I'm just wondering how to use my Uruk Crossbows.

How do others use them? Do you group them all together or spread them out between warbands?

So for example with 12 crossbows and 3 warbands, would you have the crossbows as a single warband or would you have 4 in each of the 3 warbands?

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I think a drug habbit would be cheaper...

I'd block them together, and deploy them last. Logic behind this is that since chows cannot move, if you spread them out amongst melee units, who need to move into combat, there is a good chance that they'd have to shoot through their friends. If they are lumped together you can navigate the rest of your army out of the line of fire.

Yep, that's what I'd do as well, also because then their hero can control/heroically manipulate the bunch, and because you want to move xbows as little as possible. OTOH, bows I sometimes break up into separate warbands.

One thing to keep in mind is to be wary of enemy wizards and/or siege engines.
The last thing you want is to lose your entire squad of crosshai's because they got hit by a trebuchet or a sorcerous blast.

So in situations like that it might pay off to spread them out more.

do crossbows have any penalties in combat?

Nope, they can fight the same as every other uruk-hai.



Siege engines rarely make apperances in SBG these days - too easy to close down and nullify and if there is a siege engine, it will be a avenger bolt thrower or siege bow. Both are unlikely to take out a whole block of crossbows.

SB may be more of an issue but if you are clever with your crossbows and deploy them in some ruins, on a hill etc you can almost guarantee that any wizards wont be able to get close enough to blast them all. Not without fighting their way through the rest of your army first

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12th GBHL 2013.
13th GBHL 2014
9th GBHL 2015


Mid Sussex Wargamers

Excellent thanks for the feedback. I was considering blocking them together, but now i know I will!

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I think a drug habbit would be cheaper...

The point about deploying last so you have a better idea of where to best place them can also be reversed. If there is a strategic point on the board (objective, or good terrain choke point, etc.) you could always deploy your Crossbows FIRST to provide cover to that area. This threat alone may be enough to alter your opponent's deployment plans. They may put fewer of their forces in that area to minimize risk or may put more there to maximize strength (thereby reducing the force concentration at other parts of the board). Either way, forcing your opponent to change their plans is usually an effective tool.

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Wait ye the finish! The fight is not yours.
Beowulf

http://TacticsInMiniature.com

I like the way you think Beowulf03809 !

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I think a drug habbit would be cheaper...