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We played our first game of Cities of Death, and it was a real mess.  Of course, it had to do with the sewer rats strategem.  We played that you can use sewer rats even if the mission doesn't have the reserves special rule, because the strategem is in the same section as the 'always deep strike' and 'always infiltrate' strategems so it just seemed right.  I tried to do a search, but couldn't find any information on whether sewer rats requires the reserves rule to already be in play or not.

So, my opponent used sewer rats and the reserves rule wasn't in effect.  I was then able to block every sewer hole by turn 2 (lots of infiltrating units), and I thought I had it locked up because according to the rule you can't deploy a unit from the sewers if enemy units are within 1".  But then my opponent began to deploy all his units that he held in reserve from his board edge, claiming that since sewer rats is 'used in conjunction with the reserves rules' that it automatically allowed the reserves rules to be used for his army as well as the sewer rats special rules.

I didn't think it worked like that, and promptly had most of my units shot up as they were out of cover and only concentrating on blocking sewer exits.  Now, I feel that if the sewer rats strategem worked the way my opponent thought it did, then at the very least I would get reserves as a rule as well, correct?  That phrase 'used in conjunction with the reserves rules' is so confusing to me, but if it means that the reserves rules come into effect, both armies would use reserves, as it is a mission special rule and not an army special rule?  Thoughts?

- Oaka

Isn't this almost exactly the same brouhaha as back in 3rd edition regarding Deep Strike?

As I understand it, sewer rats can only be used in games that allow reserves. This does not become an issue because strategems are the very last thing that is selected before the game begins, correct? So if the game does not allow reserves, don't choose sewer rats.

Note: This is all from observation. I've yet to play a Cities of Death game myself, so please feel free to correct me!

I had some issues with this too but if you read it carefully (correct my quote because I don't have the book on me) it notes that if you have more reserves able to come on the board than there are sewars available you have to hold some units back until next turn when you roll for them again. Which would indicate to me that you can ONLY bring those units on via the sewers.

The Sewer Rats Strategem allows you to place units in Reserve, so you must use the Reserve rules to find out when they arrive (that's the "used in conjunction" part).

However, the mission you were playing, if it does not normally allow Reserves, does not specify a table edge where Reserves may enter play by.

That makes the Sewer markers the only place your opponent could deploy his units.


He needs to learn:

A) To not place his Sewer markers so close to the enemy.
B) Not place quite so many units in Reserve.
C) Learn to make a concerted push to clear one of his Sewer markers if he does put units in Reserve and you do manage to block them all.


Edit: Blue Loki, you are incorrect. The Sewer Rats Strategem allows you to place units in Reserve, therefore the Reserve rules are indeed used in a game that normally doesn't have them (just like Deep Strike).

I'm with Yak here.

I'm of the opinion that one sewer marker should be placed close to (or even in) your own deployment zone as a backup for high infiltration and quick armies.

Yak is correct in how it works. To maximize the Sewer Rat Strategem you have to place a few close to where you deploy. Another thing we realized while using SR is that by placing several counters close by, it will allow you to concentrate your forces in a specific location. The best part is that the cries of this strategem being broken has subsided once people have started to realize that it is relatively easy to counter. However, clever use of the strategem can pay off big time. Capt K

Gotcha, thanks for the clarification Yak!

My overall understanding was that the units were in reserve almost as normal, the almost part is that thier board edge becomes the sewer hatches.

Your opponent absolutely should not have brought on from the board edge. If the mission allows or dictates reserves as well he must nominate if the unit is a sewer rat or in normal reserve.

The above rant is probably an interpretation rather than RAW but the intention is clear in the codex.

and by the way, it also makes sense fluffwise: Troops are moving through the sewers to find an unblocked exit. ergo, they can't just pop out in the back, they still would have to go back, and moving through the sewers of an unknown city in the grim darkness etc. could be a bit difficult

We think of sewer rats alot like we think of webway portals for DE.

They both work almost exactly the same way. If you surround a portal, and the entire army is in reserve, you win.

*lights a sparkler*