8th Ed. Skink Cohorts

[GCPD]

Has anyone tried using units of skink cohorts as re-directors instead of skirmishers? They are cheaper with a narrower frontage, but don't have the same maneuverability.

When you run them, do you bother with musicians?

 

[Eladimir]

I've seen cohorts used so they can have a cheap standard for blood and glory, but the twenty points you save for not being skrimisers isn't enough really.

 

[Arli]

I have used them like that before, but they usually die faster than I would like. Stick a couple of Kroxigor in there and make them about 24 strong, and they work a little better.

 

[Scalenex]

I have used them like that before, but they usually die faster than I would like. Stick a couple of Kroxigor in there and make them about 24 strong, and they work a little better.

Yeah but then it's not a redirector anymore, it's a supporting combat unit.

I never got this down myself, but apparently cohort redirectors are so useful in the hands of a skilled player that they are restricted in some lists (also by taking lots of 50 point units you get a lot of drops which helps you line up the rest of your army very effectively in deployment).

I tried to take a stab at different purposes with Skink Cohorts in this article.

http://www.lustria-online.com/threads/choosing-the-size-of-your-skink-cohorts.9790/

 

[GCPD]

Yes, I regularly run Skroxigor units in a supporting role. They usually have the unenviable task of finding the nearest unit of cavalry or big gribbly and making a beeline towards them in something I call "Operation Tarpit."

However, with the preponderance of Monstrous Cavalry recently, specifically Jugger Knights which I am likely to face often, Skrox just don't cut it. The beauty of Skrox is that they maintain a fine balance between dying in droves, whilst being cheap enough to still out rank Knights as the Kroxigor slowly whittle them down one or two models at a time. That balance is thrown all out of proportion against MC because they simply lose too many models to the sheer number of attacks, whilst not doing enough wounds to reduce the attacks back.

In short, I need to switch up my tactics and in Warhammer, if you can't beat them - redirect them. Cheap, 50 point redirectors seem ideal; but are they worth it?

 

[Stonecutter]

I generally field 3 units of ranked skinks with musicians and have had pretty good success with them. Remembering that they are a disposable unit, here is how I have found them useful:

1) redirectors - effective and you can generally get a couple rounds of shooting off before they get slaughtered. They always get stand and shoot so they get in at least a couple wounds.

2) fast cav/chaff killers - very good at keeping enemy redirectors and chaff units (lone razorgor, harpies, etc.) at bay or simply wiping them out with shooting.

3) free deployments - having 3 drops that are essentially irrelevant to the overall battle plan is useful.

4) combat vs other enemy chaff - While 6+/6+ doesn't sound like much, the addition of a rank & musician helps them again when fighting scouts or other units that are trying to delay or deflect your own offensive units. Against skirmishers, they will maintain steadfast until they are down to 4 models and thus they are more effective in combat than skink skirmishers. Ditto for going after war machine crews.

Overall, skirmish skinks are better at some of the above tasks due to improved mobility but I can field 3 units for the price of 2 (roughly) skirmish. Also, people really get annoyed with skirmish skinks while the ranked ones don't tend to cause the same reaction so fielding the ranked skinks also makes the game more enjoyable.

 

[david l]

the twenty points you save for not being skrimisers isn't enough really.

That is my feeling. Skirmishers are so much more mobile. And they can do other things, while 10 ranked skinks are nothing else.

 

[GCPD]

For those who use the 10 skink cohort, do you run musicians in them or not bother?

 

[Arli]

I usually do. The banner is good for things liked blood and glory (for the banner count). The musician could help with combat rez, I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. My cohort unit would be at least 15 though (like it matters with T2).