Moving
03.00 Moving
During a battle, you will move your models by picking them up and changing their position on the battlefield. The principles of movement are explained here.
03.01 Moving Units
There are several types of move a unit can make. Each one defines which units are eligible to make it, what its maximum distance or set-up distance is, and any conditions that must be met.
Each time you move a unit, you can move one or more of its models, one at a time, by moving it in a straight line and/or rotating it, as many times as you want to.
Each time you move a model, unless otherwise stated:
- It can be moved through friendly models.
- It can be moved through any space its base can fit through.
- Its base cannot be moved through enemy models.
- Its base cannot cross the edge of the battlefield.
- All stated ‘While Moving’ conditions must be met.
MOVING A MODEL IN A STRAIGHT LINE
Each time you move a model in a straight line, move it horizontally across the battlefield. Measure from the same point on its base at the start and end of that move, and add that distance to any other distance it has moved since its unit began that move. The distance moved cannot be greater than the maximum distance of that move type.
ROTATING A MODEL
Each time you rotate a model, turn it any amount around the centre of its base, while keeping it upright. Note that rotating a model does not count towards the distance it has moved.
ENDING A MOVE
After you have finished setting up all of the models in a unit and/or moving all of the models in a unit that you want to move, check that all of the following apply:
- If that unit is on the battlefield, it is in coherency (03.03).
- No models in that unit are on another model or partway through a surface of a terrain feature (e.g. a wall or ceiling).
- All stated ‘After Moving’ conditions are met. If one or more of the above conditions are not met, that unit cannot make that move and its models are returned to their positions at the start of that move. Otherwise, after resolving any additional rules stated in the ‘After Moving’ section of that move type, that move ends.
Moving in a straight line
03.01.01Different Move Characteristics
When making a move type whose maximum distance uses the unit's M characteristic, if different models in the moving unit have different M characteristics, the maximum distance for that move will be different for those models.
Example: If a unit makes a normal move and all models in that unit have an M characteristic of 6" except for one model with an M characteristic of 9", that model’s maximum distance for that move is 9", while the other models’ maximum distance is 6". While that unit is making that move, all other restrictions must be met.
03.01.02Moving Over Or Through Models
Some models have a rule that enables them to ‘move over models’, 'move through models' or ‘move over models as if they were not there’ when making a move. When moving a model with such a rule, it can make its move through enemy models, but must follow all other restrictions of the move they are making.
Both models shown here can move a maximum distance of 6". They both move 3" in a straight line, then 3" in another straight line, for a total movement of 6".
03.01.03Random Movement
See Random Characteristics (02.02.03)
03.01.04When Moving Up To
Some rules allow a unit to make a stated of up to X". That stated distance is the maximum distance for that move.
Rotating
- This model can move a maximum distance of 12". It moves in a series of straight lines and rotations, as follows:
A) Moves 6" in a straight line
B) Rotates
C) Moves 6" in a straight line
D) Rotates
This model has moved a total of 12".
- Models without a base are rotated around their central axis (see Frame, 17.02).
03.02 Set Up
Before your units can move and make attacks, they will first need to be set up on the battlefield. This most commonly happens when deploying your army for battle, but can happen for other reasons as well.
Whenever a rule instructs you to set up a unit, place its models on the battlefield so that:
- That unit is in coherency (03.03).
- That unit is unengaged (03.04).
- All other requirements and restrictions are met. If you cannot set up all of the models in a unit, remove that unit from the battlefield and return it to its original position (e.g. in strategic reserves or embarked within a TRANSPORT)
03.02.01If You Cannot Set Up a Unit
While having to set up a unit as the result of a move type, if you have to return a unit’s models to their previous positions because it is not possible to set them all up, that unit has not been selected to move. This means it can be selected to move later, so could either attempt another set up or remain stationary (09.04).
03.02.02Setting Up Large Models
If a model cannot meet all of its set up restrictions because it is too large, consult the relevant section below:
During Deployment: If a model is so large that its base cannot physically be set up wholly within your deployment zone, it must be set up so that it is touching your battlefield edge. During a turn in which such a large model is set up on the battlefield, that model’s unit cannot do any of the following:
- Make a normal/advance/fall-back/charge move.
- Make any attacks with ranged weapons.
Some large models, typically Aircraft, have wings and other parts that extend significantly beyond their base. Such models can overhang a deployment zone if it is not possible to set them up otherwise, but when setting them up, their base must still be wholly within that deployment zone.
From Strategic Reserves: If a model is so large that its base cannot physically be set up wholly within the distance required of the battlefield edge, it must be set up so that it is touching a battlefield edge. During a turn in which such a large model is set up on the battlefield, that model’s unit cannot do any of the following:
- normal/advance/fall-back/charge move.
- Make any attacks with ranged weapons.
Some large models, typically Aircraft, have wings and other parts that extend significantly beyond their base. Such models can overhang a battlefield edge if it is not possible to set them up otherwise, but when setting them up, they must still be more than 8" away from all enemy units.
Disembarking from a Transport: When a unit disembarks from a Transport, it must be set up wholly within 3" of that model. If a disembarking model is so large that it is not possible to set it up wholly within 3" (typically because it is itself larger than 3" in all directions), set that model up with its base within 1" of that Transport’s base (or hull), and not engaged with any enemy units.
03.02.03Redeployments
When a player uses a rule that lets them redeploy their unit, they remove that unit from the battlefield, then deploy it again using all the normal rules (e.g. if all the models in the redeploying unit have the Infiltrators ability, that unit can be set up using that ability).
03.03 Coherency
A unit that contains more than one model must be set up and end any kind of move in coherency. A unit is in coherency while both of the following apply to every model in that unit:
- Within 2" horizontally and 5" vertically of at least one other model in that unit.
- Within 9" horizontally and 5" vertically of every other modelin that unit.
REGAINING COHERENCY
In the End of Turn step of each player’s turn, if one or more units on the battlefield are not in coherency, those units’ controlling players must remove models from them, one at a time, until they are in coherency again. Models removed in this way are destroyed, but they do not trigger rules that apply when a model is destroyed.
03.03.01What Is Coherency
Coherency prevents models in the same unit from becoming too separated from each other while on the battlefield, ensuring they are set up and end every kind of move as a single group.
03.04 Engagement
A model’s engagement range is the area of the battlefield within 2" horizontally and 5" vertically of it.
- While a friendly model is within engagement range of one or more enemy models, those models – and the units they belong to – are engaged with each other.
- While a unit contains no engaged models, that unit is unengaged.
03.04.01What Is Engagement
While opposing models are within each other’s engagement range, they are able to fight in vicious melee, so unless they are seeking to make melee attacks, models should keep out of their foes’ reach.
Coherency
Every model in this unit is within 2" of at least one other model in its unit, and every model is within 9" of every other model in its unit. This unit is therefore in coherency.
Engagement
These two units have at least one model within 2" of the opposing unit, and are therefore engaged with each other.
