mandrakes?

[genestealer1414]

are mandrakes worth it? and if they are, what tactics should i employ with them?

[waЯu]

Mandrakes used to be very very good at disrupting enemy shooting/movement by assaulting the extreme corner of a unit, killing a model and bearing the small number of attacks back effectively locking them in place for their their turn as moved in to slaughter the Mandrakes. Now, they get utterly minced in combat.

But... because of their unique deployment and shallow skinned rules, I can see them being very very useful in contesting objective. While being unable to claim them yourself, a squad of mandrakes can effectively contest three objectives at once no matter how far apart... Send each of the markers off after a different objective (bearing in mind... they can run now! The codex says their special movement doesn't benefit from their fleet rule, some dastardly wordhammer means you can run with the blighters) and at the end of the third turn reveal one to contest the held objective of your choice with your shiny 2+ cover save!

Actually, I'm buying myself some now.

[Psychichobo]

I had an enemy group slaughter my hormagaunts once. Apparently since they always count as being in cover they always strike first in the first turn of combat or something odd. Need to check that. But if you send them against stuff that they can take then you'll be alright... man that's bad advice.

I think the main power of them is the fear and control factor. Since your opponent has to consider that they could appear in any one of those three spots he's got to really make sure he's well protected, etc.