How Do Warhammer Strength And Damage Work

Warhammer 40,000: Understanding Strength and Damage

Warhammer 40,000, a game steeped in grim darkness, relies on a complex system of Strength and Damage to resolve combat. Understanding how these mechanics interact is crucial for building effective armies and winning battles. This article will break down the intricacies of Strength and Damage, explaining how they work together to determine the outcome of every fight. This guide will help you understand the core mechanics and how to utilize them strategically.

What is Strength?

Strength represents the raw power of a unit's attacks. It's a crucial characteristic that determines the likelihood of a successful attack penetrating an opponent's armor. A unit with higher Strength has a greater chance of inflicting wounds, even against heavily armored enemies. Strength is compared directly to an enemy unit's Toughness.

What is Toughness?

Toughness is a unit's ability to withstand damage. The higher the Toughness, the more resistant the unit is to incoming attacks. This acts as a defensive measure against Strength. The comparison between Strength and Toughness is pivotal in determining the outcome of combat.

How Strength and Toughness Interact: The Core Mechanic

The core of Warhammer 40,000 combat lies in the comparison between the attacking unit's Strength and the defending unit's Toughness. The result determines the number of wounds inflicted.

• Strength > Toughness: The attacking unit has a significant advantage. They roll a number of dice equal to the number of attacks made, and each successful roll inflicts a wound on the defending unit. This is often described as "wounding on a 2+" (meaning 2 or higher on a six-sided die). The exact roll needed to wound is determined by the ratio of Strength to Toughness. The greater the difference, the easier it is to wound.

• Strength = Toughness: The fight is fairly even. The number of dice rolled and the roll needed to wound will be determined by the relative Strength and Toughness values. It might be "wounding on a 3+" or "wounding on a 4+", depending on the specifics of the rules.

• Strength < Toughness: The defending unit has the upper hand. It will be harder to wound, potentially requiring a "wounding on a 5+" or even a "wounding on a 6+" roll. This means the attacker needs to roll a 5 or 6 (or just a 6) to inflict a wound. The higher the Toughness over the Strength, the harder it is to inflict wounds.

Understanding Damage

Once a wound is inflicted, the Damage characteristic comes into play. Damage represents the amount of damage each successful wound inflicts. Some units have weapons with multiple Damage values, and the value applied depends on the weapon type or special rules. Damage reduces the model's remaining wounds. If a model's wounds are reduced to zero, it is destroyed.

Special Rules and Considerations

The interaction between Strength, Toughness, and Damage is further nuanced by several factors:

• Armor Saves: Many units possess armor that reduces the effectiveness of incoming attacks. After a wound is inflicted, the defending unit can make an Armor Save roll to negate the damage.

• Invulnerable Saves: Certain units possess invulnerable saves, offering a chance to negate wounds regardless of their armor.

• Weapon Special Rules: Various weapons possess special rules that affect Strength, Toughness, Damage, or the processes of wounding and saving. These rules can significantly alter combat outcomes. Examples include AP (Armor Piercing), which ignores some or all of the enemy's armor save, or rending weapons, which may ignore the enemy's Toughness.

• Melee vs. Ranged Combat: The specific rules for melee and ranged combat may also influence the Strength and Damage calculations. Different ranges dictate different modifiers and rules.

Mastering Strength and Damage: Tips for Success

To maximize your effectiveness in Warhammer 40,000 combat, consider:

• Synergistic Unit Combinations: Choose units with Strengths that exceed the Toughness of your intended targets.

• Weapon Selection: Select weapons that provide the optimal combination of Strength, Damage, and special rules to counter your opponent's units effectively.

• Strategic Positioning: Carefully position your units to take advantage of terrain and tactical advantages.

Understanding Strength and Damage is the cornerstone of successful Warhammer 40,000 gameplay. By carefully analyzing unit stats and utilizing strategic thinking, you'll dramatically improve your chances of victory on the tabletop.