What do you guys think about the option of putting a Skink Chief armed with the Stegadon War-Spear on a Stegadon, is it worth the extra points? I mean you'll spend around 100 extra points to get another D6 impact hits, it'll sure be deadly as hell but the cost is quite high. Cheers! // Eltharion
This is definitely a viable build for an ancient stegadon character. However, I think that the more popular build is putting a skink priest/engine is more popular. Not to say that its less powerful because I think it couples the strength of the steg with a combat oriented character.
From your answer, I assume you think the 40 extra points for an ancient Stegadon is worth it? I haven't thought much about it to be honest, but the strength 6 hits, blowpipes and better save for both crew, character and monster is perhaps worth it. How would you like to equip the Skink Chief? Keep him cheap preferably? // Eltharion
I'd say sticking with the ancient is probably going to be worth the 40 points since you are spending so much to get a steg in the first place. As far as other itmes for the chief, if you give him the warspear, that's all that he can take due to points. In reality, a normal steg's giant bow is about as effective as the blowpipes, but the extra armor save is nice.
the steg you take is a preference on +1 atack over strength (for some reason i forget initiative exists) But i think he was refering to the weapon on the original post: The weapon is worth it if you can get him into charging positions.. You can spend the points on an excellent item but if he doesnt get a charge off in the whole battle it wasnt worth it.. He could get a charge off only once but if its a unit of heavy cav and he causes an extra 3 wounds because of it thats 30x3points which is worth it It all depends on if you are a good enough general to get him into the right positions. On a flank, that weapon on a steg can do miracles..
Its one of those wow-factor weapons, like the blade of realities. Your opponents will be sh*t scared of it, and will try to avoid it at all costs, which will make it a lot harder to get into an effective position. Also remember if something faster than the steg (all cavalry, fliers, maybe chariots) decide to go for it, all they need to do is kill the t2 chief off the back and you lose a lot of points. It is a glass hammer, I have opted to drop it in my lists at least until 3k or so but it can be effective. Try it and see how it works for you. On the steg vs ancient, I really don't think the ancient is worth the upgrade points for the chief.. If I am taking an ancient, it will have a priest with engine on it. If they were going to give the ancient a couple of stats worse than the normal steg, they should have made it a lot closer to the same points if not the same. Either that or keep as is and don't give the ancient any downgrades in stats.
I better try out what suits me best since it's indeed a very tempting option, thanks for the help =) // Eltharion
For the warspear build the ancient wins over the regular steg hands down, simply because of the extra strength on impact. Much of a stegadon's power is in the charge anyway, the difference between 3 low ws ancient stegadon attacks and 4 low ws stegadon attacks is not major. IMO the extra survivability matters more than the paltry attacks anyway, and a great bow is more positioning-dependent than blowpipes, and you have enough trouble positioning the steg for charges let alone for flank-shots. Just my thoughts.
I've played with the idea of sticking that chief build (on a ancient the 40 pts is definitely worth teh extra survivability and strength) in a unit of 22 skinks with 2 kroxigors. The BSB is ina similar set up. Unit str 38, movement 6 for basic infantry means you should get the charge against most enemies (WAAAAGH bieing a problem) and d6+1 and 2d6+1 impact hits respectfully coupled with 9 str 6, 3 str 5 (general armed with a spear) should be able to do some damage. And add terror in there... Have yet to play test the idea but should prolly sometime next week.
i noticed the fact that people are also forgeting the fact that when a steg charges with a chief you also get the chief's attacks which are far better then the priest's and since it is a spear when he charges he get's +1 to str. this makes him the same str. as the steg so in effect you get 3 more str. 5 attacks with the extra impacts that is a big boost it even gives him a decent shot against characters in a challenge i would say take it i actually prefer that build to the EotG i know many will disagree with me on that but it works for me
Both are good builds. I won't say that one outperforms the other, because they are used for seperate purposes. Magic heavy armies will benefit from the engine while more combat-centric amries will benefit from the chief. Now the roles can be reversed with the engine being used defensively in a combat-centric army with a good amount of success as well. It ultimately depends on the list and how it is being played. While my list benefits more from the engine, this doesn't make it better for everyone.
Eotg is just better. This is because, basically, of the 2d6 radius 1d6 str 4 (5 vs undead,daemons and tree spirits) magic phase blast. (Once again i've forgotten the name). Its just the most pimping ability ever. But, if you don't want an eotg, and you want ANY other stegadon, make sure it has a chief with the spear in it. Yes it is worth the points.