Saturday, April 26, 2008

Lizardmen

Recently somebody asked me some advice for lizardmen as I was a "rekown" lizardmen player (who knew?) Below is a paraphrase of what I said, some others might find it interesting.

Its pretty difficult to go wrong with lizards, they are a great army. I have some 'unique' ideas around lizards (ie I have NEVER taken an old blood that wasn't on a Carnosaur - no particular reason, just haven't), and have never taken the same list to more than 1 tournament (out of about a dozen or so with lizards) and they are by far my most 'successful' army.

Slann can help make a "defensive" style list difficult, and you need enough 'fast' hitters to make a Carnosaur army work.

My opinion has always been that Saurus don't work 'too' well in most lizard builds. I currently have a unit of 20 in most lists, but most games the game is over before they arrive - but I do play very fast, and very aggressive with lizards. That said my best tournament results have been when I have had a unit or 2 in the list. I'm not convinced by bulds like 2 x 18, I think a 20 and 2 10s would work better as it gives you a variety of strengths to utilise (static res, or more attacks + more flee/divert/counter options).

Huanchi Banner: Sometimes I don't take it as I believe its 'too' good, and vs any player who isn't on top of their game can make it too easy to win. If you have no problem with thsi get it in there - it really is "that" good. Top tip with it is to run in front of a unit, but to its side (ie as below - x = enemy, C = cold ones).
xxxxxxx
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This makes it ridiculously easy to get a flank charge.

Some people take 7 dice and 2 scrolls (or similar). In my opinion that really isn't necessary, but then I always take a "low" level of magic defense, and you may feel you'd like more.

Sword of hornet on a Cold One Scar Vet is a waste of points. Anyone that can take him down will not generally be bothered by 4 str 5 attacks. Also (my) Lizard combat units VERY rarely receive a charge - if you do you're not using the skinks properly.

If you want a single lvl 2 I'd go for the diadem or cube and mk of old ones. With no help he'll never cast anything. Vs low magic Diadem would mean you get 6 PD and the rerolls help you get spells off, and prevent miscasts. Vs High magic you have no scrolls but 9 dice, with rerolls mean you should be able to stop most spells (ie vs VC/Tk if they cast on a 3, you can through 1 dice, secure with a reroll if required, also can reroll if you get 1,1 vs a high cast spell).

The cube and rerolls is obvious. VC and TK especially don't like it when you can stop a magic phase, as this means they can't "guarantee" a raise or van hels in any particular phase - that's huge as TK (and some new VC builds) tactics rely on knowing that a spell will work. Imagine some black knights move within 7" of the saurus/Krox.. ready to van hels in - you then stop the phase and the BK are now screwed.

As a thought (different again) IF I ever took an old blood he would likely be on a cold one as below:
Old Blood: Cold One, L.arnour, Itzl, Quetzl, Old Ones, E/Shield, Aura of Quetzl, Bane Head, Burning Blade (or sword of might). With a -1+ save, 4+ ward and a couple of rerolls this guy is REALLY difficult to kill (although pricy @ 310 pts), and will take on almost anything (with the BSB nearby). it takes an everage of 18 Str 6 hits to put a wound on him (before you factor in the rerolls) - he can then stand in front of knight units, chariots, Ogres, even a Steam Tank, and take the charge - awesome.

Of course the strength of a CoJW guy is that he joins in all other combats to turn them in the lizards favour - I'm just not convinced a OB does that "that" much better than a SV (although many are).

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Tin Soldiers

Warhammer is also played in tournaments (several games over a weekend) and I am organising one for June.


So if anyone reading is interested:

"Tin Soldier" will be held in Auckland, NZ on 7/8 June 2008.

Venue is Onehunga RSA and a bar, with food, is on-site.

Tournament will be 5 games at 2,250 points with some soft scores (painting, comp, sports).

Any questions let me know. I will probably do quite a few posts about the tournament leading up to the event (and afterwards).