This table is used to determine the combat resolution score. All of these are cumulative apart from where otherwise noted. Some magic items and exceptional circumstanced may affect the combat resolution score; this is clearly indicated in their description.
Bonus | Situation |
+1 | Extra Rank |
+1 | Outnumber Enemy |
+1 | Standard |
+1 | High Ground |
+1 | Flank Attack |
+2 | Rear Attack |
+1 | Overkill |
Extra Rank
If your formation is a unit at least four models wide then you may claim a bonus of +1 for each rank behind the first at the start of a round of close combat, up to a maximum of +3. The bonus can be claimed for an incomplete last rear rank so long as it contains at least four models.
Fast cavalry and skirmishers never gain a bonus for extra ranks.
If you have several units fighting in a combat, count the bonus from the unit with the largest number of ranks. Do not add up the bonuses from all the units fighting.
This bonus is lost if the unit is charged in the flank or rear by an enemy with a Unit Strength of five or more. Not that this applies only as long as the unit which charged is in combat with the enemy - if they break and flee, or are reduced to a Unit Strength of less than five, the unit regains its rank bonus.
Outnumber Enemy
If the combined Unit Strength of your troops in combat is greater than the combined Unit Strength of your enemies you receive a +1 bonus.
Standard
If any of your units includes a Standard Bearer (either a unit Standard Bearer or a Battle Standard Bearer) in its front rank then you may add a +1 bonus.
Note that if several standards are involved in the combat (a unit Standard or a Battle Standard) then you still only add +1, not +1 for each standard. Rules for standards are described later.
High Ground
If you are fighting from a higher position than your enemy, for example, your troops are occupying the crest of a hill, then you may add a +1 bonus. This bonus is only granted if your fighting rank is on higher ground than your enemy.
Flank Attack
If you are fighting against an enemy unit's flank, you may add a +1 bonus so long as your unit has a Unit Strength of five or more.
Note that you only count +1 even if both flanks of the enemy are engaged.
If both sides have troops attacking in the flank then the side with the most number of flanking units gets the bonus. The bonus is only applied once, regardless of how many flanking units are involved in the combat.
Rear Attack
The same comments apply as for a flank attack to units attacking in the rear. This bonus and the bonus for a flank attack are cumulative, so if you are attacking in the side and rear you will receive a bonus of +3.
Overkill
If a character fighting in a challenge kills his opponent and scores more wounds than the enemy has then each excess wound scores a +1 overkill bonus towards the combat result up to a maximum of +5.
This bonus only applies in a challenge as described in the Characters section.