And still a steal. Keep in mind, some of the disciplines are under 50 points, so you can end up with a slaan that's about the same cost as before.
Slann is 25 pts more and has access to some interesting disciplines, but none of them are free. We will no longer be dominating the magic phase, as there is no longer any way to shut down enemy spellcasters or get free magic dice. We can get one reroll of dispel dice per turn, but that's about as good as it gets. Loremaster is still present. You can also get the default spell from each brb lore, but cannot combine that discipline with loremaster. Edit: A bit more info... They wouldn't let me leave the store with the book yet, but I remember a few other things. -Warrior init is down to 1. Still WS3. Same cost as before, upgrading to spears is now free... that will probably pair well with the new "Predatory Fighters" rule. Portent of Warding from EotG got nerfed, but I suppose you could use it to replace the parry save on warriors if you go spears. -combat hero and lord are relatively unchanged, but our special items got significantly pared down (as expected). -Carnosaur is basically the same as before, but you can buy an upgrade that makes enemies roll three dice and discard lowest when taking fear and terror tests. -Temple guard and their ability to hide a Slann are unchanged, price went down 2 pts per model. -command group prices standardized to 8th edition costs from other army books. -Cold one riders saw a 5 pt drop per model. -Kroxigor saw a 5 pt drop per model, got S5 back (yay!)
Sounds like many if not all of the big leaks in the past 48 hours are true and if so, I think we got a decent book. I preordered mine from GW but it only shipped today in the States so I bet I don't see it at my door until Monday or Tuesday. Stuff that sounds cool: - Scarvets on Carnosaurs. - Ripperdactyls seem pretty cool for the points. - Bastiladons look like cool models and decent rules. - Maybe usable swarms. - Split profile and cheaper Stegs. - Engine without a Priest. - Kroxigor were fixed. - Predatory Fighter (overall I think it's still cool despite not apparently working for supporting attacks and the pursue rule dumbness.) Initially Apparent Miss-steps: - Slann doesn't seem special enough, but does seem balanced against other armies. He certainly isn't "ruined" by any means. - Terradons didn't need to go up in price. - Trogladon doesn't seem worth its points but I'm certainly going to run it to find out for sure. - CoC didn't change enough to be worthwhile. A 1 point drop (after spears upgrade) and 1 additional attack, while losing access to a magic banner? C'mon Vetock, you can do better than that. - No new core and/or sacred spawnings. - Seems like only one unit can take a magic banner. - No Coatl or Thunderlizard. It may very well be a ho-hum release. The big things on my wishlist didn't make it. But there is cool stuff in there.
You forgot "No Nakai" with your con list. Damn you GW, just because you suck at sculpting Kroxigors... Light hearted comment aside, I'm actually eager to have a proper look when my book arrives.
With PF, alongside chaff, people do need to remember that combat between infantry tends to last more than one round. And if you're averaging a certain number of kills per round, it's easy to estimate when a unit will lose steadfast and so when it's likely to break. We're not saying that our opponents are suddenly going to start fielding units of exactly 13 zombies just so they can pull Saurus out of position, but that with prior planning it is exploitable.
With prior planning it is also avoidable. You just need to keep your Beast skink priest caddies near the unit of saurus they are going to buff anyway.
That doesn't work. Saurus don't have to over-run, just pursue. It's just a lesson in keeping your flanks guarded, or failing that, keeping a skink character nearby. Seems like a stupid thing to get worked up about. It's an easy issue to mitigate, and makes sense with the idea of something being a predator - predators are attracted to motion, and almost always give chase to a fleeing target. That's why they say never run from a bear, because he'll chase you down.
Right, here goes.... Mazdamundi: Powerful but INCREDIBLY expensive at 390slaves cost Kroak: Surprisingly reasonable. Stick him in a TG unti and run up the board and spam multiple deliverances he is basically a bomb. 200 slaves only Kroq Gar and Grymlock No CoC as troops but a little stronger than last edition and around 25 slaves cheaper I think. Wardsave on carno! Tehenhauin: Meh who cares unless you want swarm spam Slann: Casting power took a big hit but theres a ot o customisation options and should still be among the most powerful magic users. Cant decide if I want him with book of ashur or channeling rod or the +d6pd for d3wounds item Oldblood: Lost 1init but 5 pts cheaper and pred fighter NOTE: You WILL need a skink to babysit if you are worried about pursuing Chakax: Cheaper but my bets are still garbage GorRok: Surprisingly I think he will be very worth taking, eszpecially combined with new sking beast magic. Reasonable price Skink special chracters look reasonable but dunno if Id use any of them. Much cheaper and more synergy than before. Tiktaqto worth taking in a large terradon unit Saurus and sking cmbat heroes cheaper. Priests can take beasts Temple Guard cheaper but more or less the same Swarms giving poison and cheap but special CoC could be better but at least better than before Kroxigor Im happy with the change and might put a few in if I can find the points spare Terradons have lost hit and run. Being monstrous cavalry does the toughness of the skink get used? Stegadons cheaper Bastiladon Im somewhat disappointed with. only 75 slaves but T5 Arc of Sotek gives a d6 range 2d6 s2 hits but not poisoned. Swarm unit gets additional base on 4+ once per turn (can increase beyond start size) Solar engine is whats been stated before, only the roll of 6 on the damage chart of the beam debuffs the enemy WS and BS. Tail attack is one nominated attack on enemy in rear arc with +1 hit S10 Rippers actually seem pretty decent. Should wreck smaller units and toaded units. Only issue is if we have to use riders toughness (armour save 4+ btw) Sallies are nerfed a bit but should be still fairly decent. S4 breath is nice. Razordons look ok to be fair and cheaper points should see some tries of them. Trogladon is garbage, spit poison is 1 shot per turn only and the models stats are poor. Only decent rule is making predatory fighter on 5+ but only 12 inch range for 1 turn. Rod allows to channel...big wow! Ancient steg is nicer being cheaper and EotG does all 3 effects every turn although nerfed as stated before. Basically means we can have spears instead of HW on saurus and keep a parry save but only 6 inch range so Im a bit miffed Blade of Realities says nothing about regen saves... Sacred stegadon helm can be taken on saurus! Not sure if I can put it on a scar vet on a carnosaur and have the D3 impact hits at S7 Also does anyone know if the lore of beasts spells that buff characters also affect monsters they are riding? Im sure some of the spells say the MODEL gets +3toughness or attacks or whatever
oldblood the same exept -1I scar-veteran the same skink priest the same skink chief 6ld all skinks and cham -1ld giant blowpipe 18'" gor-rok +1T tehenhauin +2ws +1bs lvl 3 beast oxyotl +1bs +1I
I'm really excited about this new book despite the nerfs. There are so many new viable units to use and some really cool models to make. I know I'm gonna try a double carnosaur build some day can't wait to get my book! Also any news on Gor-Roks point cost and rules?