Welcome, aspiring commander, to the thrilling world of Warhammer 40,000! To truly command your forces and crush your enemies, understanding the intricate details of your units is paramount. This article, "How To Read 40k Datasheet," will be your essential guide, demystifying the vital information contained within these critical documents and setting you on the path to strategic triumph. Learning how to read a 40k datasheet is fundamental to effective gameplay .
The Anatomy of a Datasheet What Every Soldier Needs to Know
A datasheet is essentially a profile card for each unit in your Warhammer 40,000 army. It's a concise summary of everything you need to know about a particular unit's capabilities on the battlefield. Think of it as your soldier's resume, detailing their strengths, weaknesses, and how they operate. Without this information, you're sending your brave warriors into the fray blind, and that's a recipe for disaster.
These datasheets are crucial for several reasons:
- They dictate how your units perform in combat, including their movement, shooting, and melee capabilities.
- They outline any special abilities or rules a unit possesses, which can dramatically change the tide of battle.
- They are the basis for determining how many points a unit costs, which is essential for army building.
Let's break down the key components you'll find on a typical datasheet:
| Section | What it means |
|---|---|
| Movement (M) | How far the unit can move in inches. |
| Weapon Skill (WS) | Your unit's skill in melee combat. |
| Ballistic Skill (BS) | Your unit's skill with ranged weapons. |
| Strength (S) | The power of your unit's attacks. |
| Toughness (T) | How resilient your unit is to damage. |
| Wounds (W) | How much damage a model can take before being removed. |
| Attacks (A) | The number of melee attacks a model makes. |
| Leadership (Ld) | A unit's morale and ability to withstand fear. |
| Save (Sv) | The chance to ignore incoming damage on a successful armor save. |
Beyond these core statistics, datasheets also detail the weapons your unit carries, listing their range, type of attack (Assault, Heavy, etc.), Strength, Armor Penetration (AP), and Damage. Furthermore, you'll find sections for special rules and keywords, which are unique abilities or classifications that grant your unit specific advantages or interactions with other rules. Mastering these elements is key to understanding your army's potential.
Now that you've grasped the fundamentals, dive into the specific datasheets for your chosen faction. The provided resources are an excellent starting point to apply this knowledge practically.