8th Ed. Hero/Lord on foot viable?

[Fhanados]

Hi guys,

I'm starting to throw together ideas for my Lizardmen (which will eventually incorporate one of everything!) but I don't really know where to start with my Lords/Heroes in smaller games. I'll be starting off against Ogres and VC, maybe a Wych themed DE army (if my wife decides to join in the fun!) and want to know how viable Saurus Oldbloods and Scar Vets on foot are? I have a few models for saurus characters on foot (two sword-and-board metal ones from 6th edition, Chakax and soon the plastic clampack one) but if they're generally not worth using unmounted I'll just field them as unit champions.

I also have a bunch of skink characters on foot (3 casters, 3 chiefs).

I have no set points limit for the army yet, I'm waiting for my friends to add up what they have first. My list will probably be 1-2 blocks of saurus, 1-2 skink skirmisher units, 1-3 sallies and some cavalry.

Thanks in advance!

 

[newscales]

I've found them to work well. Unless CoC get a price reduction in the new book, I won't run them. So changing the infantry type to a cavalry and sticking him in a unit makes him lose the look out sir. you can still make a 1+ or 2+ armor save character without the mount, its just tougher. I've taken to not running temple guard and putting slann in saurus blocks. to keep him in the second rank, i'll have FC and an SV or two. not everyone's cup of tea, but it has its merits.

 

[Qupakoco]

Yes, they are viable on foot. They are better when mounted generally because of the increased movement, ability to cause fear, extra attacks, swiftstride, and the nice +2 armor bonus. Pretty cheap investment for the benefits.

But on foot you can make them good too. The new Stegadon Helm looks like a good item. Most of the 7th edition Scar-Vet builds had at least one item from the Lizardmen book on them, so odds are the most common builds will be purely BRB items. Just the Armor of Destiny with a shield is a good build.

 

[FlowinEnno]

If you want them to do bad stuff to your opponent on their own, put them on a mount. If you want to boost the combat efficiency of your rank and file troops then a Scarvet on foot is absolutely viable.
If for some reason your BSB isn't a Slann then having a LOS roll can be crucial.
I would say Scarvets on foot = viable, Scarvets mounted = ridiculously good.

 

[The Hunted]

The problem with Saurus characters on foot is that the enemy can choose to avoid him.
In 8th, this is harder to do than it was in 7th. But a M4 infantry block can still be diverted, blocked and rerouted.

A hero/lord on a mount has quite a large 'threat range', because of swiftstride and naturally higher movement. Our heroes have high toughness and deal quite some damage in close combat. S
Having him mounted makes him into a real force multiplier, as he can jump into a different combat, charge out of his unit into stuff and threaten a whole lot more than if he was on foot.

Granted, a hero on foot with your saurus makes for a very nice killy/grindy unit and can (and will!) do well.
Just march the guys up and jam them into the enemies infantry and they will have a hard time killing you.

Personally, I like the mounted versions over the unmounted. The advantages described above are worth the investment. On foot, he's a solid combat hero. On a mount, he's dangerous across the board.

But, I'd say, give it a shot on both behalves! try out a couple of games when he's on foot, and then a couple when he's riding his cold one into battle.
See if you like to slug it out on foot, or zip around the board. Weigh in the advantages/disadvantages from either side, your play style, your army list and then make your choice.

(and once you've chosen, you can neglect all of the random advice you get )

Good luck!

The Hunted

 

[Fhanados]

Thanks guys! Glad to know my Chakax model won't go to waste.

I really want a hero/lord on carnie just because it looks so damn awesome! I'd also like to run one or two on Cold Ones too, but the Cold One model is just so... so so awful.... I want my characters' mounts to look intimidating and aggressive, not like they've been hit solidly in the head with a steel rod.

 

[The Hunted]

Thanks guys! Glad to know my Chakax model won't go to waste.

I really want a hero/lord on carnie just because it looks so damn awesome! I'd also like to run one or two on Cold Ones too, but the Cold One model is just so... so so awful.... I want my characters' mounts to look intimidating and aggressive, not like they've been hit solidly in the head with a steel rod.

I'm definetaly no expert on conversions, models and/or painting, but;

You could use the dark elf cold ones and make our riders fit by converting them and some greenstuff. I've seen other people do it! Poke around on the Painting & Converting part of this forum. I'm sure you'll get plenty of ideas/help.

Good luck

The Hunted