10 or 40 for skeleton unit size?

[Marthen]

The title is pretty self explanatory. Every list I see on here is either running a max or min unit of skeletons. Is there anything inherently wrong in running say 20 skeletons with sword and board?

[TheWilddog]

3 minutes ago, Marthen said:

The title is pretty self explanatory. Every list I see on here is either running a max or min unit of skeletons. Is there anything inherently wrong in running say 20 skeletons with sword and board?

20 is a really awkward for a couple of reasons.  First, you get the first +1 Attack at 20, so as soon as you loose one model you lose the buff. Second, you are missing out on the second +1 Attack at 30 and the horde discount at 40.  Just not efficient.

Units of 10 are cheap enough that they are good to just fill battleline and serve as throw away chaff and objective scorers. 

Also, spears are usually better than sword and board, particularly in big units where the extra reach lets you get in sooooo many more attacks from the second rank.

[Undeadly]

7 minutes ago, Marthen said:

The title is pretty self explanatory. Every list I see on here is either running a max or min unit of skeletons. Is there anything inherently wrong in running say 20 skeletons with sword and board?

Well, the key to skeletons is numbers. Number of attacks, number of wounds, number of skeletons within range to fight. Skeletons, for the most part, rely on insane numbers of attacks to deal damage. They use Spears as a way to boost the number of attacks by increasing their attack range. Skeletons get more attacks the bigger the unit.

Spears however, make the unit have less accuracy in the combat phase. This is made up by the number of attacks. 10 man skeleton units are designed to be speed bumps, and thus use the blade. This makes them surprisingly accurate, and makes each hit more likely to connect. 

[kenshin620]

It's not just skeles, but most units either want MSU or big horde. I can't think of too many examples of a unit that runs with 20 models if it can be taken at 30/40 or two units of 10.

[AverageBoss]

And honestly though, I would rather take 5 dire wolves than 10 skeletons outside certain lists.

For me its 40 skeletons or none, outside said lists.

[Arael_Greywings]

7 hours ago, TheWilddog said:

20 is a really awkward for a couple of reasons.  First, you get the first +1 Attack at 20, so as soon as you loose one model you lose the buff. Second, you are missing out on the second +1 Attack at 30 and the horde discount at 40.  Just not efficient.

Units of 10 are cheap enough that they are good to just fill battleline and serve as throw away chaff and objective scorers. 

Also, spears are usually better than sword and board, particularly in big units where the extra reach lets you get in sooooo many more attacks from the second rank.

Horde discount?

Ah ofc... at 40 with the skellies and at 60 with the zombies... Damn I didn't know that before...

 

You also get a Bonus for every 10 Models to bravery, reducing losses due to Battleshock. And with Death nowadays: As long as the unit is not wiped out we can keep coming back, our enemies dont... So...^^

[AverageBoss]

6 minutes ago, Arael_Greywings said:

Horde discount?

Many units are cheaper at max size. These are indicated by having 2 points values next to their pitched battle profile in the GHB.

Skeletons for example are listed as 80/280. This means they cost 80 per 10, but a full 40 man unit only costs 280, a 40 point discount.