Hey all. Just spewing out random thoughts again on some Lizardmen units. Any advice, retorts or just comments on what I think about the unit would be greatly appreciated! After all, I'm still learning as well. I played an Ancient Stegadon today and honestly after all the times I've used it I've been a little underwhelmed. They never really do "that much." Even at S6 their fairly avg/low base attacks of 3 and variable attacks of D6+1 impact hits (only on charge of course) and D6 thunder stomps sometimes leaves you wishing for more from their 275 point cost. Many poison and war machine time weapons that do d3-d6 wounds really tear him apart as well. I'm not sure if anyone else feels the same about the Ancient Stegadon or any Stegadon I believe in general for competitive tournament type lists. I see it as more support units that can make more impacts to the game such as skirmisher skinks, more camo skinks, more salamanders, more Saurus Warriors possible, maybe up the sizes on a couple blocks etc. I'd love to hear what you guys think of them. Thoughts? I still really like running the Slann alone with Ethereal and the 2+ ward save vs shooting. His free movement makes it really easy to get his LD and BSB to places you really need them. Helped a lot in my last couple games. However, I'm still waiting for someone to disagree with me on this and give me reasons why TG should be used with him...(I love their models lol)
I think the impact that stegadons bring to the game is more invisible than actual removing of enemy models. I think they bring much psychological threat to the table. If they manage to get into the close combat they are quite hard to get rid of. With high toughness and decent armour save they can survive quite long. Also stubborn makes them stay in combat quite long. Also in a way it is positive that the cannons are usually aimed at them. Yes, it is frustrating to deploy and then remove a high priced model but then again the artillery fire was directed at them and not something else that might be more valuable to your tactic. I have to agree with you on the last note about solo slanns. I think they perform much better than with TG. And in the end you just tend to blow up half of them in the air with miscasts anyway. I usually run mine with just the 2+ ward save and leave the ethereal discipline home. I don't see that so necessary. With well planned movement you should be able to keep the toad out of the combat and the 2+ ward save should do the rest. I find that the slann is quite seldom targeted by shooting because of the T4, W5 and 2+ ward so I'm better off using those ethereal points elsewhere. BR Agrem
I have in general two types of competative armys. One is with 3 stegadons "Engine of god, ancient and one baby steg. Slann with Life etheral and cupped. I dont recommend using 2+ward vs shooting. It takes up a enchanted slot and cost much. You can always put slann in saurus unit a turn or two, as well as use look out sir within 3inches i believe. He is tough aswell, he can take some beating ! I even like when they sometime try killing him and using their range vs him instead of other units. Trust ward save and regen from life. This setup is defensive, and looking for a all-in charge with 2 or all 3 stegadons in the same turn. Aswell as putting Dwellers below and micast to his side of the table. Yes they are expensive "alot comparing to Hydras", but using them this ways makes up for some of the points, and like stated before. They do actually bring a headache "psychological threat" To be honest, i guess i have met to few Imperial and Dwarfs opponnent with cannons, they should fail alot vs these setups. My second list is a infanteri based setup with TG´s and Light. "See my battle report, 2500pts vs Orks" This is a more offensive setup with only Engine of the god, and 29 TG s instead of 2 stegadons. TG´s also have the problem of being slightly overpriced, only looking at their stats. But they have huge other benefits. They protect slann, slann can shoot missles in combat. Slann have 18 inch command radius because of him being treated as a large target. TG´s are immun to psy and stubborn. That really seems to make up for their 16pts each. With the lore of light, giving them WS 10 , strike first etc makes them REALLY tough. Some weakness here should be versus high elf and caos instead. I think that you really have to get a good round of magic of in one of the two most important turns aswell. So both have their good and bad sides. I personaly like them both and mix them up for fun. Havent tried the second one in any tournament yet, but im pretty sure they are very killy! The first one have given me alot of wins.
I wouldn't say the ward save is expensive since it practically cost 4 ranked skinks less than the ethereal discipline. Also I don't see that many good enchanted items besides this for slann. Sure ethereal is more safe versus shooting and close combat but it won't save you from the sniper spells which you would also benefit from the 2+ ward save. Also you can't use regen and ward save the same time. You only choose one. (BRB p. 74) BR Agrem
Slann do not get the 18" inspiring presence as they no longer count as a large target, I believe that was 7th edition. The rule now is that they float up out of their unit to get LOS for casting missiles and direct damage then float back down.
Ok maybe i should have used another word then expensive. But the item is still overkill in defense, and there are alot of interesting items to choose instead. I have often taken Blood statuette for example.
As someone who plays against shooting heavy armies, it is definitely not overkill. The only question is, do you want your opponent shooting at your slann, or your saurus/skrox/etc? My opponents see 2+ ward save and don't even bother. So for the price of ~5 skinks, I guarantee the ranged safety of my Slann. If you trust to your manoeuvring and terrain, maybe you can do without it, though.