For each separate combat you must determine which side has won. Do this once all the units engaged in the combat have fought.

Begin by adding up all the wounds caused by each side in the combat. It does not matter which particular units suffered the wounds, just add them all up. Do not forget to add the wounds taken by big creatures that have not been removed as casualties. Do NOT count the wounds that were saved by armour or Ward saves.

The side which has inflicted the most wounds wins the combat. The other side has lost. If both have inflicted the same number of wounds then the result is a draw.

However, a side can claim extra bonus points under certain circumstances – for example, if it has a Standard Bearer, if it is attacking the enemy in the flank, or if it is fighting from higher ground.

Each bonus point is added to the number of wounds inflicted. So, for example, if both sides cause 3 wounds then the result is a draw, but if one side has a standard it adds +1 to its score, beating the enemy by 4 points to 3. These bonus points can make all the difference between winning and losing the combat. The Combat Resolution Bonus chart (see below) summarises bonus points.

Once both sides have established their total points, including the number of casualties caused and bonus points, compare the values to discover which side has won the combat.

The higher that the winner's score is compared to the loser's score, the bigger and more decisive the victory. An 8 point against a 7 point victory is only a slight win, for example, because the difference in scores is only 1 point. An 8 point against a 2 point victory, however, is extremely decisive, as the difference in scores is a whopping 6 points. This difference in scores is important because it is used when working out whether a defeated enemy stands his ground or turns and flees.

This table is used to determine the combat resolution score. All of these are cumulative apart from where otherwise noted. Some magic items and exceptional circumstances may affect the combat resolution score; this is clearly indicated in their descriptions.

If your formation is a unit at least four models wide then you may claim a bonus of +1 for each rank behind the fist at the start of a round of close combat, up to a maximum of +3. The bonus can be claimed for an incomplete last rear rank so long as it contains at least four models.

Fast Cavalry and skirmishers never gain a bonus for extra ranks (see Fast Cavalry & Skirmishers).

This bonus is lost if the unit is charged in the flank or rear by an enemy with a unit Strength of five or more. Note that this applies only as long as the unit which charged is in combat with the enemy – if they break and flee, or are reduced to a Unit Strength of less than five, the unit regains its rank bonus.

If the combined Unit Strength of your troops in combat is greater than the combined Unit Strength of your enemies you received a +1 bonus.

If any of your units includes a Standard Bearer (either a unit Standard Bearer or a Battle Standard Bearer) in its front rank then you may add a +1 bonus.

Note that if several standards are involved in the combat (a unit Standard or a Battle Standard) then you still only add +1, not +1 for each standard. Rules for standards are described later.

If you are fighting from a higher position than your enemy, for example, your troops are occupying the crest of a hill, then you may add a +1 bonus. This bonus is only granted if your fighting rank is on higher ground than your enemy.

If you are fighting against an enemy unit’s flank, you may add a +1 bonus so long as your unit has a Unit Strength of five or more.

Once both sides have established their total points, including the

Note that you only count +1 even if both flanks of the enemy are engaged.

If both sides have troops attacking in the flank then the side with the most number of flanking units gets the bonus. The bonus is only applied once, regardless of how many flanking units are involved in the combat.

The same comments apply as for a flank attack to units attacking from the rear. This bonus and the bonus for flank attack are cumulative, so if you are attacking in the side and rear you will receive a bonus of +3.

If a character fighting in a challenge (see Challenges) kills his opponent and scores more wounds than the enemy has then each excess wound scores a +1 overkill bonus towards the combat results up to a maximum of +5.

This bonus only applies in a challenge as described in the Characters section.