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So im working on several ideas, and i have to admit, im alittle stumped on what to go for between these two units. I want to use the Clan Rats, so i can attach the weapon teams to them, as they just seem like way too much fun to pass up. But then on the other hand, i want to have large blocks of infantry to tarpit my enemys, so im wondering, Should i take blocks of 50 Clan Rats, and attach teams to them? OR Should i take 50 slaves, then take smaller units of Clan Rats to attach weapons on to those? If i do go with this seccond option, for the CR's is the base 20 what i should be going with, or would it be a good idea to bulk them out alittle more to 30, or more then that? And with the slaves then, should i just keep them naked, or would spears for that extra 10 attacks be a good idea?

Any reason you can't do both? Take some slaves to block up and hold the enemy and clan rat blocks with weapon teams in support? Slaves are so, so, cheap it shouldn't be too bad...

My instinct on slaves is just to keep them cheap, though I know some differ on that- and figure if you're going to sit there for a long time you might as well hurl some more attacks in...

I prefer naked or shields on slaves. They're meant for tarpitting, not killing. Have to agree though no real reason not to take both unless you're really strapped for points (under 1500)

Even at 1,500 points, a unit of 50 slaves with musician runs a whopping 102 points. 106 if you want a pawleader for suicidal challenges that save slave lives. (There's a certain irony there...)

I run my clan rats in blocks of 40 generally, and that's worked out well. With hand weapon/shield they can survive a lot of damage while you wait for your doomwheel/HPA/plaguemonks/rat ogres/giant rat horde/whatever your killy unit is to slam into the flanks.

This is, of course, after your slaves have held them in place for all your shooting!

If you want to run clanrat heavy, try using a six-pack of naked engineers for the baiting role. Just throw them in front of the unit you want to delay, each one 1" in front of the next, and that will pin down most anything... so long as the general and BSB are there to keep them all from panicing.

It'll be a bit rough on the engineers, granted, but at that cost who cares?