You’ve outmaneuvered your foe, weakened him through spellcraft and shooting – now it’s time to finish the job! The Close Combat phase is easily the most decisive part of Warhammer. It’s here that swirling melees are resolved, as your warriors hack, slice and pummel their way through the enemy ranks. Make no mistake, a successful Close Combat phase can change forever the fortunes of your army. If you’ve prepared well in the Movement, Magic and Shooting phases, victory is likely to be your reward. Unlike other phases of the game, the combat phase offers both sides a chance to inflict damage on the foe, although you, as the player whose turn it is, will be the one choosing the order of the combats. All close combats must be resolved during this phase – a unit in combat cannot choose not to fight, for whatever reason. After all, once your warriors have charged into the enemy, they are not going to simply sit down and amicably discuss their differences! Most combats involve a single unit fighting a single opposing unit, so that’s what we’ll discuss first. Sometimes however, you’ll end up with a multiple close combat where there is more than one unit fighting on one or both sides. Multiple close combats have some additional rules, which you’ll find discussed towards the end of the chapter. As all the rules for a normal close combat also apply to a multiple close combat, you’ll probably find it easier (and clearer) if you just work your way through the chapter.

Close Combat

Yes. This occurs at the start of the Close Combat phase before any blows have been struck.

Warhammer Fantasy: 8th Edition

Close Combat - Frequently Asked Questions
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Does a model with a shield get the armour save bonus in combat if it can't use it? For example it is using a weapon that requires two hands? (p43)
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When a model has multiple pieces of armour are the armour saves always combined? (p43)
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Usually models are removed from the rear rank in combat when slain. However if a model has to be removed from a fighting rank as there are no others to replace them – for example a unit champion or character – will another model immediately fill the gap? (p51)
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When a unit flees 'directly away' from another, does this mean that you turn the unit about its centre, so that it will flee directly away from the centre of the unit it is fleeing from? (p57)
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If I charge an enemy and they are wiped out before the Close Combat phase, can I choose to either Overrun or Reform From Victory? If I can, when does this occur? (p58)
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Close Combat - Frequently Asked QuestionsURL Copied!

Does a model with a shield get the armour save bonus in combat if it can't use it? For example it is using a weapon that requires two hands? (p43)URL Copied!

When a model has multiple pieces of armour are the armour saves always combined? (p43)URL Copied!

Usually models are removed from the rear rank in combat when slain. However if a model has to be removed from a fighting rank as there are no others to replace them – for example a unit champion or character – will another model immediately fill the gap? (p51)URL Copied!