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Hey Dakka,

I was wondering if there was any good way to space models so as to make them less vulnerable to Blasts, Templates, and Lines, all at the same time. Like if (to use an extreme example) my opponent were using Necrons, with Doom Scythes (Line Weapons), Triarch Stalkers (with Template Heat Rays), and Tomb Blades with Particle Beamers (Blast markers).

I realize that it's going to be rare to fight an army that can bring all of these to the table at the same time, but I still wonder if there's an optimal spacing strategy to try to counter these threats. It seems like there's no good way to counter one without making one of the others more effective. Spacing your models is obviously the way to go, but are there any really good ways to do it?

Any army with psychers can bring all there so it is not as unlikely as you think.

Placing your models in circles without a model in the center, each model being two inches apart from two others would work.

I know some people advocate for a V style formation. IIRC their argument is that with the 2” spacing, at most you can get about 3 models under a pie plate
and when charging it lessens the chance of a failed charge because taking models off the front of the unit is spaced out over 2 ends of the V.

I have never used this though – perhaps line up some little plastic men and throw some templates at it to see what sticks?

However making a V means line weapons will cut down half your squad.

I think the best you can hope for is that the weapon can hit no more than 3 models. I say this because a Large Blast that doesn't deviate will always clip at least three (assuming it's placed intelligently and the targeted squad is in cohesion). The circle formation seems the best solution proposed so far, but depending on the size of the circle you could still be vulnerable to template weapons.

Random thought: would placing a template or blast marker over a unit to see how many it can hit constitute pre-measuring?

 Bobthehero wrote:
However making a V means line weapons will cut down half your squad.

You could stagger the V a little bit. The circle would be good for a shooting squad. Just make sure the circle is bigger than the ordnance template!

PrinceOfMadness wrote:


Random thought: would placing a template or blast marker over a unit to see how many it can hit constitute pre-measuring?

Firstly no, secondly, there's no rule against pre-measuring any more thankfully. I always thought that was ridiculous anyway.

Honestly, your best bet is to deploy according to what you're facing. Notice a lot of templates? Take line formations. Seeing plenty of plasma cannons? Again, take lines or the afore-mentioned V shape.
It IS a rare army that has all types, even with psykers, because rolling or choosing more than one witchfire power is unusual. Even if the weapons are there, you can switch up formations in a single move as required anyway.

Obviously, doing so works better in a static gunline-type army whereas assault troops need to close ground as quickly as possible, so half the time this isn't even worth paying much attention to as long as you're making use of the 2" limit.

(added) ...thinking about it, a zig-zag line would do well against blasts and templates while mitigating line attacks a little bit.

A circle is the safest against everything. 3 flame hits at best, blast normally gets 1 hit, line weapons get at best 3 hits, large blasts get 3 hits.

I've pratted around with formations for hours without result. Lines are easy to work with and negate most damage from blasts. If you're caught a flamer or something at the end of one its not the end of the world because the 2'' spacing still negates most of the damage.

I've used staggered lines where the unit is in a zig-zag line which I found less effective than conventional lines. 'U' 'L' and 'H' only work in larger formations to envelope and flank opponants. They aren't designed to prevent blast and flamer damage at Squad level. The circle isn't an idea i've tried but you can't get an equal spacing without a few attempts and I would imagine the last man, where the circle meets and is completed, will either be too close or too far away. Too far and you'll have coheancy problems when the unit takes casualties and too close and thats where the blasts will hit.

The best way would probably be an 'S' line. Would negate most blast, flamer and line damage pretty well. The problem is, do you have the patience and sanity to do that to every unit? Personally, I find the conventional line to be effective enough yet easier to manage.

You wouldn't necessarily need to do a full circle, though. I imagine a semicircle would work almost as well.