Breaking & Rallying

As soon as a squad loses 25% of its Current Strength^† in a single turn, it must take a Leadership Test. If the squad fails this test, it becomes Broken. Only one test is ever taken per squad, per turn.

^† Current Strength is the number of models a squad has at the start of the turn.

When a squad becomes Broken, it is no longer able to participate in the standard Turn Sequence. If the squad is in cover, it will remain stationary and Hide at the start of its next turn. If not in cover, the squad will flee 2D6" away from any enemy models and towards the nearest piece of cover. Whilst Broken, models will continue to move in this way until they can reach cover and Hide. Fleeing troops ignore Terrain penalties but cannot enter Impassable Terrain.

If a model which causes Fear or Terror moves within 8" of a Broken squad, it will immediately flee an additional 2D6".

When a squad Breaks during Hand-to-Hand Combat, or if it is Charged while Broken, it will attempt to Break Off from the combat and flee.

Heroic Characters

If a Heroic Character that is Immune to Psychology is attached to a squad which breaks, it is not Broken and may act normally. However, if its rules require it to remain with the unit, it must maintain Squad Coherency with the fleeing squad, though it may otherwise act freely.

When Space Marines fail a Break Test, they become Shaken instead of Broken—this represents their indomitable nature, built through intense indoctrination and conditioning. Shaken Space Marines may not move towards the enemy, but can still pivot to face them, Shoot, fight in Hand-to-Hand Combat, and participate in the Psychic Phase.

Shaken Space Marines engaged in Hand-to-Hand Combat may only make a Follow-Up Move to move into Cover or to engage another enemy that is already fighting a Space Marine.

Failing an additional Break Test whilst Shaken causes Space Marines to become Broken.

During the Rally Phase, eligible units which are Broken may attempt to Rally. To do so, they must pass a Leadership Test; if they pass then they may act normally from their next turn, otherwise they remain Broken.

Units are eligible to Rally if:

If a unit is at 25% or less of its starting strength and is Broken, it may never Rally. The unit is considered destroyed, and any remaining models are immediately removed.

Insane Bravery and Craven Cowardice

When attempting to rally a Broken unit, if the Leadership Test scores a 2, the squad is truly roused and leaps straight back into the fight—they may immediately take a normal Turn. If, on the other hand, the score is 12, then the squad's morale is irreparably broken—the unit is considered destroyed, and all models are immediately removed.