The grim darkness of the far future is brought to life on the tabletop through intricate rules and powerful units. Central to commanding your forces in Warhammer 40,000 is the 40K Datasheet. This document details everything you need to know about a specific unit, from its capabilities in combat to its special abilities and wargear options. Understanding the 40K Datasheet is essential for any aspiring commander looking to master the battlefield.
Understanding the Anatomy of a 40K Datasheet
A 40K Datasheet serves as the definitive profile for a unit within the Warhammer 40,000 universe. It provides a comprehensive overview of a unit’s statistics, abilities, and equipment, dictating how it performs in the game. Effectively, it’s your unit’s resume and instruction manual all rolled into one, crucial for planning strategies and executing them effectively during gameplay. Think of it as the unit’s blueprint, outlining its strengths, weaknesses, and potential within the war-torn galaxy.
Datasheets are used to determine a unit’s capabilities during various phases of the game. Here are some key aspects it covers:
- Movement: How far the unit can move during the Movement phase.
- Weapon Skill (WS) and Ballistic Skill (BS): Determine the unit’s accuracy in melee combat and ranged attacks, respectively.
- Strength (S) and Toughness (T): Dictate the unit’s power in melee and its resistance to damage.
- Wounds (W): Represent the amount of damage a unit can sustain before being removed from play.
- Attacks (A): Indicates the number of attacks a unit makes in melee combat.
- Leadership (Ld): Affects the unit’s morale and ability to resist psychological effects.
- Save (Sv): The unit’s armor protection against incoming attacks.
Furthermore, datasheets include information about a unit’s wargear, special abilities, and keywords. Wargear details the weapons and equipment the unit is armed with, each having its own profile dictating its range, strength, and special rules. Special abilities grant the unit unique advantages or disadvantages, adding further depth to its tactical role. Keywords categorize the unit based on its faction, battlefield role, and other characteristics, impacting its interaction with stratagems and other game mechanics. Consider this example table:
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Movement | Distance the unit can move. |
| Strength | Melee attack power. |
Want to dive deeper into specific datasheets and understand how different units function within the game? The official Warhammer 40,000 rulebooks and codices contain detailed datasheets for every unit in the game, along with comprehensive rules and explanations. Consult these resources for the most accurate and up-to-date information to enhance your strategic gameplay!