WARHAMMER 40,000:

RULEBOOK
Official Update Version 1.1
Although we strive to ensure that our books are perfect, Page 46 – Morale while falling back.
sometimes mistakes do creep in. In addition, we The paragraph should be changed to:
occasionally print new versions of our rules, that require Units that are falling back automatically fail all Morale
amendments to be made in older versions of our army checks.
books. When such issues arise we feel that it is important
to deal with them as promptly as we can, and we therefore Page 71 – Ramming a skimmer.
produce regular updates for all of our army books. When The first sentence should be changed to:
changes are made, the version number will be updated,
Skimmers that are not immobilised or stunned may try to
and any changes from the previous version will be dodge […].
highlighted in Magenta. Where a version number has a
letter, E.g. 1.1a, this means it has had a local update, only Page 92 – Pitched Battle, second paragraph.
in that language, to clarify a translation issue or other Change “His opponent then deploys in the opposite half.”
minor correction. To “His opponent then deploys in the opposite half and
more than 12” from the table’s middle line.”
Each update is split into three sections: Errata,
Amendments, and ‘Frequently Asked Questions’. The Page 93 – Spearhead, second paragraph.
Errata corrects any mistakes in the book, while the Change “His opponent then deploys in the diagonally
Amendments bring the book up to date with the latest opposite quarter.” To “His opponent then deploys in the
version of the rules. The Frequently Asked Questions (or diagonally opposite quarter and more than 12" from the
‘FAQ’) section answers commonly asked questions about centre of the table.”
the rules. Although you can mark corrections directly in
your army book, this is by no means necessary – just keep AMENDMENTS
a copy of the update with your army book. None.

ERRATA FAQs
Page 41 – Multiple Combats, Attacking. Q: Can models move off the table? (p11)
A third bullet point should be added, as follows: A: Not unless a rule or the mission being played clearly
• Models that at the beginning of the combat (before any specify that they can. All good wargamers know that the
model attacked) were engaged with more than one enemy edge of the table is the end of the world!
unit, but were in base contact with just one of the enemy
units, must attack that unit.
Q: What happens if an out of coherency unit is able to
move, but not able to restore unit coherency in a single
Page 41 – Multiple Combats, Attacking. movement phase? (p12)
In all three bullet points, the word ‘combat’ will be changed A: They must attempt to restore unit coherency as soon as
to ‘round of combat’. possible, including having to Run! in the Shooting phase if
able.
Page 42 – ‘A normal and a special weapon’, first
paragraph. The second sentence should be changed to: Q: What happens when a unit that moves a random
All of their attacks, including the bonus attack, use the distance enters or moves through difficult terrain? (p14)
special weapon’s bonuses and penalties. A: Unless stated otherwise they are not slowed down and
will move the full distance rolled. However they must still
take Dangerous Terrain tests as normal.

1 WARHAMMER 40,000 RULEBOOK

Q: Do units that choose to Run! in the Shooting phase Q: How does a monstrous creature’s 2D6 roll for armour
have to move the full distance rolled? (p16) penetration in close combat work if the creature’s Attacks
A: No they can move up to the distance rolled. Note that have the Rending rule as well? (p31)
once the dice have been rolled, they cannot shoot even if A: The player gets to add a D3 to the total for each dice
they then elect not to use their movement. that comes up with a 6. So, if either of the two dice is a
six, the total penetration roll will be 2D6+D3+S; if both
Q: Who gets the 4+ cover save for intervening models were 6s, the total would be 12+2D3+S (which you don’t
when two units are intermingled? (p21) need to roll anyway, as it is more than enough to penetrate
A: The unit with the model closest to the enemy that is the thickest armour!).
firing does not have a cover save.
Q: What weapons count as single-handed weapons for the
Q: If a unit is in multiple different types of cover, which purposes of gaining additional attacks in close combat? (p37)
cover save is used? (p22) A: All pistols, close combat weapons and any weapons
A: Whichever has the highest number of models in, or the that are specifically stated as single-handed weapons in
their rules.
best in a tie (as long as over half the unit is in some kind
of cover).
Q: Will one model in a squad that is unable to Sweeping
Advance prevent the entire squad from making a
Q: If I find a reference to a unit that is ‘pinned’, does it
Sweeping Advance? (p40)
mean a unit that has gone to ground? (p24) A: Yes.
A: Yes, ‘pinned’ is simply a short way of saying ‘gone to
ground by failing a pinning test’. Q: Can a unit locked in combat opt to go to ground if it is
hit by shooting? (p40)
Q: If a unit that has gone to ground is then forced to move, A: No.
other than to fall back, do they return to normal or still
count as having gone to ground? (p24) Q: For multiple combats there are two extra rules under
A: They will return to normal. the heading ‘Attacking’. For these rules, at what point is “at
the beginning of the combat”? (p41)
Q: Can a unit go to ground if affected by attacks that do A: It is after defenders react when you pick the combat but
before any attacks have been rolled.
not allow covers saves or cause wounds (e.g. a flamer)?
(p24)
A: You might, but such a move would be foolish, as it Q: If a unit making a fall back move can only move its full
distance by moving away from its board edge due to
would have no effect other than stopping the unit from enemy troops and/or impassable terrain does it count as
doing anything of its own volition in its next turn. In other being Trapped! (p45)
words, the only benefit of going to ground is to increase a A: No, a unit will only be Trapped! if it is completely
unit’s cover save, so if you don’t have to take any cover surrounded and is unable to move its full fall back move in
saves don’t bother! any direction without doubling back on itself.

Q: If a unit of multiple wound models has already suffered Q: When a model that can move outside of the Movement
phase, for example jet pack infantry, is falling back, can it
a wound, must the next wound taken be allocated to a
use this move? (page 45)
model armed the same or can it be allocated to a A: Yes, though it must follow the Fall Back! rules to
differently armed model? (p26) determine the direction it will move in.
A: It can be allocated to a differently armed model. Note
that this can potentially leave multiple differently armed Q: Is a Regroup test a Morale check? For example, I have
models wounded at the same time. a falling back unit within range of a banner that allows
units to reroll failed Morale checks – can I use the banner
Q: How many Pinning tests can a squad firing multiple for a failed Regroup test? (p46)
A: No and No. A Regroup test is a special type of
Pinning weapons cause on the enemy it is shooting? (p31)
Leadership test, not a Morale check (which are taken in
A: Each unit can only cause a maximum of one Pinning the three situations described on p44).
test on each enemy unit wounded, per turn, regardless of
the number of wounds caused, unless specifically stated
Q: How do Independent Characters that have joined a
otherwise. squad effect working out if a squad is below half strength
or not? (p48)
A: Independent Characters are not counted when working
out if a squad is below half strength or not. The exception
to this is if an Independent Character is with a Retinue (in

WARHAMMER 40,000 RULEBOOK 2

which case he is counted when working out if the squad is Q: If a gun from an artillery unit fails a dangerous terrain
below half strength). test, what happens to it? (p55)
A: As this is comparable to suffering a result from the
Vehicle Damage chart (and to preserve our sanity if I
Q: If an Independent Character is unable to end his move answer otherwise), the gun is destroyed.
over 2” away from a unit that he cannot join, for example
he has exited a vehicle after it has moved, can he be
placed? (p48) Q: Does a vehicle that has used its extra move for being
A: Yes, simply place him as far away from the unit(s) that on a road to move over 12” count as having moved at
he cannot join as possible. cruising speed for all purposes, for example the embarking
and disembarking of troops? (p57)
A: Yes.
Q: An Independent Character attached to a unit that is
reacting to being assaulted, or making a pile-in move,
must move before other friendly models to attempt to get Q: The rules for the arc of fire of pintle-mounted (or bolt-
in base contact with an enemy. What happens if the on) weapons address those mounted on turrets and those
Independent Character is blocked from getting to enemy mounted directly on the hull. But what about those
models by friendly models around him? (p49) mounted on smaller structures (like a Rhino’s cupola) that
A: If it is possible to move friendly models out of the way look like they can rotate 360º, even though they aren’t
to make space for the Independent Character then they proper turrets? (p59)
must move first. Followed by the Independent Character A: Remember that the rule is: if it looks like you can point
and finally the rest of the unit can move. If the the gun at it, then you can, even if it’s glued in place’. The
Independent Character is still unable to make it into base rest is just a set of guidelines about the arcs of fire of
contact he must move as close to the enemy as possible. weapons glued in place, and does not cover all possible
weapons mounting and vehicles. If the structure the gun is
Q: Can a model use a psychic power that is not a Psychic pintle-mounted on is obviously capable of rotating 360º,
like in the case of a Rhino’s cupola, then it should be
Shooting Attack if it is embarked in a transport vehicle? (p50) treated as having a 360º arc of fire. However, if you mount
A: Yes. If the power requires line of sight, this is still the same storm bolter on a Razorback, even though it still
worked out from the vehicle’s fire points (this will count as can rotate 360º, it won’t obviously be able to fire through
one model shooting through that fire point if the power is the Razorback’s main turret, and so it will have a ‘blind
used in the Shooting phase). spot’. In the same way, the shuriken catapult mounted
under the hull of a Wave Serpent, Falcon, etc. looks like it
If the psychic power does not require line of sight and has can rotate 360º, but it does not look like it can be fired
a range or an area of effect that is normally measured through the main hull right behind it, so we normally play
from the model using it, these are measured from the that it can be fired roughly in the 180º to the vehicle’s front,
vehicle’s hull, as explained in the Embarking section on which seems like an acceptable compromise.
page 66.
Q: If a vehicle has a weapon with a limited amount of
Q: Do psychic shooting attacks grant cover saves? (p50) shots, and it has none left, for example a hunter-killer
A: Yes, as long as they cause wounds. Cover saves are missile that has already been fired, does it count as a
taken against wounds caused by psychic shooting attacks, weapon that can be destroyed by a Damaged - Weapon
not against any other ‘weirder’ effects of the psychic Destroyed roll on the Vehicle Damage table? (p61)
power. A: No. Once a weapon cannot possibly fire again during
the battle it is effectively destroyed as far as Damaged -
Weapon Destroyed results on the Vehicle Damage table
Q: Can Psychic powers be used on a unit embarked on a are concerned.
transport? (p50)
A: For simplicity’s sake, the answer has to be a firm ‘No,
unless the psyker himself is in the unit being transported’ Q: If a vehicle is specifically stated as being Immobile what
happens if the Damaged – Immobilised result is rolled on
the Vehicle Damage table? (p61)
Q: Can a unit that ‘moves as jump infantry’ deep strike? A: Treat it as a Damaged – Weapon Destroyed result
(p52) instead.
A: Yes.

Q: When a Damaged – Weapon Destroyed result is rolled

Q: Can a unit equipped with jet packs make its normal and a weapon is destroyed are any built-in, combi or co-
move in the assault phase if it arrived by deep strike that axial weapons attached to it also destroyed? (p61)
turn? (p52) A: Yes.
A: Yes it can, unless it specifically states otherwise.
Remember that you cannot use this move to launch an
assault on the turn you arrived by deep striking. Q: If a vehicle receives multiple Destroyed – Explodes!
results simultaneously how many D6 do you roll to
determine the blast radius? (p61)
A: One.

3 WARHAMMER 40,000 RULEBOOK

Q: When a vehicle is destroyed by a Destroyed – no exception in the text, disembarking models do have to
Explodes! result on the Vehicle Damage table you replace test. However, if they disembark at the beginning of their
the vehicle with a similar sized area of difficult ground. move and then move after the disembarkation, only one
What, if any, cover save does this area of difficult ground test is needed, not two.
confer? (p61)
A: It will confer a 4+ cover save to any eligible unit. Q: When a unit makes an ‘emergency disembarkation’
they cannot do anything else for the rest of the turn. What
Q: Can a vehicle with smoke launchers use them even if it does this mean? (p67)
has not or cannot move in its movement phase? (p62) A: It means that they can perform no voluntary actions.
A: Yes. Any action forced upon them, for example from failing a
Morale or Pinning test, they will still carry out and if
assaulted they will fight as normal.
Q: Can smoke launchers be used after a walker makes a
Run! or consolidation move? (p62)
A: No, they can only be used in the Movement phase. Q: If a transport vehicle is completely surrounded can a
unit inside disembark by moving through the enemy
models? (p67)
Q: If a vehicle moved during its last Movement phase, but A: No. Models that disembark are still subject to the
is immobilised by the time a models initiative value is normal movement rules regarding moving through other
reached in close combat, what roll is needed to hit it? (p63) models as per page 11.
A: It will be hit automatically.
Q: Can models moving out of the way of a tank shock after
Q: In a multiple combat involving opposing vehicles and passing their Morale test be forced to move off of the
non-vehicle units are wounds caused by the Destroyed – board if that is the shortest distance to get out from
Explodes! result on the Vehicle Damage table counted underneath the vehicle? (p68)
towards the combat total? (p63) A: No, they must move the shortest distance that also
A: Yes all wounds caused in this way will count. Unsaved keeps them on the board.
wounds caused to enemy models will count to your
combat total and unsaved wounds caused to friendly
models will count to your opponents combat total. Q: Can a vehicle that is moving on from reserves perform
a tank shock? (p68)
A: Yes it can, declare the distance it is going to move
Q: In a multiple combat involving opposing vehicles along with its direction and move the tank onto the board
(except walkers) and non-vehicle units how would a pile in that many inches, measuring from the board edge as for a
move work? (p63) normal from reserve. The tank shock is performed as
A: Pile in moves must be used to try and make it into base usual. However, if the tank is forced to stop for any reason
contact with the non-vehicle units. before the entire vehicle is on the board then the vehicle,
and any embarked units, count as destroyed and are
Q: Can any embarked troops shoot out of a vehicle on the removed from play.
turn it has used its smoke launchers? (p66)
A: No. Q: If a unit falls back from a tank shock and the vehicle’s
remaining move requires it to move through the same unit
Q: If a model fires a template weapon out of a vehicle, will again do they fall back for a second time? (p68)
the vehicle be hit if it is underneath the template? (p66) A: No. Each vehicle can only tank shock each enemy unit
A: No it will not be hit. once per turn. After the unit has fallen back the vehicle will
move though it (assume that they part to let it through as
they fall back). If the vehicle finishes its move over any
Q: Must passengers fire at the same target that their models in a unit that has fallen back in this way then move
vehicle is firing at? (p66) them out of the way by the shortest distance, leaving at
A: No, they are a separate unit (albeit they are temporarily least 1" between them and the vehicle and maintaining
co-existing with the vehicle) and so can fire at a different coherency.
target.
Q: What happens when a vehicle tank shocks a unit that is
Q: Can an embarked unit ever be the target of enemy already falling back? (p68)
shooting? (p67) A: The tank shock will be resolved in the usual manor.
A: No. Only the transport vehicle can be hit. Note that passing the Moral check for a tank shock will not
cause the unit to regroup it will just prevent them from
fleeing again.
Q: If models disembark from a transport into dangerous
terrain, do they take a dangerous terrain test? Unlike Pile-
in or Consolidation moves, disembarking does not Q: Must a vehicle be able to perform a tank shock in order
specifically states that it doesn't trigger dangerous terrain to perform a ramming attack? (p69)
tests. (p67) A: Yes.
A: Dangerous terrain says you test for every model that
has 'entered, left or moved through' the terrain. As there is

WARHAMMER 40,000 RULEBOOK 4

Q: Does a vehicle upgrade that allows a non-tank vehicle Q: Can bikes Turbo Boost during their Scout move? (p76)
to perform a tank shock (e.g. a reinforced ram) also allow A: Yes they now can, but remember that they have to
that vehicle to perform ramming attacks? (p69) remain more than 12” away from the enemy as they move.
A: Yes.
Q: During the first turn of the game does a scout move
Q: What happens if, as a part of completing its move, after count as the preceding Movement phase when working
ramming inflicts a Destroyed – Explodes! result, a vehicle out any saves from shooting, for example the 3+ cover
comes into contact with impassable terrain, the board save from turbo-boosting, and the to hit rolls in combat
edge or a friendly unit? (p69) against vehicles? (p76)
A: The vehicle will end its move once it has come into A: Yes.
contact with any of the above.
Q: Does a unit with Stealth that is in the open have its
Q: Can a ramming vehicle’s Strength go above 10? (p69) cover save improved from none to 6+? (p76)
A: No, only a vehicle’s Armour Value makes exception to A: No, there must be a cover save to start with for it to be
the ‘Maximum 10’ rule for characteristics. improved.

Q: If a transport vehicle is destroyed in the same turn as it Q: If a unit with the Scouts special rule is embarked in a
moved flat out what happens to any embarked models? (p70) vehicle, also with the Scouts special rule, can they
A: They are removed as casualties. disembark after the vehicle has moved as part of their
Scouts move? (p76)
A: Yes, as long as disembarking would be allowed during a
Q: If a skimmer ends its move over impassable terrain, normal Movement phase. For example if the vehicle has
may any passengers disembark onto the impassable moved flat out they would not be allowed to disembark
terrain? (p71) (unless specifically stated otherwise).
A: No, you may never disembark into impassable terrain.

Q: If a unit that contains one or more models with the Slow

Q: If a skimmer tank shocks or rams an enemy unit that is and Purposeful special rule assaults does the whole unit
in terrain must it take a Dangerous Terrain test? (p71) count as assaulting through difficult terrain and hence
A: Only if it begins or ends its move in terrain. strike at initiative 1 unless they have assault grenades?
(p76)
Q: If a skimmer is forced to stop moving by a Death or A: No. Only models with the Slow and Purposeful special
Glory! attack whilst over a friendly or enemy model what rule will count as moving through difficult terrain for this
happens? (p71) purpose. Whilst the rest of the squad are reduced to
A: Move the skimmer the shortest possible distance so moving at the same speed this does not also make the
that it is no longer over any models. ground difficult for them.

Q: If a skimmer is immobilised in its own Movement phase Q: If only some of the models in a unit have the Stealth
whilst moving flat out is it still destroyed? (p71) special rule, does the whole unit benefit from the +1 cover
A: Yes. save? (p76)
A: Yes. In effect the ones with the Stealth special rule
ensure their colleagues also find good places to hide.
Q: Does a skimmer that is moving flat out whilst
performing a tank shock get the 4+ obscured save against
the Death or Glory! Attack? (p71) Q: Can an unoccupied building be assaulted or shot at?
A: No. (p79)
A: No. You cannot target an unoccupied building. However
if any weapons scatter onto an unoccupied building then
Q: Does a unit that successfully passes its counter-attack resolve the hit as normal.
Leadership test count as charging for all purposes? (p74)
A: No. They just gain the +1 assault bonus to their Attacks.
Q: Can you ram a building? (p79)
A: No. The vehicle will simply stop if it contacts a building.
Q: Can a unit with the Fleet special rule assault after
disembarking from a transport? (p75)
A: No, it cannot. The Fleet rule simply removes the Q: Can the same unit control several objectives, providing
prohibition of assaulting after running. it is large enough to be within 3" of each one of them ?
(p91)
Q: Does the Furious Charge special rule give +1 Strength A: Yes, absolutely, but we find this does not happen that
to attacks made with a close combat weapon that strikes often when enemies are around...
at a specific strength value? For example are hits from
Gabriel Seth’s Blood Reaver resolved at Strength 8 or 9 Q: Do units off of the table at the end of a game count as
when he has Furious Charge? (p75) destroyed for kill point purposes? (p91)
A: No. Hits from Gabriel Seth’s Blood Reaver would still be A: Yes.
resolved at Strength 8.

5 WARHAMMER 40,000 RULEBOOK

Q: If an Independent Character has joined a unit, and they Army Specific Questions
are all destroyed how many kill points are they worth? (p91) Q: If my Codex includes some options (or other rules) that
A: Two. The unit is worth one and the Independent seem to have no effect in the new edition, are you going to
Character is also worth one. publish an errata to change them to something else that
does work?
Q: Can a unit start the game embarked in a non-dedicated A: No, if an option (or a rule) clearly has no effect, it simply
transport vehicle? (p92) does nothing. We think it’s simpler to just leave it until the
A: Yes, as long as its unit type is allowed to embark onto next edition of the Codex rather than change its effects
that vehicle and it does not exceed the transport capacity. through an errata.

Q: Can a unit deploy in impassable terrain? (p92) Q: Am I able to gain the benefits of any of my opponent’s
A: Not unless it is specifically allowed to move through wargear or special rules, such as Teleport Homers, Chaos
impassable terrain. Icons, Tyranid Synapse, Necron Resurrection Orbs etc?
A: In most occasions this is clear, as the rules use the
words ‘friendly’ or ‘own’ to indicate your units, and ‘enemy’
Q: If a unit is in reserve, and it has an ability that occurs at for the opponent’s. On the other hand, some rules clearly
the start of a turn can they use that ability on the turn they specify that they affect ‘friend and foe’. A few rules are,
arrive? (p94) however, slightly ambiguous as they don’t clearly specify
A: No. Unless specifically stated otherwise. this distinction. As a general principle, we recommend that
you cannot use or gain the benefits from any of the
Q: What happens when a unit arrives from reserves but is wargear or special rules of your opponent’s army, unless
unable to completely move onto the board? (p94) specifically stated in the rule itself (‘friend or foe’) or in an
A: The unit is destroyed and removed from play. official FAQ.

Q: If an independent Character is joined to a unit that is Last updated 16th November 2010
outflanking, when can he leave the unit? (p94)
A: If an independent character is arriving from reserve
together with a unit, whether it is outflanking or not, he
cannot leave the unit during the turn it arrives. He can, of
course, leave it as normal from the following turn.

Q: Can a unit deep strike if only some of the models in it

have the deep strike special rule? (p95)
A: No.

Q: Can permanently immobile vehicles, such as a Space

Marine Drop Pod, shoot on the turn they arrive by deep
strike? (p95)
A: They, along with all other vehicles, count as having
moved at cruising speed after arriving by deep strike and
as such will not be able to shot that turn. The table, on
page 73, tells you what how many weapons different types
of vehicles moving at cruising speed can fire.

Q: When a vehicle deep strikes, it counts as having moved

at cruising speed for the purposes of determining what
weapons it can fire. How does this work with walkers as
they can only move at combat speed? (p95)
A: A walker can still fire all of its weapons as if it was a
stationery vehicle.

Q: When there are multiple different characteristic values

or armour values in a single unit how do you work out
what the majority is? (var)
A: The majority will be the most common value, i.e. the
one that the largest number of models have. When two or
more values are equally as common, use the highest. For
example, a squad of five models has two with Weapon
Skill 3, two with Weapon Skill 4 and one with Weapon Skill
5, when rolling To Hit the squad in close combat you would
roll against WS4.

WARHAMMER 40,000 RULEBOOK 6