How do you read the bonus symbols?

[LordZon]

I have to confess, I don't know how to read those little symbols like the shields and such. Are they accurate? How much a modifier is it?

[TanEdos]

Easy to explain!

When you enter Cover you see a shield over your units. They will get a defensive bonus meaning take less damage but be able to deal out damage without any problems. If you see a shield with a RED cross through it, you are in what's called negative cover. Meaning slower movement, and take more damage when fired upon.

Hope it helps. I don't know the #s of the increase and loss of "armor" while in both.

[Grav]

blue square = morale bonus
yellow square = defense bonus
red square = damage bonus

shields - mentioned above.

source: http://www.rakrent.com/rtsc/html/dow03.htm

[dreddnott]

I'm pretty sure that for the squares...

blue = defensive bonus (basically like cover, HWT gets an automatic one, so do Wraiths)
yellow = offensive bonus (Battlecry, Berserk Fury, etc.)
red = increased vulnerability (like when Brightlance platform or Pathfinder squad 'tags' a unit, Berserk Fury)

[Inst]

Things like Smoke Grenades and Shield Drones halve incoming ranged damage, but it shows up in game as two shields.

I think it's smoke grens and energy shield only, it doesn't show up on anything else.

Does Conceal do the same thing?

[dreddnott]

Yeah, I just ran a test game, the RTSC guide is dead wrong on this (although the site in general is really good).

The Space Marine Accuracy bonus gives a yellow square, Bionics gives nothing, Cover gives a blue square. It's worth noting that the little squares (which show up below the health and morale bars of the squad leader) also have larger equivalents below the picture of the unit type in the taskbar, which confirm their purpose (attack bonus is a yellow starburst, defensive bonus/penalty is a blue or red shield).

Also worth noting that Negative Cover doesn't show up as a red square, just unit abilities that give defensive penalties.