Charging elevated units

[Rogue]

Here's the scenario:

- my opponent has a model on a 5" high platform.

- I deep strike in a unit 8.1 inches away horizontally, on the ground floor.

- I want my unit to charge his model.

 

My question is: can I make that charge?

 

Do I measure the charge distance as 8.1 + 5 (for a total of 13.1, so the charge would never be possible)?

 

Or do I measure a diagonal line from base to base (which is a touch over 9.5"), in which case a 10" charge makes it?

 

Or a third option we both missed.

 

If anyone could set us straight, or point to the relevant rule, I'd appreciate it.

[kabaakaba]

It's seems movement doesn't changed in 11 so for unit without fly you should roll 14. For unit with fly you can measure diagonal "through the air".

[DemonGSides]

You have to end within engagement range not within base to base, engagement range includes a 5" vertical.  The be within 1" is a can, so no worries there.

 

You basically charge under them and stab upwards.  As far as what you measure to, you always measure base to base.  So you'd need to be within 12" (sounds like you are) and are aiming for 9 inches for the charge(so that you can get under the unit with at least one model).

 

If the flooring is actually 6" then you have to be able to make the charge up the stairs, which is tougher. 

Edited July 7 by DemonGSides

[Tawnis]

To be in engagement range, you need to be withing 5" vertically. So, if they are exactly 5", then you are fine. If they are more than 5", you would have to move up the distance to the next platform below them to put you within 5". 

[Rogue]

I have to end the move in engagement range, yes. But in order to be eligible to make a charge move, the target unit has to be within the maximum distance I rolled - that's the bit I'm unsure about.

 

If we measure the elevated unit to be 13.1" away (measuring along the ground, then vertically), I can't declare that unit as a charge target because it's more than 12" away.

 

But if we measure in a direct line, base-to-base (diagonally upwards), the bases are just 9.5" apart, in which case I can make a charge if I roll at least a 10.

 

If I can make a charge, I agree that I only need to move forward 8" or so, and can then fight upwards.

[Antarius]

We ran into the same thing the other day.

I think it's definitely the direct line. Otherwise the whole "engaged within 5" vertically" wouldn't make a lot of sense, as you would practically need to be within 2" anyway.

[Kommisar_K]

Assuming the target unit is 5" or less off the ground you'd only have to measure the horizontal distance to determine charge distance. Engagement range is 5" vertically, so the charging unit doesn't actually have to move up to get in engagement range.

[Rogue]

But why, though? What's the rule I'm missing here?

 

Rule 01.04 says that when measuring, you go base to base.

Rule 11.02 says you roll 2d6 to determine a maximum distance for your charge move.

Rule 11.04 says you must select an enemy unit within the maximum distance.

 

So if I roll a 9, I have enough movement to get underneath the enemy model, but not enough to cover the base to base distance (which in this example was 9.5").

That means I'd fail the 'Before moving" criterion  in 11.04, and couldn't make the charge.

 

What allows me to ignore that check, and just move across to be within engagement range?

[Tawnis]

Units within 5" vertically that are above/below each other are considered in base to base from what I understood, so you would be within the maximum distance to make that charge. 

[Xenith]

On 7/10/2026 at 11:45 AM, Rogue said:

But why, though? What's the rule I'm missing here?

 

Rule 01.04 says that when measuring, you go base to base.

Rule 11.02 says you roll 2d6 to determine a maximum distance for your charge move.

Rule 11.04 says you must select an enemy unit within the maximum distance.

 

So if I roll a 9, I have enough movement to get underneath the enemy model, but not enough to cover the base to base distance (which in this example was 9.5").

That means I'd fail the 'Before moving" criterion  in 11.04, and couldn't make the charge.

 

What allows me to ignore that check, and just move across to be within engagement range?

 

I think you're correct and need to be base to base within the distance rolled. The rulebook has a wored example where in a straight line, they are within range, but the charge pathway would not allow them to get within engagement - though in that example they're all on the same level. Definitely needs a FAQ!

[Valkyrion]

I think it is implied that bases extend invisibly vertically, so measure on your own level then 5" up - you have now measured to the units base. 

It could be clearer, but I'm sure that's the intention. 

 

 

[Rogue]

Thanks for the opinions, everyone. I don't think there's a definite answer here, and I agree it probably needs some sort of official FAQ to settle it, but it's helpful to know that I'm not the only one who thinks the rule is incomplete as written.

[Valkyrion]

I don't know if this helps or not, but it confirms to me that verticality doesn't exist when measuring;

(FAQ from the app)

 

• Q: Does vertical movement in a unit that has taken to the skies count towards the distance a model has used for the purposes of heavy?
• A: No.

 

this means that a unit with Heavy weapons can move 3" and end up on a higher level without losing the benefit of Heavy - so they could end up 9", 12" or whatever from where they started and it wouldn't matter - it's only the 3" horizontal movement that matters, ergo the same must apply to charges with the caveat that engagement range only extends 5" vertically.

 

I think. (!)

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Unfortunately, I don't think that FAQ ruling is any guidance as its in response to specifically the issue of whether the Take to the Skies rule that says that you ignore vertical movement for the purpose of move also means you don't move more than 3" for heavy.  The FAQ merely confirms that - I don't think it reasonable to take it as any indication that you ignore vertical distance for measuring.  Certainly, the fact you measure upwards for determining coherency and for moving vertically both speak to there being occasions where one does have to measure vertically.

 

Edited 18 hours ago by Dr_Ruminahui