What Is a Warhammer Data Sheet and How Is It Used
At its core, a Warhammer Data Sheet is the combat profile for a specific unit in your army. Think of it as the individual soldier's resume, detailing their strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities. It contains all the crucial information you need to know to effectively command that unit during a game, from its movement speed to its attack power and defensive resilience. Without a Data Sheet, a miniature is just a beautifully painted piece of plastic; with it, it becomes a potent weapon on the battlefield.
These sheets are indispensable for several reasons. Firstly, they provide a standardized way to represent the abilities of every unit across the vast Warhammer universe. Whether you're fielding a mighty Space Marine Dreadnought or a cunning Skaven Verminlord, their performance is dictated by the stats and rules presented on their respective Data Sheets. Secondly, they are the foundation for all strategic decisions. Before you even place a model on the table, you'll be referencing Data Sheets to build your army, considering synergies between units, and planning your initial deployment. The information on a Data Sheet is divided into key categories:
- Movement (M) The distance a unit can move in inches.
- Save (SV) The armor save characteristic, indicating how well the unit resists damage.
- Wound (W) The number of damage points a unit can sustain before being removed.
- Leadership (Ld) A unit's morale and ability to remain steadfast under pressure.
- Objective Control (OC) How effectively a unit can control objectives on the battlefield.
Beyond these core statistics, Data Sheets also detail the weaponry a unit possesses, its special abilities, and any stratagems or enhancements it can benefit from. For example, a Data Sheet might list:
| Weapon Name | Range | A.A.C. | Strength (S) | Armour Penetration (AP) | Damage (D) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolter | 24" | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Chainsword | Melee | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
This table shows that a Bolter has a range of 24 inches and fires 2 shots, each with a Strength of 4, no Armour Penetration penalty, and deals 1 Damage. The Chainsword is a close combat weapon with 3 attacks, Strength 4, no AP, and 1 Damage. Understanding these specific weapon profiles is absolutely critical to making effective attacks during your turn. Furthermore, special rules can drastically alter how a unit plays. A unit might have 'Feel No Pain' allowing it to ignore certain damage, or 'Fly' granting it extra movement options. All of this crucial information is found on the Warhammer Data Sheet.
Now that you have a foundational understanding of what a Warhammer Data Sheet is, delve into the detailed breakdowns provided within your army's Codex or the relevant rules publications.