Schemes and skullduggery MSU
Feb 10, 2022 13:02:37 GMT
via mobile
knoffles, lordofskullpass, and 2 more like this
Post by oldmandan on Feb 10, 2022 13:02:37 GMT
So back to writing stuff and to make it easier I think I will just create several small posts each focused on a particular theme. So today is MSU.
Thing to remember is the situation, the Skaven have a number if possible MSU options and each option can work with smaller or larger small numbers to a greater or lesser extent. By using MSU you can really give your opponent problems as they will be forced to choose either to focus all fire on one MSU or spread out their shooting which is not always going to work.
Giant Rats.
Are a prime example, they work best in very small amounts. You can use the rats as chaff, marcher blockers or as a delivery vehicle for a master moulder. This guy though only a champ can be very nasty in combat either through killing blow or ignoring armour with the shock prod. He has a very good stat line and can best some heroes in challenge as long as they aren't looking. In addition, the underdog rule grants 50 extra points for each challenge he wins. Taking a large unit of giant rats won't improve them as they lack the armour to stick around and the strength to do damage. A final tactic which is one I used a lot from 6th is use these guys to draw out deployment you put down a rat dart and once your opponent places his knights you can make a more informed deployment decision.
Plague Censer bearers.
These guys work best as two units of 5 to 7 instead of one unit of 10 to 12 or 14, you could field a large unit and that's OK. By tying up the intended target with a big block of Plague monks or slaves or clanrats you can send in the hammers even one Plague censer unit of 5 with champ is enough to tip the scales and demolish a flank. Using 6 or 7 Plague censers in a group is handy as they can deliver more damage in proportion to the pain they will receive.
Jezzails.
These guys, now trust me on this really work best as a 3 man or in this case rat unit with a sniper. Three of these units in that setup provide better fire than one massive unit of 10 with a sniper the snipers higher BS improves the probability when rolling to hit. In addition, you can either gang up their shooting on one unit but also because there are three units instead of one you can use their long range to cover large parts of the board, again careful placing is needed so they can support each other.
Poisoned Wind Globadiers.
This was my original EMSU. I would put down one two man unit and watch my opponent deployment all his warmachines. Now of course MSU for them is 5 and Giant rats fulfill the EMSU. This is slightly trickier depending on how much damage you want I would advise you to let points value and how much you can spend guide you. One unit of 10 could do a lot of damage. However, two units of five means two champs which means two death globes, which also means potentially two mortars and therefore double the death. Certainly for me I would opt for a small unit of 5 and use them as a method of delivering the champ with his death globes and an easy way to get a mortar.
Gutter Runners and Night runners.
Both these units I feel work best in units of 10 to 12 minimum. Nightrunners are best against light armoured chaff or acting themselves as a meatshield. Gutter runners you should always tool up and use snare nets when you can the reduction in WS alone can is annoying when you have to roll 5's to hit and by casting bless with filth on them those poisoned attacks now auto wound and a 5. However, careful deployment is needed and again they work best in rear or the flank.
Overall, these are the main MSU Skaven units just let points and how they support your overall plan guide you. Happy scheming.
Thing to remember is the situation, the Skaven have a number if possible MSU options and each option can work with smaller or larger small numbers to a greater or lesser extent. By using MSU you can really give your opponent problems as they will be forced to choose either to focus all fire on one MSU or spread out their shooting which is not always going to work.
Giant Rats.
Are a prime example, they work best in very small amounts. You can use the rats as chaff, marcher blockers or as a delivery vehicle for a master moulder. This guy though only a champ can be very nasty in combat either through killing blow or ignoring armour with the shock prod. He has a very good stat line and can best some heroes in challenge as long as they aren't looking. In addition, the underdog rule grants 50 extra points for each challenge he wins. Taking a large unit of giant rats won't improve them as they lack the armour to stick around and the strength to do damage. A final tactic which is one I used a lot from 6th is use these guys to draw out deployment you put down a rat dart and once your opponent places his knights you can make a more informed deployment decision.
Plague Censer bearers.
These guys work best as two units of 5 to 7 instead of one unit of 10 to 12 or 14, you could field a large unit and that's OK. By tying up the intended target with a big block of Plague monks or slaves or clanrats you can send in the hammers even one Plague censer unit of 5 with champ is enough to tip the scales and demolish a flank. Using 6 or 7 Plague censers in a group is handy as they can deliver more damage in proportion to the pain they will receive.
Jezzails.
These guys, now trust me on this really work best as a 3 man or in this case rat unit with a sniper. Three of these units in that setup provide better fire than one massive unit of 10 with a sniper the snipers higher BS improves the probability when rolling to hit. In addition, you can either gang up their shooting on one unit but also because there are three units instead of one you can use their long range to cover large parts of the board, again careful placing is needed so they can support each other.
Poisoned Wind Globadiers.
This was my original EMSU. I would put down one two man unit and watch my opponent deployment all his warmachines. Now of course MSU for them is 5 and Giant rats fulfill the EMSU. This is slightly trickier depending on how much damage you want I would advise you to let points value and how much you can spend guide you. One unit of 10 could do a lot of damage. However, two units of five means two champs which means two death globes, which also means potentially two mortars and therefore double the death. Certainly for me I would opt for a small unit of 5 and use them as a method of delivering the champ with his death globes and an easy way to get a mortar.
Gutter Runners and Night runners.
Both these units I feel work best in units of 10 to 12 minimum. Nightrunners are best against light armoured chaff or acting themselves as a meatshield. Gutter runners you should always tool up and use snare nets when you can the reduction in WS alone can is annoying when you have to roll 5's to hit and by casting bless with filth on them those poisoned attacks now auto wound and a 5. However, careful deployment is needed and again they work best in rear or the flank.
Overall, these are the main MSU Skaven units just let points and how they support your overall plan guide you. Happy scheming.
