Warhammer 40,000 (Eighth Edition)

Warhammer 40k is played in a space populated with various bits of terrain. Two players control an army of miniatures each and take turns to move their armies across the board, shooting their opponent’s figures or mashing them up in close combat as appropriate. The game is played across five battle rounds, with each player taking a turn in each battle round. Each turn consists of seven phases; the command phase, the movement phase, the psychic phase, the shooting phase, the charge phase, the combat phase and the morale phase.

The 8th edition is a total revision and simplification of the rules and army structure, introducing the Three Ways to Play concept. It is not compatible with 7th edition and earlier Warhammer 40K books/materials.

The Core Rules explain everything you need to play to play Warhammer 40,000. Moving, shooting, using psychic powers, charging, fighting and morale tests are covered, giving you the basic framework to play with. You can play a game using only these pages, bolting on more advanced and complex rules when you and your opponent are ready.

Open Play – pick some models, put them on the table and begin a game. This is the most flexible approach, designed with near-limitless possibilities; all you need is some models, their datasheets and the core rules. Included are some themes and ideas you can use or build upon to add atmosphere to your games, and 3 example missions.

Narrative Play – Warhammer 40,000 has a vast, rich history with countless epic battles. Narrative Play is designed to let you and your friends re-enact those battles at your leisure. There are special rules to help you do this, such as Concealed Deployment and unpredictable, random battle lengths, and the book includes several missions * 6 Crucible of War missions and 1 Echoes of War mission, each showing you how to play in this style.

Matched Play – for many players, Warhammer 40,000 is an opportunity to prove their mettle with tactics and strategy, an exercise in out-thinking and out-gunning their opponent with balanced, equal armies: Matched Play is for them. There are several ways to ensure that your forces are balanced against each other – a points limit is the typical way, but the system is flexible enough to allow armies based on unit numbers, Power Ratings, Wounds; as long as your limits are agreed, the possibilities are manifold. This book provides details on choosing your armies, and provides missions as examples of the tactical challenges available: 6 Eternal War and 6 Maelstrom of War missions, with explanations covering the use of Tactical Objectives.