Unit coherency problem

[barrys]

Tonight I joined two orc units together. This unit of 20 orcs could not physically obey the 6" coherency rule. Perhaps it's time to ditch the 6" rule but keep the 2" rule? What do you think?

B

[Wyloch]

That is one rule we've always straight up ignored / forgotten about...

[welshy]

But now I'm seeing just a WRITHING mass of Orcs just flowing over each other like Grot pups trying to get at some meat 

[privateer4hire]

If the 6" rule gets ditched, then I think there needs to be a rule that a unit can only impact a single objective (say, unit owner's declared out loud choice when they complete their activation or similar). Otherwise, you will get crazy 40k level shenanigans with conga lines and other silliness.

[onepageanon]

The rule was made to avoid weird formations and other types of rules abuse.

If you are putting all your models in base to base contact and you're still breaking the 6" rule don't worry about it, just don't start using that as an excuse to abuse this in nasty ways.

[andyskinner]

I should have mentioned this in the house rule thread, too. I like units to be able to flow through the terrain in ways that make sense, so I pretty much ignore this within reason, especially with 20 figures. I don't want to see them stacked on each other, or even all in base contact. I'd only allow one objective. I could see an issue with stringing a line of things across an area. Seems like there could be some neat interactions (if it could be put well) where you could make a light string of units, but they are at risk of getting ridden down. Like if Impact or Furious gets rid of them, the attacker keeps going (assuming more movement).

andy

[barrys]

To avoid conga lines but still allow passage through narrow gaps perhaps the coherency could be re-phrased as, "Models must remain with in 2" of at least three other models in their unit". That woudl cause clumping but still offer a few more formation options, I think.

[dorkhammer]

Maybe an add on rule that if you have a double unit (or 20+ models etc) that coherency becomes "Unit members must stay within 2” of at
least one other member and within 12” of all other members."

[eternlknight]

We have the same problems here with hordes of zombies. I like dorkhammer's idea of upping the bounds to 12" for large model count units and will try that this weekend.

[privateer4hire]

Aug 12, 2019 20:25:24 GMT dorkhammer said:

Maybe an add on rule that if you have a double unit (or 20+ models etc) that coherency becomes "Unit members must stay within 2” of at
least one other member and within 12” of all other members."

You, Sir, are a musical genius.

[welshy]

Aug 12, 2019 20:25:24 GMT dorkhammer said:

Maybe an add on rule that if you have a double unit (or 20+ models etc) that coherency becomes "Unit members must stay within 2” of at
least one other member and within 12” of all other members."

I like it. Simple and easy to remember. Double unit? Double Space. It would add one line of text to the Combined Units Entry and keep in the spirit of the original rule.

Welshy Stamp of approval!

[andyskinner]

I just don't really worry about this rule, and just don't let it get out of hand. But remember that double radius means quadruple area. 6*sqrt(2) is 8.48, so call it 9".

andy

[ptemophis]

If the issue isn't so much the conga lines themselves, but players exploiting them to seize multiple objectives using them, then you could just revise the seize objectives criteria to be '(Acting) Unit leader must be within 3" of the objective' and make it that if a starting Unit Leader gets killed (usually by Snipers or Dangerous Terrain tests) that someone else gets designated as 'Acting Unit Leader' in their stead, such as an upgraded weapon guy or attached Hero or something.

[dizzy]

We encountered the same Problem in our first game this week. My opponent wanted to group two Ork Mobs. We had a short discussion about prior to the game als he already noticed the "problem" prior to the game.
As he had no Warboss to buff in the units we decided to keep the units separated. The main reason for me to advise him to play it this way, was that my Battle Brothers did not had any grouped unit and that it is more advantagious for him to keep them separate this time. While he did lose the game it was more a case of thinking of the boss bikers in a very 40k way (CC orientated but shooting first). To not group the Ork mobs turned out the right think to do in this game. That we he could attack my CC Destroyers Unit twice and I could only retaliate once.
Next week I'm using my Orks and already talked to my opponent that we are using the 9" rule for units of 20 or more models this time.
The main difference this time is that I'm going to use two combined mobs with carabines and a Warlord with SHOOT!.
He agreed as we both think that the intention behind the 6" rule is to avoid conga lines but it would be great if this could be clearified in the next update.

[isa]

Being in a large unit also seems pretty crucial to low value/model melee units like alien hive assault grunts, not just to receive buffs, so you win your melee and dont get pinned or routed every time you perform your basic function.