I haven't got all my modles yet, so I haven't been able to play test the Squat rules like you have. But as
Only 10 Squats per squad? I don't understand why they can't have a number range from 6 - 12, or 6 - 16.
As heavy/special weapons are dependant on squad, not squad-size, you are better off (for maximum effect) to take more smaller squads than fewer big ones. Back in RT you got 8 squats per brotherhood squad. No more, no less. I figured a bit more flexibility was in order, and 5-10 seems to work well.
From what I can tell from the Squat list, without playtesting it of course, I am supposed to move half my army foward while the other half lays cover fire. But, a 10 Squat squad with ONLY leadership 7 and armor of 5+???
Why move half the army forward?
I thought marines had a small squad number and other armies typically have up to 20 models in a squad due to their leadership and survivability.
With T4 they actually last a great deal longer than I initially though, and with the proper cover you always get a save, and in a squad of ten and no assaults you get four turns of uninterrupted shooting without trouble, at least when I have played.
I know you have been play testing them over the past X months, so tell me, how do Squats fair?
I have done ok. I have lost some, drawn some and won some. I have yet only played smaller engagements to test out units, and I am still building my army, but if I have a good first turn (as opposed to how I did the last battle, when I killed 3 gretchin with 9 heavy bolters... it was just sad) the Squats can do really well. I expect to keep balancing the codex up through version as I explore more units, points and tactics.
Could you post one of your army lists and maybe tactics you use for a cleanse mission or a standar kill em all for 6 turns mission?
I have played Combat patrols, and the last army was
10 Combat Brotherhood - 2 hb, 1 plasma, vet with fist
6 Assault Brotherhood - 3 flamers, 2 bolters, vet with fist
10 Support Brotherhood - 9 heavy bolters, vet with first
Thudd gun
It went ok, but, as I said, I had a
terrible first turn. Next time I will reap those orks...
I just held back, screened the combat with the assault, and support with the combat, both in cover, and the artillery hidden in some woods. It worked ok, except for one trukk getting by me, and 10 trukk boys rolling over my lines. Ouch.