Roll to Hit

Raw skill isn't the only factor -- battlefield conditions alter accuracy too, represented by shooting modifiers applied to the dice roll before comparing it to the score needed, making a shot harder (and less likely to succeed).

If modifiers push the required score to 7 or higher, a hit is still possible: first roll a 6, then roll again against the chart below to see if it holds up. A required score of 10 or more is simply impossible -- those shots are lost outright.

Shooting modifiers are cumulative unless stated otherwise.

A model that moved for any reason this turn (even just pivoting on the spot) has had less time to aim, suffering a -1 shooting modifier.

Closer targets are easier to hit -- any shot at an enemy within 4" gains a +1 shooting modifier.

Aiming while a bellowing enemy bears down on you is distracting -- models making a Stand & Shoot reaction suffer a -1 shooting modifier.

A small, single target is harder to hit than a mass of troops -- any shot at a lone model with Unit Strength 2 or less suffers a -1 shooting modifier.

If the majority of the target unit is visible but standing behind models (friend or enemy) or terrain with at least half as high a Line of Sight value, an extra To Hit modifier applies. For example, a unit whose majority has Line of Sight value 1 provides cover to a unit behind it with Line of Sight value 2, but not to one with Line of Sight value 3 or higher -- and the same logic works in reverse, a Line of Sight 3 model ignoring the cover a Line of Sight 1 model would otherwise grant a Line of Sight 2 model behind it.

Cover comes in two kinds, soft and hard (below). It's common for some models in a firing unit to have a clear shot while others don't -- where that happens, resolve the two groups' shots (and their separate To Hit modifiers) individually.

Soft cover offers a little protection but mostly just hides the target -- hedges, fences, wagons, and similar terrain. If the majority of a unit is obscured this way, it's in soft cover, worth a -1 shooting modifier.

Hard cover is sturdier -- stone walls, boulders, buildings, and (for this purpose) other units standing in the way. If the majority of a unit is obscured this way, it's in hard cover, worth a -2 shooting modifier. Soft and hard cover never stack -- if both would apply, use only the -2 for hard cover.

Several special rules affect a model's shooting modifier -- each states its own effect, but the most common (Multiple Shots, Quick to Fire, Sniper, and Volley Fire) all impose a -1 shooting modifier. See the Special Rules chapter for details on each.

Some unusual attacks -- most often magic missile spells -- hit automatically. Exactly as it sounds: skip the To Hit roll entirely and apply the stated number of automatic hits.