WFB: 8th Edition’s Top 5 Rank and File Units
Hello again my fellow BoLSiacs. Here are what we have found to be the top 5 rank and file units in the game. I am basing this off of static in game things like the Inspiring Presence rule, or the Hold Your Ground rule. I am also considering point costs and optimal sizes. I am not taking into account things like unit buffs from spells and the like. That being said, here we go…..
#5: Skinks and Kroxigor mixed unit – Acceptable on the skink point cost, cold blooded for their leadership rolls always helps, can hit like nails, tricky with the Kroxigor.
If you take a unit that has a good deal of Skinks in it along with some Kroxigor, you’ll have a unit that hits hard and doesn’t go anywhere from a steadfast cold blooded roll. One of the things we have discovered in our musings is that the Kroxigor can’t be picked out though they can fight in the combat. While your opponent is taking out a few Skinks a turn, your Kroxigor with their 3 attacks each will hack and slash most anything in front of them. I cringe just thinking about it.
#4: Warriors of Chaos – Great stat line, tough as nails, virtually immune to dying, hit hard to boot.
First, the down side (EXPENSIVE!!!). That’s why I couldn’t rationalize putting them any higher just based on innate things alone. Outside of the high point cost they’re amazing. Mark them Tzeentch and give them a shield and watch your opponent get frustrated at you making all your saves. With a 3+ armor and 5+ parry ward save in combat, these guys just won’t die! Not to mention the fact that their stat line will have them killing most of the opponents guys in return.
They’re cheap, good enough , and can be given shields for a parry save. Take them in high numbers (I like around 70 of them 5 wide and 14 ranks deep!) and keep them in range of your general and BSB, and your opponent will be fighting a steadfast re-rollable leadership 10 unit for most of the game. Additionally, the fact that you can still fire all of the amazing weapons the Skaven book has to offer into combat works well too.
They are a great unit even though they are only toughness 3 with only a 5+ armor save. They have a high weapon skill allowing them to hit most things on 3’s. They can be given a BSB with Banner of the World Dragon making them immune to magic all together. Considering all they can do and the things you can give them, I think they have an okay/acceptable point cost. They can be really devastating, be careful what you send in against these guys.
They have an acceptable point cost especially for what they can do. Give them great weapons and the regen BSB and hold on tight. They will take you on a roller-coaster of destruction. Give them the plus one to hit banner and have a Vamp. Lord nearby with Helm of Commandment and you will have a unit that hits on 2’s against anything with weapon skill 6 or less, and wounds on 2’s against anything toughness 4 or less. Add in the regen BSB and you’ll have a 5 up armor save and a 4 up regen to boot. Not too shabby.
Closing Thoughts
These last 2 were a tough choice for me. Putting them up against one another, it would all depend on the kit each list/unit was carrying with it. The toughness 4 against shooting is what put the grave guard ahead for me. In addition to the regen banner….
Take into consideration that these are in no way set in stone and I know that all gamers have their own play style and preferences. Please don’t think in any way that you have to believe in this list. Take it for what it is, a list of things to think about when you next go to building your army lists.
Well readers, what do you think? Do you agree? Do you have a rank and file unit that you prefer over one on the list? Is your list the same or different in a couple of ways? Make your way to the comments and let us know your thoughts on the 8th Edition rank and file units you like. How do you kit them out? Have at it folks….
