Army building

This is the only mandatory detachment. You put in it only what you want: nothing inside it is compulsory. It is simply capped, at a maximum of:

• 1 High Command — your big boss (praetor, some heroes…);
• 3 Command — the line officers (centurions, chaplains, librarian…);
• 4 Troops — your core squads (Tactical, etc.);
• 4 Transports — rhinos and other vehicles to move everyone around.

Example: 1 praetor (High Command), 1 centurion (Command), 2 tactical squads (Troops) and 1 rhino (Transport).

For all other models (dreadnoughts, terminators, tanks…), you need to unlock additional detachments. Your Primary Detachment is the key:

• Each Command lets you take 1 Auxiliary Detachment (Armoured Fist, Tactical Support…). You can take the same one several times.
• The "Officer of the Line (2)"Allows a number of Auxiliary Detachments equal to X to be selected for the Command Slot concerned, instead of only one. rule (the Centurion, for example) lets you select not 1 but 2 Auxiliary Detachments for the Command concerned.
• If you have taken a High Command, you can select 1 Apex Detachment (Combat Escort, Officer Cadre, Army Vanguard) or 1 Auxiliary Detachment (like a Command).

In short: the more officers you take in your Primary Detachment, the more detachments you unlock for the rest of your collection.

Hover over (or tap) each slot to display its description.

Every unit in the game has a Battlefield Role: a "Troops" slot can only hold a unit with the Troops Battlefield Role, and so on.

Some slots in the chart bear a special symbol: these are Prime Slots. They grant a benefit: a Prime Advantage of your choice from the 5 below. Most are characteristic upgrades… except one, which is very strong for structuring your list.

Special case: if the chosen unit includes models with the UniqueAn army may include only one of a model with this sub-type. A model with the Unique sub-type, or a unit made up entirely of such models, cannot have any options other than those selected for it in its army list profile. sub-type, the only Prime Advantages available are Special Assignment and Logistical Benefit.

Some tanks can receive the Legion Decurion upgrade: a seasoned tank commander, represented by a model visible in an otherwise unoccupied cupola or hatch. The army book offers 4, restricted to the Predator, Sicaran (only with the standard twin accelerator autocannon or the Punisher rotary cannon) and Kratos Assault Tank; a fifth, the Decurion Magna, comes from the Journal Tactica Mailed Fist and applies to Fellblade and Falchion super-heavy tanks. Only one Decurion upgrade per Model, and two of them are restricted to a specific Legion.

Practical tip: the corresponding options appear greyed out on the Predator, Sicaran and Kratos Assault Tank cards until their conditions (Legion, Pintle Weapon) are met. The Decurion Magna, for its part, is selected on the Fellblade and Falchion cards.

This is the only mandatory detachment. You put in it only what you want: nothing inside it is compulsory. It is simply capped, at a maximum of:

• 1 High Command — your big boss (no Unit with this Battlefield Role is transcribed for this Faction yet);
• 3 Command — the line officers (Skitarii Combat Peregrine Marshal);
• 4 Troops — your core squads (Skitarii Combat Peregrine Corpus);
• 4 Transports — the light vehicles to move your troops (no Unit with this Battlefield Role is transcribed for this Faction yet).

Example: 1 Skitarii Combat Peregrine Marshal (Command) and 2 Skitarii Combat Peregrine Corpus (Troops).

For all other models (dreadnoughts, terminators, tanks…), you need to unlock additional detachments. Your Primary Detachment is the key:

• Each Command lets you take 1 Auxiliary Detachment (Armoured Fist, Tactical Support…). You can take the same one several times.
• The "Officer of the Line (2)"Allows a number of Auxiliary Detachments equal to X to be selected for the Command Slot concerned, instead of only one. rule (a Model that has it, for example) lets you select not 1 but 2 Auxiliary Detachments for the Command concerned.
• If you have taken a High Command, you can select 1 Apex Detachment (Combat Escort, Officer Cadre, Army Vanguard) or 1 Auxiliary Detachment (like a Command).

In short: the more officers you take in your Primary Detachment, the more detachments you unlock for the rest of your collection.

Hover over (or tap) each slot to display its description.

Every unit in the game has a Battlefield Role: a "Troops" slot can only hold a unit with the Troops Battlefield Role, and so on.

Some slots in the chart bear a special symbol: these are Prime Slots. They grant a benefit: a Prime Advantage of your choice from the 5 below. Most are characteristic upgrades… except one, which is very strong for structuring your list.

Special case: if the chosen unit includes models with the UniqueAn army may include only one of a model with this sub-type. A model with the Unique sub-type, or a unit made up entirely of such models, cannot have any options other than those selected for it in its army list profile. sub-type, the only Prime Advantages available are Special Assignment and Logistical Benefit.

In addition to [Allegiance] (Loyalist or Traitor), every generic Unit in this Army List has the "[Skitarii]" Trait. When you add it to your Army, you must replace it with one of the following 4 Faction Traits — the same mechanism as [Allegiance]. All Units selected in the same Detachment must have the same Faction Trait.

Allows a fallen marshal to be replaced in an emergency. The Reactive Player, controlling Units made up solely of models with the Skitarii Trait, may declare it once per Battle when a friendly Skitarii Combat Peregrine Marshal model is reduced to 0 Wounds (cost: 1 Reaction Allotment, paid upon declaration).

The Target Unit is always a friendly Unit that has the [Skitarii] Trait and includes at least one Ordinator model. In the End Phase of the Turn in which the Reaction was declared, you choose an Ordinator model in the Target Unit: it gains the Command Sub-type, increases its Base Weapon Skill, Attacks and Leadership Characteristics by +1, and you may choose one of its Melee Weapons to gain the Icon of AuthorityWhen, at the Declare Weapons and Set Initiative Steps step of the Fight Sub-Phase, a Weapon with this Special Rule is chosen to make Attacks, all Models with the [Skitarii] Trait that belong to the same Unit as the Model with a Weapon that has this Special Rule are immediately freed from the Pinned, Suppressed and Stunned Tactical Statuses. Special Rule.

Practical tip: keep a Reaction Allotment in reserve if your Marshal is at risk of falling — your Skitarii Combat Peregrine Corpus immediately gets a new leader (its Ordinator) rather than being left without command.

This is the only mandatory detachment. You put in it only what you want: nothing inside it is compulsory. It is simply capped, at a maximum of:

• 1 High Command — your big boss (Tribune, Constantin Valdor);
• 3 Command — the line officers (Bastion Captain);
• 4 Troops — your core squads (Custodian Guard Sodality, Sentinel Guard Sodality);
• 4 Transports — the light vehicles to move your troops (no Unit with this Battlefield Role is transcribed for this Faction yet).

Example: 1 Tribune (High Command), 1 Bastion Captain (Command) and 2 Custodian Guard Sodalities (Troops).

For all other models (dreadnoughts, terminators, tanks…), you need to unlock additional detachments. Your Primary Detachment is the key:

• Each Command lets you take 1 Auxiliary Detachment (Armoured Fist, Tactical Support…). You can take the same one several times.
• The "Officer of the Line (2)"Allows a number of Auxiliary Detachments equal to X to be selected for the Command Slot concerned, instead of only one. rule (the Bastion Captain with the Prefect Prime Advantage, for example) lets you select not 1 but 2 Auxiliary Detachments for the Command concerned.
• If you have taken a High Command, you can select 1 Apex Detachment (Combat Escort, Officer Cadre, Army Vanguard) or 1 Auxiliary Detachment (like a Command).

In short: the more officers you take in your Primary Detachment, the more detachments you unlock for the rest of your collection.

Hover over (or tap) each slot to display its description.

Every unit in the game has a Battlefield Role: a "Troops" slot can only hold a unit with the Troops Battlefield Role, and so on.

Some slots in the chart bear a special symbol: these are Prime Slots. They grant a benefit: a Prime Advantage of your choice from the 5 below, plus 2 specific to the Legio Custodes detailed at the end of the list. Most are characteristic upgrades… except one, which is very strong for structuring your list.

Special case: if the chosen unit includes models with the UniqueAn army may include only one of a model with this sub-type. A model with the Unique sub-type, or a unit made up entirely of such models, cannot have any options other than those selected for it in its army list profile. sub-type, the only Prime Advantages available are Special Assignment and Logistical Benefit.

All models with the Legio Custodes Trait, except those of the Vehicle Type, have the Only in DeathIn Combat, Units composed entirely of Models with this Special Rule are Stunned instead of Routed, and can neither Fall Back nor Disengage from a Combat. Special Rule.

In practice: a unit made up entirely of Legio Custodes models (Vehicles excepted) that would Fall Back or become Routed becomes Stunned instead, and can neither flee nor disengage from a Combat — unless it is composed entirely of models of the Antigrav Sub-type, which still keep the option to disengage.

Practical tip: Custodians never flee combat — plan for them to hold to the bitter end rather than counting on a retreat, except for your mounted units (Gyrfalcon Jetbike Sodality, Caladius Grav-tank…).

While a model with the Legio Custodes Trait is engaged in a Challenge, its Controlling Player may choose from the following 4 Gambits instead of any other available to that model.

Once per Battle, the Reactive Player may declare it in Step 2 of the Reposition Sub-phase if an enemy Unit ends a move within 12" and in Line of Sight of a Unit under their control (cost: 1 Reaction Allotment).

The chosen Reacting Unit must be within 12" and in Line of Sight of the Target Unit, be composed entirely of models with both the Legio Custodes AND The Sodality Traits, and include at least six models.

Once the Target Unit's move has been resolved, you move at least three models of the Reacting Unit (up to a number of inches equal to their Initiative Characteristic) so that they leave Unit Coherency with the rest while keeping it among themselves; the models left behind (at least three, themselves in Unit Coherency) and those moved then form two separate Units for all purposes, including scoring Victory Points.

Practical tip: reserved for large Sodalities (Adrasite/Pyrithite/Sagittarum Guard, Custodian Guard, Sentinel Guard…) of at least six models — lets you split your unit in two to counter-attack or hold two Objectives after an enemy has come a little too close.

This is the only mandatory detachment. You put in it only what you want: nothing inside it is compulsory. It is simply capped, at a maximum of:

• 1 High Command — your overall leader (Jenetia Krole);
• 3 Command — your line officers (Knight Centura);
• 4 Troops — your core squads (Anathema Cadre);
• 4 Transports — the light vehicles to move your troops (no Unit with this Battlefield Role is transcribed for this Faction yet).

Example: 1 Jenetia Krole (High Command), 1 Knight Centura (Command) and 2 Anathema Cadres (Troops).

For all other models (dreadnoughts, terminators, tanks…), you need to unlock additional detachments. Your Primary Detachment is the key:

• Each Command lets you take 1 Auxiliary Detachment (Armoured Fist, Tactical Support…). You can take the same one several times.
• The "Officer of the Line (2)"Allows a number of Auxiliary Detachments equal to X to be selected for the Command Slot concerned, instead of only one. rule (a Model that has it, for example) lets you select not 1 but 2 Auxiliary Detachments for the Command concerned.
• If you have taken a High Command, you can select 1 Apex Detachment (Combat Escort, Officer Cadre, Army Vanguard) or 1 Auxiliary Detachment (like a Command).

In short: the more officers you take in your Primary Detachment, the more detachments you unlock for the rest of your collection.

Hover over (or tap) each slot to display its description.

Every unit in the game has a Battlefield Role: a "Troops" slot can only hold a unit with the Troops Battlefield Role, and so on.

Some slots in the chart bear a special symbol: these are Prime Slots. They grant a benefit: a Prime Advantage of your choice from the 5 below. Most are characteristic upgrades… except one, which is very strong for structuring your list.

Special case: if the chosen unit includes models with the UniqueAn army may include only one of a model with this sub-type. A model with the Unique sub-type, or a unit made up entirely of such models, cannot have any options other than those selected for it in its army list profile. sub-type, the only Prime Advantages available are Special Assignment and Logistical Benefit.

Unlike Units from other Army Lists, those of the Anathema Psykana Army List do not have an optional Allegiance represented by the [Allegiance] Trait, as they always have the Loyalist Trait. As a result, these Units can only be selected in a Loyalist Army — the Allegiance selector in the game settings automatically locks to it as soon as you choose this Faction.

Practical tip: including a Knight Centura or Jenetia Krole in your Primary Detachment therefore doesn't just cost Points — it earns you an extra Reaction Point to spend during the game.

All models with the Anathema Psykana Trait, except those of the Vehicle Type (the Kharon Pattern Acquisitor), have the AnathemaModels with this Special Rule ignore the effects of Psychic Powers and Psychic Weapons, and a Weapon with the Psychic or Immaterial Trait can only wound them on a 5+. Special Rule.

In practice: your Sisters of Silence simply ignore enemy Psychic Powers and Psychic Weapons, and a Weapon with the Psychic or Immaterial Trait only wounds them on a 5+. In addition, against a Unit made up entirely of Anathema models, Wound Tests from a Psychic or Immaterial Weapon that roll an unmodified 1, 2, 3 or 4 always fail, whatever Special Rule normally sets their Target Number — this has no effect, however, on Armour Penetration.

Practical tip: this is the Anathema Psykana's best weapon against Psykers and Malefic Units (see the Hatred (Psykers, Malefic) Special Rule on almost all your Units) — get an Anathema Cadre or a Knight Centura into contact with a Unit containing Psykers to neutralise it.

This is the only mandatory detachment. You put in it only what you want: nothing inside it is compulsory. It is simply capped, at a maximum of:

• 1 High Command — your overall leader (Daemon Sovereign);
• 3 Command — your line officers (Daemon Hierarch, Daemon Herald);
• 4 Troops — your core hordes (Lesser Daemons, Daemon Swarms);
• 4 Transports — the light vehicles to move your troops (no Unit with this Battlefield Role is transcribed for this Faction yet).

Example: 1 Daemon Sovereign (High Command), 1 Daemon Hierarch (Command) and 2 units of Lesser Daemons (Troops).

For all other models (beasts, behemoths, cavalry…), you need to unlock additional detachments. Your primary detachment acts as the key:

• Each Command lets you take 1 Auxiliary Detachment (Armoured Fist, Tactical Support…). You can take the same one several times.
• The "Officer of the Line (2)"Allows a number of Auxiliary Detachments equal to X to be selected for the Command Slot concerned, instead of only one. rule (a Model that has it, for example) lets you select not 1 but 2 Auxiliary Detachments for the Command concerned.
• If you have taken a High Command, you can select 1 Apex Detachment (Combat Escort, Officer Cadre, Army Vanguard) or 1 Auxiliary Detachment (like a Command).

In short: the more officers you take in your Primary Detachment, the more detachments you unlock for the rest of your collection.

Hover over (or tap) each slot to display its description.

Every unit in the game has a Battlefield Role: a "Troops" slot can only hold a unit with the Troops Battlefield Role, and so on.

Some slots in the chart bear a special symbol: these are Prime Slots. They grant a benefit: a Prime Advantage of your choice from the 5 below. Most are characteristic upgrades… except one, which is very strong for structuring your list.

Special case: if the chosen unit includes models of the UniqueAn army may only include a single instance of a model of this sub-type. A model of the Unique sub-type, or a unit composed entirely of such models, may not have any options other than those selected for it in its army list profile. sub-type, the only prime advantages available are Special Assignment and Logistical Benefit — the case for Ka’bandha, Cor’bax Utterblight and Samus, all three of the Unique Sub-type.

Unlike Units from other Army Lists, those of the Ruinstorm Daemons Army List do not have an optional Allegiance represented by the [Allegiance] Trait, as they always have the Traitor Trait. This is the mirror image of the Anathema Psykana or the Legio Custodes (locked to Loyalist): the Allegiance selector in the game settings automatically locks to Traitor as soon as you choose this Faction.

Practical tip: your Daemon Sovereign has this Trait — including it in your Primary Detachment therefore earns you an extra Reaction Point. Ka’bandha, Cor’bax Utterblight and Samus have it too: the same reward applies if you field them in a Lord of War Detachment.

Almost all generic Units in this Army List have the “ [Ætheric Dominion] ” Trait. Unlike the [Allegiance] or the Skitarii Conclave Faction Trait (chosen Unit by Unit or Detachment by Detachment), the Ætheric Dominion is chosen once for the whole Army, in a dedicated menu of the game settings: all your Units with this generic Trait then replace it with the same Dominion.

Ka’bandha, Cor’bax Utterblight and Samus each have their own Ætheric Dominion already fixed on their profile (Encroaching Ruin, Putrid Corruption and Heedless Slaughter respectively): this choice does not affect them.

Practical tip: this choice is final for the whole Army — think about the overall effect on your list rather than Unit by Unit. Encroaching Ruin/Putrid Corruption/Rapturous Sensation/Formless Distortion/Ravenous Dissolution each open up access to Psychic Powers for your Command/Champion models (Sovereign, Hierarch, Herald) — the other Dominions rely instead on a permanent effect (resilience, fire, armourbane…).

The Daemons of Tzeentch Army List is a sub-faction of the Daemons Faction: its six Units (Lord of Change, Ascendant Lord, Herald, Horrors, Flamers and Screamers of Tzeentch) are available in any Ruinstorm Daemons Army. They have the TzeentchReplaces the [Ætheric Dominion] Trait and can never be replaced. Grants the Summoners Special Rule; Psykers have the Fate-weaver Discipline. Trait instead of the [Ætheric Dominion]: the “Ætheric Dominion” menu does not affect them.

• SummonersAt the start of each Victory Sub-phase, a Tzeentch Psyker (Node) may make a Willpower Test to grant Line (1) (or +1 to Line (X), max 3) to a designated Unit, which then loses Vanguard (X). If it fails, the Node suffers D3 Wounds and the designated Unit's Line (X) is reduced by 1.: all Tzeentch models.
• Fate-weaverWeaver of Fate Trait, Metamorphosis and Transphasing Psychic Powers, Warp Shield Psychic Reaction.: default Psychic Discipline of every Tzeentch + Psyker model (Pyromancy and Telekinesis remain optional on their profile).
• Master of FatesGambit: the model makes its Hit and Wound Tests using the WS, S and Weapon Profiles of the Lord of Change.: Gambit reserved for Tzeentch models.

Traitor Legions: any Traitor Legiones Astartes Army (whatever its Legion) may also invite these Daemons. Place an Esoterist (or, for the Thousand Sons, a Sorcerer of Prospero) in a Command Slot to unlock the Aetheric Incursion Auxiliary Detachment (1 Command, 2 Troops, 1 Support, 1 Fast Attack), reserved for the Herald, Horrors, Flamers and Screamers of Tzeentch.

Another sub-faction of the Daemons Faction, on the same principle as Tzeentch: six Units (Keeper of Secrets, Ascendant Lord, Herald, Daemonettes, Seekers and Fiends of Slaanesh) available in any Ruinstorm Daemons Army, with the fixed SlaaneshReplaces the [Ætheric Dominion] Trait and can never be replaced. Grants the Hedonists and Soporific Musk Special Rules; Psykers have the Rapture Discipline. Trait instead of the [Ætheric Dominion].

• HedonistsAt the start of your Victory Sub-phase, a designated Slaanesh Unit gains Line (1) (or +1 to Line (X), max 3) for each Tactical Status on a non-Vehicle enemy Unit within 18" and in Line of Sight. and Soporific MuskEnemy Units in Combat with it must pass a Willpower Test before choosing an Aftermath option, otherwise they must Hold.: all Slaanesh models.
• RaptureWhisperer Trait, Bewitchment Psychic Power and Malignancy Psychic Weapon.: default Psychic Discipline (Enraptura) of every Slaanesh + Psyker model.
• Blissful PainGambit: the opponent gains the Challenge Advantage, but each Wound Test they pass gives your model +2 Attacks for that Strike Step. (Gambit) and Thirst for BattleAdvanced Reaction (1 point): after the Casualties from an enemy shooting attack, the targeted Unit moves D6" and gains +1 Initiative. (Advanced Reaction).

Traitor Legions: any Traitor Legiones Astartes Army (whatever its Legion) can unlock the Ecstatic Host Auxiliary Detachment (1 Command, 2 Troops, 1 Heavy Assault, 1 Fast Attack, Slaanesh Units only) by placing an Esoterist in a Command Slot. Insidious Corruption also allows the Malefic Sub-type (+20 pts) to be given to a Praetor, Cataphractii/Tartaros Praetor or Saturnine Praetor in the Primary Detachment.

This is the only mandatory detachment. You put in it only what you want: nothing inside it is compulsory. It is simply capped, at a maximum of:

• 1 High Command — your overall leader;
• 3 Command — your line officers;
• 4 Troops — your core squads;
• 4 Transports — the light vehicles that carry your troops.

Example: 1 Praetor (High Command), 1 Centurion (Command) and 2 Tactical Squads (Troops), with the models of each Unit painted in the colours of one of the Legions chosen for the Army (see below, “The Shattered Legions Trait”).

For all other models (dreadnoughts, terminators, tanks…), you need to unlock additional detachments. Your Primary Detachment is the key:

• Each Command lets you take 1 Auxiliary Detachment (Armoured Fist, Tactical Support…). You can take the same one several times.
• The "Officer of the Line (2)"Allows a number of Auxiliary Detachments equal to X to be selected for the Command Slot concerned, instead of only one. rule (a Model that has it, for example) lets you select not 1 but 2 Auxiliary Detachments for the Command concerned.
• If you have taken a High Command, you can select 1 Apex Detachment (Combat Escort, Officer Cadre, Army Vanguard) or 1 Auxiliary Detachment (like a Command).

In short: the more officers you take in your Primary Detachment, the more detachments you unlock for the rest of your collection.

Hover over (or tap) each slot to display its description.

Every unit in the game has a Battlefield Role: a "Troops" slot can only hold a unit with the Troops Battlefield Role, and so on.

Some slots in the chart bear a special symbol: these are Prime Slots. They grant a benefit: a Prime Advantage of your choice from the 5 below. Most are characteristic upgrades… except one, which is very strong for structuring your list.

Special case: if the chosen unit includes models with the UniqueAn army may include only one of a model with this sub-type. A model with the Unique sub-type, or a unit made up entirely of such models, cannot have any options other than those selected for it in its army list profile. sub-type, the only Prime Advantages available are Special Assignment and Logistical Benefit.

Choosing the Shattered LegionsFaction Trait that replaces the [Legiones Astartes] Trait, in the same way as the 18 Legion Traits that can be chosen in its place. An Army that has at least one Detachment with this Trait must choose 2 or 3 Legions from the eighteen and note them on its Army Roster. Faction replaces the [Legiones Astartes] Trait — normally replaced by a single Legion Trait — with this unique Trait, shared by every model from a Shattered Legions Detachment. In exchange, you must choose 2 or 3 Legions for the whole Army, in the new “Chosen Legions” menu of the game settings (instead of the single “Legion” menu of the Legiones Astartes).

Any Unit restricted to one Legion (for example Hibou Khan, restricted to the White Scars) becomes selectable as soon as its Legion is among those chosen — generic Units, on the other hand, remain available whatever Legions are chosen, as for a standard Legiones Astartes Army.

Practical tip: paint the models of each Unit in the colours of one of the chosen Legions, to show visually where your scattered warriors come from — this is a recommendation from the book, not a strict rule.

A model with the Shattered Legions Trait may take wargear options from the Armoury page of any of the Legions chosen for the Army (but never a Prime Advantage) — only one Legion per model.

Five named characters may join a Shattered Legions Detachment, provided their Legion is among those chosen for the Army. Their Allegiance Trait remains unchanged.

• Hibou Khan (White Scars)
• Alexis Polux (Imperial Fists)
• Shadrak Meduson (Iron Hands)
• Saul Tarvitz (Emperor’s Children)
• Garviel Loken (Sons of Horus)

Practical tip: consider these five characters first when choosing your 2 or 3 Legions if you want to build an Army around a specific historical commander.

A Shattered Legions Detachment must choose a Shattered Legions Rite of War; this document offers only one, which applies automatically. Every model with the Shattered Legions Trait (except those of the Vehicle Type) gains the Mutable TacticsLegion Tactica of The Shattered Legions Rite of War. Every Model with the Shattered Legions Trait, except those of the Vehicle Type, gains a bonus for each of the Legions chosen for the Army's Shattered Legions Detachments. If only two Legions have been chosen, these Models also gain the Bound in Blood Special Rule. Special Rule: a bonus for each chosen Legion (detailed below), plus the Bound in BloodIf only two Legions have been chosen for the Army's Shattered Legions Detachments, every Model subject to the Mutable Tactics Special Rule modifies its Leadership and Cool Characteristics by +1 in the second and third Battle Turns, and by +2 from the fourth Battle Turn and every subsequent Battle Turn. Special Rule if only 2 Legions (rather than 3) have been chosen.

The Rite of War also grants an Advanced Reaction and a Gambit, available to every model with the Shattered Legions Trait:

• Exact the PriceAdvanced Reaction. Once per Battle, when a Unit that includes only Models with the Shattered Legions Trait is Targeted by a Charge, spend 1 to 3 Reaction Allotments to give it +1 Toughness (1 Allotment), and in addition +1 Attacks (2 Allotments) or +1 Attacks and Strength (3 Allotments) to the Models attacking it, until the end of the Phase. (Advanced Reaction) — improves the Charged Unit by spending 1, 2 or 3 Reaction Allotments.
• Spiteful StrikeGambit that can be selected if the Model's Wounds are below their starting value: instead of a Focus Roll, it makes a Melee Attack at +1 to Hit/Wound; if it does not destroy the enemy, the Model is Removed as a Casualty instead. (Gambit) — one last knife thrust if the Model's Wounds have already been reduced.

This is the only mandatory detachment. You put in it only what you want: nothing inside it is compulsory. It is simply capped, at a maximum of:

• 1 High Command — your overall leader;
• 3 Command — your line officers;
• 4 Troops — your core squads;
• 4 Transports — the light vehicles that carry your troops.

Example: Endryd Haar (High Command), 1 Centurion (Command) and 2 Tactical Squads (Troops) — a motley warband, with no ties to a single Legion.

For all other models (dreadnoughts, terminators, tanks…), you need to unlock additional detachments. Your Primary Detachment is the key:

• Each Command lets you take 1 Auxiliary Detachment (Armoured Fist, Tactical Support…). You can take the same one several times.
• The "Officer of the Line (2)"Allows a number of Auxiliary Detachments equal to X to be selected for the Command Slot concerned, instead of only one. rule (a Model that has it, for example) lets you select not 1 but 2 Auxiliary Detachments for the Command concerned.
• If you have taken a High Command, you can select 1 Apex Detachment (Combat Escort, Officer Cadre, Army Vanguard) or 1 Auxiliary Detachment (like a Command).

In short: the more officers you take in your Primary Detachment, the more detachments you unlock for the rest of your collection.

Hover over (or tap) each slot to display its description.

Every unit in the game has a Battlefield Role: a "Troops" slot can only hold a unit with the Troops Battlefield Role, and so on.

Some slots in the chart bear a special symbol: these are Prime Slots. They grant a benefit: a Prime Advantage of your choice from the 5 below. Most are characteristic upgrades… except one, which is very strong for structuring your list.

Special case: if the chosen unit includes models of the UniqueAn army may only include a single instance of a model of this sub-type. A model of the Unique sub-type, or a unit composed entirely of such models, may not have any options other than those selected for it in its army list profile. sub-type, the only prime advantages available are Special Assignment and Logistical Benefit — the case for Endryd Haar, of the Unique Sub-type.

Choosing the BlackshieldsFaction Trait that replaces the [Legiones Astartes] Trait on every Unit selected for a Detachment with this Trait. Only Units from the Legiones Astartes Army List that do not have a specific variant of the [Legiones Astartes] Trait may be selected for such a Detachment, which may not include any Model with another Legion Trait. Faction replaces the [Legiones Astartes] Trait with this unique Trait, shared by every model from a Blackshields Detachment — no Legion to choose, unlike the Legiones Astartes or the Shattered Legions.

The trade-off: no Unit specific to a single Legion (those with a fixed Legion Trait, e.g. the Sons of Horus Reaver Attack Squad) may be selected for a Blackshields Detachment. Only generic Units, with no imposed Legion, remain available — exactly as for the Shattered Legions, but without having to choose 2 or 3 Legions.

Unlike the Legio Custodes, the Anathema Psykana or the Ruinstorm Daemons, the Blackshields impose no Allegiance: the Allegiance selector in the game settings remains entirely free — Loyalist or Traitor, as you choose.

Practical tip: Endryd Haar has this Trait — including him in your Primary Detachment therefore earns you an extra Reaction Point.

Every model with the Blackshields Trait (except those of the Vehicle Type) gains the Bastard Sons of FateBlackshields Tactica. Every Model with the Blackshields Trait, except those of the Vehicle Type, that is affected by the Pinned, Suppressed or Stunned Tactical Status gains a +1 bonus to its Toughness and Strength Characteristics; if it is affected by more than one of these Tactical Statuses at once, this bonus increases to +2. Tactica: +1 Toughness and Strength (or even +2) when it is Pinned, Suppressed or Stunned. It also has access to the Beholden to NoneBlackshields Rite of War Gambit, which can be selected instead of any other available Gambit, only if the opposing Model engaged in the same Challenge has the Unique Trait or the Paragon Type. If this Model is Removed as a Casualty during the Strike Step while this Gambit was selected for it, the opposing Model automatically suffers D3 wounds at the end of the following Glory Step, with the Damage and Armour Penetration Characteristics of the Weapon it was carrying. Gambit: even when defeated by an exceptional opponent (Unique Trait or Paragon Type), the model can still inflict D3 wounds on it in return.

An Army that includes Blackshields Detachments may select Oaths of Moment for each of them — sets of rules that add options and Special Rules to the Units in the Detachment. The number of Oaths depends on the type of Detachment: 2 for a Primary Detachment, 1 for an Allied Detachment. Any Auxiliary or Apex Detachment attached to a Blackshields Primary or Allied Detachment must use the same Oaths as it — other types of Detachment have none.

Oaths are ticked directly on the card of the relevant Primary/Allied Detachment (“Force organisation” section below), with an “Attached to” menu on each Auxiliary/ Apex Detachment to choose whose Oaths it inherits. Two Oaths (Panoply of Old, The Broken Helix) show an additional sub-menu once ticked (chosen Legion, Clone or Aberrant).

Endryd Haar, The Riven Hound, Praetor of the Blackshield, formerly of the XIIth Legion, the World Eaters, is the only named character with a full profile in this supplement — available only in a Blackshields Faction Army (he does not appear in the “Unit to add” selector for the Legiones Astartes or the Shattered Legions).

If he is your only High Command choice, every Unit in your Primary Detachment made up entirely of Blackshields Infantry models without Bulky (X) gains Infiltrate (12). He also has Hatred (World Eaters) — an old grudge against his former Legion — and can sacrifice himself in a Challenge with The Riven Hound Gambit, for a single blow at +4 Strength and +2 Damage.

Practical tip: combine Endryd Haar with the Bonus Reaction Point (he has Master of the Legion) and the Bastard Sons of Fate Tactica for a resilient Primary Detachment that is hard to hold back.