When to decide how to split up your units?

[Ann]

I am curious what people on here think the convention is or should be for deciding how to split your forces in friendly games? For example, say you have three fast attack models that could either be grouped into three units of one each or one unit of three, all while obeying force organization rules.

Should you commit to X units when you write up your forces or is it acceptable to wait until you see what kind of scenario you are playing? (Again, this is for friendly games, not tournaments.) I tend to do what I see my opponent doing. If he commits beforehand, then I do too. If not, then I may but I don't feel bound to do so, assuming I'm playing a list where this is even possible.

There was a conversation at the game store I play at on this theme and the group was not able to reach an agreement on the issue. I don't have a strong opinion on this, but some of the people I play with sure do so I'd like to know what others think.

-- Ann

[The Dark Pwner]

commit to X units when you write up your force

^ This

Doing anything else is 1) Cheating per the rules 2) Un-sportsmen-like.

In a friendly game I would allow it, but I would say to him/her not to do it again. I would then advise other players what he/she is doing so they can make a decision beforhand.

In tournies it's a flat out no. You go by your list, no ifs, buts or maybes.

[Morr]

When you write your list you have to decide with the exception of space marine combat squads. That being that, the prevailing opinion used to be larger units but recently I have seen a trend towards MSU (many small units) but tbh it depends on your army composition. for example if you had 3 multimelta attack bikes and no other fast attack you would probably want to keep them seperate to maximise the damage as single shots can take out a vehicle. on the other hand if they all had heavy bolters its unlikely they would wipe out anything in a turn even in a large squad so keeping them together frees up 2 other fast attack choices. You effectively trade the flexibility of 3 independant models for one large unit which may suffer tests and run but frees up for more fast attack choices.

[Architech]

rules are quite clear that you must decide in the list making stage...with things like combat squad being decided on deployment...where the rules will specifically state.

[Ann]

I'll have to read over the rules and find a specific ruling that points this out. Otherwise, if I point it out to the group I'm involved in all I'll do is add fuel to the argument - some will agree and say, "Yeah!" and the other half will say "show me in the rules where I can't do that" and until someone does they'll keep doing it. Given that I'm pretty new to the group and have still tread somewhat lightly politically, if I can find where it says specifically that this isn't possible (and I believe the other posters when they say it isn't and would prefer people not do it in any case) I'll pass the reference along to one of the established players who feels strongly that units should be determined upon deployment except for the "combat squads" special rule.

I'm still new to 40K and while I'm gaming with a nice group of people, I do have to be careful with them because I'm picking up all sorts of "tactics" and such from them that turn out to actually be against the rules.