Forming Units
The models that make up your
Battleaxe army must be organised into ‘units’. A unit usually consists of several models that have banded together, but a single, powerful model such as a lone character, a chariot or a dragon, a war machine and its crew, and so on, are also considered to be a unit.
A unit consists of 1 or more models that are arranged in orthogonal base contact with each other, which is a fancy way of saying ‘edge-to-edge and front corner to front corner’. See the diagrams below – it’s much clearer as a picture than it is in words.
All models in a unit must face the same direction.
In addition, all models in the unit must be arranged in a formation that consists of one or more horizontal lines, called ranks and a number of vertical lines, called files. This is why we often refer to basic warriors as ‘rank-and-file’ troops.
Ranks & Files
Models in a unit of infantry or cavalry are arranged in a formation that consists of one or more horizontal lines, called ranks (see diagram below). As far as possible, the unit always has the same number of models in each rank and, where not possible, it is always the rear rank that is left short (in which case it's referred to as an incomplete rank). The last rank is filled from the center. The vertical lines of models in a unit are called files, and that explains why sometimes the members of a unit are referred to as 'the rank-and-file troopers' (to distinguish them from characters that have joined the unit).
As far as possible there must be the same number of models in each rank. Where this is not possible it must be the rear rank that has fewer models. Once formed into a unit, the models move and fight as a single entity for the rest of the battle.
Here, you can see examples of correct and incorrect formations.
Characters Joining Units
Characters can join units with the same base size as them as part of their ranks, displacing a rank-and-file model in the first (front) rank of a unit and pushing it into the second rank. Formations, as described above, must still be maintained. Two exceptions to the rule: Characters can leave the units they join, and join other units. Characters can also join units with different base size to themselves, but when doing so are attached to the side of the front rank and do not disrupt the following ranks by requiring models behind them.
This will be described in better detail in the section on
Unit Types.
Unit Facing
A model has a forward, flank and rear arc based on the direction that it is facing. We’ll be using this later to work out what the model can attack, as well as calculating which side of the model an enemy will be able to charge as the game goes on.
A model's forward (or 'front'), flank and rear arcs extend out from its corners at 45° angles, forming four 90° quadrants as shown here. A unit's facings therefore are determined by the facing of its constituent models.
Facing Front
It’s normally easy to tell which direction a model is facing – it will be aligned squarely with one of his base’s edges.
Sometimes, however, it’s not so clear. This doesn’t tend to be a problem in a unit, where all the models are assumed to face the same way (and a command group can normally be found in the front rank). If you have a single model, such as a monster or character, whose facing is not obvious, make sure that your opponent can tell which way it’s facing – it could prove crucial in the battle!
Removing Casualties
Some of the models in a unit (probably quite a lot of them) will die as the battle progresses. When casualties occur, models are removed from the back rank of the unit. If the unit is reduced to a single rank, casualties must be removed evenly from either end of the line.
Unit Command Group
Units of infantry and cavalry commonly include a standard bearer who carries the unit's banner and a musician such as a hornblower or drummer. It is also usual for units to be led by a champion; an experienced and able warrior.
The champion, standard bearer, and musician, often referred to collectively as the unit's 'command group', are placed in the front rank of the unit whenever possible. When a unit turns to face its side or rear, they are automatically rearranged in the new front rank.
As we shall see later, a unit can also be joined by a character, in which case these models are also arranged into the front rank alongside the champion, standard bearer, and musician. Don't worry about this for now - the rules for characters are explained later.
Unit Types
Units have different capabilities and are divided into several types (listed below). For example, when the rules refer to cavalry units, all troops that fall under the category of cavalry must follow those rules.
Characters will be discussed in more detail in their own section.
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