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I'm working on putting together a DoC army since I've already got some old metal daemons from back in the Hordes of Chaos days and I'm not sure what is the best way to run Bloodletters. In lower point games I know that going 5 wide is the way to go because of point restrictions, but as you go up in game size is it worth going 6 wide or even 7? I'm thinking no because the extra attacks with KB isn't worth the points it'd take to get the extra file and it probably wouldn't offer that much of a difference over the 5 files in CC. Would the same logic hold true for the rest of the infantry that DoC offers as well?

in my tourney list I have 3 large units and 3 small units. the large units

19 Daemonettes with herald. If i need the rank I will stay standard, but depends on target.

24 Bloodletter with herald, I am running 5 wide to start, but may swap to 6 wide as needed, but unlikely.

34 horrors, with herald. I will run them 5 wide, unless I get a beast man ungor spam army with being able to at least pull out before they get on my tail.

Thats true, I forgot about the swift reform. How much more effective is an extra file overall though? I mean if it really doesn't add much to your combat then there isn't any reason to reform.

Lots of people run a large block of Bloodletters (40ish) in Horde Formation to very good effect.

I have a friend who runs a unit of 70 bloodletters in horde formation. Very, very, nasty.

I wouldnt say no to a block of 50 with a hearld defending the middle of the line. The only issue is that either the hearld has a 3+ save (not that great) or is cannonball bait.

3+5++ is pretty nice, especially considering he is like I 6 or 7 so will more then likely swing first (usually killing anything but a high point lord).

10x4 is really fun, and will wipe out just about anything.

So if you're going to go above 5 files then 10 is the better choice over 6-9 then? I figured that'd be the case, though having enough to go horde sounds really expensive. Especially once you add a HoK into the mix.

Well thanks everyone for the input. I'm gonna have to peruse through the army book some more to see where to go from here.

6 is handy, as it gets you an extra 2 attacks over most enemies. 10 wide is very scary, as they benefit hugely from horde compare to high attack / low quality units such as wyches.

+1 for the horde.

I like 2 formations.
Horde, and a unit of 12, 6 wide.
Both maximize attacks, and that is what bloodletters are all about.

After all, you have horrors for ranks; since you get an advantage for model count (wizard levels) but not a significant advantage for more attacks (WS3 S3).

-Matt

HawaiiMatt has my strategy down as well.

I have two large formations: horde formation of Bloodletters who love killin' lizardmen, and a deep formation of pink horrors who are a tarpit.

I try to run daemonettes in groups of 15 so they can take some causalities and still be obnoxious flanking, but playing against lizards mostly really keeps those girls from shining.

NOT going to deny that bloodletter hordes are point extensive, but it's hard to argue with 18-24 attacks that hate you, often hit on 3s, wound on 2s or 3s, killing blow on 6s (my champion has killed more Lizard Scar Veterans than my herald), and then give a -2 to their armor.