8th Ed. Troglodon Spit Venom

[LogicalUnit]

Just got my new Lizardmen Army Book, and I've been reading the rules for the new units. On page 37 the following rules are given:

Spit Venom: A Troglodon can spit its venom as a shooting attack with the following profile:

Range    Strength    Special Rules
18"         5        Multiple Wounds (D3),
                     Quick to Fire

It does not say anything about a breath attack. So, it looks like this attack doesn't use a template, but it can be used more than once per battle.

 

[Caneghem]

Just got my new Lizardmen Army Book, and I've been reading the rules for the new units. On page 37 the following rules are given:

Spit Venom: A Troglodon can spit its venom as a shooting attack with the following profile:

Range    Strength    Special Rules
18"         5        Multiple Wounds (D3),
                     Quick to Fire

It does not say anything about a breath attack. So, it looks like this attack doesn't use a template, but it can be used more than once per battle.

It is as we feared then... With only one shot, it is not really worth anything. Does it even count as a poisoned shot? Also consider an ancient stegadon on the charge does D6+1 str 6 HITS with D3 wounds. For not too much more.

I'm starting to think the Troglodon is going to be used only in very niche builds for its PF boost to 5+. Probably it will involve a ton of kroxigors boosting their number of attacks during some vital combat.

 

[Anton_S]

I think I'll use the Troglodon for the same reason I use Giants occasionally in other armies. I like the model.

It has even worse stats than a Giant for the same points, the shooting attack will rarely hit anything and it will be very hard to use the Roar effectively.

 

[LogicalUnit]

The spit attack is not poisonous, but the Trog's melee attacks are.

 

[spawning of Bob]

The venom attack looks a lot like the giant bow on the Steg.

Except shorter range (18 vs 36), not poisoned attacks, doesn't ignore armour saves and doesn't penetrate ranks. It is quick to fire though.

By the way, I never hit ANYTHING with the giant bow. Why would this be different?

 

[JWK47]

Troglodons will only make it on the table if you like the model. Shame

 

[IronJaw]

It does not say anything about a breath attack. So, it looks like this attack doesn't use a template, but it can be used more than once per battle.

In case people misssed that line... It seemed that people still think it's a one-shot thing.

 

[Rikard]

This is awesome!

As for me, I won't be taking one, if it could use PF every turn then yes I would as that would be worth the points. As for the venom attack, at the very best you'll need a 4+ to hit, it's not poisoned and then you need to wound (assuming it's against a monster that means you'll probably need another 4+).

 

[sirkently]

Actually, he has the poisoned attacks special rule, which will apply to his shooting attack as well.

 

[thedanman13]

Really love this model and i have my heart set on fielding it!

it would be a shame if it's pretty useless :/

does anyone with the new army book see any way in which it can make up for it's point cost? or would building the scar vet/carnie be a better way to utilise this product?

 

[GCPD]

Nope. Best use of the kit it probably to get a neat scar vet model.

I should add that it affects all combats when outbursts predatory fighter. But for the points you could just bring more zaurus/kroxigor for the same affect on odds.

That it doesn't help mitigate auto pursuit is just a further example of the laziness that's gone into this book.

 

[Caneghem]

Nope. Best use of the kit it probably to get a neat scar vet model.

I should add that it affects all combats when outbursts predatory fighter. But for the points you could just bring more zaurus/kroxigor for the same affect on odds.

That it doesn't help mitigate auto pursuit is just a further example of the laziness that's gone into this book.

If that 5+ PF boost were instead a bubble effect that took place EVERY round, or if it remained one use only and went to 4+ or even 3+, then I might consider it. But as it stands, it is a fairly meh buff with a fairly meh shooting attack (even though it may be poisoned).

 

[Tetengo]

The shooting attack might as well be one use only for all the good it will do. Any unit that 1 D3 wound attack would actually scare (lone models, MC etc.) is likely to have higher than T5 or a very good armour save. I don't understand what it is supposed to be for.

 

[Caneghem]

The shooting attack might as well be one use only for all the good it will do. Any unit that 1 D3 wound attack would actually scare (lone models, MC etc.) is likely to have higher than T5 or a very good armour save. I don't understand what it is supposed to be for.

Make it multiple shots, ignore armor saves, and reduce armor by 1 for the remainder of the game and you might have my attention. Think of it as a ranged troll vomit.

Or even.. the small round template with a shorter range than a stone thrower, scatters D6, can use BS to move template back that number of inches. Then you could make it wound anything on a 5+, ignore armor, and do D3 wounds.

There are hundreds of ways they could have made a Rare-slot appropriate monster. Hell, if the skink oracle on the back gave the thing some kind of ward save bubble (5+ 12"?) that'd be something. Currently I can't see a reason to take this, and I'm usually pretty optimistic about everything.

 

[Tetengo]

Well I'm usually pessimistic about everything, and I completely agree. 200 points is a joke. Ask any HE player whether they'd rather have a Trog or a Frost Phoenix for 20% more points. See if they don't laugh in your face.

 

[aidanlynch]

I haven't got the book yet but from what I've seen on the forum I can only think of one way to use the trog. I think if I kept it behind my main blocks of saurus as they advance. Assuming the trog is a larhe target it should be able to shoot over my saurus at any approaching monsters/ monstrous infantry/ monstrous cavalry.

But it will probably still be cannon fodder

 

[Malebranche]

It's amazing how such a cool model can be so painfully useless.

I'm considering converting mine so the Saurus is riding the Trog model and just counting it as a Carnosaur. At least then it will get some use, if only in a few games.