NKE ARMY
ADVICE
By Don Effinger
Shhhhhhhhhhhh! What I'm about to tell you must be kept in complete secrecy. Don't tell anyone about this.
GENERAL & BATTLE STANDARD BEARER
You must take these. Place them behind the infantry to use their leadership qualities. It holds your line together nicely. I use to use them fighting with the rest of the chariots... bad move. They just died and were not around when the infantry got into a scrap. It seems like the coward's way but the line holds better with these guys in the back lending their leadership and BSB reroll. Sorry to have to break this news to you.
CHARIOTS
Chariots don't do very much. They can't perform like they did in history. Don't charge infantry unless they are worthless scum and not in ranked units. If you do charge you had better be sure you will win going in.
Don't assume anything!!!!! Don't take many of these. They will miss or just not kill enough to be worth their salt.
Sorry to tell you this but... the NKE chariots ARE weaker than the other armies like Hittites and Assyrians. The reason is simple, they don't have thrusting spears. That one item gives the attacker +1 strength when charging. This is huge when chariots charge infantry. They can negate a save and start slicing. It's no lock to rout a unit but it sure helps. Suddenly the General and ABS with extra attacks and those thrusting spears pack a punch. The NKE chariots just use their S3 and that is a risky venture when attacking. They don't have a lot going for them, no rank bonuses, extra back rank attacks, no diagonal attacks etc. etc.=tough day at the track.
I've never tried the Ne'arin chariots but I'd bet they would come in handy. Too bad some of the best stuff all come out of the same points pool though. Shucks.
CHARIOT RUNNERS & SKIRMISHERS
Chariot runners rarely get into any fighting. I don't use them anymore. Instead use Libyans for this role.
They are cheaper and faster and do the same job. They make good skirmishers as well. They can fight any skirmishing unit the enemy has, toe to toe. Nubians are good as well. Nice addition but a little redundant with the NKE archers around.
SHOCK INFANTRY
These should be the main part of your army along with the archers. Take as many as you can. Give a unit lt. armor put them in units of 20 or more if you can. Rank them up and hope for the best. The axemen are nice as well. A unit of 20 all ranked up helps defend very well. Use them on the flank or as a flanking unit with the Sherden. The extra S will be a surprise for opponents that ignore them.
ARCHERS
Take as many as you can. ALWAYS give them lt. armor and the full command groups. They MUST fight in HtH with the infantry for you to have any chance to win. Once the enemy gets close he'll be gunning for these guys.
MARINES
Use Marines as well. They are a nice addition with some options for you to explore.
SHERDEN
These are good troops (the best you have) but expensive. I always try to field a unit. Don't bother giving them javelins, it's a waste. Give them lt. Armor, to protect your investment, if you can afford the points. You could squeak by and take their cheaper cousins, the Sea Peoples. They are a nice alternative in smaller point games. A poor man's version of the Sherden.
Good luck! Your mileage may very. Check your local listings. Void where prohibited by law.
