TAKING MORALE TESTS

Units normally have to take a Morale check in the following situations:

• If a unit takes 25% or more casualties from shooting in the turn - test at the end of the Shooting phase.
• If a unit is defeated in close combat in the Assault phase - test once combat results are established.
• If an enemy unit performs a Tank Shock attack on their unit - test once the vehicle has moved.

Some units have special rules pertaining to Morale checks which are detailed in The appropriate Codex. For example, some particularly fanatical units may be immune to the effects of morale. Some units automatically pass Morale checks, while others automatically pass all Leadership tests. This is a subtle, but important difference, eg, units that automatically pass Morale checks will still have to test for Pinning and Last Man Standing.

A unit losing 25% or more of its current unit strength in models from shooting during a single Shooting phase must pass a Morale check at the end of the Shooting phase, with the appropriate modifiers, or else it will fall back.

The Leadership test is modified by the following factor: -1 if the unit is below 50% of its starting strength (ie, the unit has fewer than half the number of models remaining than it had it when the battle started).

Example: A unit of five troops suffers two casualties, so it takes a Morale check, which it promptly passes. Next turn, the unit, now three strong, suffers another casualty, so it takes another Morale check, this time at -1 Leadership for being below 50% of starting strength.

Units that lose a close combat (ie, they suffer more wounds than they inflict) must pass a Morale check at the end of the Assault phase, with the appropriate modifiers to hold their ground. If they fail, they must fall back.

The Leadership test is modified by the following factors:

• -1 If the unit is below 50% of its starting strength.
• -1 If the losing side is outnumbered by its opponents.*
• -2 If the losing side is outnumbered 2:1 or more.*
• -3 If the losing side is outnumbered 3:1 or more.*
• -4 If the losing side is outnumbered 4:1 or more.*

*Only apply the highest of these modifiers.

Example: An Imperial Guard squad has lost an assault. They would normally require a 7 or less to pass the Leadership test, but since they are below half strength (-1) and are outnumbered by a value of 2:1 (-2), they now require a 4 or less in order to hold their ground.

The following rules are used to determine if a unit is outnumbered:

• Vehicles with a Weapon Skill count as 10 models if they have a front armour of 12 or more, or 5 models if their front armour is 11 or less.
• Monstrous Creatures count as 10 models.
• Other models with more than one Wound count as a number of models matching the Wounds value shown on their profile.

Count all the models in the opposing unit(s) once casualties have been removed, not just the engaged ones.

It's not uncommon for units to be immune to Morale checks for losing a close combat, or to automatically pass them for some reason. They may be Fearless, subject to a vow, a walker, or be affected by some other special rule. When such units lose a close combat, and are outnumbered by 2:1 or more, they are in danger of being dragged down or overrun despite their determination to hang on.

The unit in question will not have to (all back but suffers one additional wound if outnumbered by 2:1, two wounds if outnumbered by 3:1 or three wounds if outnumbered by 4:1 or more. Saving throws can be taken against these wounds as normal. Walkers (which do not have Wounds) instead suffer one glancing hit if they are outnumbered by 2:1 or more. Remember this rule only applies if the unit lost the close combat in the first place!

Units that are driven at by an enemy tank may wisely decide it's time to abandon their position and fall back. If a tank reaches a unit's position then the unit must take a Morale check, with the appropriate modifier, to see whether or not it falls back. For a fuller explanation of how tank shock works, see the Vehicle rules later on.

The Leadership test is modified by the following factors: -1 If the unit is below 50% of its starting strength.