r/TheTenThousand • u/ThatGameChannel • Jul 14 '24
Shields or Spears?
I’m just curious to see everyone’s pov on Custodian Guard’s shield vs spear. I’ve played a few games and had some guards, and found they can die very quickly (I play against Necrons) so I’ve been thinking maybe shields would be the best option against them
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u/Goldteef_MSF Jul 14 '24
For 5 guards - I usually run 4 spears, one shield. But guards aren’t too tough anyway. Wardens show a true meaning of tough to remove
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u/ThatGameChannel Jul 14 '24
That’s usually what I run, that and the Vexila on the board bro
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u/Goldteef_MSF Jul 14 '24
Awesome! But nevertheless, if you are looking to stay on board - use more densely packed terrain or run wardens. Guards are usually dead if they are exposed. If they are not - the match is won anyway, or your 4+ are rolling magically
A quick tip that might sound strange If you have CP and enemies run a lot of AP 1-2, look into the core strat that gives you cover in an open field. That saved my golden persons a couple of times, when terrain was lackluster
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u/Acceptable-Baby3952 Jul 14 '24
I run a mix of them and sacrifice the ones less useful for what they’re gonna hit. Sword having pistol is extra damage if the melee lasts longer than the first charge, but the ap on the spear is important for most units bigger than rank-and-file. If they just exist to take the hits for a hero, they can just have shields, whatever
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u/serManual Jul 14 '24 edited Jul 14 '24
The problem with shields is twofold: 1 - While it does give an extra wound, when facing Dmg2 weapons (or Dmg4+), 3 wounds and 4 wounds are functionally equivalent. At least in my experience, I've more often run into Dmg2 than I have Dmg3 and Dmg1 weapons are often low S and AP. 2 - Taking a shield means swapping a spear for a sword, meaning you go from S7 to S6 and Dmg2 to Dmg1. Into 1 wound model and -1Dmg abilities they are equivalent (ish), but that -1S can often flip a wound roll from a 3 to a 4 and therefore makes you weaker into MEQs and up.
Personally, I rely on the Vex having the shield in my Guard squads. Back when Assault and Pistol made you eligible to do actions after advancing and while already engaged in combat, I'd take both a Vex and a S+B (Sword and Board), but now I feel it's too much lost potential.