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So, let me see if I have this right.

Skeleton Warriors (both TK and VC) come in units consisting of 10 or more models. So I could have, say, a 'horde' of 50.
As bases don't matter anymore, I can keep them on the 20mm squares.
Being a unit, they must remain within 1" of at least one other model from their unit. I feel free to bunch them up in an 8th Edition-style block of 10 wide, with 5 ranks.

Now comes the interesting part.

When this horde hits a battleline of enemy models, and assuming I need not pile in and thus break block formation because the opponent has a straight line block as well, the front row attacks with 3 attacks each (the skeleton legion rule kicks in due to their number). Assume the opponent's battleline to be just as wide as the skeleton unit, regardless of the actual amount of models.
Then the second row would attack with 30 attacks as well. They can trace line of sight through models of their own unit, and they are within range (1" for the ancient blades converted to just about 25mm, and but 20mm distance due to the front row.).
If we are looking at a spear wielding unit, the range of 2" actually would mean the third rank could make their 30 attacks as well. Those 2" would be just about 50mm, and there is only 40mm of bases between the third rank and the enemy models, while the first two ranks do not block line of sight.

Lets then worsen this again. RAW, ranges are measured from the closest points of the models, so one could model the skeleton models in the 4th rank to have their spears tilted forward, increasing their range of 2" by the extra amount of reach from the tilted spears. (Sounds like modeling for advantage, but heck, just assume things for the sake of this arguement.) Now the 4th rank has free line of sight through their mates from the same unit, and they might be in range to the enemy...

My count is already on 120 (10 wide, times 3 strikes each, times 4 ranks) attacks by now. It would be the most optimal situation for a Skeleton Horde with a bunch of assumptions, but RAW it seems fully possible. I am also aware the block would break up in the next turn as the formation scatters towards the nearest enemy models left standing due to pile-in movements.

Time to bring forth the bucket and borrow some dice?

Yep, that's pretty much how a big block of skeletons work. And an undead hero nearby helps as well. And RAW, yes, extend those spears, get all 5 ranks of 10 fighting at once.

The only problem I think you may have is measuring from the model, especially if you take the time to model for advantage.

Many people are simply measuring from the base, and part of it is the situation you mention.

As with all things in AOS, you have to work out the details with your opponent.

RAW doesn't work really well when the other guy just shrugs and leaves

I'd double check with your gaming group or store, see if they are using any house rules, whether measuring from the base or the tip of the spear, etc. Could save a lot of modeling.

...my Decimators see your skeleton horde, and raise you an ass whuppin'.
Yeah, that skelly block is pretty brutal but any decent opponent is going to make sure that situation never pans out the way you want.
You might get away with it once or twice, but there are ways of rendering that block into little more than a speed bump with reasonable certainty, although it would take some co-ordination to pull off.

Lastly, discussion with your opponent works both ways.
50 skellies is difficult to deal with, but they're supposed to be a horde unit. Even their rules indicate 30+ is kinda expected.
Yes, if you plonk down 10 Nagash models then people will think you're a bit of a twonk and probably avoid playing you in future.
But putting down a big unit of not particularly amazing infantry isn't a game breaker, it just takes some thought to deal with.
There's a difference between 'my opponent is an eejit' and 'waaah this looks hard'...

The thing is, I like to read the rules. Try to find things in them.

I know the situation I gave is one that is very dependent on assumptions and not very realistic. You can still create blocks of troops. But the moment you make a charge move, and your models hit an enemy unit that is in a staggered formation, you no longer have a block of troops. Like I said, the first moment you make a pile-in move, your block deteriorates even further. But those skeletons are still very close to eachother, they are still a single unit, and they still have an attack ranges that surpasses the length of their (old square) bases, twice.

However, this sort of reading also shows a very different thing. What if people want to make house rules, because they like the WHFB style blocks of troops? When they make a house rule that negates the need for a pile-in move when a unit is in a block formation, as so to stay in that formation, one of the consequences would be the situation that I gave. The bucket of dice. Block to block combat could become devastating, if not just fast.

Perhaps all the more reason to just try out the AoS rules RAW, as opposed to modifying them after reading them once casually and finding them to your dislike, and try them out for an extended period of time. Like a real period of time, a year or so at least. While I do think some rules could have been written differently (perhaps even better) who am I to assume the entire rules set to 'slurp' and change the rules after one or two games? What if a rule is just right, but it just didn't come up during the first two games?

Just an opinion, of course.

 Lord Xcapobl wrote:

Just an opinion, of course.

...and one I totally agree with. Theory hammering is still one of the reasons I like wargaming!

Pretty sure the rules say you "may" pile in, I don't think you have to. Although why wouldn't you when it gets more guys in position to hit the opponent.

I would love to hit that 50+ unit of skellies with a mortar and do 5d6 mortal wounds

Well, actually, I just read and re-rerad the rules again.

The first model must move to within 1/2" of an enemy model for the charge to be successful. If that fails, the charge is failed and no movement is performed for that charge. If it works, you may move the other models in the charging unit. The rules don't say where, they don't say how, they don't say why. Just that you should maintain unit coherency as defined on page 1; your models should stay within 1" of at least one other model from its unit. So there is nothing to stop you from trying to form ranks and files during the charge move, where ever possible. The block can even turn and pivot a bit, as long as you do not exceed the maximum charge distance you rolled. By RAW, models "can" move the rolled charge distance. There is nothing forcing you to do so, as the rules don't tell you to move as far as possible, untill you are within striking distance.

Also, the rules indeed do say you "may" perform a pile in move. Again, you are not forced to do so. This means you can maintain your formation.

So, AoS does have the option for the 'old WHFB style infantry blocks' after all. Warts and all.

And if you play pile-in correctly, you can control to an extent the way the enemy will have to fight you and limit their pile-in options. Charging gives you control of the battle formation.

Just watch out for weapons that hit models in range.
I had 5 retributors go into a skeleton mob.
Retributor axes have a 2" range and make 1 attack for every enemy in range.

The unit of 5 made the whole spear block vanish, because he was so bunched up when I hit him. I was getting something like 18 attacks a model, hitting on 3's, wounding on 3's, with rend 1.

Kroxigor have a similar weapon.

Personally, if you were playing against me, I would be more than okay for you to have it so you can have your formations and "may" pile in, but I'd have to insist on measuring from the base as modelling for advantage shouldn't be part of the deal (or I would model up some archers that have the arrows modeled with a nice flight path giving my archers a +10"" range!).

A horde of skeletons does sound dangerous indeed, but that is 50 wounds worth of models so if I can just stay out of its way I am only going to loose a unit or two.

gradyhawks wrote:
Personally, if you were playing against me, I would be more than okay for you to have it so you can have your formations and "may" pile in, but I'd have to insist on measuring from the base as modelling for advantage shouldn't be part of the deal (or I would model up some archers that have the arrows modeled with a nice flight path giving my archers a +10"" range!).

A horde of skeletons does sound dangerous indeed, but that is 50 wounds worth of models so if I can just stay out of its way I am only going to loose a unit or two.

Dangerous? Depends on what you counter-deploy with. I'd probably just put down a bunch of Highborn Ellyrian Reavers. 14" move, 3 shots in the shooting phase at 4+/4+ and get to move 2D6" in the shooting phase before or after they shoot. Your skellies will never, ever get into combat with me. It'll be a game of run and shoot. You'd need to bring something else that could actually catch my Reavers.

This is the issue with tactics discussions in AoS. Pretty much all the units are playable. Whether they're great or useless depends on what your opponents counter-deploys with.

 Kriswall wrote:

gradyhawks wrote:
Personally, if you were playing against me, I would be more than okay for you to have it so you can have your formations and "may" pile in, but I'd have to insist on measuring from the base as modelling for advantage shouldn't be part of the deal (or I would model up some archers that have the arrows modeled with a nice flight path giving my archers a +10"" range!).

A horde of skeletons does sound dangerous indeed, but that is 50 wounds worth of models so if I can just stay out of its way I am only going to loose a unit or two.

Dangerous? Depends on what you counter-deploy with. I'd probably just put down a bunch of Highborn Ellyrian Reavers. 14" move, 3 shots in the shooting phase at 4+/4+ and get to move 2D6" in the shooting phase before or after they shoot. Your skellies will never, ever get into combat with me. It'll be a game of run and shoot. You'd need to bring something else that could actually catch my Reavers.

This is the issue with tactics discussions in AoS. Pretty much all the units are playable. Whether they're great or useless depends on what your opponents counter-deploys with.

Don't the undead have a special deep strike rule or something? Sure I read somewhere..! But yes, Reavers will do it.

 Kriswall wrote:

gradyhawks wrote:
Personally, if you were playing against me, I would be more than okay for you to have it so you can have your formations and "may" pile in, but I'd have to insist on measuring from the base as modelling for advantage shouldn't be part of the deal (or I would model up some archers that have the arrows modeled with a nice flight path giving my archers a +10"" range!).

A horde of skeletons does sound dangerous indeed, but that is 50 wounds worth of models so if I can just stay out of its way I am only going to loose a unit or two.

Dangerous? Depends on what you counter-deploy with. I'd probably just put down a bunch of Highborn Ellyrian Reavers. 14" move, 3 shots in the shooting phase at 4+/4+ and get to move 2D6" in the shooting phase before or after they shoot. Your skellies will never, ever get into combat with me. It'll be a game of run and shoot. You'd need to bring something else that could actually catch my Reavers.

This is the issue with tactics discussions in AoS. Pretty much all the units are playable. Whether they're great or useless depends on what your opponents counter-deploys with.

But I still don't agree with modeling advantage.

Back to your reavers, I can give some metal Hydra or other metal monster a light plastic streching part (maybe a breath) that extends to more than 50'.

So every turn I just rotate in moving phase and turn the big pipe near your reavers. I am pretty sure you can go nowhere as AOW deosn't say anything about rotating.

Aeonotakist wrote:

 Kriswall wrote:

gradyhawks wrote:
Personally, if you were playing against me, I would be more than okay for you to have it so you can have your formations and "may" pile in, but I'd have to insist on measuring from the base as modelling for advantage shouldn't be part of the deal (or I would model up some archers that have the arrows modeled with a nice flight path giving my archers a +10"" range!).

A horde of skeletons does sound dangerous indeed, but that is 50 wounds worth of models so if I can just stay out of its way I am only going to loose a unit or two.

Dangerous? Depends on what you counter-deploy with. I'd probably just put down a bunch of Highborn Ellyrian Reavers. 14" move, 3 shots in the shooting phase at 4+/4+ and get to move 2D6" in the shooting phase before or after they shoot. Your skellies will never, ever get into combat with me. It'll be a game of run and shoot. You'd need to bring something else that could actually catch my Reavers.

This is the issue with tactics discussions in AoS. Pretty much all the units are playable. Whether they're great or useless depends on what your opponents counter-deploys with.

But I still don't agree with modeling advantage.

Back to your reavers, I can give some metal Hydra or other metal monster a light plastic streching part (maybe a breath) that extends to more than 50'.

So every turn I just rotate in moving phase and turn the big pipe near your reavers. I am pretty sure you can go nowhere as AOW deosn't say anything about rotating.

Actually, you measure from the model and not the base in the core rules. Your 50' long breath weapon would be a part of your model. Given that your Hydra has a maximum move of 8", a breath weapon of 50' would only allow a rotation of 0.65 degrees, or 0.18% of a circle revolution. Not very much. Even a much more reasonable 24" breath weapon would only allow a rotation of 19.1 degrees, or 5.31% of a full, circular rotation. Again, not very much.

In other words, rotating is only free in the core rules if your model is perfectly circular. A non-circular model effectively moves as it rotates... especially if it's rotating around an off centered point. If you house rule to measure from the base, your hydra might be on a circular base, but then you wouldn't be measuring from the breath weapon... so, again, wouldn't work.

 Kriswall wrote:

gradyhawks wrote:
Personally, if you were playing against me, I would be more than okay for you to have it so you can have your formations and "may" pile in, but I'd have to insist on measuring from the base as modelling for advantage shouldn't be part of the deal (or I would model up some archers that have the arrows modeled with a nice flight path giving my archers a +10"" range!).

A horde of skeletons does sound dangerous indeed, but that is 50 wounds worth of models so if I can just stay out of its way I am only going to loose a unit or two.

Dangerous? Depends on what you counter-deploy with. I'd probably just put down a bunch of Highborn Ellyrian Reavers. 14" move, 3 shots in the shooting phase at 4+/4+ and get to move 2D6" in the shooting phase before or after they shoot. Your skellies will never, ever get into combat with me. It'll be a game of run and shoot. You'd need to bring something else that could actually catch my Reavers.

This is the issue with tactics discussions in AoS. Pretty much all the units are playable. Whether they're great or useless depends on what your opponents counter-deploys with.

Reavers are pretty beastly, but don't do much damage to skeletons. Even if you take 25 reavers (50 wounds worth), with 4 to hit, 4 to wound and 5+ to save (skeletons should take the shooting save shield), you're looking at killing ~12.
Skeletons recover D6 wounds a turn from the banner, and if taken in a group of 50, should have the warlords no-battle shock thing going on. In fact, the warlord should be one of the skeletons in the unit.
What you want to watch out for in the Harbingers summoned 18" forward, (9" away) with a 3D6" charge range.
It's how undead deal with avoidance units.

As a stormcast player, I'd fling Decimators at the unit. Those guys are no-joke against big units, and it's not exactly like 50 skeletons have a lot of control over where they go.