This is my first 2250 list. I decided to save points and not use a lord choice. Tell me what you think. 1 Saurus Scar-Veteran General; Light Armour Sword of the Hornet Enchanted Shield Cold One 23 Saurus Warriors Spear; Shield; full command 1 Skink Chief Battle Standard Stegadon War-spear Ancient Stegadon 1 Skink Priest Magic Level 2; Lore of Heaven Diadem of Power Dispel Scroll Ancient Stegadon with Engine of the Gods 23 Saurus Warriors Spear; Shield; full command 10 Skink Skirmishers Blowpipe 10 Skink Skirmishers Blowpipe 5 Cold One Cavalry Musician 5 Terradon Riders Javelin 2 Salamander Hunting Packs 8 Skink Handlers Casting Pool: 5 Dispel Pool: 4 Models in Army: 91 Total Army Cost: 2242
Although a good starting list, I think you'll find it very difficult to defeat armies of the same size. I, personally, would never leave without a Lord. Firstly, against magic armies your defenses are lacking in that a Level 4 and Level 2 might be able to overpower that, leaving your troops under fire. Also, shooting armies might graze you to the ground. I might be wrong, but the way you detailed you list, did you make sure to put a Priest on the Engine? Is that 1 Cold referring to your Generals mount? This list is a great start, but unless you're fighting similar built lists or have amazing dice, you might want to stack your defenses or offense a little more. Overall though, this list does have a not bad chance of succeding, just watch out for SAD armies and heavy combat armies.
I think the list has good defense. I have the priest with the EoTG, the Diadem of Power, and a scroll. This gives me up to 6 dispel dice with a scroll. The EoTG will also be giving the meat of my army a 5+ ward vs shooting. My general is on a cold one and has a 0+ AS and first strike. I just don't like the idea of spending 400-500 points for 1 model.
Actually I rather like it and would definitely consider playing the same list. As per one of my usual suggestion you might also consider the Burning Blade of Chotec instead of the Sword of the Hornet. Mounted you should hopefully get the charge so ASF is wasted on that round, although useful in protracted battles. Furthermore, the added -2 to the save modifier is great for cracking heavy armor and the flaming attack nullifies regen (always handy).
Heck, you could probably even drop the scar vet and just go with the chief as your general. With the points you could form 2 units of 4 terradons instead of one unit of 5. Also you probably don't need 23 saurus in one unit. Dropping the scar-vet you could possibly do two units of 18 with spears... On the other hand you could just bulk up the Saurus Cav by adding a banner and warbanner plus champion (using points from a few dropped saurus warriors). Then make your scar-vet a BSB and the chief your general. This will add +3 to the saurus combat res when joined by the scar-vet, who will also contribute a lot of damage. I'd also strongly recommend swapping the sword of the hornet for the Burning Blade of Chotec. Used properly, cavalry should be charging instead of receiving charges, so they strike first anyway. Actually now that I think about it, you were probably going to put the scarvet with your saurus warriors.
My buddy came up with the ASF sword idea. First of all, I might not get the charge off since he is a block of saurus warriors. I actually want him to get charged. He will hopefully kill some regular troops with ASF when charged, which will keep more of my spears alive to get their 2 rank, 2 attacks back.
So why is he on the cold one then? I guess by giving him a cold one I assumed you would include him with your cold one cav. By including him in your Saurus block you are penalizing the unit by adding Stupidity to the unit. The whole unit will have to test just because of that one cold one. If you want to include the hero in your block unit, more power to you. I like having heroes in my rank and file troops to give me some more dynamic res, but for heaven sake take him off the cold one.
I think the idea is the cold one gives him an extra +2 armor save. Bear in mind though, that he will displace a spearman that would usually stand behind him. I still think you're better off with the burning blade of chotec.