Terrain Traits

Warhammer 9th Edition

Terrain Traits (page 262)

Each terrain feature can have one or more terrain traits, each of which bestows additional rules. Once the battlefield has been created, both players must agree which terrain traits apply to which terrain features.

Defensible If every model in an INFANTRY unit is on or in an Area Terrain feature with this trait, then it can either Hold Steady or it can Set to Defend (see below) when an enemy unit declares a charge against it. If every model in an INFANTRY unit is within 3" of an Obstacle terrain feature with this trait, then it can either Hold Steady or it can Set to Defend (see below) when an enemy unit declares a charge against it if, were you to draw a straight line, 1mm in thickness, between the closest parts of the bases (or hulls) of the two closest models in the two units, that line would pass over or through that terrain feature. A unit cannot Hold Steady or Set to Defend while it is within Engagement Range of any enemy units. If a unit Holds Steady, any Overwatch (pg 227) attacks made by that unit this phase will score hits on rolls of 5+. Ifa unit Sets to Defend, it cannot fire Overwatch this phase, but you add 1 to hit rolls when resolving attacks made with melee weapons by models in that unit until the end of the next Fight phase. INFANTRY units can Hold Steady or Set to Defend (if no enemy within Engagement Range]. Hold Steady: Overwatch attacks hit on 5+. Set to Defend: Cannot fire Overwatch but add 1 to hit rolls in next Fight phase.

Defence Line If an enemy unit is within 1" of this terrain feature, you can still make a charge move against it so long as the charging unit ends its charge move touching that terrain feature and within 2" of the target unit. Units are eligible to fight, and models can make attacks with melee weapons, if their target is on the opposite side of this terrain feature and within 2", Can make a charge move against a unit within 1" of this terrain feature. Can fight if within 2” of enemy.

Breachable INFANTRY, BEASTS and SWARM units can move through the walls, girders, chains and foliage of this terrain feature without impediment. INFANTRY, BEAST and SWARM models can move through walls, girders, chains and foliage.

Difficult Ground Ifa unit makes a Normal Move, Advances, Falls Back or it makes a charge move, and any of its models wish to move over any part of this terrain feature, subtract 2" from the maximum distance that every model in that unit can move (to a minimum of 0), even if every part of this terrain feature is 1" or less in height. This penalty does not apply if every model in the moving unit can FLY. Subtract 2” when making a Normal Move, Advance, Fall Back or charge move over this terrain feature (unless moving unit can FLY).

Dense Cover If this terrain feature is at least 3" in height, then subtract 1 from the hit roll when resolving an attack with a ranged weapon unless you can draw straight lines, 1mm in thickness, to every part of at least one model’s base (or hull) in the target unit from a single point on the attacking model’s base (or hull) without any of those lines passing over or through any part of any terrain feature with this trait. Models that are on or within an Area Terrain feature with this trait do not suffer this penalty if the only terrain feature these lines pass over or through is the terrain feature that the attacking model is on or within. Models within 3" of an Obstacle terrain feature with this trait do not suffer this penalty if the only terrain feature these lines pass over or through is the terrain feature that the attacking model is within 3" of. The height of a terrain feature is measured from the highest point on that terrain feature. Models do not suffer this penalty to their hit rolls when making an attack with a ranged weapon that targets an AIRCRAFT unit, or a unit that includes any models with a Wounds (W) characteristic of 18 or more, even if this terrain feature is between it and the firing model (note that the reverse is not true). Subtract 1 from hit rolls made for ranged weapons if at least 3” tall. Does not apply to models that are only shooting through their own terrain feature. No penalty when shooting at AIRCRAFT and units with W characteristic of 18+.

Unstable Position Models cannot be set up or end a move on top of this terrain feature (they can move up, over and down this terrain feature, but they cannot end a move on top of it). Cannot be set up or end a move on top of this terrain feature.

Exposed Position Models never receive the benefits of cover while they are on top of this terrain feature, but they can gain the benefits of cover while they are behind it. Models do not receive benefits of cover while on top of this terrain feature.

Obscuring If this terrain feature is at least 5" in height, then models cannot see through or over this terrain feature. This means that one model is not visible to another if you cannot draw a straight line, 1mm in thickness, between them without it passing through or over any part of this terrain feature. The height of a terrain feature is measured from the highest point on that terrain feature. Models that are on or within this terrain feature can be seen and targeted normally. AIRCRAFT models, and models with a Wounds (W) characteristic of 18 or more, are visible and can be targeted even if this terrain feature is in-between it and the firing model (note that the reverse is not true). Blocks visibility if at least 5" tall. 1H Models on or within can see and be seen normally. Aircrart and models with W characteristic of 18+ can be seen normally.

Light Cover When an attack made with a ranged weapon wounds a model that is receiving the benefits of cover from this terrain feature, add 1 to the saving throw made against that attack (invulnerable saving throws are not affected). +1 to saving throws against ranged weapons. Invulnerable saving throws unaffected.

Heavy Cover When an attack made with a melee weapon wounds a model that is receiving the benefits of cover from this terrain feature, add 1 to the saving throw made against that attack unless the model making the attack made a charge move this turn (invulnerable saving throws are not affected). +1 to saving throws against melee weapons unless model has made a charge move this turn. Invulnerable saving throws unaffected.

Scaleable Only INFANTRY, BEASTS and SWARM models, and models that can FLy, can be set up or end a move on top of an Obstacles terrain feature with this trait. Only INFANTRY, BEASTS and SWARM models, and models that can Fly, can be set up or end a move on the upper floors of an Area ‘Terrain feature with this trait (other models can be set up or end a move on the ground floor). INFANTRY, BEASTS and SWARM models can move through the floors, ceilings, and gantries of this terrain feature without impediment. Only Infantry, BEAST, SWARM and FLY models can be set up or end a move on top of this terrain feature (excluding ground floor). INFANTRY, BEAST and SWARM models can move through the floors, ceilings and gantries.

Inspiring Add 1 to the Leadership (Ld) characteristic of units while they are wholly within 6" of this terrain feature. If this terrain feature lists any keywords in brackets, then this bonus only applies to units that have that keyword. +1 Ld if wholly within 6”.