Callous Blades

Few beings in the galaxy are as twisted and deranged as the Emperor’s Children. Their sanity blasted by the sick worship of Slaanesh, the Lord of Pleasure, the Emperor’s Children embrace terror and agony as delightful bliss, and wreak the most horrific degradations upon their foes in the name of indulgence and pleasure.

Contents
Books
FAQ
Keywords
Army Rules
Thrill Seekers
Pact of Excess
Primary Mission
Callous Blades
Datasheets
Detachment Rules
Nimble Strikes
Enhancements
Stratagems
Datasheets
Lord Kaphrael of the Callous Blades
Callous Blades Flawless Blades
Callous Blades Infractors

Books

BookKindEditionVersionLast update
  Warhammer 40,000: The App
  Warhammer 40,000: The AppRulebook112.7.1October 2026

Keywords

BATTLELINE (1);
CALLOUS BLADES (3);
CHAOS (3);
CHARACTER (1);
EMPEROR’S CHILDREN (3);
EXPLOSIVES (3);
INFANTRY (3);
SLAANESH (3)

The keywords presented in this section have a number of special features:
  • CLICK on the link to open the tooltip.
  • The number in parentheses indicates the number of datasheets containing this keyword. This number represents the total number of datasheets in the faction, regardless of the filter.
  • The list does not include named keywords that match the datasheet’s name (unless there are other datasheets with such a keyword).

Army Rules

Thrill Seekers

The Emperor’s Children are skilled warriors all, their transhuman might enhanced by a lifetime of ceaseless conflict. Their ingrained desire for sensation in all its forms sees them move rapidly across the battlefield, flitting between targets as they attempt to satiate their never-ending hunger for fresh experience.

If your Army Faction is EMPEROR’S CHILDREN, this unit is eligible to shoot and declare a charge in a turn in which it Advanced or Fell Back, but when doing so:
  • It cannot target a unit it was within Engagement Range of at the start of the turn.
  • It cannot target a unit that was the target of another units charge or attack this phase.

Pact of Excess

By enacting the most lurid and excessive acts of ritual violence, the Emperor’s Children may shatter reality itself and summon forth the daemons of Slaanesh.

When mustering your army, unless specifically stated otherwise, you cannot select LEGIONS OF EXCESS as your Army Faction.

Primary Mission

GRANDIOSE SLAUGHTER
Callous Blades

What more rewarding place for the sensorium than the field of war? Test yourself against the foe: spill their blood, bathe in their gore, and drink in their anguished screams.

SECOND BATTLE ROUND ONWARDS
WHEN: End of your turn.
You control an objective you did not control at the start of the turn.5VP
END OF THE BATTLE
For each objective you control.5VP
ANY BATTLE ROUND
WHEN: End of your turn.
The enemy WARLORD model was destroyed in this or the previous turn.10VP
+It is before the end of the third battle round.+10VPCUMULATIVE

Callous Blades1DP

Datasheets


Detachment Rules

Nimble Strikes

The Callous Blades fight with consummate skill and grace, dancing through allies and enemies alike to land the killing blow on their chosen prey.

When friendly CALLOUS BLADES units start a normal/advance/charge move, those units can move through models (excluding MONSTER/VEHICLE models).

Enhancements

Invigorating Agonies

The Emperor’s Children seek experience and sensation in all its forms. The impact of bullets and searing energy blasts only serves to stir these debased warriors to new heights of ecstasy and goad them on.

CALLOUS BLADES LORD EXULTANT model only. (Once per battle, per army) In your opponent’s Shooting phase, when an enemy unit has shot, if this unit was hit by those attacks, you can use this ability. If you do, this unit can make a surge move of up to D3+1".

Martial PerfectionUPGRADE

The Callous Blades wield their weapons with preternatural skill and grace, deflecting incoming blows with contemptuous ease.

CALLOUS BLADES INFRACTORS unit only. (Once per battle, per army) In the Fight phase, when an enemy unit targets this unit, you can use this ability. If you do, attacks that target your unit have -1 to hit rolls.


Stratagems

DUELLIST'S DEATH
1CP
Callous Blades Stratagem
The Emperor’s Children are perfectionists to the last. Even in death, they seek to satisfy their violent obsessions.
WHEN: Fight phase, when an enemy unit targets a friendly CALLOUS BLADES unit.

TARGET: That CALLOUS BLADES unit.

EFFECT: When a model in your unit is destroyed, if your unit has not been selected to fight this phase, roll one D6, with +1 to the result if your unit has FLAWLESS BLADES:
  • On a 4+, do not remove that model from the battlefield. When your unit has fought, or at the end of the phase (whichever comes first), that model is removed from the battlefield.
SHATTER STRIKE
1CP
Callous Blades Stratagem
Allying power to grace, the Flawless Blades cut down their foes in a few brutally efficient strikes.
WHEN: Fight phase, when a friendly CALLOUS BLADES FLAWLESS BLADES unit is selected to fight.

TARGET: That CALLOUS BLADES FLAWLESS BLADES unit.

EFFECT: Your unit’s melee attacks have +1 D.
PROFANE DESECRATION
1CP
Callous Blades Stratagem
Through horrific ritual, empyric rite and grotesque banners of writhing flesh, the followers of Slaanesh stake their claim upon the battleground.
WHEN: End of your Movement phase.

TARGET: One friendly CALLOUS BLADES unit.

EFFECT: Select one objective your unit is controlling. That objective is secured.

Datasheets


Lord Kaphrael of the Callous Blades
(⌀40mm)
M
7"
T
4
SV
3+
W
5
LD
6+
OC
1
INSV
4+
MELEE WEAPONS
RANGE
A
WS
S
AP
D
Phoenix Power Spear Lance
Phoenix Power Spear Lance
Melee
5
2+
7
-2
2
Power Fist
Power Fist
Melee
5
2+
8
-2
2
ARMY RULESPact of Excess, Thrill Seekers
ABILITIES
Peerless Killer: This unit’s attacks have [Lethal Hits].
UNIT COMPOSITION
  • 1 Lord Kaphrael model
This model is equipped with: 1 Phoenix Power Spear; 1 Power Fist.
LEADER
This model can be attached to the following unit:
KEYWORDS: SLAANESH; CHAOS; CHARACTER; CALLOUS BLADES; INFANTRY; LORD EXULTANT; EXPLOSIVES
FACTION KEYWORDS:
EMPEROR’S CHILDREN
STRATAGEMS
COMMAND RE-ROLL
1CP
Core
C
INSANE BRAVERY
1CP
Core
C
FIRE OVERWATCH
1CP
Core
C
HEROIC INTERVENTION
1CP
Core
C
EPIC CHALLENGE
1CP
Core
C
COUNTEROFFENSIVE
2CP
Core
C
PROFANE DESECRATION
1CP
Callous Blades Stratagem
DUELLIST'S DEATH
1CP
Callous Blades Stratagem
DETACHMENT ABILITY
Nimble Strikes
ENHANCEMENTS
Invigorating Agonies


Callous Blades Flawless Blades
(⌀40mm)
M
8"
T
5
SV
3+
W
3
LD
6+
OC
1
INSV
5+
RANGED WEAPONS
RANGE
A
BS
S
AP
D
Bolt Pistol CLOSE-QUARTERS
Bolt Pistol CLOSE-QUARTERS
12"
1
3+
4
0
1
MELEE WEAPONS
RANGE
A
WS
S
AP
D
Blissblade
Blissblade
Melee
4
2+
6
-3
2
ARMY RULESPact of Excess, Thrill Seekers
ABILITIES
Daemonic Patrons: When this unit is selected to fight, you can use this ability. If you do:
  • This unit’s melee attacks score a critical wound on an unmodified 3+.
  • When this unit has fought, if those attacks did not destroy an enemy model, one model in this unit is destroyed.
UNIT COMPOSITION
  • 3 Flawless Blades models
Every model is equipped with: 1 Blissblade; 1 Bolt Pistol.
KEYWORDS: SLAANESH; CALLOUS BLADES; EXPLOSIVES; CHAOS; INFANTRY
FACTION KEYWORDS:
EMPEROR’S CHILDREN
STRATAGEMS
COMMAND RE-ROLL
1CP
Core
C
INSANE BRAVERY
1CP
Core
C
FIRE OVERWATCH
1CP
Core
C
HEROIC INTERVENTION
1CP
Core
C
COUNTEROFFENSIVE
2CP
Core
C
PROFANE DESECRATION
1CP
Callous Blades Stratagem
DUELLIST'S DEATH
1CP
Callous Blades Stratagem
SHATTER STRIKE
1CP
Callous Blades Stratagem
DETACHMENT ABILITY
Nimble Strikes


Callous Blades Infractors
M
7"
T
4
SV
3+
W
2
LD
6+
OC
2
Obsessionist(⌀32mm)
7"
4
3+
2
6+
2
Infractor(⌀32mm)
RANGED WEAPONS
RANGE
A
BS
S
AP
D
Bolt Pistol CLOSE-QUARTERS
Bolt Pistol CLOSE-QUARTERS
12"
1
3+
4
0
1
MELEE WEAPONS
RANGE
A
WS
S
AP
D
Power Sword Precision
Power Sword Precision
Melee
4
3+
5
-2
1
Duelling Sabre Precision
Duelling Sabre Precision
Melee
4
3+
4
-1
1
ARMY RULESPact of Excess, Thrill Seekers
ABILITIES
Icon of Excess: At the end of your Shooting phase or the Fight phase, if this unit destroyed an enemy unit this phase, this unit makes a leadership roll:
  • On a success, you gain 1 CP.
Excessive Assault: This unit’s melee attacks:
  • Can re-roll wound rolls of 1.
  • Or: That target a unit within range of an objective can re-roll wound rolls.
UNIT COMPOSITION
  • 1 Obsessionist model
  • 9 Infractor models
The Obsessionist is equipped with: 1 Bolt Pistol; 1 Power Sword.

Every Infractor is equipped with: 1 Bolt Pistol; 1 Duelling Sabre.
KEYWORDS: BATTLELINE; INFANTRY; EXPLOSIVES; CALLOUS BLADES; CHAOS; SLAANESH
FACTION KEYWORDS:
EMPEROR’S CHILDREN
STRATAGEMS
COMMAND RE-ROLL
1CP
Core
C
INSANE BRAVERY
1CP
Core
C
FIRE OVERWATCH
1CP
Core
C
HEROIC INTERVENTION
1CP
Core
C
COUNTEROFFENSIVE
2CP
Core
C
PROFANE DESECRATION
1CP
Callous Blades Stratagem
DUELLIST'S DEATH
1CP
Callous Blades Stratagem
LED BY
This unit can be led by the following unit:
DETACHMENT ABILITY
Nimble Strikes
ENHANCEMENTS
Martial Perfection

The BATTLELINE keyword is used in the following Callous Blades datasheets:

Datasheets

The CALLOUS BLADES keyword is used in the following Callous Blades datasheets:

Datasheets

The CHAOS keyword is used in the following Callous Blades datasheets:

Datasheets

The CHARACTER keyword is used in the following Callous Blades datasheets:

Datasheets

The EMPEROR’S CHILDREN keyword is used in the following Callous Blades datasheets:

Datasheets

The EXPLOSIVES keyword is used in the following Callous Blades datasheets:

Datasheets

The INFANTRY keyword is used in the following Callous Blades datasheets:

Datasheets

The SLAANESH keyword is used in the following Callous Blades datasheets:

Datasheets
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.

WHAT 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.

ENGAGEMENT
These two units have at least one model within 2" of the opposing unit, and are therefore engaged with each other.

FAQ

Q:Does my model or unit become engaged while moving through a enemy units engagement range during a move?
A:
No
ADVANCE MOVE09.06
MAXIMUM DISTANCE: Advance roll + your unit’s M characteristic.
ELIGIBLE IF: Your unit is on the battlefield and unengaged.
EFFECT: Your unit moves as described in Moving (03).
BEFORE MOVING: Make an advance roll by rolling one D6.
AFTER MOVING:
[HAZARDOUS]24.15

Weapons powered by unstable and dangerous energy sources pose a substantial risk to the wielder and those that stand beside them.

Each time a unit is selected to shoot or selected to fight, after that unit has resolved all of its attacks, make a number of hazard rolls (06.03) for that unit equal to the number of [HAZARDOUS] weapons you selected in the Select Weapons step.
06.02.01 Normal Damage
Normal Damage is damage that was inflicted on a model as a result of a weapon’s D characteristic, rather than by other means such as mortal wounds. Mortal wounds dealt in addition to normal damage from an attack are part of that same attack.
06.02 Mortal Wounds
Some attacks or rules inflict mortal wounds on units. Each time a unit suffers one or more mortal wounds, its controlling player must resolve the following sequence for each of those mortal wounds, until either all of them have been inflicted or that unit is destroyed:
  1. Select Model: Select one model in that unit by following the first instruction below that applies:

    		If a non-CHARACTER model in that unit has lost one or more wounds, you must select that model.
    		Otherwise, if that unit contains one or more non-CHARACTER models, you must select one of those models.
    		Otherwise, if one or more CHARACTER models in that unit have lost one or more wounds, you must select one of those models.
    		Otherwise, you must select one CHARACTER model in that unit.

  2. Resolve Damage: The selected model loses 1 wound. If this reduces that model’s remaining wounds to 0, it is destroyed.

MORTAL WOUNDS AND NORMAL DAMAGE
When resolving attack dice, if those attacks inflict a mixture of both mortal wounds and normal damage, resolve all of the normal damage first, then resolve all of the mortal wounds.

SEE ALSO
  • Normal Damage 06.02.01

FAQ

Q:I have a rule that triggers when a mortal wound is allocated to a model, when does this happen?
A:
When you select a model in the Select Model step of Mortal Wounds (06.02).
06.03 Hazard Rolls
To make a hazard roll for a unit, roll one D6: on a 1-2, that roll fails and that unit suffers 1 mortal wound, or 3 mortal wounds instead if each model in that unit is a MONSTER/VEHICLE model. If more than one hazard roll is required for a unit, make all of those rolls simultaneously.

FAQ

Q:I failed hazard rolls from [Hazardous] weapons, do those mortal wounds have to be allocated to the models with the [HAZARDOUS] weapons?
A:
No, you allocate the mortal wounds to the unit as per Mortal Wounds (06.02). (This represents Bob the guardsmen picking up his fallen squad mates plasma gun or that the twisting power of James the Chaos Sorcerer pulling his followers into the warp.)
Q:If a rule says my unit must make a hazard roll does every model in the unit make a hazard roll?
A:
No, the unit would make 1 single hazard roll.
FALL-BACK MOVE09.07
MAXIMUM DISTANCE: Your unit’s M characteristic.
ELIGIBLE IF: Your unit is engaged.
EFFECT: Your unit moves as described in Moving (03).
BEFORE MOVING: Select fall-back mode:
  • Ordered Retreat: If your unit is not battle-shocked, you can select this mode.
  • Desperate Escape: Otherwise, you must select this mode. Make a hazard roll for each model in your unit (06.03).
WHILE MOVING:
  • Desperate Escape: Each model that is moved can be moved through enemy models.
AFTER MOVING:
05.04.04 Destroyed
Throughout a battle, models will suffer damage, lose wounds and be destroyed. When every model in a unit has been destroyed, that unit is destroyed.

When a model is destroyed, first resolve any rules that are triggered when it is destroyed, then it is removed from the battlefield. If any such rules apply, and if the model was destroyed as the result of an attack, unless otherwise stated, those rules are only resolved and that model is only removed after the attacking unit’s attacks have been resolved. Unless otherwise stated, destroyed models and units cannot use abilities or be selected or targeted by rules.

Some rules only trigger if an enemy model or unit was destroyed by you, or by a model or unit from your army. This means that the enemy model or unit was destroyed by an attack made by a model from your army, or by a player rule you have. Enemy models or units that are destroyed by any other means are not destroyed by you, or by a model or unit from your army.
NORMAL MOVE09.05
MAXIMUM DISTANCE: Your unit’s M characteristic.
ELIGIBLE IF: Your unit is on the battlefield and unengaged.
EFFECT: Your unit moves as described in Moving (03).
AFTER MOVING: Your unit must be unengaged.
01.04.03 As Close As Possible
  • If a rule instructs you to move a model as close as possible to a unit or model you must end that model’s move in base contact with that unit or model if its move is sufficient to do so without breaking any other restrictions (such as coherency), or as close as you can achieve if its move is not sufficient.
  • If a model is already as close as possible to a unit or model when it is instructed to make a move as close as possible towards a unit or model, that model cannot be moved, but still counts as having made the move in question.
  • If a rule instructs you to move a model as close as possible to an objective you must end that model’s move within range of an objective if its move is sufficient to do so without breaking any other restrictions (such as coherency), or as close as you can achieve if its move is not sufficient.
  • If that model is already within range of an objective it can move up to the maximum distance of that move but must end its move still within range of that objective.
Surge Move
SURGE MOVE21.02
MAXIMUM DISTANCE: As stated in the rule allowing this move type.
ELIGIBLE IF: All of the following apply:
  • The rule allowing this move type has been triggered.
  • Your unit is not battle-shocked.
  • Your unit is unengaged.
  • Your unit has not moved this phase.
EFFECT: Your unit moves as described in Moving (03).
BEFORE MOVING: Select the closest enemy unit to be the surge target.
WHILE MOVING:
  • Each model must end its move engaged with the surge target if possible.
  • Each model that cannot end its move engaged with the surge target must end its move as close as possible to the surge target.
AFTER MOVING:
  • Your unit cannot be engaged with one or more enemy units that were not the surge target.
  • Your unit cannot move again this phase.
[LETHAL HITS]24.23

Many deadly weapons can inflict fatal injuries on any foe, no matter their resilience.

Each time an attack made with a [LETHAL HITS] weapon results in a critical hit, you can choose for that attack to automatically wound the target.

Designer’s Note: Choosing to automatically wound the target means that no wound roll is made for that attack. You may decide against this, as it means that attack cannot result in a critical wound and so cannot trigger other abilities such as [DEVASTATING WOUNDS].
06.01 Visibility
Line of sight is used to determine visibility between models. For an observing model to have line of sight, it must be possible to draw an imaginary straight line, 1 mm wide, from any part of that model to any part of the model being observed. This line is the line of sight. While doing so, other models in the observing model’s unit and in the observed model’s unit are ignored.

Other models and units can be either visible or fully visible to the observing model, as shown below. Note that terrain applies additional rules to visibility (13.07).

Model Visible
If any part of another model is visible to the observing model, that model is visible.

Model Fully Visible
If every part of another model that is facing the observing model is visible to the observing model (so the only thing blocking visibility to any part of that other model is that model itself), that model is fully visible.

Unit Visible
If one or more models in a unit are visible to the observing model, that unit is visible.

Unit Fully Visible
If every model in a unit is fully visible to the observing model, that unit is fully visible. When determining this, the observing model can see through other models in that unit.

FAQ

Q:When checking line of sight from one model to another, is this drawn between the bases of those models, or between any part of them?
A:
Line of sight is drawn from any part of the observing model to any part of the model being observed.
SNAP SHOOTING15.09
ELIGIBLE IF: As stated in the rule allowing this shooting type.
EFFECT: Your unit shoots as described in Making Attacks (04).
WHILE SHOOTING:
  • You can only target one visible enemy unit within 24" of your unit (and only if it is an eligible target).
  • Each attack only hits on an unmodified hit roll of 6 (irrespective of the attacking weapon’s BS characteristic or any modifiers).
  • You cannot re-roll hit rolls.
AFTER SHOOTING: Until the end of the phase, your unit is not eligible to start an action.
Hit Roll
Make one hit roll for each attack dice by rolling one D6. For each result, check if it fails or is a hit by matching the first condition below that applies:

Unmodified
FAILS
Unmodified
CRITICAL HIT
Equal to or greater than that attack’s BS/WS characteristicHIT
Any other resultFAILS

CRITICAL HITS
Critical hits are still hits. In addition, other rules can be triggered by a critical hit, such as [LETHAL HITS] (24).

FAQ

Q:My attack has a rule that means it results in a critical hit on a hit roll of 4+. Does this work when snap shooting?
A:
Unless otherwise stated, no: when snap shooting, each attack only hits on a roll of 6.
Q:My attack has a rule that means it results in a critical hit on a hit roll of 4+, and I would otherwise need a 5+ to hit. Does a 4+ hit?
A:
Yes, except when snap shooting: when snap shooting, each attack only hits on a roll of 6.
14.02 Level of Control
At the start of the battle, no objective on the battlefield is controlled by either player. To gain control of an objective, a player will need one or more models with an OC characteristic of 1 or more within range of it. A model is within range of a terrain objective while it is within that terrain area.

At the end of each phase and turn, to determine a player’s level of control over an objective, add together the OC characteristics of all the models in that player’s army that are within range of that objective:
  • The player who has the highest level of control over that objective controls that objective.
  • If both players have the same level of control over that objective, unless that objective is secured (see below), that objective is not controlled by either player.

While one or more units from a player’s army are within range of an objective that player controls, for each of those units that contains one or more models with an OC characteristic of 1 or more, that unit is said to be controlling that objective.

HOLD AT ALL COSTS
Some units have abilities that are triggered when they control an objective, or when they secure an objective for your army.

FAQ

Q:Is being within range of a terrain objective the same as being within range of an objective marker?
A:
Yes.
14.03 Secured Objectives
Some rules allow an objective to be secured by a player’s army. When an objective is secured by a player’s army, that objective remains under their control – even once they no longer have any units within range of it – until their opponent’s level of control over that objective is greater than theirs at the end of a phase.

FAQ

Q:If my unit has taken control of an objective at the end of my movement phase and that unit has as an ability that secures an objective they control, can they secure that objective?
A:
Yes
Pact of Excess

By enacting the most lurid and excessive acts of ritual violence, the Emperor’s Children may shatter reality itself and summon forth the daemons of Slaanesh.

When mustering your army, unless specifically stated otherwise, you cannot select LEGIONS OF EXCESS as your Army Faction.
Thrill Seekers

The Emperor’s Children are skilled warriors all, their transhuman might enhanced by a lifetime of ceaseless conflict. Their ingrained desire for sensation in all its forms sees them move rapidly across the battlefield, flitting between targets as they attempt to satiate their never-ending hunger for fresh experience.

If your Army Faction is EMPEROR’S CHILDREN, this unit is eligible to shoot and declare a charge in a turn in which it Advanced or Fell Back, but when doing so:
  • It cannot target a unit it was within Engagement Range of at the start of the turn.
  • It cannot target a unit that was the target of another units charge or attack this phase.
Before selecting targets for this weapon, select one of its eligible profiles to make attacks with.
[DEVASTATING WOUNDS]24.10

The most potent weapons strike with such power that they make a mockery of armour and can cleave through several foes.

Each time an attack made with a [DEVASTATING WOUNDS] weapon results in a critical wound, the attack sequence for that attack ends and the target unit suffers a number of mortal wounds equal to the D characteristic of that weapon. These are inflicted after resolving any normal damage inflicted by those attacks.

Mortal wounds inflicted by [DEVASTATING WOUNDS] weapons can damage a maximum of one model for each critical wound; any remaining mortal wounds inflicted by that attack are lost.

Example: An attack made with a [DEVASTATING WOUNDS] weapon with a D characteristic of 3 results in a critical wound against an Intercessor Squad, so inflicts 3 mortal wounds. The first 2 mortal wounds are sufficient to destroy 1 Intercessor model, so the remaining mortal wound is lost.
05.02.01 Multiple Toughness Characteristics
When resolving attacks that target a unit in which the models have two or more different T characteristics, follow the first instruction that applies from below:
  • If the target unit is an attached unit, use the highest T characteristic amongst bodyguard models in that unit that are on the battlefield.
  • Use the highest T characteristic amongst models in that unit that are on the battlefield.
Wound Roll
Make one wound roll for each hit by rolling one D6. For each result, check if it fails or is a wound by matching the first condition below that applies:

Unmodified
FAILS
Unmodified
CRITICAL WOUND
Equal to or greater than the required result below:WOUND
ATTACK’S STRENGTH VS TARGET’S TOUGHNESSREQUIRED RESULT
Strength is TWICE (or more than twice) the Toughness
+
Strength is GREATER than the Toughness
+
Strength is EQUAL to the Toughness
+
Strength is LESS than the Toughness
+
Strength is HALF (or less than half) the Toughness
+
Any other resultFAILS

CRITICAL WOUNDS
Critical wounds are still wounds. In addition, other rules can be triggered by a critical wound, such as [DEVASTATING WOUNDS] (24).


SEE ALSO
  • Multiple Toughness Characteristics 05.02.01
[LANCE]24.21

With the momentum of a warrior at full-tilt, lance weapons are deadly on the charge.

Each time an attack is made with a [LANCE] weapon, if the attacking model’s unit made a charge move this turn, add 1 to the wound roll.
02.02.03 Random Characteristics
Random Movement: When a unit with a random M characteristic is selected to move, determine the entire unit’s move distance by rolling the indicated number of dice.

Random Attacks: If a weapon has a random A characteristic, that characteristic is determined when generating attacks for that weapon at the Resolve Attacks step (04.03). If several weapons with random A characteristics are making identical attacks, generate the attacks for each of those weapons individually, and group them all together.

Random Damage: If a weapon has a random D characteristic, then each time an attack made with it inflicts damage, the controlling player determines that weapon’s characteristic when the opposing player has selected a model in the target unit to allocate that attack to.

When determining a random D characteristic, the dice roll made is called a damage roll.

Where a D characteristic includes an operator (e.g. a ‘+’, as in D6+1), the value after the operator is part of that D characteristic – it is not a modifier.

Other Random Characteristics: For all other characteristics, roll to determine the value on an individual, per-model or per-weapon basis each time that characteristic is required.
Save Rolls
The opposing player resolves the following sequence:
  1. Create Groups: Divide all models in the target unit into the following groups, as many times as required:
    • One group for each CHARACTER model.
    • One group for all other models with the same W, Sv and InSv characteristics.
  2. Allocation Order: Declare the order in which those groups will have attacks allocated to them, applying all of the following:
    • If a non-CHARACTER group contains a model that has lost one or more wounds, that group must be first in the allocation order.
    • No CHARACTER group can be earlier in the allocation order than a non-CHARACTER group.
    • CHARACTER groups containing a model that has lost one or more wounds must be earlier in the allocation order than CHARACTER groups containing no wounded models.
  3. Make Save Rolls: The opposing player makes one save roll for each attack that wounded the target by rolling one D6.

FAQ

Q:When declaring the allocation order of groups in my unit I have more than one non-CHARACTER groups that contain a model with a missing wound, how must I select the order?
A:
Those groups can be selected in an order of your choosing but must be in an order that makes them come before any non-CHARACTER groups that do not contain a model with a missing wound.
Q:I have a unit being attacked with weapons that will modify some of their save rolls to be worse then 6 should I make those save rolls?
A:
Yes, because other models in your unit may have Sv’s that are better those models you’ve mentioned, this means that enough save rolls could be allocated to the those models that the rest of the results are not greater then the Sv’s of the other models in your unit.
Q:Can I group or allocate a wound to a destroyed model?
A:
No.
COMMAND RE-ROLL15.02
1CP
Core Stratagem
A great commander can bend even the vagaries of fate and fortune to their will, the better to ensure victory.
WHEN: Any phase, just after you make one of the following rolls for a friendly unit or model:
  • Advance roll
  • Charge roll
  • Damage roll
  • Hazard roll
  • Hit roll
  • Save roll
  • Wound roll
  • A roll to determine the number of attacks generated with a weapon.

TARGET: That unit or model.

EFFECT: You re-roll that roll. If you are rolling more than one dice together, select one of those dice to re-roll (excluding charge rolls, which you must re-roll in full).
01.07.01 Battlefield Morale
The morale and organisation of troops can waver and break during battle. This is checked using battle-shock rolls, most commonly in the Command phase. Failing such a roll represents the unit’s courage faltering due to taking casualties or through other disruption, reducing its battlefield effectiveness. Similarly, some rules will require you to check a unit’s readiness by making a leadership roll.
01.07.02 Battle-shock Test
The term Battle-shock test is the same as battle-shock roll.
01.07 Battle-shock Rolls
To make a battle-shock roll for a unit, its controlling player makes a leadership roll for it (see above).
  • If that roll succeeds, that unit does not become battle-shocked.
  • If that roll fails, that unit, and each model in it, is battle-shocked.

While a unit is battle-shocked:
  • The Objective Control (OC) characteristic of all of its models is modified to ‘-’ (02.02).
  • Its controlling player cannot target that unit with stratagems (15).
  • It is not eligible to start an action (16), and any action it has started cannot be completed.

SEE ALSO
  • Battlefield Morale 01.07.01
  • Battle-shock Test 01.07.02

BATTLEFIELD MORALE
The morale and organisation of troops can waver and break during battle. This is checked using battle-shock rolls, most commonly in the Command phase. Failing such a roll represents the unit’s courage faltering due to taking casualties or through other disruption, reducing its battlefield effectiveness. Similarly, some rules will require you to check a unit’s readiness by making a leadership roll.

FAQ

Q:If a unit has a rule that allows it to start an action when it is battle-shocked can it also continue doing that action if it becomes battle-shocked after starting an action?
A:
Yes
Q:If a unit becomes battle-shocked after starting an action does it stop performing that action?
A:
Yes
01.05.01 Automatically Successful/Passes/Hits/Wounds
When a dice roll or test is automatically successful or automatically passes/hits/wounds, do not roll the dice and instead move to the next step of the sequence for that roll as if the required result had been rolled. Any rules that take effect on a particular dice result or roll result do not take effect.

Example: If a hit roll is automatically successful, move straight to the Wound Rolls step for that attack. Such a hit roll is not a critical hit.

Example: If a wound roll is automatically successful, move straight to the Save Rolls step for that attack. Such a wound roll is not a critical wound.
INSANE BRAVERY15.04
1CP
Core Stratagem
Indifferent to their own survival, these warriors hold their ground against seemingly impossible odds.
WHEN: Battle-shock step of your Command phase, just before you make a battle-shock roll for a friendly unit.

TARGET: That unit.

EFFECT: That battle-shock roll is automatically successful.

RESTRICTIONS: You cannot use this stratagem more than once per battle.
SNAP SHOOTING15.09
ELIGIBLE IF: As stated in the rule allowing this shooting type.
EFFECT: Your unit shoots as described in Making Attacks (04).
WHILE SHOOTING:
  • You can only target one visible enemy unit within 24" of your unit (and only if it is an eligible target).
  • Each attack only hits on an unmodified hit roll of 6 (irrespective of the attacking weapon’s BS characteristic or any modifiers).
  • You cannot re-roll hit rolls.
AFTER SHOOTING: Until the end of the phase, your unit is not eligible to start an action.
FIRE OVERWATCH15.08
1CP
Core Stratagem
A hail of fire can drive back advancing foes.
WHEN: End of your opponent’s Movement phase.

TARGET: One friendly unengaged unit (excluding TITANIC units).

EFFECT: Your unit shoots using snap shooting.
HEROIC INTERVENTION15.11
1CP
Core Stratagem
Voices raised in furious war cries, your warriors surge forth to meet the enemy’s onslaught head-on.
WHEN: End of your opponent’s Charge phase.

TARGET: One friendly unengaged unit within 12" of one or more enemy units. You can only select a VEHICLE unit if it is a CHARACTER/WALKER unit.

EFFECT: Resolve a charge with your unit (11.02). While doing so, before making the charge roll, you must select one of the following modes:

  • Leap to Defend: When selecting charge targets, you can only select enemy units that made a charge move this phase and are within the maximum distance.
+1CP
  • Into the Fray:
    • When making the charge roll, if the result is greater than 6 (after modifiers), change it to 6.
    • When selecting charge targets, you can select any enemy units that are within 6" of your unit and within the maximum distance.
05.04.01 Current Allocation Group
The first group in the allocation order begins as the current group. Once all models in an allocation group are destroyed, the next group in the allocation order becomes the current one.
[PRECISION]24.28

Precision attacks can pick high-value targets out in a crowd.

While resolving attacks made with one or more [PRECISION] weapons, at the start of the Allocation Order step (05.03), if the target unit contains one or more CHARACTER models visible to one or more of the attacking models, the active player can select one allocation group that contains one of those visible CHARACTER models. If they do, until those attacks are resolved, or until that CHARACTER group is destroyed (whichever happens first), that CHARACTER group is the current allocation group.
EPIC CHALLENGE15.03
1CP
Core Stratagem
The legends of the 41st millennium are replete with deadly duels between mighty champions.
WHEN: Fight phase, just after a friendly CHARACTER unit is selected to fight.

TARGET: That CHARACTER unit.

EFFECT: Select one CHARACTER model in your unit. Until the end of the phase, that model’s melee weapons have the [PRECISION] ability.
FIGHTS FIRST24.13

Those possessed of lightning-fast reactions may strike before the opponent can react.

While every model in a unit has this ability, that unit is a Fights First unit.

See the Resolve Fights First Combats step in the Fight phase (12.04).
COUNTEROFFENSIVE15.12
2CP
Core Stratagem
In close-quarters combat, the slightest hesitation can leave an opening for a swift foe to exploit.
WHEN: Fight step of your opponent’s Fight phase, just after an enemy unit has resolved its attacks.

TARGET: One friendly unit that is eligible to fight.

EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, your unit has the Fights First ability and it must be the next unit you select to fight (12.04).
PROFANE DESECRATION
1CP
Callous Blades Stratagem
Through horrific ritual, empyric rite and grotesque banners of writhing flesh, the followers of Slaanesh stake their claim upon the battleground.
WHEN: End of your Movement phase.

TARGET: One friendly CALLOUS BLADES unit.

EFFECT: Select one objective your unit is controlling. That objective is secured.
DUELLIST'S DEATH
1CP
Callous Blades Stratagem
The Emperor’s Children are perfectionists to the last. Even in death, they seek to satisfy their violent obsessions.
WHEN: Fight phase, when an enemy unit targets a friendly CALLOUS BLADES unit.

TARGET: That CALLOUS BLADES unit.

EFFECT: When a model in your unit is destroyed, if your unit has not been selected to fight this phase, roll one D6, with +1 to the result if your unit has FLAWLESS BLADES:
  • On a 4+, do not remove that model from the battlefield. When your unit has fought, or at the end of the phase (whichever comes first), that model is removed from the battlefield.
Nimble Strikes
Callous Blades Detachment

The Callous Blades fight with consummate skill and grace, dancing through allies and enemies alike to land the killing blow on their chosen prey.

When friendly CALLOUS BLADES units start a normal/advance/charge move, those units can move through models (excluding MONSTER/VEHICLE models).
Invigorating Agonies
Callous Blades Detachment

The Emperor’s Children seek experience and sensation in all its forms. The impact of bullets and searing energy blasts only serves to stir these debased warriors to new heights of ecstasy and goad them on.

CALLOUS BLADES LORD EXULTANT model only. (Once per battle, per army) In your opponent’s Shooting phase, when an enemy unit has shot, if this unit was hit by those attacks, you can use this ability. If you do, this unit can make a surge move of up to D3+1".

[BLAST]24.05

High-explosive rounds can fell several warriors in a single blast, but firing them too close to comrades is unwise.

Each time you gather attack dice for a [BLAST] weapon, add one additional attack dice for every five models that were in the target unit in the Select Targets step (rounding down).

If this ability takes the form [BLAST X], each time you gather attack dice for such a weapon, add X additional attack dice for every five models that were in the target unit in the Select Targets step (rounding down) instead.

Example: If a [BLAST 2] weapon with an A characteristic of 3 targets a unit containing 12 models, you would gather four additional attack dice for that weapon (for a total of seven for that weapon).
CLOSE-QUARTERS SHOOTING10.06
ELIGIBLE IF: All of the following apply to your unit:
  • Engaged and did not make an advance move this turn.
  • Has one or more [CLOSE-QUARTERS] weapons or is a MONSTER/VEHICLE unit.
EFFECT: Your unit shoots as described in Making Attacks (04).
WHILE SHOOTING: Models in your unit can target enemy units your unit is engaged with.
  • MONSTER/VEHICLE Models: Each time a MONSTER/VEHICLE model in your unit makes an attack:
    • Unless that attack is made with a [CLOSE-QUARTERS] weapon and targets a unit your unit is engaged with, subtract 1 from the hit roll.
    • If that attack is made with a [BLAST] weapon, it still cannot target a unit your unit is engaged with.
  • Non-MONSTER/Non-VEHICLE Models: You can only select [CLOSE-QUARTERS] weapons to make attacks with and you can only select enemy units that are engaged with your unit as targets.
AFTER SHOOTING: Until the end of the phase, your unit is not eligible to start an action.
[CLOSE-QUARTERS]24.07

Weapons designed for close-quarters fighting can be wielded effectively even in the press of melee combat.

Units containing one or more models with a [CLOSE-QUARTERS] weapon can shoot using close-quarters shooting (10.06).

When using another shooting type, for each model in that unit (excluding MONSTER/VEHICLE models), you can only select one of the following to make attacks with:
  • One or more of its [CLOSE-QUARTERS] weapons.
  • One or more of its other ranged weapons.
SHATTER STRIKE
1CP
Callous Blades Stratagem
Allying power to grace, the Flawless Blades cut down their foes in a few brutally efficient strikes.
WHEN: Fight phase, when a friendly CALLOUS BLADES FLAWLESS BLADES unit is selected to fight.

TARGET: That CALLOUS BLADES FLAWLESS BLADES unit.

EFFECT: Your unit’s melee attacks have +1 D.
01.06 Leadership Rolls
To make a leadership roll for a unit, its controlling player rolls 2D6: if the result is equal to or greater than one or more of the Ld characteristics in that unit, that roll succeeds. Otherwise, that roll fails. The rule that instructed you to make that leadership roll will describe the effects of that roll succeeding or failing.
Martial PerfectionUPGRADE
Callous Blades Detachment

The Callous Blades wield their weapons with preternatural skill and grace, deflecting incoming blows with contemptuous ease.

CALLOUS BLADES INFRACTORS unit only. (Once per battle, per army) In the Fight phase, when an enemy unit targets this unit, you can use this ability. If you do, attacks that target your unit have -1 to hit rolls.

Contents
Books
FAQ
Keywords
Army Rules
Thrill Seekers
Pact of Excess
Primary Mission
Callous Blades
Datasheets
Detachment Rules
Nimble Strikes
Enhancements
Stratagems

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