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1.5 Close Combat

Who Can Fight​

Enemies within 1” of each other are considered to be in close combat with each other.
(Enemies separated by low walls, etc. will also fight.)

  • Warriors can fight 360° around themselves.
  • Warriors cannot shoot missile weapons while in close combat.
  • Warriors may cast spells while in close combat.

Who Strikes First​

The following rules apply:

  • Warriors armed with a Spear or Halberd strike first in the first round of combat.
  • Otherwise, chargers strike first.
  • In other rounds, attack order is determined by comparing Initiative. Lowest Initiative score gores first. If two or more fighters have equal Initiative, roll dice to determine who strikes first.
  • If two or more warriors are both able to ‘Strike First’, attack order is determined by Initiative as above.
  • Warriors that recovered from being knocked down this turn will always strike last regardless of skills, weapons, Initiative, etc.

Hitting​

Roll a WS test for each of the warrior’s Attacks modifying the result by the targets Toughness Modifier:

  • If you score a hit, you cause a wound.
    (See the Wounds and Injuries section.)

Fighting Unarmed​

Unarmed attacks are at -2 to the WS roll.

Fighting with Two Weapons​

A warrior that fights with two close combat weapons can make an extra attack with the additional weapon but will suffer -1 to WS rolls while doing so.
(This penalty affects both weapons.)

Firing Pistols in Close Combat​

Contrary to the original Mordheim and earlier versions of Coreheim, pistols cannot be fired in close combat.

Switching Weapons in Close Combat​

A warrior armed with multiple close combat weapons may switch between them at the start of each Close Combat phase.

Leaving Close Combat​

Warriors cannot leave close combat—even if all enemies they are fighting are knocked down or stunned at the start of their turn.

Targeting Close Combat Attacks​

Whenever a warrior has a choice between attacking enemies who are knocked down or stunned, or enemies standing up, he must attack the standing enemies.
Exception: If multiple attacks were declared against the warrior before he was knocked down or stunned.

Warriors with Multiple Attacks​

A warrior with multiple attacks may divide them up as he chooses. However, he must distribute all attacks up front, before rolling to hit.
(Some attacks may go to waste.)