Warhammer 40k stratagems are one-off special abilities you buy with Command Points during a game. They’re how your army pulls off the tricks its datasheets don’t cover, and picking the right one at the right moment often decides a close game.
How stratagems actually work
Each player starts with a pool of Command Points (CP) and gains 1CP in every Command Phase, for both players. Stratagems usually cost 1 to 3 CP, so you’re always spending from a tight budget. Once you’ve spent it, it’s gone.
Every stratagem is used at a specific moment (a phase, or a trigger like ‘after an enemy unit has fought’). Each one can only be used once per phase, and in 11th edition a single unit can only be targeted by one stratagem per phase. That second rule kills the old trick of stacking three buffs onto one deathstar unit.
The core stratagems
Every faction shares the same Core Stratagems, which live in the core rules (pages 41 to 42 in 10th edition). They’re the bread-and-butter tools you’ll reach for in almost every game, regardless of which army you play.
They’re grouped into four types: Battle Tactic, Epic Deed, Strategic Ploy, and Wargear. The type tells you roughly what kind of effect it is, and some rules interact with specific types.
- Command Re-roll (1CP): re-roll a hit, wound, damage, save, advance, charge, or similar roll.
- Counter-offensive (2CP): after an enemy unit fights, one of your eligible units fights next.
- Epic Challenge (1CP): a Character gains Precision for a phase, letting it snipe enemy characters in a bodyguard unit.
- Insane Bravery (1CP): auto-pass a Battle-shock test.
- Grenade (1CP): a unit within 8″ throws grenades, rolling six dice for mortal wounds on 6s.
- Fire Overwatch (1CP): a unit within 24″ shoots at a unit that just moved, charged, or fell back.
- Rapid Ingress (1CP): bring a Reserves unit in at the end of your opponent’s Movement phase.
- Tank Shock (1CP): a Vehicle that just charged rolls dice for mortal wounds on the enemy.
What’s changing in 11th edition
11th edition is on the way, and Games Workshop has already shown off some Core Stratagem changes. Tank Shock is being replaced by Crushing Impact, which works off a monster or vehicle’s Toughness rather than its Strength and can backfire on rolls of 1.
The bigger shift is the one-unit-per-stratagem-per-phase rule, which pushes you toward spreading your CP across the board instead of concentrating it. If you play tournaments, check the event companion PDF, since it can cap how much CP you gain per turn.
| Stratagem | Edition | Cost | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tank Shock | 10th | 1CP | Vehicle charge deals mortal wounds on 5+ |
| Crushing Impact | 11th | 1CP | Monster/Vehicle charge rolls Toughness dice, 5+ deals mortal wounds, 1s hurt you |
Why they matter
Stratagems are where the tactical depth lives. Two players with identical army lists can play completely differently because of how they spend CP. They let you break the normal rules on purpose, whether that’s re-rolling a crucial save or pulling a unit out of Reserves at the worst possible moment for your opponent.
They also connect to the wider game: your faction’s unique stratagems reflect its lore and fighting style, so a Space Marine army and a Tyranid swarm won’t play anything alike even when using the same Core Stratagems.
Key facts
- Stratagems debuted in 8th edition and are bought with Command Points.
- Most cost 1 to 3 CP, and players gain 1CP each Command Phase.
- There are 12 shared Core Stratagems in 10th edition, on pages 41 to 42 of the core rules.
- 11th edition limits a unit to one stratagem per phase, stopping buff stacking.
- Tank Shock is replaced by Crushing Impact in 11th edition.
FAQ
How many Command Points do you start with in Warhammer 40k?
You start with a set pool and gain 1CP in each player’s Command Phase. Tournament events may cap how much CP you can gain per turn, so check the event companion.
Can you use the same stratagem twice in a turn?
No. Each stratagem can only be used once per phase, and in 11th edition a unit can only be targeted by one stratagem per phase.
What are the four types of stratagems?
Battle Tactic, Epic Deed, Strategic Ploy, and Wargear. The type matters because some rules reference specific categories.
Are Core Stratagems free to use?
The rules themselves are free to download, but you still pay CP in-game to activate them. You’ll need codex or index rules for faction-specific stratagems.