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I'm not sure if it's me that never really noticed before but placing a mech army in a spearhead formation would grant a cover save from head on for all but the lead tank.

Of course there are enemy units on the flanks but the 25% rule gives cover the majority of the time. It would require very careful placement for an opponant to deny a vehicle cover save.

If I was to put a demolisher as my lead tank, followed by two chimera behind in a triangle, followed by another two behind those, half exposed, half not. I could advance with little risk of losing transports. Of course the downside is if the lead tank is stalled due to a crew stunned result, then the formation grinds to a halt but does anyone else think this is quite an effective tactic?

I say no for the reasons of its actually easier to destroy vehicles now. Period.
If you run a spear head your vehicles are grouped close, large blast can potentially hit 2+ tanks with ease, with the 6th edition drop and all.. making blasts full str for the entire marker not just under the hole str 10 ap 1 or 2 blasts will not only have a good chance to hit multiple tanks, but to pen and destroy entire groups of tanks with ease. if an AP-1 penetrates it now has a 50% chance to blow up tanks if its ap 2 its 33% and glances will eventually pop them and if its lead tank... well now you have a dead tank to navigate around. forcing your vehicles some straight line movement loss OR causing them to split around the dead tank destroying the initial formation and plan of attack anyways.

yes NOT every army can do that, but the general armies of choice (marine chapters of any kind) can.
tyranids can.
Dark eldar kill vehicles pretty easy anyways
tau have the range and str and AP to effectively drop them front to back anyways

BUT with 6th edition grouping them is much more dangerous than before, not only that it makes the enemy focus fire in ONE direction rather than spread it out FORCING units to move into LOS etc.

vehicles are still very good but they are different. as noted blasts affect them very differently. Assualt also takes them out much quicker than before.

Formations are worse, template weapons pick them apart. For example my manticore ruined 3 chimeras that were clumped up in one of my latest games.

Don't forget that cover save is down to a 5+ now.

I personally would love to see a demolisher shell 3-4 chimeras at once

 Jihallah wrote:
I personally would love to see a demolisher shell 3-4 chimeras at once

basilisks with their indirect fire will likely hit side or rear armor. auto glance!