Squig herds don't require squigs? AKA Exploding Goblins!

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**Cannerus_The_Unbearable**

So I'm reading the OnG book and the only thing I see indicating that a squig herd must contain a squig is the sentence "Squig herds are composed of both Night Goblins and Squigs," though it doesn't outright say a minimum number to take. Question 1: Based on precedence, do I have to take any squigs? Not a huge deal one way or the other, honestly.

My point: My unit of either 10 goblins or 1 squig and 9 goblins deals D6 Str 5 Hits to every unit within 2d6" when it flees or when all the goblins die. Awesome. I'm picturing an appropriately modeled goblin suicide bomber squad here

Edit: they don't fear elves, hate dwarves and are immune to psychology as well. Whoo!

**kirsanth**

Amazing.

If not, I am missing it too.

**curran12**

I believe (this is coming from experience playing against a LOT of Night Goblins, and I don't have a codex on hand) that the squigs need to be alive when they break in order for explosions. So you'd need to have enough squigs to survive whatever they hit first, and not all die.

**Cannerus_The_Unbearable**

I think you might be right upon second glance. I really don't like thematic wording where precise wording would be clearer and easier to break and cause unintended ridiculous things to happen

Either way, is it worthwhile to have Gobbos that trade their shield for being immune to psychology, not fearing elves and hating dwarves to you? If so, welcome to the party.

**curran12**

Oh don't get me wrong, Squig Herds are all kinds of awesome.

They can cause serious damage if they live...and if they don't. It's a win-win for cheap gobbos. :3

**kirsanth**

I think I blocked out part of your question after seeing it.

I just meant that it looks like the squigs are entirely optional in the unit.

The rest seems to be posted too now.

**Cannerus_The_Unbearable**

That was a universal you, mind

It's cool that the unit is flexible like that. Anyway, this is pretty much resolved.

**Lordhat**

From what I can see of the posted rule, the unit doesn't require squigs to deal the str5 hits if it flees.....

**Cannerus_The_Unbearable**

"The Squigs go wild..." is the bit that threw me. I wish the rules were more precisely worded.

**Warpsolution**

Yeah, it's a little vague, by RaW. Compared to what happens when the unit pops if not in combat, though, it's much clearer.

Also, doesn't the unit size say something like up to two herders per three squigs?

Finally, I think the reasons Night Goblins are good are Nets and Fanatics. Otherwise, just get some regular goblins. A no-squig squig herd is a slight variation on a naked block of night gobbos, without any of the options that makes them good.

**Buttlerthepug**

I was thinking the same thing about their unit size Warpsolution, however, it appears that is not the case.

Unit Size
10+ (must have at least one Night Goblin for every three Cave Squigs)

So I guess you could run just 10 Night Goblins and no Squigs although that seems completely ridiculous.

Edit: You could argue that at least 1 Squig is required since on page 54 it says that "Squig Herds are composed of both Night Goblins and Squigs"

**Warpsolution**

Yeah...I'd have to say that tips the scales. It's not rock-solid, but it's pretty close. Minimum unit cost: 35pts. If it doesn't get shot, you could make the unit 5-wide, with gobbos in front, so the Squig survives and Goes Wild. Unless they've further refined wound allocation on mixed units?

**Buttlerthepug**

There are indeed rules for allocating shooting them.
I believe its 1-4 hits squigs and 5-6 hits the goblins, but I don't have the book on hand right now.

**Warpsolution**

I'm pretty sure too, but I was talking about combat. Normally, you can only kill the type of models that you're in base contact with, so if you put the Squig in the back, he'd survive and Go Wild.

**Johnny-Crass**

If you put one squig in there then it would make the unit very durable to shooting for one phase

**Warpsolution**

You mean with one extra, for two, or just one? Either way, 66% of all the arrows will veer away from the 8-9 gobbos and hit that poor Squig(s), denying the unit the ability to Go Wild.

**nosferatu1001**

Squigs go Wild doesnt require any squigs, however. Its just the name of the special rule.

The requirement is "the unit"; you just get a bonus for having multiples of 5 squigs

**Warpsolution**

I mean from shooting. If you want a tiny unit that does d6 S5 hits, 35pts will get you that, but a small volley of arrows will probably kill that Squig and make the unit a waste.

**HawaiiMatt**

Nice find.
You just discovered the new O&G special choice,
Black Goblins.
Immune to psych, along with an incredible resistances to the first burst of shooting, and a decent backlash if you break them in combat.

Since handlers are so cheap, why not run a block of 39 + 1 squig. At 125 points, I'd say it's pretty useful. Won't be panicked (ItP), likely to be steadfast for a bit, and dishes out those S5 hits when it does flee.

You could have them run on point in front of the night goblins with nets. You won't panic as the fanatics race through you into the enemy, and then you'll deal a little more damage as you break.

-Matt

**Cannerus_The_Unbearable**

I love that this is still here, and +1 Internets for "Black Goblins"

The shot protection aspect is pretty awesome.

Is "Cannerus Pattern Squig Herd" too catchy?

**Johnny-Crass**

I like it!
Cannerus Pattern Black Goblins.

**mrspadge**

like this idea and will certainly wind up my local group for a while by mentioning it

on a random note - you will still need to survive to have them flee and cause hits so i'd suggest more than 5 gobbos ;-)