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.

The eternal question - now with an answer. Or at least a lot of maths results which can be used to help you formulate your own answers.

Below is a link to my blog where I've written up a brief summary which compares greatblade performance as well as that of spears and swords for both Mortek Guard and Deathriders. I've also put my own conclusions based on the maths, though I make no claim that my conclusions are the "best" and you might well interpret the numbers very differently. I'd thus greatly welcome you to come and share your viewpoints here on what you think the best choices are as well as your practical game experiences. Maths is good, but game experience also counts for a lot in the practicalities of the game.

https://warminiatures.wordpress.com/2019/12/08/ossiarch-bonereapers-spears-vs-swords/

If you have or are aware of others who have done the maths and similar please do share - the more we share and contrast different opinions and viewpoints the better we can develop a sound understanding of the pros and cons.



Personally I'm a little disappointed that GW didn't manage to give spears and swords (for both units) a bit more a niche each. From the maths in the link I've concluded that the biggest difference is basically if you want a 1 inch range weapon or a 2 inch range weapon.

Seems pretty straightforward to me. The only difference is trading extra range for rend.

Unless you're fielding a huge unit of the deathriders, most of the models should be in range in most circumstances (and the command ability helps pile in), so blades seem better.

With the guard unit, it depends how large a unit you're fielding and how much you tend to clump up. Given that saves in AoS tend NOT to be outrageously low (ie, not a lot of 2+ or 3+), getting an extra 2 attacks per spear model in range looks significantly better, even if its just a few.

Yes, spears and their extra range depend entirely on the size of the unit they're in. 10 model unit? Swords are better. 30+ models? Spears will get into range where swords absolutely would not.

The spears also benefit fro.m having greatswords on the front line, which do provide rend.

Indeed, if you're going to field greatblades with spears (and honestly whilst they don't make a vast difference they do make a difference) then you'd want those 1 inch range greatblades right there in the front lines. Of course a smart opponent with a fast unit might flank or attack from behind if they can to avoid the greatblades and reduce the units performance; though most times you should be getting them into close combat.

You'd want to put the greatswords in the second rank on the sides of the front line, technically. They can still swing over the first rank and are more able to shift to targets on the flanks. And can be picked as casualties if they aren't the weapon you need without disrupting the front line.

That that is really technical stuff unlikely to make a difference. The real reason to do it is because it makes thematic sense to have shield guys in front tanking for their dps buddies.

My regular reaper opponent runs swords and blades though he's thinking of dropping the blades as they fall behind when he usee the explodes on 5s ability.