Characteristics

Every model is described by nine characteristics, each rated from 0 to 10 -- they can never go lower or higher than that range. If a spell or special rule raises or lowers a characteristic, use the new value for as long as that effect lasts. This doesn't apply to weapons themselves (see Weapons and Armour).

Often just called Move, this is how many inches a model can move under normal circumstances. A Man has Move 4 (M4); a horse, being far faster, has M8.

How skilled a warrior is with their weapons, or how vicious and determined a monster is in a fight -- the higher the value, the more likely the model is to hit an opponent in close combat. An ordinary Man has WS3; a battle-hardened hero might have WS4, WS5, or higher.

How accurate a warrior is with ranged weapons like bows or handguns -- the higher the value, the easier it is to hit with a missile attack. An ordinary Man has BS3; a keen-eyed Elf has BS4. Some monsters with natural ranged attacks (spitting venom, for example) use BS to determine whether they hit too.

How strong a creature is -- an exceptionally puny creature might have Strength 1, while a mighty Giant has S6. Men have S3. Strength governs how hard a model hits and how easily it wounds an opponent in close combat.

A creature's ability to resist physical damage and pain -- the tougher a model is, the better it withstands an enemy's blows. A normal Man has T3; a Treeman, with its tough wooden flesh, has an incredible T6.

How much damage a creature can take before it dies or is too badly hurt to keep fighting. Most Men and man-sized models have W1. Large monsters and mighty heroes can often withstand several wounds that would slay a smaller creature, with W2, W3, W4 or more.

How fast a creature reacts. A low Initiative (Orcs, I2) means slow and cumbersome; a high one (Elves, I5) means quick and agile. Humans have I3. In close combat, Initiative decides the order in which models strike.

How many times a model attacks in close combat. Most warriors and creatures have A1, though elite troops, monsters, or heroes may strike several times with A2, A3, or more.

How courageous, determined, and self-controlled a model is -- a low value means unruly or downright cowardly. Men have an average Ld7, while the easily-frightened Night Goblins have only Ld5.

A characteristic value of 0 (sometimes shown as a dash, "-") means the model has no ability at all in that regard -- most commonly BS0/"-" for a creature that can't use missile weapons, but it can apply to any characteristic.

A Weapon Skill of 0 means the model can't defend itself in close combat at all -- any attack against it hits automatically. If a model's Strength, Toughness, or Wounds is ever reduced to 0 or below by magic or a special rule, it's slain outright and removed from play.