THE NOVA 40K 2015 DRAFT FAQ

INTRODUCTION
The NOVA FAQs primary purpose is to provide players with answers to difficult or unclear
questions oriented around the rules and codices of Warhammer 40,000, and to provide players
with rules and guidelines followed at the NOVA Open.
We are aware that many players and tournament organizers throughout the community may use
the NOVA FAQ for other purposes, such as a form of argument justification, or for their own
events. Regardless, it is not designed with consideration for these other uses. It is purely
designed for the benefit of the NOVA Open staff and attendees.
The NOVA FAQ is designed to answer unclear, ambiguous questions; it is not designed to answer
questions that can be easily found in the rulebook. It is intended to be kept at a length that
allows players to quickly leaf through it, and enables the NOVA Open to affordably publish the
document within all attendees Guide Books.
Be aware that GW has made it a practice of updating some digital books while not releasing
Errata. The most current rules will overrule previously published rules.
SUBMITTING QUESTIONS AND ARGUMENTS FOR THE FAQ
In order to submit a question or argument for the NOVA FAQ, please include all rules quotes and
page references, and submit a dispassionate argument to novaopen@gmail.com, cced to
mvbrandt@gmail.com.
NOVA POLICIES
CONVERTED AND COUNTS-AS MODEL POLICY
Although converted and creatively modeled miniatures may be used, you may suffer penalties as
a result of how they are modeled, and may never gain a benefit:
Example Youve creatively modeled a greater demon twice the normal height; as a result, it
would be more difficult for you to GAIN cover saves, but easier for you to DENY cover saves to
your opponent / gain line of sight. In practice and by rule, you might end up being required to
measure line of sight from where the actual model would be (or as close as can be
approximated), yet would be drawn line of sight TO using your actual models full size.
Effectively, no amount of creative modeling may alter the course of play beyond what would be
for a standard GW miniature for the unit in question, except when such alteration would incur
a disadvantage for the creatively modeled unit.

Please understand we wish to encourage exceptional creativity in modeling, and even have
separate awards dedicated to it; that said, we cannot permit unfair advantages of any kind for
models being larger, smaller, or of a different shape and size than their units official miniatures.
When in doubt, call a tournament organizer or play the model(s) in question as close as possible
to the way the actual unit should appear.
In the event of units that do not currently have a Games Workshop-provided model, please
consider checking with the tournament organizer with photographs and/or descriptions prior to
attending, so that you have a ruling going with you into the event.
If you wish to use alternate models or scratch builds to count as something else, you must be
extremely clear with your army list, modeling, unit differentiation, and information provision to
your opponents. If a game or an opponents experience is negatively impacted by an extremely
unclear army due to counts-as modeling, the head judge and convention organizer both
maintain the right to modify your army list or remove models from play. Please note - this has
only been done once over the course of 5 years of NOVA Open events, so do not consider the
policy so severe or routinely applied as to discourage you from building an evocative or creative
counts-as force. Simply uphold our tradition of excellence in this regard by committing to clarity
with regard to the models and gear you are fielding.
ARMY LIST POLICY
While the NOVA Open does not require pre-submission of army lists, if any portion of your list is
found invalid, the NOVA Open reserves the right to amend your list independent of your input,
and/or to force losses upon you if errors are caught once play begins. You will be required to
provide one army list during on-site registration, and one army list to each opponent.
BASING POLICY
Models must be played on the bases provided with them. In the event that two different base
sizes have been provided by GW, either may be used.
Models that are only provided with Fantasy / square bases may be played on these by RAW, but
should be placed on the closest approximate 40k/round base if possible.
Models may be played on scenic bases of identical size to the bases provided with them. If you
have a question, ask ahead of time. As with the Converted Model Policy, any base of
inappropriate size will incur any disadvantages, while ignoring any advantages, even if such
advantages/disadvantages change situationally within a given game.
Skimmers must be mounted (but not necessarily glued) on the bases provided with them, save
for situations where the rules allow for / require otherwise.

We recognize some skimmer bases are largely impractical for mounting your units on; if you
have a different basing route youve gone with, simply give us a heads up ahead of time well
work with you to make sure your models are both playable and stable.
JUDGE POLICY
Note that rules judges hold final say on all tournament issues. To drive home the point, it is
entirely possible for them to instruct players to begin a new round within the 15 minute time
window, grant a loss to someone they repeatedly catch in the act of cheating, etc. This is to
ensure play with integrity, good sportsmanship, and honesty players will not be permitted to
abuse the rules in place in order to gain unfair advantages. Individual judge rulings are NEVER
binding precedent.
YOUR ARMY / GAME RULES
You MUST possess either a published, iBook/eBook, or printed copy of any and all rules used by
your army (up to and including Universal Special Rules, unit stats, army special rules, points
costs, wargear details, etc.).
RULEBOOK AND CODEX FAQ
GENERAL

Units embarked on a transport count for scoring purposes as measured from the Hull of their
transport vehicle.

Units which are normally allowed to fire more than one weapon in the Shooting Phase are
allowed to fire more than weapon at other pertinent times, including Overwatch and Intercept.

An IC on a Chariot loses his IC status.

An Infantry Unit containing a Bike such as with an IC on a bike joining a Unit, can be Pinned but
cannot Go to Ground voluntarily.

A Unit may not Deep Strike into a Building.

Models with a Power Weapon or Force Weapon must list the specific type of weapon, and that
weapon must be displayed on the specific model as WYSIWYG.

Units composed of mixed model types (Jetpack, Jetbike, Bike, Infantry) may perform
movements per their individual restrictions. This includes movements made in the Shooting
phase, such as Run or Turbo Boost, as long as the unit remains in coherency. However, you
may not Run/Turbo Boost and Shoot, unless specifically allowed to by a superseding rule.

Objectives are considered infinite height. Swooping FMCs and Zooming Flyers may not control
or contest an objective (as noted in the main rules).

The Relic is an objective. As such, it can be controlled or contested by a unit within 3 even if it
is not the unit in possession of the Relic.

THE MOVEMENT PHASE

A Tanks initial pivot when aiming is not considered part of the Tank Shock; models displaced
by the pivot may not make Death or Glory attacks (unless they are in the path of the tank
shock itself).

Vehicle models on Skimmer bases that are affected by Difficult/Dangerous Terrain use their
Hulls for determining whether they are on/over it.

If a Skimmer is forced to end its move over friendly or enemy models, move the Skimmer the
minimum distance required so that no models are left underneath it, or within 1 of the hull.
This does not apply when the Skimmer is deep striking; mishaps are suffered normally.

Vehicles do not test for dangerous terrain when they only pivot during their movement phase.

When using long or oval bases (cavalry/bike/monstrous creature), you may not pivot the base
on the spot to gain additional movement like vehicles without a base would.

No part of a model may intentionally hang of the table, other than parts that are explicitly
ignored for Line of Sight.

THE SHOOTING PHASE

Models that Turbo-boost in the Shooting phase can move any number of inches (up to the
maximum for their unit type) in any combination of directions.

A Unit may elect to Jink when it is intentionally targeted by an attack. This includes Units which
have a blast or template touching them when the shot is declared but arent necessarily the
Unit declared as the target. However, if a blast scatters onto a Unit which was not directly
targeted, it cannot elect to Jink.

THE ASSAULT PHASE

Units are considered locked in close combat as soon as any enemy model moves into base
contact with them. This prevents the unit from firing Overwatch against other units charging
them later in the same phase.

It is never possible for a single model of any kind to perform a multiple assault.

Models may Jink when targeted by Overwatch shooting.

Wall of Death applies even when being charged by an Invisible unit.

PSYKERS/PSYCHIC POWERS

Independent Characters with the Psyker rule are considered separate units for purposes of
manifesting Psychic Powers. For example, 2 Farseers with the Psychic Shriek power attached
to a unit of Warlocks may each attempt to manifest Pyschic Shriek within the same Psychic
Phase. Units comprised of a number of non-IC Psykers or with the Brotherhood of Psykers rule
may not manifest the same Psychic Power multiple times in the same phase, as normal (i.e. a
unit of Warlocks does not have the Brotherhood of Psykers rule, but may not manifest the
same power multiple times).

A Psyker who has already opted to take the Primaris Power by forgoing one of his random rolls,
cannot then gain Psychic Focus for that discipline and must roll at least one of his remaining
powers on a different Discipline.

A Unit with a special rule which causes it to always hit on a specific value in close combat, such
as Kharn, will always hit on those specific values against an Invisible unit.

If the Terrify psychic power causes a unit locked in close combat to fall back, they leave combat
and make a normal fall back move. If they were the only unit locked in combat with the enemy,
the enemy may neither Consolidate nor perform a Sweeping Advance.

Zooming Flyers and Swooping Monstrous Creatures suffer all the effects of the Objuration
Mechanicum psychic power.

As per the rulebook, nova powers hit ALL units (even Invisible ones).

A psychic pilot vehicle which is removed from play due to rolling a 1 on the Perils of the
Warp chart will also remove any Passengers from play.

Psykers may not generate more powers than their Mastery Level unless explicitly permitted to
do so.

Chaos / Chaos Daemon units that obtain the Primaris power from their chosen discipline for
free may still gain the Primaris from another discipline due to Psychic Focus if they only
GENERATE powers from that specific tree during psychic power generation.

The same restrictions that apply to Psykers while inside Transports also apply to Psykers while
inside a Building.

Bonuses to Deny the Witch may never be applied to attempts to deny Blessings or
Conjurations unless explicitly permitted by the wargear or unit rule in question.

When manifesting Witchfires or Focused Witchfires that do not follow the normal shooting
process, make one to hit roll to see if the power connects, such as in the case of Psychic Shriek.

Conjured units are considered part of your army, but are not considered part of a specific
Detachment, and thus do not follow any special rules or effects granted to units part of a
specific Detachment (i.e., Objective Secured). They follow the ally matrix and are considered as
part of the Faction of the Codex containing their rules for determining if One Eye Open rolls are
necessary.

Conjured units may Deep Strike within 12 of the Summoner, even if they are Desperate Allies
or Come the Apocalypse.

Multiple values of the same malediction will stack.

UNIVERSAL SPECIAL RULES

Models making a Hit & Run move that encounter an obstacle they are not allowed to move
through or over (such as Impassable Terrain or the edge of the board, for example)
immediately end their move.

A model that fires during an opponents turn using the Interceptor special rule may still fire
Overwatch if assaulted in the same player turn, even with the same weapon used to intercept.

A model that fires during an opponents turn using the Interceptor special rule may not
override the normal restrictions for unit firing (in other words, may not fire separate weapons
with the Interceptor Rule at separate targets).

Unless specified otherwise, attacks that cause Instant Death on a to wound roll of 6 still need
to be able to wound the target model for Instant Death to be inflicted.

A model that mishaps during its Deepstrike, which is then placed by the opposing player, may
not be placed in a location that would cause it to mishap again.

Units or models with the Infiltrate special rule, including those that receive it from a Warlord
trait, must infiltrate, and therefore cannot assault on turn one.

FLYERS AND FLYING MONSTROUS CREATURES

Automatic hits / damage / effects inflicted by passive or unusual abilities affect Swooping FMC
and Zooming Flyers unless explicitly prohibited (i.e., blast and template weapons may not be
used when snap shooting)

Per the BRB, all hull-mounted weapons have both a Vertical and Horizontal 45 degree firing
arc; this arc is not 45 degrees in each of multiple possible directions, but a net 45 degrees
vertically and/or horizontally. When incorrectly modeled or difficult to ascertain, determine
vertical firing arc parallel to the plane of the tabletop.

When Deepstriking, FMCs cannot change their facing after the scatter roll in the turn they
arrive.

FMCs may leave the board with a run move.

A template or blast can hit a Swooping FMC if fired by a model with Skyfire. Blasts fired at
ground units by models with or without skyfire will hit FMCs when scattering.

BLAST & TEMPLATE WEAPONS

Template weapons may generate hits on models from a target unit out of the firing weapons
Line of Sight. You still may not allocate wounds / vehicle damage results to models out of Line
of Sight (unless the weapon/firing units special rules permit them to ignore Line of Sight).

If a Blast or Template weapon is placed so as to intentionally hit multiple units with the Jink
USR, any unit intentionally placed under the template/blast may choose to Jink. This does not
apply if a blast weapon scatters from the initial target and hits a unit not originally placed
under the template/blast.

Blast and Template weapons will hit all models underneath the blast or template. Keep in mind
Levels of Ruins is a dated rule explicitly removed by Games Workshop as of 7th Edition. This
includes blast weapons with the Barrage special rule.

FORTIFICATIONS

At NOVA, the following fortifications are legal:

Vengeance Weapons Battery
Firestorm Redoubt
Aegis Defense Line
Skyshield Landing Platform
Imperial Bastion

At NOVA, Fortifications may not be placed on pre-placed Terrain. If the fortification cannot be
placed at all, consult a judge who may move a single piece of terrain the minimum required
amount at his discretion.

Fortifications/gun emplacements do not generate Points of any kind when destroyed, do not
benefit from special abilities that affect models/units, and are unaffected by
maledictions/blessings.

If a model on a buildings ramparts fails a morale test and must fall back, they do so through
the building and out the ground-level access point. If the building is occupied by enemy
models, the fleeing unit is immediately destroyed.

A Comms Relay may be used by both players with models within 2 as long as they are
unengaged. Reserve modification from a Comms Relay affects all detachments in your army.

For purposes of Assault, models on top of a Skyshield Landing Platform are always considered
to be visible to the Assaulting Unit (not creating un-assailable platforms with units like
Scarabs).

The legs/non-platform portion of the Skyshield grant a 4+ cover save.

TERRAIN

At NOVA, many terrain elements will be given the Battlescape qualification, and only as
Difficult Terrain instead of Dangerous Terrain. Please consult the mission packet for specific
piece-by-piece rules.

The distance between two levels of a building or ruin is 3.

INDEPENDENT CHARACTERS

A unit comprised entirely of Independent Characters does not need to be deployed together as
one unit (e.g., Farsight Command Team, Sanguinary Priests) unless explicitly required to do so.

CODICES
MULTI-CODEX

To prevent issues with glued-shut doors, Drop Pods are never considered to block Line of Sight,
though they grant cover normally.

Models disembarking from a drop pod can make a normal move ending wholly within 6 of the
pod. Models disembarking are considered arriving by deep strike as well, thus treat difficult
terrain as dangerous for purposes of their disembarkation.

When a Drop Pod deploys in Difficult/Dangerous Terrain and fails its Difficult Terrain test, then
it loses a total of 2 Hull Points (one for suffering an Immobilized result, and one for suffering
said result once already Immobilized). Note per the Drop Pod rules that it does not lose a Hull
Point for being Immobilized by virtue of drop pod deployment, so a failed dangerous test upon
deep striking into terrain will not automatically kill a Drop Pod.

Storm Bolters, Hunter Killer Missiles, Deathwind Missile Launchers, and Multi-Meltas selected
as upgrades for various vehicles are pintle-mounted unless otherwise stated

Stormravens and Dreadnoughts If a Dreadnought is inside a Zooming Flyer when it is

destroyed, apply any damage results per the Stormravens rules first (S4 hit to rear armor in
the case of an explosion, nothing in the case of a wreck). Then, apply a S10 hit with no AP to an
armor facing randomized by d3. Determining the armor facing is a rules addition/clarification.

Drop Pods from all detachments are pooled to determine the 50% that must arrive on turn 1.

ADEPTA SORORITAS

Attacks and special rules that reduce a characteristic or apply an ongoing effect to Saint
Celestine (e.g., the Entropic Strike special rule) still apply if she returns to the game via
Miraculous Intervention.

The Exorcists weapon is considered turret-mounted.

ASTRA MILITARUM

When rolling for Reserves with an Infantry Platoon, always roll once for all units. Separate units
from the same platoon may arrive via separate means (e.g., a Combined Squad arriving from
Outflank due to an attached IC while the Platoon Command Squad arrives via regular reserves).

A Manticores Missiles only count as Separate Weapons when determining Weapon Destroyed
results. This means you may not use abilities such as Power of the Machine Spirit to fire more
than 1 rocket per turn.

A Manticores Missile Rack is limited to a 45 degree arc of fire for purposes of Line of Sight /
subtracting BS from scatter.

Whenever a rule refers to Imperial Guard (e.g., Longstrikes Preferred Enemy), all effects apply
to units from Astra Militarum as well.

If Pasks Battle Tank is removed as a casualty, you can score First Blood and Slay the Warlord,
but the entire squadron must be removed to score any victory points.

BLOOD ANGELS
N/A
CHAOS DAEMONS

Warp Storm results that inflict damage on enemy units on a 6 do not affect units embarked
on a transport or within a building.

You may determine the type of Daemon unit summoned by the Portalglyph after rolling the D6
for the # of models generated. This unit is treated as part of the same Detachment as the
model which placed the Portalglyph. Please note this means the summoned units do not count
as part of a Detachment if conjured from a Portalglyph that was placed by a Summoned herald.

Kairos Fateweaver may not re-roll the end-of-game roll or any rolls that do not occur during a
Turn (e.g., Stealing the Initiative).

Hellforged Artefacts cannot be chosen when conjuring units if they were created pre-game
from exalted Rewards in your army list, nor may they be duplicated during the course of play.

Screamers may never make more than 1 attack per assault phase using Lampreys Bite (even
charging)

Enemy Psykers within 12 of any number of Fiends of Slaanesh suffer a -1 penalty to their LD.

A models Feel No Pain rule can never be improved beyond a 2+ (Warpflame stacks)

When rolling for a models Daemonic Rewards, Warp-forged Armor and the Unbreakable Hide
Greater Reward are not considered to be duplicates.

Before attempting to Manifest Flickering Fire, you must declare the precise level of the spell
you are casting. If you fail to manifest enough warp charges for the declared level, you may not
use a lesser number of successes to manifest a lesser level of the power.

Exalted Flamers of Tzeentch cannot be Conjured when using Sacrifice

A Psyker of Tzeentchs +3 modifier has no effect on the Leadership tests required for any Perils
of the Warp result.

A Portalglyph has no specific height, and may be represented by a small blast marker or other
marker of the same size.

CHAOS SPACE MARINES

A Chaos character that wins a challenge against Yarrick or Celestine will only roll on the Chaos
Boon table if the model fails to return to the battle.

DARK ANGELS

Ravenwing Grenade Launchers apply their negative effects the moment they successfully hit an
enemy unit (and so are in effect when the same units firing is resolved to Wound, etc.).

A unit containing Belial that uses the Gate of Infinity psychic power to Deep Strike does not
scatter. Also, the unit does not need to roll to see if a model is claimed by the warp.

DARK ELDAR

The Crucible of Malediction may not be used when the model is embarked on a transport that
moves more than 6 inches.

A Court of the Archon can be taken even if no Archon is present in the army list.

ELDAR

A Wave Serpents Serpent Shield is considered part of the hull facing

directly forward. That means it can fire up to 22.5 degrees to either side
from the front facing. For clarification, see the inset image.

The Wave Serpents Serpent Shield may not be removed due to a

Weapon Destroyed result.

The Serpent Shield does benefit from twin-linking due to Laser Lock.

Doom only permits re-rolling failed rolls to wound and/or failed Armor Penetration rolls (note
that glancing hits may not be re-rolled).

A model on a Death Mission may still activate its Force Weapon.

The paired powers for each Runes of Battle result are considered separate for all purposes (i.e.
casting the same psychic power twice in one turn).

While wounds inflicted by Mind War may be reallocated via Look Out Sir, the WS/BS reduction
may not be reallocated.

Weapons with the Bladestorm and Monofilament special rules wound models whose
Toughness is high enough to otherwise prevent it when they roll a 6 to wound.

You must declare which weapons are firing BEFORE rolling to Hit with Scatter Lasers and
determining Laser Lock.

The bearer of a Scattershield is considered the attacker for purposes of passing Blind tests.

The Disarming Strike Exarch Power cannot affect Tyranid Close Combat Biomorphs.

The Fast Shot Exarch Power may be used to fire any weapon being used by the Exarch an
additional time; this does not overrule the restriction on a UNIT throwing more than one
grenade in a Shooting phase.

Crushing Blow modifies a models base profile (therefore, prior to modifiers/doublers).

Illic Nightspear may deploy directly into base contact with an enemy model, but does not
count as assaulting, being locked in combat, or in any way engaging the model in assault; as
soon as either model moves in the Movement Phase, it must finish its move at least 1 away.

Bonuses to Fuegans profile are retained even if lost wounds are regained (e.g., Renew).

Swooping Hawk wings do not confer Skyleap or Herald of Victory.

Warlocks are split off to join other units immediately AFTER determining Warlord Traits, but
before determining psychic powers.

Battle Focus may ONLY be used to Run (in other words, no battle focused turbo boosting
jetbikes).

A Ghost Helm can only be used by a Farseer to negate a wound suffered from Perils of the
Warp, never to negate the effect caused by that POTW. For instance, the Ghost Helm cannot
be used when the Farseer fails his LD check in the case of a (1) Perils result, and the Farseer
would still lose a power in the case of a (2) result, and so on.

When a Ghost Helm is used to negate a wound suffered from Perils, it must be a Warp Charge
remaining in the pool, and not one that was just used to manifest the power (e.g., you may not
use the 4th success of 4 to negate a perils wound during an attempt to manifest a ML3 power).

Swooping Hawks do not lose ongoing effects (such as Soul Blaze, Falling Back, etc.) if they are
off the table due to Skyleap, but are also not affected by them until they return to play.

ELDAR: IYANDEN SUPPLEMENT

The Voice of Twilight psychic power is a blessing that does not target a specific unit (and thus
does not require Line of Sight); any unit within range when it is cast subsequently retains the
blessings benefits, regardless of its distance from the caster.

GREY KNIGHTS

A Grey Knight unit from the Nemesis Strike Force Detachment still benefits from the Rites of
Teleportation Command Benefit if an IC from another detachment is joined to them.
Conversely, an IC from the Nemesis Strike Force Detachment joined to a unit from another
detachment does not benefit from Rites of Teleportation.

HARLEQUINS
N/A
IMPERIAL KNIGHTS

Look out Sir rolls may not be taken against Stomp attacks that roll a 6.
If a Knight has set its shield to a side facing, when hit with a Barrage weapon, roll a die (d2) to
randomly determine which side is hit.

INQUISITION

Inquisitorial Detachments never benefit from Objective Secured.

Ive Been Expecting You only applies to models that arrive from reserve. Models that arrive
from another part of the table (e.g., Gate of Infinity, Veil) are not affected.
A Null Rod does not allow a unit to ignore the effects of Psychic Powers cast on other units
(e.g., Invisibility on a unit targeted by a Null Rod-equipped model/unit).

LEGION OF THE DAMNED

Legion of the Damned must arrive via Deep Strike and cannot arrive embarked on a Transport.
NECRONS

The twin-linked tesla destructor on an Annihilation Barge is a hull-mounted weapon.

Although a chariot and its passenger is treated as a single model, the passenger may not
benefit from Jink saves normally taken by the barge itself.

Deathmarks are considered deployed as soon as they or a transport they are embarked upon
succeed their Reserves roll. Nominate your marked unit immediately once this unit or its
transport (presuming they are embarked upon it) is placed on the table.

A Canoptek Harvest Formatoin may only ever contain 1 single Canoptek Spyder.

Lance weapons treat Quantum Shielded vehicles as AV12 (or less) for armor penetration rolls.

ORKS

Models with a Gitfinda may take advantage of Augmented Ballistics even if they have moved.
The Warlord trait granted by the Finkin Cap is generated after any regular Warlord Traits, and
does not benefit from a command reroll. However, if a duplicate is rolled, it may be rerolled.

OFFICIO ASSASINORUM

All successful hits with the Deadshot rule, except those fired as Snap Shots, can be freely
allocated by the owning player.

SPACE MARINES

Vehicles benefit from the effects of cover and invulnerable saves against damage inflicted by
Graviton Weapons.

Graviton weapons inflict an additional hull point of damage when resolving a 6 against
vehicles that are already immobilized.

When determining what is required to wound units with a mixed armor save using a Graviton
weapon, use the MAJORITY armor save. Where there is an equal number of all armor save
types, use the HIGHEST, synonymous in this case with WORST (even if this means rolling to
wound against an armor save of -).

When firing at a chariot with Graviton weapons, the target models owner allocates the hits to
either the rider or the chariot. Then, the roll to wound vs the Riders armor save, or to
glance/immobilize the vehicle, are made.

Marneus Calgar may only roll on the Space Marines Warlord Table.

SPACE WOLVES

Thunderwolf Calvalry, or any model mounted on a Thunderwolf mount, has a base strength of
4 and is given a bonus of +1 Strength, among other modifiers. Therefore, its strength with a
Power Fist or Thunderhammer would be 9 (4x2+1).

TAU

The roll made for AunVas Paradox of Duality may be taken in addition to any save the model
may attempt. Weapons that ignore cover do not negate the Paradox of Duality roll.

When a model with the Skyfire special rule uses the Seeker markerlight ability to fire a Seeker
Missile at a Zooming Flyer or Swooping Flying Monstrous Creature, the attack is resolved at
BS5. If the firing model does not have Skyfire, the attack is resolved at BS1.

A model firing Overwatch cannot use the Target Lock support system to target a non-charging
enemy unit.

Marker Lights may only benefit shots fired against the unit the Markers were on (you may not,
for instance, expend 2 Marker Lights to Ignore Cover on other units fired at using rules such as
Target Lock).

Smart Missile Systems do not need Line of Sight to fire Interceptor on models that can do so.

TAU FARSIGHT ENCLAVES

OVesa may join units; other Independent Characters may NOT join a unit containing OVesa,
however.

TYRANIDS

A Mawloc making use of Terror from the Deep cannot choose to Deep Strike onto an ongoing
close combat initially. If the Mawloc happens to scatter into a combat, models will be affected
as normal. Terror from the Deep is not affected by or inhibited from inflicting damage due to
the Invisibility psychic power.

Note a hive tyrant and tyrant guard are scored separately for Points, even joined together.

Any unit of Termagants spawned by a Tervigon is worth Points as normal, and is considered
part of the Detachment the Tervigon that spawned it belongs to.

FORGEWORLD
Forgeworld is allowed at this event, but all units are 0-1. This includes a unit that selects
Forgeworld-specific wargear, thus becoming 0-1 as well. Furthermore, while Forgeworld Army
Lists are legal, units selected from a non-Forgeworld Codex as part of the Forgeworld Army List
(e.g., a Space Marine Tactical Squad using a Forgeworld Chapter set of rules) are considered 0-1
as soon as / as long as they benefit from Forgeworld Army Rules.
Please note as the NOVA Open is new to using Forgeworld within the confines of the 40K GT,
we would like to thank Frontline Gaming / the West Coast ITC for its FAQ work on Forgeworld
Units. This FAQ was used as the basis for our Forgeworld FAQs.
IMPERIAL ARMOR
Point values and rules for Imperial Armor units must always be the most current published
version.
Abilities that specify they affect a vehicle/building, such as Tank Hunters, have no effect when
rolling armor penetration against a Power Field/Void Shield.
CHAOS (CHAOS DAEMONS & CHAOS SPACE MARINES)
Blood Slaughterers of Khorne:
Fury of Khorne does not apply when a unit makes a Disordered Charge.
An Impaler cannot fire Snap Shots and may never drag a Zooming Flyer or Swooping
Monstrous Creature.

 The Heat Blast attack on a Chaos Dreadclaw/Kharybdis Assault Claw may not affect a Zooming
Flyer and/or a Swooping Flying Monstrous Creature.
Chaos Dreadnoughts of all varieties (Chaos Contemptor Dreadnoughts, Emperors Children
Sonic Dreadnoughts, & Ferrum Infernus Dreadnoughts) only gain the +1A bonus to their profile
if both their arms are equipped with a melee weapon, not just one.
A Chaos Contemptor Dreadnought Hellfire Reactors S2 hit on Psykers does not cause the
Contemptor to Pile In at the I10 step.
For a Ferrum Infernus Chaos Dreadnought, Wounds caused by the Host of Daemonic Iron
special rule are resolved in the same Initiative step that the Dreadnought is damaged, and are
allocated like close combat wounds back onto the enemy unit that caused the damage.
The Baleful Aberration special rule allows a Hell Blade/Hell Talon to be repositioned up to
D6+2, not necessarily the full distance rolled.
If a Chaos Infernal Relic Achilles manages to regain a Hull Point, the benefit for having lost that
Hull Point from the Fuelled by Hate special rule is also lost.
When a destroyed Chaos Rapier Carrier explodes, determine cover saves and vehicle armor
arcs from the center of the blast.
A Giant Chaos Spawns Sword-Spines Mutation attack does not cause the Spawn to Pile In at
the I10 step of combat.
DARK ELDAR
The Aerial Assault special rule (on the Dark Eldar Reaper/Tantalus) allows a vehicle with the
rule to fire all of its weapons at full BS on a turn it moved at Combat Speed, instead of the limit
of two weapons, which is normally the case for a Fast vehicle.
Dark Eldar Tantalus:
Cover saves can be taken against Scythevane hits, but only if the attacked model is actually
in or touching a piece of cover between them and the starting position of the Tantalus or
they have an ability that always provides them a cover save. Use the final position of the
Tantalus for wound allocation for these attacks.
A Scythevane hit against a vehicle is resolved against the enemy vehicles armor arc that
the Tantalus was most in when it began its Flat Out move.
ELDAR
A Shadow Spectres Spectre Holofield cover save lasts until the start of the units next turn.
If you use Farseer Bel-Annaths alternate force organization chart, every unit selected within it
is considered a Forgeworld Unit for purposes of the 0-1 restriction applied at NOVA.
IMPERIAL (ADEPTA SORORITAS, ASTRA MILITARUM, IMPERIAL KNIGHTS &
INQUISITION)
Imperial Guard equates to Astra Militarum and Sisters of Battle to Adepta Sororitas.

 The Aquila Lander is a Fast Attack choice for an Astra Militarum or Adepta Sororitas
detachment and a dedicated transport choice for an Inquisition detachment.
For the Centaur Carrier Squadron, ignore the reference to the Gun Deployment special rule.
Cyclops Demolition Squad:
A Cyclops unit only ever counts as being destroyed if all its operators are killed. Destroying
an individual Cyclops does not count as destroying a unit.
A Cyclops does not make a pile-in move at I10 when detonating.
Cover saves may not be taken against a Cyclops demolition charge and casualties caused to
either side do count towards combat resolution.
Cyclops models may embark/disembark on Transport vehicles.
A Cyclops that has lost all of its operators or is more than 48 away from them cannot hold
nor contest an objective.
Earthshaker, Hydra & Manticore Platform Batteries:
Are immobile vehicles, not artillery, so they have no crew and never fall back.
Hydra Platform Batteries do not have Auto-Targeting Systems.
Field Artillery Battery (Heavy Mortar & Heavy Quad Launcher):
This unit has the Gun Carriage special rule as described on page 188 of Imperial Armour
Volume 1, 2nd Edition.
For the Heavy Quad Launcher, ignore the Shell Shock special rule.
Hades Breaching Drill:
Has the Melta Cutter ranged weapon.
If a Hades arrives under a vehicle and just manages to wreck it, place the Hades at the
arrival spot on the vehicle wreck; the Hades counts as having moved into difficult terrain.
If a Hades arrives under a building and this results in the building suffering a Total Collapse,
place the Hades as close as possible to its intended arrival point outside of the destroyed
building.
When a Hades rams during its arrival, it always counts as hitting its target in rear armor,
while the ram back against the Hades is resolved against its front armor.
When a Hades suffers a Misplaced Deep Strike mishap result, the opponent still decides
where it arrives on the table, even though the Hades may have already made a ram attack
against a vehicle or building.
When a Hades Assault Squad suffers a Misplaced Deep Strike mishap result the opponent
still decides where that unit arrives on the table as normal, even though they normally
have to arrive from the same spot as the Hades.
If Trojan Support Vehicles are included as part of a Heavy Artillery Carriage Battery, they form a
separate vehicle squadron that does not take up a Force Organization slot but is otherwise a
Heavy Support unit. Ignore all references to them being part of the battery.

 A Manticore taken from Codex: Astra Militarum can replace its Storm Eagle Rockets with either
Sky Eagle Rockets or Manticore Missiles for +0 points. Note that only one Manticore selected in
such a way could do this.
When a destroyed Rapier Carrier explodes, determine cover saves and vehicle armor arcs from
the center of the blast.
Sentry Gun Battery (Tarantula):
Uses its listed Toughness of 6, not Toughness 7 as is normally the case for gun models.
The firing mode for each Sentry Gun must be declared when the unit is deployed.
Note that the Targeting rule can force a Sentry Gun battery armed with differing weaponry
to fire at more than one target unit.
Trojan Support Vehicles have the Artillery Tractor special rule as detailed on page 76 of
Imperial Armour Volume 1, 2nd Edition; replace any references of Centaur with Trojan.
Valkyrie Sky Talon Transport:
If a Sky Talon is destroyed while zooming, vehicles being transported aboard take a S10 hit
against their rear armor. If the Sky Talon was hovering, they suffer a S4 hit instead.
If a vehicle squadron is being transported using multiple Sky Talons, all of these Sky Talons
must remain within 4 of each other, even if one gets immobilized. If any part of the
squadron is forced to disembark then the entire squadron must immediately disembark.
Ignore Captain Maximillian Weisemanns Hardened Crew special rule, as it is redundant.
For the Dominus Armoured Siege Bombard: the first (upper) profile listed on page 268 of
Imperial Armour Volume 1, 2nd Edition for its Dominus Triple Bombard is the Mobile profile,
while the second (lower) one is the Static profile.
Cerastus Knights:
For purposes of the Warhammer 40K GT at the NOVA, you may not include any Cerastus
Knights as Lords of War (all Super Heavy and Gargantuan Lords of War are prohibited) and
you may include no more than 1 Cerastus Knight of any kind within a Knight Detachment.
Colonel Snake Stranski:
Use the fire point rules in Codex: Astra Militarum for his Chimera. Stranski can fire out of
his Chimeras turret cupola in addition to the normal Chimera fire points.
Ignore his Mechanized Infantry Warlord Trait, as it is redundant.
General Myndoras Odon:
Ignore the Supreme Commander special rule. Instead, he has the Voice of Command &
Senior Officer special rules from Codex: Astra Militarum, and can issue up to 3 orders per
turn up to a range of 24.
Careful Planner counts as Odons Warlord Trait when he is chosen as Warlord.
Replace his Regimental Banner with a Regimental Standard from Codex: Astra Militarum.
Inquisitor Lord Hector Rex:
Is a HQ choice for Codex: Inquisition, not Codex: Grey Knights.

 Rules for his Psybolt Ammunition and Psyk-Out Grenades are found in Codex: Inquisition.
Ignore the listed psychic powers. Instead, generate powers normally from the
Daemonology (Sanctic), Divination, Pyromancy, Telekinesis, and Telepathy disciplines.
Ignore the reference to Rexs retinue being from Codex: Grey Knights. Instead, if desired,
he may take an Inquisitorial Henchman Warband from Codex: Inquisition.
Ordos Xenos Inquisitor Solomon Lok is a HQ for Codex: Inquisition, not Codex: Grey Knights.
NECRONS
Always use the updated rules for the Gloom Prism found in Games Workshops Codex: Necrons
FAQ (or in the updated digital version of the codex).
A Canoptek Tomb Sentinels Exile Cannon only causes hits to a unit equal to the number of
models from that particular unit that are under its blast.
Sentry Pylon:
The portion of the Canoptek Artillery special rule forcing enemies to consolidate after each
round of combat is ignored while an Independent Character is joined to a Sentry Pylon unit.
A Tesseract Arks Seismic Lash follows all the same clarifications as the Doom Scythes Death
Ray (e.g., cannot cause casualties/destroy vehicles that are entirely out of LoS). Also, it only
causes a number of hits to a unit equal to the number of that units models under its line.
ORKS
The Dread Mob Army List Update PDF contains newer profiles for some Ork weapons from IA8.
Replace all references of Armour Plates with Extra Armour for all Imperial Armour Ork units.
Big-Zzappas have the Zzap special rule for all Imperial Armour Ork units.
Each Grot Sponson on a vehicle may fire at a different enemy target, fired at the same time as
the rest of the vehicles shooting. Their shooting is resolved at BS3 and is unaffected by how
fast the vehicle moved and any crew shaken/stunned results their vehicle has suffered.
Always utilize the Kustom Force Field and Ramshackle rules as printed in Codex: Orks, not as
they are found in the Imperial Armour books for all Imperial Armour Ork units.
Big Squiggoth:
Embarked units can fire from a Squiggoth just as firing from an open-topped transport,
with range and line of sight drawn from the howdah. If the Squiggoth moved more than 6
total that turn (including running) before the embarked unit fires, then they may only fire
Snap Shots. The embarked unit is allowed to fire even if the Squiggoth is locked in combat,
just obviously not at the enemies it is locked in combat with.
When a Squiggoth is killed, embarked units must disembark exactly like a wrecked vehicle.
1-3 Big Trakks can be taken as a single Heavy Support choice in an Orks detachment. Use the
unit entry for the Big Trakk found in the Ork Dread Mob Army List Update PDF .
A Flakk Trakk comes equipped with Flakka-Gunz as well as its 2 Big Shootas.

 The Go, Go, Go! special rule (for Flakk Trakks & Flakk Trukks) applies if their target is a Flying
Monstrous Creature, and not just a Flyer.
Ignore the text for the Fighta-Bommers Grot-Guided special rule. Instead, that special rule
allows the weapon to re-roll its scatter dice for determining where its blast marker lands.
Grot Tank Battle Mobs:
The random distance rolled for their movement represents the maximum amount
they can be moved, not the distance they have to be moved.
If a Gun Wagon takes the Ard Case upgrade, then it has 3 Access Points and 2 Fire Points, the
locations of which can be modeled as desired.
For the Kustom Meka-Dreads Fixin Klaws, ignore the final portion of the rule in parenthesis
that says the Rage special rule has: already been included in the Meka-Dreads profile.
If a Lifta Wagon rolls a Flyin result on the Jury-rigged Lifta-droppa Mishap table, then roll again
(not on the Mishap table) to see what effect is resolved against the Lifta Wagon, re-rolling any
further 1s that are rolled.
Treat a Mekboy Junkas Junka Force Field Generator as a Kustom Force Field.
If a Jam is rolled for a Warkoptas Rattler Cannon, the weapon is immediately destroyed
without firing any shots that round.
Mek Boss Buzzgob:
Has the Ere We Go! special rule.
Ignore his Warlord Trait, as it is redundant.
Zhadsnark Da Rippa:
Has the Ere We Go! special rule.
Ignore his Exhaust Cloud special rule. Instead, if he Turbo-Boosts, he counts his cover save
as being 1 point higher than normal until the start of his next turn.
He may not perform a Tank Shock while joined to a friendly unit.
His Biker Boss Warlord Trait applies only to his detachment.
SPACE MARINES (ALL CHAPTERS)
Models with the Carcharodons Chapter Tactics only gain the Rage special rule when causing an
enemy infantry unit to fall back from combat, not from shooting or by any other method.
Any Space Marine with Void Hardened Armour is treated as having regular power armor in
standard tournament games where the Cold Void rules are not in effect.
A Keeper of Relics (page 243 of Imperial Armour Volume 2) for a Blood Angels detachment is a
Chaplain (not a Reclusiarch), and for a Space Wolves detachment it is a Rune Priest (ignore the
requirement of the Saga of the Beast Slayer).
A Caestus Assault Rams Teleport Homer can be used to aid allied teleporting units, but cannot
be utilized the same turn the Caestus arrives from Reserve.

 A Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought only gains the +1A bonus to its profile if both its arms are
equipped with a melee weapon.
Damocles Command Rhino:
Its Teleport Homer can be used to aid allied teleporting units, but cannot be utilized the
same turn the Damocles arrives from Reserve.
For its Command Vox Relay, decide which Reserve roll modifier to apply (if any) after each
Reserve roll is made.
When firing a Deathstorm Drop Pods Whirlwind Launcher, nominate a target within 12 and
roll a D3 to see how many whirlwind shots are fired at it. Then declare which type(s) of
whirlwind blast (vengeance or incendiary castellan) are being used for each shot fired,
resolving them as a multiple barrage if more than one shot is being fired. After that, nominate
another target within 12 and repeat until all units within 12 have been targeted.
Ignore the entire Grey Knights MK IV Doomglaive Pattern Dreadnought unit entry on page 215
of Imperial Armour Volume 2, 2nd Edition. Instead, a Grey Knights Dreadnought with the
Venerable Dreadnought upgrade may replace all of its weapons with a Psycannon and
Doomglaive with built-in Incinerator for +15 points. A Doomglaive is a Dreadnought Close
Combat Weapon with the Force and Daemonbane special rules.
Ignore the entire Grey Knights Vortimer Pattern Razorback unit entry on page 212 of Imperial
Armour Volume 2, 2nd Edition. Instead, a Grey Knights Razorback may upgrade its Twin-Linked
Heavy Bolter to a Twin-Linked Psycannon for +25 points.
Land Speeder Tempests in the same squadron must always make the same choice as to
whether or not to use their Afterburners special rule.
A Dreadnought arriving in a Lucius Drop Pod does can elect to remain embarked upon the pod
if desired. If it does so, it cannot be targeted while embarked as normal.
When a Template weapon hits a Lucius Drop Pod with a Dreadnought embarked upon it, the
D6 No Escape hits inflicted on the Dreadnought are resolved against its rear armor.
A Mortis Dreadnought (both the Contemptor-Mortis & the Mark V Mortis) needs to remain
stationary in its own movement phase in order to gain the Skyfire & Interceptor special rules.
When a destroyed Space Marine Rapier Carrier explodes, determine cover saves and vehicle
armor arcs from the center of the blast.
Space Wolves Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought:
Ignore the option to take a Wolf Tail Talisman and Wolftooth Necklace, as they no longer
exist.
The last part of each Night Saga (after the semicolon) is a completely optional goal for the
Dreadnought. There is no penalty if this goal is not achieved.
Tarantula Sentry Gun Battery:
Uses its listed Toughness of 6, not Toughness 7 as is normally the case for gun models.
The firing mode for each Sentry Gun must be declared when the unit is deployed.

 Note that the Targeting rule can force a Sentry Gun battery armed with differing weaponry
to fire at more than one target unit.
If Ahazra Redth re-rolls a failed psychic test using his Talisman of Sundered Souls, all the dice
must be re-rolled (even the successful ones).
Ignore Armenneus Valthexs Master of Machines special rule, as it is redundant.
Cover saves may not be taken against Brayath Ashmantles Burning Wrath attacks.
Ignore Captain Mordaci Blaylocks Terminator Attack special rule, as it is redundant.
The target of Captain Pellas Mirsans Master Duelist special rule is declared at the start of the
fight sub-phase, after any potential challenge has been accepted or refused.
Captain Silas Alberec:
The special Deny the Witch test against Force weapons granted by his Hexagrammic Wards
special rule is just a standard Deny the Witch test, but with successes being rolls of 4+.
When using the Soul-Seared Champions special rule to re-roll failed Deny the Witch tests,
all the dice must be re-rolled (even the successful ones).
Ignore Chaplain Dreadnought Titus Immovable Object Warlord Trait, as it is redundant.
If Hecaton Aiakos uses his Groundstrike attack, he Piles In at the I1 step before making it.
Knight-Captain Elam Courbray:
When attacking with Excellus, Courbray counts has having the Smash universal special rule
as found in the main rulebook. This means Excellus is always AP2 and he can also elect to
make a single double-Strength attack with it instead of making his normal attacks.
If a Delayed Deep Strike mishap returns Courbray back into reserve, he does generate an
additional Firefall attack each time he arrives again via Deep Strike.
Models wounded by Lias Issodons Infiltrate, Isolate and Destroy special rule may take a cover
save if they are actually standing in cover or have an ability that provides them a cover save.
These attacks cannot cause a morale check.
When Lord High Commander Carab Culln is attacking with his Blade of the Scorpion, he counts
as having the Smash special universal special rule as found in the main rulebook. This the Blade
of the Scorpion is always AP2 and he can also elect to make a single double-Strength attack
with it instead of making his normal attacks.
While Lugft Huron is laid down on his side due to the Shadowed Fate special rule, he cannot be
charged or otherwise affect the game. If he stands back up, he cannot be placed into base
contact with an enemy model.
Activating Sevrin Loths Armor of Selket doesnt require a psychic test and cannot be nullified.
Harath Shens Sacred Trust special rule is only used in a mission where every unit destroyed
generates a victory point, such as with the Purge the Alien mission.
Shadow Captain Korvydae has the Chapter Tactics (Raven Guard) special rule and his Raiding
Tactics special rule only applies to the detachment he is part of.

 Tyberos the Red Wake must declare how he will split his combat attacks between his two
melee weapons (Hunger & Slake) at the start of the fight sub-phase, after any potential
challenge has already been accepted or refused.
Vigilator-Sergeant Hamath Kraatos:
Kraatos has the Chapter Tactics (Minotaurs) special rule and may only be taken as an
upgrade for a Devastator unit that shares the same Chapter Tactics.
When firing an Assassin Bolt at a non-vehicle model, the attack requires a roll of 4+ to
wound, even if the targets Toughness is 5 or less. Against vehicles, Assassin Bolts are S4.
Wolf Lord Bran Redmaw:
Ignore the Wolftooth Necklace and replace Rune Armour with Runic Armour.
The Axe Langvast is a Power Axe with the Shred special rule.
In the Patient Killers special rule, ignore reference to the Behind Enemy Lines special rule.
Only roll to see if Bran Redmaw succumbs to the curse on a turn where he starts on the
table (i.e. not while in reserve). If he succumbs while embarked on a vehicle, he
immediately disembarks. If joined to a unit when he succumbs, he immediately counts as
having left the unit (although he may rejoin it later).
The Redmaws unit type is Monstrous Creature, not Infantry; this means he also has all
the special rules that monstrous creatures naturally have.
TAU
The XV84 Crisis Battlesuits Networked Markerlight & Target Lock do not use up any of the
models normal ability to select weapons and/or support systems.
XV9 Hazard Close Support Team:
An Ethereals Storm of Fire special rule does affect a Pulse Submunitions Rifle.
Each Hazard Shasyr may select a different Additional System if desired.
Tau Battlesuit Commander RAlai:
An Ethereals Storm of Fire special rule does not affect Ralais pulse submunitions rifle
when firing any experimental ammunition type.
Check range for the Eclipse Shield Generator once per enemy unit firing at RAlai (not
separately for each firing model).
Sensor Tower Grid:
Each Sensor Tower taken in a Sensor Tower Grid is independent and fires separately.
Each Sensor Tower is attacked/affected exactly like an individual Gun Emplacement.
TYRANIDS
N/A
CLOSING REMARKS

The Warhammer 40,000 FAQ process begins with NOVA staff canvassing the community for
rules questions and discussions. Special thanks go out to the wide variety of individuals directly
involved with its production. Any questions answered explicitly by the rules in the books/codices
(even if not popularly understood) are left out of the FAQ to streamline its length.
After rules are collected, put into the FAQ document, and given their initial answers, the Chief
40k Rules Judge makes final rulings on contentious issues, and the Draft FAQ is published. Within
the week, the Draft FAQ is given a final revision, with especially contentious or overlooked rules
once more revisited.
If you are interested in helping participate in the NOVA Open 40k FAQ process, send an e-mail
following the Convention to mvbrandt@gmail.com, cc novaopen@gmail.com.
We look forward to seeing you at the NOVA Open 2015!
-

The NOVA Open 40k Team