Battle Sanctum Questions

[kiron]

So what has everyone been using for those had a battle sanctum.

 

I loaded 2 squads of 10 retributers on it within 6" of my cannoness and imagifier and celestian squad for VH order. I also kept Celestine behind the sanctum for counter charging. I put the sanctum smack right in the middle of the map as close as possible to middle objective while still in my deployment zone so my retributers are in range of everything. I keep a screen of battle sister squad in front to soak up melee and prevent charges. Have two floors helps retributors get firing view over my units to hit pretty much anywhere on the board given it's only 60"x44". 

 

Furthermore, what's the rules for LOS for top level models over containers. from an angle they would seem to be able to see the enemy models hiding behind the container. Can they shoot or are they LOS blocked?

 

Also how does flyers charge the battle sanctum when all space is blocked?

 

How does melee work if all 3 floors are fully occupied, fight through each floor first? Does heroic intervention work for a character on a 2nd floor rushing to either first or third floor (physical space permitting or not? are the answers different?) 

 

Also do you have to exactly match the battle sanctum kit or can u modify it a bit such that the floors have more/less room to put models?

 

Also, when is the battle sanctum set up? Had lots of arguments with some opponents. One stated it was before both sides chooses deployment sides. One stated it was before first player was chosen, was set up prior to objectives being placed, etc...

[9x19 Parabellum]

I'll try my best to answer some of these:

 

1. Pretty sure they could see over it if they truly have LoS.  Only terrain 5" or taller is "obscuring" and I don't think containers are 5" tall (unless you place them on their side). 

 

2. The battle sanctum itself or the units inside it? Nothing can charge or attack the Battle Sanctum itself as it cannot be targed by any attacks or abilities.  Do you mean the models inside?  First we have to determine what the Battle Sanctum actually is in terms of terrain.  The Battle Sanctum does not have the building keyword, so I would likely define it as "Area Terrain".  (Note: have to come back and revisit this)

 

3.  Engagement range is defined as 1" horizontally and 5" vertically of an enemy model.  So, for example, if you are at the "bottom" level of the battle sanctum (ie, on the table top), and there are models on the floor above you, you can still attack them if you get "Under them", which is to say, on the "table top" of the battle sanctum as you would be within 5" of the floor above it.  Here's an article on BoLS to help explain all this:  https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2020/07/warhammer-40k-how-to-cheat-with-engagement-ranges.html#:~:text=Engagement%20Range%20is%20defined%20in,primarily%20used%20for%20three%20things.

 

4.  I think you can modify it within reason, but you cannot be modeling for advantage.  That is to say, making a battle sanctum that is 3' tall with space only at the VERY TIPPY TOP to put models is going to be looked upon as modeling for advantage.

 

5.  The battle sanctum is part of your army.  It gets set up when you deploy.

 

One other thing to consider is that the only way to get a foritification is with the Fortification Network detachment.  That means you'll need a 2nd detachment (at least) which means you can't have one in Combat Patrol size games, and in Incursion size games, it will mean you only have one detachment to actually field your sisters in, so choose/plan accordingly. 

[Lemondish]

Just to add some additional clarity, the Battle Sanctum gained the following additional rule in the latest FAQ:

 

‘After this model is set up, it becomes an Area Terrain feature with the following terrain traits: Breachable; Heavy Cover; Light Cover; Scalable (see the Warhammer 40,000 Core Book).’

[BluejayJunior]

I'll try my best to answer some of these:

 

1. Pretty sure they could see over it if they truly have LoS.  Only terrain 5" or taller is "obscuring" and I don't think containers are 5" tall (unless you place them on their side). 

 

 

Just to clarify, terrain over 5" tall is not automatically obscuring. If terrain has the obscuring trait and is at least 5" tall, then it applies the effect of obscuring terrain. Armored containers do not have the obscuring trait by default, so no matter how high they are stacked, true LOS is still used. Unless you decide to give them the obscuring trait. 

[9x19 Parabellum]

 

I'll try my best to answer some of these:

 

1. Pretty sure they could see over it if they truly have LoS.  Only terrain 5" or taller is "obscuring" and I don't think containers are 5" tall (unless you place them on their side). 

 

 

Just to clarify, terrain over 5" tall is not automatically obscuring. If terrain has the obscuring trait and is at least 5" tall, then it applies the effect of obscuring terrain. Armored containers do not have the obscuring trait by default, so no matter how high they are stacked, true LOS is still used. Unless you decide to give them the obscuring trait. 

 

 

Sweet! Thanks for the explanation.