8th Ed. Salamander Question

[Skubzilla]

This is my first post, so I'm introducing my history a bit a well. Hence why this post is so long. But a responce would be much appreciated.

So I've read a lot about how Salamanders are awesomesauce in 8th edition. I'm not denying they are in this thread, I simply have a few questions so I can understand better how to utilize them on the battle field.

First off, I got introduced to warhammer right around the time 6th edition came out, and got me a bunch of lizardmen then. I sort of lost interest for a bunch of years and am only getting back into it now. (I forgot how much I enjoyed painting the little buggers) The 8th edition rules are a lot different from the game I remember.

Anyways my Question; So I LOVE salamanders in terms of thier looks, and to hear they kick ass in 8th edition has gotten me giddy. LOL However from my understanding they use a Breath Attack. I was reading through the rulebook and I see Breath Attacks can only be used once a game but I was under the impression I could use the sally's breath every turn.

So I'm a little dissapointed that I can't use the sally as a bonafide artillery the entire game. I don't undertsand why we can't fire again and again. Empire has their cannons, elves have their bolt throwers, so on and so fourth. So Lizardmen's artillery can only shoot once??? WTF?

To me that doesn't make sense. (but I'm a noob) Also I don't see how Salamanders are so great if they can't fire again and again. However I HAVE NOT battled in 8th edition yet, and in 6th edition I was a grade schooler soooo I don't even remember what I did back then.

So I figure, either I'm wrong and the salamander can shoot again and again, or I'm right. In which case, how do I use the salamander effectively with only one shot. I'd also much rather go for a razordon that can shoot the barbs over and over again as well as being reliable in close combat.

Also I have three friends that have gotten me back into warhammer. They use Skaven, TombKings, and Ogres. We'd also be fighting free for all on one game board. So I'm really hoping I can use Spout Flames more than once. If I only get one shot, I simply have no idea what to use it on. I'm going to make a tactics related thread to get some ideas how to approach this as well, but I'll save that for another day.

Once Again, any responses are much appreciated!! 420 for life!

 

[SeamusG]

You will be pleased to know you are wrong.

It is not really a breath weapon. If you read the book I haven't got mine with me at the mo but I think the special rule is something like spouts flame not breath weapon. The down side of this is that they can't use it in close combat as per a dragon for example. But... You can use it time and again. Also they are not too shabby in close combat particularly against other skirmishers and things like fast cavalry. Use them in threes. Get them onto a flank charge archers and the like from the flank, hey tend to go with a broad frontage and shallow rank profile perfect for the flame template. Or close combat. Also when a unit is flamed it must take a panic test. Oh yeah they also cause fear. Not too great in 8th ed as lots of bsbs about so can re roll but still useful.

I love them and they will always have a place in my army lists.

 

[Arli]

They are awesome in 8th edition. They also force a panic check on any model that is a casualty. That said, against multi-wound models they are not as impressive. Also, any army that is immune to psychology will not care when the sally roasts some of the unit. Other than that, they are really good. In a 1000 pt game, I would take at least 2 and would try to get 3 or 4 in the list. At 2k, I always take 4. At 3k+, I will always take 6 (proxying two razordons).

Oh, and do not forget that they get swiftstride (3d6 on the charge and chase) from the war beasts rule.

 

[Skubzilla]

Thankyou very much for the quick replies!!

Hmm, I just read the update that clarified salamanders' flames don't count as a breath weapon, so I wish I had read that before making this thread. I didn't even know about the update so that changed a few of my plans. I'm working on a 2000 point army list right now, and I'll post it in a day or two, (in a new thread) and I'd really appreciate any oppinions when I finish it.

That being said, I am working on my list. I'm gonna buy more salamanders but for the time being I only have 2. But after grasping a better understanding of Salamander's place I want a bunch of them now! Especially considering if I keep them close to my slann I can "regrow" them if I use the life lore. Although the Death lore and Salamander combo is shocking. (in a good way.) So I might make a different list later for that lore, but I'm not gonna get a head of myself here.

Thanks again for answering my question! These Sallies should rip through my buddy's Skaven clan rats if all goes to plan.

 

[n810]

Yea Salies are Highly Effectice against Skaven hordes.

 

[SeamusG]

Good luck

My advice is to use them in threes.225 points in a 2000 point it's is probably about right.

With life against skaven cast thrones first then you can throw six dice at dwellers without worrying too much. Target the spell on his weaker units remember that each model has to pass a strength test as even his stronger units only have S 3 nyou are likely to take out more than 25% of his unit and that Evans a leadership test. Pick a front unit that will flee through others and you might even start a chain reaction.

Don't worry too much about taking TG as well run your Slaan free and easy keep him within close range of at least one unit and he still gets a look out sir roll against any magic nasties. Take a dispel scroll and as much dispel augmenting magic as possible to ensure he doesnt get off purple sun or like spells.


Best of luck

 

[Dog On Todd]

So fire attacks cause panic in any unit not immune to psych? I thought it was just cavalry and monsters?

How do panic rules work for sallies then? Shoot, they panic, pass.. Then wound, panic test again? Or do they only take one?

If you can only afford 2 in a list, should you run them together, or separate to optimize your targets, and give them more to have to target as well? Or is there safety in numbers for packing a bigger punch?

 

[n810]

you can't panic the same unit twice in a turn.

 

[Dog On Todd]

That's what I thought n810.

Also, I think I read:

Also when a unit is flamed it must take a panic test.

wrong. SeamusG probably means when you get a wound with the sallie they cause a panic test?

Except against cavalry and monsters, where just the attack would cause panic (to my understanding).

 

[Arli]

Our rulebook states when a casualty is taken, a panic check is required. So be careful when you shoot at multi-wounded models.