- Pages:
- 1
- 2
| Rat Daggers | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: 3rd February 2008 - 01:16 AM (727 Views) | |
| Sandy Death | 3rd February 2008 - 01:16 AM Post #1 |
![]()
|
Hi Members, I checked around the forums here and could find absolutely no mention of "Rat Daggers" in any tactic articles. 1. Does anyone use them? 2. Are they found to be effective? 3. Has anyone even heard of "Rat Daggers"? Sandy Death |
![]() |
|
| Greyseer Aw'Quith | 3rd February 2008 - 09:43 AM Post #2 |
|
Clanrat
|
never heard of it. What is it? |
![]() |
|
| Lord Lughtigern | 3rd February 2008 - 11:17 AM Post #3 |
![]()
The Mad Ratter.
![]()
|
If I'm not mistaken, he's talking about using units of Giant Rats in single pack formation like so: Rat Rat Rat Rat Rat Rat Packmaster Which are used to quickly get on the flanks of the enemy, and then with their narrow formation, take away ranks whilst recieving the smallest amount of attacks in return possible and still being able to wheel without great difficulty. The enemy can't afford to not pay attention to them, because ranks are extremely important whilst fighting Skaven, but if they do attend to them, then they're wasting a turn of shooting/magic on a small, 7US, 30 point unit. Because they're so cheap, it's easy to afford as many as you have mainstay, and they can really become a thorn in your opponent's side if not taken care of. Personally, I have never gotten around to using them, but I really want to! Next game, I swear!
If the above is what you're talking about, I've only ever heard them being called Rat Darts, which might be causing the confusion! *goes off for a minute* *returns with goodies* Yep, searching under Rat Dart brings up this, which I think is exactly what's needed here! Enjoy! 30 = Dead Unit |
![]() Links you should try out: Denizens of the Deep - Rules for Underground Campaigns Warhammer Skirmish - The Lazy Man's Mordheim | |
![]() |
|
| Sandy Death | 3rd February 2008 - 04:07 PM Post #4 |
![]()
|
Yes LL, That is exactly what I meant by Rat Daggers. Or "Rat Darts" But what they are also great at is positioning themselves at an angle in front of a powerful (expensive) enemy unit. The enemy can't go around them, they're in the way. And to attack them, the enemy must (by WFB rules) aline themselves with the dagger (defending unit). So the powerful enemy unit has either: 1. Wasted a turn attacking a 30 point unit. Thus exposing its flank and/or directing itself out of play 2. Wasted a turn not attacking a 30 point unit. This tactic is a "must know" for Skaven players. Glad to help. Sandy Death |
![]() |
|
| Sebrent | 3rd February 2008 - 05:43 PM Post #5 |
![]()
|
However, this tactic is also known to be unsportsmanlike. Thus, many do not condone it. |
|
----Skaven Mathhammer ---- ![]()
| |
![]() |
|
| Rubberchrist | 3rd February 2008 - 09:06 PM Post #6 |
![]()
Shennanigans are out of the question!
|
Aside from its maneuverability, its not much different from what we do with slaves though... -R |
|
"Nurgle has got to be my favorite chaos god, fluff wise... He's portrayed as this sort of jovial, jolly old guy who thinks that rotting apocolyptic plague is funny as hell... So basically he's a big ole fat bastard who thinks giving you a scorching case of the herp is a big laugh." ---Kadrium 7th Edition Fellblade Kills: 1 Steam Tank, 1 Warrior Priest, 4 Greatswords, 3 Treekin, 1 Chaos Sorcerer, 5 Chaos Warriors, 13th Spell Kills: 8 Chaos Chosen. | |
![]() |
|
| therottinghost | 4th February 2008 - 03:54 AM Post #7 |
|
Clanrat
|
Why is this tactic considered unsportsman like? IMHO, I could see it being unsportsman like if used excessively (i.e. 5 Rat Darts matching 5 mainstay clannies) but having one or two extremely expendable annoying units might actually be viable to a skaven player looking to avoid using a SAD list. However I used to be a wood elf general, and have no real sense of honor. |
| Nobody gets out alive, so make sure the slaves die first. | |
![]() |
|
| scrivener | 4th February 2008 - 05:34 AM Post #8 |
![]()
*toot*
![]()
|
I think rat darts aren't unsportmanly in the same way as catapults intentionally misfiring to hit non-LoS targets, but they are considered "meta-gaming" by some, like units which don't take standards so that enemies can't capture them. |
| |
![]() |
|
| WageMage | 4th February 2008 - 10:00 AM Post #9 |
|
Chieftain
|
I don't think anyone could say they are unsportsmanlike. They still cause panic when destroyed/run down/run through other units. Remember they have only LD5, so even a glimpse of a terror causer/undead and they'll be a big liability. If your opponents fail to see these opportunities, that's their problem :P. |
![]() |
|
| Mutator | 5th February 2008 - 03:27 AM Post #10 |
![]()
Retired fat dude
![]()
|
Also here, under the name of rat torpedos |
| Mostly harmless | |
![]() |
|
| Sebrent | 5th February 2008 - 04:47 AM Post #11 |
![]()
|
The reason they are considered unsportsmanlike is the same reason catapults intentionally misfire to hit non-LOS targets ... it doesn't happen in real war. You won't find a packmasters leading his giant rats in a straight line like an arrow at the enemy and stay in their neat little line of rats while fighting. Instead, they'll be a mass of rats (represented by the front rank of rats) that crash into the front rank of the enemy. |
|
----Skaven Mathhammer ---- ![]()
| |
![]() |
|
| Sandy Death | 5th February 2008 - 05:01 AM Post #12 |
![]()
|
Hi Members, On the contrary Sebrent, it is, or at least was, quite common to have sacraficial units throughout military history. They'd draw fire, cause distraction, divert attention and help their General gain knowledge. Plus more attributes that I can't think of off hand. These rat daggers, or darts or torpedos of whatever is convienient to call them act the same way a unit of Chaos hounds or VC Dire Wolves or other cheap fast calalry do. And to say they are unsportsman like is like saying tunnelers or flank attacks are unsportsmanlike. Sandy Death |
![]() |
|
| scrivener | 5th February 2008 - 06:04 AM Post #13 |
![]()
*toot*
![]()
|
Err.. Sebrent said it's unsportsmanlike not because they are sacrificial, but because they "meta-game". The unit essentially stays as a line and when it enters combat, the first rat goes first while the others patiently wait behind like a conga-line, because its better for them to stay away and use mathematics to beat their enemy.
|
| |
![]() |
|
| therottinghost | 5th February 2008 - 06:48 AM Post #14 |
|
Clanrat
|
Okay, I can see why this unsportsman like now. I've see other underhanded tactics similiar to this (conga lines for example) that I didn't agree with either. It makes more sense to me now why I wouldn't want this used against me, therefore its not something I should use. The drawn example of giant rats doing warhammer calculus is hysterical. Thank you for explaining why this isn't something to be encouraged. |
| Nobody gets out alive, so make sure the slaves die first. | |
![]() |
|
| WageMage | 5th February 2008 - 10:01 AM Post #15 |
|
Chieftain
|
@Scrivener: Great picture Good thing I wasn't drinking when I saw it, coffee and keyboards don't mix Do you mind if I copy it? I think I used a single pack once since 7th and they were arranged like this: RRR RRR _P_ I just subconsciously arranged them like that and they didn't look out of place or meta gamey. I agree that a single ordered queue is kinda out of place for them. |
![]() |
|
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · Fantasy Battles Rules Discussion · Next Topic » |
- Pages:
- 1
- 2












