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I love me some tank shock, but oftentimes it's more effective after a botched Death or Glory than if the enemy actually runs! Therefore, I propose a simple rule that will make tank shock more effective and characterful.

"Any unit failing a Tank Shock leadership test must make an Initiative Test before falling back. If they fail the test they take the number of wounds they failed the test by, as soldiers fail to move out of the way of the rampaging vehicle in time. No armour saves are allowed, but invulnerable saves may be taken."

This makes sense within the context of the field, after all, if a tank is barreling at you at full speed, there is a good chance you won't get out of the way fast enough!

I too think tank shock rules are a tad tame, the problem is how to make them interesting enough without upseting the balance.

I think the thing most people forget when it comes to tank shock is that you are not deciding wether to retreat a bit or step aside, no, you are talking about not falling back or falling back.

And here falling back is falling back as in broken unit.

U unit that has failed its tank shock test does not automatically rally, no they can be hounded off the table without so much as a chance to regroup if you position your models right, remember a unit falling back may not atempt to regroup if it is below half strength or if it has an enemy model within 6".

Come to think of it I dont really see a need for wounds

Seems to be a resonable rule. With as often as I tank shock things (which is a lot), it's not very often that anyone fails the leadership test. Even if they do, giving them a second chance to skip the wounds seems resonable I guess. I don't see this rule comming up often and when it does, I don't see it killing off much. So on that note, I wouldn't mind playing with it. It might be a nice little touch and it certainly isn't going to break the game or anything.

Instead of a I check, you could have the unit take d6 wounds and allow them armor saves. Either way.

I avoided using armour save because it's similar to Death or Glory; if a tank hits you, you die!

Well in death or glory the model positions himself in the worst possible place and prays he stops the tank in time, if scampering to get out of a tanks way it could be possible he only gets very roughly knocked aside by said tank.

Allowing armour for any such hits would be fair in my opinion even if I am still not sure its really neccesary.

I think you might find some solace within the playtest 5th edition rules. Now vehicles may ram other vehicles and cause damage based on their movement, armor value and vehicle type. For a quick example, a rhino at full speed (I.E. 12" from the target) will inflict a Strength 6 hit. Not great for sure, but definately worthwhile on the side or rear armor of a tank. Conversely a trukk moving at full speed (only 18" for fast vehicles mind you) will also inflict a Strength 6 hit.

We will see this July or August if the rule actually made it in, I personally have playtested and liked it.

Personally i think there should be a risk to the tank when tank shocking (besides death or glory), for the sole reason that if a tank barrels into a target sufficiently tough, its gonna get hurt. Bad. The current rules with tanks being able to knock over a dread that fails it's DoG without risk of damage is bordering on ridiculous. Seriously, the dreadnought is made of armor that can withstand a lascannon shot, and made interestingly enough so that if a Rhino takes the legs out from under it, the bulk of it will fall down onto the roof of the Rhino. It's like a car hitting a moose, sending the moose flying through the windshield to the consternation of both driver and moose!

I dont have the rulesbook in front of me but I thought if you went for a death or glory and made your leadership then all your attacks hit automatically. So if you shock a squad full of guys with meltabombs you probably wont make it. Unless I am remembering incorectly.

True, but only one of your models gets a shot at it, and always against the front armor. Even with Meltabombs it's a 50/50 and with Krak grenades, it's suicide! The stupidest part of it of course, is that realistically speaking it takes a long time for a tank to stop. You could just drop a meltabomb, dodge out of the way and wait for the tank to drive over it and blow it sky-high...

only one?! Really. I thought it was all of em. Ill have to look at the rules again.

Yes it is one model auto hitting with one attack. Not really good odds for most squads. Which is why the dethroller is probably the single best vehicle upgrade since extra armor!