I've noticed few if any take rank and file anymore

[Auticus]

As the topic notes, I've noticed that few if any lists involve any rank and file anymore. Particularly R&F like reavers/marauders.

Are we giving GW the sign to stop putting out rank and file models?

[Mr Mystery]

Wait for the points system.

Me, I still use them. Most of the little fellas come with a bulk booster, so they can do more damage than most think.

[grimmas]

I like a Dark Feast battalion. My marauders with two handed weapons have been repurposed as Bloodreavers with Meatripper Axes.

[Erik Setzer]

If you can just throw out the elites only, why not use them only? Especially as any R&F older than a few months looks weedy next to the AoS "R&F" models (who are also too often statted up to be elites).

The bulk booster sounds great, until you realize it means you have to drop a very sizable chunk of change to get that boost, and have to paint up all those models. If you can just take a few models that end up being cheaper and a lot faster to paint, why use the others?

It gets even worse when you factor in the base game's reliance on model count as "balance," so if you take R&F, you're actually giving your opponent an advantage.

I suspect the "Matched Play" might help the situation some, but for now, there's just no real incentive to take R&F, and lots of incentive to take non-R&F.

[Morgrim]

Half my Seraphon army is still Saurus Warriors. Part it is that's what I have, true, but they're good enough that I'm happy fielding them. I guess it depends how many models a unit needs to be effective?

[grimmas]

I suppose it also matters whether you're playing "competitive" equal sized forces or utilising narative scenarios. If you're playing a narative Game as Bloodbound without a good portion of Bloodreavers it seems a little off.

Time and effort also comes into it. It takes a lot more in terms of time and resources to knock up an effective number of Bloodreavers than Blood Warriors, as you'd need about 4 times as many for a similar power level. This has been always the way though and we've always seen more "elite" armies than hordes.

[CoffeeGrunt]

Only games I see played are all lists like Carnosaurs and a Dread Saurian vs Skarbrand and Daemons, or Nagash and Mortarchs.

Why bring Rank models when you can bring Nagash, pick a Sudden Death assassination objective, and do Hand of Dust?

[grimmas]

Only games I see played are all lists like Carnosaurs and a Dread Saurian vs Skarbrand and Daemons, or Nagash and Mortarchs.

Why bring Rank models when you can bring Nagash, pick a Sudden Death assassination objective, and do Hand of Dust?

Well because it's a bit crap and there's lots of more interesting scenarios than playing the one on the starter rules.