaining Moves sub-phase
Phase. Reinforcements arrive.
2. Choose a unit to move and a type of move (Ad-
vance, March, Reform), then move it.
3. Repeat step 2, each time choosing a new unit
that has not yet moved in the Movement Phase.
4. Once all units that can (and want to) move have
done so, the Remaining Moves sub-phase ends.
Advance Move
When performing an Advance Move, a unit can
move forward, backwards or to either side (side-
step). However, it cannot move in more than one
of these directions during an Advance Move. Units
consisting of a single model can always perform
any number of Pivots during an Advance Move.
When performing an Advance Move, no model
can move more than its Movement value, from its
starting to ending position. If the move was made
as part of a Swift Reform, this distance is meas-
ured from the position after the reform.
Forward: The unit moves forward a distance up
to its Movement Characteristic. During a forward
Advance Move, a unit may perform any number of
Wheel Manoeuvres.
Backwards: The unit moves backwards a dis-
tance up to half its Movement Characteristic. For
example, a unit with Movement Characteristic 5
could move backwards 2½".
Sidestep: The unit moves to either side a distance
up to half its Movement Characteristic.
38 Rulebook
 March Move Reform
When performing a March Move, the unit can only Mark the Centre of the unit. Remove the unit from
move forward, up to twice its Movement Character- the Battlefield, and then place it back on the Bat-
istic. During a March Move a unit may perform any tlefield in any legal formation and facing any di-
number of Wheel Manoeuvres. When March mov- rection (following the Unit Spacing rule) with its
ing, no model can move more than twice its Move- Centre in the same place as before. After the Re-
ment value, from its starting to ending position. form, no single model can be further away from
If there are enemy units within 8" of a unit that its starting position (before the reform) than
wishes to perform a March Move (before the unit twice its Movement Characteristic. A unit that has
is actually moved), the unit must take a March Reformed cannot shoot in the Shooting Phase.
Test. Take a Leadership Test. If the test is passed,
the unit may proceed with its March Move as nor-
mal. If the test is failed, the unit must still make a
March Move, however, it can only move up to its
Movement Characteristic. A unit that has Marched
cannot shoot in the Shooting Phase. Units con-
sisting of a single model can always perform any
number of Pivots during a March Move.

PIVOTS AND WHEELS

When a unit Pivots (a move mostly used by single model units), mark the Centre of the unit. Remove
the unit from the Battlefield, and then place it back on the Battlefield again facing any direction with its
Centre in the same place as before (following the Unit Spacing rule, as normal).
When a unit Wheels, rotate the unit forward, around either of its front corners. The distance moved by
the unit is equal to distance covered by the outer edge of the outermost model in the front rank, see fig-
ure 7. All models in the unit are considered to have moved this distance.

a) b) c)

Figure 7
All units in the above examples have Movement 5.
a) The green unit makes two b) The turquoise unit makes a c) The yellow unit makes two
Wheels during a March Move. single Wheel during its March Wheels during its March Move.
This unit counts as moving 10" Move. However, even though This unit counts as moving 10"
(since you measure distances the outer model has only (since you measure distanc-
from the outermost model’s moved 9", there are models in es from the outermost mod-
outer edge). the unit that are more than el’s outer edge). Note that no
10" from their starting posi- model has moved more than
tion, making this move illegal 10" from its starting position.
(see March Move).

Movement Phase 39 Rulebook

 MAGIC PHASE

Some of you will graduate with distinction. And some of you will graduate with tentacles.
— Margaretha Phagus, Dean of the Aschau College of High Magic, to new students, said in jest (probably)

T he world is divided into two spheres, the mortal and immortal. They rest atop one another as a mask
rests upon an actor’s face. You and all you have ever known resides in the physical world, with its
trees and slopes, which we can see and touch.
But there is another world, totally unknowable, as invisible to our eyes as that mask is to those of the
actor, but just as close – the world of magic. Here gods and demons dwell, here lie wonders unseen by
any mortal eye. Here flows the wellspring of the flux: pouring from beneath Sunna’s very throne. The Veil
is all that separates the immortal and mortal realms.
The flux, the essence of magic, seeps from the invisible sphere to the visible as through cracks in a glass.
At most times the flow is imperceptible and steady. But at times of great cataclysm – just twice in history
that we know of – the Veil has been shattered for a moment, and the true devastation of raw magic has
poured through the gap, killing many and leaving daemons to feast on the remains. Magicians use the
flux of the immortal realm to create their magics or to quell the attempts of others. It can turn base met-
als to gold and base men to dust. Like water it can be stored, though not in cups, and like fuel it can be
quickly exhausted. Magicians then, are artisans of this flux, bending the outpouring of the Unseen Land
to their will, we hope, for Sonnstahl and the glory of Sunna.
— From the “educational” speeches of itinerant wizard Marco Iandoli, at the village of Börnichen

Magic Phase 40 Rulebook

In the Magic Phase, your Wizards can cast spells
and your opponent can try to dispel those spells.
WIZARDS
Models that can cast (non-bound) spells are re-
ferred to as Wizards. All Wizards have the Chan-
nel special rule.
Wizard Apprentices
Wizard Apprentices add +1 to their casting and
dispel rolls.
Wizard Masters
Wizard Masters add +2 to their casting and dispel
rolls.
Number of Spells
All wizards know as many Learned Spells as stat-
ed on their their profile.
Sir, the cargo you ordered be sent to Sagarika has
been detained and impounded by the Goblin King
west of the Barren Mountains. As I have repeat-
edly advised, the King possesses far greater wit
than you give him credit, and our deception as to
the quality of the goods we were sending failed to
dupe his staff. I will state once more for the record
that I believe the only way to secure a long-term
overland route through this region is free and fair
negotiation with His Majesty. This will no longer be
an easy task.
— Letter intercepted between Qassari merchants
Magic Phase
SPELLS
Spells can be cast during the Magic Phase. The
spells a Wizard knows are usually randomized
before the game, using the rules given under Gen-
erate Spells. Most spells belong to a specific Path
of Magic. Each of your Wizards has to choose an
available Path of Magic to generate spells from;
this choice has to be written down in your Army
List. All spells are divided into one of the follow-
ing three categories:
Learned Spells
Learned Spells are Spells that are labeled by a
number, between 0 and 6. These spells have no
additional effects beyond how they are generated
(see Generating Spells)
Trait Spells
Trait Spells are Spells that are labeled by a “T”.
These spells have no additional effects beyond
how they are generated: All Wizards that gener-
ate at least one Spell from a Path automatically
know the Path’s Trait Spell.
Attribute Spells
Attribute Spells are Spells that are labelled by an
“A”. All Wizards that generate at least one Spell
from a Path automatically know the Path Attrib-
ute.
Path Attributes are special spells that cannot be
cast independently. Instead, if the caster wishes
the caster may cast the Attribute Spell automati-
cally each time it successfully casts a non-Attrib-
ute Spell from the same Path. Attributes cannot
be dispelled.
41 Rulebook
 Spell Properties
All spells are defined by the following 5 properties:
Spell Name
Use the spell name to state which spell you intend
to cast.
Casting Value
The Casting Value is the minimum value you need
to reach to succeed a Casting Attempt. Spells
may have different Casting Values available (see
Boosted Spells).
Type
A spell's Type describes how the spell's targets
have to be chosen. A spell can have more than one
type. If so, apply all targeting restrictions at the
same time. For example, if a spell has the types
“Range 12”, “Hex”, and “Direct”, the target must be
within 12", be an enemy unit and be in the cast-
er's front arc. Unless stated otherwise, a spell can
only have one target.
Duration
A spell's Duration determines how long the ef-
fects of the spell are applied.
Effect
The Effect of a spell defines what happens to the
target of the spell when the spell is successfully
cast. Spell Effects are never affected by special
rules, Magical Items, other spell’s Effects or simi-
lar abilities granting the spellcasting model some
benefit, unless noted otherwise.
Magic Phase
Boosted Spells
Some spells have more than one Casting Value, the
higher Casting Values being called the 'boosted'
versions of the spell. Boosted versions may have
their Range and/or target restrictions modified
(for example giving the spell a longer Range), or
the effects of the spell may change. Declare if you
are trying to cast a Boosted version (and which
one, if the spell has more than one) before roll-
ing any dice. If no declaration is made, the lowest
available Casting Value for the chosen target is as-
sumed to be used.
Spell Types
A spell's Type describes which target(s) can be
chosen for the spell. Unless stated otherwise, the
target must be a single unit.
Augment
Spells with the “Augment” Type may only choose
friendly units (or models inside units if focused)
as targets.
Aura
Auras are “area of effect” spells. All legal and pos-
sible targets (according to the rest of the Spell
Types) have to be chosen as targets of the aura
spell. For example, a spell with “Aura”, “Augment”
and “Range 12"” targets all friendly units within
12".
42 Rulebook
 Caster
Spells with the target restriction “Caster” target
only the model casting the spell (unless Focused,
all model parts are affected).
Caster's Unit
Spells with the target restriction “Caster's unit ”
target only the caster's unit.
Damage
Spells with the target restriction “Damage” may
only choose targets not currently Engaged in
Combat.
Direct
Spells with the target restriction “Direct” may
only choose targets which are in the caster's front
arc.
Focused
With a “Focused” spell, only single models can be
chosen as targets (including a Character inside a
unit). If the target is a multipart model (such as a
chariot with riders and pulling beasts, or a knight
and its mount), only one part may be chosen as
the target.
Hex
Spells with the target restriction “Hex” may only
choose enemy units (or models inside units if Fo-
cused) as targets.
Ground
Spells with the target restriction “Ground” don't
target units or models. Instead, a “Ground” spell’s
target is a point on the Battlefield, chosen by the
casting player.
Missile
Spells with the target restriction “Missile” may
only choose targets within the caster's Line of
Sight. A Missile spell cannot be cast if the caster
(or its unit) is Engaged in Combat.
Range X"
Spells usually have a maximum Range, indicated
with “Range X”. Only targets within the given dis-
tance can be chosen.
Universal
Spells with the target restriction “Universal” may
choose both friendly and enemy units (or models
inside units if “Focused”) as targets.
Magic Phase
Spell Duration
A spell's Duration specifies how long the effects
of the spell are applied. A spell’s Duration can ei-
ther be “Instant”, “Lasts one Turn”, “Permanent”
or “Remains in Play” as described below:
Instant
If a spell is marked as “Instant” the effect of the
spell has no lasting Duration – effects are applied
once, afterwards the spell ends automatically.
Lasts One Turn
If a spell is marked as “Lasts One Turn”, the effect
of the spell lasts until the start of the caster's next
Magic Phase. If an affected unit is divided into
several units (the most common example is that a
Character leaves its unit), each of the units formed
this way keeps being affected by the spell's ef-
fects. Characters that join a unit affected by Lasts
One Turn spells are not affected by the spell.
Permanent
If a spell is marked as “Permanent”, the effect of
the spell lasts until the end of the game or until
a designated ending condition (as detailed in the
spell's effect) is met. Permanent spells can nev-
er be removed by any other means than the way
described in the spell. If an affected unit is divid-
ed into several units (the most common example
is that a Character leaves its unit), each of the
units formed this way keeps being affected by the
spell's effects. Characters that join a unit affected
by Permanent spells are not affected by the spell.
Remains in Play
If a spell is marked as “Remains in Play”, the ef-
fects of the spell remain in play until the spell is
dispelled or the caster is slain. “Remains in Play”
spells may be dispelled during each subsequent
Magic Phase, see Dispel “Remains in Play” Spells
section. If an affected unit is divided into several
units (the most common example is that a Char-
acter leaves its unit), each of the units formed this
way keeps being affected by the spell's effects. In
that situation, one successful Dispel Attempt will
remove the spell from all affected units. Charac-
ters that join a unit already affected by “Remains
in Play” spells are not affected by the spell. Un-
til the “Remains in Play” spell has ended, the
spell cannot be cast again by the same caster. If
the caster of the spell is slain, the spell's effects
are automatically dispelled at the first possible
moment the spell could normally have been dis-
pelled (see Magic Phase Sequence).
43 Rulebook
 MAGIC PHASE SEQUENCE Dispel “Remains in Play” Spells
Starting with the Reactive Player, each player can
Start of the Magic Phase. Roll for Magic
1 try to dispel “Remains in Play” spells. A caster can
Flux and Channelling.
automatically dispel its own active “Remains in
“Remains in Play” spells may be dispelled Play” spells without using any Magic Dice, while
2
(see Dispel “Remains in Play” Spells). an opposing caster must make a Dispel Attempt,
The Active Player may attempt to cast and can only dispel spells cast in a previous Magic
3 Phase. Dispel Attempts are done using Magic Dice
one spell (see Spell-casting Sequence).
(Power or Dispel) as Magic Dice and following
Repeat steps 2-3 of this Sequence until “Dispel Attempt” in the Spellcasting sequence. To
4 neither player performed an action. successfully dispel an opposing “Remains in Play”
Compulsory Moves. spell, the Dispel Attempt must be equal to or high-
End of the Magic Phase. Resolve end of er than the lowest required (unmodified) Casting
5
phase triggered abilities. Value of the “Remains in Play” version of the spell
(ignoring Casting Values of Boosted versions).
Magic Flux and Channelling
In the Magic Phase, spells are cast and dispelled
using Magic Dice. These dice are kept in a pool of
dice, from which a number of dice can be used to
either cast or dispel spells. A single pool of dice
cannot ever contain more than 12 Magic Dice at
any given time, nor can a single player use more
than 12 Magic Dice during a single Magic Phase.
At the start of the Magic Phase, the Active Play-
er makes a Magic Flux roll with 2D6. The Magic
Dice pool of the Active Player is equal to the total
Magic Flux roll, while the Magic Dice pool of the
Reactive Player is equal to the highest D6 of the The Guessing Game
rolled 2D6. Immediately after the Magic Flux roll, The Reactive Player does not know if the Active
the Active and the Reactive Player can each make Player has the intention to dispel a “Remains in
a single Channel attempt. A Channel attempt is Play” spell or not, and they have to take the de-
resolved by rolling a D6. Add +1 to the result of cision first. They have to choose if they want to
this roll for each non-fleeing model part with the risk spending Dispel Dice on “Remains in Play”
Channel special rule in your army (all Wizards spells that the Active Player might want to dispel
have the Channel special rule). If the result is a 7 anyway, or keep the dice and risk that the Active
or higher, the player may add one Magic Dice to Player does nothing and ends their Magic Phase
their pool. leaving the “Remains in Play” spell still in play
(see the Magic Phase Sequence).

Many have heard the tales of the famous “Dragon City” of the orient, Longjing. The city is in fact two
merged metropolises, each far larger than any settlement in Vetia. Longjing itself is the smaller but
grander, occupying the northern bank of the great Dajiaing. Here are the palatial, temple and admin-
istrative districts, dominated by the stupendous Forbidden Lair where the Dragon Emperor himself
supposedly lurks. The larger, more sprawling section is called Zhangwei, “Fish Tail”, after the shape
of the vast dam, built by terrifying magics, that split the great river into its two halves. Zhangwei sits
in the fork, and is home to the great majority of the population, including the trading and manufac-
turing districts. I could have spent a lifetime there and still not have experienced but a fraction of the
full wonder of this beating heart of Tsuandan.
— From Terimodus’ Wonders of the World

Magic Phase 44 Rulebook

Magic Phase 45 Rulebook
 SPELLCASTING SEQUENCE
Each of Active Player’s non-fleeing Wizards (or
models with Bound Spells) may attempt to cast
each of its spells up to one time per Magic Phase.
Each Casting Attempt is resolved as follows:
If the Casting Attempt is successful, the spell is
not cast yet. The Reactive Player may choose to
make a Dispel Attempt to prevent the spell from
resolving.
Dispel Attempt

Casting Attempt The Reactive Player declares which

The Active Player declares which
Wizard is casting which spell and with
how many Magic Dice. If applicable,
1 they also declare which version of the
spell is used and what its targets (and
Attribute's targets) are. A minimum of 1
and no more than 5 dice can be used.
The Active Player rolls that many
Magic Dice (from the Magic Dice pool,
provided they have enough dice). Add
2 the results of the rolled dice and any
the results of the rolled dice and any
casting modifiers together (see Magic
Modifiers), to get the total casting roll.
The Casting Attempt is successful if the
total casting roll is equal to or higher
3 than the spell's Casting Value. Otherwise,
the caster suffers from Lost Focus and
the Casting Attempt failed.
(if any) of their non-fleeing Wizards
will attempt to dispel the spell and
how many Magic Dice will be used. A
1
minimum of 1 dice and up to all the dice
in your dice pool can be used. A dispel
may be attempted even without having
any Wizard.
The Reactive Player rolls that many
Magic Dice (from the Magic Dice pool,
provided they have enough dice). Add
2
dispel modifiers together (see Magic
Modifiers), to get the total dispel roll.
The Dispel Attempt is successful if the
total dispel roll is equal to or higher
than the total casting roll. If so, the
3 spell is dispelled, and the casting failed.
Otherwise, the Dispel Attempt fails and
the dispelling Wizard suffers from Lost
Focus.

I had noticed that there was some kind of event in

the town hall. I asked a tavern landlord about it.
His face assumed a waxen sheen.
“Private function,” he muttered.
“Really? What kind?”
“Best not to inquire.” He fixed me with a troubled
stare. “Look, there are certain...places around here
where they’ll...well they might try and shake your
hand funny. And if you get it wrong, they’ll tear it
clean off.”
There was a pause as we both glanced at the hook
protruding from the stump of his right arm.
He shuddered and muttered a strange
phrase, sounded like: “bloody masons”.
— From the Diary of Samuel le Pepin,
professional pilgrim and storyteller

Magic Phase 46 Rulebook

 Resolve the Spell
If the spell was not dispelled, it is successfully
cast. Apply the spell's effects, then apply the Path
Attribute's effects. If the spell was cast with Over-
whelming Power, apply the effects of the Miscast.
Magic Modifiers
When making a Casting or Dispel Attempt, add
the bonus given by being Wizard Apprentice or
Master, and any other modifier, to the dice result
to get the total casting or dispel roll. Any casting
or dispel modifiers may not exceed a total of +3
nor fall below -3. There are a couple of exceptions
to this rule. If such exceptions are used, first add
normal modifiers up to maximum of +3, then add
the exceptional modifiers that can exceed +3.
Lost Focus
A Wizard who suffers from Lost Focus cannot
add any casting or dispelling modifiers to further
casting or dispel rolls this Magic Phase (it is still
affected by Overwhelming Power and Miscast as
normal).
Not Enough Power
When rolling casting or dispel rolls with a single
Magic Dice, a result of ‘1’ or ‘2’ on the Magic Dice
is always a failed Casting or Dispel Attempt, re-
gardless of any modifiers.
Magic Phase
Overwhelming Power
When casting a spell and two or more Magic Dice
roll a natural '6', the Casting Attempt is performed
with Overwhelming Power. When this happens,
immediately roll one of your unused Magic Dice
(if you have any) and add this to the Casting Roll.
This may exceed the normal limit of max 5 Magic
Dice to cast spells. If a casting roll is performed
with Overwhelming Power and the spell is not dis-
pelled, the casting Wizard also suffers a Miscast.
MISCAST
When a Miscast is obtained, the Caster must make
a Miscast Roll. A Miscast Roll is D3+1 multiplied
by the number of Magic Dice Used to cast the
spell, excluding additional Magic Dice from Over-
whelming Power (this quantity is called “MDU”).
Then, apply all relevant results from the Miscast
Table to the right. For example, when rolling a 16
on a Miscast, apply the Witch Fire, Amnesia and
Catastrophic Detonation effects.
Miscast Table
Miscast Roll Miscast effect
(D3+1)×MDU (apply all relevant effects)
Always Witch Fire
Caster's unit suffers a number of
hits equal to the Miscast Roll. The
number of hits cannot exceed the
total number of Wounds in the unit.
These hits have Strength MDU,
Magical Attacks and Armour
Piercing (1).
10+ Amnesia
Roll a D6: On 4+,the Wizard cannot
cast the Miscast Spell this game
anymore.
15+ Catastrophic Detonation
Roll a D6: On 4+, the Wizard loses
a number of Wounds equal to half
its starting number of Wounds,
rounding fractions up (no saves of
any kind allowed).
20+ Breach in the Veil
Roll a D6: On 4+, the Wizard is
dead, remove it from the game as
a casualty (no saves of any kind
allowed).
47 Rulebook
 BOUND SPELLS
Some spells are defined as Bound Spells. A Bound
Spell is a spell that is usually contained in a mag-
ical object of some sort. Bound Spells can be cast
by models that are not Wizards, but possessing
a Bound Spell does not make a model a Wizard.
Bound Spells cannot be used to cast Boosted ver-
sions of the spell they contain.
Casting a Bound Spell
Casting a Bound Spell follows the same rules as
casting a regular spell, they may even trigger the
Path Attribute spell with the exception that no
positive casting modifiers can be added to the
casting roll and that the caster of a Bound Spell
never suffers from Lost Focus. To successfully
cast a Bound Spell, the casting roll must be equal
to or higher than the spell's Power Level.
Power Level
The Power Level of a Bound Spell is essentially
the spell’s Casting Value. If a spell has both a Pow-
er Level and a regular Casting Value, the Power
Level takes precedence.
Overwhelming Power
A Bound Spell does not get the casting modifier
from an Overwhelming Power.
Miscast
If an Overwhelming Power is rolled when casting
a Bound Spell, do not apply the normal Miscast
procedure; instead, if the Bound Spell was cast
with 4 or more Magic Dice, the Bound Spell is lost
and cannot be used again during the game.
Dispelling a Bound Spell
When dispelling a Bound Spell, add a +1 modifier
to the dispel roll. This is an exception to the Magic
Modifiers rule.
Magic Phase
MAGICAL EFFECTS
Magical Move
All moves made during the Magic Phase are Mag-
ical Moves. The move is performed as if in the
Remaining Moves sub-phase, which means that
it follows the same rules and restrictions as if
this was a new Remaining Moves sub-phase (for
example, fleeing units, units with Random Move-
ment, or units in combat cannot move). Actions
that a unit could normally do in the Remaining
Moves sub-phase can be made (such as Wheel-
ing, Reforming, joining units, leaving units and so
on), except that the unit cannot March. A Magical
movement always has a given limit (for example,
"target may make a 12" Magical Move"): this dis-
tance is used instead of the target's Movement
Characteristic (no Marching is allowed). If a unit
has already done a Magical Move in this Magic
Phase, it cannot move again.
Recover Wounds
and Raise Wounds
Some spells or abilities can recover Wounds lost
earlier in the battle. The amount of Wounds recov-
ered is noted in the ability (Recover [X] Wounds).
If a unit contains multiple models, each model
must recover all of its lost Wounds before anoth-
er model can recover any Wounds. A Character
inside a unit never recovers Wounds from abili-
ties that allow a unit to recover Wounds. Charac-
ters only recover Wounds when they are the only
target of an ability or spell. Recovering Wounds
can never bring back dead models, and cannot in-
crease a model's Wounds above its starting value.
Any excess Recovered Wounds are lost.
Raise Wounds uses the rules for Recover Wounds
with the exception that Raise Wounds can bring
back dead models. First, recover all lost Wounds
on models in the unit (except for Characters), then
bring back models in the following order: Champi-
on, Standard Bearer, Musician, other R&F models.
Any used “One Use Only” effects or destroyed magic
items (or other equipment) are not regained. Each
raised model must be recovered to its full amount
of Wounds before another model can be raised.
This cannot raise a unit's number of models above
its starting number. Once again, any excess Raised
Wounds are lost. Raised Models without Front
Rank must be placed in the back rank. Any models
that cannot be placed in legal positions are lost.
48 Rulebook
 Summoned Units
Summoned units are units created during the
game. All models in a newly Summoned unit
must be deployed within the Range of the ability.
If the unit is summoned as a result of a Ground
type spell, at least one of the summoned models
must be placed on the targeted point and all mod-
els must be within the spell’s Range. Summoned
models must be placed at least 1" away from oth-
er units and from Impassable Terrain. If the whole
unit cannot be deployed, then no models can be
deployed. Once summoned, the newly created
unit operates as a normal unit on the spellcast-
er's side. Summoned units do not award Victory
Points to the opponent when they are destroyed.

Among the more unusual flora native to Sagarikadesha is camillia. An unremarkable shrub produc-
ing miniature white flowers in spring, the plant appears to have no use in either cuisine or medicine.
And yet, as you may know, camillia was one of the primary reasons for the vast effort and resources
invested by the Highborn Elves in their colonisation of this country, and trade in its leaves still ac-
counts for a remarkable portion of Celeda Ablan’s economic activity. After many months in one of the
plantations, the overseer deigned to show me how the leaves – picked at precisely the right moment –
could be left to dry, then rolled, fermented, fired briefly in an oven and finally soaked in boiling water
to to create a strange, tasteless beverage. I could not see the reason for such a concoction, but it was
explained to me that it is highly prized among elves, because it acts as an opiate on their sensitive
physiology, helping them control some of the primal urges of their ancestors.
— From the Herbarium Sagarikense, by Georg Eber

Magic Phase 49 Rulebook

 SHOOTING PHASE
Do not fire until you see the whites of their fangs.
— Lieutenant Lucan, at the battle of Castle Yvasyliy
In the Shooting Phase, models with Shooting At-
tacks get a chance to use them.
SHOOTING PHASE
SEQUENCE
1 Start of Shooting Phase.
Select a unit and perform a Shooting
2
Attack.
Repeat step 2 with a different unit that
3 same target and only models in the 1st and 2nd
has not fired during this Phase yet.
When all units that can (and want to) shoot
4
have done so, the Shooting Phase ends.
Shooting Phase
Shooting With a Unit
Each unit (with a Shooting Weapon) can shoot
once per Shooting Phase. Units that are Fleeing,
Engaged in Combat, or that have Marched, Re-
formed, Rallied, or Declared a Charge in their pre-
vious Movement Phase cannot shoot.
When a unit shoots, first nominate a target with-
in the shooting unit's Line of Sight. Units that are
Engaged in Combat cannot be chosen as targets.
All models in the same unit must shoot at the
rank may fire. If the models in the unit have more
than one type of Shooting Weapon, declare which
weapon is used. All R&F models except Champi-
ons must use the same type of weapon. Champi-
ons and Characters are free to use other types of
Shooting Weapons if they wish. Any model in the
unit is free to choose not to shoot.
Check the Line of Sight for each shooting mod-
el. Remember that Line of Sight is always drawn
from the front! Models that do not have a Line of
Sight to at least one model in the target unit can-
not shoot. Measure the Range to the target unit
for each individual shooting model. This is meas-
ured from the actual position of each shooting
model to the closest point of the target unit (even
if this particular point is not within Line of Sight).
Models that are further away from the target than
the Range of their weapon cannot shoot (unless
this is a Stand and Shoot Charge Reaction). Once
it has been established which models can shoot,
roll to hit with each model (as described below).
50 Rulebook
 Shooting To-Hit Rolls Long Range (-1 to hit)

When rolling to hit with Shooting Attacks, use the If the target is further away than half of the weap-
Ballistic Skill of the shooting model. If the model on's Range, the shooting model receives a -1 to-hit
has more than one profile (such as an archer rid- modifier. Remember that you measure Range for
ing a horse), use the part of model that is actually each shooting model individually.
performing the Shooting Attack. The player con- Moving and Shooting (-1 to hit)
trolling the shooting unit rolls a D6 and adds the It the unit has moved during this Player Turn, all
Ballistic Skill of the shooting model. If the result is models in the unit receive a -1 to-hit modifier.
7 or higher, the attack hits. An unmodified roll of
‘1’ is always a miss. If one or more hits are scored, Stand and Shoot (-1 to hit)
follow the procedure described under Attacks Shooting Attacks made as part of a Stand and
and Panic. Shoot Charge Reaction receive a -1 to-hit modi-
fier.
Shooting To-Hit Table
Ballistic Skill (BS)
To-Hit Roll
+ modifiers
6 or more 2+
5 2+
4 3+
3 4+
2 5+
1 6+
0 6+ followed by 4+
-1 6+ followed by 5+
-2 6+ followed by 6+
-3 or less impossible

To-Hit Modifiers
Most Shooting Attacks may suffer one or more
to-hit modifiers to their to-hit rolls. Simply mod-
ify the Ballistic Skill of the shooter. The list below
shows the general to-hit modifiers, but spells and
abilities can add additional to-hit modifiers on
top of these.
To-Hit Modifiers Summary
Long Range -1
Moving and Shooting -1
Stand and Shoot -1
Soft Cover -1
Hard Cover -2
Special Rules
Hard Target -1
Skirmishing -1
Multiple Shots -1

Shooting Phase 51 Rulebook

 Cover
Cover is determined individually for each model
in a unit that is shooting. There are two types of
Cover: Soft Cover and Hard Cover. In both cases,
Cover is worked out using the Line of Sight of
the shooting model. Draw Lines of Sight from a
chosen point on the front of the shooting model's
base (for Cover purposes, this can be drawn out-
side its front arc) to all the target’s Footprint. If
these lines are interrupted by models or Terrain,
the shooting model may suffer to-hit penalties,
depending on what types of models/Terrain the
Line of Sight is interrupted by and how much of
the Line of Sight is interrupted. Models always ig-
nore their own unit and the target unit for Cover
purposes, and also ignore whatever Terrain Piece
they are inside (so a unit shooting from a Forest
doesn't suffer a Soft Cover modifier for shooting
through that Forest).
Target Behind Soft Cover (-1 to hit)
A model shooting at a target behind Soft Cover
receives a -1 to-hit modifier. Soft Cover applies if
more than half of the target unit's Footprint is ob-
scured by one or more of the following:
• Soft Terrain.
• Models (of any size). When shooting with or
at models of Gigantic Height, ignore models of
Standard Height for the purpose of Soft Cover.
Shooting Phase
Target Behind Hard Cover (-2 to hit)
A model shooting at a target behind Hard Cover
receives a -2 to-hit modifier. Hard Cover applies
if more than half of the target unit's Footprint is
obscured by one or more of the following:
• Hard Terrain.
• Models of the same or larger Height than both
the shooting model and its target.
Target Behind Hard And Soft Cover
If a model is suffering from both Hard Cover and
Soft Cover, only apply the Hard Cover modifier.
If the target unit's Footprint is obscured by both
Soft and Hard Cover, but not enough to grant ei-
ther Hard Cover or Soft Cover, the shooting mod-
el suffers Soft Cover modifier if more than half of
the target unit's Footprint is obscured by models
or Terrain from either the Hard Cover or Soft Cov-
er list. For example, if 30% of the target unit are
obscured by Soft Terrain and 30% by Hard Ter-
rain, the shooting model still suffers the Soft Cov-
er modifier (see Figure 10).
52 Rulebook
Figure 8
a) Model cannot shoot, enemy is
not within Line of Sight.
b) Model can shoot (enemy with-
in Line of Sight), no Cover
since half or less of the enemy
unit’s Footprint is obscured.
c) Model can shoot (enemy with-
in Line of Sight), Soft Cover
since more than half of the
enemy unit’s Footprint is ob-
scured by the Forest.

Figure 9
a) Model cannot shoot, Line of
Sight is blocked.
b) Model can shoot (enemy with-
in Line of Sight), Hard Cover
since more than half of the
enemy unit’s Footprint is ob-
scured by Impassable Terrain.
c) Model can shoot (enemy with-
in Line of Sight), no Cover
since half or less of the enemy
unit’s Footprint is obscured by
Impassable Terrain.

Figure 10
In this example, less than half of the target
unit’s Footprint is obscured by either Hard or
Soft Cover. However, more than half is obscured
by the combination of both. In this case, the tar-
get counts as in Soft Cover.

Shooting Phase 53 Rulebook

Shooting Phase 54 Rulebook
 Soft Cover (-1 to hit) Hard Cover (-2 to hit)

No Cover No Line of Sight

Figure 11
This diagram summarises the most common cases for Line of Sight and Cover between a model with Ranged
Attacks, an obscuring model and its target.

Shooting Phase 55 Rulebook

 CLOSE COMBAT PHASE

You never truly know yourself until you have seen your reflection in an ogre’s breastplate.
— Isaac, the soldier poet

In the Close Combat Phase, the players’ models No Longer Engaged

Engaged in Combat can (and must) strike.
A unit follows the rules for No More Foes if it was
CLOSE COMBAT PHASE Engaged in Combat previously, but had all of its
opponents moved or removed between the pre-
SEQUENCE vious Movement Phase and this Close Combat
Each Close Combat Phase is divided into the fol- Phase (and base contact could not be maintained
lowing steps. through nudging, following the instructions un-
der “Dropping Out of Combat”). That unit may do
Start of Close Combat Phase. Apply any a Post-Combat Pivot or Post-Combat Reform (or
1
“No Longer Engaged”. Overrun if it just charged) before any combats are
2 Choose a combat to fight in. fought. This cannot be done if the unit has moved
since the opposing units were removed (such as
3 Fight a Round of Combat. with a Magical Move).
Repeat steps 2 and 3. Each time choose a
4 new combat which has not already been
fought during this Close Combat Phase.
Once all units that are Engaged in
5 Combat have fought, the Close Combat
Phase ends.
A Combat is defined as a group of opposing units,
which are all connected through base contact.
Normally, this would be two units pitted against
one another, but it could also be several units
against a single enemy unit or a long chain of
units from both sides. Complete all actions in the
Round of Combat Sequence of all units involved in
the chosen combat before moving on to the next
combat.
Units are considered Engaged in Combat if one or
more models in the unit is in base contact with
an enemy unit. If a unit is Engaged in Combat, all
models in the unit are also Engaged in Combat.
Units that are Engaged in Combat cannot move
unless specifically stated (such as during Combat
Reforms or Breaking from combat).

Close Combat Phase 56 Rulebook

 ROUND OF COMBAT Who Can Strike
SEQUENCE Models in base contact with an enemy attack
when it is their turn in the Initiative order (re-
Each Combat Round is divided into the following
member that models are considered to be in base
steps:
contact across empty gaps). Models from both
1 Start of Round of Combat. sides attack in each player's Close Combat Phase.
Choose Weapon (see Close Combat Supporting Attacks
2
Weapon section). Models in the 2nd rank perform one Supporting
3 Make Way (see Character section). Attack across models in the first rank. Supporting
Attacks can only be made against enemies in the
Issue and Accept Challenges (see front.
4
Character section).
Horde Formation
Roll attacks (in Initiative order):
Models in units that are deployed in Horde For-
1. Allocate attacks. mation (see Units and Formations) gain the Fight
5 2. Roll to hit, to wound, saves, and in Extra Rank special rule.
rmove casualties.
3. Move to the next Initative step.
Calculate which side wins the Round of
6
Combat. Loser(s) rolls Break Test.
7 Roll Panic Test for nearby units.
8 Restrain or Pursue?
9 Roll Flee distance.
10 Roll Pursue distance.
11 Move Fleeing units.
12 Move Pursuing units.
Post-Combat Pivots or Post-Combat
13
Reform. Figure 12
14 Combat Reforms. Models colour-coded with a darker shade can all
strike.
End of Combat Round. Proceed to the
15 The magenta unit is in Horde formation and thus
next combat.
both the 2nd and 3rd rank can make Supporting
Combats are fought in a strict striking order, Attacks. The green unit is not Engaged in the front,
starting with the attacks that have Initiative 10 so its models cannot make Supporting Attack to
and then working downwards from the highest their side or rear.
to the lowest Initiative. At each Initiative step, all Models with a bold frame count as being in base
attacks that have the same Initiative strike simul- contact with an enemy (models are considered to
taneously. Under normal circumstances, a model be in base contact across empty gaps), models col-
strikes at the Initiative specified on its profile. our-coded with a lighter shade cannot make Sup-
However, some attacks are made at a different In- porting Attacks.
itiative step than the model's own Initiative (such
as Chariots’ Impact Hits, which are Initiative 10).
For models with more than one profile (such as
a knight and its mount), each part of the model
strikes at its own Initiative.

Close Combat Phase 57 Rulebook

 Allocating Attacks
At each Initiative step, before any attacks are
rolled, attacks must first be allocated against en-
emy models. If a model is in base contact with
more than one model, it can choose which model
to attack. Attacks can be allocated against mod-
els with different Wound pools, i.e. R&F models,
Champions and Characters. The number of at-
tacks that a model can make is equal to its Attacks
Characteristic. Equipment, special rules, spells,
etc. can further change this number. If a model
has more than one attack, it can allocate them at
will to different targets in base contact. If a model
is making Supporting Attacks, it can allocate its
attack as if it was in the front of the unit (in the
same file). If a model could either strike at mod-
els in base contact or make Supporting Attacks, it
must allocate its attacks against models in base
contact. Allocate all attacks at a given Initiative
step before rolling any to-hit rolls.
In cases where a Wound pool (mainly non-cham-
pion R&F models in the same unit) do not all have
the same relevant Characteristics or rules (such
as different Toughness values or different saves),
use the value or rules that the largest fraction the
models of the Wound pool have (attacker choos-
es if a tie), and apply them to all rolls (to-hit, to-
wound, saves). In case of a tie, the attacker choos-
es which fraction to use.
Swirling Melee
If a R&F model is in base contact with an ene-
my, or in a position to make supporting attacks,
it may always choose to allocate any number of
its attacks against R&F models instead of Char-
acters (in a unit that the attacker could normal-
ly allocate attacks towards), i.e. R&F models are
not limited to only striking models in base con-
tact but can always attack other R&F models in-
stead. Follow the normal rules for Close Combat
Attacks, except that any hits scored are distribut-
ed (the same way as attacks towards a unit as a
whole), except hits can only be distributed onto
R&F models. Note that Swirling Melee does not
apply to Characters.
Close Combat Phase
Rolling to Hit
To make a to-hit roll, roll a D6 for each attack and
compare the Weapon Skill of the model making
the attacks (the attacker) to the Weapon Skill of
the model against which the attack was allocated
(the defender).
• If the defender has a lower Weapon Skill than
the attacker, the attack hits on 3+.
• If the defender has a Weapon Skill equal to or
up to twice that of the attacker, the attack hits
on 4+.
• If the defender has a Weapon Skill more than
twice that of the attacker, the attack hits on 5+.
Close Combat To-Hit Table
Roll a D6 for each attack. To find out what score
is needed to successfully hit the target, cross-ref-
erence the Weapon Skill of the attacker (A-WS)
versus the Weapon Skill of the Defender (D-WS).
Attacker’s Weapon Skill
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 4+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+
2 4+ 4+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+
Defender’s Weapon Skill
3 5+ 4+ 4+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+
4 5+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+
5 5+ 5+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+
6 5+ 5+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+
7 5+ 5+ 5+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 3+ 3+ 3+
8 5+ 5+ 5+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 3+ 3+
9 5+ 5+ 5+ 5+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 3+
10 5+ 5+ 5+ 5+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+
To-hit modifiers can alter this to-hit roll. Unless
specified otherwise, a to-hit modifier applies to
both Shooting and Close Combat to-hit rolls. Close
Combat to-hit rolls always fail on an unmodified
roll of '1', while they are always successful on an
unmodified roll of '6'.
Example: a model has Weapon Skill 3, two attacks
and is equipped with Paired Weapons which gives
it a total of three attacks. The model may allocate
two attacks towards a model with Weapon Skill
2, which hit on 3+, and one towards a model with
Weapon Skill 7, which hits on 5+. If one or more
hits are scored, the player may then follow the
procedure described under Attacks and Panic.
58 Rulebook
 Dropping out of Combat WINNING A ROUND
Removing casualties may cause units to drop out OF COMBAT
of base contact with their foe. When this happens,
Once all models’ Initiative steps have passed (i.e.
units are nudged into combat using the following
all models have had a chance to attack), the win-
procedure:
ner of this Round of Combat is determined. This is
1. The unit that is going to drop out of Combat done by calculating each side's Combat Score. To
while not suffering casualties is moved the calculate Combat Score, simply add up all Combat
minimum amount needed to keep the units in Score bonuses. The side with the higher Combat
base contact. Score wins the combat, the side with the lower
2. If this will not bring the units back into con- Combat Score loses the combat. If there is a tie,
tact, move the unit suffering casualties the both sides are treated as winners.
minimum amount needed to keep the units in
base contact.
A nudged unit can only be moved straight for-
ward, backward, to either side, or a combination
of two of these directions (first one, then the
other). Units that are in base contact with oth-
er enemy units can never be nudged in this way.
Nudged units cannot move through other units
or Impassable Terrain, but they are allowed to
move within 1" of other units in the same com-
bat. Nudge moves cannot be used to change the
facing in which any unit is fighting (which means
that if the unit was attacked in the flank before
the nudge move, this must still be true after the
nudge move). If several units drop out of combat
at the same time, move them in the order that
allows the maximum number of units to stay in
combat. If this number is equal, the Active Player Figure 13
decides the order. The Champion of the magenta unit (Ch) and Char-
If nudging either unit does not manage to bring acter C2 are locked in a Challenge (indicated by
the units back into contact with each other, the the chess pattern). This means that they can only
unit drops out of Close Combat. Any units that are strike at each other. The magenta and green mod-
no longer Engaged in Combat follow the rules giv- els can strike at the R&F models of the other unit.
en under No More Foes. The models with a bold frame can strike at Char-
If base contact was lost due to units deliberate- acters/Champions. The models in fainter colours
ly moving out of combat (some spells allow units with dashed frames cannot strike at all. Charac-
to move out of combats), do not nudge the units ter C1 cannot strike because the only model it is in
back together. Instead follow the rules for No base contact with is a Champion that is locked in a
More Foes. Challenge.

Close Combat Phase 59 Rulebook

 Inflicted Wounds: +1 for each Wound Standard: +1 for each Standard Bearer
Each player adds up the number of unsaved Each side adds +1 to their Combat Score for each
Wounds inflicted to enemy units (Engaged in the Standard Bearer Engaged in the combat.
same Combat) during this Round of Combat. This
Battle Standard: +1
includes enemies that were Engaged in the Com-
Each side adds +1 to their Combat Score if they
bat but dropped out or were completely wiped
have one or more Battle Standard Bearers in the
out during this Round of Combat.
combat.
Overkill: +1 for each Wound (maximum +3)
Flank Bonus: +1 or +2
In a Challenge, excess Wounds inflicted after the
Each side adds +1 to their Combat Score if they
opponent was killed are counted towards the
have one or more units fighting an enemy in the
Combat Score. A maximum of +3 can be added
enemy's flank. If at least one of these units has
to your Combat Score due to Overkill. Note that
one or more Full Ranks, add +2 instead.
excess Wounds are only counted when in a Chal-
lenge, in all other situations, excess Wounds are Rear Bonus: +2 or +3
simply lost. Each side adds +2 to their Combat Score if they
Charge: +1 or +2 have one or more units fighting an enemy in the
enemy's rear. If at least one of these units has one
During the first Round of Combat after a unit
or more Full Ranks, add +3 instead.
charged into this combat, the charger's side re-
ceives +1 to their Combat Score. If this charge Combat Score Summary
was started with half or more of the unit’s Foot- Caused Wounds +1 for each Wound
print on a Hill and ended with more than half of
its Footprint no longer on the Hill, you receive +2 +1 for each Wound
Overkill
to your Combat Score instead. Each side can only (maximum +3)
count this bonus from one unit in the same com- Charge +1 (+2 from a Hill)
bat. +1 for each rank
Rank Bonus
Rank Bonus: +1 for each rank (maximum +3) (maximum +3)
Each side adds +1 to their Combat Score for each +1 for each
Standard
Full Rank after the 1st in a single unit, up to a Standard Bearer
maximum of +3. Only count this for a single unit Battle Standard +1
per side. (Use the unit that gives the highest Rank Flank Bonus +1 or +2
Bonus). Rear Bonus +2 or +3

Figure 14
The purple unit suffers casualties, which results in the yellow unit no longer being in base contact. Neither
the purple nor yellow unit can be nudged back into base contact since they are in base contact with other
enemies, (see Dropping out of Combat). Calculate Combat Score here as one single combat (the pink and
dark green units both grant a Flank Bonus). In the next Player Turn, this situation will count as two sepa-
rate combats.

Close Combat Phase 60 Rulebook

 BREAK TEST
Each unit on the side that lost the Round of Com-
bat must take a Break Test. The order is chosen
by the losing player. A Break Test is a Leadership
Test with a negative modifier equal to the Combat
Score difference (i.e. if the Combat Score was 6
to 3, the units on the losing side take Break Tests
with a -3 modifier to its Leadership). If the test
is failed, the unit Breaks and Flees. If the test is
passed, the units remain Engaged in the Combat.
Steadfast
Any units that have more Full Ranks than each
of the enemy units Engaged in the same Combat
ignore Leadership modifiers from the Combat
Score difference.
Disrupted
If a unit is Engaged in Combat with an enemy unit
with at least 2 Full Ranks and this enemy is in the
unit's flank or rear, the unit cannot use the Stead-
fast rule.
Close Combat Phase
No More Foes
Sometimes a unit kills all enemy units in base
contact and finds itself no longer Engaged in
Combat (so they cannot provide Combat Score
bonuses such as Standards or Flank). These units
always count as winning the combat, and can ei-
ther make an Overrun (if they were Charging), a
Post-Combat Pivot or a Post-Combat Reform.
When this happens in multiple combats, the
unsaved wounds caused to and by the unit are
counted towards the Combat Score, but all other
Combat Score bonuses are ignored. Note that the
unit itself doesn’t need to take a Break Test since
it always counts as if on the winning side.
Splitting Combat
If due to removing casualties, two or more discon-
nected subgroups of opposing units are created
(see figure below): Resolve the Combat normally
(accounting for every unit that took part in this
Round of Combat), checking any remaining base
contact for the purpose of rear and flank bonuses.
In the next Close Combat Phase, each subgroup
will be treated as a different Combat.
61 Rulebook
 PURSUITS AND OVERRUNS
Before moving broken units, units that are in base
contact with the broken unit(s) may declare a
Pursuit of a single broken unit. To be able to pur-
sue a broken enemy, the unit cannot be Engaged
with any non-broken enemy units and must be in
base contact with the broken unit. Units can elect
not to pursue, but must then pass a Leadership
Test to succeed in restraining themselves; if the
test is failed, the unit must pursue anyway. If the
test is passed, the unit may do either a Post-Com-
bat Pivot or a Post-Combat Reform.
Post-Combat Pivot
A unit may Pivot around its Centre and may re-
organize models with the Front Rank rule (they
must still be in legal positions). This move is
made after the pursuing and fleeing units have
been moved.
Post-Combat Reform
A unit may Perform a Reform manoeuvre. If this is
done, the unit doesn't count as Scoring for claim-
ing Secondary Objectives during this Player Turn,
and the unit may not declare any Charges in the
following Player Turn. This move is made after
the pursuing and fleeing units have been moved.
Overrun
A unit that fought its first Round of Combat (since
it charged into the combat) and all units in base
contact were wiped out (including units being
removed from play as a result of Unstable or
something similar), can choose to make a spe-
cial Pursuit Move called Overrun (instead of a
Post-Combat Pivot). Overruns follow the rules for
moving pursuing units, except that the direction
of the Pursuit Move is always straight-forward
and no Leadership Test is required for restrain-
ing from pursuit.
Close Combat Phase
Roll for Flee and
Pursue Distances
Every broken unit now rolls 2D6 to determine
their Flee Distance, and each unit that has de-
clared a Pursuit now rolls 2D6 to determine its
Pursuit distance. If any pursuing unit rolls an
equal or higher Pursuit Distance than the Flee
Distance of the unit it is pursuing, the fleeing unit
is destroyed. Remove that unit from the game;
no saves or special rules can save it. Do however
keep track of where the Centre of said unit would
have ended up if it had escaped before it was re-
moved (see below).
Flee Distance and Fleeing Units
Each broken unit that was not captured and de-
stroyed will now flee directly away from the en-
emy unit in base contact that has the most Full
Ranks. If there is a tie concerning which unit has
the most Full Ranks, the player whose units are
not fleeing chooses which of these units the flight
will be directed away from. Once it has been es-
tablished which unit the flight will be away from,
Pivot the fleeing unit so that it is facing directly
away from this unit (measure from Centre of Unit
to Centre of Unit) and move the fleeing unit di-
rectly forward a number of inches equal to the
flee distance rolled earlier. Use the rules for flee-
ing moves (with the exception that units that are
Engaged in the same combat do not cause Dan-
gerous Terrain Tests). If several units are fleeing
from the same combat, the units move in the same
order as their flee distance was rolled (the player
controlling the units chooses in which order they
roll the flee distance).
62 Rulebook
a) Figure 15
In these examples, the purple unit is in
the green unit's flank. The green unit
wins combat, the purple unit Breaks
and Flees, the green unit pursues.
a) In this example, there are no ob-
structions. The green unit rotates
towards the purple unit and then
moves forward.

b) b) Here, the green unit's rotation leaves

its front over an enemy unit (red).
This makes the green unit charge
the red unit. Place the green unit in
base contact with the red unit.

c) c) Here, the green unit's rotation leaves

its front over a friendly unit (light
green). In this case, the rotation is
stopped 1" away from the friendly
unit.

d) d) Here, the green unit's rotation leaves

part of the unit over another unit
(blue – it could be either friendly or
enemy). However, in this case, the
front of the pursuing unit is clear, so
it will move forward.

Close Combat Phase 63 Rulebook

 Pursuit Distance
and Pursuing Units
Each pursuing unit now rotates around its Centre
(by the shortest route) to face towards the Centre
of the pursued unit (or the point where the unit
would have been, if it was destroyed). This rota-
tion ignores obstructions (it can move through
models and Terrain).
• After the rotation, if the frontage of the pursu-
ing unit would be over an enemy unit, it charg-
es that unit. Remove the pursuing unit from
the Battlefield and then place it back on the
Battlefield with its front in base contact with
its target (in the correct arc and maximizing
the number of Engaged models as usual). If
there is not enough room to place the charging
unit, treat the obstructing unit as Impassable
Terrain (see below).
• Otherwise, if after the rotation the frontage of
the pursuing unit would be over a friendly unit
or Impassable Terrain, the unit rotates so that
it faces as close as possible towards the pur-
sued unit, stopping 1" away from the obstruc-
tion and then stops its pursuit movement.
• If neither of the cases above are applicable, the
unit ignores any obstruction while rotating,
and then moves the pursuit distance directly
forward. If, while moving, the pursuing unit
won't be able to clear an obstruction ignored
during the initial Pivot (including 1" distance,
unless charging), backtrack the move to the
unit's latest legal position where it obeys the
Unit Spacing rule. (Usually, this means that the
unit doesn't move, but instead rotates as close
as possible).
Close Combat Phase
In case this Pursuit movement would bring the
unit into contact with an enemy unit, it automat-
ically declares a Charge against said unit, using
its pursuit distance roll as its Charge roll (un-
less the Charge is impossible to complete). This
Charge follows all the rules for Charges except
that no Charge Reactions are allowed. Determine
in which Facing the charge is carried out towards
before the initial pivot. This process may create
new combats. If a unit joins a Combat that has
already been fought or was created during this
Close Combat Phase, it will be resolved in the next
Combat Phase (with the charging unit still count-
ing as charging). Otherwise, the unit will have a
chance to fight and pursue again this turn. This
special Charge cannot be made towards a unit
that just fled from a combat involving the pursu-
ing unit. Treat such unit as a friendly unit for the
pursuit move (including the initial rotation).
If the pursuing unit doesn't declare a charge this
way, it moves directly forward (following the Unit
Spacing rule).
If several units are pursuing from the same com-
bat, units move in the same order as their pur-
suit distance was rolled (the Active Player choos-
es which player will roll for their pursuing units
first, and each player chooses the order of their
own units).
Pursuing off the Table
If pursuing units moving this way touch the board
edge, they will go off the table and will come back
to the board during the controlling player's next
Remaining Moves sub-phase, using the rules for
arriving Ambushers (they automatically arrive),
except that they must be placed (in the same
formation) with their back rank centred on the
point at which they contacted the Board Edge,
or as close as possible. Models that have pursued
off the table, cannot do any actions at all, and all
items, rules, abilities stop working while off the
table.
64 Rulebook
 COMBAT REFORM
If there are still units left Engaged in the combat
after all the fleeing and pursuing has been rolled
and moved, each of these units may try to perform
a Combat Reform. Units Engaged in more than
one facing (for example, both front and flank)
can never perform a Combat Reform. Units on the
losing side of the combat must pass a Leadership
Test to be able to perform a Combat Reform. Ap-
ply the same modifiers as if this was a Break Test
(i.e. apply the Combat Score difference, unless the
unit is Steadfast).
If both players want to perform Combat Reforms,
the Active Player chooses which player goes first.
This player completes all Combat Reforms with
all their units (one at a time in any order), before
the other player can reform any of their units.
When a unit performs a Combat Reform, remove
the unit from the Battlefield, and then place it
back on the Battlefield in a legal formation, in
base contact with the enemy unit(s) it was fight-
ing before, and in the enemy’s same facing.
Close Combat Phase
You may ignore the Unit Spacing rule for units in-
volved in the same combat (but cannot move into
base contact with units that you were not in base
contact with previously), and no model may end
up more than twice its Movement value from its
starting position.
At the end of each Combat Reform, you must have
at least as many of your models in base contact
with an enemy as you had before the Reform. Any
Character models that were in base contact with
an enemy must be kept in base contact (although
it can be with different enemy models). Further-
more, at the end of all your Combat Reforms,
the exact same enemy models that were in base
contact with opposing models before the Com-
bat Reform must still be in base contact after the
Reform (but they may be Engaged with different
models or even units).
65 Rulebook
 SUNNA MYTH
Part Two
With the best of Vetian humanity united, the sternest test was still to come. A host of enemies approached
from the East: savage Åsklanders, cruel Makhar under the banners of the Dark Gods, and hordes of raven-
ous Ogres with all the beasts of their lands.
— The Book of the Askar, Chapter Five, taken from the Sunna Cycle
T hough the Askar had come to know Sunna’s
divine heritage, one tribe alone could not hold
the storm from the East. From the West and lead-
ing a host of Equitan knights came Uther of Gas-
conne, in defiance of his King's order, inspired by
Sunna's great deeds. Next came Queen Genoveva
of the western peninsula with her many archers,
once Sunna had driven the Ancient One and his
armies into the sea. Then the defeat of the green
hordes in the White Mountains earned Sunna the
friendship of Arcaleone and his warriors. The
Breidar, Gjothar, Glauca – in time all the tribes of
humanity joined with Sunna and her holy purpose.
Little time could be spared to celebrate this uni-
ty, as the ravenous hordes swept forth once more.
Sunna's host rode to meet them at the banks of
the Volsk. Enemies beyond count crowded on the
far shore, while smoke rose from the ruins of once
fertile plains. Men of the West took heart from the
roar of the mighty river, its waters seemingly im-
passable, until shamans marked by the Dark Gods
strode from the gathered multitudes and began to
chant. Foot by creeping foot, the river froze into
a bridge of ice, and a pall fell over the assembled
humans.
Sunna Myth
Seeing the danger grow, Warin advised Sunna to
retreat, to protect her followers. But She was not
dismayed. The Åsklanders were first to charge,
scrambling to cross the river. Queen Genoveva
and her archers met the attackers with hails of
arrows, turning white ice to red slush, driving the
savages off. Then came the Makhar raiders, rid-
ing across the thickening ice on their sturdy black
steeds with banners bearing an eight-pointed
star. Uther and his knights met them with lance
and sword, and turned the Makhar back through
valour and steel.
Finally, with the bridge littered with the bodies of
fallen foes, the Ogres advanced. Bolstered by great
mammoths, under whose weight the ice creaked
and groaned, they marched like an unstoppable
wall of flesh. Queen Genoveva held the bridge
with her archers, launching arrow after arrow
to no avail. Once more did Warin, fearing for the
lives of the people, plead with Sunna to retreat.
Instead, she walked to the river's edge, bearing
her standard for all to see. There she planted it
in the ground, spreading her arms and looking up
to the sky. Answering her call, the clouds parted
and the sun beat down more fiercely than it had
in many years.
Bathed in golden light, the ice bridge began to
crumble. Queen Genoveva reached the bank,
but many of her archers were not so fortunate,
washed downriver with great shards of ice. Yet
the great bulk of the Ogres now proved their un-
doing, and thousands crashed into the icy wa-
ters. Tales of that day spoke of the Falls of Kivack
blocked and flooding with the weight of the dead.
Humanity rejoiced at this new Spring, and praised
their saviour Sunna – certain the cold years were
at an end.
66 Rulebook
Sunna Myth 67 Rulebook
 ATTACKS AND PANIC

It’s not headlong flight. It’s a sensible tactical decision. The size of their teeth had nothing to do with it.
— Captain Karlsen, fifteen miles outside the Battle of the Beacons

A ll sources of damage are defined as Attacks,

which are then divided into Close Combat
and Ranged Attacks.
ATTACK SEQUENCE
Whenever an attack hits a model, use the follow-
ing sequence:
Close Combat Attacks
1 Attacker Distributes hits.
Any attacks made at units in base contact with
the attacker's unit, in the Close Combat Phase (or Attacker rolls to wound; if successful,
2
as if in the Close Combat Phase) are Close Combat proceed.
Attacks.
Defender rolls Armour Saving Throws; if
3
Ranged Attacks failed, proceed.
All attacks that are not Close Combat Attacks are Defender rolls special saving throws; if
Ranged Attacks. 4
failed, proceed.
All Ranged Attacks made in the Shooting Phase or
5 Defender removes Wounds or casualties.
made as a Stand and Shoot Charge Reaction are
referred to as Shooting Attacks. 6 Defender checks for Panic.
Special Attacks Complete each step for all the attacks that are
happening simultaneously (such as all Shooting
Certain models are allowed to make Special At-
Attacks from a single unit or all Close Combat At-
tacks during the Close Combat, Movement or
tacks at a given Initiative step) before moving on
Shooting Phase. By default the Special Attacks can
to the next step.
not benefit from weapon bonuses or special rules
that normally affect attacks of their category. All
Special Attacks are explicitly marked as such. The
examples are Stomp, Grinding Attacks, Crush At-
tack, Impact Hits, Breath Weapon.

Attacks and Panic 68 Rulebook

 DISTRIBUTE HITS
All attacks that target a unit as a whole (this in-
cludes most Ranged Attacks and most Special
Close Combat Attacks), are (under normal cir-
cumstances) considered to only hit R&F models.
When Characters are joined to units, how hits are
distributed may change, as described in the Char-
acter section.
Normal Close Combat Attacks are not distributed,
but are instead Allocated before to-hit rolls are
made. In this case, do not redistribute the hits at
this stage.
In cases where a Wound pool (mainly non-cham-
pion R&F models in the same unit) does not have
all of the same relevant Characteristics or rules
(such as different Toughness values or different
saves), use the value or rules that the largest frac-
tion of the models of the Wound pool have, and
apply them to all rolls (to-hit, to-wound, saves). In
case of a tie, the attacker chooses which fraction
to use.
TO-WOUND ROLLS
If an attack has a Strength value, it must success-
fully wound the target to have a chance to harm it.
Compare the Strength of the attack to the Tough-
ness Characteristic of the target. An attack with
Strength 0 cannot wound. Otherwise, an unmodi-
fied roll of '6' will always succeed and an unmod-
ified roll of '1' will always fail. The player that
inflicted the hit makes a to-wound roll for each
attack that hit the target. If the attack does not
have a Strength value, follow the rules given for
that particular attack.
Attacks and Panic
The Wounding Table
Roll a D6 for each hit. To find out what score
is needed to successfully wound the target,
cross-reference the Strength (S) of the attack ver-
sus the Toughness (T) of the target.
Attack’s Strength
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 4+ 3+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+
2 5+ 4+ 3+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+
3 6+ 5+ 4+ 3+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+
Target’s Toughness
4 6+ 6+ 5+ 4+ 3+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+
5 6+ 6+ 6+ 5+ 4+ 3+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+
6 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 5+ 4+ 3+ 2+ 2+ 2+
7 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 5+ 4+ 3+ 2+ 2+
8 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 5+ 4+ 3+ 2+
9 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 5+ 4+ 3+
10 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 5+ 4+
ARMOUR SAVES
AND ARMOUR MODIFIERS
If one or more successful to-wound rolls are made,
the player whose unit is being attacked now has
a chance to save the Wound(s). Roll a D6 for each
successful to-wound roll, called an “Armour Sav-
ing Throw” and compare it with the model's Ar-
mour Save (see the Armour Types section). If the
save is passed, the attack is disregarded.
If the Strength of an attack is higher than 3, this
attack will modify the Armour Saving Throw by
-1 for each point of Strength above 3, i.e.
Strength 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Modifier 0 0 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7
Special rules and abilities might further modify
Armour Save rolls (such as Armour Piercing).
69 Rulebook
 REGENERATION
AND WARD SAVES
If a Wound was not saved by a model's Armour
Save, the attacked model now has a final chance
to discount the Wound, by rolling its Regener-
ation or Ward Save (if it has one). Regeneration
and Ward Saves work similarly to Armour Saves,
except that they cannot be modified or combined.
A Regeneration or Ward Save is always given with
the minimum score needed to be rolled on a D6 to
discard the Wound within brackets (for example,
a Ward Save (4+) means the Wound is discounted
on a roll of 4 or more).
Roll one saving throw for each Wound that was
not saved by the model's Armour Save. If the save
is passed, the attack is disregarded.
If a model has more than one Regeneration and/
or Ward Save, choose which one to use before
rolling the saving throw. Only a single Regener-
ation or Ward Save can be used against a single
attack.
Ward Saves and Regeneration both work the
same way, but some spells or special rules will af-
fect one type of save but not the other.
INFLICTING WOUNDS
For each failed special saving throw (or Armour
Saving Throw if the attacked model had no spe-
cial save), the attacked model loses a Wound.
Non-R&F models
If the attack was distributed or allocated onto
a non-R&F model, the attacked model loses 1
Wound for each failed save. If the model reaches
0 Wounds, the model is dead and is removed as
a casualty. Keep track of models that are wound-
ed, but not enough to reach 0 Wounds. (Plac-
ing “Wound Markers” next to wounded models
works fine). These lost Wounds will be taken into
account for future attacks. If the model is killed,
any excess inflicted Wounds are ignored.
Champions
Even though Champions are R&F models, each
Champion has its own Wound pool, and follows
the rules for non-R&F models above. If enough
Wounds are suffered by R&F models in order to
wipe out the entire unit, any remaining Wounds
suffered are allocated at the Champion (even if it
is fighting in a Challenge).
Attacks and Panic
R&F models
R&F models (except Champions) in the same
unit share a common Wound pool. If the attack
was allocated to a R&F model, the combined R&F
Wound pool loses 1 Wound for each failed save. If
the R&F models have 1 Wound each, remove one
R&F model for each Wound lost.
If the R&F models have more than 1 Wound each,
remove whole R&F models whenever possible.
Keep track of models that are wounded, but not
enough to reach 0 Wounds. These lost Wounds
are taken into account for future attacks. For ex-
ample, a unit of 10 Trolls (3 Wounds each) loses 7
Wounds. Remove two whole models (6 Wounds),
leaving 1 Wound which is kept track of. Later, this
unit loses 2 Wounds, which is enough to kill a sin-
gle Troll since 1 Wound was inflicted in the pre-
vious attack.
If the unit is wiped out, any excess inflicted
Wounds are allocated to the Champion (even if
they are in a Challenge). If there are no Champion,
the excess wound are ignored.
If a unit consists of R&F models with different
Troop Types, each type of R&F model has its own
combined Wound pool. Sometimes, one or more
R&F models gain special rules (for example, Char-
acteristics may increase, abilities can be gained,
etc. – this is normally due to spells or Magical
Items), or they come with different equipment.
Such differences are ignored when removing
casualties. They are normally removed from the
rear rank even if a model in the rear has some
special rule or equipment (i.e. only differences
due to Troop Type cause R&F models to have sep-
arate Wound pools).
REMOVING CASUALTIES
Removing R&F models
R&F casualties are removed from the rear rank.
If the unit is in a single rank, remove models as
equally as possible from both sides of the unit.
Note that the requirement to remove casualties
equally from both sides of a single rank unit only
applies to each batch of simultaneous attacks.
If a non-R&F model is standing in a position that
would normally be removed as a casualty, remove
the next eligible R&F model and move the non-
R&F model(s) inwards.
70 Rulebook

This town has been purged by the cleansing rays
of the Risen Sun. It was infested with followers of
the Dark Gods and has been purified in the name of
Sunna and the Emperor.
— Sign posted by the Inquisition outside
the burnt remains of the village of Börnichen
Attacks and Panic
Removing Non-R&F models
Non-R&F casualties are removed from their
positions within the unit directly. R&F mod-
els are then moved to fill in empty spots.
When doing this, the models follow the
same guidelines as for casualty remov-
al (from rear ranks and equally from both
sides in the case of single rank units).
Units Engaged in Combat
If the unit is in a single rank, remove casu-
alties from either side of the unit, so that
the number of units (highest priority) and
number of models (lowest priority) in base
contact is maximized.
PANIC TEST
Panic Tests are Leadership Tests taken im-
mediately after any of the following situa-
tions arise:
• A friendly unit is destroyed within 6" (in-
cluding fleeing off the board).
• A friendly unit Breaks from combat with-
in 6".
• A friendly unit flees through the unit.
• The unit suffers, in a single phase, casu-
alties equal to or greater than 25% of the
number of models that it had at the start
of the phase. This rule is called Heavy
Casualties.
Units which fail a Panic Test flee from the
closest enemy unit (Centre of Unit to Centre
of Unit). If there are no enemy units on the
board, randomize direction.
If the Panic Test was forced by any of the
cases listed below, the unit flees directly
away (Centre of Unit to Centre of Unit) from
the enemy unit that caused the Panic Test.
• A spell cast by an enemy model.
• A special rule on an enemy model (such
as Terror).
• The unit suffers Heavy Casualties, and
the final wounds causing the casualties
to go above 25% were inflicted by an en-
emy unit.
Units do not need to take Panic Tests if they
are Engaged in Combat, if they are already
fleeing or if they already passed a Panic Test
during this Phase.
71 Rulebook
 TROOP TYPES

Just send the horses then.

— Field Marshal Finke, on being told that there were no more cavalrymen

A ll models and units have a Troop Type. A

unit’s Troop Type is the same as that of the
largest fraction of its R&F models (or all models,
Infantry
Special rules: Light Troops (Characters only)
War Beast
if there are no R&F models). In case of a tie, the
Special rules: Swiftstride
opponent chooses which fraction to use. Each
Cavalry
Troop Type has a number of rules associated with
Troop Type rules: Combined Profile, Cavalry Support
it, as described below.
Special rules: Swiftstride
Monstrous Infantry
Troop Type rules: Monstrous Support, Monstrous
Ranks
Special rules: Stomp (1)
Monstrous Beast
Troop Type rules: Monstrous Support, Mon-
strous Ranks
Special rules: Swiftstride, Stomp (1)
Monstrous Cavalry
Troop Type rules: Combined Profile, Cavalry
Support, Monstrous Support, Monstrous Ranks
Special rules: Swiftstride, Stomp (1)
Chariot
Troop Type rules: Combined Profile, Cavalry sup-
port, Monstrous Ranks
Special rules: Impact Hits (D6), Swiftstride, Can-
not March
Monster
Troop Type rules: Monster Ranks
Special rules: Stomp (D6), Towering Presence, Terror
Ridden Monster
Troop Type rules: Ridden Monster's Profile,
Monster Ranks
Special rules: Stomp (D6), Towering Presence,
Terror
Swarm
Special rules: Skirmishers, Immune to Psycholo-
gy, Unstable
War Machine
Troop Type rules: War Machine Profile
Special rules: Reload!, Move or Fire, Cannot March

Troop Types 72 Rulebook

 MODELS ON FOOT AND
MOUNTED MODELS
Certain spells or rules can affect mounted mod-
els or models on foot differently. For all purpos-
es, Swarms, Infantry, Monstrous Infantry, War
Beasts, Monstrous Beasts, Monsters and War Ma-
chines are considered models on foot, unless they
are taken as a mount (such as a palanquin), in
which case they are considered mounted. Cavalry,
Monstrous Cavalry, Ridden Monsters and Chari-
ots are considered mounted models.
Character Mounts
Many Characters have the option of selecting
mounts from the mount section of the Army-
books. When a model rides a mount, its Troop
Type changes:
• A model mounted on a War Beast becomes
Cavalry.
• A model mounted on a Monstrous Beast be-
comes Monstrous Cavalry.
• A model mounted on a Monster becomes Rid-
den Monster.
• A model mounted on any other Troop Type
becomes whatever Troop Type its mount is
(but counts as a mounted model instead of a
model on foot). In this case, the model gains
Combined Profile and Cavalry Support.
The entire combined model (Character, mount
and possibly additional riders/crew members
that are part of the mount) follow the rules for
Characters. Riders/crew member that are part
of the selected mount do not count as “mounts”
(meaning they can for example use weapons or
armour). These rider/crew members have their
own equipment which only they can use. Howev-
er, the combined model has a single Armour Save,
it must choose to either use the Armour of the a
rider/crew member (including Mount’s Protec-
tion and Barding) or the Armour of the Character
(including Mount’s Protection and Barding). Re-
member that for Ridden Monsters you can only
use the Armour Save of the Mount.
TROOP TYPE RULES
Cavalry support
Mounts cannot make Supporting Attacks.
Monster Ranks
A unit with this rule only needs to be 1 model
wide to form a Full Rank.
Troop Types
Monstrous Ranks
A unit with this rule only needs to be 3 models
wide to form Full Ranks, and 6 models wide to
form a Horde Formation.
Monstrous Support
Models with this rule may make up to 3 Support-
ing Attacks instead of 1.
Combined Profile
A model with this rule has separate profiles for
each of its parts. Cavalry models usually have a
rider part and a mount part. Chariot models usu-
ally consist of hull part, several crew parts and
several mount parts. In some chariots, mounts
and hull are represented by the same part.
When attacking or shooting, each part of the
multipart model uses its own Characteristics.
Each part of a model can make a Shooting Attack
in the same phase, but must choose the same tar-
get. A crew member or rider can choose to shoot
a weapon carried by the Chariot instead of its
own weapon.
In other situations, the multipart model is con-
sidered to be a single model with a single set of
Characteristics, defined as follows. Ignore all
other Characteristics, except when taking Char-
acteristic Tests, in this case use the highest value
among all parts.
Movement
Use the Movement of the mount or pulling beast.
Weapon Skill
Use the rider’s Weapon Skill or the best Weapon Skill
among riders/crewmen if there is more than one.
Toughness
Use the highest Toughness among all parts.
Wounds
Use the highest number of Wounds among all
parts. When the model reaches 0 Wounds, remove
all parts of the combined model as a casualty.
Leadership
Use the rider’s Leadership or the best Leadership
among riders/crewmen if there is more than one.
Armour and Saves
Use the best Armour Save, Ward Save and
Regeneration available on a single part. A rider’s
Armour Save can be increased by the Mount’s
Protection and Barding.
73 Rulebook
 Ridden Monster’s Profile
A model with this rule has a profile for the Mon-
ster and a profile for its riders/crewmen. When
being attacked, attacks are always resolved
against the Monster.
When attacking or shooting, each part of the
multipart model uses its own Characteristics.
Each part of the model can make Shooting At-
tacks in the same phase, but must choose the
same target. A crew member or rider can choose
to shoot a weapon carried by the Monster instead
of its own weapon.
In other situations, the multipart model is con-
sidered to be a single model with a single set of
Characteristics, defined as follows. Ignore all oth-
er Characteristics, except when taking non-initia-
tive characteristic tests, in this case use the high-
est value among all parts.
Movement
Use the Movement of the Monster.
Weapon Skill
Use the Monster’s Weapon Skill.
Toughness
Use Monster’s Toughness.
Wounds
Use the Monster’s Wounds. When the Monster
reaches 0 Wounds, remove the whole model as a
casualty.
Leadership
Use the rider’s Leadership or the best Leadership
among riders/crewmen if there is more than one.
Armour and Saves
Use the saves of the Monster. Any armour
equipment worn by the rider or its Ward/
Regeneration Save have no effect, unless noted
otherwise. Ridden Monsters may only have Innate
Defence armour type.
Troop Types
War Machine Profile
A War Machine is considered to be a single mod-
el with a single set of Characteristics, defined as
follows:
Toughness and Wounds
Use the machine’s Toughness and Wounds.
Other Characteristics
and Armour and Saves
Use the crew's Characteristics, Armour and other
Saves.
War Machines have separate profiles for the ma-
chine and its crew members. Use the machine's
Toughness and Wounds Characteristics. Use the
crew's Characteristics for all other purposes, us-
ing the Combined Profile rules in case of multi-
ple crew parts. War Machines automatically fail
any Characteristic Tests except Leadership Tests
and cannot March, Pursue, Declare Charges or
Declare Flee as Charge Reaction. When a War Ma-
chine fails a Panic Test, instead of fleeing it cannot
shoot in the next friendly Shooting Phase. Charac-
ters can never join units of War Machines.
When a unit charges a War Machine, it can move
into base contact by having its front facing con-
tact any point of the War Machine base. No Align
Move is allowed. Ignore the War Machine’s fac-
ing, as it does not have any due to its round base,
and ignore maximizing number of models in base
contact.
At the start of each Round of Combat when fight-
ing a War Machine, choose as many friendly en-
gaged models as possible, to a maximum of 6, that
are not in base contact with any other enemies.
Chariots, Monstrous Cavalry, Monstrous Infantry
and Monstrous Beasts count as 3 models each,
while Monsters and Ridden Monsters count as 6
models each for this purpose. The chosen models
are considered to be the only models in base con-
tact with the War Machine for the remainder of
the Round of Combat and hit automatically with
their normal Close Combat Attacks, while other
models cannot allocate or distribute any attacks
to the War Machine.
War Machines that Break from combat are auto-
matically destroyed. War Machines, and units En-
gaged in Combat with them, cannot make Combat
Reforms.
74 Rulebook
 TROOP TYPES SUMMARY
Models to form Supporting
Profile
a Full Rank Attacks per Special Rules Height**
Type
(Horde) model
Light Troops
Infantry — 5 (10) 1 Standard
(Characters only)
War Beast — 5 (10) 1 Swiftstride Standard
Combined 1
Cavalry 5 (10) Swiftstride Large
Profile (rider only)
Monstrous
— 3 (6) up to 3 Stomp(1) Large
Infantry
Monstrous Swiftstride
— 3 (6) up to 3 Large
Beast Stomp(1)
Monstrous Combined up to 3 Swiftstride
3 (6) Large
Cavalry Profile (rider only) Stomp(1)
Swiftstride
Combined 1
Chariot 3 (6) Cannot March Large
Profile (one rider only)
Impact Hits (D6)
Stomp (D6)
Monster — 1 — Towering Presence Gigantic
Terror
Ridden Stomp (D6)
Ridden
Monster’s 1 — Towering Presence Gigantic
Monster
Profile Terror
Skirmishers
Swarm — * (10) 1 Immune to psychology Standard
Unstable
War Cannot March
War Machine Machine no ranks — Reload! Standard
Profile Move or Fire
* Swarms cannot claim Full Ranks due to being Skirmishers.
** All models with the Towering Presence special rule are considered to be of Gigantic Height.

Of the many marvels I encountered in my voyages, few were so memorable as the Great Steel Road.
The construct itself is not what inspired me, though it is like no other road I have seen, consisting
simply of two lines of rugged metal that stretch in perfect parallel from horizon to horizon. Rather, it
was the engines that navigate this unique thoroughfare. Huge and black they were, fashioned from
dark metals into harsh, unnatural shapes, and connected in a long caravan to vast containers filled
with innumerable goods, propelled on their unerring path by infernal magics I cannot begin to fath-
om and trailing black smoke in their wake. The road runs beneath lands controlled by ogre tribes.
But I was told that it was constructed not by ogres but by the dwarves of the Blasted Plains, or rather
by their slaves.
— From Book of the Terrors of the World, by Niccolò Solo, famed Arcalean merchant traveler

Troop Types 75 Rulebook

Troop Types 76 Rulebook
Troop Types 77 Rulebook
 MUNDANE EQUIPMENT
You said it could never be pierced!
— Last words of Duke Gabriel de Gasconne
All weapons or armour that are not Magical Items
are considered mundane.
CLOSE COMBAT WEAPONS
Weapons listed in this section are used in Close
Combat and can confer various benefits and pen-
alties. The rules for weapons are only applied
when using the weapon in question (i.e. they
don't apply to Special Attacks such as Stomp or
when using a different weapon).
Mundane Equipment
Choosing Weapon
If a model has more than one Close Combat
Weapon, it must choose which one to use at the
start of each combat, and must continue to use
the same weapon for the duration of that combat.
When a model is attacked by a Ranged Attack, it
must use all weapons and armour that grant bo-
nuses to its Save, even if currently using another
weapon in combat (for example, a model that is
fighting with a Great Weapon in combat, and is
targeted by a Ranged Attack. This model must
use its shield against the Ranged Attack, but must
still fight with the Great Weapon in the combat).
All R&F models in a unit must choose the same
Close Combat Weapon. Unless noted otherwise,
mounts never benefit from weapons.
78 Rulebook
 Hand Weapon SHOOTING WEAPONS
All models are armed with a Hand Weapon. Hand Weapons listed in this section are used for making
Weapons cannot be lost, destroyed or nullified Shooting Attacks. Each model can normally only
by any means. If a model has any Close Combat use one Shooting Weapon per phase even if it is
Weapon other than a Hand Weapon, it cannot equipped with more than one, and all non-Cham-
choose to use the Hand Weapon (unless specifi- pion R&F models in a unit must use the same
cally stated). Hand Weapons wielded by models Shooting Weapon. Each Shooting Weapon has a
on foot can be used alongside a Shield to get the maximum Range, a Strength value, and can have
Parry special rule. one or more special rules. Special rules listed for
a Shooting Weapon only apply to the Shooting At-
Flail
tacks made with that weapon.
Requires Two Hands. Attacks made with a Flail
gain +2 Strength. Close Combat Attacks allocat-
ed at a model wielding a Flail gain a +1 modifier
when rolling to hit.
Great Weapon
Requires Two Hands. Attacks made with a Great
Weapon gain +2 Strength and strike at Initiative 0
(regardless of wielder’s Initiative).
Halberd
Requires Two Hands. Attacks made with a Hal-
berd gain +1 Strength.
Paired Weapons
Requires Two Hands. The Wielder gains +1 Attack Bow
and strikes at +1 Initiative when using this weapon. Range: 24" Strength: 3
Lance Special Rules: Volley fire
Attacks made with a Lance gain +2 Strength in the Longbow
Round of Combat directly after the Wielder has
Range: 30" Strength: 3
charged into combat. This bonus can only be used
for attacks directed against the charged enemies. Special Rules: Volley fire
Only mounted models, War Beasts and Monstrous Crossbow
Beasts can use a Lance.
Range: 30" Strength: 4
Light Lance
Special Rules: Unwieldy
Follows the same rules as a Lance, but only grants
Handgun
+1 Strength. Only mounted models, War Beasts
and Monstrous Beasts can use a Light Lance. Range: 24" Strength: 4

Spear Special Rules: Unwieldy, Armour Piercing (1)

The Wielder gains Fight in Extra Rank when using Pistol

this weapon. Attacks made with a Spear gain Ar- Range: 12" Strength: 4
mour Piercing (1). Attacks made with Spears gain Special Rules: Quick to Fire, Armour Piercing (1)
Lethal Strike when directed against Cavalry, Mon- Counts as Paired Weapons in Close Combat
strous Cavalry and Chariots Engaged to the front.
Mounted models cannot use Spears. Throwing Weapons
Range: 12" Strength: Same as user
Special Rules: Quick to Fire, Multiple Shots (2)

Mundane Equipment 79 Rulebook

 ARTILLERY WEAPONS
Weapons listed in this section are a special kind
of Shooting Weapons. These weapons are some-
times mounted on War Machine models, but can
on other occasions be mounted on Chariots, car-
ried by Monsters or contained within Magical
Items. Artillery Weapons are Shooting Weapons,
and always have the Reload! special rule. Artil-
lery Weapons have specific profiles for Range,
Strength and special rules, which you will find in
their description.
Bolt Thrower
Bolt Thrower attacks have Penetrating.
Cannon
Cannon attacks have Penetrating and ignore to-
hit penalties from Soft Cover and Hard Cover.
They gain a +1 to-hit modifier when targeting
units consisting entirely of models with Towering
Presence. When a Cannon rolls a natural to-hit of
'1', it Misfires: roll on the Misfire Table and apply
the corresponding result (a to-hit roll resulting in
a Misfire cannot be rerolled).
Mundane Equipment
Catapult (X)
Catapult attacks ignore to-hit penalties from Soft
Cover and Hard Cover. Resolve Catapult attacks as
follows:
• On a natural to-hit roll of '1', it Misfires: roll on
the Misfire Table and apply the corresponding
result (a to-hit roll resulting in a Misfire can-
not be rerolled).
• On a successful to-hit roll, the attack gains
Area Attack (X). Resolve the attack with the
Strength written in the Catapult's description.
• On any other to-hit result, roll to hit with a
new Catapult attack, labeled Partial Hit (ig-
nore any Misfire). If it hits, this attack gains
Area Attack (X-1), all hits are at half strength
(rounding fractions up), it loses all benefits
from the Strength written in square brackets
and/or Special Rules written in square brack-
ets (if any). If it misses, no further attack can
be generated this way.
Flame Thrower
Flame Throwers do not roll to hit. Instead, roll a
D6 (this is not considered a to-hit roll). On a nat-
ural roll of '1', it Misfires: roll on the Misfire Table
with a -1 modifier and apply the corresponding
result. On any other natural result the attack is
successful, use the rules for Penetrating with the
following exception: add D3 hits per rank (or file)
instead of 1, to a maximum number of hits per
rank (or file) equal to the number of models in
that rank (or file).
Some Flame Throwers have a higher Strength
and/or additional Special Rules stated in curly
brackets (such as Strength 4{5}, {Multiple
Wounds (D3)}). If so, use the Strength and Spe-
cial Rules inside such brackets when shooting at
a target within short range.
Volley Gun (X)
Volley Gun attacks have Multiple Shots (X), but ig-
nore the to-hit modifier from this special rule. If X
is a random number (such as in Volley Gun (2D6))
apply the following: when rolling for the number
of hits for a Volley Gun attack, if a single natural
'6' is rolled (after any reroll), this attack suffers a
-1 to-hit modifier; instead, if two or more natural
'6' are rolled, the attack fails and the Volley Gun
Misfires: roll on the Misfire Table and apply the
corresponding result.
80 Rulebook
 The Misfire Table
A to-hit roll resulting in a Misfire cannot be re-
rolled. When an Artillery Weapon misfires, roll a
D6 and consult the table below:
Dice result Misfire Effect
0 Explosion!
(or less) All models within D6" of the
misfiring model suffer a Strength
5 hit. The shooting model is then
destroyed. Remove it as a casualty.
1-2 Breakdown
The firing mechanism of the
weapon is damaged. The model
cannot shoot anymore with the
weapon for the rest of the game.
3-4 Jammed
The Artillery Weapon may not be
fired in the controlling player’s
next Player Turn.
5+ Malfunction
The shooting model suffers a
Wound with no Saves of any kind
allowed.
ARMOUR TYPES
The Armour Save of a model part is determined
by its armour and possibly also by special rules
and spells. Combine all the armour pieces a mod-
el has to form a combined Armour Save. Each
piece of mundane armour adds +1 (or more) to
the Saving Throw, up to a maximum total of +6.
If the Armour Saving Throw, including modifiers,
equals 7 or more, the Saving Throw is successful.
An unmodified roll of '1' is always a failure.
Mundane Equipment
There are 5 different types of Armour.
Suits of Armour
A model part can only wear a single Suit of Ar-
mour.
• Light Armour: +1
• Heavy Armour: +2
• Plate Armour: +3
Shields
A model part can only carry one Shield. In Close
Combat, a Shield cannot be used alongside a
weapon with the Requires Two Hands special
rule.
• Shield: +1
Mounts
• Mount’s Protection (6+): +1
• Mount’s Protection (5+): +2
No matter how many mounts a model has, it still
only gains the largest bonus once.
• Barding: +1. A mount equipped with Barding
suffers -1 Movement.
Innate Defence
A model part can only use one instance of Innate
Defence (use the best available).
• Innate Defence (6+): +1
• Innate Defence (5+): +2
• Innate Defence (4+): +3
and so on.
Other
Special equipment and Magical Items (such as
Helms), special rules, certain spells, and other
rules can further alter a model's Armour Save (up
to a maximum total of +6).
For example, if a model has a Light Armour (+1),
Shield (+1), Helm (+1) and is mounted on a steed
with Mount’s Protection (6+) (+1) and with Bard-
ing (+1), it has a total of +5 to its Armour Saving
Throws, meaning a score of 2+ will equal 7 or
more (and thus being a successful Saving Throw).
Normally such an Armour Save would be referred
to as a 2+ Armour Save. Note that with a total of
+6 to Armour Save, no model can ever have a bet-
ter save than 1+ (and even with this, an unmod-
ified score of '1' will always be a failed Armour
Saving Throw).
81 Rulebook
 CHARACTERS

Supreme Battlemage Asser. Tygon the Ruthless. Morchaal the Undefeated. The High Priest of Ullor. And now you.
— Vlad von Hammerstein, vampire lord of Zagvodz, describing his former guests

U nless specifically noted otherwise, any model

bought as part of the Characters Category of
an Armybook is a Character.
LONE CHARACTERS
All Characters can operate as a unit consisting of
just a single model. In this case, follow the normal
rules for units.
CHARACTERS JOINED
TO UNITS
Characters can operate as part of other units,
by joining them. This can be done either by de-
ploying the Character in the unit or by moving
into contact with the unit during the Remaining
Moves sub-phase. Units that are Engaged in Com-
bat or Fleeing cannot be joined.
Characters can join other Characters to form a
unit consisting only of Characters.
When a Character joins a unit, it must move into
a legal position (see Front Rank rule). A Char-
acter can freely choose any legal position it can
reach with its move, moving through the unit it
joins, possibly replacing other models (including
models with the Front Rank rule). Move displaced
models as little as possible in order to keep all
models in legal positions. If the Character does
not have a sufficient move to reach its desired po-
sition, it cannot join the unit.
When a Character joins a unit with just a single
rank, the owner can choose to either displace a
model to the second rank, or to expand the unit's
width and place the displaced model at either
side of the front rank.
If a unit is joined by a Character, the unit cannot
move any further in the same Remaining Moves
sub-phase. For determining which model counts
as moving or Marching (for purposes of shoot-
ing etc.), the Character and the unit are treated
individually during the Player Turn in which the
Character joined the unit. For example, if the unit
did not move and the Character Marched into the
unit to join in, the Character counts as having
marched, the rest of the unit counts as not having
moved at all.
Once joined to a unit, the Character is considered
as part of the unit for all rules purposes.

Characters 82 Rulebook
 Combined Unit wiped out
If a combined unit has all its R&F models killed,
leaving one or more Characters behind, the re-
maining Characters keep forming a unit, which is
still considered to be the same unit for ongoing
effects (such as “Lasts one Turn” spells) and Panic
(no unit is considered destroyed, and the Charac-
ters might have to test for Heavy Casualties).
Leaving a combined unit
A Character can leave a combined unit in the Re-
maining Moves sub-phase if it is able to move
(i.e. if it isn't Engaged in Combat, hasn't already
moved, isn't fleeing, etc.).
Roll a combined March Test for the whole unit be-
fore moving any model, if necessary. Characters
leaving a unit do not affect whether or not this
unit counts as moving (for purposes of shooting
etc.). If you need to take a March Test, first, de-
clare for which models in the unit the test is for.
It can either be for one Character, several Char-
acters, or the entire unit (all Characters and R&F
models). If the test was taken for Characters only,
and all Characters that took the test then leave
the unit, the remaining models in the unit are not
free to perform a March Move, and have to take
a new March Test if they wish to March. If some
character which took the test elects to remain in
the unit, the entire unit must March, and needs
to perform a March Test if they haven’t already.
When leaving its unit, a Character can move
through this unit, and can thus exit the unit from
any point, and may make a Flying Movement if
it has the Fly special rule. The Character counts
as a part of the unit until it has physically left it,
which means that the Character will be subject to
movement alterations during the move to leave
the unit. If the Character does not have enough
movement to be placed at least 1" away from the
unit, it cannot leave the unit. A Character cannot
leave a unit, and then in the same phase join the
same unit again.
Characters
Charging out of a unit
A Character can also leave a combined unit by
charging out of it. To do this, declare a Charge
with a Character in the combined unit (during the
Declare Charges sub-phase as normal). If this is
done, the unit itself (including other Characters
in the unit) cannot Declare Charges in the same
Player Turn. Stand and Shoot Charge Reactions
declared against a Character charging out of a
unit are all distributed onto the Character. When
charging out of a unit, the Character uses its own
movement (and may even make a Flying Move-
ment if it has the Fly special rule), and is affected
by movement alterations affecting the unit dur-
ing the Charge Move. If the Charge is successful,
move the Character out of the unit and Charge as
normal. During this Charge Move, the Character
ignores models from the combined unit for move-
ment purposes. If the Charge is not successful, the
Character makes a Failed Charge Move out of the
unit. If the Failed Charge Move is too short to place
the Character outside 1" of the combined unit, the
Character remains in the unit and the combined
unit is treated as if it had failed a Charge.
Distributing hits at combined units
When an Attack hits a combined unit, there are
two possibilities for distributing hits:
Characters are of the same Troop Type
-and-
There are 5 or more R&F models in the unit
All hits are distributed onto R&F models, Charac-
ters cannot suffer any hits.
Characters are of a different Troop Type
-or-
There are 4 or less R&F models in the unit
The player making the attack distributes hits
onto R&F models and Characters. Hits must be
distributed as equally as possible, meaning that
no model can take a second hit until all models
have taken a single hit, and so on.
If a unit of 5 or more R&F models contains several
Characters of both the same and different Troop
Type, Characters with the same Troop Type as the
R&F models are ignored for the hit distributions.
83 Rulebook
 Front Rank Matching Bases

All Characters and Command Group models have If a model with Front Rank has the same base size
the Front Rank rule. Models with this rule must as the R&F models in its unit, or if it does not have
always be placed as far forward as possible in the same base size as the unit it is in, but its base
their unit. Normally this means that they must be is the same size as two or more (whole number)
placed in the first rank, but if the first rank is full of the R&F models' bases (such as a 40x40mm
of other models with the Front Rank rule, they are base in a 20x20mm unit), this is called a Matching
placed in the second rank instead. If this rank is base. In this case, the Character is placed in the
also full of models with the Front Rank rule, they unit as normal, displacing the necessary amount
are placed in the 3rd rank, and so on. of models. The front of the base should be as far
forward as possible (as per Front Rank rule). The
When moving a unit that includes models with the
model is considered to be in all ranks its base oc-
Front Rank rule, these models can be reorganized
cupies for the purposes of calculating Full Ranks.
into a new position (still as far forward as pos-
For calculating the number of models in the unit's
sible) as part of the move. This can be done as a
ranks (such as for Full Ranks, Horde Formation,
part of an Advance move, March, or Reform move,
Area Attack, Penetrating, and so on), the large
and counts towards the Movement allowance of
base counts as the number of models it replaces.
the unit (measure from a Character's starting po-
A model cannot join a unit if its base is wider than
sition to its ending position to determine how far
the unit it wishes to join and the unit has more
it has moved).
than one rank, nor can a unit reform into a for-
If a model with the Front Rank rule leaves a unit mation that is narrower than a Character joined
or is removed as a casualty, the gap it leaves must to the unit.
be filled with models from other ranks, possibly
If a model with a Matching Base has a longer base
moving up models with the Front Rank rule, if
than the bases of R&F models in the unit, the unit
this means they are moved to positions further
is allowed to have more than one Incomplete
forward. If more than one model with the Front
Rank, if all incomplete ranks after the first con-
Rank rule could move forward, the owner of the
sists only of models with such bases (i.e. the back
models decides which model is moved forward. If
part of long bases are allowed to form several in-
all models with the Front Rank rule already are as
complete ranks).
far forward as possible, fill any empty gaps with
R&F models from the back ranks.
Sometimes Front Rank models must be redis-
tributed in order for all such models to be as far
forward as possible. When this happens, move as
few models as possible in order to always have all
models with the Front Rank rule as far forward as
possible.

a) b)

Figure 16
a) Character C1 is Mismatching and is placed next b) When Character C4 joins the unit, the Musician
to the unit. Characters C2 and C3 are matching must be moved to the side in order to have all
and are placed inside the unit, as far forward as Front Rank models as far forward as possible.
possible. This unit is considered to have 3 Full
Ranks (C1 does not count, but C2 counts as 2
models wide).

Characters 84 Rulebook
 Mismatching Bases THE GENERAL
If, however, a model with the Front Rank rule does
not have a Matching base (such as a 50x50mm Choosing the General
base inside a 20x20mm unit), the base is Mis-
In every army one model must play the role of the
matching, and the Character is placed in base con-
General. This model must be the Character with
tact to the side of the unit, aligned with its front.
the highest Leadership in your army, excluding
Only two Mismatching bases can be joined to a
the Battle Standard Bearer and Characters with
single unit (one at each side). These models are
the special rule "Not A Leader". If two (or more)
considered to be in the front rank of the unit, but
eligible Characters are tied for highest Leader-
are ignored when counting the number of mod-
ship, you are free to choose which Character is
els in each rank when establishing the number
your General. This must be noted in the Army List.
of Full Ranks and if a unit is in Horde Formation.
They form a file of one model. The General has the Inspiring Presence special
rule.

Make Way THE BATTLE

At step 3 of the Round of Combat Sequence, any STANDARD BEARER
Character placed in the front rank, and not in
base contact with an enemy model, may move Choosing the
into contact with an enemy model. This enemy Battle Standard Bearer
model must be in base contact with the Charac-
Some Characters can be upgraded to be the Battle
ter’s unit, and it must be attacking the Charac-
Standard Bearer (BSB). This option will be noted
ter’s unit in its Front. To do a Make Way move, the
under their unit entry in their respective Army-
Character switches position with another model
book. An army may only include a single Battle
(or models) in its unit, these models cannot be
Standard Bearer (One of a Kind).
Characters. Characters with Mismatching bases
The Battle Standard Bearer has the Hold Your
can never perform a Make Way move.
Ground special rule.

Magical Standard
If a Battle Standard Bearer has the option to buy
Magical Items, it is allowed to purchase a Magical
Standard. This Magical Standard may either be
taken as part of the model’s Magical Items point
limit, or it can be taken without any cost limita-
tions (i.e. it could exceed the Character’s points
limit for Magical Items), but in this case the model
cannot take any other Magical Items.

Characters 85 Rulebook
 CHALLENGES
Issuing a Challenge
Characters and Champions Engaged in a Combat
may issue a Challenge. At step 4 of the Round of
Combat Sequence, the Active Player may nom-
inate one of their Characters or Champions and
issue a Challenge, provided that there is at least
one enemy Champion or Character able to accept
it (this model must be in base contact with the
challenging model's unit and there must be no
ongoing challenge in this combat, see below). If
no Challenge was issued, the Reactive Player may
nominate one of their Characters or Champions
and issue a Challenge.
In a village of Santa Genoveva, the name of which I
have no desire to call to mind, there lived not long
ago one of those gentlemen that keep a lance in
the lance-rack, a repeating crossbow in his jacket,
throwing daggers in his boots and wrist-pistols un-
der his sleeves.
— Opening lines of Don Quicio,
by Destrian novelist Miguel Cerveza
Characters
Accepting or Refusing
a Challenge
If a Challenge was issued, the opposing play-
er may now choose one of their own Engaged
Characters or Champions in the same combat to
Accept the Challenge and fight the Character or
Champions that issued the Challenge. The model
that Accepts the challenge must be in a unit that
is in base contact with the model that issued the
challenge, or its unit.If a Challenge isn’t accepted
this challenge is said to be refused. The player is-
suing the Challenge now nominates one of their
opponent's Characters, which could have accept-
ed the Challenge, if there is any (note that Cham-
pions cannot be nominated). This model's Lead-
ership is reduced to 0 and it (and its unit) cannot
use the Character’s Stubborn special rule (if it
has it) until the end of the Player Turn in which
the combat ends (or until the Character accepts
or issues a Challenge). Also, it cannot make any
Close Combat Attacks during this Combat Round,
loses Hold Your Ground and, if it’s a Battle Stand-
ard Bearer, it doesn't add +1 to its side's Combat
Score during this Combat Round.
86 Rulebook
 Fighting a Challenge
If the Challenge was accepted, the Character or
Champion issuing the Challenge and the Char-
acter or Champion that answered the Challenge
count as being in base contact with each other
(even if their bases are not physically touching
each other) and must allocate all their attacks to-
wards each other, including special attacks made
towards units (such as Stomp, Breath Weapons,
Impact Hits, Grinding Attacks) which are always
allocated to the opposing Character or Champion
(in the case of Stomp attacks, the opposing Char-
acter must be of a stompable Troop Type, other-
wise the Stomp attacks are lost). No other model
can allocate attacks at either of these models and
attacks/hits from Close Combat Attacks can nev-
er be distributed onto a Character or a Champion
in a Challenge.
Characters
If one of the models are killed in the Close Com-
bat Phase, before the other model had a chance to
make all its Attacks (common with Character with
more than one Initiative value, such as a rider and
its mount or a model with Stomp), any of the at-
tacks not yet carried out can and must be directed
at the killed model, as if it was still alive and in
base contact, in order to get an Overkill bonus.
If one of the models are killed, Breaks from Com-
bat or if the Combat ends for any reason (in-
cluding combat being divided through Splitting
Combat), the Challenge is considered to be over
at the end of the Phase. If neither model is killed
before the next Round of Combat, the Challenge
continues. No other Challenges can be issued in
the same combat until one of the models is killed.
Overkill
During a Challenge, any excess Wounds caused
count towards the Combat Score, up to a maxi-
mum of +3.
87 Rulebook
 In the time of great suffering
The lands boiled
The skies darkened.
Water turned to acid, food warped and spoiled
And every kind of unnatural, despicable creature
Poured forth across the lands
As a horde of malice.
The tide swept all before it,
They weren't few, but countless,
The hearts of those who saw them stopped.
The Myahet were driven before them
Scattered to the four winds.
Among the daemons were
The Shapeshifter and The Decaying,
Terrifying brutes and powerful sorcerers,
Armed with iron chains and flying disks
Who didn't spare at all
The souls of their enemies.
With these two also arrived
Writhing, bloodthirsty creatures
Of every shape and hideous kind.
The greatest of them all
Was Foloy the Skullbringer
A red giant wearing heavy iron coats.
You should have seen Foloy -
He was ready to pounce like a sabretooth tiger,
His fearsome axes were as big as a cauldron
His red hide impenetrable,
He had huge horns and ragged wings.
The destructive infidels
Shouted with rage.
— Lines 3,410-3,473 from the ogre epic Tsanas,
an oral poem recited at ceremonies and feasts,
translated from the Gyenggetat by Pascaline Caillat
Characters
Receiving the order from their khan,
The daemons set out
From the vast Wasteland.
They had living chariots, crushers,
Hellhounds and pestilent beasts,
These teeming infidels
Had numerous daemonic engines as well.
The teeming legions marched,
A thick forest, a relentless flood,
Waving their spotted banners,
They weren't few, but many.
None could oppose the spawn-kin
Until the great Tsanas rallied
The surviving Myahet at Home Peak,
And charged with them into terrible battle.
The mountain ran with blood and corpses
The daemons were so many.
But such was the strength of mighty Tsanas,
He slew The Shapeshifter
He slew The Decaying,
And countless more.
Then did huge Foloy, the Skullbringer,
Issue a great challenge.
Tsanas, Khan of Khans,
Strode across the battle to meet him.
The red giant buried his axes
In Tsanas’ belly.
But even in death, the hero
Took Foloy’s head with his hammer.
The daemons fled in terror,
And the Myahet pursued.
88 Rulebook
Characters 89 Rulebook
 COMMAND GROUP

You don’t play the battlepipes, the pipes play you.

— Dwarvish saying

C ertain units feature the option of upgrading

regular models to Champion, Musician or
Standard Bearer. These models are known as the
Command Group and have the rule Front Rank. If
a Musician or Standard Bearer is to be removed
as a casualty, replace another R&F model with the
Musician or Standard Bearer – it is assumed that
another soldier picked up their tool and responsi-
bility. Champions however are not easily replaced
and can be specifically targeted in some situations
(for example by allocating attacks in close com-
bat, attacks that target individual models such as
focused spells or attacks that target all models in
a unit). If enough Wounds are suffered by R&F
models in order to wipe out the entire unit, any
remaining Wounds suffered are allocated at the
Champion even if it is fighting in a Challenge.
STANDARD BEARER
Combat Bonus
A side with Standard Bearers adds +1 to its Com-
bat Score for each Standard Bearer.
VETERAN STANDARD
BEARER
Some Standard Bearers in Core troops may be
upgraded to be the Veteran Standard Bearer.
The Veteran Standard Bearer may take a Magi-
cal Standard worth up to 50 points. The Veteran
Standard Bearer is 0-1 Choice per Army, so only a
single model in the army (or two in the case of a
Grand Army) may be upgraded.

MUSICIAN CHAMPION
Swift Reform
First Among Equals
A unit with a Musician can make a Swift Reform:
A Champion gains +1 Attack. If it is a multipart
the unit makes a Reform with the following ex-
model, the Characteristics increase only affects a
ceptions:
single rider or crew member.
• The unit is not prohibited from shooting in the
Ordering the Charge
next Shooting Phase.
When a unit with a Champion rolls for their
• The unit can perform an Advance Move after
Charge Range, they always count as rolling at
the Reform.
least a ‘4’. If the Charge is still failed, ignore this
March to the Beat rule and use the rolled dice to determine the
March Tests taken by units within 8" of an enemy Failed Charge Move.
unit with a Musician are taken at -1 Leadership,
unless the unit that wishes to March also has a
Musician.

Command Group 90 Rulebook

Command Group 91 Rulebook
 TERRAIN
The desert does not care. The desert does not forgive.
TERRAIN TYPES
Dangerous Terrain (X)
When a model Marches, Charges (excluding Failed
Charges), Flees, Pursues or Overruns through,
into, or out of a Piece of Terrain which counts as
Dangerous Terrain, it must take a Dangerous Ter-
rain Test. To do this, roll one D6. Models with the
Monstrous Troop Type roll two D6 instead, while
Chariots, Monsters and Ridden Monsters roll four
D6. For each '1' rolled, the model takes a Wound
with Armour Piercing (6).
Sometimes the rule is written as Dangerous Ter-
rain (X). In this case, the model takes a wound for
each dice equal to or less than X.
Dangerous Terrain Tests are taken as soon as the
model touches the relevant Terrain. In most cases
it does not matter exactly when a model dies, and
it is therefore more convenient to take all Dan-
gerous Terrain Tests of a unit at once. Wounds
suffered from Dangerous Terrain Tests are allo-
cated towards the model’s wound pool as normal.
A model never takes more than one Dangerous
Terrain Test for the same Terrain Feature during
a single move, but it might have to take several
Dangerous Terrain Tests caused by different piec-
es of Terrain or abilities.
Terrain
— Nomarch Pherisis
Obscuring Terrain
Line of Sight cannot be drawn through Obscuring
Terrain. Some Obscuring Terrain allows models
to move in or on them (such as Hills), Line of Sight
can be drawn into or out of (but never through)
such Terrain Features.
Soft Terrain
Units in, on or obscured by Soft Terrain benefit
from Soft Cover if more than half of the unit’s
Footprint is obscured from a shooter’s Line of
Sight. Models always ignore the Terrain Piece
they are currently inside.
Hard Terrain
Units in, on or obscured by Hard Terrain benefit
from Hard Cover if more than half of the unit’s
Footprint is obscured from a shooter’s Line of
Sight. Models always ignore the Terrain Piece
they are currently inside.
TERRAIN FEATURES
A Terrain Feature is a topographical area on the
Battlefield that is a mixture of Dangerous, Ob-
scuring, Soft or Hard Terrain and may possess its
own special rules.
Open Terrain
Open Terrain doesn't normally have any effect
upon Line of Sight, Cover modifiers or Movement.
All parts of the board that are not covered by any
other kind of Terrain are considered to be Open
Terrain.
92 Rulebook
 Impassable Terrain
Line of Sight
Impassable Terrain is Obscuring Terrain.
Cover
Impassable Terrain is Hard Terrain.
Movement
Models cannot move into or through Impassable
Terrain. If a Charge Move has brought a model
within 1" of Impassable Terrain, the model (and
its unit) is allowed to stay within 1" until moving
outside this 1" distance.
Fields
Cover
Fields are Soft Terrain for any unit with more
than half of its Footprint inside, except for models
with Towering Presence.
Movement
Fields are Dangerous Terrain (1) to Cavalry, Mon-
strous Cavalry and Chariots.
Easy to Blaze
Units with more than half of their Footprint inside
a Field count as Flammable. Models with Flam-
ing Attacks (either on the model or on a weapon)
treat Fields as Dangerous Terrain (1).
Hills
Line of Sight
Hills are Obscuring Terrain.
Cover
A unit partially on a Hill counts the Hill as Soft
Terrain. A unit completely off a Hill counts the Hill
as Hard Terrain.
Elevated position
Models with more than half of their base on a Hill
are considered to be of Gigantic Height for Line of
Sight and Cover purposes.
Charging downhill
A unit initiating a Charge Move with more than
half of its Footprint on a Hill and ending the
Charge Move with more than half of its Footprint
no longer on the Hill receives +1 to its Combat
Score in its next Round of Combat.
Terrain
Forests
Cover
Forests are Soft Terrain.
Movement
Forests are Dangerous Terrain (1) for Cavalry,
Monstrous Cavalry, Chariots and units making a
Flying Movement.
Broken Ranks
Units with more than half of their Footprint in a
Forest can never be Steadfast.
Stubborn
Units with more than half of their Footprint in a
Forest and comprised entirely of Infantry
and/or Monstrous Infantry models with Light
Troops, but without Fly, are Stubborn.
Ruins
Cover
Ruins are Hard Terrain for any unit with more
than half of its Footprint inside, except for models
with Towering Presence.
Movement
Ruins are Dangerous Terrain (1) for any unit ex-
cept Skirmishers. Cavalry, Monstrous Cavalry and
Chariots treat Ruins as Dangerous Terrain (2).
Water
Movement
Units may not March into, through, or out of Wa-
ter Terrain. Water Terrain is Dangerous Terrain
(1) for Cavalry, Monstrous Cavalry and Chariots.
Disordered for Combat
A rank of models that is at least partially inside
a Water feature can never count as a Full Rank.
Units with more than half of their Footprint in
a Water feature counts as having 0 Full Ranks.
Units having more than half of their models with
Strider or Strider (Water) are not affected by Dis-
ordered for Combat.
93 Rulebook
 Walls
Cover
A Wall is Hard Cover for any model shooting at
a unit without more than half of models with
Towering Presence, and with more than half of
the front the front rank Defending the Wall (see
below). If the shooter is in the flank or rear, use
the corresponding file or the last rank as the front
rank instead.
Movement
Ignore Walls for movement and positioning pur-
pose. A Wall is Dangerous Terrain (1) for Cavalry,
Monstrous Cavalry and Chariots.
Defending a Wall
In order to defend a Wall, a model must be aligned
and in base contact with it.
Combat
Models Defending a Wall get the Distracting spe-
cial rule when attacked by units charging them in
the same facing that the Wall is, but only for the
first Round of Combat of the charging unit.
King Louis: My dear Cantemont, how glad I am to
see you well. But where is our Commander, the
Duke of Gasconne? Is he still in the field?
Cantemont: Sad news, my liege. Gasconne is slain.
L: By the Lady, our nation is so much the poorer
for his loss. What news from the Crusade? Is the
traitor deposed?
C: My duty lies heavy upon me. But I will endeav-
our to be direct. 4,000 knights followed us to
Avras. Fewer than 400 return with me. And
many of them are decidedly the worse for wear.
L: Surely it is not true. Were you not prepared for
General Fontaine and his meagre troops?
C: Indeed we were, my liege. At first we sent a sum-
mons to parlay, as my lord instructed. But the
villain would not even treat with us. Immediate-
ly we closed upon the city from the West, for the
honour of the Lady. But we weren’t expecting...
L: What? Tell us!
C: We weren’t expecting the zombies, your Grace.
L: Forgive me, did you mean to say zombies?
C: Yes, my lord. Very much so. We found the ap-
proaches to the city impassible, as things pulled
men and horses beneath the murky water.
Terrain
Buildings
Take Cover
Buildings are Obscuring Terrain.
Cover
Buildings are Hard Terrain.
Movement
Units consisting entirely of Infantry, War Beasts,
Monstrous Infantry, Monstrous Beasts or Swarms
models (including a mix of these) treat Buildings
as Open Terrain during the Remaining Moves
sub-phase, except they may not end their move
inside or within 1" of the Building. In all other sit-
uations, treat Buildings as Impassable Terrain.
Take Cover
Units moving through a Building with more than
half of their footprint (excluding Flying Moves)
benefit from Hard Cover until the start of the next
friendly Player Turn, or until they perform any
Shooting Attack, whichever comes first.
We believe there may have been some kind of
necromancy in play. A beautiful woman floating
above the filth and laughing at our efforts con-
firmed our suspicions. But when our dear friend
Gasconne sought out the fiend it did not go well
for him. She devoured him in front of us... A most
unpleasant business.
L: My Lady! And yet you outnumbered them, did
you not? After all we spent...
C: Indeed. But our knights were driven into the
swamps by magical curses, and our horses be-
came mired. We were exhausted after a long
march and our heavy armour was ill-suited to
the boggy terrain. It was at this point that a
considerable number of our fallen countrymen
began to rise from where they’d fallen... Then of
course there were the nightmarish wraiths…
L: Wraiths?
C: Something of that ilk, I’d rather not go into detail..
Many who were not slain took their lives in madness.
L: By the Lady... I must retire to prayer. Give the
survivors food and water. You are dismissed,
Cantemont. Go back to your family.
— Transcript of proceedings
at the Court of Equitaine, 960 A.S.
94 Rulebook
Terrain 95 Rulebook
 VICTORY CONDITIONS
Na na na na na na.
— Traditional victory cry (several races)
Scoring Victory Points
At the end of each game, add up your Victory
Points (VP) according to the rules below:
Dead or Fled
For each enemy unit that has been killed or has
fled the Battlefield, you gain a number of VP
equal to its point value.
Scared
For each enemy unit that is fleeing on the Battle-
field at the end of the game, you gain a number of
VP equal to half its point value (rounding up).
Decimated
For each enemy unit that is at or below 25% of its
starting number of Wounds at the end of the game,
you gain a number of VP equal to half its point
value (rounding up). Characters are counted
separately from the units they have joined.
Note that if an enemy unit is both Scared and
Decimated, you gain a number of VP equal to the
unit’s total point value.
Their King is Dead
If the enemy General was killed or has fled the
Battlefield, you gain 200 VP.
Their Flag is Down
If the enemy Battle Standard Bearer was killed or
has fled the Battlefield, you gain 200 VP.
Victory Conditions
Scoring Secondary Objectives
The Secondary Objective selected at the start of
the game can grant extra Battle Points.
Hold the Ground
The player with the most Scoring Units within 6"
of the centre point of the Board at the end of the
game wins this Secondary Objective.
Breakthrough
The player with the most Scoring Units within its
opponent's Deployment Zone at the end of the
game wins this Secondary Objective.
Capture the Flags
The player that has the highest number of its cho-
sen Scoring Units still alive at the end of the game
wins this Secondary Objective.
Secure Target
At the end of the game, the player controlling the
most markers wins this Secondary Objective. A
marker is controlled by the player with the most
Scoring Units within 6" of the marker. If a unit is
within 6" of both markers, it only counts as with-
in 6" of the marker which is closest to its centre
(randomize if both markers are equally close).
Scoring Units
Units with at least one model with the Scoring
special rule are considered Scoring Units and
are used for capturing Secondary Objectives. Re-
member than units can lose their Scoring special
rule when Fleeing, Post-Combat Reforming or
Ambushing and arriving after Game Turn 3, see
Special Rules section for details.
96 Rulebook
 WHO IS THE WINNER? On those who do not serve her glory, she will rain
Once all the Victory Points are added together, a fiery coals and burning sulfur; scorching sunfire
total of 20 Battle Points are divided between the will be their lot.
players, with more or less points to the winner
depending on the Victory Points difference. Cal- — Sunna Cycle. Precepts 9:27
culate the Victory Points Difference and use the
chart below to convert the Victory Points into
Battle Points.
If there is a winner of the Secondary Objective,
that player gains 3 additional Battle Points while
the loser of the Secondary Objective loses 3 Bat-
tle Points. If using more than one Secondary Ob-
jective, the player that wins the most Secondary
Objectives gains 3 additional Battle Points while
the other player loses 3 Battle Points.
Victory Points Table
Victory Points Difference Battle Points
Percentage of (if playing
Winner Loser
Total Army Cost 4500 points)
0-5% 0-225 VP 10 10
>5-10% 226-450 VP 11 9
>10-20% 451-900 VP 12 8
>20-30% 901-1350 VP 13 7
>30-40% 1351-1800 VP 14 6
>40-50% 1801-2250 VP 15 5
>50-70% 2251-3150 VP 16 4
>70 ≥3151 17 3
Winning Secondary Objective +3 -3

Optional Simplified Rules for

Determining the Winner
Winning the most Secondary Objectives awards
the winner a number of Victory Points equal to
20% of the size of the game. Once all the Victory
Points are added together, compare the two re-
sults.
• If the difference in Victory Points is less than
10% of the game’s point size, the game is a
Draw.
• If the difference is at least 10% and up to 50%,
it is a Win for the player who scored higher.
• If the difference is more than 50% of the game
size, the game is a Massacre.

Victory Conditions 97 Rulebook

 SPECIAL RULES

There is only one true law: the strongest prevail. We are

the agents of nature’s selection, and today we deliver judg-
ment on those unworthy of life!
— Dac Aebha, Oracle of the Cult of Nabh

Special Rules 98 Rulebook

S pecial rules are effects and abilities that can
apply to whole models, model parts, weapons
and spells. The details of applying and interac-
Special Attacks
Special Attacks (like Stomp or Breath Weapon)
are typically not made with the model’s weapon.
tions of special rules are given after the list. Special Attacks do not benefit from special rules
Accurate Move or Fire that modify normal Close Combat Attacks or nor-
mal Shooting Attacks (including special rules that
Ambush Multiple Shots (X)
modify Characteristics). However, Special Attacks
Area Attack Multiple Wounds (X, Y) may benefit from other sources of rules (as long
Armour Piercing (X) Not a Leader as they are not special rules) or characteristics in-
Bodyguard (X) Otherworldly creases, such as spells or Magic Items. For exam-
Breath Weapon (X) Parry ple, a Great Weapon or Thunderous Charge does
not increase the Strength of Stomp attacks, but a
Cannot March Pathmaster
Potion of Strength or the spell “Awaken the Beast”
Channel Penetrating (which increases the Strength) does.
Crush Attack Poisoned Attacks
Breath Weapon (X) Impact Hits (X)
Daemonic Instability Quick to Fire
Crush Attack Stomp (X)
Devastating Charge Random Attacks (X)
Grinding Attacks (X) Sweeping Attack
Distracting Random Movement (X)
Divine Attacks Regeneration (X)
Engineer Reload!
Ethereal Requires Two Hands
Fast Cavalry Scoring
Fear Scout
Fight in Extra Rank Skirmishers
Fireborn Stomp (X)
Flaming Attacks Strider
Flammable Stubborn
Fly (X) Stupidity
Frenzy Swiftstride
Grinding Attacks (X) Sweeping Attack
Hard Target Terror
Hatred Thunderous Charge
Hellfire Towering Presence
Hold Your Ground Toxic Attacks
Immune to Psychology Unbreakable
Impact Hits (X) Undead
Insignificant Unstable
Inspiring Presence Unwieldy
Lethal Strike Vanguard
Light Troops Volley Fire
Lightning Attack War Platform
Lightning Reflexes Ward Save (X)
Magic Resistance (X) Weapon Master
Magical Attacks Wizard Conclave (Spells)
Metalshifting

Special Rules 99 Rulebook

 LIST OF SPECIAL RULES
Accurate
Shooting Weapons with this special rule or Shoot-
ing Attacks from model parts with this special
rule don't suffer the -1 to-hit modifier for Shoot-
ing at Long Range.
Ambush
Before Deployment, after choosing Deployment
Zones, an army that includes units with the Am-
bush special rule must state which of your units
with this special rule will use it (starting with the
player that picked the Deployment Zone). Deploy
your army as usual, but without deploying any of
the Ambushing units. Starting from Game Turn 2,
roll a dice for each Ambushing unit at the start
of each of your Remaining Moves sub-phases. Af-
ter you have rolled for all Ambushing units, each
unit that rolled 3+, now enters the Battlefield
from any table edge. Place the arriving unit with
all of its back rank touching the Board Edge. Am-
bushing models are free to move in the Remain-
ing Moves sub-phase, except that they may not
March Move, and they must end this Movement
Phase no more than twice their Movement value
from the Board Edge. If an Ambushing unit has
not entered the board (due to failing all its 3+
rolls) before the game ends, the unit counts as
destroyed. An Ambushing Character may choose
to be deployed within an Ambushing unit that it
would normally be allowed to join (declare this
when declaring which units are Ambushing). In
that case the player rolls once for the combined
unit. Until arriving on the Battlefield, Ambushing
units cannot do any actions at all, and all items,
rules, abilities etc. do not work while not on the
Battlefield.
Special Rules
Area Attack
When an attack with this special rule hits a unit,
chose up to X different ranks of this unit; these
must be the ranks resulting in the maximum
amount of hits. For each rank selected this way:
the unit suffers X hits, to a maximum equal to the
number of models in this rank. No model can suf-
fer more than one hit from a single Area Attack.
Some Area Attacks have a higher Strength and/or
additional special rules stated in square brackets
(such as Strength 3[7], [Multiple Wounds (D3)]).
If so, a single hit from this attack uses the Strength
value and special rules in brackets. The Bracket-
ed values and special rules are not applied to any
other hits.
Figure 17
Green unit is hit by an Area Attack (2). There are
more than two ranks with more than 2 models.
Number of hits: 2 + 2 = 4.
Orange unit is hit by an Area Attack (3). First rank
has more than 3 models, but the second rank only
has a single model. There are no third rank. Num-
ber of hits: 3 + 1 = 4.
Purple unit is hit by Area Attack (4). Since it’s a sin-
gle model, there will always only be a single rank
with a single mode. Number of hits: 1.
Blue unit is hit by an Area Attack (4). First and sec-
ond rank has 3 models. There are no third or fourth
ranks. Number of hits: 3 + 3 = 6.
100 Rulebook
 Armour Piercing (X) Cannot March
Attacks made with this special rule and Close Units with one or more models with this special
Combat Attacks made by parts of models with this rule cannot perform a March Move.
special rule impose a -X modifier on the enemy’s
Channel
Armour Saves taken against them (in addition to
the normal modifier from the Strength of the at- Each model part with this special rule adds +1 to
tack). If an attack has more than one instance of its side's Channel rolls. All Wizards have this spe-
the Armour Piercing special rule, use the highest cial rule.
value available for the attack. Crush Attack – Special Attack
If the value within brackets is preceded by a ‘+’ I built these walls strong enough to keep out a
sign, add the value to the already existing Armour horde of trolls. Which I thought was fine, until they
Piercing value instead (if the model already had sent back Felix’s drawings from Virentia.
Armour Piercing). If not, use the value directly.
— Architect of the Volskagrad city defences
Bodyguard (X)
A model part with this rule can exchange all of its
When a Character is joined to a unit in which at normal Close Combat Attacks for a single Special
least one model has the Bodyguard special rule, Attack, which cannot be made as a Supporting
that Character gains Stubborn. When Characters Attack, is resolved at Initiative 0, has Strength
or Character types are stated in brackets, Body- 10 and Multiple Wounds (D3+1). Crush Attacks
guard only works for the specified Characters or never benefit from any equipment or special rule
Character types. the model may have (since it is a Special Attack).
Breath Weapon (X) – Special Attack Even though this is a Special Attack, the attack is
Model parts with this special rule can use it only Allocated as if it was a normal Close Combat At-
once during the game. If a model has more than tack. The model can still make other Special At-
one Breath Weapon, it can only use one Breath tacks such as Stomp or Impact Hits.
Weapon in a single phase. It can be used either
as a Special Shooting Attack or as a Special Close
Combat Attack.
• As a Special Shooting Attack (normally in the
Shooting Phase): Choose a target using the
normal rules for Shooting Attacks. The attack
has a Range of 6". This attack can be used even
if the model Marched previously in this turn,
as well as for a Stand and Shoot Charge Reac-
tion.
• As a Special Close Combat Attack (normally in
the Close Combat Phase): The attack is made
at the model part's Initiative. Declare that you
are using the Breath Weapon when allocating
attacks, and choose a unit in base contact to
attack with it.
No matter if it is used as a Shooting or Close Com-
bat Attack, a Breath Weapon causes 2D6 automat-
ic hits on its target. The Strength and the special
rules (if any) of these hits are given within brack-
ets, such as “Breath Weapon (Strength 4, Flaming
Attacks)”. When several model parts in the same
unit have this special rule, roll for the number of
hits separately.

Special Rules 101 Rulebook

 Daemonic Instability
When a unit with this Special Rule fails a Break
Test, it does not flee from combat. Instead, it suf-
fers a number of Wounds equal to the amount
by which the test was failed (Simplified formula:
2D6+CS-Ld), ignoring the usual minimum 0 for its
Leadership Characteristic. These Wounds are dis-
tributed following the rules for Unstable, with no
saves of any kind allowed. Only characters with
Daemonic Instability can join units with Daemon-
ic Instability, and Characters with Daemonic In-
stability cannot join units without Daemonic In-
stability. If a model has both Daemonic Instability
and Unstable, disregard the latter.
Devastating Charge
In the first round of a combat after a model with
this rule has successfully charged into combat,
model parts with this special rule gain +1 Attack.
Distracting
By illusion or allure, device or deceit; where others
fail, our blades strike true.
— Saying among the Sword Masters
of Celeda Ablan
Close Combat Attacks allocated at a model with
this special rule suffer a -1 modifier when rolling
to hit. This to-hit modifier cannot be combined
with any other negative to-hit modifiers.
Divine Attacks
Successful Ward Saves taken against attacks with
this special rule, or against Close Combat Attacks
made by model parts with this special rule must
be rerolled.
Engineer
A model with this special rule allows a War Ma-
chine within 3" to use the Engineer's Ballistic
Skill instead of its own and to reroll any rolls on
the Misfire Table. (If there are several War Ma-
chines within 3" of the Engineer, declare which
one will receive the Engineer's benefits this Play-
er Turn before firing it). If the War Machine uses a
Flame Thrower Artillery Weapon, all D3 rolls for
the number of hits the Flame Thrower scores on
its target may be rerolled. If this is used, you must
reroll all dice.
This rule cannot be used by a model that is En-
gaged in Combat.
Special Rules
Ethereal
Models with this special rule treat all Terrain as
Open Terrain for movement purposes, but can-
not end their movement inside (or within 1" of)
Impassable Terrain. Model parts with Ethereal
gain Magical Attacks, and non-mount model parts
with Ethereal gain Ward Save (5+), which is in-
creased to Ward Save (3+) against all attacks that
are not Magical Attacks. Units including any non-
mount R&F part with Ethereal can only be joined
by Characters with Ethereal on a non-mount part.
Fast Cavalry
Models with this special rule gain Light Troops
and Vanguard. If a unit consisting solely of mod-
els with Fast Cavalry voluntarily flees as a Charge
Reaction and subsequently rallies the next friend-
ly Player Turn, then the unit may move and shoot
during that Player Turn. The rallied unit may not
charge and counts as having moved for the pur-
pose of shooting. This rule cannot be applied if a
unit fails to rally on the next friendly Player or in-
voluntarily flees, such as a result of a failed Panic
Test.
Fear
All enemy units in base contact with one or more
models with this special rule suffer a -1 Leader-
ship modifier. Models that are Immune to Psy-
chology or that have Fear themselves are immune
to the effects of Fear. At the start of each Combat
Round, units in base contact with one or more
enemy models with Fear must take a Leadership
Test. If this test is failed, the models in the unit
have their Weapon Skill reduced to 1 for the re-
mainder of the Combat Round.
Fight in Extra Rank
Models with this special rule can make Support-
ing Attacks from an additional Rank. (So, normal-
ly, this means that models with this special rule
will be able to make Supporting Attacks from the
3rd rank). This rule is cumulative, allowing an ad-
ditional rank to make Supporting Attacks for each
instance of this special rule.
Fireborn
Model parts with this special rule gain Ward Save
(2+) against Flaming Attacks. While a model has
Fireborn, it cannot benefit from Regeneration.
102 Rulebook
 Flaming Attacks Grinding Attacks (X) – Special Attack
This rule is applied to attacks made with this spe- The problem with chariots is they stop. Machines,
cial rule and attacks from model parts with this on the other hand, just keep spinning and killing.
special rule (both Close Combat and Shooting That’s the idea, anyway.
Attacks). They don't normally have any special
— Conditional promise of a Rakachit Engineer
effect. However, they interact with other rules
(such as Flammable and Regeneration). Model parts with this special rule must make a
Special Close Combat Attack at their own Initia-
Flammable
tive against a single enemy unit in base contact.
Attacks with the Flaming Attacks special rule This attack deals a number of hits equal to the
must reroll failed to-wound rolls against models value stated within brackets (X). These attacks
with this special rule. automatically hit and have a Strength equal to
Fly (X) the model's own Strength. Grinding Attacks nev-
er benefit from any equipment or special rule the
Units composed entirely of models with this spe-
model may have (since they are Special Attacks).
cial rule can make Flying Movements when per-
If a model has both Grinding Attacks and Impact
forming a Move Chargers move or in the Remain-
Hits, it may only use one of these rules in the
ing Moves sub-phase. When a unit makes a Flying
same Round of Combat (you may choose which).
Movement, substitute the models’ Movement
When several model parts in the same unit have
Characteristic with the value given in brackets
this special rule, and when X is a random number
(X). All modifiers to ground movement values are
(for example Grinding Attacks(2D3)), roll for the
also applied to the flying value of a model. Flying
number of hits separately.
Movement can be used to March. Units using Fly-
ing Movement ignore all Terrain and units during Hard Target
the Flying Movement (from their starting to their Shooting Attacks targeting a unit that has more
ending position), but must abide the Unit Spac- than half of its models with this special rule suffer
ing rule at the end of the move (unless charging, a -1 modifier when rolling to hit.
when the normal exceptions to the Unit Spacing
rule apply). They are still affected by the effects of
the Terrain from which they take off and in which
they land. Models with the Fly special rule also
gain Swiftstride and Light Troops.
Frenzy
Model parts with Frenzy gain +1 Attack and Im-
mune to Psychology. After all charges have been
declared, each of your units with one or more
models (or model parts) with Frenzy must take
a Frenzy Test (Leadership Test) if it did not de-
clare a charge. If the test is failed, the unit must
declare a charge against the closest viable enemy
unit, if there is one. Characters are never forced to
charge out of units. Units with one or more model
parts with Frenzy must always pursue and over-
run whenever possible. If a model part with Fren-
zy is ever on the losing side of a Combat Round, it
immediately loses this special rule.

Special Rules 103 Rulebook

 Hatred
Model parts with this special rule may reroll
failed to-hit rolls during the first Round of Com-
bat. Sometimes this rule may only work against
certain enemies, which are then stated in brack-
ets. For example, “Hatred (Armybook: Empire of
Sonnstahl)” means that Hatred only applies when
attacking models from the Empire of Sonnstahl
Armybook.
Hellfire
Regeneration Saves cannot be taken against at-
tacks with this special rule, or against Attacks
made by model parts with this special rule. At the
end of a phase in which a unit has suffered one or
more unsaved Wounds from model parts or At-
tacks with this rule, the unit suffers an additional
D3 Strength 3 hits.
Hold Your Ground
All units within 12" of a friendly non-fleeing mod-
el with this special rule may receive the ability to
reroll failed Leadership Tests.
Immune to Psychology
If more than half of a unit's models are Immune
to Psychology, the unit automatically passes Panic
Tests and cannot declare a Flee reaction (unless
already fleeing). Models that are Immune to Psy-
chology are also immune to the effects of Fear.
Special Rules
Impact Hits (X) – Special Attack
Model parts with this special rule in base con-
tact with an enemy unit can (and must) make a
Special Close Combat Attack in the first Round of
Combat after successfully charging. Impact Hits
are resolved at Initiative 10 and inflict a number
of hits equal to the value stated within brackets
(X) ​to the charged enemy unit. Impact Hits auto-
matically hit and have a Strength value equal to
the model part's own Strength, with +1 Strength
for every Full Rank after the first in the unit, pro-
vided that those ranks are comprised entirely of
models with the Impact Hits special rule. Due to
being Special Attacks, Impact Hits do not benefit
from weapon bonuses or special rules.
If a model has both Grinding Attacks and Impact
Hits, it may only use one of these rule in the same
Combat Round (you may choose which). If the val-
ue within brackets is preceded by a ‘+’ sign, add
the value to the already existing Impact Hits in-
stead (if the model part already had Impact Hits).
If not, use the value directly. When several model​
s in the same unit​have this special rule, and when
X is a random number (for example Impact Hits
(D6)), roll for the number of hits separately.
For Chariot models, only the Chariot model part
itself use this Special Attack. In the other multi-
part models, only the mount parts can use it.
104 Rulebook
 Insignificant
Always charge towards whatever goblins are run-
ning from.
— Orc saying
Units consisting entirely of models with this spe-
cial rule do not cause Panic Tests on friendly units
without this special rule. Only Insignificant Charac-
ters can join units with Insignificant R&F models.
Inspiring Presence
All units within 12" of a friendly non-fleeing mod-
el with this special rule may receive the ability to
use the Leadership of the model with Inspiring
Presence, instead of their own Leadership. This
ability follows all the normal rules for using a
Borrowed Characteristic, meaning that effects
modifying the Leadership of the model with In-
spiring Presence are applied before borrowing
the model’s Leadership. This borrowed Leader-
ship may then be further modified.
Lethal Strike
If an Attack with this special rule, or a Close Com-
bat Attack from a model part with this special
rule rolls an unmodified '6' to wound, this Wound
has Armour Piercing (6) and Regeneration Saves
cannot be taken against it.
Light Troops
Units composed entirely of models with this spe-
cial rule are allowed to make any number of Re-
forms when moving in the Remaining Moves sub-
phase, while they may still Advance or March.
They are allowed to shoot even if they Marched
or Reformed. No model may move more than
its Movement allowance (or twice that number
if Marching), from its starting position to its fi-
nal position, around any obstructions (including
the Unit Spacing rule). If a model performed any
action during the movement (such as Sweeping
attacks), the distance moved is counted from its
starting position to the point on the Battlefield
where it performed that action and then to its fi-
nal position. If more than half the models in a unit
have the Light Troops special rule, the unit always
counts as having 0 Full Ranks.
Characters with Light Troops that are joined to
units with one or more models without Light
Troops, lose this rule for as long as it remains
with the unit.
Special Rules
Lightning Attack
Units with the Fly special rule that, suffer one or
more hits during a single phase from attacks with
this special rule, or attacks from model parts with
this special rule, suffer an additional D6 Strength
4 hits at the end of that Phase.
Lightning Reflexes
Model parts with this special rule gain a +1 to-hit
modifier to their Close Combat Attacks. Model
parts suffering from a modifier that sets their In-
itiative to 0, or the Initiative of their Close Com-
bat Attacks to 0 (such as model parts using Great
Weapons) disregard both this modifier and the
+1 to-hit modifier from Lightning Reflexes.
Magic Resistance (X)
All models in a unit with one or more models with
Magic Resistance add the value within brackets
(X) to any Ward Save rolls (using the same rules
as for adding to Armour Saves) when rolling Ward
Saves against Wounds directly caused by spell ef-
fects. Magic Resistance, like most special rules, is
not cumulative. Note that Magic Resistance does
not grant Ward Saves for wounds caused indirect-
ly by Spells, such as granting models rules, where
this later causes wounds.
Magical Attacks
Attacks with this special rule or Attacks made by
model parts with this special rule normally don’t
have any special effect. However, they interact
with other rules (such as Ethereal). Models with
this special rule apply it to all their attacks, includ-
ing Special Attacks such as Stomp, Impact Hits,
and Breath Attacks (unless stated otherwise). All
attacks caused by spells and Magical Items have
Magical Attacks.
,
105 Rulebook
 Metalshifting
The strongest armour can be negated by the power
of magic. More insidious yet, some spells can turn
armour against the bearer, scorching skin through
the very metal.
— Extract from Lore of the Arcane Art,
by Archwizard Theodius
Attacks with this special rule or Close Combat
Attacks made by model parts with this special
rule don't roll to wound as normal. Instead, they
always wound on a roll equal to or greater than
the target's Armour Save. An unmodified '6' al-
ways wounds and an unmodified '1' always fails
to wound. These attacks have Armour Piercing
(6) and Flaming Attacks.
Move or Fire
Shooting Weapons or model parts with this spe-
cial rule may not shoot if they moved during the
current Player Turn.
Multiple Shots (X)
Shooting Weapons or model parts with this spe-
cial rule may choose to fire multiple times instead
of a single time, in each Shooting Phase. How
many times they can shoot is stated in brackets.
However, using this special rule imposes a -1 to-
hit modifier on all shots fired. All R&F models in
a single unit must use the Multiple Shots rule if at
least one of them uses this rule (if possible).
Special Rules
Multiple Wounds (X, Y)
When I said I could heal anything, I was under the
assumption the patient would still have both lungs
and a head.
— Equitan field medic
Unsaved wounds caused by attacks with this spe-
cial rule or by Close Combat Attacks from mod-
el parts with this special rule are multiplied into
the value given in brackets (X). If the value is a
Dice (such as “Multiple Wounds (D3)"), roll one
such Dice for each unsaved wound with this spe-
cial rule. The amount of wounds that the attack
is multiplied into can never be higher than the
Wounds Characteristic of the Target (excluding
Wounds suffered previously in the battle). For ex-
ample, if a Multiple Wounds (D6) attack wounds
a Troll (W3) and rolls a ‘5' for the amount of
wounds, this is reduced to 3 wounds.
If (Clipped Wings) is stated after the X value in
brackets, any unsaved wounds caused by attacks
with this special rule against a model with Fly are
multiplied into X+1 instead of X.
Sometimes this rule is connected to certain Troop
Types or special rules. If this is the case, the Troop
Type will be given within brackets (Y), for exam-
ple Multiple Wounds (2, Infantry). If this is the
case, only apply the Multiple Wounds rule when
attacking models of the given Troop Type or pos-
sessing the given special rules.
Not a Leader
Models with this rule can never be the General.
Otherworldly
Models with this special rule gain Magical At-
tacks, Immune to Psychology and Ward Save (5+).
Units with the Otherworldly special rule can only
be joined by Otherworldly Characters. Similarly,
Otherworldly Characters can only join Other-
worldly units.
Pathmaster
Wizards with this special rule do not randomly
generate spells as usual. Instead, they can freely
choose their spells from their Path, or if there is
a Path stated in brackets, they must use this Path.
Parry
Close Combat Attacks from opponents in the
front of a model with Parry can never score suc-
cessful hits on to-hit rolls of better than 4+. This is
not considered a to-hit modifier. Apply this before
applying any to-hit modifiers.
106 Rulebook
 Penetrating
When a weapon with this special rule hits, check
in which arc of the target the shooter is in. The
weapon causes a number of hits equal to the
number of ranks of its target if the shooter is in
the front or the rear arc, or a number hits equal
to the number of files of its target if the shooter
is in either flank arc. In either case, the number
of affected ranks or files cannot exceed 5, and no
model can suffer more than one hit from a single
Attack with Penetrating.
Some Penetrating attacks have a higher Strength
and/or additional special rules stated in square
brackets (such as Strength 3[6], [Multiple Wounds
(D3)]). If so, a single hit from this attack uses the
Strength value and special rules in brackets. The
Bracketed values and special rules are not ap-
plied to any other hits.
Poisoned Attacks
If an attack with this special rule, or an attack
from a model part with this special rule (both
Shooting and Close Combat Attacks), rolls a suc-
cessful hit with a to-hit roll of an unmodified '6',
this hit automatically wounds with no to-wound
roll needed. Shooting Attacks that need a 7+ to
hit (or more) can never benefit from Poisoned At-
tacks. If the Attack can be turned into more than
one hit (such as for a hit with Penetrating or Area
Attack), only a single hit (of attacker’s choice)
automatically wounds, all other hits must roll to
wound as normal.
Quick to Fire
Shooting Weapons with this special rule or Shoot-
ing Attacks from model parts with this special
rule don't suffer the -1 to-hit modifier for Mov-
ing and Shooting and can make a Stand and Shoot
Charge Reaction regardless of the distance to the
charging unit.
Random Attacks (X)
A model part with this rule has a random number
of Attacks equal to the value between brackets
(before adding possible modifier to it). For ex-
ample, a model with Random Attacks (D3+2) can
have between 3 and 5 Attacks. These attacks ig-
nore the limit which states that a model may have
a maximum of 10 attacks. Requires Two Hands
Special Rules
Random Movement (X)
Units with this special rule cannot Declare Charg-
es and cannot move in the Remaining Moves sub-
phase (which also means they cannot perform
Magical Moves). Instead, they move in the Com-
pulsory Moves sub-phase. Models with this spe-
cial rule lose Swiftstride (and can never gain it),
but always Charge, Flee, Pursue and Overrun the
distance stated in brackets.
During the Compulsory Moves sub-phase, units
with this special rule move using the rules for
pursuing units, except that they can freely choose
which direction to rotate towards before rolling
the Pursuit distance, cannot move off the Board
Edge and only take Dangerous Terrain Tests if
they actually charge an enemy unit (they still test
as normal when fleeing, pursuing a broken ene-
my or Overrunning).
Characters with Random Movement can only join
units with the same special rule (by moving into
contact with them during the Compulsory Moves
sub-phase), and units with this rule can only be
joined by Random Movement Characters. If a unit
has several sets of Random Movement, use the
lowest one.
Regeneration (X)
Regeneration is a special save, taken after a failed
Armour Save. The value of the save will be stated
in brackets. Regeneration Saves cannot be tak-
en alongside Ward Saves (if a model has both, it
must choose which one to use) and cannot be tak-
en against Lethal Strikes that rolled '6' to wound
or against Flaming Attacks. While a model has
Fireborn, it cannot benefit from Regeneration.
Reload!
Shooting Weapons with this special rule or Shoot-
ing Attacks from model parts with this special
rule can never Stand and Shoot as a Charge Re-
action.
A model wielding a Weapon with this special rule
cannot simultaneously use a Shield.
107 Rulebook
 Scoring
Units with at least one model with the Scoring
special rule are considered Scoring Units and are
used for capturing Secondary Objectives. Every
army needs a few Scoring units to be able to com-
plete Secondary Objectives, which is why units
with the Scoring special rule are marked in the
Armybooks with a special pennant icon:
The Scoring special rule can be lost during the
game:
• A unit that is Fleeing loses its Scoring special
rule for as long as it if Fleeing.
• An Ambushing unit that entered the Battle-
field on Game Turn 4 or later loses its Scoring
Special rule.
• A unit that has performed a Post-Combat Re-
form loses its Scoring special rule until the end
of the current Player Turn.
Scout
Before deploying an army that includes units
with Scout, you must state which of your units
with this special rule will use it, starting with the
player that picked the Deployment Zone. Deploy
your army as usual, but without deploying any of
the Scouting units. These units are placed after
all other non-Scouting units have been deployed.
They can either be deployed in your Deployment
Zone, using the normal rules, or they can be de-
ployed outside the Deployment Zone, but must be
more than 18" away from any enemy units. This is
decreased to 12" if the Scouting unit is deployed
entirely within a Forest, Ruin, Field or Water Ter-
rain Feature. Scouting units that are deployed
outside their player’s Deployment Zone may not
Declare Charges in the first Player Turn (if their
side has the first turn). If both players have Scout-
ing units, alternate deploying one unit at a time,
starting with the player that finished deploying
first.
The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is
going to stop me.
— Barac Darkhelm, in The Virtue of Selfishness,
a seminal text on Dread Elf ethics
Special Rules
Skirmishers
Models with this special rule always gain Light Troops.
Shooting at Skirmishers suffers a -1 to-hit modifier.
Skirmishing models are not placed in base to
base contact with each other. Instead, models are
placed with a 12.5mm distance between them.
This gap is considered part of the unit for Line
of Sight purposes, and will have the same Height
as the largest fraction of the models in the unit.
Other than this gap between models, units of
Skirmishers follow the normal rules for form-
ing units and therefore have a front, two flanks,
a rear, can perform Supporting Attacks from the
second rank, and so on. Skirmishing units can
only be joined by Characters that have the same
Troop Type as the unit. A Character which joins a
unit of Skirmishers gains Skirmishers for as long
as it remains with the unit. The unit ceases to be
Skirmishers if all models with Skirmishers are
wiped out, immediately contracting their loose
formation into a normal formation, without mov-
ing the centre of the front rank. Nudge any unit as
normal to maintain base contact when possible.
The Character is always considered Mismatched
for the purpose of placement within the unit un-
less it has the exact same base size as the other
Skirmisher models.
Figure 18
a)    
a) An example of a Skirmishing unit with a joined
mismatching Character.
b)       
b) The same unit on combat. Here all green mod-
els with bold frame can attack and be attacked
by C2. The blue models with bold frame can
attack and be attacked by C1.
Green models with dashed frame cannot at-
tack at all.
108 Rulebook
 Stomp (X) – Special Attack
A model with this special rule must make a Spe-
cial Close Combat Attack in the Close Combat
Phase at Initiative 0 against a single enemy unit in
base contact, provided that the Troop Type of the
target unit is Infantry, War Beast, Swarm or War
Machine. This attack deals a number of hits equal
to the value stated within brackets (X), which au-
tomatically hit and have a Strength equal to the
model's own Strength. Hits caused by Stomp can
only be allocated onto models with Infantry, War
Beast, Swarm or War Machine Troop Type (ignore
models of different Troop Type when distributing
hits). When several models in the same unit have
this special rule, and when X is a random number
(for example Stomp (D6)), roll for the number of
hits separately.
In multipart models, riders can never Stomp.
Stomp attacks can only ever be allocated to mod-
els that can normally be stomped. Being a Special
Attack, Stomp never benefits from any equipment
or special rule the model has.
Strider
We are the river, we are the jungle.
— Translation of a Saurian carving
Models with this special rule automatically pass-
es Dangerous Terrain Tests taken due to Terrain
and cannot be prevented from Marching by the
Terrain. Units with more than half of Strider
models never lose their Steadfast or Rank Bonus
due to the Terrain. Sometimes this special rule
is only linked to a specific type of Terrain, stated
in brackets. In this case, models with this special
rule are considered Striders only when interact-
ing with such type of Terrain.
Stubborn
A unit with at least one model with this special
rule ignores any Combat Score penalties to its
Leadership when taking Break Tests or Combat
Reform Leadership Tests.

I am tired of dealing with them. These so-called

Highborn consider trade with humans beneath
them. Yet without the constant stream of goods out
of Alfhaven, I am certain they would be severely
weakened. We have a strong position from which
to renegotiate terms; the trick is merely to behave
in a manner that appeases their ferocious
narcissism. If they choose to isolate them-
selves, it will be they who suffer more
than us.
— Letter from Chancellor Eckhardt
to Emperor Matthias, 955 A.S.

Special Rules 109 Rulebook

 Stupidity
At the start of a Player Turn, each of the Active
Player’s unengaged non-fleeing units with one or
more models (or a part of them) with this spe-
cial rule must take a Leadership Test. If the test
is failed, the unit must move D6" directly forward
(stopping 1" before Impassible Terrain or other
units) in the Compulsory Moves sub-phase and
may not perform any other voluntary actions this
Player Turn (such as charging, moving, shooting,
casting spells and so on). If the model has no front
(i.e. the model is on a round base), randomize
which direction to move in. All models with the
Stupidity special rule are also Immune to Psy-
chology.
Swiftstride
When a unit composed entirely of models with
this special rule rolls Charge Range, Flee Distance,
Pursuit Distance or Overrun Distance, it rolls an
additional D6 (normally this will lead to rolling
3D6) and discards the lowest D6 rolled.
Sweeping Attack – Special Attack
Attack it? But how could we, Sir? Begging your par-
don, it flew right over us. Those that are left are
lucky to be alive, sir.
— Sworn Testimony of Light Infantryman
at the battle of Sarlimar
Special Ranged Attack. This attack may be used by
units consisting of models with this special rule.
At the end of the Remaining Moves sub-phase (or
the Magic Phase if this is done as part of a Magi-
cal Move), nominate one unengaged enemy unit
which the unit Advanced or Marched through (or
over) in this phase (Bases are Overlapping, even
partially). The whole unit makes an attack against
the chosen enemy unit (follow the description in
the unit profile). These attacks hit automatically.
When a model performs a Sweeping attack, the
distance moved is counted from its starting posi-
tion to the point on the Battlefield where it per-
formed the attack, and then to its final position.
Terror
When a unit with one or more models with this
special rule declares a Charge, its target must
take a Panic Test. If the test is failed, the target of
the Charge must declare a Flee reaction, if able to
do so. All models with Terror also gain the Fear
special rule and are immune to Fear and Terror.
Special Rules
Thunderous Charge
To the sound of the drums, the ground shakes and
thrums, we come, we come. Crushed underfoot, un-
der wheel and hoof, your doom, your doom.
— Battle chant of the Bloody Wheel
tribe of Warriors
In the first round of a combat after a model with
this rule has successfully charged, model parts
with this special rule gain a +1 Strength modi-
fier to their normal Close Combat Attacks. This
Strength modifier can only be used for Attacks
directed against the charged enemies.
Towering Presence
A model with Towering Presence is of Gigantic
Height and can never be joined or join a unit (un-
less it is a War Platform). A model with Towering
Presence increases its Hold Your Ground or In-
spiring Presence Range by 6".
Toxic Attacks
Attacks with this special rule or Close Combat At-
tacks made by model parts with this special rule
have Strength 3 and gain Armour Piercing (6).
Unbreakable
Units with this special rule are Immune to Psy-
chology and automatically pass all Break Tests.
Characters with the Unbreakable special rule can
only join Unbreakable units. Unbreakable units
can only be joined by Unbreakable Characters.
Undead
Units with this special rule gain Unstable and Im-
mune to Psychology. Undead units cannot March,
unless they start their move within the range of
a friendly model’s Inspiring Presence. The only
Charge Reaction an Undead unit can make is Hold.
110 Rulebook
 Unstable
The undead are like a poorly tempered blade.
They are strong but inflexible. Rather than giving
ground, they will lose whole ranks when pressured.
— Equitan paladin
Unstable units can only be joined by Unstable
Characters. Units with this special rule automat-
ically pass all Break Tests. When a unit with this
special rule loses a combat, it suffers a Wound
(without any saves allowed) for each point of
Combat Score by which it lost the combat.
The number of lost wounds is reduced in some
situations. Apply the modifiers in the following
order:
1. If the unit is Stubborn, halve the number of
lost wounds (round fractions up).
2. If the unit is Steadfast, reduce all lost wounds
above 12 to 12.
3. If the unit receives Hold Your Ground, reduce
the number of lost wounds with the unit’s cur-
rent Rank Bonus. Units with no Rank Bonus re-
duce the number of wounds lost by 1 instead.
Apply all other modifiers (from items/special
rules/spells etc) afterward.
The Wounds are distributed in the following or-
der:
1. R&F models (excluding Champions)
2. Champion
3. Characters (distributed by the owner of the
unit, as evenly as possible)
Special Rules
Unwieldy
Shooting Weapons with this special rule or Shoot-
ing Attacks from model parts with this special
rule suffer an additional -1 to-hit modifier (for a
total of -2) for Moving and Shooting. When com-
bined with Quick to Fire, the model can only ig-
nore the normal -1 to-hit modifier from Moving
and Shooting, not the additional -1 to-hit modifi-
er from this rule.
Vanguard
After Deployment (including Scouts), units com-
posed entirely of models with this special rule
may perform a 12" move. The move is performed
as if in the Remaining Moves sub-phase, includ-
ing any actions and restrictions the unit would
normally have in the Remaining Moves sub-phase
(such as Wheeling, Reforming, joining units, leav-
ing units and so on). The 12" distance is used in-
stead of the unit's Movement Characteristic and
no March Moves are allowed. This move cannot
be used to move within 12" of enemy units. This
is decreased to 6" for enemy units which have
either Scouted or Vanguarded. Units that have
moved in this way may not Declare Charges in the
first Player Turn (if their side has the first turn). If
both players have units with Vanguard, alternate
moving units one at a time, starting with the play-
er that finished deploying last. Instead of moving
a unit, a player may declare to not move any more
Vanguarding units.
Volley Fire
Shooting Weapons with this special rule or Shoot-
ing Attacks from model parts with this special
rule ignore intervening models for Cover purpos-
es when shooting. (However, they don't ignore
Terrain and must still be able to draw a Line of
Sight to their target). Furthermore, (unless mak-
ing a Stand and Shoot Charge Reaction) if the unit
hasn't moved in this Player Turn, all models with
a Volley Fire Shooting Weapon may shoot (even
if they are further back than the usual first two
ranks allowed to shoot).
111 Rulebook
 War Platform Wizard Conclave
Models with this special rule may join and leave Most races can only control the forces of magic
units as if they were Characters, even if they are through individuals of distinct ability. For some
not Characters and even if they are Towering beings though, who are born of magic or infused
Presences, they also follow the rules for Char- with its essence, their collective aura can produce
acters with regards to distributing hits. While magical effects of considerable strength.
joined to and moving with a unit consisting of 5
— Extract from Lore of the Arcane Art,
or more models (besides the War Platform itself)
by Archwizard Theodius
a model with the War Platform special rule may
March even though its Troop Type would normal- The Champion of a unit with the Wizard Conclave
ly forbid it, for example if it is a Chariot. When special rule gains +1 Wound in addition to the
joined to a unit, it must always be placed in the normal Characteristics increases associated with
centre of the front rank, possibly pushing back being a Champion and is a Wizard Apprentice.
models with the Front Rank rule, and must keep This Champion knows predetermined spells, de-
its position in the centre of the front rank at all fined in the Armybook. A Wizard Conclave Cham-
times. If two positions are equally central (this is pion will also know all Trait Spells and Attribute
the case in a unit with an even number of models Spells from Paths which its predetermined spells
in the first rank), the War Platform can be placed are taken from.
in either of these positions. If the War Platform
cannot be placed in the centre of the the front
rank (for example due to Mismatching bases or
the front rank being too narrow), the model can-
not join the unit. This means that a War Platform
can never join a unit with Mismatching bases and
that only a single War Platform can ever be in the
same unit. Chariot models with War Platform
lose the Swiftstride special rule granted by their
Troop Type, although they may gain it through
other means.
Ward Save (X)
Some don’t like it when the other guy won’t die.
Maybe the gods save them, but only for a little
while, and I find it helps work up an appetite.
— Ogre mercenary
Ward Saves are special saves, taken after failed
Armour Saves. The value of the save will be stat-
ed in brackets. Ward Saves cannot be taken along-
side Regeneration Saves (if a model has both, it
must choose which one to use).
Weapon Master
At the beginning of each Round of Combat, mod-
el parts with this special rule may choose which
weapon they fight with. This includes selecting to
use a Hand Weapon even if they have other weap-
ons. If armed with a Magical Weapon, the model
must still use it.

Special Rules 112 Rulebook

 APPLYING SPECIAL RULES
Special Rules
and Multipart Models
Which parts of the model
have the special rule?
When a multipart model has a special rule writ-
ten on its profile, all its parts have this special
rule unless stated otherwise.
If a Character and its optional mount are listed un-
der separate profiles, special rules that are listed
under the Character’s profile are not transferred
to its mount (as if all rules said “rider only”). The
same applies for mounts taken from the mount
section of the Armybook: their special rules are
not automatically transferred to their riders.
Which parts of the model
are affected by the special rule?
Special rules have one or more effects. Effects
are applied to model parts or whole models. If a
special rule has two or more effects, these effects
may work on different levels.
• Characteristics change
Effects changing the values of Characteristics
only work on the model part which has the
special rule.
• Special Attacks
Effects giving Special Attacks (such as Stomp,
Grinding Attacks, Impact Hits, Breath Weap-
ons) only work on the model part which has
the special rule.
• Attack modifiers
Effects modifying attacks (such as Lethal
Strike, Armour Piercing, Hatred) only work
on the model part which has the special rule.
Such effects are applied only to the Close Com-
bat Attacks made by the model part (i.e. they
do not apply to Shooting and Special Attacks)
unless noted otherwise (such as Magical At-
tacks and Poisoned Attacks).
• Defence
Defensive effects (such as Armour Saves, Ward
Saves, Regeneration, Fireborn, Distracting) al-
ways work on the whole model.
The exceptions are Ridden Monsters: defen-
sive effects specified for the rider are always
ignored by the whole model.
• Other
All other effects always work on the whole
model, and apply to all its parts.
Special Rules
Effects and Units
Some effects only work at the unit level. Examples
are movement effects (such as Flying or Fast Caval-
ry), deployment effects (such as Scout or Vanguard),
effects related to Break Tests (such as Unstable or
Unbreakable) and effects enabling or forcing the
unit to perform a special action (such as Frenzy).
Some special rules specify how many models
with this special rule the unit must have in order
to be affected. For the sake of counting the mod-
els, multipart models are considered as having
the special rule if at least one model part has it.
For example, consider a Character that mounts a
Monstrous Beast with Frenzy. By default, Frenzy is
not transferred to the rider, so it does not receive
the attack bonus. However, when deciding wheth-
er to take a Frenzy Test, to pursue or to overrun,
the whole model is considered as having Frenzy.
Weapons and Special Rules
If a weapon has a special rule that modifies at-
tacks, then only attacks made with that weapon
will benefit from that rule. For example, a Hand-
gun with the special rule Armour Piercing will
perform Armour Piercing Shooting Attacks. The
model will not benefit from the Handgun’s spe-
cial rule when performing Close Combat Attacks
or when shooting with other weapons.
Duplicated special rules
Sometimes a model may have the same special
rule more than once, for example when a model
gains a special rule that it already had or gains the
same special rule from two different sources. In
such a case, the effects of the duplicated special
rules do not stack and do not offer any addition-
al benefit, unless specifically noted otherwise. If
the duplicate special rules have different (X) val-
ues, use the version with the highest one. If the
X is the result of a dice roll, it sometimes is not
clear which X is the highest. In this case you may
choose which rule to use (before rolling any dice).
For example, if a unit possesses Magic Resistance
(2) and Magic Resistance (3), then it is considered
to possess Magic Resistance (3). As a counterex-
ample, Fight In Extra Rank is one of the rare spe-
cial rules specifically allowed to stack. A unit that
already has Fight In Extra Rank and gains Fight In
Extra Rank is able to fight with two extra ranks.
113 Rulebook
Special Rules 114 Rulebook
 At dawn on the morning of the 9th, the order for attack was given. Immediately, one hundred cannon,
rocket batteries and mortars opened fire on the massed ranks of the enemy. Many unleashed several
payloads with a single discharge, and the effect was devastating. The artillery had been positioned
in formidable redoubts, being unable to fire on the move, and it was therefore of paramount impor-
tance to defend them at all costs.
Knight Commander Holstein had the honour of leading the first charge upon the ghouls on the right
flank. As expected, the creatures showed no fear in the face of his advance, refusing to retreat a single
step. Their ranks rapidly crumbled once the full impact of the charge was felt, yet noble Holstein soon
found himself bogged down and cut off once their bodies began to reanimate.
Meanwhile, Prince Ilya Vadimovich was advancing on the left, and with a vigorous assault managed
to capture the fortified village of Crauladino. But when they attempted to push beyond this point, his
troops were overcome with dread at the sight of a vast dragon, blotting out the sun, accompanied by
a ghostly horde of horrors, wraiths, phantoms and other supernatural creatures that passed through
the land – and their weaponry – as if it were not there. Immediately, the Emperor commanded the
engagement of Marshall Reinhard and his griffon knights, who valiantly assaulted the undead drag-
on in the skies, managing to bring it down at great cost. However, the deadly effects of its necrotising
breath and the accompanying spectres had already driven the Volskayan lines into panicked retreat.
In the centre, the Emperor had been unwilling to sacrifice the higher ground, allowing the shambling
troops of the enemy, lacking the basic discipline required to march, to slowly approach and weather
the effects of our guns. Yet even when battle was joined in earnest, they still numbered several times
our own soldiers. Our troops fought bravely, but by noon the toxins of the enemy,
combined with a sudden surge of their reinforcements on the right, left our lines
in disarray.
The slaughter was at its thickest, as bodies were heaped in all directions. They
were almost upon the artillery redoubts when the Emperor committed his
Imperial Guard. Sworn to protect their liege until death, the stolid knights
stood alone against the tide of undeath as the Emperor carved his way to-
wards that unholy monster, the enemy commander. Guided by the divine
blessings of Archmage Bloch, the Emperor cleaved through the enemy
wards, finally reaching the vampire and dispatching him with a single
blow.
— Testimony of Baron Jung, Aide de Camp
to Emperor Frederick at the battle of Crauladino, 924 A.S.
It was the final and bloodiest engagement of the War of the Dead.

Special Rules 115 Rulebook

 MAGICAL ITEMS

One of a kind artefact? I’ve got three in the storehouse.

— Merchant Hoardmaster Qengta of Nyetsan

Magical Item Categories Magical Weapons

All Magical Items belong to one of the following A model armed with a Magical Weapon (including
categories: Magical Hand Weapons) is obliged to use it, even
if it is armed with more than one weapon. A Mag-
• Magical Weapons
ical Hand Weapon cannot be used to Parry.
• Magical Armour
Magical Armour
• Talismans
Most Magical Armour have a type, their mundane
• Enchanted Items
counterpart. They follow all the rules associat-
• Arcane Items ed with this mundane armour in addition to the
• Magical Standards rules stated in their description. If a model has an
Each category of Magical Items is subject to the armour of the same type as its Magical Armour,
following specific rules. the Magical Armour replaces it (for example, if
a model has Heavy Armour and buys a Magical
Light Armour, the mundane Heavy Armour is
lost). A Magical Shield cannot be used alongside
a Hand Weapon to Parry.
A Magical Armour cannot be taken by Wizards,
unless the Wizard has a mundane armour oth-
er than Innate Defence, Mount’s Protection and
Barding or the option to buy it (ignore armour
from mounts or other riders/crew members
mounted on the same mount as the wizard).
Talismans and Enchanted Items
No additional rules.
Arcane Items
Arcane Items can only be taken by Wizards.
Magical Standards
Only Standard Bearers can bear Magical Stand-
ards. They are usually either a unit's Standard
Bearer or the army’s Battle Standard Bearer.

Magical Items 116 Rulebook

 Magical Item Types
Each Magical Item has a type which is the same as
its mundane counterpart and which follows all of
its associated rules and restrictions. For example,
a Magical Lance confers +2 Strength when charg-
ing and can only be used by mounted models, War
Beasts or Monstrous Beasts, exactly like a normal
Lance would. If a Magical Item is destroyed it is
considered to revert to its mundane type.
Restrictions
• All Magical Items have the rule One of a Kind:
they cannot be duplicated within an army.
• No model can have more than one Magical
Item of the same category.
• Certain Magical Items may have additional re-
strictions associated with them.
Point Cost
Most Magical Items have a point cost displayed
after their name.
Magical Items
Who is affected
Magical Items often refer to their “wielder”,
“wearer”, or “bearer”. These terms mean the same
thing and refer to the model part the item was
bought for, excluding its mount. Other Items af-
fect the “model”, “wearer's model” or “bearer's
model”; these terms refer to the entire model
including the mount (note that these terms over-
ride the restriction for Ridden Monster’s Profile).
Finally, a third group of Items refer to the “wear-
er’s unit” or “bearer’s unit”; these items affect all
model parts (including mounts) in the same unit
as of the wearer of the item (including the wearer
itself).
One Use Only
These effects can only be used once per game.
117 Rulebook
 LIST OF COMMON
MAGICAL ITEMS
The Magical Items listed below are considered
“Common Magical Items” and are available to all
models/units who have the option to buy Mag-
ical Items. They are often bought in addition to
army-specific Magical Items.
Magical Weapons
Giant Sword (120 pts)
Landing blows with the weight of a man, swords
such as these aided the early human tribes in their
wars against the giants who once dominated Vetia.
Type: Hand Weapon. Attacks made with this
weapon gain +3 Strength.
Magical Items
Ogre Sword (80 pts)
So called because it is said to “eat” other swords,
some believe this huge weapon can never be bro-
ken, becoming stronger with each blade it shatters.
Type: Hand Weapon. Attacks made with this
weapon gain +2 Strength.
Jack's Pickaxe (70 pts) – cannot be taken by
models with Towering Presence
Legend tells of lightfoot Jack, who stole from the
giants of the deep caves. As he fled with his stolen
treasures, only this axe kept him alive, collapsing
the tunnel on great grasping hands.
Type: Hand Weapon. Attacks made with this
weapon gain +1 Strength. Against models with
Towering Presence, attacks made with this weap-
on also gain Multiple Wounds (2) and count as
having a Strength equal to the Toughness of their
target when rolling to wound (ignore all other
Strength modifiers except the ones granted by
this weapon when attacking models with Tower-
ing Presence).
Skull Splitter (65 pts)
Capable of launching a cloud of projectiles, the only
safe place to stand is behind the wielder.
Type: Shooting Weapon. Range 24", Strength 4,
Armour Piercing (1), Multiple Shots (4). Shooting
Attacks made with this weapon ignore Ballistic
Skill and all to-hit modifiers, and instead hit on 4+.
Axe of Battle (60 pts)
These remnants of the Golden Age are inscribed
with tales of their power to fell a forest in a day –
now they serve as mighty weapons.
Type: Hand Weapon. The wielder has 6 Attacks
when using this weapon, but can never wound on
better than 3+.
Beast-Bane Halberd (60 pts)
Once the staff of a mighty beast lord, this polearm
was bound with powerful spells by his enemies to
make it especially lethal to all creatures of the wild.
Type: Halberd. Attacks made with this weapon
have Strength 5 (regardless of modifiers) and
Multiple Wounds (2, Monsters, Ridden Monsters,
Monstrous Cavalry, Monstrous Infantry, Mon-
strous Beasts, Chariots).
118 Rulebook
 Blessed Sword (50 pts)
When the gods decree that an enemy should die,
they empower the tools of their followers to pierce
even magical defences.
Type: Hand Weapon. Attacks made with this
weapon gain Divine Attacks and may reroll failed
to-wound rolls.
Fleshrender (50 pts)
This cast-iron mace is a ball of spikes and edges.
Such is its impact that it shreds metal and muscle
as one and the same.
Type: Great Weapon. Attacks made with this
weapon gain Armour Piercing (1).
King Slayer (50 pts)
This deadly blade seems to be able to scent the
most powerful foes and the strongest wills, slipping
through their defenses to dispatch them with hor-
rible ease.
Type: Hand Weapon. The wielder gains +1
Strength and +1 Attack when attacking with this
weapon for each enemy Character in base contact
with the wielder's unit (this bonus is calculated
and in effect at the Initiative step when the at-
tacks are made).
Obsidian Sword (50 pts)
Forged in the heart of dying volcano, this ancient
sword of jagged black ice is capable of of slicing
through armour as if it were linen.
Type: Hand Weapon. Attacks made with this
weapon gain Armour Piercing (6).
Magical Items
Fencer's Swords (45 pts)
– models on foot only
To impart strength is one thing, to impart speed is
quite another.
Type: Paired Weapons. The wielder has Weapon
Skill 10.
Hero’s Sword (40 pts) – Characters only
The passing of a great hero marks a tragic time,
yet their memory can live on when their strength is
channeled into a weapon which allows a warrior to
stand against cruel odds.
Type: Hand Weapon. Attacks made with this
weapon gain +1 Strength. The wielder gains +1
Attack when using this weapon. When attacking
with this weapon, wielder cannot have more than
4 Attacks and Strength 5 (regardless of modifiers).
Sword of Strength (30 pts)
The dull metal of this blade gives no hint at the
electrifying surge of vitality felt by any who grasp
its hilt.
Type: Hand Weapon. Attacks made with this
weapon gain +1 Strength.
Flaming Lance (20 pts)
Thick gloves are required to heft this lengthy wood-
en shaft, for it is wreathed in unquenchable fire.
Type: Lance. Attacks made with this weapon gain
Flaming Attacks.
Razor Blade (10 pts)
Many foes have dismissed this diminutive sword
without comprehending the true keenness of its
edge. They are all dead, while the blade remains
undulled.
Type: Hand Weapon. Attacks made with this
weapon gain Armour Piercing (1).
119 Rulebook
 Magical Armour Bronze Breastplate (35 pts)
The first to devise this item entered a meeting with
Armour of Destiny (90 pts) –
goblins, secure in his magical armour. All were sur-
Infantry, Cavalry and War Beasts only
prised when the scales fell away. The balance of the
This armour is said to be forged from the substance negotiation shifted after that.
of Fate itself. Some claim that its wearer is made
Type: Heavy Armour. One use only. Whenever the
immune from death in battle – a reputation that
wearer's model suffers a hit, the item can be acti-
has cost the lives of many owners.
vated. For the duration of the Phase, the wearer's
Type: Heavy Armour. The wearer gains a Ward model gains a 1+ Armour Save. If the wearer’s
Save (4+). model has Towering Presence, it gains a 2+ Ar-
Bluffer's Helm (80 pts) – mour Save instead.
cannot be taken by models Dragonscale Helm (30 pts)
with Towering Presence
Trial by fire became much less definitive once these
This elegant headpiece has some semblance of con- helms were made popular, crafted from the scales
trol over the minds of its wearer’s enemies, caus- of the great wyrms.
ing them to believe their opponent is much weaker
Type: None (6+ Armour Save). The wearer gains
than they really are.
Fireborn.
Type: None (6+ Armour Save). Successful to-
wound rolls against the wearer must be rerolled.
Mithril Mail (70 pts) – Infantry only
Ideal to be worn under a tunic, this light coat of
mithril has surprised many fearsome warriors by
being strong enough to resist even a cave troll.
Type: Heavy Armour (2+ Armour Save). This Ar-
mour Save cannot be improved by any means.
Glittering Cuirass (60 pts)
This highly polished body armour is said to shine so Hardened Shield (10 pts)
clearly that soldiers see their own doom reflected The black sheen of this huge shield leads many to
back at them. believe it is made with arcane metallurgy. In fact,
Type: Heavy Armour. The wearer gains Distract- the substance was carved, using diamond tools,
ing. from the most ancient oak tree in all of Vetia.
Armour of Fortune (50 pts) Type: Shield. The bearer gains an additional +1 to
its Armour Save (for a total of +2) while using the
The spells woven into this thick breastplate have
shield . The bearer attacks with normal Close Com-
hardened the metal to the point of near-inde-
bat Attacks at -3 Initiative (to a minimum of 1).
structibility.
Lucky Shield (10 pts)
Type: Heavy Armour. The wearer gains a Ward
Save (5+) It looks like a regular shield. It’s never been en-
chanted as far as anyone knows. But somehow
Dragon Mantle (50 pts) – Models on foot only
those who use it never seem to get hurt.
Sewn from the scales of an ancient serpent, this
Type: Shield. One use only. Ignore the first hit the
simple cloak fits to the wearer’s form and provides
bearer's model suffers while using the shield . If
a tough layer of defensive skin.
the bearer is hit by several simultaneous attacks,
Type: None. The wearer gains Innate Defence the bearer chooses which attack to ignore.
(5+).

Magical Items 120 Rulebook

 Talismans
Talisman of Supreme Shielding (100 pts)
A knot of shimmering crystal, entwined in a way no
natural process could create, this amulet reflects
light within itself until it glows like a star. Around it,
time and chance seem to warp to the bearer’s need.
The bearer gains a Ward Save (4+).
Obsidian Nullstone (80 pts)
All obsidian is able to absorb some hostile sorcery,
but this precious artefact can neutralise the most
violent of blasts.
The bearer gains Magic Resistance (3).
Sprout of Rebirth (80 pts)
When fixed to a warrior’s brow, the magic in this
lifegiving seed infuses their entire body, allowing
them to heal from almost any wound.
The bearer gains a Regeneration (4+).
Dusk Stone (60 pts)
In the dying light of day, all is not as it appears.
Shadows twist and bend, eyes falter, and a lethal
strike turns to a glancing blow.
The bearer may choose to reroll its failed Armour
Saves. If it does, it cannot take Ward or Regener-
ation Saves .
Magical Items
Talisman of Greater Shielding (50 pts)
This talisman is an intricate gold cage with a gi-
gantic ruby at its centre. Wisps of magical power
seem to swirl deep within the gem’s depths
The bearer gains a Ward Save (5+).
Obsidian Rock (40 pts)
This jagged hunk of rare volcanic nightstone seems
to shimmer and glow eerily when it negates the
magic of its enemies.
The bearer gains Magic Resistance (2).
Dragonfire Gem (15 pts)
According to legend, this fire-resistant sapphire is
in fact the calcified remains of a dragon’s eyeball.
The bearer gains Fireborn.
Lucky Charm (10 pts)
Said to be gifts to great warriors by their fey lov-
ers, these intimate charms have saved many lives
on the battlefield.
One use only. May be activated when the bearer's
model fails an Armour Save. That failed Armour
Save may be rerolled.
Talisman of Shielding (10 pts)
Many have valued this stunning jewel more for its
dazzling appearance than its protective powers.
But the latter are not to be sniffed at.
The bearer gains a Ward Save (6+).
121 Rulebook
 Enchanted Items
Wizard’s Hood (105 pts) – Models on foot only
This pointed cap has the word “WIZARD” written
on it in sequins. It grants untrained bearers knowl-
edge of the arcane, but it can have unpredictable
results.
The wearer is a Wizard Apprentice with 2
Learned Spells (regardless if it was a Wizard be-
fore). Instead of selecting a Path as normal, the
wearer uses a randomly selected Path of Mag-
ic. Randomize between all Paths available to
any model from the same Armybook, excluding
Bound Spells.
Crown of Autocracy (70 pts)
These crowns have served to bolster the command
of leaders across the world – though whispers of
magic used to rob subjects of free will have fuelled
many a rebellion.
The bearer gains +1 Leadership. A Wizard cannot
use this modifier to increase its Leadership above 9.
Potion of Strength (60 pts)
Side effects may include: slaughter, all-consuming
rage, and ultimate victory in battle. Or death.
One use only. May be activated at the start of any
phase or Round of Combat. Until the end of the
Player Turn, the bearer gains +2 Strength.
If an injury has to be done to a wizard, it should
be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.
— From The Mage-King, by Bernardo Soderini
Magical Items
Ring of Fire (50 pts)
A single red gem set in a simple gold band, yet the
concentrated power contained has surprised many
unsuspecting foes.
The bearer can cast Pyroclastic Flow from Pyro-
mancy as a Bound Spell (Power Level 3).
Divine Icon (40 pts)
Blessed are those who carry this symbol. Any mag-
ical defenses employed by heathen, unclean ene-
mies will be for naught.
The bearer's model gains Divine Attacks.
Gem of Fortune (35 pts)
This hypnotic emerald emits a greenish aura
around the bearer and their comrades. Somehow
those within remain untouched by the slings and
arrows of the outraged enemy.
Successful to-wound rolls of '6' from Ranged At-
tacks against the bearer's unit must be rerolled,
unless the hit was distributed onto a model with
Towering Presence.
Charm of Cursed Iron (30 pts)
This unassuming amulet vibrates and hums when
its owner comes under fire, causing incoming can-
nonballs and other missiles to deflect at the last
moment.
The bearer and its unit gain a Ward Save (5+)
against Wounds caused by Artillery Weapons.
Crown of Scorn (30 pts)
Most grand armies are accompanied by at least
one magic user, lending their power and defending
against the enemy’s wizards. For those who rid-
icule such precautions, these diadems of polished
obsidian are essential.
One use only. Instead of making a dispel roll, you
may use this item. The spell is automatically dis-
pelled.In an Armylist that includes a model bear-
ing the Crown of Scorn, friendly models cannot
cast Spells (including Bound Spells) nor can any
friendly models carry Arcane Items.
Potion of Swiftness (10 pts)
This bubbling concoction can make the imbiber
move like a blur; but be warned, the hangover is
awful.
One use only. May be activated at the start of any
phase or Round of Combat. Until the end of the
Player Turn, the bearer gains +3 Initiative.
122 Rulebook
 Arcane Items Wand of Stability (40 pts)
This thin, glittering rod can prove a great boon to
Book of Arcane Power (100 pts)
a warlock who finds themselves short of the mark.
Many wizards try to open the book. Some even
One use only. The bearer may add a free addition-
manage to retain their fingers. But the mere pos-
al Magic Dice to one of its dispel rolls, after seeing
session of this volume empowers the bearer.
the dispel roll.
The bearer gains a +1 casting modifier to casting
and dispel rolls. Shielding Scroll (30 pts)
A paper shield is better than none. This parchment
Dispel Scroll (100 pts)
has been known to ward off fireballs.
Taking weeks to prepare, this complicated en-
One use only. Instead of making a dispel roll, you
chantment turns the mightiest vortex into a re-
may use the scroll. All models affected by the spell
freshing breeze, and the darkest blackness into a
gain a Ward Save (4+) against the spell.
pale shadow.
One use only. Instead of making a dispel roll, you Sceptre of Power (20 pts)
may use this scroll. The spell is automatically dis- This beautifully adorned rod must be snapped over
pelled. the knee in order to access the reservoir of eldritch
energies stored inside.
Essence of a Free Mind (50 pts)
One use only. The bearer may add a single Magic
This elusive substance expands a learned practi-
Dice from its Dice Pool to a casting roll, after see-
tioner’s mental capacity dramatically. Occasional-
ing the casting roll. Note that this cannot exceed
ly explosively.
the limit of max 5 Magic Dice used to cast spells.
The Wizard may select up to two Paths on their
Army List instead of one (from the ones normally
available to it). Select which of the two Paths to
use when generating spells.

Jana,
You are so strong, stronger by far than I have ever been, but please keep yourself safe. If I have any
advice for you it would be this: First, be vigilant. You know the signs. If the Veil is thin beware the
followers of the dark gods, particularly on the battlefield. If it is thick beware of blades, bows and
treachery. You are stronger than any wizard I’ve ever known, but do not become blind to the Veil, it
divides and chronicles the history of this world and the next. Remember how scarred it is from spell-
casting at the Academy, and how it hums with the prayers of the faithful.
Guard yourself. You are more valuable to those soldiers than armour or artillery. Without you they
are like children playing in a storm. Rest, eat, take care of your body. Please don’t take it upon your-
self to train the commoners again. They are rarely promising students and I think it does your cause
little good to leave half-trained halberdiers around the place setting things alight. It isn’t worth the
the respect of your superiors, and those you train would be safer much if you focused on your duties
instead.
Finally I adjure you, that beyond your magics, leave the Immortal Realm alone. I know you think me
a fearful herdswoman but there are things out there that even you cannot understand. The immortal
realm is the land of the gods and with good reason. Could any man bear the true judgement of Sunna?
Could you live a day in that place? Stop your searching for the shouts of the orcs or the augury of the
ogres - our ways are enough for your purposes and you have no need of darker rituals.
— Part of letter from Wz. Ada Müller, to her daugher, 899 A.S.

Magical Items 123 Rulebook

 Magical Standards
Rending Banner (70 pts)
When this torn and ragged banner is raised, near-
by soldiers feel a palpable buzz in the air around
them, and find that their weapons are sharper
than ever.
All non-character models in the bearer’s unit gain
Armour Piercing (1).
Stalker's Standard (60 pts)
Only those troops that have undergone intensive
training in the art of guerrilla warfare are permit-
ted to raise this fearsome standard.
The bearer’s unit gains Strider and Swiftstride.
Aether Icon (55 pts)
Woven with powerful enchantments, this shimmer-
ing image is able to capture raw magic in the air
and infuse the minds of the warriors who march
beneath.
The bearer can make Dispel Attempts as if it was
a Wizard Master.
Magical Items
Banner of Speed (50 pts)
Rumour has it this standard was first created to
win a horserace. Shortly after the tactic was dis-
covered, jousting was invented.
The bearer's unit gains +1 Movement.
Flaming Standard (45 pts)
Coated in rare oils, this banner is set alight at the
start of battle, allowing its followers to reach up
and apply its blaze to their own weaponry.
At the start of each Round of Combat, or before
shooting with the bearer’s unit, the banner may
be activated. If it is, the bearer's unit’s non-special
Close Combat and Shooting Attacks gains Flam-
ing Attacks until the end of the phase.
Banner of Discipline (35 pts)
Lead from the front. Be the best.
The bearer's unit automatically passes all Panic
Tests.
War Standard (30 pts)
The mere sight of this ungodly totem, fixed with the
decaying body parts of previous battles, is enough
to discourage any enemy.
The bearer's unit adds +1 to the Combat Score of
any combat they are involved in.
Icon of the Relentless Company (30 pts)
There is no outrunning the warriors who march
beneath this standard. Wherever you go, they will
come for you. They do not rest or slumber. Or smile.
One use only. Activate at the start of any of your
Remaining Moves sub-phases. Infantry models in
the bearer's unit can triple its Movement when
Marching instead of doubling it this turn. This
March Move cannot be longer than 15" and can-
not be used in Game Turn 1 if the unit has used
Vanguard or Scout.
Gleaming Icon (10 pts)
Even in the most dire of circumstances, when
all their friends and allies have fallen, men have
looked up to see the sun glint off this icon and tak-
en courage.
One use only. Must be activated the first time the
bearer's unit fails a Leadership Test. The unit may
reroll the failed test.
124 Rulebook
Magical Items 125 Rulebook
 GEOGRAPHY
F ew individuals have the chance to see more
than a fraction of our world, with its astonish-
ing variety of intelligent races and animal species,
plants and cities, cults and wars. I have travelled
from Avras to the Kingdom of Vanhu. I’ve seen
Sunna’s seeds planted in Virentia and the Great
Wall of Tsuandan in the far east of Augea. You
could not find another who has traveled a great-
er distance; I have been protected by the auspice
of Sunna, and here I record my knowledge on the
geography of our world.
Vetia is the land of mankind, where nations of
men have reigned for years under the protective
sight of the Goddess and her church. There, the
powerful nation of Sonnstahl guards all mankind
against the dangers of the Wasteland, while to
the south the merchant cities of Arcalea ply their
trade with the whole of the world. There you will
also find the White Mountains, impenetrable hold
of the Dwarves. To the west lie the twin cities of
Destria, the Kingdom of noble Equitaine, and the
enchanted, emerald-green forest of Wyscan, the
mysterious dwelling of the sylvan elves.
Augea, the immense sister of Vetia, separated
from one another by the great Wasteland, home
to the servants of the Dark Gods. Crossing east of
Avras into this land, you will travel through the
Barren Mountains, where the Steel Road starts
its winding journey. Here is the dwelling of the
Dwarves of the east, named Infernal. The Steel
Road runs parallel to the Silk Road to the north,
with access controlled by the Ogre Khans. It leads
from the Blasted Plains through the Sky Moun-
tains, across the northern part of the human re-
gion of Sagarikadesha, finishing its rich path in
the glorious land of Tsuandan, where the Dragon
Emperor rules over men.
Geography
Set sail south from Bellatorre, and in three nights
you will reach the docks of Port Reynaud, Equit-
aine’s holdfast in Taphria. Should you dare it, you
will never forget the nights spent in the Great
Desert, for they are terrible and fascinating all at
once. There, following the path of the Napaat riv-
er, lie the remains of a truly ancient kingdom with
its legends of never-dying monstrosities. In the
west stand the fortresses and souks of Qassar, full
of exotic smells and tales of evil spirits, the djinn.
In the west and southeast of the continent lie vast
kingdoms of men; the Koghi Empire and King-
dom of Vanhu respectively. Finally in its south, the
forests around the Mfumu river are said to hide
some of the most ancient secrets of the world.
The Great Ocean divides Vetia from the two west-
ern continents, Silexia in the north and Virentia
in the south. The Ocean itself is the dominion of
elves: there the fleets of the two great nations,
the Highborn and their dreaded kin, vie for the
supremacy. Here lies the main motherland of
the Highborn Elves, the proud islands of Celeda
Ablan, and Silexia where freedom is a commodity
to be traded.
On the eastern coast of Virentia mankind too, has
established colonies: the imperial city of Freder-
icksberg, and the port of Aguadulce, of Destria.
Beyond them, a lush forest of wonderful colors
and inconceivable dangers hides the secrets of
ancient civilizations. Dividing Virentia from Si-
lexia – the Shattered Sea; a rumoured maelstrom
of magic and tempests, from which no vessel re-
turns.
— From A New Atlas for the Ninth Age,
by Johannes Strabo
126 Rulebook
 Many people assume the Wasteland begins as soon as one passes the Border Beacons. Few have an-
ything but a cursory understanding of the vast swathes that lie between: the great Makhar Steppe.
This huge, rolling grassland is home to a multitude of uncouth peoples; somewhat scattered and
mostly nomadic, it is true, but nevertheless numerous and fearsome in battle. Sadly the neglect of
these lands by the so-called Empire of Humanity has resulted in many tribes turning to the Dark Gods.
I feel certain that the current policy of leaving them to their own devices can only result in catastro-
phe in the long term.
— Destrian explorer and anthropologist Tabor Delphino, at a keynote lecture in Narrenwald

Geography 127 Rulebook

 WORLD HYMN

The following is a reproduction of an Equitan tapestry,

itself believed to be a copy of an ancient dwarven carving
and poem dating from the first century A.S.

In cavern deep, in mountains old
We sing the hymn, we mark the way
Remembrance past, to future’s day
Let none forget, the ancient ley
To mark the path of home and hold
Our tale begins in Sauran yoke
In chains and pain forlorn of hope
Without our pride we labor’d ‘til
In darkest days our fate unmade
For comet’s fall our shackles broke
We mined the gold they craved and stole
With which to power arcane machines
And build their ugly ziggurats
So old were they, while we were young
As yet we had not found our soul
Unmeasured Ages came and went
So long that none can know the count
But wait we did with vigilance
Until we saw an opening
A time to make their cities rent

Skyhammer’s gift a vengeance born

We slew and killed who’s blood was cold
Together bound as brothers sworn

World Hymn 128 Rulebook

 II

A time of gold a time of growth We folk of stone our oaths as firm

The world was our inheritance And in the Mountains of the Moon
So rich the land so ripe it lay We bound our fates and paid our debts
Our people free, we grew at last To kin and kith our honor bound
In riches grand and oathbound troth And wealth to grow to come full term
And long lost kin we were to find And all this while the elves did sail
That golden time as West met East To take the seas and make their seat
Though trouble brewed and ne’er we saw On island shore so far from home
That fair-eyed orc that Akrübad Fair Celeda Ablan they wrought
Who soon to come would take and bind To ply the world on ev’ry gale
And men did then forge crowns and kings
O’er land as far as grass does grow
Yet no good lasts all things take wing

III

The Age of Death, the loss of gold The dead did rise on southern shore
A time when earth would swallow whole An empire dead its heart torn out
Nor fae nor men nor orc nor we No aid to come from human hands
All lost and toss’d and bent and broke The hour grew dark, and foes in count
A time of pain to each ring Hold So press’d were we, like ne’er before
The beasts did rise and burn and loot We call on elves to help us hold
No wall of shield or hold could stand ‘Gainst all that stood to break us then
And fickle elves did leave and run And end the light of dwarven works
And men so quick to alter word They turn’d their backs on us those days
Do promise cut and render mute Betraying us, with scandal bold
Now allies old do stand as foes
As mountains fall so too we break
And thus bring close this Age of Woes

World Hymn 129 Rulebook

 IV

An Age of Ruin, an Age of Iron Of orcs of men of beasts no end

As split was world so too were we Now war and siege and misery
Our only hope a foreign truce As one we kill so sprout two more
With Avras proud we did ally And flight nor fight avail a dwarf
To war ‘gainst fate we did return Our dominance so too now rent
From elves disloyal no aid was found Endless foes did split us sunder
‘Cross endless sea retreat and flee The orc and beast our gates did press
Unfit they are of dwarven aid The hold’s rings split like maille from axe
Not worth the fire of dwarven rage No valour won could mend the loss
The path they tread is ruin bound As foreign blades took our plunder
Our kith and kin no longer free
Our axe and shields unequal were
Our vengeance sworn forever be

An Age of Plague the Third of Ruin The Mountains White once lost to us
Redoubled might, redoubled maille We marched upon and took anew
We thicken armour, sharpen blade Alliance made at last with men
We harden hearts, and bolster soul A peace to hold and carry forth
Unknown to us new foes drew In O’er earth and mount an honoured trust
We paid it back the gift of men At last we saw our hidden foe
Who came to aid when so beset As elf slew elf across the sea
We shared the greatest gift of all Great sickness spread ‘cross ev’ry land
The gift of stone and mountain’s call And vermin rose upon its wake
Thus we built great Avras’ wall To murder men and dwarf to woe
The empire fell the rats took throne
Did murder life and poison land
They left in wake but Avras’ bone

World Hymn 130 Rulebook

 VI

The Age of War, of Ruin the Fourth And yet with all in steel and arms
The time our foes do fight betwixt Our fight was not without its trials
We sharpen axe we ready blade The orcs had numbers beyond count
In dungeons deep we plan and wait And war thus raged across the age
For chance to move our armies forth With no-one spared its many harms
Each Thane each King each soldier in For all this though we did win out
Our people sworn to hold the line No hope had orcs enclosed by all
To march together step in step To beasts they fell and feast be made
To turn each foeman’s sword aside No hope had beast whose end was next
With faith in kin alone we win As Vermin Swarm did make them rout
Yet far kin sorely sought respite
Did plot to win with daemon fire
And risk all life in burning blight

VII

With fire enslaved our kin now set So evil flourished cross the land
To savage foes now weak and spent With mountain quakes and floods and storms
Enslaving all that once had fought And daemons came like never hence
With crushing might but morals less To bring us death and rage and scorn
They scour the world for slaves to get In truth our end does seem at hand
But magic tests and poisons soul The East remains a place of death
And even dwarven might is sapp’d And Vetia vermin conquered
As nether power must be shunn’d A dark King rules the last free men
All who dare It become debased And so they live in fear and dread
And tear the world and harm it whole No place of peace no easy breath
These darken’d days these forlorn nights
This Age of Thunder so did rage
With none to set the wrongs to right

World Hymn 131 Rulebook

 VIII

The Age of Waste the time of Fire But one good thing did come from fire
Our kin have fail’d and woe have wrought That men at last did come combined
For devils cannot loyal be Together stood o’er vermin slain
And all is lost in burning death Held back the dark and worshipp’d day
With daemons free the world a pyre Thus did It end this time of ire
A cataclysmic wake they left The girl of sun and steel arose
And burn the land and open gates She slew the King of rats and filth
To realms unholy, realms debased So like a dwarf she stood so proud
And men such fools do worship Hell Remembering the oaths long lost
And left us all of peace bereft Renewing friends and true allies
The swords of men ascendant now
And much a mess and much a ruin
And they will rule with troubled brow

IX

Our past did end in fire and rage

Out from the ash and bitter smoke
We look to hope and keep it close
As all did see our near to end
Yet live to see this, our Ninth Age

World Hymn 132 Rulebook

World Hymn 133 Rulebook
 RELIGION
E very faith is different, and every believer
speaks of the unique qualities of their deities.
To my mind, there is but one certainty where the
gods are concerned. They exist.
Those beings who rule the Immortal Realm are
neither figments, nor figureheads. Their strength
is real, and those few who are blessed by them
wield true power. Yet the gods cannot reside here;
the Mortal Plane lacks even a fraction of the magi-
cal energy they would need to manifest. Why then
should they care for this mundane place and its
inhabitants?
The answer lies in the strength of Mortals, the
interaction with us, fleeting beings, draws divine
attention. First, the power of our belief, which
strengthens and can even shape the form of Im-
mortal beings. Secondly, the souls which animate
us all, and linger after our death. Coveted by the
Dark Gods, they must be jealously guarded; them
and the power of potential they hold.
Religion
So it is that our souls on death cross the Veil, to be
claimed by our gods and find an eternal home in
the strongholds of the human deities, or the fey
realms of elven gods. There we rest, and lend our
strength to the Immortal beings we served in life.
A chosen few, some say, greatest of soul and spir-
it, may be chosen to be born again into this Mortal
Realm, to champion their god once more.
For ordinary mortals, the most we can hope
is to serve well and earn the protection of the
gods. The manner of such worship varies widely:
dwarves with their stern rituals, ogres and their
grand feasts, greenhides and their gifts of blood
and battle.
I wander the world in search of a god to inspire
this passion in me and to devote myself to, in the
hope of earning a place in eternity.
Emerentius — Prologue to A Study of the Gods
Narrenwald Press, 907 A.S.
134 Rulebook
 Tandemar 3rd, 962 AS.
Dear Diary,
It is most exciting! I have arrived in Avras itself! It has been a right whirlwind and no mistake. All of
Monday I was on the great Bridge of Destiny, an enormous stone highway that leads into the city: it’s
the only way to get there! Sadly, this means that the bridge is very crowded at all times of day – an
incredibly diverse throng if ever there was one – so it took me many hours to finally reach the gates!
Meanwhile there was nothing to do but gaze at the fantastical battlements ahead, and dream of the
glory of a lost empire. I also tried to wave at some of the “archies” that live under the bridge (under
its arches, hence the name) in terrible conditions. They gave me a very rude gesture in return, so I
had to look away.
Today is only Wednesday, and already I have seen more sights than I thought the entire world could
contain! I have seen the great Senate House, and the mighty Sepulchre behind it. You can only enter
this most holy site on the wide road from the East, and for three hours each morning, starting at the
moment of sunrise, they close the great doors of the Flame Gate for pilgrims and pennants to watch
the glory of the dawn through the fiery colours of its stained glass. Now that was a sight to behold,
let me tell you!
After worship, I saw other remarkable monuments such as the ancient Forum, Amphitheatre (where
I am told that Sunna’s victory over the Rat King is yearly re-enacted) and the famous lighthouse of
antiquity, Sunna’s Lantern, which still guides ships through the mists that wreath the Omiphorous
river. Here I saw citizens from each of the city’s 27 “contradas” (districts) compete in a very dan-
gerous race to swim to the western shore and back, cheered by an enormous crowd, to win glory for
their contrada. What a thing to stumble upon! I visited shops of every description in the great bazaar
(once an Avrasi bathhouse) and visited the dead in the legendary Necropolis! I even saw the Ruined
Quarter where city mages keep watch over a magically contaminated patch where they say the Veil
was torn many centuries ago.
All in all it has been a very enjoyable and interesting trip. I am also glad to report that so far I have
not fallen victim to any of the criminal activities that everyone told me were such a problem here. I
think their concern may have been a little overblown.
Farewell for now!
— Diary of Claude le Petit, Equitan traveller.
It was found on his body, in a gutter in the Volskayan district, on Tandemar 4th.

Religion 135 Rulebook

 SUPERNALS
B eyond the Veil, the Immortal Realm beckons,
with its promises of infinite potential. Yet we
who are constrained by mortal bonds can but
dream of traversing that dimension of thought
and emotion. That privilege is reserved for those
inhabitants of the domain, born of its insub-
stantial fundament, which we name Supernals –
though every culture has a different name for the
servants of their own Gods.
Those few mortals who claim to
have witnessed the Immortal
Realm for themselves return with
tales to bewilder and amaze.
I have gathered every such
text and the one consistent
feature is the lack of con-
sistency. From impossibly
proportioned castles to
fields of cloud, from an
endless shifting forest
to a great feast hall,
from a place of colour
and sound alone to a vor-
tex where up and down
are replaced by inward and
outward – it would appear
the Immortal Realm contains
all that mortal imagination can
devise and much more beyond.
The Supernals of that wondrous
place are no less diverse in shape
and nature. Forms are shaped and
discarded as one might treat clothing, yet person-
ality is enduring, and thus some patterns can be
discerned among the confusion. Supernal serv-
ants who have chosen to serve a God – be they
angel, daemon, spirit or something else entirely
– are shaped by their service, adopting features
pleasing to their masters.
Those deific lords, the Gods themselves, are
far beyond mortal comprehension. Like an ant
witnessing the boot of a man, so are we able to
perceive the merest fragment of the true divine
Supernals
nature of a Supernal who has reached the pinna-
cle of Godhood. In vision, in voice, or in blurred
memory may we be granted some small aspect of
their nature, but we are doomed to remain sep-
arated from such glories while we live. The Veil
holds us apart, and the Mortal Realm could not
sustain a force of such inherent magical vitality.
The Gods may be constrained to their palaces
of the impossible, yet in times of
portent, their servants may cross
the boundaries between worlds.
From the Green Knight of the
Equitans to the strangest crea-
tures of the elves, and from
the bound fire spirits of the
Infernal Dwarves to the
devas of Sagarika, Super-
nals can be found across
the world. Most numer-
ous of these in our
Mortal Realm are the
daemons haunting our
myths and preying on
our sinful urges.
In the darkest of times,
whole armies of such beings
can sally forth from their in-
substantial sphere, clothing
themselves in forms of matter –
flesh, bone and more unsavoury
elements. Yet the Cosmos is our
greatest defence. This world of mat-
ter resists the seep of magic from the Immortal,
the Veil heals over wounds in time and restores
normality. Without an influx of power to sus-
tain them, their forms soon unravel leaving the
Immortal beings to return to their true abode.
Thus is the balance maintained, with Mortal and
Immortal Realms encroaching upon one another,
yet held apart – worlds forever a hair's breadth
from touching.
Immortal Beings and Where to Find Them
— Verdorben Kantu, Narrenwald Press, 784 A.S.
136 Rulebook
Supernals 137 Rulebook
 LEGEND OF AVRAS
T o all that are in Avras, beloved of Sunna: May
the dawn forever shine upon you. First, I thank
my saviour for you all, that your faith is proclaimed
throughout the whole world. In these dark times I
counsel you to give thanks in turn for your holy life
in the city of Sunna herself. The Goddess blessed
the site of its foundation at the moment of man-
kind’s awakening, and from it arose the first great
civilisation of humanity, a fearsome empire that
held up the light of our species like a dazzling torch,
surpassing even the brilliance of the elder races.
What a city was Avras of ancient times, that mag-
nificent crossroads of East and West! The citizens
Legend of Avras
strode gleaming streets; streets teeming with
every goodly thing. Libraries overflowed and the
great forums thronged with insight and sophis-
tication. The mighty government marshalled the
full resources of the vastness of the Empire. And
at its centre stood the Holy Sepulchre itself, dedi-
cated to the Goddess of the Sun and her pantheon.
But like all lights, Avras attracted the vilest of in-
sects and parasites. Its noble leaders fell to the in-
fluence of such unspeakable abominations, com-
ing to value power for themselves over the good
of human civilisation. The conquering hero, Gaius
Dexion, with his ageless, southern Queen by his
138 Rulebook
side, came to blows with the Senate and its cham-
pion, the merciless Tiberian, and the Empire sank
into civil war. Sunna abandoned those who bowed
to the sinful impulses of our species, and at the
height of the conflict there emerged a monstros-
ity greater than any before imagined: the vile rat
Kings and their unending tide of vermin.
The pestilence devoured Avras with ungodly
speed, and soon the rats had spread to every cor-
ner of the Empire, consuming all in their path and
returning humankind to its primordial state of
squalor and servitude. Heaping humiliation upon
humiliation, the rodents proclaimed themselves
the heirs of the Empire, preening and cavorting in
their warped perversion of the customs and styl-
ings of the Avrasi people and their rulers. Long
centuries did we suffer under the vermin yoke,
and long were the great shrines of Avras left de-
filed, before Sunna finally returned to rekindle
the flame of human strength.
Legend of Avras
Coming as the mightiest of warriors, one whom
kings and rulers followed naturally as disciples,
Sunna lead our great crusade against the many
enemies we so recently confronted. Always re-
member the great peril of our species, and the
danger of annihilation we faced, before the God-
dess drove our armies through their defences and
finally reclaimed Avras as our own. The Adver-
sary was slain by her hand. Friends, never forget
the joy of these tidings! Sunna has liberated the
holy city of Men and Women, and humans once
more dwell among the mighty avenues, and once
more pray in the Holy Sepulchre, where lies her
sword Sonnstahl! Our task now is that of preach-
ing the blessed truth of the Goddess to those who
were not there to bear witness.
— From Drusus' letter to the Avrasi, Sunna Cycle,
estimated date 59 AS
139 Rulebook
 THE ARMIES OF
THE 9TH AGE
— An account of the peoples, nations and monsters which inhabit the world, prepared for Prince Estaban
by Jorge Zamoran, Chief Librarian of Port Roig, by order of Marques de la Roig.

ELDER RACES Since the withdrawal of the Highborn across the

seas, they are what remains of the Elves in Ve-
These are the ancient beings who still inhabit this tia, occupying the forests of our great continent.
earth: civilisations consisting of the remnants of Their disregard for human borders often causes
bygone empires. Each has declined from the ze- strife with their neighbours; many a woodsman
nith of its strength, yet the knowledge possessed has met a grim fate and every missing child is
by those who remain ensures they are still a force “lost to the fairies”.
to be reckoned with. In these days of unlimited
promise, each holds the potential to rise again Highborn Elves
and dominate all others.
The white isles of Cele-
Elves da Ablan, home of the
Highborn Elves, are said
In the mists of time, they rebelled against the en- to be a truly awe-in-
igmatic Saurians to become guardians of much spiring sight. They are
of the world, while the ancestors of the Dwarves guarded by fleets of the
held the rest. Once they were a single race, yet finest ships to set sail,
their united rule could not endure. Even these and phalanxes of Elves
most graceful of beings are not immune to in- blessed with the natural
fighting or betrayal. The details are veiled in alle- grace and skill of their
gory and myth, but it is clear a great schism rent people. Led by Princes
the Elven peoples asunder, resulting in the three borne aloft on terrifying
powers we see today. dragons, the Highborn
have ever maintained a
Sylvan Elves proud and aloof manner,
Some argue they represent yet they are capable of
the oldest and truest of the fighting with the same
Elven civilisations, clos- savagery their cousins
est to the primordial Fae. display.
Their fate is entwined Although they have the greatest naval power the
with the forests they call world has seen, the Highborn Elves have retreat-
home, and the spirits ed from many of their former conquests. Despite
dwelling within, both this, they continue to hold outposts on coastlines
nurtured by and allied across the globe. The fall of the Highborn’s ap-
to the Elves beneath pointed Raj, ruling over the Sagarika Kingdoms
the canopy. Those in their name, marked the extent of their decline.
same spirits are Yet even with increasing resources diverted to
murderous when combat the Dread Elf threat, they still dominate
roused, and Sylvan the seas and the resulting trade.
archery is feared
across the earth.

The Armies of The 9th Age 140 Rulebook

 Dread Elves Dwarven Holds
Dread Elves are a harsher re- Dwarven Kings rule in name and deed, yet dwarves
flection of their brethren. The remain fiercely individual. Each dwarf is a judge over
same grace, the same beau- his own actions, and a dwarven oath is said to be
ty, the same talent, yet the stronger than any steel. Despite this steadfastness,
detachment of the Highborn they are implacable when roused. A dwarf never
turns to disdain, the caprice forgets a wrong to him or his family, even seeking to
of the Sylvan turned to cru- avenge grievances of long dead ancestors.
elty. Their skills as pirates With many fewer Holds than
and reavers are unparalleled; at their Golden Age zenith,
entire coastal communities Dwarves still control
have fallen to cruel blade and the great mines of the
ingenious artillery. The sur- world, producing the
vivors soon find themselves finest armour and
aboard slave galleys and sold jewellery. Though
to worse fates still. their relations with
Their society was forged by war, and shaped fur- human neighbours
ther still by an unending feud with their Highborn are largely amiable,
cousins, a conflict which began with the separa- yet Dwarvish conserv-
tion of the Elves thousands of years ago, and shows atism resents the few
no sign of ending. Even the gods of the Elves, the secrets of engineering
holy trinities, have taken on a darker note – blood revealed to humanity
rituals are widely described by rescued captives – and the great strides
of the Dread fleets. Whatever the causes of that taken with those confidences by the younger rac-
conflict, its echoes linger, and with the longevity es. Meanwhile, endless vendettas against Goblin,
of Elves, perhaps there are still those who recall Orc, Vermin and all other foes within the moun-
the events and maintain ancient enmities. tains makes peace an unimaginable concept for
these Elders.
Dwarves
Dwarves are perhaps the Infernal Dwarves
most indomitable of Infernal Dwarves are the descend-
beings. Magic, cor- ants of ancient dwarves, whose
ruption, disease, great pride saw them hold to lands
aging – they resist long since overrun by hordes of foes.
all these with a Separated from their brethren, they
force of will cen- turned to darker means of survival, including
turies after others enslavement of captives and the study of sorcery.
would have suc- “Infernal" is an apt name to describe these beings
cumbed. Yet theirs and their cruel nature – derived from the disas-
is a troubled his- trous creation of the Inferno – an uncontrollable
tory, for while the vortex of fire and magic. They created the terri-
two greatest of the ble Wasteland with a rent in the Veil itself – worst
dwarven civilisations of all catastrophes of the Ages of Ruin – and em-
once worked together braced the ominous title that resulted.
for a time, their Empire Defying the subterranean traditions of their for-
was undone by the many mer brethren, they build great stone ziggurats
calamities of the Ages of Ruin, with each side above ground, while their vast slave-worked
claiming betrayal and shaming their brothers. mines fuel a technological industry rivalled by few.
Still, both retain the ingenuity of their forefathers Their control of much trade from the East, com-
and the lust for gold and precious gems which bined with devilish weaponry, enables them to
dominates their histories. stand against the collective loathing of the world.

The Armies of The 9th Age 141 Rulebook

 LOST CIVILISATIONS
From the Dawn Age to our time, there have been
many nations and races who rose to ascendancy,
only to tumble back into obscurity. Two such I
have noted here – both once-mighty civilisations
that shaped the earth. Now, long centuries after
their empires’ demise, remnants still linger, trou-
bling border towns and outposts in far off lands.
Most are confident that they lack the numbers to
trouble Vetia or her people, but I feel it is impor-
tant to document their impact on history.
Saurian Ancients
Most archaic and least understood of all the Elder
Races, many believe the Saurians built sophisti-
cated civilisations when the Elves were still wear-
ing animal fur. The oldest works I possess name
these enigmatic jungle dwellers as Venerable
Ones. It is rumoured theirs was a cold, cruel reign,
and the younger races looked upon them as ty-
rants. The time of the Saurians and the Dawn Age
ended when they were cast down by Elves and
Dwarves, or else swallowed by the sea in some
cataclysm of that turbulent time.
Ruins that remain, even in the heart of Vetia, at-
test that Saurians built structures which eclipse
all to come since. Their magics were capable of
connecting continents and effecting change on a
global scale. Their descendants endure, yet they
are a shadow of what they once were, scattered
among isolated jungle valleys. Reports from co-
lonial expeditions claim they remain timeless in
physical appearance, as if copied from the carv-
ings of their crumbling temples. They still eschew
steel in favour of bronze, yet their hides are tough
as mail, their poisons defy all healers, and their
soldiers act with an unnerving unity of purpose.
The Armies of The 9th Age
Vermin Swarms
"Where you see one rat, there are ten more you
don't" – a saying that did not originally apply to
household pests. From the moment they laid low
mighty Avras, the Vermin used cunning tactics
and ingenious weapons to augment their multi-
tudinous hordes. Dominion over swathes of Vetia
proved a simple proposition to the Vermin, and
while tribes of men and beasts held them at bay
with ferocity or tribute, it was centuries before
their supremacy was challenged.
In the events leading to the dawn of this Ninth
Age, the might of men broke the Vermin Swarm
and cast down their King. Fear of Sunna's godly
strength sent them scurrying, but I suspect only
ingrained cowardice keeps them from sweep-
ing forth again. Reports of man-sized rats with
gleaming eyes and sharp black blades always
abound, but few consider these isolated incidents
to be cause for concern. Still, some cities maintain
a Sewer Watch, and their veterans do not scoff at
the Vermin threat.
If we examine the organs of the lower abdomen,
we see the rot has turned the liver and spleen to
sludge, while the stomach and intestines remain
relatively unaffected. Those of you who know your
Halen will recall that that great physician of an-
tiquity described identical symptoms in victims of
the terrible plague that afflicted Avras in the days
immediately prior to its fall.
— Famed doctor, Carsten Schwegler,
in a keynote lecture to the Royal College of Healing
142 Rulebook
 THE REALMS OF The Kingdom of Equitaine
HUMANITY Equitaine is a nation built on personal heroics
and individual honour, dating back to the days of
From our own noble Destria to mysterious Tsuan-
their founding king, Uther. Knights are most es-
dan, and from the chilly Oskland tundra to the
teemed here, and a mastery of mounted combat
scorching plains of Taphria, humans have spread
makes the lance the weapon of choice, and ar-
across the world and populated all manner of
mour the height of fashion. Women are venerated
landscapes. Among most varied and widespread
in Equitaine for their connection with the fabled
of the world’s races, we have adapted and over-
Lady, who serves as both deity and mysterious
come each obstacle, learned from the world’s
power preserving the land.
other inhabitants and thrived against all odds.

The Empire of Sonnstahl

A nation founded upon the ex-
ploits of Sunna, goddess given
flesh, our ally has developed
far from its early days. The
tribes Sunna unified have
endured together, never
forgetting her memory and
glory, symbolised by her
eponymous sword Sonn-
stahl. The core of human
supremacy in Vetia, with
Destrian wealth now
united through mar-
riage with its grand
armies and economy,
there is no limit to the
Empire’s ambition.
But, to command such
a diverse nation, an
Emperor must not To many, the Equitan feudal armies of knight and
simply conquer in peasant seems antiquated, yet they continue to
battle, he or she must exert great military power, and their Crusades to
compete in the politi- seek the lost Grail have brought much of northern
cal arena, navigating Taphria under their sway. In the Crusades, as in
the treacherous cur- all things, the nobility are expected to lead from
rents of rival fami- the fore, and success or failure oft turns upon
lies and churches, to their might. These are lessons for the young Equi-
unite the nation against its enemies. A true seat tan king to learn, and learn well, if his dynasty is
of learning, with magic and technology refined to endure amidst other strong Houses.
into effective weapons, the Empire has become a
master of many trades and has begun extending
its grasp to foreign lands.

Humanity is doomed by those who do nothing! Sunna calls on each one of us to play our part, and
those who stand idly by sin in Her eyes as unforgivably as the worst of heretics. So believe me when I
say to you truly, in the name of our saviour: if you are not with us, you are against us!
— Dieter von Specht, famous flagellant of the Radii Solis cult

The Armies of The 9th Age 143 Rulebook

 Other Nations Ogre Khans
Vetia has enjoyed limited contact with the world’s Ogres are among the toughest of all creatures.
wider human populations, yet as the power of Their brutal nomadic life weeds out the weak,
Sonnstahl, Equitaine and others extends further while the strongest, having weathered every type
across the map, these countries will hold increas- of hardship imaginable, rise to become Khans.
ing relevance – both as allies and as enemies. Of The only thing that exceeds their endurance is
the most prominent, Tsuandan is perhaps the their appetite. Ogres prize food above all else, and
least understood – rumours of armies of clay an Ogre mercenary force has been known to eat
warriors reflect our degree of understanding. its employers into bankruptcy.
The Sagarika Kingdoms are better known as spice
trading nations once controlled by the Highborn
Elves, but now asserting their independence. The
Taphrian Kingdoms cover much of a continent,
and play host to many tribes of varying levels of
complexity and strength – armies preceded by
massive tuskers to rival the great beasts of the
Ogres.
Volskaya is a closer neighbour, yet their way of life
is tied to their cold and harsh climate, as much
a factor in their arsenal as any weapon. Further
north, the barbarians of Åskland are shaped by
hard lives into harder men and women. Qassar,
and its desert warriors, have long been a thorn
in Destria’s side, though we are now separat-
ed by the Highborn Elves’ hold over Gan Dareb.
Finally, the patchwork city states and kingdoms
of Arcalea have played host to the development
of many of humanity’s finest achievements, and
some there believe themselves to represent the
true lineage of Avras.

THE BARBARIAN HORDES

Many of our enemies are elaborate and devious in
the tactics they deploy against us. Not so with this
collection of anarchic foes. Brute strength, low
cunning and an insatiable appetite for destruc-
Still, Ogres can be reasoned with, provided you
tion are their weapons. Yet in their lack of subtle-
respect their traditions. In the days of the greatest
ty is a brawn that has laughed in the face of many
Khan of Khans, Ogres walked as masters of Augea,
sophisticated armies and delighted in smashing
or so their campfire lore speaks. Even now, their
defences to kindling. Their fractious nature is our
reach encompasses much of the Silk Road, and so
best protection against these unpredictable and
they are a trading force to be reckoned with.
dangerous races.

A Goblin entered into partnership with an Ogre on the pretense of becoming his servant. Each un-
dertook his proper duty in accordance with his own nature and powers. The Goblin discovered and
pointed out the prey; the Ogre sprang on it and seized it. The Goblin soon became jealous of the Ogre
carrying off the majority of the spoils, and said that he would no longer find out the prey. After a
month, both starved without the other.
From Azak's Fables, ancient dwarven moral tales

The Armies of The 9th Age 144 Rulebook

 Orcs and Goblins Beast Herds
Orcs, on the other hand, should never be trusted, Oft depicted as mere lackeys
and make deals with Goblins at your peril. These of Chaos, the Beasts have
green-skinned maniacs live to fight. Even their occasionally found them-
resting state is a small squabble. Orcs resolve selves used as pawns of the
every dispute with fists or blades, and if Goblins Dark Gods, but their main
are less interested in a fair fight, they are truly re- similarity is the dread
sourceful in matters of murder. As varied as they they inspire among civ-
are obscene, they blight civilisation everywhere. ilised peoples. Theirs is
a distinct history, and
perhaps a tragic tale.
Though choosing blade
over bow, they are
the equals of the Syl-
van folk with whom
they contest for the
woodland realms.
All the enmity and
revulsion of the
Elves at the per-
ceived violation
of nature has not
brought an end to
these beasts – on
the contrary they
thrive and often
turn the hunter into
the hunted.
Shamanic rituals lie at the heart of their culture;
their soothsayers are venerated above all others,
gnarled and bent, but tough as an old oak. Among
the warriors, strength is prized as one would ex-
It is said that in the mists of time, before even pect, yet their leaders also need cunning to sur-
the Golden Age, the scattered tribes were united vive. Coordinating packs of ambushers through
under one great leader. Perhaps it was they who tangled thickets appears to be an important skill,
brought down the Saurians, though no record re- and a tactic used to great effect against adversar-
mains. Most disparage this tale, and I doubt even ies who think of the beasts as their quarry.
the Greenhides themselves know of its truth. Still,
it is a cautionary tale. A strong warlord can com-
mand a force of thousands; a truly great one could
drown the world under a green tide. Dwelling on
such a thought makes one shudder.

The Armies of The 9th Age 145 Rulebook

 THE LEGIONS OF CHAOS Daemon Legions
Good and Evil are concepts theorised and chron- Least known of all our foes
icled at great length by philosophers and schol- are the Daemons. Truest rep-
ars. Chaos may be considered true evil by some, resentations of the Dark Gods
but only one thing can be certain about the Dark most mortals will ever encoun-
Gods. Wherever order holds sway, you will find ter, rumour has them living per-
their followers, sowing discord and reaping dev- petually in the Wasteland and
astation, speaking names steeped in fear. Some the Shattered Sea, and even
believe Infernal Dwarves created this threat, oth- conjured forth elsewhere
ers that the Inferno merely allowed easy passage through dark ritual. The
for denizens of a dimension as old as time. Sauri- most terrifying tales
an carvings suggest a conflict with the Dark Gods, claim each Daemon
perhaps even predating the Dawn Age itself. requires a mortal ves-
sel to be invoked, with
Warriors of the Dark Gods the mightiest devils call-
Each Dark God has need of followers, and each has ing for captured Queens
their methods of ensnaring the souls of the un- or Emperors. Tales of the
wary. Whether it is lust or bloodlust, corruption legions that emerged from
of body or of ambi- the Wasteland in the dark-
tion, the traps of the est hours of the Ages of
Dark Gods are myr- Ruin are enough to freeze
iad and competi- the blood.
tion for the great- Whatever the truth of their summoning, it
est of followers is widely held that they are not mortal beings.
is fierce. Once Dwarven grudges record Daemons bearing the
started on the same names and marks as adversaries defeated
road to dam- millennia ago emerging to avenge themselves
nation, a soul upon descendents of their foes. Stout hearts, the
is forever tar- light of pure divinity and cold steel have proven
nished and themselves adequate defence – in spite of terri-
spurned by ble odds. But as knowledge spreads among our
former de- civilisations ever more widely in this great Age, I
ities. fear that we may be planting seeds of destruction
Many cult- deep within the nations of Humanity.
ists can be
found in
the cities of Daemons. Hellish creatures in a multitude of
the world, se- shapes and quantities have been called from be-
cretly enacting yond the veil by sorcerers of many races and na-
the plots of their tions. The church would have us believe that these
overlords. But those of a martial disposition travel spawn are sent by Sunna as punishment for sup-
to the Wasteland and other grim places, enduring posed crimes, but a cursory look at history demon-
unimaginable trials. The few who survive emerge strates that daemonkin are a naturally occurring
an entirely different breed – marked in abhorrent phenomenon, independent of the whim of the gods.
fashion, hardened and scarred. Humans make up They have appeared in vast hordes, without being
a great many of these servants of Chaos but they called forth, at times of great earthly upheaval,
are by no means alone. Trolls, giants and dragons when volcanoes and earthquakes have been simi-
have all been seen among the armies that assail larly disturbed, and have added considerably to the
the world. distress and misery of those who lived before Sun-
na had even appeared to man.
— From Dictionnaire Magique, by François L'Arouet

The Armies of The 9th Age 146 Rulebook

 THE RESTLESS DEAD Vampire Covenant
Humans in most lands believe death marks the Where vampires rule, power and glory belong
end of their travails, and for the righteous, a re- solely to the immortals, while the living are un-
union with their patron deities. But for some, the wittingly enslaved. Rivalry between these im-
gates to the underworld are forever closed and mortal beings is murderous – but kept beneath
they are doomed to walk the earth as reanimated the veil of humanity they wear. Wars are waged in
mockeries of their former vigour. For some, un- secret, political pawns manoeuvred and armies of
death is a curse; for others it is a blessing to be mindless drones are raised from the ground, only
celebrated. Both are equally eerie to mortal men; to vanish again. Vampires thrive in the ignorance
fighting an undying enemy is all the worse when of their human prey, concealing their existence in
your comrades rise from the grave to aid them. rumour and myth, pulling the strings of mortal
puppets.
Undying Dynasties It seems that as long as humanity has existed,
Ancient nobles these leeches have worked behind the scenes,
held to this world orchestrating events for their own gains. Their
by pride and pow- ambitions are fabled; clashes between great vam-
er long after their pires have ripped apart entire nations. Perhaps
bodies have rot- it was such events that led to the creation of the
ted, the Undying Covenant. By all reports, it has bound the dispa-
Dynasties repre- rate creatures to obey laws set down to ensure
sent the remains their survival. The edicts and the punishment for
of the oldest human transgression are only suspected, but it has al-
empire. With hon- lowed them to drift back into the fog of human-
our guards of skel- ity’s nightmares.
etal warriors, whose
instilled discipline has
survived the grave, and
living constructs of stone,
entire armies have been
said to appear from the
sand in a single moment.
Naptesh is no longer the fer-
tile land it once was. Crum-
bling monoliths, the tombs
of the great pharaohs, have at-
tracted looters for centuries, and
golden artefacts have changed
hands many leagues from their former masters.
But the dead are restless wherever great Dynas-
ties endure, and thousands of years in the earth
have not dampened their appetite for war. Lost
lands and stolen relics have roused them from
slumber and they show no sign of returning to
the ground.

Sir. You should know that Ferdinand Valdes was

found dead last night, his remains discovered
crawling with inexplicable scarab beetles. There is
still no word from von Ueblingen.
— Note from the Warden of the Imperial Society
of Eichtal to the Chancellor

The Armies of The 9th Age 147 Rulebook

 SUNNA MYTH
Part Three
The Vermin in Avras saw the strength of humanity uniting and trembled in their marble halls. They sought
to turn Sunna from her course, before she burned them from that noble city.
— The Book of the Askar, Chapter Fourteen, taken from the Sunna Cycle
S unna's forces gathered in the halls of Warin to
feast, weary from war. In that time came the
emissary from the Vermin. Grossly bloated and
adorned in finery of the Avras style, he was borne
aloft by a dozen slaves, surrounded by a hundred
black-furred guards. His proclamation echoed in
the chamber: “Serve the Empire and be rewarded.
Oppose and be destroyed.”
Sunna's generals fell to discussion. Warin led
those who would agree, and see their people
spared another war. Arcaleone urged rejection
of the terms. All counselled a united stance to de-
fend Vetia. Sunna listened to all, then rose, draw-
ing her sword Sonnstahl. At her command, the
guards were slain to a rat, the wretched slaves
dispatched, until Sunna stood over the corpulent
envoy. "A message for your masters. The dawn is
coming. " With that, he was lashed from the city,
forced to drag his mass back to Avras.
Preparations for war were made, and the
sun-blessed host marched the long miles to the
heart of the Vermin lands, intent upon slaying the
rat King. Three times were rodent armies, vast be-
yond counting, sent to bar their path. The losses
mounted among Sunna's followers, yet their holy
mission would not be halted. The alliance pierced
all the way to the walls of Avras, and plans were
drawn up to storm the city.
Sunna Myth
That night, the Vermin came to Warin. They knew
of his growing doubts and fears, for he had seen
how few remained in Sunna’s force and how easi-
ly the numbers of the rats were replenished. They
offered another way to save the Askar. One blow
of the weapon they proffered, and even a God
would be crippled. Time for the men to retreat
and terms to be reached. Conflicted, Warin took
the blade, though its inscriptions burned his eyes.
As dawn broke, the men attacked the city. On the
walls, the rat King was visible, red fur and laurel
crown marking his station before he fled into the
city. Sunna was never parted from Arcaleone in
this time, and Warin was given no chance to in-
tercede. As planned, Uther and Genoveva fought
a rearguard, buying time against the growing
swathes of vermin reinforcements streaming in
from across their empire, while the main force
breached the city’s mighty gates. Fighting soon
raged through the city, but Sunna and her cohort
fought to the throne room, to confront the rat
King himself.
What awaited in that place was not the same be-
ing. Surrounded by dead priests and shards of
glowing rock, a towering beast, red of fur and toy-
ing with the tiny laurel crown boomed a thunder-
ous laugh, pointing towards the brave humans.
Dozens of vermin struck at the holy woman, but
she could not be harmed by mere mortals. Elite
rodent bodyguards clashed with righteous men,
and blood flew. Arcaleone reached the King first,
and fought bravely, but men cannot stand with
Gods, and the great Rat tore the throat from the
bold son of Myra. Sunna was buried beneath
black furred bodies as she strove to reach her fall-
en disciple.
148 Rulebook
Amidst the pandemonium, with Arcaleone’s
blood staining the King’s fur, Warin lost all hope.
The cries of the dying surrounded him; from the
windows he could see the rearguard fail and a
rodent tide sweep toward the city. Grasping her
arm, he freed Sunna from beneath the mound of
the dead and dying – and thrust the Vermin blade
into her side. The rats’ work was done; the blade
twisted in his hand, and what was a minor blow
became a thrust to the heart of the goddess made
flesh. Sunna’s face pinned Warin, the betrayal
filled her eyes. Before that stare, Warin fled, to
pass from the history of Vetia and become a by-
word for treachery. Sunna wavered, and the King
came on in triumph. But even wounded as she
was, she did not fall, and met him blow for blow.
Their fight raged from the throne room to the
walls of the city. Rats and men turned to look
up at the legendary combat overhead. Flaming
sword clashed with glowing scimitar, sparks rain-
ing down. A dozen wounds were traded, yet it
was the woman who faltered. Sunna staggered,
Sunna Myth
but with the last of her strength pulled Warin’s
Vermin blade from her own body, and drove it
through the creature's chest. A hideous scream
marked the King’s end, black tendrils spreading
through his veins, and he toppled broken to the
street below. Falling to her knees, overcome by
her wounds, Sunna died steeped in golden sun-
light and in the knowledge that the first city of
men was avenged.
So passed Sunna, the Uniter, who brought a new
dawn to the long night, and struck down the en-
emies of humanity. In the years after, her follow-
ers forged new nations to preserve her legacy.
Uther would become a great King of Equitaine.
Queen Genoveva's descendants would thrive in
the lands of Destria. Arcaleone would be eternally
honoured, as the Glauca and Aeturi came to name
their ancient fatherland in his honour. Greatest
of glories was reserved for the Askar, the Breidar
and the Gjothar, who would unite under the sym-
bol of Sonnstahl, the sword of light borne by our
saviour, Sunna. May we always live in her light.
149 Rulebook
 SUMMARIES
If I had to describe it in a single word, I’d say ‘unfortunate’.
— Count Lutuzov, on the Slaughter of Itterbeck, 801 A.S.

Pre and Post-Game Randomize Secondary Objectives (roll a D6):

1-2: Hold the Ground
The pre-game sequence Place a marker in the centre of the Board. The player with
1 Decide on Game Size. the most Scoring Units within 6" of this marker at the end of
2 Share Army List with Opponent the game wins the Secondary Objective.
3 Build the Battlefield. 3-4: Breakthrough
4 Pick Deployment Type. The player with the most Scoring Units within its opponent's
5 Choose Secondary Objectives. Deployment Zone at the end of the game wins the Secondary
Objective.
6 Determine Deployment Zones.
5: Capture the Flags
7 Generate Spells.
After moving Vanguards, starting with the player that has
8 Deployment Phase.
the first Player Turn, take turns in openly choosing three en-
emy units with Scoring.
The player that has the highest number of its chosen units
The Deployment Sequence still alive at the end of the game wins the Secondary Objective.
1 Determine who deploys first. 6: Secure Target
2 Take turns deploying units. After determining Deployment Zones, starting with the
3 Determine who takes the first turn. player that picked Deployment Zone, both players place one
marker on the Battlefield, more than 12" away from their De-
4 Deploy remaining units.
ployment Zone and 24" away from the other marker.
5 Deploy Scout units.
At the end of the game, the player controlling the most mark-
6 Move Vanguard units.
ers wins the Secondary Objective. A marker is controlled by
7 Other rules and abilities. the player with the most Scoring Units within 6" of the mark-
8 Roll for First Turn. er. If a unit is within 6" of both markers, it only counts as
within 6" of the marker which is closest to its centre.

Randomize Deployment Type (roll a D6):

1-2: Frontline Clash 3-4: Refused Flank

5: Encircle 6: Counterthrust

Summaries 150 Rulebook

 Victory Points The Turn Structure
At the end of each game, add up your Victory Points (VP).
1 Movement Phase
Characters are counted separately from units they have
joined. 2 Magic Phase
3 Shooting Phase
Killed unit VP equal to the unit’s point value 4 Close Combat Phase

Fleeing unit VP equal to half the unit's point value

Unit below 25% of

VP equal to half the unit's point value
starting Wounds
Both Fleeing and at
VP equal to the unit's point value
or below 25%

General is killed +200 VP

Battle Standard
+200 VP
Bearer is killed

Victory Points Table

Victory Points Difference Battle Points
Percentage of (if playing
Winner Loser
Total Army Cost 4500 points)
0-5% 0-225 VP 10 10
>5-10% 226-450 VP 11 9
>10-20% 451-900 VP 12 8 Dangerous Terrain
>20-30% 901-1350 VP 13 7
Roll a number of dice determined by the model troop type
>30-40% 1351-1800 VP 14 6
• Dangerous Terrain (1) – the test is failed on '1'
>40-50% 1801-2250 VP 15 5
• Dangerous Terrain (2) – the test is failed on '1' and '2'
>50-70% 2251-3150 VP 16 4
>70 ≥3151 17 3 • Dangerous Terrain (3) – the test is failed on '1', '2' and '3'
Winning Secondary Objective +3 -3 For each failed dice – take one wound with AP (6)

Terrain
Terrain Movement Cover Other
Always stay '1' away Obscuring Terrain
Impassable -
DT (3) for fleeing units Hard Terrain
DT (1) to CMCC and models Gives Flamable to units inside
Fields -
with Flaming Attacks Terrain
Obsucring Terrain Gives Gigantic Height
Hills - Partially on a Hill: Soft Terrain Charging downhill gives +1 to
Completely off a Hill: Hard Terrain Combat Score
Prohibits Steadfast
DT (1) for CMCC and units
Forests Soft Terrain Gives Stuborn to Skirmishers
making a Flying Movement
and lone infantry Characters
DT (1) for any unit, except
Skirmishers Partially in a Ruins: Hard Terrain
Ruins -
(does not apply for Towering Presence)
DT (2) for CMCC
Water DT (1) for CMCC - Distorts ranks
Ignore Walls for movement Hard Cover
Walls and positioning Distracting for first round of Combat only. -
DT (1) for CMCC (does not apply for Towering Presence)
Obscuring Terrain War/Monstrous Beasts,
Hard Terrain (Monstrous) Infantry and
Always stay '1' away
Buildings Units moving through Buildings benefit from Hard Swarms treat Buildings as
DT (3) for fleeing units
Cover until the start of the next friendly Player Open Terrain during the
Turn, or until they perform any Shooting Attack. Remaining Moves Phase
DT – Dangerous Terrain.
CMCC – Cavalry, Monstrous Cavalry and Chariots

Summaries 151 Rulebook

 The Movement Phase
The Movement Phase Sequence
1 Start of the Movement Phase.
2 Start of the Charge sub-phase.
The Active Player Declares Charges. The player
nominates which unit is performing a Charge and
against which enemy target. Each time the Active
3
Player declares a charge, the Reactive Player must
declare and perform the Charge Reaction of the
charged unit.
Once all charges and Charge Reactions have been
4 declared, chargers will try to move into combat. The
Active Player may now roll for Charge Distance.
If a charging unit fails to reach its target it must
5
perform a Failed Charge Move.
If a charging unit rolls enough distance to reach its
target, the Active Player must move it and align it
6 together with its target in order to maximize contact.
The charging unit and its target will now be locked in
Close Combat.
7 End of the Charge sub-phase.
8 Start of the Compulsory Moves Sub-Phase.
The Active Player may now attempt to rally fleeing
9
units by performing Rally Tests.
Fleeing units which have failed to Rally, or which are
10 not eligible to take a Rally Test, must perform a Flee
Move.
Units with Random Movement or any other form of
11
compulsory movement must move in this sub-phase.
12 End of the Compulsory Moves sub-phase.
13 Start of the Remaining Moves Sub-Phase.
The Active Player may perform an Advance Move, March
14 Move or Reform with any remaining unit which has not
yet moved during this Movement Phase.
15 End of the Remaining Moves sub-phase.
16 End of the Movement Phase.
Magic Modifiers
• Wizard Apprentice, +1
• Wizard Master, +2
• Dispelling Bound Spells, +1
• The sum of modifiers cannot exceed +3
Bound Spells
To successfully cast a Bound Spell, the casting roll must be
equal to or higher than the spell's Power Level.
• No positive casting modifiers can be added to the
casting roll
• The caster of a Bound Spell never suffers from Lost Focus
• A Bound Spell does not get the casting modifier from
an Overwhelming Power
• Path Attribute is resolved as usual
• Dispelling Attempts gain a +1 modifier, which may ex-
ceed the normal limit of max +3
If Overwhelming Power is rolled and the spell is not dispelled:
• If MDU is 4 or more, the Bound Spell is lost and can-
not be used again during the game
Summaries
The Magic Phase
Magic Phase Sequence
1 Start of the Magic Phase. Roll for the Magic Flux and
Channelling.
2 “Remains in Play" spells may be dispelled.
3 The Active Player may attempt to cast one spell.
4 Repeat steps 2-3 of this Sequence until neither player
performed an action.
5 End of the Magic Phase. Resolve end of phase
triggered abilities.
Casting Attempt
1 The Active Player declares a Wizard, spell, version
of the spell, target of the spell and an amount Magic
Dice (between 1 and 5)
2 The Active Player rolls that many Magic Dice (from
the Magic Dice pool). Add the results of the rolled
dice and any casting modifiers together to get the
total casting roll.
3 The Casting Attempt is successful if the total casting
roll is equal to or higher than the spell's Casting
Value. Otherwise, the caster suffers from Lost Focus
and the Casting Attempt failed.
Dispel Attempt
1 The Reactive Player declares which (if any) of their
non-fleeing Wizards will attempt to dispel the spell
and how Magic Dice will be used. A minimum of 1
dice and up to all the dice in your dice pool can be
used. A dispel may be attempted even without having
any Wizard.
2 The Reactive Player rolls that many Magic Dice (from
the Magic Dice pool). Add the results of the rolled
dice and any dispel modifiers together to get the total
dispel roll.
3 The Dispel Attempt is successful if the total dispel
roll is equal to or higher than the total casting roll.
If so, the spell is dispelled, and the casting failed.
Otherwise, the Dispel Attempt fails and the dispelling
Wizard suffers from Lost Focus.
Miscast Table
Miscast Roll Miscast effect
(D3+1)×MDU (apply all relevant effects)
Always Witch Fire
Caster's unit suffers a number of hits equal to
the Miscast Roll. The number of hits cannot
exceed the total number of Wounds in the unit.
These hits have Strength MDU, Magical
Attacks and Armour Piercing (1).
10+ Amnesia
Roll a D6: On 4+,the Wizard cannot cast the
Miscast Spell this game anymore.
15+ Catastrophic Detonation
Roll a D6: On 4+, the Wizard loses a number
of Wounds equal to half its starting number
of Wounds, rounding fractions up (no saves of
any kind allowed).
20+ Breach in the Veil
Roll a D6: On 4+, the Wizard is dead, remove
it from the game as a casualty (no saves of any
kind allowed).
152 Rulebook
 The Shooting Phase To-Hit Modifiers Summary
Long Range -1
The Shooting Phase Sequence
Moving and Shooting -1
1 The Active Player may pick any unit that is eligible Stand and Shoot -1
to perform a Shooting Attack and may then declare Soft Cover -1
which enemy unit is the target.
Hard Cover -2
2 The player must Measure Distance to ensure that
Special Rules
the target enemy unit is effectively within Range of
the Shooting Attack. The player must also ensure Hard Target -1
that the shooting unit can draw Line of Sight. Skirmishing -1
3 The player rolls on the Shooting To-Hit Table.. Multiple Shots -1
4 For every Hit score, the Active Player rolls on the
Wounding Table No Cover No Line of Sight
5 For every Wound received, the Reactive Player
attempt to roll any Armour Save, Ward Save or
Regeneration Save that the wounded model is
eligible to take.
6 The Reactive Player Removes Casualties for every
unsaved Wound and takes notes of the remaining
Wounds of multiple-Wounds models.
7 Repeat steps 1-6.
8 As soon as a unit suffers Heavy Casualties, i.e. as
soon as it loses 25% or more of its starting amount
of models during one Shooting Phase, it must test
for Panic.
9 End of the Shooting Phase.

The Misfire Table

Soft Cover (-1 to hit) Hard Cover (-2 to hit)
0 (or less) Explosion!
All models within D6" of the misfiring model suffer a Strength
5 hit. The shooting model is then destroyed. Remove it as a
casualty.
1-2 Breakdown
The firing mechanism of the weapon is damaged. The model
cannot shoot anymore with the weapon for the rest of the game.
3-4 Jammed
The Artillery Weapon may not be fired in the controlling
player’s next Player Turn
5-6 Malfunction
The shooting model suffers a Wound with no Saves of any
kind allowed.

Shooting To-Hit Table

Ballistic Skill (BS)
To-Hit Roll
+ modifiers
6 or more 2+
5 2+
4 3+
3 4+
2 5+
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, com-
1 6+
0 6+ followed by 4+
mitted ogres can change the world – even though
-1 6+ followed by 5+ they never have.
-2 6+ followed by 6+ — From Coming of Age in Nyetsan,
-3 or less impossible
by Pascaline Caillat

Summaries 153 Rulebook

 The Close Combat Phase To-hit in Close Combat Table
Attacker’s Weapon Skill
The Close Combat Phase Sequence
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 Start of Close Combat Phase. Apply any “No Longer
Engaged”. 1 4+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+
2 Choose a combat to fight in. 2 4+ 4+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+
3 Fight a Round of Combat.

Defender’s Weapon Skill

3 5+ 4+ 4+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+
4 Repeat steps 2-3. Each time choose a new combat,
which has not already been fought during this Close 4 5+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+
Combat Phase.
5 5+ 5+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+
5 Once all units that are Engaged in Combat have
fought, the Close Combat Phase ends. 6 5+ 5+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+

Fighting a Round of Close Combat 7 5+ 5+ 5+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 3+ 3+ 3+

1 Start of Round of Close Combat. 8 5+ 5+ 5+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 3+ 3+

2 Choose Weapon. 9 5+ 5+ 5+ 5+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 3+
3 Characters perform Make Way manoeuvre..
10 5+ 5+ 5+ 5+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+
4 Issue and Accept Challenges.
WS – Weapon Skill | A – Attacker | D – Defender
5 Roll attacks (in Initiative order):
-Allocate attacks.
To-Wound Table
-Roll to hit, to wound, saves, and remove casualties.
-Move to the next Initative step. Attack’s Strength
6 The units on the losing side perform their Break 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Tests. All units that fail their Break Test automatically
Flee. If no unit has fled, go to step 12. 1 4+ 3+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+
7 Units on the same side as a unit that Breaks from 2 5+ 4+ 3+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+
combat test for Panic.
3 6+ 5+ 4+ 3+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+
8 Once a unit Breaks from combat, the winning side
Target’s Toughness

must decide whether to Pursue. If the player chooses 4 6+ 6+ 5+ 4+ 3+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+

to Restrain, a Leadership Test must be passed.
5 6+ 6+ 6+ 5+ 4+ 3+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+
9 Roll Flee distance and move Fleeing units.
6 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 5+ 4+ 3+ 2+ 2+ 2+
10 Roll Pursue distance and move Pursuing units.
11 Perform any Post-Combat Pivots. 7 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 5+ 4+ 3+ 2+ 2+
12 Perform any Combat Reform 8 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 5+ 4+ 3+ 2+
13 End of Combat Round. Proceed to the next combat. 9 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 5+ 4+ 3+
Whenever an attack hits a model, 10 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 5+ 4+
use the following sequence: S – Strength | T – Toughness
1 Attacker Distributes hits.
Armour Modifier
2 Attacker rolls to wound; if successful, proceed.
3 Defender rolls Armour Saving Throws; if failed, Strength 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
proceed.
Modifier 0 0 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7
4 Defender rolls special saving throws; if failed,
proceed.
5 Defender removes Wounds or casualties.
6 Defender checks for Panic.

Combat Score Modifiers

Caused Wounds +1 for each Wound General and Battle Standard Bearer:
Overkill +1 for Each Wound (maximum +3) • The non-fleeing General gives its Leadership to all
Charge +1 (+2 from Down Hill) friendly units within 12'' (Inspiring Presence)
Rank Bonus +1 for each rank after the first (max. +3) • The non-fleeing Battle Standard Bearer gives "reroll
Standard +1 for each Standard failed Leadership Tests" to all friendly units within
12" (Hold Your Ground)
Battle Standard +1
Flank Bonus +1 (+2 for Large Flank) • A Model with Towering Presence increases its Inspir-
ing Presence and Hold Your Ground range by 6"
Rear Bonus +2 (+3 for Large Rear)

Summaries 154 Rulebook

 Troop Types Summary
Unit Profile Type FR(H) SA Special Rules Height* DTT

Light Troops
Infantry - 5(10) 1 Standard 1
(Characters only)

War Beast - 5(10) 1 Swiftstride Standard 1

1
Cavalry Combined Profile 5(10) Swiftstride Large 1
(rider only)
Monstrous - 3(6) up to 3 Stomp(1) Large 2
Infantry
Monstrous - 3(6) up to 3 Swiftstride, Stomp(1) Large 2
Beast
Monstrous up to 3
Combined Profile 3(6) Swiftstride, Stomp(1) Large 2
Cavalry (rider only)
1 Swiftstride, cannot March,
Chariot Combined Profile 3(6) Large 4
(rider only) Impact Hits(D6)
Stomp (D6), Terror,
Monster - 1 - Gigantic 4
Towering Presence
Ridden Stomp (D6), Terror,
Ridden Monster Profile 1 - Gigantic 4
Monster Towering Presence
Skirmishers, Immune to Psychology,
Swarm - **(10) 1 Standard 1
Unstable
Cannot March, Reload!,
War Machine War Machine Profile no Ranks - Standard 1
Move or Fire
FR(H) – Models to form a Full Rank (Horde)
SA – Supporting Attacks per model
DTT – dice used for Dangerous terrain test
* Swarms cannot claim Full Ranks due to being Skirmishers
** All models with the Towerin Presence Special Rule are considered to be of Gigantic Height

Owing to its impregnable fortress built on a rock in the sea along the coast just south of the capital,
it is believed to be the only province of the ancient empire to have survived, at least in part, destruc-
tion at the hands of the Swarm. While it now relies on horsemen from the hills and other levies for its
military security, there remains a small and secretive – but deadly – cadre of professional city guard-
ians trained in the ancient ways. These traditions have been passed unbroken to new generations for
thousands of years.
— Entry for The Empire of Monopatea in The Chronology of Foreign Nations by Hudhaifa Uddin

Summaries 155 Rulebook

Across the world of the 9th Age, many factions vie for wealth,
land and power. Within these pages is contained the collected
wisdom of generals and wizards, priests and heroes, covering
all aspects of warfare. Armed with this knowledge, send your
armies into battle — for honour, for glory, for victory!

The 9 th Age: Fantasy Battles is a community made miniatures wargame.

All rules and feedback can be found/given at http://www.the-ninth-age.com/
All recent changes are available at http://the-ninth-age.com/archive.html
Copyright Creative Commons license: http://www.the-ninth-age.com/license.html