8th Ed. salamander tactics

[nightmareius]

i would like to know the best way to use 1 unit of 3 salamanders in a battle, and also the best way 2 use 2 units of 3 salamanders.

 

[helipilot13]

I think most people will tell you to break up the single unit of 3 into 2 units. They might also tell you that 2 units of 3 is overkill and a waste of points due to the diminishing returns. This depends on the rest of your army. With a saurus army, using that many points on salamanders might not be the best tactic because this will cause your saurus units to be smaller. However, with a skink army it might be ok.

To answer the other part of your question: I run my salamander units next to one another on a flank. I know most people say that they prefer to have them away from one another so they can focus on different units and force more panic tests, which I think is a sound tactic, however my personal experience makes me disagree.

With the new BSB re-roll rules, I find it rare that my opponent runs from the panic caused by the salamanders. Also, there are a lot of races and units that are immune to psychology, which negates the panic ability of the fireball. This is where I like to have a lot of salamanders to just kill stuff, and not worry about psychology.

I do however like what a some people are doing. Running 2 units of 2 with extra handlers. This offers a good balance between point cost, panic tests, killing ability, and not having to take a monster reaction test. I would start with that technique until you get a feel for your army and the salamander strategy. Good luck.

 

[nightmareius]

thanks for that, i will have to think more on it before i buy too many of them me thinks. anyway thanks youve helped heaps

 

[Cobra7]

To tack on to this thread:

How far out do you guys like the Salamanders? So far I am finding that 8 inches out on the flank is ideal. What about you guys?

 

[nightmareius]

well i havnt used them yet but for a decent flanking unit 6 should be fine

 

[sevensevensare49]

I always seem to roll an 8 on the artillery dice for my Salamander attacks, 3 out of 3 so far. And as far as I know the template is 8 inches long, so I've gotten some ideal toasty rolls for my Sally's. Nearly brought down a Hell Pit Abomination single handedly last game

To answer Cobra's question though I'd personally want to be 6 inches away ideally for max casualties, that way no matter what you roll you'll fry something.

 

[Leokill27]

Last weekend I played a 2v2 Lizzies and empire vs HE and chaos warriors.

The empire swarmed the chaos and my lizzies took the HE's. My salamander took on a unit of swordmasters , I shot them in the first turn and killed 9. They ran like a little girl... who was burning, off the table in turn three. not rallying once.

I had my lone salamander *ik, i need another at least!* was 6 inches to the left of my saurus spears and I placed them in a forest and shot from there.

1 salamander 75 points. Unit of swordmasters 350ish with a hero in it i think.

If you can, use terrain to protect your sal, or channel enemies into a firing zone. You cant go wrong

 

[Josh Ichimaru]

I like to trun 2 units of sallys with 2 in them each and both with 1 extra handler per sally, although if I cant afford 4 salamanders i just run 2 seperate ones.... I dont like odd numbers.

 

[Xlcontiqu]

I run two units of one salamander. I put them wherever the juiciest targets are, but tend to put them on the flank to keep them safer. Definitely a worthwhile investment and they have proven their effectiveness time and time again.

 

[Cobra7]

after thinking about it, I think 8 inches is best.

If you roll a 2, then you get 2 inches on the unit with the large end. However if you roll a 10, then you overshoot by only 2 inches as opposed to 4 as you would with 6 inches out.

Pretty much at 8 inches out, you have a 50% chance to cover more area with your template. At 6 inches out you have a 33% chance to get max coverage.

Maybe if I was shooting at a horde formation, I would do 5 out, but a 5 front I would do 8. Set up some models and see for yourself.

 

[nightmareius]

valid point. thanks for all the help guys now i just need to buy some to test it out

 

[Leokill27]

I also run a unit of 2 salamanders, but you have to remember, You can only force a unit to take 1 panic test per turn, as after they have passed it, they've grown a pair. Usually though if you get the right angle of attack, You can over-extend the shot across the battle line and pwn some moar noobs!!!

 

[1968yearofmetall]

I´m planning to buy another salamander and field it together with my other one. l love to burn big low ld- units, like skaven, gobbos etc, and just watch them run for their lives!!

 

[Leokill27]

I played High Elves yesterday. My salamanders took on pheonix guard, they ran! I followed and kept shooting. They rallied just before the end of the table on turn 3 with only a handful left. Also managed to catch a few swordmasters in the fire!


They were charged by said Swordmasters and that was that. Just shows how amazing they can be AND how dependent I think they are on using terrain