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.

Some armies have problems. They may lack critical tools, they may have overcosted units, but a more common problem tends to be crowding out of one or two FOC slots. The Daemonkin codex shows this example through as the Heavy Support section has more unit choices than the Troop and Elite slots (twice as many Heavy Supports as Elites, for example); the Ork codex suffers from similar issues and wasn't done any favors when Lootas were moved to Heavy Support, which combined with general nerfbatting (and buff to Mek Gunz) ruled out Ork Walkers from ever being relevant.

Basically, the point of this thread is to propose moving specific units to a different slot, and justification. Example:

Proposal: Move Forgefiends & Maulerfiends to Elites.

Rationale: This allows a single Chaos CAD access to "reliable" long-range firepower outside of their Heavy Support Slot, and fast-moving assault outside of their Fast Attack, leaving more breathing room for the other two FOC-roles to do more with other unit-types. It enables Daemonforge-units across multiple slots to boot.

I've had the opinion that slots units that are unlocked in some form are much better ways to handle overcrowding, and also balance to some extent.

Want to take a squad of stern guard? They won't take an elite slot but you need two full 10 man tac squads to start. I also had the idea that two full Tac squads unlock a Dev or Assault squad as a troop choice also. Whilst these are space marine ideas as that's my most familiar army, this is in my opinion how it should be conducted to reduce congestion and improve balance and spam. Having to take 6 full 10 man tac squads so you can spam your stern guard alpha strike would limit cheese. Would also make the Tac units seem even less of a tax as well, there will be multiple viable targets for them in the opponents army due to the same sort of restrictions.

Obviously with this system, there would be lots of kinks to be considered and play tested, as viable troop destroying deathstars such as the gravstar would still be viable somewhat, so ways to limit them would need to be considered and options taken into account. Maybe requiring 3 x 10 man tac squads and STILL taking a heavy support slot for cents maybe.

Other ideas along this format, full guard platoons unlock a FOC free lemun russ etc etc...

The counter-argument to this;

A lot of new armies have their own detachments 'skewed' to reflect this - the Realspace Raiders with many heavy support, or the Covenite Coterie with many HQ slots.

The Khorne detachment has the ability to fill your auxiliaries with war machines - far more daemon engines than any normal CAD could field.

Equally, nothing stops you taking an unbound force if you want a fourth (or fifth, or sixth) heavy support. Yes, it costs you Objective Secured, but what you lose in tactical flexibility you gain in massive freakin' cannons.