I don't want to side-track the discussion of LSG, so maybe I'll start a different thread with a mobile shooty HE tactica. I use a lot SW (typically 3 units of 6). I've tried Reavers, and sometimes they work well, but I like the SW better, both for their survivability against shooting (relative to Reavers), and because I like the models much more.Marwynn wrote:That's quite interesting, and it's heartening to know it can work. I take it you use a lot of Reavers? What of Shadow Warriors?
I also agree that the 6" is important. The important distinction when choosing between archers and LSG is: will the unit likely see combat? If the answer is no, archers are superior. Jedra and Angel have it right - when it comes to shooting alone, archers are definitely the superior choice.Jedra wrote:actually, I was one of many who thought (in the abstract) that 6" meant nothiing and have
from experience realised it means everything.
However, if the unit is expected to see combat, the LSG make up for the loss of wounds done with shooting with a similar number of wounds which are delivered in combat. This is important, because while the archers and the LSGs may deliver the same number of wounds over the course of shoot, shoot, stand and fire, combat, the archer does more of their wounds outside of combat. Those wounds often mean the difference between winning the combat or losing it, or between losing it by a few points or by a lot. I have rarely had to roll for insane courage with LSGs. When my archers see combat, they usually lose, even if they hold for a round or two.
This is why I like to mix in a unit or two of LSG in amongst my archers. It is likely that something will make it close enough to my archers to charge. That's why I make sure that the archer unit that gets charged is actually LSG. Like I said, archers with spears. I suppose I could deploy a combat unit to guard my archers, but that unit could spend the whole game doing nothing - a waste of points. I'd rather guard the archers with more archers with spears.
If your archers never see combat, you have no use for LSGs. If they do, then LSGs are a better choice.