Skirmishers

[Didymus]

I haven't played games in 8th edition yet, but i did have a quick look through the new rules and noticed the changes for skirmishers. I don't know what to think of the changes, are skirmishers (specifically skinks) on the field still pretty much the same or do they have new uses/tactics?

 

[Arli]

They changed a lot. Some god and some bad.

First up, the bad:
Skirmishers no longer have a 360 degree line of sight. They only get the front arc. They also now have to be positioned .5 inches apart (in a rank and file fashion). When charged, they have to close in ranks and become rank and file (like cohorts without the bonuses or ranks).

The good:
Skirmishers can march and shoot now. Skirmishers have the strider special ability and ignore some of the terrain tests. Javelins now have a range of 12 inches and are quick to fire (blowpipes are not ). Skirmishers marching and shooting gives you a close range shot range of 24 inches (single tapping) or 18 inches (double tapping) hitting on 6s.

Chameleons have become awesome due to that rule. Another note worth rule for chameleons is that scouts now can start anywhere on the board 12 inches from an enemy. Also, since chameleons have a better BS (4), they hit at long range on 5s after marching.

I am sure there is something that I am forgetting, but that is the gist of it.

 

[Xul]

as salamanders are skirmishers, they can now march & fire, which is brutal

 

[Arli]

Yea, I forgot the best unit.

 

[Didymus]

k, so chameleons have improved. what about the role skink skirmishers play (sreecning, diverting,..), has it changed a lot? should you still take a unit or 2-3 of skinks?