8th Ed. Rippers, Terradons, Tiktaqto, and modeling

So I have a few questions.

Tiktaqto-what is the consensus here? Can he join units of terradons? Im inclined to say yes, since he has special rules. I talk to a buddy of mine, and he thinks he should, so thats how Im going to play it. But could he also join rippers?

Chiefs on terradon/rippers- If Tiktaqto can join units, which I say he can, does that mean chiefs can also do so?
And could a terradon chief join rippers? Or should it just be same unit type. I think so, but I want your opinions.

As for modeling terradons and rippers. In the ideal world I would have 6 of each. But since they are so flippin expensive, I'll probably only get 2 boxes. I want to be able to run lists using both types, but Im not sure how to model them. I think rippers look cooler, and if I said that they are terradons that wouldnt really be a problem. I really only play with 2 other guys. But I wanted to know if you guys had a solution for this. Maybe magnets? But how many pieces would need to be magnetized? I just ordered 2 boxes, so Im thinking of what I'll do when I get them.

Thanks guys!

 

sadly we still don't have an official FAQ.
we are all asking these and many more questions.

 

but what do YOU think?

 

Unfortunately the rules are currently rather clear on this. It is stated in the character sections of the BRB that they are not able to join a flying unit. Therefore according to rules the terradon chief cannot join a unit of terradons or ripperdactyls.

Ofcourse if you and your opponent agree to allow the chief to join terradons you can then do this. I would go by the rulebook just to keep the principle of not to join even if I would be playing lizardmen. But if I were to allow I would say that you could then mix the mount types in a unit.

BR
Agrem

 

This is the ultimate case of RAW vs. RAI

 

The army rulebook page for Tiktaqto contains rules that would be redundant if we wasn't able to join a unit of Terradons. So I'd say yes, he can, and just put it down to a lack of cross-checking on GW's part. There's nothing to say why he should join Rippers however: he's has no rules or even a character background to justify it, and the BRB gives no indication that he should.

This is less clear, however there's nothing to say that they should. As previously stated, the BRB says that characters cannot join flying units. So I'd say no, they can't. However, I think you could make an argument to your opponent to allow a character on a Terradon to join a Terradon unit, for example. I'm not convinced by mixing Terradons and Ripperdactyls however.

Hmm, tricky. I think magnetising the many different components just to swap them in/out would be a lot of unnecessary trouble. If you were to do it, then I'd try to limit as many removable components as possible. For example, I think exchanging the heads would be enough of a difference. However, magnets can be pricey. I'm not aware of any other alternatives however, short of blu tack

Perhaps trawl through eBay and see if you can pick up any more on the cheap? It's further expenditure, but if you don't mind them the older versions are usually available fairly cheaply.

I thought that was the Predatory Fighter debate? xp

 

They say, all questions like these will be answered in 9th edition, and thats the reason there is no faq from high elves. Well, we will find out soon enough
In my opinion, theyll change the rule of the flying characters,and all of them will be able to join flying units.

 

I am a total heretic. I think a Saurus on a Cold One should be able to join / lead a unit of Saurus foot. (A knight should be able to lead infantry....and so on.)

But a dude on a Terradon should at least be able to fly with other Terradons. Same goes for a knigget on a Pegasus having other Pegasus riders for wingmen.
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As for modeling the Ripper/Terradons ... the same set of three sprues can build both? True?

I think the key features you would need to make swap-able are the heads and the drop-able boulders. As far as other features like legs, talons, spurs, tails...I would just go with the rule-of-cool. Whatever looks the best to you. You could probably make six unique flying beasties using different combos of legs, talons, spurs, & tails.

The way they attach to the flying stand makes the boulder swap a problem. Maybe the boulder could be carried on the back of the 'bird' aft of the rider?

BTW: a magnetized component only needs ONE magnet. (The kewl kidz use an earth magnet on each side, for each swap out component, but this is overkill.) Embed one magnet in the body at the neck and embed a metal washer or nail head in each alternate head. Magnets + ferrous metal FTW.

How are you at working with brass rods and brass tubes? That might be a different way of making the head swap.

 

I believe the BRB states that mounted characters can actually join units on foot?

 

That's correct.
Except if they are monsters, riding a monster or riding a chariot. (Or unless otherwise stated).

So the terradon chief could join a unit of skinks for example. Not skirmishers though as it is ruled that characters on mounts cannot join units of skirmishers. (Under rules for skirmishers, p.77)

Rather complicated, huh?
No wonder these questions pop once in a while as there are so many rules and nyances to remember with this game.

BR
Agrem

 

the worst part is that we had an exception for terradons in the last book.
They where the only flying character that could join flying units.
it seems to me that they just forgot to add that sentence,
considering tick-tak-toe's rules about being in a unit.

 

I actually have a bunch of magnets. I magnetized all 70 something of my saudus warriors so i could swap swords and spears. The heads should be easy enough, but the boulders...i guess ill have to see how the pieces go...

 

I would disagree, some might argue that the Predatory Fighter debate is RAW vs. RAW + RAI. But that debate is probably best left alone, considering its somewhat troublesome history.

This is indeed correct (provided that the mount isn't a monster), they just don't benefit from a Look Out Sir roll because they are not of the same troop type.

 

I had a look at the models on the GW store (NZ for some reason) and the boulders are the attach point for the flying stand post.

After looking at the models I think the only way is to do some kind of conversion that lets the flying beasty carry the boulder some other way. Like on its back. or maybe chained under the neck. Carried on the back means the Skink's job is to cut the boulder loose at the right moment. Flyer pulls up abruptly, bombs away.

Otherwise, magnetized leg swaps? yipes.

 

for dropped rocks...
how about on a separate flying stand.
(upside-down and in mid air)

 

Looking at the sprue, I think I'll just forego the boulders, maybe Ill put them on the bases, crushing some poor skaven...

 

I would suggest that too that you just leave out the boulders as they seem to be pretty difficult to fit in. The other legs will do just fine with either rippers or terradons. The older models didn't haven the rocks either. Also I would just go with the tail piece that you feel to be the most coolest one and only consider magnetizing the head part if you really feel the need to do that.

I actually assembled mine with the long tail, legs without boulders and terradon heads. I run them as both depending on the situation needed. Granted I got plenty of older models for terradons so they stand out quite nicely for either skink chiefs or ripperdactyls.

BR
Agrem