Command Points (CP) are the currency you spend on Stratagems in Warhammer 40,000. They shape your army’s tricks and turn timing, so knowing how they work is key to playing well.
What are command points?
Command Points are a resource you spend during a battle to activate Stratagems. These are special rules that can boost a unit, disrupt your opponent, or change the flow of a phase.
In 9th edition, you started with CP based on the size of the game, and you could also gain more from certain missions or abilities. In 10th edition, both players gain 1 CP at the start of each Command Phase, and you can earn extra CP from other sources like warlord traits or mission rules.
CP isn’t tied to lore in a direct sense, but it represents a commander’s tactical flexibility and access to rare assets. The more CP you have, the more tricks you can pull.
How command points changed between editions
In 8th and 9th edition, you generated CP by filling detachments. That led to ‘CP farms’ like the Loyal 32, where players took cheap Imperial Guard detachments just to harvest CP. The 9th edition update moved to a fixed starting amount based on game size, with additional CP from missions or abilities.
10th edition streamlined things further: you get 1 CP at the start of each of your Command Phases, and there’s a cap of 3 CP you can gain per battle round. Stratagems now cost CP as usual, but some are free for certain units.
The shift aimed to level the playing field and let players take the models they want without feeling penalised for not taking specific detachments.
How to spend command points
You spend CP on Stratagems, which are used at specific times. Some are used in your turn, some in your opponent’s turn, and some in specific phases. Common uses include re-rolling a dice, firing overwatch, or making a unit fight first.
You can also spend CP on Enhancements for your characters before the battle, though in 10th edition these are bought with points rather than CP. In 9th, you could spend CP to put units in reserve or to take extra detachments.
Managing CP is about timing. Blowing all your CP early can leave you without answers later, while hoarding it might mean missing key opportunities.
- Stratagems: the main way to spend CP, with costs usually 1-3 CP.
- Reserves: in 9th, you could spend CP to place units in reserve.
- Extra detachments: in 9th, additional detachments cost CP.
- Enhancements: in 10th, these cost points, not CP.
Command points in 10th edition
In 10th edition, you gain 1 CP at the start of each Command Phase, for both players. You can also get CP from other sources, like the Warlord trait ‘Stratagem Master’ or mission-specific rules, but you can’t gain more than 3 CP per battle round.
Stratagems are still the main sink for CP, and many are now usable by any faction. Some units have abilities that let them use a Stratagem for free once per battle, which doesn’t cost CP.
There’s no more detachment CP cost; you just pick a detachment and get its benefits. This keeps the focus on the battle itself rather than list-building tricks.
Key facts about command points
Command Points are a core part of Warhammer 40k strategy. They let you react to your opponent and pull off cinematic moments. Whether you’re playing a small Combat Patrol or a massive Onslaught game, understanding CP is essential.
- In 9th edition, starting CP was based on game size: 3 CP for 500 points, 6 for 1000, 12 for 2000, and 18 for 3000.
- In 10th edition, both players gain 1 CP at the start of each Command Phase, with a cap of 3 CP gained per battle round.
- CP is spent on Stratagems, which can be used in any phase if the Stratagem allows it.
- Some characters and abilities can refund or generate extra CP.
- CP farms like the Loyal 32 are no longer needed in 10th edition.
Key facts
- Command Points (CP) are spent on Stratagems.
- In 10th edition, you gain 1 CP at the start of each Command Phase.
- You can gain a maximum of 3 CP per battle round in 10th edition.
- In 9th edition, starting CP was based on game size (e.g., 12 CP for 2000 points).
- CP farms like the Loyal 32 are a thing of the past in 10th edition.
FAQ
How many command points do you start with in 10th edition?
You start with 0 CP, but you gain 1 CP at the start of each of your Command Phases. Some missions or abilities might give you extra CP before the battle.
Can you have more than 3 command points in 10th edition?
Yes, you can have more than 3 CP in your pool, but you can only gain up to 3 CP per battle round from all sources. There’s no upper limit on how many you can stockpile.
What are command points used for?
Command Points are spent on Stratagems, which are special rules that can be used during the battle to gain an advantage. They can also be used for other things like putting units in reserve in older editions.