How to blob?

[gamma016]

Ok so I have been looking at the codex and everyone says to use blob squads, but other then the heavy weapons squads they don't seem all that much better then veteran squads. They have lower BS and they can't take docterines. Sure you and get a good amount of troops for lower points but they seem like they would be less useful to me. If anyone can give me some pointers on blob tatics that would be much appreciated because I feel like I'm not useing mine to it's fullest potential.

[Ponen19]

Are you looking at the infantry squads or the conscript squads? The normal infantry squads (10 man squads) can group together to make one large infantry squad with 20-50 troopers. The idea behind the blob squads is to either get ALOT of shots into the enemy squads or to tarpit enemy assaulters. The basic principle behind a blob squad is that your enemy has to fail his saving rolls at some point, so 50 shots into a squad of terminators is bound to kill something. The blob squads also make your orders more efficent. Instead of wasting an order on one squad of 10, you can use that same order on one squad of 50.

Tacticly speaking: blobs are really good for keeping your opponents troops pinned down somewhere while the squad and your heavy weapons teams pick the enemy apart. Since they can take heavy weapons in each squad they also have some relevance when dealing with tanks since you can give the entire squad "Bring it Down". 5 lascannons guarded by 40 guys with lasguns is not a bad deal.

Since it seems like your having trouble with yours, how are you using them?

[Cap'n Tightpants]

True, they're like vet squads with lower BS and no access to doctrines. But they're unlike vet squads in that they bring multiple heavy weapons, and 16+ wounds to protect those heavy weapons, as well as extra sergeants. And the ability to take commissars. They can tie up your opponent's combat units, camp on objectives and not get taken off with a couple of wounds. They can lay down hideous amounts of lasfire with or indeed without orders (you're looking at a maximum of 56 shots at 12" from a 20-man blob without any upgrades), which can bring down pretty much anything.

I run mine in a group of 30. With flamers (for overwatching), and one vox caster, they come to 215pts. including PCS. That 215pts. can take down hive tyrants, crisis suits, terminators, you name it, and sit on an objective or be used to screen my other, more specifically armed units from assualts.

I love vets, don't get me wrong, but blobs are a great tool in our arsenal, and something every guard player should try at least once.

[gamma016]

Ok so the point of the blob is to literally blob all your infantry squads in the platoon together to tarpit or mass fire, makes sense. Thanks guys it just seemed strange to get two squads of ten guys and a pcs when you could just get regular vet squads who have a better stay line. I'll have to try it out next game I play.

[dangerrod]

The blob squad works so well, I've found a number of opponents spend the entire game trying to killl the blob squad. When in reality there are other units in my army which are putting out more hurt. Plus they can be a quite formidable unit, my blob squad of 20 plus a Commissar and x2 Auto Cannons has taken care of;

A Necron Lord (Overwatched to death)
A thunder wolf (Overwatch)
Arjac Rockfist and Tac Squad(Rapid Firing)
Pedro Kantor and five man Tac Squad (Rapid Firing)
A Carnifex (In Close Combat)
Thunder Wolf and Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (Close Combat)
Countless Terminators and Marines (Rapid Firing)

And thats just what I can remember, they can really put out some hurt

Not bad from a unit that costs 155pts!!

Danger Rod

[WestRider]

Yeah, it's not a Blob unless you're actually making use of the Combined Squad Rule. Putting your Morale Test breakpoint through the roof, spreading buffs from Orders, Commissars, & Psychic Powers across dozens of Guardsmen at once, having tons of ablative bodies for your Special and Heavy Weapons, all that sort of thing.