Frontage

[Marche Funebre]

This thought came to me when I was daydreaming about hordes of spear totting skellies. Usually you see units 5 models wide, at least you do in our armies, and occasionally a horde formation. If we assume that the average unit has five models in the front wouldnt it be logical to build on that and maximize your own attacks by making your unit seven wide? I realize that most of our units are there to be the provebial brick wall that our opponents smash their brains out on and that because of that its best to minimize the amount models they can get their warm clamy hands on but we have units like ghouls where this tactic wouldnt be that bad.

What im trying to say is that in the case of ghouls that would be four extra models in combat who each have two (?) attacks. Does this make any sense or should we just go for horde and get the extra rank? Does this have any advantages over a front of five or ten models that would justify using it? I can imagine trying it in my next game with my ghouls.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Johnny-Crass]

I am doing 50 strong skellie horde with spears and loving it

 

[Noobafrass]

I've been playing a list with a block of ghouls 7 wide and so far it's worked quite well. I also haven't been up against any hordes with it yet, either though, which might change my mind.

Vs a unit 10 models wide, they would be attacking the ghouls in 3-4 ranks with 9 models in each rank, vs 7 models in each rank for a 5-wide unit.

Also, the 2nd rank doesn't get 2 attacks when it comes to normal infantry, so we're adding 4 models to the fight by making it 7 wide, but only adding 6 attacks instead of 8

 

[Count Edmund Von Redbeard]

I tend to run my GW Grave Guard 7 wide. But I know I won't be facing hordes.
I like it, haven't tried it with ghouls yet though, 7 wide is actually an extra 6 attacks with ghouls, not to be sniffed at.

 

[Mikael.K]

Most units probably benefit from having a small frontage, but you have to consider other things aswell. Deployment for example. We usually bring plenty of big sized units that grow bigger during the game. If one is not careful, some of those end up away from the generals 12" influence. Deploying in horde allows you to set your army up in two "files" and combat reform later if needed. Still, this is not to be recommended vs fast armies.

 

[Ogre]

Im running 60 Skellies in Horde with spears and its awesome. Especially with the Fear Bomb combo.

Im running 40 zombies in 5 man ranks as its just a tarpit unit(minimizing attacks from enemies, maximizing rank bonuses for as long as I can.)

 

[Gojira]

You can change your frontoage every turn, so just go for whatever you need any any given moment.

 

[Burnanation]

7 wide will max out your attacks, which is good. But if you're using your skellies/zombies at your anvil then you're cutting down on the ranks, which could be bad.

If I have 35 skellies, 5 wide, that's 7 ranks deep.

If I have 35 skellies 7 wide, that's 5 ranks deep.

You might win combat with the 7 wide, but unless you out rank him he'll be steadfast :-(