Datasheets Warhammer 40k are the lifeblood of the game. They provide all the essential information you need to field your units on the tabletop, dictating their capabilities in the grim darkness of the far future. Without a clear understanding of Datasheets Warhammer 40k, strategizing and executing your battle plan becomes nearly impossible. Let’s delve into understanding them, and how you can use them to dominate your opponents.
Decoding the Secrets of Datasheets Warhammer 40k
So, what exactly *are* Datasheets Warhammer 40k? Simply put, they’re concise summaries of individual units within the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Each datasheet represents a specific unit type, from a humble squad of Imperial Guardsmen to a towering Space Marine Dreadnought, or even a powerful psyker like an Eldar Farseer. Think of them as a character sheet in a role-playing game, but designed specifically for the strategic battles of Warhammer 40,000. Understanding datasheets is crucial because they dictate what a unit can do, how well it can do it, and what special rules or abilities it possesses. These pieces of information combined allow the player to use the unit on the table top.
Datasheets are used in every phase of the game, from deployment to the final assault. They are used to determine movement range, shooting accuracy, melee prowess, and even psychic abilities. Here’s a breakdown of some of the key information you’ll find on a datasheet:
- Unit Type: Identifies the kind of unit (Infantry, Vehicle, Monster, etc.).
- Movement (M): How far the unit can move in inches.
- Weapon Skill (WS): How accurate the unit is in melee combat.
- Ballistic Skill (BS): How accurate the unit is when shooting.
- Strength (S): A measure of the unit’s physical power.
- Toughness (T): A measure of the unit’s resilience.
- Wounds (W): How much damage the unit can sustain before being destroyed.
- Attacks (A): The number of attacks the unit makes in melee combat.
- Leadership (Ld): A measure of the unit’s morale and ability to resist fear.
- Save (Sv): The unit’s armor save against incoming attacks.
Different editions of Warhammer 40,000 have seen slight variations in the presentation of datasheets, but the core information remains consistent. They are used in a systematic manner during the turn, determining if attacks hit, wound, and are finally saved by the opponent. For example, when determining if a lasgun shot hits, you would reference the Ballistic Skill (BS) of the unit firing, compare it to the dice roll, and then determine if that hit lands. Similarly, the Strength (S) stat is compared to the target’s Toughness (T) to determine if that weapon can wound. The stat values allow the players to determine the effectiveness of each unit in the game.
Now that you understand the importance of datasheets, it’s time to put that knowledge into action! The core rulebook contains datasheets for a wide range of units. Familiarize yourself with these resources to truly master the game!