War machines are an important part of many armies in the Warhammer World. Gigantic cannons are amongst the most spectacular of these engines of war, but their manufacture is difficult and the secrets of gun casting and gunpowder manufacture are carefully guarded. Orcs and other less sophisticated races build gigantic stone throwers which lob boulders high into the air to come crashing down upon enemy formations or behind city walls. Bolt throwers are powerful giant crossbows that can send a spear-sized bolt clean through several ranks of enemy skewering each in turn! These are all relatively common war machines that can be found in several armies.

War Machines

No, all the crew is involved in the combat.

All of the crew are moved into base to base contact with the enemy and must fight.

Yes. This includes Warpfire Throwers, bolt shooters and cannon for example, but obviously excludes the Doomwheel and the Steam tank as they have specific rules regarding turning.

Yes and Yes. The delays would be added together, such that the machine may actually only fire every third or fourth turn.

No, the formation of batteries is optional. Note, unless a player declares such warmachines to be independent, it is assumed that they are a battery.

Warhammer Fantasy: 5th Edition

War Machines - Frequently Asked Questions
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If a bolt thrower crew has been killed, may the crew from another war machine (say a cannon) crew the bolt thrower? Can another bolt thrower crew come over and operate the bolt thrower?
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A character joins a war machine crew, and a monster attacks the crew. Can the character fight the monster while the rest of the crew operates the war machine?
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If a war machine is destroyed and the crew is 3 or less, is it considered 25% unit casualties causing the crew to take a panic test?
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Can the war machine crew leave the machine to pursue enemy?
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How many members of a war machine crew fight if engaged in hand-to-hand combat?
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Can all war machines make a free turn and fire at something that is out of the 90 degree arc in front of the machine (turn 180 degrees, 360 degrees to shoot)?
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A warmachine is forced to fire every other round due to a misfire. Is this cumulative with delays due to loss of crew? Cumulative with reload times?
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Can any warmachines form batteries (Warpfire throwers, steam tanks, gyrocopters, etc)?
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Are all identical warmachines within 5" of each other considered being in batteries?
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War Machines - Frequently Asked QuestionsURL Copied!

If a bolt thrower crew has been killed, may the crew from another war machine (say a cannon) crew the bolt thrower? Can another bolt thrower crew come over and operate the bolt thrower?URL Copied!

A character joins a war machine crew, and a monster attacks the crew. Can the character fight the monster while the rest of the crew operates the war machine?URL Copied!

If a war machine is destroyed and the crew is 3 or less, is it considered 25% unit casualties causing the crew to take a panic test?URL Copied!

Can the war machine crew leave the machine to pursue enemy?URL Copied!

How many members of a war machine crew fight if engaged in hand-to-hand combat?URL Copied!

Can all war machines make a free turn and fire at something that is out of the 90 degree arc in front of the machine (turn 180 degrees, 360 degrees to shoot)?URL Copied!

A warmachine is forced to fire every other round due to a misfire. Is this cumulative with delays due to loss of crew? Cumulative with reload times?URL Copied!

Can any warmachines form batteries (Warpfire throwers, steam tanks, gyrocopters, etc)?URL Copied!

Are all identical warmachines within 5" of each other considered being in batteries?URL Copied!