Civilians......Why?

[DoctorDuckButter]

I've been reading the rules, besides being very low on points, why would you take a civilian?

They don't see to be high on the cost-benefit level compared to agents. Agents get 1 common weapon, plus a 1 point weapon, and one skill, plus their stats are higher. They also do not die as easily. All for one extra point, seems like a bargain.

Thoughts?

[Mathyoo]

In theory, I was thinking you hide them somewhere and get another die for map piece!
So they die and you can reequip almost every game!

I've tried running a cult in VUK with 8 miniatures (one command) versus my brother's 5 (2 commands, all could activate). It didn't work well.

So, too many miniatures dont work too well. Maybe a char, 2 agents (one lieutenant), civilian. Gives you 5 points for equipment and you can activate them all.

[LidlessEye]

Increasing the number of models in your Threshold force can also limit your opponent's ability to field large nasty monsters, at least in scenarios where the Lurker player is required to have more models than Threshold.

[obsidian3d]

I actually had a civilian who seemed nearly unkillable. He lasted through everything and helped me win more than a single game. Give them a few .22 pistol and use them as ranged support. Keep them out of close combat, and as already mentioned, they can gain you map pieces, or allow re-equips if you use them for fodder. Cruel, but then, so are the Ancient Ones.

[superflytnt]

I've been reading the rules, besides being very low on points, why would you take a civilian?

"Asps....very dangerous....you go first." ~ Sallah

I always try to put one Civvy in my list primarily so I can get him killed, which allows me to re-equip, thus allowing me to engage the enemy with larger builds on subsequent games.

That, and like the noble Red Shirts, they are truly expendable.

[styx]

Increasing the number of models in your Threshold force can also limit your opponent's ability to field large nasty monsters, at least in scenarios where the Lurker player is required to have more models than Threshold.

yea, I had a laugh with this team idea:
Chracter
Agent+Civ
Agent+Civ
Agent+Civ

character takes Improved command, Agents takes the Lt skil...leaves you 1 point for something...runs 7 models, so if you win a mission you get a good amount of map rolls and as said before, it limits the Lurker if limited in team design of their team must be +1 larger. So, imagine trying to build a Lurker team of say 20 points with a required 8 models!

[cuchulain23]

I like the ranged support idea for pretty cheap. "Quantity is a quality of its own" kind of thing. The extra chances for map pieces is something I did not think about either. I believe I will now requisition these ideas for my own lists... .

[MrHarold]

Increasing the number of models in your Threshold force can also limit your opponent's ability to field large nasty monsters, at least in scenarios where the Lurker player is required to have more models than Threshold.

Sneaky I like it!

[Bergh]

There are several good reasons to use Civilians:

1. There give variation and are quite nice as cannon fodder. Strange Aeons are a fun little game, analysing every little aspect and point value of the game for "WIN"ning can ruin the fun.

2. They are a cheap way to get map piece rolls. and when they die re-equip.

3. For the fun of the story in the game. When we play it all about making funny names for the cultists and laughing at funny situation (deaths). Quite funny to have a civilian who somehow survives against all the odds.

PS: could be cool if you could upgrade a Civilian to an Agent if he survives like 10 games. Effectively just giving him access to more then 2 skills totally.

[Mason]

As wel as all the reasons listed above, another excellent use for Civilians is for the more mundane tasks in the game like searching or lugging crates.
This leaves your more valuable Agents available for the important things, like killing Lurkers.

I also agree with the comments about having a bit of fun in games, and Civilians and their aliases are a part of that, at least in our games.
One of our players has just hired a Civilian with a Meat Cleaver, and is using a butcher miniature.
Great!

[superflytnt]

You guys are brill. I had never thought about the map piece aspect. That's quite clever.

Me, I've always used them as forward operators to force enemies to expend turns chasing them down/shooting them while I bring in the big guns.

[Dolmot]

So they die and you can reequip almost every game!

I always try to put one Civvy in my list primarily so I can get him killed

There give variation and are quite nice as cannon fodder.

Gentlemen, you shouldn't discuss your strategies anywhere near the recruitment office.

[superflytnt]

Right, mate. We'll wait until after the election. Half the country will be ready to die once the winner's determined if Facebook posts are any indication!

Then...adverts for cannon fodder are going EVERYWHERE!

[styx]

Right, mate. We'll wait until after the election. Half the country will be ready to die once the winner's determined if Facebook posts are any indication!

Then...adverts for cannon fodder are going EVERYWHERE!

I am still thinking of writing in Cthulu for President, why pick the lesser of two evils?

[DoctorDuckButter]

I guess the best idea is keep the Civilians cheap and plentiful? That way, to paraphrase Ivan Drago, "If they die, they die."