Hi guys... First of thanks for a great forum, it has really been inspiring to read all the stuff in here. My Lizardmen army is coming along nicely and I have a weekend of Warhammer to look forward to. To that end I'm building some different lists, but my big question is if it would be to stupid to make TG 6 wide (with 20), making the unit 6 x 4 with the Slann. My main reason for wanting them that way is purely visual, I like that the Slann is in the centre and that the width matches my two other Saurus units. Anyway you comments on this will be greatly appreciated... / Peter
The main problem there is the point cost for the unit - it is quite huge. Not a lot is going to break you sure but its a lot of points. Also remember 6 across TG with full ranks and a Slann is an extremely scary sight to any opponent, if they have heavy guns they'll be pointed at you. If they don't, they will try to avoid the unit in combat at all costs. And since you are movement 4 only, it is not to hard to avoid. The unit is powerful, just a little impractical.
It is very that it isn't the best point investment, I could drop one rank making the unit 6x3, but that might make the unit to weak... event though 3 units of 6x3 would look stunning... I also found it a bit hard to manoeuvre with 6 wide units (I'm use to playing Wood Elves )
The loss of maneuverability is probably the worst part, as a big part of using a Slann is getting him line of sight on things. This problem can be solved via conversion by someone more skilled than myself. Let's say the Slann busted his magic palanquin, and had to be carried by 4 Temple Guard? Just make him 3 wide and 2 deep, and at each corner have a TG carrying the palanquin. This would let him be more in the center, and you'd just have to explain to people that the model counts as 1 Slann and 2 TG. Basically each of the 4 corners would be 1/2 TG worth of space. It would get tough to keep track as the unit size dwindled, but it would look rather awesome and eliminate the off-center Slann look that rightly offends a lizardman player's sense of order. Hmm, maybe I'll tinker around with that when I finally put my army together...
I love order... and that's why I love the fluff of the Lizardmen. I'm by no means a great player and I think I will go with a 6 wide unit, even though it isn't the best choice. But it will really look good when the unit is flanked be 2 units of 6 wide Saurus Warriors (12 or 18 in each). I hope it won't hurt me to much during the games. I guess I could take a lore with movement spells and maybe the magic drum to counteract the lack of manoeuvrability
how about having a 4 by 4 unit? this seems like a stupid idea at first (it probably is), but it will be symetrical (the most important thing), will cover the slann from attacks from all sides, manouverable and still make a decent fighting unit. Obviously this is not optimal but could still be used by a player who cares about looks as much as winning. (also the boxes of TG contain only 10 models, making the 15*3 setup cost twice as much (real money) because you would have to buy 2 boxes.
Because then you get no rank bonus (need 5 wide), and half the merit of 16/20 TG with a slann BSB with warbanner is that you're sitting on 6 or 7 CR (outnumber) before casualties.
I do my TG 5x3 with the ten TG from the box, my frog, and Chakax... (10+4+1=15) But that's because I love Chakax so much I couldn't not have him in there...
about my 4 by 4 idea: I know you don't get a rank bonus until 5 model wide ranks. I miscalculated-thinking it would only take 10 models when it actualy takes 12