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I am just about to build the skeletons from my battalion and Im wondering whats better for the skeletons? They're just going to be charged and killed horribly and constantly renewed, so the bonus from the spears appeal to me but what do people normally arm them with?

Many thanks, Gir.

Ultimately it comes down to personal preference but there are a few considerations when choosing how to arm your skeletons. Skeletons are poor fighters and generally not going to be winning any combats on their own without the aid of a character.

Sword & Board:
- Provides a little more survivability with the 6+ parry

Spears:
- No change in armor save and allow an extra rank of weak attacks. Combine this with Helm of Commandment, Flaming banner, & a little VDM and your skeletons have a little more offensive capability.

It really comes down to preference and what your trying to do. If you plan on making them sacrificial lambs then go sword and board to make them slightly more survivable and cheaper. I tend to use mine in a little more offensive role so I prefer spears.

I'd only consider spears in a large unit, backed up with the helm, flaming banner as suggested above, and even then, I'd want some magical boost, such as van hels, razor, or wild form.
You need boosts to make those spears worth it, and if you can only boost 1 unit, that unit should be big to maximize your effect.

Generally though, I like skeletons as bunkers for necromancer and standards, and use ghouls for offense.

-Matt

Well the main plan is for them to march forward and ideally charge, but most likely take it whilst being supported by HoC and VDM, so looks like spears are the way too go!

Although I do love the look of skeletons with HW's, may need to buy acouple more boxes