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.

I'd be tempted to do Power Blob DKoK....but the monetary costs alone make my brain hurt.

This isn't actual advice as much as thinking outl oud but the GL feels like the best overall choice for a Power Blob.
+ Its cheap
+ It can do something to most transports out there
+ As a blast, it matchs up perfectly with the basic Lasgun for anti-infantry firepower
+ It has the longest range of any special weapon if you're moving, which most PB are doing (right?)
- Its not as reliable at busting tanks or putting wounds on targets as a Melta or Plasma

Overall, I think its the best option.

ElCheezus wrote:One point I want to put out in favour of 21-man blobs is that if you feel you need a bigger blob (because of the mission objectives or the army), you can just combine the two of them into a 42-man. With 31's, you're probably taking a platoon for each of them, and don't have the option to decide "it's mega-blob time."

Edit: That is, unless you play DKoK, who can take six PIS per platoon, for some reason.

I really can't think of a more expensive way to blob than DKoK. At $60 a squad, you're talking $197 per blob ($17 for the commissars). Assuming you take three of them... that's $800 for your troops. Holy crap.

That said, the DKoK commissars are the sickest looking models out there. Hot diggity damn.

Bah, just proxy it for a few games or something. I'm sure having a S10 AP 1 no-center-of-blast melta pieplate popping up and removing terrain for 50 points would get old after a couple games. . . maybe. . . Same with the hidden power fists, double attacks, FNP and no need for Commissars. ::yawn::

ElCheezus wrote:Bah, just proxy it for a few games or something. I'm sure having a S10 AP 1 no-center-of-blast melta pieplate popping up and removing terrain for 50 points would get old after a couple games. . . maybe. . . Same with the hidden power fists, double attacks, FNP and no need for Commissars. ::yawn::

Or buy the Wargames Factory Shock troopers for an eighth of the price. >_>

if i ever take any heavy weapons squads, i always hide them in my infantry. heavy weapons squads alone are very likely to run away because of thier poor leadership. I would normaly use autocannons but it's up to you what you want to take, anything works.

Making a purposefully inflammatory comment, which you did, is trolling.

If you yourself had said things in a constructive manner (as you've requested of us), things might be different.

Although, to be honest, even politely saying "blobs are a bad investment of points compared to vets" in a thread about the best way to build blobs could still be considered pretty inflammatory. You're quite pointedly trying to stir up a hornet's nest, and that's "troll'n" at it's core.

I think the 30 man power blob is the minimum you want for a power blob 40 is also decent cause your guardsmen your gonna take casualties so what all of you can't fight, you probably swing slower and lost some men before you swing so those extra 10 are more buffer wounds.

Back when I did run power blobs I ran them like this
Platoon Command 3-4 melta guns sometimes in Chimera
1 infantry squad melta gun, las cannon/auto cannon, sarge w power weapon, commisar with power weapon, vox
2-3 infantry squad melta gun, las cannon/auto cannon, sarge w power weapon

You want melta guns to put in front of the blob so you have something to do if someone tries to tank shock you. You also splice in the platoon command and their 4 meltas in the front. Las cannons or auto cannons are included since I use the blob to sit on my objective since blobs outside of cover are pretty bad. ordering bring it down on ld 9 is pretty good.

I never put in voxes cause I wanted my company command and platoon commands to have the max amount of meltas if possible although there wasn't always points.

ElCheezus wrote:Making a purposefully inflammatory comment, which you did, is trolling.

If you yourself had said things in a constructive manner (as you've requested of us), things might be different.

Although, to be honest, even politely saying "blobs are a bad investment of points compared to vets" in a thread about the best way to build blobs could still be considered pretty inflammatory. You're quite pointedly trying to stir up a hornet's nest, and that's "troll'n" at it's core.

hmm, i see.. thankyou, i have edited my first post so it is more constructive. It sucks how people can take you out of context on the internet because if you don't word your post correctly them even the most kind hearted things can sound either sarcastic or rude...

Thanks for all the replies everyone! So It's sounding like you want a 30 man squad, with one commissar with power weapon per squad, and perhaps a ministorum priest. Sound about right?

loota boy wrote:Thanks for all the replies everyone! So It's sounding like you want a 30 man squad, with one commissar with power weapon per squad, and perhaps a ministorum priest. Sound about right?

There's debate about the virtues of 20 man squad versus a 30 man squad, as well as debate about the efficiency of the Priest. However, the basic idea is right.

With several armies having an ability to pick out a model, a second commisar in a power blob may be a good investment so you don't lose stubborn the first time an eldar player mind wars you.

doubled wrote:With several armies having an ability to pick out a model, a second commisar in a power blob may be a good investment so you don't lose stubborn the first time an eldar player mind wars you.

Maybe something like 1 Commissar for every 20 Guardsmen?

Maybe have aa Lord COmmissar running around to back up any squad that's lost its Commissar?

ElCheezus wrote:One point I want to put out in favour of 21-man blobs is that if you feel you need a bigger blob (because of the mission objectives or the army), you can just combine the two of them into a 42-man.

Right, or you also have the option of keeping them as 21's and then just running them near each other. Proper fieldcraft can basically turn 2 20's into 1 40. It's part of the flexibility benefit of the 20's.

ElCheezus wrote:... you can just combine the two of them into a 42-man. With 31's, you're probably taking a platoon for each of them, and don't have the option to decide "it's mega-blob time."

O Muse...

haha, you know what would be fun? max out your infantry slots with platoons that are all maxed out of options.... what an amazing sight...

Monk1junk1 wrote:haha, you know what would be fun? max out your infantry slots with platoons that are all maxed out of options.... what an amazing sight...

2000 standard Guardsmen. 206 Commissars. 6 PCS's. I dread to think how many Chimera's.

In total it all adds up to only 12 Kill Points, not including Chimera's.

Ailaros, I do believe that picture is getting saved into my 40k folder.

In my 2500 point list( i hope to have eventually...) I have a guardsmen platoon of 40 men, each squad with a power weapon, one commissar with a power weapon. Imagine Making Al'rahem the leader of said platoon...

I would say run 2 commisar in any platoon over 20, the extra power weapon attacks are nice as well.

Lonecoon wrote:

ElCheezus wrote:Bah, just proxy it for a few games or something. I'm sure having a S10 AP 1 no-center-of-blast melta pieplate popping up and removing terrain for 50 points would get old after a couple games. . . maybe. . . Same with the hidden power fists, double attacks, FNP and no need for Commissars. ::yawn::

Or buy the Wargames Factory Shock troopers for an eighth of the price. >_>

Problem is only that the W.F Shock Troopers are only 1/8th as cool as DKoK :(

I use my powerblobs with an extra 10 man meatshield unit in front.

I= meatshield
B= blob

I I I I I I I
B B B B B
B B B B B

Blob/inf unit are armed with grenadelaunchers or flamers. Meatshield unit gives cover to the unit behind and when the enemy assult the meatshield unit they mostly crush them in cc and will be left open for another turn of shooting. All heavy weapons are in HW teams because i want my "mobile" units to move. Hardly fool proof but works rather good in my gaming club.

Interesting tactic, with a sacrificial unit in front of your blob.

If I run into a list I know my blobs can't handle, maybe I'll combine my squads differently to provide a spare unit.

For example, the last time I was assaulted by Raveners, it did not end well. Same usually happens with Genestealers, if it's a large brood. Also, Thunderwolf Cavalry did not end up going well. In that case, though, shooting with plasma or something is a much better idea. But you get the idea. something to keep in mind.

Best special weapons with this tactic is either flamers or grenadelaunchers. Because you give your opponent 4+ cover there is a waste of points when you pay for AP2. Almost all enemy units already have 4+/3+ AS so it matters little for us.

It has helped me alot esp against tough CC units like genestealers where another turn of FRFSRF! really makes a difference. Relocating into cover is also very useful esp against Tyranids who lack offencive grenades on most of their units. Orks are another really good race to use this against, stand in open -> let them assult -> meatshield unit dies -> FRFSRF! into them when they are in open ground -> much more handable unit

Going the pro-line you will have either or both a PC with 4 flamers/grenadelaunchers and a 5-7 models stong unit of Rough Riders who flame first then countercharge.


I personally feel im the superior general when my opponent players suddenly fears S/T3 guardsmen in CC

Let more people see the shiny light of guardsmen with bayonets instead of just spamming meltavets and vendettas

How important are grenades to the squad, either the entire unit with Kraks or the single Melta? I feels like a cheap bit of insurance for walker tarpitting or popping the occasional vehicle but is it worth it?

I'd rather take the melta bombs, for this reason. The biggest threat to my powerblobs is AV12 walkers. TH/SS Terminators? I may not win, but I've got them tarpitted, and that's good enough for me. However AV12 walkers can tarpit ME, and that's the last thing I want. As others have said, blobs should have other thing to kill tanks with other than a grenade down the tail pipe, and your S4 frag grenades can glance the rear armor on most any vehicle anyway.

However, against an AV12 walker, the frag grenades won't do anything. Krak grenades are only S6, and aren't going to have a good chance to damage them anyway. Melta bombs give your squad it's best defense in close combat with a walker, since they actually have the possibility to damage it quickly. That's why I'd take melta bombs over krak grenades anyday.

They're not a necessity, but after the PW and Commissars, the melta bombs, or a Priest are the first upgrade I buy.

I don't ever really see the point behind buying grenades, myself. You can already do damage to a vehicle with Frag grenades. Good damage? No. But it's possible. When you buy Krak Grenades all you do is upgrade your squad's last role, as you're not likely to use blobs to take out vehicles. So you're only getting slightly better at your worst thing.

Against walkers, you need a 6 to hit with a grenade. You then need a 6 again to do anything. Even with 21 or 31 attacks, you're going to be tarpitted anyway.

With meltabombs, the story is slightly different. You're much more likely to do damage to a vehicle with two or three melta bombs in the group. However, it's still your blob's lowest priortiy. Against walkers you fare better, but instead of having 21 or 31 attacks, you've got 2 or 3: it'll still take forever to get out of the assault.

Basically, assaulting vehicles is pretty much the last thing you really want to do with your blob, unless you're using it to get extra movement. And you're going to be tarpitted by walkers no matter what you do, so even if you have grenades or MBs, you'll try to avoid them like the plague. Paying for something you really don't want to end up using always seemed like a bad idea to me.

Spend the points on better support units instead. It may seem like it, but blobs can't do *everything*

p.s. Priests make an exception to the "never assault vehicles" bit. They work pretty well, though they still don't help much with walkers.

I run 6 infantry squads as blobs, and it seems to me that the 30 points spent on melta bomb semi-insurance is a good purchase overall. Yeah, you want to avid walkers as much as possible, but your opponent is going to be trying to get his walkers in combat with you, and you can't always garuntee that you'll out manuver them. Blobs are big targets.

I'd rather have the assurance that I can have a chance of hurting the walker...if it was much more expensive, than of course I'd take the support units. But or 30 points? The insurance is worth it to me.

ChrisWWII wrote:I run 6 infantry squads as blobs, and it seems to me that the 30 points spent on melta bomb semi-insurance is a good purchase overall. Yeah, you want to avid walkers as much as possible, but your opponent is going to be trying to get his walkers in combat with you, and you can't always garuntee that you'll out manuver them. Blobs are big targets.

I'd rather have the assurance that I can have a chance of hurting the walker...if it was much more expensive, than of course I'd take the support units. But or 30 points? The insurance is worth it to me.

Especially if there happens to be a nearby Land Raider within "6..

To put it another way, I've never had the points. Even if I had 50 more points, I've got quite a few weapons I'd buy before MB or Krak on blobs. I'm sure they're a nice luxury, but I build squads based on minimum functionality to avoid bloat from upgrades, so I never get to add things like that until the list is done.

So the virtues of 30 man and 20 man blobs have been pointed out, but why not 40 man blobs? The idea is to outlast the enemy either way, so even though not everyone will get piled in it would still seem the extra bodies would help.

Currently my list has 2 platoons with 4 squads each. Would that be better run as 4 20 man blobs? 2 per platoon? Or one platoon with a blob of 30 and another blob of 20 with the second platoon having a blob of 30?

Also, when referring to the camo cloak giving the entire unit stealth, that only counts with the Lord Commissar right? Because it doesn't list commissars as having the ability to buy wargear. All it mentions is that "The Platoon Commander and/or Commissar may exchange his pistol and/or close-combat weapon for:"