40 CARROTIdentify the objective type
For a terrain-area objective, check which models touch its footprint. For a classic marker, check models within 3 inches of the 40mm marker.
How does Objective Control (OC) work in Warhammer 40K?
OC is the number behind who holds a point. The useful habit is to separate the eligibility question from the arithmetic: first find which models count, then total each side.
TL;DR
Add the OC of every eligible model contesting the objective for each side. The higher total controls it; equal totals leave it controlled by neither player. Terrain-area objectives count models touching the footprint, while classic 40mm markers use a 3-inch range. In 40 Carrot, enable Objective control totals and right-click the objective to read the numbers.
What does the OC stat actually decide?
Every model has an Objective Control characteristic. Add the OC of your eligible models, add the opponent's, and compare. The higher total controls the objective; equal totals mean it is contested and controlled by neither player.
This is why a cheap unit with many models can out-hold a single expensive model. It is also why the late-game question is not only “Can I reach the objective?” but “How much OC survives there after the response?”
Resolve control in four checks
Keep the type of objective and the OC total as two separate checks.
Total each side's OC
Add the Objective Control characteristic of every eligible model for each side. Battle-shocked models contribute zero.
Compare the totals
The higher total controls the objective. Equal totals leave it contested and controlled by neither player.
Inspect the result in 40 Carrot
Turn on Objective control totals to colour each objective by the controlling side, then right-click or long-press it to read ATK, DEF, and the controlling state.
Inspect a mission position at true scale
The live frame lets you inspect the table geometry. In the full app, Objective control totals is a browser-local setting that starts off; enabling it colours the objective while the numeric readout stays in the objective's context menu.
Terrain-area objective or classic marker?
A terrain-area objective uses the terrain footprint itself. Models contest it by touching that footprint. A classic objective is the legacy 40mm marker controlled by models within 3 inches. The distinction changes how far a unit can spread and how many bases can contribute.
40 Carrot marks terrain-area objectives in gold and gives classic markers a dashed control ring. With automatic totals enabled, the objective turns attacker red, defender blue, or neutral gold. It does not print OC labels over the terrain; right-click or long-press the objective to see ATK N · DEF N and the controlling state.
Why should you practise the OC swing?
Objectives, not kills alone, decide most games. Rebuild the scoring position, make one move for each side, and check what survives. Right-click a unit to mark it Battle-shocked in 40 Carrot; its printed OC stays intact, but it displays OC “-” and contributes zero to automatic totals until you clear that state.
Use the overlay to verify geometry and arithmetic. It does not decide the mission for you, apply every external rule, or tell you which trade is correct. Always check the current rulebook and mission pack.
Build the scoring decision
Practise objective control →Objectives, wound tracking, terrain, units, and measurement are included in the free Virtual Tabletop.
Frequently asked questions
What does the OC stat do in Warhammer 40K?
OC (Objective Control) measures how much a model counts toward holding an objective. Each side totals the OC of its models in range of the objective; the side with the higher total controls it, and a tie means nobody controls it.
Who controls an objective if OC totals are tied?
Nobody. A tied OC total means the objective is contested and neither player controls it.
What is a terrain-area objective?
In 40K 11th Edition, a terrain footprint itself can be the objective: you contest it with models touching the footprint, rather than models within a radius of a marker.
How close do models need to be to a classic objective marker?
Classic objective markers are 40mm markers controlled by models within 3 inches, the legacy style, unlike terrain-area objectives which use the terrain footprint itself.
Where does 40 Carrot show the OC totals?
Enable Objective control totals in Settings. The objective colour shows the controlling side without covering terrain with labels; right-click or long-press the objective to read the attacker total, defender total, and controlling state.