8th Ed. Temple Gaurd and the Slann in the 2nd rank

[SanDiegoSurrealist]

A portion of this conversation was taken from another thread -

The other advantage TG have over saurus is the sacred duty rule. basically if you put your slaan in a saurus unit, he has to go in the front rank as per the rulebook. meaning he can be direct targeted. if he's in a TG unit he goes in the second rank. this can only happen with TG, and not only does the enemy have to kill EVERY TG before he can attack the slaan, the slaan is free to cast magic as normal.

Is that correct?

I was under the impression that the Slann had to move to the front rank is there were less than 5 Rank and File Models. Meaning that if all that is left is the Champ, Standard, Musician and 1 lone TG the Slann has to move to the front.

The rules state a rear rank can not be larger than a front rank, so as long as there are 2 TG in front of the Slann are they are just a 2 wide frontage?

 

[Gor-rok]

That's correct as far as I know. Our special rule doesn't say anything about the front rank being five or more models- just that the Slann is always placed in the second rank. Special rule trumps general rule, so we're good to go.

You'd be amazed at the number of times my Slann has been saved by this.

 

[Arli]

Mine too! Several games against Skaven, it has come down to my slann and 1 or 2 temple guard giving the slann the stubborn rule allowing him to pass all the panic tests regardless of how many units are in the combat. Then, after the temple guard are gone, double 1s. Cold Blooded FTW!

 

[Gor-rok]

Then, after the temple guard are gone, double 1s. Cold Blooded FTW!

Yup! My first tournament ever in 7th ed., Slann & Friends ran into the Blood Knight super battle star. After three turns of grinding, I was down to two TG. Thinking I was done for, I had both my skink priests drop comets right on the Slann's position- Then rolled double 1's on my next break test. You can guess the rest...

 

[mixer86]

Yet aanother reason why TG ARE worth the extra points over saurus.

Yours Aye

Mixer

 

[Lugoffo]

Yes, I just won my game two days ago because I had one TG champion left with my slann against 15 orcs (last round ). It's a lifesaver.

 

[SanDiegoSurrealist]

So just to belabor the point:

It does not matter that the Slann is on a 50mm and the TG are on 25mm, as long as there is at least 1 TG left the Slann is in the second rank and can not be targeted in CC?

If that is the case I have been playing it wrong for a long, long time.

 

[Arli]

Bear in mind that on a flank or rear charge (with only 2 TG) that the slann will be targeted.

 

[Gor-rok]

Just to play on the safe side, I move the Slann up when there's only one Guard left, to abide keeping the back rank smaller than the front. At this point in the game though, it's usually better to absorb some attacks with the Slann- You're stubborn as long as that last Guard is alive.