Once shooting has been resolved, it is time to deal with the brutal cut and thrust of close combat. Units engaged in combat cannot declare charges, move or shoot missile weapons - they must stand toe-to-toe with their enemy until one side is destroyed or forced to flee. Regardless of which player's turn it is, all models that are in contact with the enemy must fight. The close combat phase is therefore an exception to the normal turn sequence, in that both sides are taking part in the action.

During the close combat phase the player whose turn it is picks one of the fights and resolves it, following the procedure outlined in the chart below. Once that combat has been resolved, including any flee and pursuit moves, the player picks another fight and resolves it, continuing like this until all the engagements have been fought.