8th Ed. Saurus - how many is too many?

ya 36. I think TG can be a very good offgensive unit.

The list I am working with right now has 26. 6x5 with the Slann in the middle makes it symmetrical

 

The problem is, point for point, they aren't really a HUGE amount better than saurus, and a large unit of them gets very expensive very quickly. Especially if there is a Slann planted in there.

I made a topic a while ago about this but I claim there is really no point going above an absolute max of 20 TG. Beyond that, they are doing nothing but filling out ranks and you can get a fully ranked unit cheaper than them elsewhere in the army. If they are being bought for their stubbornness and killing power, back ranks aren't very useful except to absorb casualties. Further, if you take life with the Slann he can heal them anyway.

I'll be interested to hear how it goes though. That many points in one unit definitely makes them the focal point of the whole battle, whether the opponent decides to try to outmanouvre and destroy them or ignore them and focus on the rest. Either is possible with only M4 on the unit.

 

I personally try to make my Saurus 20 models min. 5x4 , any wider is just an awful waste. 5x5 in larger battles. The fact is that 6 wide is far to wide for maneuverability not to mention against 5 20mm wide (assuming basic unit size) you will only get the full models in if you charge (if that). If you are charged a smart general should see that, unless your opponent is a moron. In 8th ed ranks win combat as negating rank bonuses and steadfast are key to victory in combats.

 

It might be worth taking a large unit of TG with Lord Kroak,
since he needs some extra protection and he makes them an
unbreakable Death Star with a nasty planet killing Kroak in the center.

 

i think for normal saurus, 20 is the minimum nowadays (>2k anyway). TG i think you can still get away with 16 if they're purely there to bunker the slann, but if you want them to actually get stuck in, again, more like 20 imo. (i'm running 21 atm).

 

I will agree with temple guard against killy units but other than a deathstar with Kroak/Chakax they should not be fielded with more than 20.

 

Well this is what I tried:

30 Saurus(6x5 with spears): Great damage output and can last, I like this one though these blocks cost much but well they're worht it.

24 Saurus(6x4 with spears): Just as good damage output as the before one, but less staying power, still works good.

25 Saurus(5x5 with spears): Just as good lasting power as the first, but less damage output, I like this one the least Saurus are meant to be aggresive, and being one wider is huge with troops who havve 2 attacks per model, the wider the better, though you need to be at least 4 deep IMHO

And the one I'm gonna try out 28(7x4), seems good to me, their staying power is still good since saurus are hard to kill and their damage output will be great.

This is just from my experiences, also I don't like the looks of a block that's deeper then it's wide.

 

I fail to see how the extra 25mm decreases maneuverability so significantly. You do know that you fight corner to corner and should always try to maximize modes in contact (P. 20 BRB), right?

6 wide and 4-5 deep with spear Suarus is the way to go, you get full attacks on almost every infantry unit and are tough enough to keep or break steadfast for a long time.

 

Get a ruler or get 6 25mm bases and 5 20mm bases. Now imagine you are the 20mm guys charging the 6 25mm wide guys. Are you going to charge in to base to base with all of them or you going to be smart and hit just the 5 that can attack. Corner to corner works only if they are catty corner. Not if they are 5mm apart. Corner to corner works for him too. A 5 25mm against 5 20mm could have only 4 models in base contact. But you need 5 to get a rank. So i state once more that 5 saurus wide is the key number. Do as you like but making them wider wastes your ranks and gives your enemy the advantage.

 

After delving into the rulebook, I admit I am wrong about the alignment of the charge, and do apologize.

 

In my view it depends on the size of the battle fought of course, but 'the graven' has covered it pretty well. I personally find 7 wide too much (unless I need to reposition because I am facing 6 gobbo bolt throwers). 6 wide with Spears and 5 wide with HW/SH; the former at least 24 strong, the latter at least 20 strong. Lesser formations of Spears is a waste of points because casualties are taking away from that third row sooner.

 

2 lots of 30(6x5) most games(2.5-3k). Along with my 23(all i've got) TG.

I am going to run 60(10x6) in a 3.4k vs VC in two weeks tho

Samuel