An update to a tabletop game has introduced revised terrain mechanics and rules. The changes focus on how terrain components interact with units, featuring new rules such as 'Hidden' and modifications to 'Obscuring Terrain' and 'Cover Benefits'.
Terrain Components
Terrain on the battlefield is comprised of two core elements: terrain features and terrain areas.
- Terrain Features: These are individual pieces of scenery, such as ruins, barricades, trees, and rocks. They are placed on, or denote the edge of, a terrain area.
- Terrain Areas: These represent the footprint on the battlefield where scenery effects are applied.
New Terrain Rules
The new edition introduces specific modifications to how terrain affects gameplay.
Hidden Rule
A new 'Hidden' rule has been implemented, applicable to Infantry, Beast, and Swarm models.
Conditions for Hidden status:
A unit can be declared Hidden if it did not shoot in the current or preceding player turn.
This status also applies at the start of a game.
Effect of Hidden status:
While Hidden, models are only visible to enemy units located within their detection range, which is typically 15 inches.
Obscuring Terrain
Most terrain areas now retain the 'Obscuring' property.
Effect of Obscuring Terrain:
Obscuring terrain areas prevent line of sight through them entirely.
This allows models and units to utilize sections of terrain for protection.
Cover Benefit
Units within terrain areas can now gain the benefit of cover.
Applicable Units:
Infantry, Beast, and Swarm units within terrain areas receive this benefit.
New Effect:
In the new edition, the benefit of cover imposes a -1 penalty to an opponent's Ballistic Skill when targeting these units.
This replaces the previous edition's rule, which provided a +1 bonus to armor saves.