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Hey all. Working on my blob guard and wondering if it worth investing time and cash on ratlings and rough riders

I prefer veterans with sniper rifles in a command squad over ratlings, but I can definitely see the use of them. As far as rough riders I've never used them so I can't really say much.

Wasn't blob guard killed off by chapter approved?

I still love the idea of hundreds of bodies. But yeah. I hated that book.




Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Stus67 wrote:
I prefer veterans with sniper rifles in a command squad over ratlings, but I can definitely see the use of them. As far as rough riders I've never used them so I can't really say much.

My issues with using vets instead or ratlings is that they cannot scout. I was thinking to set up ratlings as bubble wrap a bit to push back deepstriking armies.

 Smotejob wrote:
I still love the idea of hundreds of bodies. But yeah. I hated that book.




Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Stus67 wrote:
I prefer veterans with sniper rifles in a command squad over ratlings, but I can definitely see the use of them. As far as rough riders I've never used them so I can't really say much.

My issues with using vets instead or ratlings is that they cannot scout. I was thinking to set up ratlings as bubble wrap a bit to push back deepstriking armies.

That indeed seems to be the best way of using them. Their shooting is pretty pitiful, just as every other sniper in 40k.

 Smotejob wrote:
I still love the idea of hundreds of bodies. But yeah. I hated that book.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Stus67 wrote:
I prefer veterans with sniper rifles in a command squad over ratlings, but I can definitely see the use of them. As far as rough riders I've never used them so I can't really say much.

My issues with using vets instead or ratlings is that they cannot scout. I was thinking to set up ratlings as bubble wrap a bit to push back deepstriking armies.

It won't work against most competitive armies. Eldar Rangers, Space Marine Scouts, and Chaos Nurglings all come down before the Ratlings will and can even force the Ratlings back deep into your deployment zone since for some reason they need to be 18" away from enemy models.

To add insult to injury, they die incredibly easily and have a garbage 5 morale so even losing 1 out of a 5 man squad can wipe them with a bad roll.

At least vets with sniper rifles can trigger the scratch mortal wound needed for overlapping fields of fire for Cadians, which Ratlings can't do because they're not <REGIMENT> key worded.

I honestly love my Rough Riders. They are great at screening my mass of bodies assembled in a gunline, and are great for disrupting the enemy's advance with cheeky charges, or hitting lone tanks to force them to fall back.

Ratlings are worth it for the cost. [Money wise.]

Rough Riders are wonderful, fun, theamatic and ~okay~ on the table top, though new rules are written to purposefully exclude them, and it seems likely they'll be forever erased next release.
They are [And I own 17 of them] unfortunately just not worth the cost unless you happen to own the parts to convert them from crap you already have lying around.

[Empire light horse/Cadians/a source of lances with TNT strapped to them is a good start.]

Remember that rough riders have the (Regiment) keyword. I suggest taking as catachans for some stronger attacks. If you happen to get Strakken near them some how then you've got I nice combo.

Roughriders are also good for quickly getting up the board and firing off some Plasma or Melta.

 tjnorwoo wrote:
Remember that rough riders have the (Regiment) keyword. I suggest taking as catachans for some stronger attacks. If you happen to get Strakken near them some how then you've got I nice combo.

Unfortunately Rough Riders lack the Infantry keyword so they do not benefit from the +1S or the Ld bonus for being near an officer. They still do work with Straken and the stratagem so Catachan is probably their best regiment.

Some other possible regiments would be:

Cadia - likely the next strongest just because the relic still works with them, as does the stratagem. The doctrine does too but I am not sure how often this unit would be stationary.

Tallarn - the warlord trait works on them but most units you charge will probably fall back anyway so highly situational.

Custom regiment with the Stormtroopers doctrine - possibly a couple extra special weapons shots at point blank range.

Vostroyan - with outflanking the additional range is not especially useful but it does work with them. The +1 hit stratagem also works with them.

By and large you use rough riders outside of buff zones so regiment doesn't really matter.
They are great for:

1) primary role Grabbing objectives

2) Filling FA slots in brigade

3)secondary role if 2 plasma - great for harassing MSU MEQ/TEQ

4) if 5 hunting spears clearing MSU

Alpharius Walks wrote:

 tjnorwoo wrote:
Remember that rough riders have the (Regiment) keyword. I suggest taking as catachans for some stronger attacks. If you happen to get Strakken near them some how then you've got I nice combo.

Unfortunately Rough Riders lack the Infantry keyword so they do not benefit from the +1S or the Ld bonus for being near an officer.

Oh dang, good catch.

Yeah. For some reason learning to ride a horse make a them forget they're as strong as a Space Marine.

With what counts as a "horse" on Catachan, they're probably using all their might to hang on...

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:
Yeah. For some reason learning to ride a horse make a them forget they're as strong as a Space Marine.

Actually the catachan is so much stronger/faster than his horse that it's deemed more efficient to have the horse ride the trooper. Unfortunately horses are only S3, weakening the effect of the charge.

The catachans are riding those broom stick horses we had as kids By the time they charge in they are exhausted.

shortymcnostrill wrote:

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:
Yeah. For some reason learning to ride a horse make a them forget they're as strong as a Space Marine.

Actually the catachan is so much stronger/faster than his horse that it's deemed more efficient to have the horse ride the trooper. Unfortunately horses are only S3, weakening the effect of the charge.

You better get to conversion work, son.

Ratlings- I don't think so.

Rough Riders-Yes en-masse will fit your mass infantry style.

Look for Perry Miniatures based out of U.K. for rough riders.

Rough riders are great when fielded with plasma guns outflanking. Relatively durable, can reach back field objectives, decent damage output and some token melee too. I'd say they're worth their points.

And I second using Perry miniatures horses with some cadian torsos. They look great and fit the theme perfectly.

Alpharius Walks wrote:

 tjnorwoo wrote:
Remember that rough riders have the (Regiment) keyword. I suggest taking as catachans for some stronger attacks. If you happen to get Strakken near them some how then you've got I nice combo.

Custom regiment with the Stormtroopers doctrine - possibly a couple extra special weapons shots at point blank range.

Can't replace <Regiment> with the Mil. Temp. keyword.

 Cadian16th wrote:

Alpharius Walks wrote:

 tjnorwoo wrote:
Remember that rough riders have the (Regiment) keyword. I suggest taking as catachans for some stronger attacks. If you happen to get Strakken near them some how then you've got I nice combo.

Custom regiment with the Stormtroopers doctrine - possibly a couple extra special weapons shots at point blank range.

Can't replace <Regiment> with the Mil. Temp. keyword.

Technically true. However, you *can* use the MT doctrine with a custom regiment. Like running your Castilian 308th as Vostroyans. Theyre not Vostroyan and dont have the Vostroyan keyword, but they *do* get the doctrine (you cant access the special orders, relics or warlord traits though, since those require the appropriate keyword)