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Before anyone says 'don't', please, well... don't!

I know I'm getting some in a week for my birthday (because my wife thought it was hilarious when she tried to text a relative to get some and predictive text called them 'namesakes' ) and I may as well try them out.

On the face of it they don't seem too bad - 160 points for 10 (including sgt), all with infiltrate, stealth, move through cover, 5+ inv and 2A each. Their biggest downfall, of course is a lack of power weapons/rending etc and the fact that they need a pain token to get ranged weapons. The upside of course is that if they can get a token, they get FNP and assault weapons.

The thought I had was to use them as an objective contesting unit. Infiltrate them into cover (preferably a building where their Stealth gives them a 3+ cover save) and look to either feed them a pain token via a haemonculus, or shoot up some nearby infantry and let them rush out and mop up. Either way they then get guns and are (for DE anyway ) very survivable. Now that they present a tougher target, keep them moving from cover to cover until they can get on/near an objective away from my main assault. If they are ignored they can run around the backfield, if not they've done their job by pulling the enemy from where I want to go.

Any thoughts? Has anyone had success with Mandrakes using any method?

They'll probably not make it into my regular list but I always like to know how to use everything just in case...

I think the primary challenge with the Mandrakes is getting them that initial pain token. Once they have it they suddenly become a lot more useful. I think you summed it up quite succinctly in your third paragraph; keep them in cover, use them to eat weakened squads and creep around the backfield being annoying.

Bear in mind, though, that heavy flamers will annihilate your Mandrake squad, so stay away from Hellhounds.

L. Wrex

The best list they can be in is one where they can start on the board and come in from reserves as need be. Also, if you have web way portals with them you can deside if you want to attack from the table edges or the portal. All in all I think they look very good. :-) You just need something smal to nible on or just charge some predators.

Mandrakes suffer from a few very annoying flaws.

One, the unit wants to start in cover (Stealth, Infiltrate, Move Through Cover), but has NO GRENADES so if it assaults out of that cover, you go LAST. Not good for T3, 5+ save troops. Even without that issue, you're looking at basic S4 attacks, nothing special.

Two, it starts with no shooting attack and no FNP, but to start them with a Haemonculus means you have to give up your Infiltrate/Outflank abilities.

Three, their leader is largely pointless, since he gets no wargear is really only there for a Leadership upgrade.

So, what do Mandrakes do? They sit in cover and offer pinning fire with 3+ (2+ if go to ground) cover saves. If you leverage this ability, they can have some use. For example:

*If you're running a webway list, position them near midfield, wherever you plan on having your portal dropped on turn one. Have a haemonculus hitch a ride, go 12", jump out and join the Mandrakes, and drop the portal. You now have a FNP shooting unit in cover near midfield, supporting your troops that come out of the portal.

*Likewise, you can have shooting, stationary units positioned behind in cover (preferably with FNP) Mandrakes to offer cover saves to the unit behind them. Leave gaps for Dark Lances, etc. to fire through and protect more valuable units behind them.

*Outflank: a fleet, move through cover unit can deal some damage to things such as Long Fangs or Devastators or stationary vehicles with rear armor 10. You will deal with the whole lack of grenades issue, but a large squad might be able to overcome.

Thus far, that's about as much use as I can grant for them. They are still pretty weak, especially compared to other elite choices like Trueborn or Incubi.

They are a cheap infiltrating unit 45pts for 3 and with a little knowledge of the order of play they become a very useful anti-scout device.

Infiltration happens before scout moves so you can infiltrate 3 Mandrakes 18" in front of your opponents scouting vehicles (valk/vendetta/baals and the like). Now your opponent gets his scout move but his move can't come within 12" of the mandrakes (with 2" spacing this is a 30" diamater circle actually an oval 30" at the widest and 25" at the narrowest). This prevents your opponents pulling a lot of scout move shennanigans and for 45pts it's not a bad if a limited use unit.

I think mandrakes work best in a foot slogger army. They seem to have a lot of similarity to Harliquins and I think they could compliment them very well.
Harlies are faster, so can make up for not being infiltrators (flip belts>move through cover). They are killier and have more defensive abilities, but cost more points especilly when kitted.

I think that mandrakes harlies and a talos would be a rather horrorfying flank for some armies.