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Post by knoffles on Feb 16, 2020 20:35:36 GMT
Gents, in the Empire bundle I recently picked up were 2 boxes of knights (so 10 in total). I’m almost guaranteed to run them as inner circle and in a unit of 10 but I’m torn on whether GW or lances are a better option. I know a few of you run Empire regularly so I wanted to know on how you’ve found them. I like the idea of the S6 all the time but I also know how good a 1+ save is, even over a 2+
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Post by gregr on Feb 16, 2020 20:56:19 GMT
To be honest, I can see the benefits of both.
I suppose it depends on who your opponent is, if you're against Dwarves or Ogres then the lance seems sensible as your I3 is going to be higher than the rank and file.
If you're against Elves or Skaven then you might as well go with GW as you're going to strike last anyway.
If its the save you're more worried about, you could add a Warrior Priest and try to get the ward save up on the GW ones
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Post by 1plussave on Feb 16, 2020 22:09:04 GMT
I love the 1+ save for specific tasks, when you aren't fielding a full block having small unit(s) of 5 are ridiculously efficient at seeing off chaff, chariots and even some of the weaker flanking units and can't just be blown away. The GW ones suffer from being more vulnerable to taking the charge from spear-wielding light cav, fireballs and chariots.
When you are fielding a block they are a pain in the ass to move thanks to blunting incoming damage, good for grinding certain units and can really take advantage of Hatred on the charge, especially with a Hurricanum in support. Generally I find the 1+ makes a great delivery system, inner circle or not, benefit a lot from certain buffs and you can field them as Reiksguard for Stubborn (1+ save, stubborn, 3d6-lowest-2 break test with a captain tend to stick in the fight if you don't have the tools to damage them).
If you are playing defensively magic wise (Life casters, mounted in the unit if possible) then S6 GWs tend to do all right with character support, but make a definite target. They can also play the super-heavy chaff unit game in units of 5 and are better at killing off things they get charged by or manage to stick around for the grind.
They tend to be okay as either inner circle or basic knights thanks to S5 and with Warrior priest support to get those first turn hits in. Their downside is that a lot of the things you can be to tempted to send them to kill (high toughness, high save) tend to hit them back just as hard or harder. I love them for catching enemy cavalry or flanking high toughness chariots and just hammering them down over 1 or 2 rounds.
The advantage in all cases is simple: cheap, core, 1+/2+ save cavalry, they fill in gaps your 25% core pretty well and make a great bus for even a small amount of support to ride around in. I like them for taking a Priest with a 1+ save and a captain or captain BSB for running around, nailing S3/S4 units in place and occasionally scoring a big charge on something that needs to take S6 attacks or to be set on fire by a Priests magic.
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Post by Naitsabes on Feb 17, 2020 16:49:38 GMT
For one general purpose units, lances are the way to go. 1+ save for the win. GW have some rather narrow niche application and of course fit certain themes better.
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Post by knoffles on Feb 18, 2020 8:47:24 GMT
The consensus seems to be lances are generally better then. Cheers gents
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Post by gregr on Feb 18, 2020 9:29:54 GMT
I think you should acquire another 10 and have both 😁
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Post by FvonSigmaringen on Feb 18, 2020 12:47:45 GMT
They should have brought back the old White Wolves cavalry hammer.
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Post by josephnunn on Jun 19, 2021 11:59:40 GMT
I would take the units in 2 ranks, 6 files, thereby maximizing attacks against a 5-file infantry block.
Inner circle knights should use lances but regular knights should use GWs. The regular knights will be stuck at Str 3 if they fail to break the opponent on the charge or are charged themselves, making them an expensive tar pit, better to always have Str 5 in those cases. Inner circle knights still have a chance to fight free on their own with Str 4.
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