A skirmish is an encounter between small groups fighting in a loose or dispersed formation rather than formal ranks and files. Such an encounter might take place over a broad area of woodland or a group of buildings, where skirmishers can spread out to infiltrate a wood or occupy buildings. In a battle only specified troops are allowed to skirmish as indicated in the Warhammer Armies book army lists. However, any units can adopt a skirmish formation in order to enter buildings as described in the Buildings section.

Skirmishers

No, the unit does not get to use the character's leadership under any circumstances.

Measure the shortest distance between a skirmishing model and the enemy unit. This is the side of the enemy unit the model must charge. If you cannot fit all the models along the side they must charge, then the excess models may not charge that unit that turn. You may move them around to an open side so they may charge in their next turn.

The skirmishers fill ranks. Remove casualties from models not in base contact to represent this.

The unit in skirmish formation suffers the same amount of damage as regular units. House Rule: It is suggested that when Chariots and Night Goblin Fanatics damage units in skirmish formation that the number of hits be reduced by 1/2, minimum 1 hit.

Warhammer Fantasy: 5th Edition

Skirmishers - Frequently Asked Questions
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Do skirmishing units block line of sight for shooting purposes?
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Is it possible to move a lone character or unit through a unit of skirmishers?
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If a character in a unit of skirmishers is wearing the Crown of Command, does the unit get to use the characters unmodified 10 leadership?
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What happens when a 4 wide unit is charged to the front by a unit of skirmishers, where 7 or 8 skirmishers can all reach the enemy unit? Do the extra skirmishers get to line up on the enemy unit's side and fight too?
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A unit in skirmish formation is charged by an enemy unit. The enemy unit causes enough wounds to kill all of the skirmishers in base to base contact with the unit. Do skirmishers have to 'fill ranks' so that the skirmishers are still in combat with the enemy unit?
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Does a unit in skirmish formation suffer the same amount of damage from a chariot that other units suffer? How about the damage caused by a night goblin fanatic?
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Skirmishers - Frequently Asked QuestionsURL Copied!

Do skirmishing units block line of sight for shooting purposes?URL Copied!

Is it possible to move a lone character or unit through a unit of skirmishers?URL Copied!

If a character in a unit of skirmishers is wearing the Crown of Command, does the unit get to use the characters unmodified 10 leadership?URL Copied!

What happens when a 4 wide unit is charged to the front by a unit of skirmishers, where 7 or 8 skirmishers can all reach the enemy unit? Do the extra skirmishers get to line up on the enemy unit's side and fight too?URL Copied!

A unit in skirmish formation is charged by an enemy unit. The enemy unit causes enough wounds to kill all of the skirmishers in base to base contact with the unit. Do skirmishers have to 'fill ranks' so that the skirmishers are still in combat with the enemy unit?URL Copied!