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hello all so i was wondering what is the best way to use shadowblade? or for that matter any assassin? with shadowblade is it better to put him in an enemy unit or one of yours or have him scout. when is the best time to reveal them? thanks in advance for your replies

He's great in an enemy war machine...like the Anvil.

Bat Manuel wrote:He's great in an enemy war machine...like the Anvil.

an Anvil of Doom is a single model of US5, you cannot replace any of the guards with your assassin - invalid place.

Any other war machine is fine.. until it misfires on turn 1 before you reveal Shadowblade and then he blows up with the crew and you give a free 300 points to your enemy.
It happens.

Other assassins are incredibly overpowered for their point costs, gaining 5-7 attacks at high strength or with an almost guaranteed killing blow thrown in - plus Cauldron of Blood blessing just to add to the punishment.
I've played one list where I had 2 assassins, they killed so much stuff together it was plain ridiculous.

regular assassins are worth it, because of the points to lethality ratio. Shadowblade costs similar to a lord level character, and is unlikely to get to kill his points worth.

Shadowblade is good in larger games for taking out armies that are dependant on their general such as Orcs and VC. Put him in the same squad a general is in, reveal and try to take out general. He does cost a lot of points so this is like scarificing a queen to take out a king in chess.

He isn't really any good at taking out characters compared to a normal assassin. he only gets 4 attacks, one use of a potion of strength, and killing blow. With KB, you don't have many chances at it with him though you can get high S from the potion to get past armor. Doesn't really solve the problem of lords having 3 wounds and often ward saves. If you miss one attack, and they save one, their lord survives. Shadowblade only has a 5+ ward, and 2 wounds. He is very unlikely to survive getting hit back. I guess the large S3 blast is kinda nice, but not the greatest thing for 300 points to be doing.

On the flip side, being able to put a wound or two on a tough VC general early might make the rest of the game go easier. But you are hoping that getting those wounds won't cost you so much in other things that you loose anyway.

I don't think I'd take that gamble myself, but someone else might think it worthwhile.

ive had the gamble pay off in some games and not so much in other games

As many have stated, he's a risky gimmick, but if you think it's worth it, go for it.

However, I'm with notabot187, a regular assassin is better and costs less.