Thinking about Incubi

[Lanz]

Incubi are a bit of an odd option in Legion, I find. It's a bit hard to stomach 5 points that basically don't appear on the board until things start dying. However, I've really been thinking about them, and the more I consider them, the more things I've realized that make them sound more and more respectable for their cost.

- They aren't really 'not there' at the start of the game. Your opponent knows they're in your list, and knows that they'll pop up from a unit, this means he has to consider Incubi could pop up anywhere a legion warrior model dies, so they're causing a psychological effect right from the get-go.

- They're the perfect second wave models. Many factions have second-wave models. Slower, harder-hitting, often not too durable. They're meant to advance behind a screen, and counter-charge when that screen gets engaged. Incubi do exactly this, except they're invincible until they want to pop up, they're always going to be in counter-charge range, and they're a swarm of solos instead of a coherent unit (has its ups and downs). Best of all; you don't have to worry about protecting, buffing or moving them until it's time for them to get into the thick of things.

- They cut through enemy lines like it's no one's business. Being placed within (not completely within) 2" of the point of death is a fairly awesome deal. That's plenty of room to spawn behind units (behind heavies, even) then proceed to charge the soft underbelly of an army, or be placed facing the backs of whatever they spawned behind, then charge them in the rear. Backstrikes making them an effective MAT 9 is just awesome.

- They can cross the board. This can be surprisingly difficult for most second-wave units, but the Incubi are right there, literally ontop of whatever forward screen you have, and aside from just being able to counter-charge, they can just take off on a full run afterwards to go wherever you need a model to be.

- They're actually pretty versatile. Need accuracy? spawn for a backstrike. Need damage? Combo strike. Need volumes of attacks? Make both attacks. Their MAT 7 PS 11 is a great starting point for their variety of tools.

- They're very likely to work in your favor. There's the notion that they're risky because your opponent just might not kill things, but really, though, look at some of the units that are ideal front-line troops; Hex Hunters, Legionnaires, Swordsmen. These are all solid units. If your opponent doesn't kill half the squad in one fell swoop, then any of those units are going to massacre things in retaliation for getting close enough to try. If they do kill half the unit, then boom, there's all 6 Incubi, like a second wave just spawned in the middle of the fight wherever they're needed most. Arguably, a single Incubi dropping into the middle of the fight with the potential for charges and backstrikes is potentially more deadly then most other single grunts would be. So if anything, the loss of 6 x-troopers to allow 6 Incubi to charge in is usually going to be awesome. Even if they started the game in play, they wouldn't get into combat until a bunch of things had died anyways.


So those are my thoughts on Incubi, which have currently lead me to put them at the top of my next-to-purchase list, and considering them in any list where I have a first-wave unit.

[Crate123]

While the placement is within 2, its within 2 of the center of your base, so if the enemy placed almost b2b you can not get a charge off. If they didnt place almost b2b, then you can not get backstrike off and you only get 5 incubi, not 6.
I must admit I have a hard time finding those 5 points, if we could buy them at 1 point each I would be much happier with them.

[boingboing]

Incubi are a group of models that I really want to use more and I really wish were just a little better.

They have dilemas such as: 5 Incubi for 5 points, or going from a minimum to a maximum group of hexhunters or swordsmen--4 models for 3 points that have similar effectiveness. Likewise, their MAT 7 with a possible MAT 9 from backstrike bonus is decent but not great. My most common opponent frequently plays Khador; MAT 9 vs Def 19 Kayazy or Def 17 Winterguard with the possibility of tough is rather ho-hum.

I even tried them in scenarios with the intention of getting them in an opponent's backfield to destroy objectives. Their combostrike was lackluster. Almost seems like they need tough, or abomination, or some extra ability to justify their inclusion.

Don't let this dissuade you from their purchase. They can get the last few points of damage in against warjacks and warbeasts if you want to leave a scythean or carnivean with open fury for transfers. They do ok-ishly against things like bane knights or bane thralls, or any infantry that isn't abnormally hard to kill.

Also unless I've been playing them wrong (a possibility) on either of Deneghra's feat turns if they pop out after she feats, they are unaffected which is kind of cool.

[Lachlan the Mad]

I intend to get Incubi when I build my Vayl1 list (currently third on my schedule after finishing my current Absylonia list and building up a Thag1 list). In that case, I want a squad of max legionnaires with their UA to be my Incubus delivery system. IMO Legionnaires work great for Incubus delivery.

[katadder]

my only use for incubi currently is on Kallus' feat

[Defenstrator]

I made a point of using them in my Thagrosh list and I've been happy with their performance. Becuase of the angle of models charging in you can frequently put the Incubi far enough away that it can get deeper into their lines. Opponents have found that second line models that want to be closer to the front like Gorman or A&H have to stay further back or risk Incubi assault.

Also, becuase Legionnaires are often paired up I find one Incubi can often kill two models in melee with its attacks.

Not for every list, but if playing a more infantry heavy force I don't think they're a bad choice.

[Nargacuga]

It would sure be nice if they were 1pt each as opposed to 5 for 5

There have been many times I would have liked to bring just a couple to fill out a list