Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

What tips would you have to make an effective henchmen list in smaller battles? I've been having trouble, even though they are said to be quite good. Should I just spam Melta Acolytes? Should I get transports, are they worth it for them? Any tips on the matter will be useful. Thanks.

Picture....

Five to Six 36-48" Demolisher Templates that only scatter 6" for a turn or two, 3+ cover saves on everything, 10-12 lascannons, the ability to reroll seize or force your opponent to do the same...a butt-load of crazy abilities and special rules...

Depending on the point level you mean by "small" starting to add dreadnoughts, a vindicare..

I haven't played it with it often, but I did have an opponent concede at the bottom of turn 1 last night, something only my Dark Eldar have managed to accomplish before.

Dashofpepper wrote:Picture....

Five to Six 36-48" Demolisher Templates that only scatter 6" for a turn or two, 3+ cover saves on everything, 10-12 lascannons, the ability to reroll seize or force your opponent to do the same...a butt-load of crazy abilities and special rules...

Depending on the point level you mean by "small" starting to add dreadnoughts, a vindicare..

I haven't played it with it often, but I did have an opponent concede at the bottom of turn 1 last night, something only my Dark Eldar have managed to accomplish before.

When I say 'small' I mean 800-1000pts, so it is considerably less flexible.

First off, I have an article in my signature all about henchmen and their uses.


For low point games, henchmen lists can be a little tricky. I presume you are taking Coteaz?

Here are some suggested units.

1) Psybolt Aassault Cannon Razorback with 5-6 Cultists in it.
You move up the board shooting away with your "Faux Psycannon" and fortitude. Then when anything gets close, the DCA jump out and assault You will not need the power of a full squad+character unit in small games. 6 cultists average 8 dead marines on the charge.

2) 2x Jokaero, 3x Meltaguns, add bullet catchers to taste (up to 5 bolter/storm bolter dudes) Mount in a Chimera
This unit might be better in small games as it has the ability to take on a variety of targets. Long range anti-tank (lascannons), close range anti-tank (meltaguns and multi-meltas), Mid range anti-infantry (storm bolters/bolters) and short range anti-infantry (heavy flamers). Any of the Jokaero Upgrades can be useful here as well.
WARNING: this is a little bit pricey for a henchman unit.

3) Psykers can be great, but they can also be terrible. Against eldar with runes of Warding, they will just kill themselves. Against other lists then can be great. Try 8 of them in a Rhino. You only need one fire point and it has fortitude so they can keep shooting when it is stunned. A list with 6 squads of them is not a TAC list at all, but it can be fun.

4) Where to put coteaz?
I have decided that he is not really a combat character. Hammerhand is okay, but sanctuary and his reseve shooting ability are nice as well. Sanctuary can keep your vulnerable shooting units out of a dangerous assault.

6 DCAs on the charge equal 4 dead MEQs, not 8 - provided they do not have to assault through cover, which would cause them to lose 1 assassin or so before they hit.

6 DCA get 4 attacks each

24 attacks. hit on a 3+

16 hits. wound on a 4+

8 wounds, no saves.

8 dead marines (on average of course)

Where did I go wrong?


This assumes that you are not charging through cover and the target unit is WS 4 and T 4.

Thanks for the comments svendrex, that article is very useful.