At the start of each round of a matched play event, the organiser must determine which scenario will be played and which, if any, of the Secondary objectives will be in use. Whilst many organisers will simply choose a scenario ahead of each round, choosing one at random from amongst those that have not yet been played at the beginning of each round is highly recommended.

Once a scenario has been played, it cannot be played again unless all of the other scenarios have also already been played (in events that have more than six rounds, for example), in which case, the process begins again. By removing scenarios that have already been played from the selection, it means that players will experience a variety of different battles across the event.

Pre-game Special Rules

It is not uncommon for one or both players to have special rules that take effect prior to the game beginning. Unless stated otherwise, such rules take effect after deployment, but before the first turn begins. Should both players have such special rules or effects, a roll-off should determine which player resolves their effects or special rules first. Players will then alternate back and forth until both players have used any pre-game special rules they wish to use.

Deployment In Matched Play

All matched play scenarios use the alternating units deployment method, unless specified otherwise by the scenario.

Alternating Units: If a scenario calls upon players to alternate deployment of units, the winner of a roll-off can choose which player will deploy the first unit. Players then take turns, each deploying a single, non-character unit within their deployment zone, saving characters until last.

All of the war machines in your army must be deployed at the same time, but can be placed at different locations within your deployment zone. All of the characters in your army are deployed last, and all at the same time, but can be placed at different locations within your deployment zone.

First Turn

Once deployment is complete, the winner of a roll-off chooses who takes the first turn. The player that finished deploying their army first (including units that deployed using the Scouts special rule) adds +1 to their roll.