Beginner's 40k

This page is designed to print on one sheet of A4 — use your browser's print function. Anything marked VERIFY is pending confirmation against the official Core Rules PDF; see the full guide page for why.

Turn sequence — quick reference

Setup, once per game

  1. Place terrain
  2. Pick Force Disposition & mission VERIFY
  3. Determine attacker / defender
  4. Deploy units
  5. Determine first turn

Each battle round: both players take a turn

1. Command

  1. Start-of-turn abilities / stratagems
  2. Gain Command Points VERIFY
  3. Battle-shock tests VERIFY
  4. Score VP if mission scores now VERIFY

2. Movement

  1. Reserves arrive VERIFY
  2. Move units VERIFY sub-steps

3. Shooting

  1. Select a unit
  2. Select targets
  3. Check range & visibility
  4. Roll to hit
  5. Roll to wound
  6. Opponent rolls saves
  7. Allocate & apply damage
  8. Check units destroyed
  9. Repeat per unit

4. Charge

  1. Declare & roll charges VERIFY sub-steps
  2. Move into engagement range VERIFY

5. Fight

  1. Determine fight order VERIFY
  2. Resolve melee attacks VERIFY sub-steps

End of game

  1. Highest total VP (primary + secondary) wins
  2. Tie-break rule VERIFY
  3. Rounds per game VERIFY

Full explanations: the battle round and every phase. Live checklist at the table: the turn tracker.