8th Ed. How to use Cold One Cavalry in 8th Edition

[Pinktaco]

So this isn't a tactica from me. No, I'm way too inexperienced with them. I also realize there already is a tactica on these guys, but I figured we could talk about the usage of COR in the new book.

Oh and yeah I also realize this matter have somewhat been discussed in the Discussion Forum, but I still want to make this thread somewhat different from that.

So here is what this thread is about:

HOW and against WHAT what we use our expensive cavalry? I don't mind people telling others what the COR cannot because let's also be realistic, they aren't the best cavalry unit around, however, this is mostly about how we can field them, why and agaisnt what - so let's be somewhat positive lol.


So what are the COR exactly and how do they differ from other cavalry units?

On the plus side we have:

+ 4 attacks from each model in the front.
+ Compared to a saurus warrior they have WS4 and I2.
+ They're OUR most heavily armoured units (except heroes/lords) with an AS2+.
+ Magic and magic banners probably benefit our CORs more than ANY other faction's cavalry unit in WHF.
+ They're M7, like any other similar cavalry unit.
+ They can serve fine as s bus to transport our precious cowboys.
+ They cause fear.

On the other hand:

- They're expensive/more expensive than any other similar cavalry units.
- Our spears cost a ridiculous amount of points.
- Our skinks still have not cracked the enigma code and found the schematic to make lances.
- They're "only" AS2+ and cannot, for whatever reason, be upgraded further since, apparently, heavy armour is another mystery for our dear skink blacksmiths.
- While our front rank is loaded with attacks our second isn't and thus they mostly just work as extra wounds for the front.
- We lost the option to take a magic banner. Apparently *someone* figured they where already too powerful.
- Stupidity. Even with Ld8 and cold blood this will come back and haunt you when you need it the most.


Did I miss anything?

So, lets enlighten the nubs (me!) and convert the naysayers

 

[Eladimir]

In most of my lists recently I have a floating 150 points that gonna be for COR, Bastildon or Ripperdactyl and I haven't decided what yet.

From my couple of games experience with the 5 COR they have been put on the far flank looking to clean up chaff and hopely hit the flank of something I've got pinned with stegs or core troops.

G1 - Swept the flanks and got a chariot in the side I'd been picking on with shooting, then hit the flank of a spearman block that was gonna flee but at least I had swiftstride to help chase it down

G2 - Put it in front of an Abomb with my scarvet cowboy forgetting it has impact hits. Poor choice

G3 - Flanks again, failed stupid on first round, charged an eagle on the second (two CoR died to the eagle attacks in some freak rolls), charged a star dragon no rider next round and actually surived with one model left to pin it so I could crush it with an ancient steg.


So mixed results, the big thing I was finding or scared me from using him in other ways is with such low init if you put them into anything hard they can die before they go and then wiped out next round. Vs things they can handle safely (S3 troops) our core deals with that just fine. Next the bastildon

 

[n810]

#1 Calvery =/= Knights.
(They Dont have lances they don't strike first)
(they will win on the 2nd or 3rd round of combat)

Don't riun them in multiple ranks, go wider instead
(or make a second unit)

don't engage killing blow or high strenght units
(Just don't)

Do charge other calvery and support units or monster
(providing the monster don't have too many high strenghts attacks)

Do charge large combat blocks in the flank when the unit is engaged in the front
(this greatly reduces the attacks coming back at you)

Do cast suport spells on them or hexes on their prey
(default spells from heavens and beast work wonders)

Allways try and get the charge, even if they don't have spears
(because most of the units they will be targeting get major bufs for charging)

Do run them with character support
(Scar-vets, Old Blood cowboys, and/or BSB's)

Too expensive ? then drop the spears
(they only help for one round after all)

Don't forget about predatory fighter
(wih that many attacks you will most likely be rolling some 6's)

Do run them near Solar powered Bastilidons
(Initive 3 ain't half bad)

You onlt have to take stupidity test when you aren't fighting
(don't be afraid to destroy some chaff if you have nothing better to do)

Try and take out the enemy BSB.
(they are more likely to fail fear checks when they don't get a re-roll)

 

[Eladimir]

Well put and nice colours.

 

[olderplayer]

CoC are basically Temple Guard models on cold ones. I don't understand why they would not have light armour + shield for 1+ AS. or a halberd or even great weapon option without shield option. Given GW trend to customization, that would make sense (except for decision not to produce a new plastic kit with such options). You now have the option of not having spears or having spears for slightly less cost than in old book and gain +1 attack from the mount and have PF.

Rather than using as a flanking force, consider using as a unit to clear chaff, starting out within range of BSB or general (both if Slann) for first two turns or at least until they charge something, possibly to babysit a cowboy model at the start. Cold blooded LD 8 is almost as good as normal LD 10. They will keep fast cav units and certain other light units from getting closer to your army. With TG units cheaper, it makes sense to work CoC with sallies and skink and Krox units to deal with chaff and threaten flanks and clear the way for the larger TG and saurus units. and then to use as a finishiing unit. They make a good screen for Krox unit when facing BS shooting armies (TK massed archers, high elf archers and RBTs, and dark elf RXB warriors and RBTs). Another use iis to break up and hold up tar pit units, like skaven slaves, flanking gnoblars that have traps, and zombies which will struggle to wound them and will tak a lot of hits and wounds from the 4 attacks per model, forcing them to take break tests early and pinning them back so as to allow you main units to come forward and take on the units you need to deal with.

With repeater bolt throwers making a comeback along with cannons and hellblaster volley guns and some lore of metal being seen, you really want to keep this unit cheap and reduce its footprint by running in a single rank. to max out the utility.

 

[Pinktaco]

Here's a thought - some people have talked about how full attacks from second rank *might* be allowed in 9th edition BRB. That would give us 40 attacks with 10 COR. Carry the skavenpelt banner and a champion and it would be 63 attacks.

I could live with that, but for now it is just wish listing.

 

[Pinktaco]

I just thought of something. Going will full attacks from ranks makes no sense. All our saurus units would bring a ridiculous amount of attacks. I mean, a regular spear unit, 6 wide would hit with 3 x 12 attacks haha. I dunno why people have mentioned it to begin with

 

[Lizardmatt]

Here's a thought - some people have talked about how full attacks from second rank *might* be allowed in 9th edition BRB. That would give us 40 attacks with 10 COR. Carry the skavenpelt banner and a champion and it would be 63 attacks.

I could live with that, but for now it is just wish listing.

Dear god I hope not.
I really don't want to face the witches that throw out 120 ASF poison attacks due to horde formation. It's ~58 wounding hits. Razorbanner or not, that will murder most anything.
Although that would explain GW's pricing of them at $60 for 10...

-Matt