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Making a squad of infantry have one less than the others in your army list?

I've seen a few lists that people post that look like this:

20 boyz, nob,pk,bp 160
20 boyz, nob,pk,bp 160
19 boyz, nob,pk,bp 154

Does the last squad have one less boy just to have the extra 6 pts for another upgrade/unit or is there a tactical reason that I'm missing out on?

Sometimes it's to put an independent character in them and have consistent unit sizes. Sometimes you really just don't have the extra 15 points to give that last squad its 8th grey hunter.

If it's the orks we are talking about then it is likely this guy runs three Battle Wagons since the squads are in 20, and the size 19 is to fit an IC in the BW, more than likeley a KFF Mek.

Just as said above, sometimes it is for an IC to ride shotgun, or simply because you lack the points to fill out a squad. Not uncommon at all.

It does make a bigger difference if you're playing an army worth higher points to leave one out. Obviously dropping one Tactical Marine for an extra 15 pts is worth it, but with Orks I'd want to keep the Fearless from the Mob Rule going for as long as I can.

Dave-c wrote:If it's the orks we are talking about then it is likely this guy runs three Battle Wagons since the squads are in 20, and the size 19 is to fit an IC in the BW, more than likeley a KFF Mek.

Looking back on those lists they did run the Battlewagons and KFF, it just didn't click in my head. Thanks!

As people have said, either to get a few extra points, or to fit a unit in a transport.

Also, as far as the Codex Space Marines go, Tactical Squads only have access to special and heavy weapons if they're in a ten-man unit, and must have at least five. Assault Squads get one Plaspistol or Flamer per five men, and Termies get one special weapon per five men. Since Space Marine Transports carry six, ten, twelve, or sixteen men, the Razorback(six) and the Drop Pod/Land Raider(Twelve) are usually the favorite for squads that take an Independent Character in them.

An interesting thing happens with space wolves. You grey hunters can have 2 meltas if they are ten in number but if they are 9 they can then get a wolfguard leader and still fit into the rhino.

Also orks have that 29 grots do not need 3 runtherds compared to 30 which do.