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I never really find myself using large Squads, generally because there's no incentive for it.

Marines, 2 min squads will get you more special weapons if need be. Same with skitarii and most Imperium of factions. So far I've only used a 10 man squad once and that was a GK terminator squad so I could use Psybolt ammo on a DE raider

So do you guys use large Squads often?

0 incentives.

Always better to take MSU for CP generation, overwatch mitigation, special weapon limits.

Edit:
Maybe 1 or 2 max sized squads for better stratagem efficiency.

Necrons kinda NEED to use max squads to not lose on reanimation protocols. I actually loathe small squad size for some units.

I use large units with guilliman because it makes abusing his aura easier as I can chain it much farther. Ancient banner makes me auto pass morale anyways.

The main benefit to large units is like you said though - with stratagem use. Also psychic spells.

However plenty of units have no access to a good stratagem and then the MSU approach just makes more sense. More weapons / more Sargents.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 skchsan wrote:
0 incentives.

Always better to take MSU for CP generation, overwatch mitigation, special weapon limits.

Edit:
Maybe 1 or 2 max sized squads for better stratagem efficiency.

Large units over-watch better though.

 skchsan wrote:
0 incentives.

Always better to take MSU for CP generation, overwatch mitigation, special weapon limits.

Edit:
Maybe 1 or 2 max sized squads for better stratagem efficiency.

Ork boyz?

Scions, because of the rule of three for the officers?

In general the only reason to take large squads would be using powers, abilities, or strategems on them. Sometimes this is worth doing, but msu is the norm.

There are pros and cons to large squads - I find.

PROS:
+More models benefiting from a single stratagem.
+Easy to "string" an aura if you're trying to daisy-chain stuff.
+Fewer drops for deployment.
+Sometimes you're hiding a special or heavy weapon in the squad, so a few extra bodies helps protect them.
+Overwatching is generally a bit better.
+Rule of three now dictates you may want to bring larger squads if you want max bodies on the table.

CONS:
-More prone to Morale impact.
-Harder to fill out detachments to gain CPs.
-Opposing stratagems will be more pronounced.
-Effects which require a roll per model will be more painful.

I play Eldar and CSM so my average squad size is probably 7-8 models, and I only have one batch of Cultists which numbers a whopping 17. I don't know that I've ever used 20 guardians in a squad, but I would for the benefits they bring I guess. We play Tokenhammer though, so additional units mean more tokens, so that's another benefit (or con, depending...)

 Xenomancers wrote:
Large units over-watch better though.

This is reference to chain-charging where you use a more expendable units against units that pose above average overwatch threats - units already engaged in a fight via successful charge cannot overwatch for ensuing charges against them.

Seraphim - only one faith action to move them, might as well bulk it out.

Penitent engines - burning a re-roll on their coin-flip special ability is more efficient

Only if I can avoid morale and see if I can make better use of Strategems. I maybe only do that for Deathwatch troops and Skitarii, and then sometimes Necron Immortals for delicious MWBD.

With the ETC system of kill points for units killed diference up to 6 running MSU proves very difficult.

Yes. 30boys and tend to mob in another 10. No reason not to.

Dark Angels are more than happy to take larger squads since Grim Resolve laughs at morale. Ablative wounds on Devastators is apparently a thing, while Weapons From the Dark Age means that Inceptors, Hellblasters, and Black Knights all don't mind going big.

I play orks so I'm pretty much forced to. The only min squads I run are of grots.

BA stratagems encourage it for jumpack troops and DC. I have a few very old Marines I've painted with blue helmets in case I ever want to protect some Devastators but generally I'll run them as min squads to fill out detachments and such. Of course, with armies heavy in one particular battlefield role (I've a LOT of Elites) the chance to bulk up a squad means I could theoretically take more from other datasheets. My 2 assault Termie squads could team up to cut down on Elite slots used and only be one squad put in deep strike. Its swings and helter-skelters.

Depends entirely on the army and units in question. My Drukhari tend to play almost exclusively MSU, there's almost no units in the codex worth running with more than 10 models. On the other, my Tyranids much prefer maxed out squad where possible.

Current army runs only maxxed squad size. It is Necrons.

With my Tyranids I always try to max out squads where I can. Lots of good stratagems and auras to take advantage of, and sometimes its beneficial to block out my deployment zone from the odd deep strikers or whatever. Not to mention bonuses for squads over a certain number of models(Genestealers, Hormagaunts, Termagants, Venomthropes, Zoanthropes).

Admech skitarii have a few perks to max squads, but if im using them just for special weapons, I just do min squads.

With rangers and vanguard, if im going to give them an omnispecs (ignores cover), you get more bang for your buck (the cost per model of omnispecs/10 < cost /5). Also their overwatch strategem, wrath of mars, and the one that gives them +1/+2 to hit is a bit better with max squads.

If you need to go all out, using wrath of mars AND the +1/+2 combined with skitarri's damage/ap-bonus on 6+ can be pretty damaging with a full squad, but fairly worthless in a squad of 5.

With Daemons I usually use large squads for the reasons already mentioned. You can also buff a large squad with psychic powers. And you minimize drops to get +1 to who goes first.

I generally use minimum squads although I do use one large squad of guardians to deep strike. As other people have said use big squads if they are getting a stratagem or psychic powers on them, otherwise use minimum sized squads.

 roflmajog wrote:
I generally use minimum squads although I do use one large squad of guardians to deep strike. As other people have said use big squads of they are getting stratagem or psychic powers on them otherwise minimum sized squads.

Or if it is dirt cheap chaff that can bypass morale. (pre- nerf conscripts/ commisars come to mind)

Codex Discipline

40 Cultists x 3. I play them in a list with Abaddon to avoid morale issues.

The new rules for Tide of Traitors makes them a little less sturdy but they are still very, very good.

 techsoldaten wrote:
40 Cultists x 3. I play them in a list with Abaddon to avoid morale issues.

The new rules for Tide of Traitors makes them a little less sturdy but they are still very, very good.

Was any unit that could be recycled ever bad?
I mean basically from a game standpoint you play with an additional 160pts plus thanks to tide of traitors.

What constitutes "large"?
10 marines is hardly "large" in the grand scheme of things.
30+ orks might be "large" but proppa Orky.

Not Online!!! wrote:

 techsoldaten wrote:
40 Cultists x 3. I play them in a list with Abaddon to avoid morale issues.

The new rules for Tide of Traitors makes them a little less sturdy but they are still very, very good.

Was any unit that could be recycled ever bad?
I mean basically from a game standpoint you play with an additional 160pts plus thanks to tide of traitors.

Well, you used to be able to do the same in Apocalypse. It's always been a good tactic.

I think the point is large squads that recycle are very good, but (now that you can only do it once per game) large squads that don't recycle are still very good.

ValentineGames wrote:
What constitutes "large"?
10 marines is hardly "large" in the grand scheme of things.
30+ orks might be "large" but proppa Orky.

10 is large for a marine army, that's their max size.

Seems like everyone that says they use big squads all play horde armies, which doesn't really surprise me

I do for DeathWatch Primaris Kill Teams. A 10 man bolter squad can maximize strategem effectiveness while pushing the damage where it needs to be (5-10 damage)

Moreover I do it for all my hellblaster and Gravis kill teams. The extra 5 intercessors serve as excellent bullet sponges.