Revisiting excessive use of Sabretusks

There are some older threads on using Sabretusks, but I didn't see any actual results.
Their Master's Voice probably keeps them from being broken or something.

It adds an optional Hunter tax. I want to try out a unit of ten running 6 wide in the front with 4 in the back.
I'm on the fence per adding a hunter either naked or with some anti-character items.

Thoughts/experiences?
At somewhere under 400 points, I've got slower moving artillery magnets. My other special choices will likely be 6 Maneaters and maybe another two redirecting solo sabres.

The WS/Str/Tgh stat line is tempting me.

Oh, and I'll be proxying with warhounds probably. At least for testing.

Hunter (Sword of Striking, Crown of Command, Ironfist) is best IMHO.  Whether he runs with a single sabre (then charges out after the vanguard) or with a unit of 10 (for 2 full ranks of 6) - he's a lot of fun.

Also run a vanguard (or scouting) + stubborn unit of maneaters - your opponent won't know which direction to look.

-Snark

Seems to be a recurring theme - I keep seeing people say "10, 6 wide so two full ranks."

Eh? That's 12, and max unit is 10. Unless you are saying 5 sabres+ hunter, for 5 wide, two ranks, + Hinter as the 6th?

If I include the Hunter, I do like the Crown and Sword of Striking combo. Maybe Gold Sigil for the Initiative, to beat out other characters that could be a potential threat. (If the other character wipes out my hunter before he can swing, for example).

The Hunter's on a 50 x 50 base - exactly twice as wide as 2 Sabretusks. If he's in the unit, he'll be in the front, so the front rank will contain 4 Sabretusks and the Hunter, whereas the back rank will have 6 Sabretusks. There's your unit.

All in all, though, I would strenuously suggest against this tactic if a Hunter is not present, and the Hunter itself is a bit of a tough sell IMO.

This is the most showed image from my gallery but I love the guy:



What I have found is that the unit is decent against building occupants that aren't uba killers, and it works well against some T3 builds (and for some odd reasons, greenskins). The biggest asset is the hunter's LD9 though and the Vanguard can in the right monent be excellent. Though I would have prefered some sort of ambush rule or similar.

I too want an Ambush.

Sabretusks in the Storm of Magic are much better models, at least individually.

The double width of the hunter makes sense, it's 4 sabretusks by 4 sabretusks with two behind the hunter.

I don't expect to make it through combat with a full rank.I was talking about running 6 Sabres + Hunter, with 4 in the rear rank. If the 4 in the back live to make their 1 attack -- great.
I'd run them all in the front if I thought I could navigate the terrain. Cutting attacks by 2/3 and adding a rank for a cannonball to blast through isn't what I'd like to see though. That said, any artillery is going to go straight for the Hunter given the chance. /shrug

Maybe not completely on topic, but I was wondering.

What experience do people have with just 5 sabretusks? So no hunter.

It's 15 attacks on a good initiative and with T4 it seems like a good fast unit. And you'll panic only after 4 wounds have been done. And that for only 105 points.

Running a vanguarding Hunter with 10 buddy sabretusks is an idea Im toying with at the mo.
Along with a set of scouting maneaters it should give my opponents something to worry about 

Perhaps with a couple of gorgers too.....hmmmmmmmmmmmm 

Im busy using High Elf lion from the chariot along with a couple of spare Mournfang mounted on cav bases just to vary the unit a wee bit )

Maybe not completely on topic, but I was wondering.

What experience do people have with just 5 sabretusks? So no hunter.

It's 15 attacks on a good initiative and with T4 it seems like a good fast unit. And you'll panic only after 4 wounds have been done. And that for only 105 points.

While it's not a fantastic deal for 105 points, it's also about losing that one redirector. Now you're down to only 2 redirectors. Which really ain't a lot.

Also there are other reasons to panic than losing 4 wounds, something dies within 6" or you're affected by a spell/effect that cause you to take a panic/ld test. That low ld is just punching a big hole in their stability.

I would rather focus on making Yhetee's work before trying to make big units of Sabretusks work. A unit of 3 is only 132 points and I think it's better than 5 sabretusks  They are also a much needed unit if you run into Ethereals

Larger units do run the risk of being spooked. With the whole 'no BSB or General Leadership' thing they struggle to act as a proper unit in many ways. Better off kept as chaff, I feel, or used with a Hunter.