I started this army thinking that I would never do the ranked skink unit over the skirmishers. After a few games I gained some inspiration from the Empire. I am thinking of using 4x4 units of skinks with a Kroxigor in the middle (4 skinks in front and back of him with 2 on either side). I would use these "detachment" units to protect my flanks and charge my opponent's flanks all for 105 points.
I would try to go 5 wide just do get a couple of points worth of ranks to make up for the skinks that are going to die in the combat.
I use 3 wide 4 rank Skinks for support... I call their formation "punch"... I was use same tactic with Bretonnian Men at arms... it will work... and generally no one interest to attack 12 skink (With musician 66pst) until they get their rank modifiers... and because of only 3 in front rank, maximum 5 (20x20) or 4 (25x25) model can attack them...
If you use such a...clever (?) tactic, why won't you line 'em 2x5? Cheaper and even less models get to attack them. I'd use saurus warriors for "support".
Running them 3 wide would allow you to safely tuck them in between infantry blocks, denying the enemy the opportunity to charge them (unless it is a small charging unit).
Weird, it is not letting me edit my post... I was just going to add, that if you are using this small block exclusively as support for ranked saurus, it is likely they already have 1 or 2 ranks themselves, so the skinks having a rank is useless, while the possibility of fewer attacks back and the smaller size could potentially add an advantage. In any other situation, I'd prefer them 5 wide.
... and in 3 wide unit can whell more easyly... and fit in close gaps between Ranked saurus/temple guard blocks... as I say I was use that tactic with M@A unit and it works them better because of their light armour...
I didnt use such (2x5) a unit... but for your information there are some reasons for it; 1) Units front / flank ratio in 2w 5r is to small (0,4)... but same ratio in 3w 4r is (0,75) not so bad... as you can consider if the front / flank ratio of unit is small, probably it will flanked more easyly... and moving line units (like 10 wide 1 rank archers ) are difficult than normal units (wich front / flank ratio about 0,7 to 1)... and 2w 5r unit is a line unit too... 2) In close combat skink will die in great numbers... if you lose 6 skink in 10 men skink unit (shooting, magic or in close combat) you cannot nagate enemy's ranks... IMO 12 is more reliable number... 3) In 10 men skink unit if you lose 3, you must take a panic test... its ordinary number of wound can be caused by small (d6) magic missiles... 12 is more reliable number for that reason too... Im a Bretonnia player too. In Breton army units f/f ratio is generaly small (3wide 3rank Knight unit has 0,5 ratio)... if you want to move such unit without touch another, you must deploy them as 6-7" distant than each other... or your units cant whell more than 60 degree... the same is real for smaller f/f ratio units... in that case you cant use 2w5r skink effectivly in narrow areas (like between saurus/TG units)... and if Im not worng, this is a tactical discussion thread... please dont be rough and think about it before say a "...clever (?) tactic" or like ... with my best regards...
Dude. If you lose 3 skinks from a unit of 12...IT HAS TO TAKE A PANIC TEST! So much for reliability. Your skinks won't get flanked any easier if they have one extra skink hanging in the last rank. If that REALLY makes your unit impossible to manouvre, then I'm not going to argue about it.
OK. With all of the good advice, I have changed my plan. I now will be using 16 Skinks with 1 Kroxigor. 4 ranks of 5 wide. Thanks for the good ideas and criticisms.
I,d not suggest to use them if I'd be medicdave ,cause he said he also wanted them to charge and if they have protected your flank they normally need a charge range of about 10'' and saurus only get 8''