Dave wrote:
Unupgraded swarms are going to have a tough time with assaults, yes. They're intended to be upgraded for on of the reasons you brought up: to put hits on the bigger stuff and get some saves.
Can't say I agree with that intention as I like the feel of lots of gaunts. Like waves of brood creatures being pushed forward by the hive mind. What I'm after is increasing the power of gaunts heavy swarms basically. I think my suggestion would make medium or large size swarms more attractive.
Dave wrote:
I haven't run into wanting to hold Hormagaunts back from CC. If anything, I want the extra hit potential. I put the AV bugs up front, then Termagants, Warriors and Hormagaunts in most of my swarms. By the time turn 2 comes around I can usually manage the AVs in CC along with the Hormagaunts with their 40cm move
I also use that basic tactic of everything rushes forward on the march or double turn one. The holding hormagaunts back comes into play when I can't reach CC with my carnifexes/malefactors (quite a common occurence since a wise enemy pulls back from them/FF-assaults them first). I of course still move the AV's up front when I assault, but feel I have to stay behind with the hormagaunts since they're otherwise just easy kills.
Dave wrote:
The EA list had a "1/2 gaunts rule" at one point. It was the grot rule but only half of the brrod creatured killed counted for assault resolution. It was not well received by any of my opponents. Often times I wouldn't bother prepping or supporting (sometimes both) an assault when I knew I could count on little to no "kills" on the bugs in resolution. Your suggestion is a lot more elegant and less powerful, definitely try it out. I'm not sure it would get much support in my group, but if more people are interested I'm sure I can get someone to playtest
Ok, fair enough I will test my idea and try to make a report.