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So, with rumours of a new O&G army book i thought this would be a fitting time to have this sort of thread. Animosity is a thing often complained about by O&G players, but I, partly due to being a non-competetive player, don't really mind, although it's frustrating to have a unit falter at a crucial moment, it makes Orcs and Goblins what they are, and it's a crucial part of their background. So, that in mind, i've come up with two ways to fix it while still making it fit their background. These suggestions use the current animosity table.

1) Where's da fightin'?:
This isn't a new rule, but would be part of the animosity rule. Although orcs often fight amongst themselves, they'd much rather get stuck into the enemy where they can really bash sum 'eads. To represent this if an orc unit is within 10" of another enemy unit then it may re-roll a squabble result for its animosity test. This does not apply to goblins as they are just as happy not to fight anyway.

---possible changes for this include, shortening the range (you'll spend a lot of time reasonably close to the enemy, so i think a longer range may make animosity minor) or making it ignore animosity, or both---

2)'Eadbasha +10pts:
Any orc champion (except black orcs) may take a 'eadbasha. An 'eadbasha is essentially a big stick or club which does exactly what it says on the tin. When an orc unit with an 'eadbasha rolls a squabble result for animosity, the boss attempts to restore order by bashing some heads. The unit takes a wound (armour saves allowed) and may re-roll its animosity test (counting a roll of a six as a 2-5), if this is also a squabble then even the boss's 'eadbashing can't keep them in order.

---possible changes include changing the hits (D3 S4 hits? D3 wounds? Armour saves allowed or not? etc...), changing the points cost and ignoring the result instead of re-rolling it---

Comments appreciated.

I think you either need to reduce the impact of a "failed" roll or make it less likely. As it stands, a unit not doing what you plan a third of the time is a bit much.

Something where it had smaller effect but was difficult to mitigate would be good. I remember the previous book- animosity basically seemed like a joke to me. Black Orc Bosses everywhere basically meant I very, very rarely ever saw animosity have any effect. Couldn't blame the Orc players, but if the book makes players try to write lists that revolve around trying to avoid one of the characteristic rules of that same army, something's wrong.

I'd like to see something like taking an Ld check, and if the unit fails then it has to roll on the standard Animosity table.

While Ld 7 base for Orcs and something around 4-5 for Goblins makes this highly-unlikely, the fact that they can use the General's leadership or the leadership of a character in the unit, as well as re-roll if they're within BSB range helps even it out, IMHO, but then again, it's just a suggestion.

Worst comes to worst, and easy was to solve it is D6 hits on the unit at the base strength of the majority of the models on a roll of 1 on the chart.

Here's what I'd do.
Roll D6 for each unit (exclude warmachines, and black orc) but everything else, (including trolls, giants, squigs...).

1. The unit must declare a charge against the nearest enemy, if it can legally do so.

2-5 no effect.

6. Roll an extra die, and drop the lowest on any charge this unit declares this round.


So a 1 forces charges you might not want to make, while a 6 gives you better reach for charges. Either way, at least the army can keep moving forward.
Along with that, I'd add this for orcs and goblins:

Size Matters:
Snotlings do not cause panic.
Goblins only panic other goblins.
Orcs only panic orcs and goblins.
Black Orcs never panic from friendly units.

Waaaagh!
Orcs and Black Orcs in horde formation gain devastating charge.
Goblins charging the flank or rear of an enemy gain devastating charge.



This would make a massed infantry army different from the other 3.
Empire has parents supported by detachments.
Skaven goes narrow and deep for leadership.
Beasts usually go narrow for steadfast, or smaller for ambushing.
Orcs would want to go wide, for the extra killing power, while at a loss of holding power should they lose combat (very orcy).


-Matt

Cryonicleech wrote: While Ld 7 base for Orcs and something around 4-5 for Goblins makes this highly-unlikely, the fact that they can use the General's leadership or the leadership of a character in the unit, as well as re-roll if they're within BSB range helps even it out, IMHO, but then again, it's just a suggestion.

Actually, incoporating the general into it somehow is a good idea, as the general will be able to intimidate the orcs into behaving or make the orcs want to impress him.

I'd like a mix of Cryonicleech and HawaiiMatt's ideas.

Ld save modified by the general's LD (he is the boss after all) at the beginning of the turn.

Unlike normal LD checks, every unit that is over 50% its starting number or is not within 12" of an enemy can use the general's LD even if not within 12" of the general (greenskin hoards are very driven by the boss, right?)

then those who fail roll the LD check roll on HawaiiMatt's chart.

Of course since Orcs always want to get in a fight, I also think they should have swiftstride rules for charges only. But that is just me.

My only issue is that a LD test on basically the general's LD is just too likely to be a pass, which is not what it's about really. How about the closer the unit is to the general, the easier it is to pass. So if you're within 6" of the general, you test on his LD, if you're within 6-12" you test on the general's LD-1, and then take off one for every six inches (to a minimun of the units own LD obviously).

I was also thinking this could be improved by a new special rule for Gorbad, so you test on his LD within 0'12" and LD-1 within 12-24" or something like that.

I guess the question I have is: why is it a problem, exactly, as it is currently written? Is it really broken as-is?