Ratkin - The 185 Point Horde Question

Since the release of Uncharted Empires, Ratkin have had a Horde of Brutes in the army. This unit costs 185 points and acts as an unlock for other units. Sometimes I have paid an additional 15 points to buy the Brew of Haste (though latterly this has gone by the wayside due to points pressure).


However I have been underwhelmed by the Brutes on-table effectiveness and are considering alternatives.


First, let's have a look at the stats for Brutes:

• Me 4+, De 4+, Move 6", Attacks 18, Nerve 13/16
• Brutal
• Fury
• Regen 5+
• Crushing Strength 2
• Frontage 120mm
• Rallying

The biggest weakness that the Brutes have is in relation to their Nerve. I find it doesn't take much to start pressuring the "Wavered" button and while they have "Fury" and Regen (5+) to counter this, the Brutes are constantly disappointing. With Me and De of 4 I find that they are very subject to the vagaries of the dice and the lower Nerve makes them susceptible to "disappointment.


Rallying helps. In reality if you keep them in the middle of your line they should be 15/18 - but that puts a tactical limitation on their role. Overall they suddenly become support rather than frontline troops and at 185 points that seems expensive.


So what are the alternatives?


Well the first is a Horde of Warriors:

• Me 5+, De 4+, Move 6", Attacks 25, Nerve 19/21
• Frontage 200mm
• Rallying
• +30 Points

These guys are vanilla flavoured vanilla. You get a block that is De 4 and 200mm wide but is unlikely to damage much. It is an anvil that is difficult to break in a turn but won't do much damage. It does however free up 30 points while still unlocking other units. Generally you can expect to do 8 hits which means that with no modifiers it will be a slog. however they can likely hold a frontline position and seem safer than Brutes on a flank.


The second are the Horde of Spear Warriors:

• Me 5+, De 4+, Move 6", Attacks 30, Nerve 19/21
• Frontage 200mm
• Rallying
• Phalanx

So for an extra 30 points over Warriors you get 5 extra attacks and Phalanx (removes Thunderous Charge). The points are equivalent to the Brute Horde. Phalanx is nice as it reduces reliance on Difficult Terrain and also neutralises an enemy's Pathfinder ability (the Caterpillar being one of the more common Magic Items used). The question therefore becomes whether 5 extra attacks (probably 2 hits) and Phalanx is worth 30 points. The extra attacks are likely worth one extra wound at best.


With Rallying the Warriors (both options are likely Nerve 21/23) are very respectable defensively and can be screened by Slaves (same height). The difference in frontage - 120mm vs. 200mm - is interesting as there are benefits to both depending on the situation. In the role of a defensive unit the wider frontage can be an asset in occupying space but can disadvantage you in the case of multiple charges. With the Warriors you can spend the 30 points on the Brew of Strength increasing their offensive capacity but I think their Me 5+ makes it a bit inefficient. You can also give them Helm of Confidence (Reroll a Rout) or Chant of Hate (Vicious) but I am unconvinced in terms of utility.


My Thoughts:


Overall I am erring towards the Spear Warriors as a potentially more flexible tactical option. If needed it can be Bane Chanted should the situation present itself. I am going to be trying all three of the options out in coming weeks.


What are other people's thoughts?