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I have discussed this problem with a number of friends and we couldn't come up with a satisfactory answer, so I turn the problem over to you.
What is the definition of unit strength ? Is it wounds or models ? For example rallying, is that based on wounds or models ? GW merely says unit strength, but nowhere could I find a definition thereof.

Thanks in advance

Im not sure exactly what you mean by unit strength. the only thing I could think of is for deturmining if a unit is out numbered, rules for that are on page 48. Monstrous Creaters count as 10, all other models with wounds count, count wounds. If this is not what you are looking for I apologise.

Edit: sorry re-read the post, as far as I have ever seen, rallying requires that at least 50% of the models you started with in the unit need to still be there to test, though I currently can't find a quote to back that up.

Edit 2: Page 47: "-1 if the unit is below 50% of its starting strength ( ie, the unit has fewer than half the number of models remaining that it had it when the battle started)."

I've always under stood it like this.

If you are playing an objective based mission then to capture the objective you must have a squad that is 50% or above to capture it.

If you had a 5man squad where one models has two wounds and the rest just have one. then if 3models are killed so that you still have one models with one wound and one model with two wounds then you are not below half strength because when you started the squad had a total of 6wounds.

That's actually the opposite of how I interpret it. Here's my take on it.

Model count is used for ability to rally, scoring status, and non CC modifiers.

Wounds are only used in determining CC results modifiers, CC modifiers, and IC points value.

This creates some strange situations though. For example:

A marine commander has a retinue of 5 marines. During the game 3 of those marines are killed. The unit does not suffer from the -1 modifier for being below half strength when taking a morale test in game, but at the end of the game the unit will count as being below half strength.

An ogryn unit kills 3 marines in CC (scoring 3 wounds) a marine character with a p-fist attached to the same squad insta kills-3 ogryn (3 wounds each) the result of the combat is a draw since both sides scored 3 wounds.

thats not correct, the rule a quoted earlier shows that strength it calculated on number of models, not number of wounds, and a unit must be at or above 50% strength to be scoring

Units with distinct elements at the end of the Victory points section has some interesting points to observe.

Basically, a retinue and the IC leading it are split into seperate pieces. So:

retinue = 5 marines
leader = Commander

At the end of the game the commander is worth nothing (usually) and a unit of 2/5 marines is below half. While in-game they are 3/6 strong, they get the shaft at the end.

just in case, my post was to correct hellsguardian316, not Glaive Company.

Wounds are used to determine scoring status, check the asterisk at the bottom of p85

Yep, Glaive is correct. There are similar conventions used throughout the game representing a unit's strength but they are often slightly different.

When it comes to morale checks and regrouping, unit strength is most certainly determined by the number of models (not wounds) in the unit vs. the size it started the game at.


Wounds are mainly used when calculating Victory Points at the end of the game, and in close combat, when determining outnumbering.

Ok, thanks

Posted By Imriel on 11/20/2006 1:47 PM

Edit 2: Page 47: "-1 if the unit is below 50% of its starting strength ( ie, the unit has fewer than half the number of models remaining that it had it when the battle started)."

You're using a rule for casualty checks for regrouping (if that makes sense).

There are no rules for what unit strength is when regrouping. It could be models (like casualty checks) or wounds (like scoring).

I used the only refrence which I could find that deffined what unit strength was, it seems logical that it would be consistent, though that isn't necisarily true.

Have re-read the rules and yes I am mistaken

I hang my head in shame
Sorry for any confusion guys, at least I've learnt something myself lol