Welcome to the ultimate guide to understanding the backbone of Warhammer 40,000 combat. In this article, we'll be diving deep into what a 40k Datasheet Explained truly is, and why mastering its contents is crucial for any aspiring commander. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or just dipping your toes into the grim darkness of the far future, this breakdown will equip you with the knowledge to dominate the tabletop.
The Core of Your Army What is a 40k Datasheet
At its heart, a 40k Datasheet is a document that provides all the essential battlefield information for a specific unit in Warhammer 40,000. Think of it as your unit's operational manual, detailing everything from its combat capabilities to its strategic limitations. It’s the blueprint for how your miniatures will perform when they hit the battlefield, dictating their attacks, defenses, movement, and special abilities. Without a solid grasp of your Datasheets, your army is essentially a collection of figures with no clear purpose.
These datasheets are the bedrock of your army's performance, and understanding them is paramount to achieving victory. They are your cheat sheet for success, enabling you to make informed decisions about unit placement, target priority, and when to unleash devastating abilities. Each datasheet typically contains several key sections:
- Name and Type The official designation of the unit.
- Stats Core numerical values like Movement (M), Weapon Skill (WS), Ballistic Skill (BS), Strength (S), Toughness (T), Wounds (W), Attacks (A), Leadership (Ld), and Save (Sv).
- Weapons Details on the armaments the unit carries, including their range, type, and the dice rolled for hits and wounds.
- Abilities Special rules that grant unique advantages or modify standard gameplay.
- Keywords Tags that link units to specific factions, unit types, or strategic abilities.
For example, let's consider a simple Space Marine Tactical Squad. Their datasheet will tell you how far they can move each turn, how likely they are to hit an enemy, their resilience against incoming fire, and the damage they can inflict. It might also list special abilities like 'Feel No Pain' or 'Combat Squadded', which can drastically alter their effectiveness. The synergy between different units is also often dictated by the keywords listed on their datasheets. Here's a simplified look at some common stats and what they mean:
| Stat | Meaning |
|---|---|
| M | Movement speed |
| WS | How good they are at hitting in melee combat |
| BS | How good they are at hitting with ranged weapons |
| S | Their raw hitting power |
| T | How tough they are to damage |
| W | How many hits they can take before being destroyed |
| A | How many attacks they make in melee |
| Ld | Their ability to resist morale tests |
| Sv | Their base armor save |
The interplay of these stats, combined with the specific weaponry and unique abilities, is what truly defines a unit's role on the battlefield. A unit with high Strength and Attacks will excel in close combat, while a unit with high Ballistic Skill and a powerful ranged weapon will be a threat from afar. Understanding these nuances is the first step to building a winning army and executing effective battle plans.
To truly master Warhammer 40,000, you need to familiarize yourself with the datasheets of every unit you plan to field. The information provided within these documents is your key to unleashing the full potential of your miniatures and outmaneuvering your opponents. For a comprehensive and detailed reference, I highly recommend consulting the official Warhammer 40,000 rules, which contain the complete datasheets for all available units.