AoS Brand new to AoS and Seraphon! Need help!

[Nightclaw]

Hello everyone!

Im literally brand new to AoS. As in "didnt even know I needed the GHB in order to play" level new. Im looking through the battletome and am thinking "Where are the points? How do I know what the points are in order to build my army!?" Googled my answer and felt like a real idiot. OF COURSE they dont just have 4 pages of rules for free...its another book! LOL! Im not new to GW in general. I played 40k for several years and have been converting and painting models for people for MANY years. The modeling and painting is my favorite part. (Im a 3d modeler by profession so it makes sense!)

So...while Im waiting for the GHB 2017 to be delivered... Ive got myself the Start Collecting kit, a Bastiladon,and the parts for 2 Ripperdactyls/Terradons everything fresh on the sprues. Im looking for opinions on what kind of list to build. Ive not played a game yet, so I dont know what style I want to play. Mostly, as I mentioned before, my favorite part is the art end...so the more diverse the models the better!

Ive read a BUNCH of the army list threads here...and you guys all seem like incredibly helpful and nice people so I figured Id ask for some direction from the people who play these guys!

Ive also got a handful of questions that Im sure you guys will know how to answer.
1. Why do alot of you prefer certain aspects over others? Using Starseer and a Starpriest instead of a Slann. Using Solar Engine over Ark of Sotek. Using other configurations instead of Engine of the Gods.

2. Which weapons are better than others? Ive seen posts talking about arming the unit all with *insert specific weapon.* Is it better to have an entire unit of all spearmen or better to be mixed?

3. Whats the general rule of thumb when it comes to aesthetic conversions vs using the appropriate models in gameplay? Do they need to be roughly the same size? Example: Im not a fan of the look of the salamanders. I want to replace them with Flesh Hounds of Khorne and do some conversions. But they are different sizes...is that frowned upon or is it fine? Same thing goes for using the Dread Saurian. Im thinking about using the Dracodile from Hordes as a replacer...but I have no idea if thats ok to do!!

I probably have more questions because Im new and excited to get started...but Ill leave it there for now.

Thank you all so much for the help, answers, and direction!

 

[Slam mage priest]

Whilst I'm relatively new myself but I can answer a couple. Solar engine over ark bc it' generally better and seraphon don' have a lot of extremely good ranged weapons in infantry unless u use groups of 40 skinks. Pretty sure u can' mix weapons un one unit so you' have to have spearman in 1 unit. As for model conversion as long as bases are similar size anything goes imo but that' more of an opponents preference thing. Also star riest bc buffs are fun things

 

[Crowsfoot]

Welcome, first get a painting blog started we want to see your skills in action.

AOS, conversions are fine as long as the base is the right size however, proxy models are ok among friends but tournaments etc probably would not allow them, GW won't let you play in store with any other brand of model for example (depending on the store manager)

Blood hound for a Sally would be cool, go for it.

You can't mix weapons in a unit and as for what is better that all depends on your play style so I would watch a lot of youtube videos and see how people play Seraphon, you can't go wrong with a Slann and Basilidon though

Looking forward to your blog.

 

[Aginor]

Welcome!

1. Why do alot of you prefer certain aspects over others? Using Starseer and a Starpriest instead of a Slann. Using Solar Engine over Ark of Sotek. Using other configurations instead of Engine of the Gods.

Solar Engine is a decently ranged attack with rend.
The Ark of Sotek does more average damage if you are in melee and there are at least three or four units around you. With the meta going toward hordes that's less likely though. That's why I usually prefer the Solar Engine over the Ark of Sotek. Both have their uses though, and the good thing is you don't have to choose. Just don't glue it onto the bars and you can build both. They don't share parts. I can switch between the two versions on both of my Bastiladons.
A Slann is pretty great because of our allegiance abilities (you will see them soon in your GHB2017), they allow stuff like unbinding on the whole table (which is huge against magic heavy armies) or teleporting an additional unit. I only omit him in small games.
A EotG is not very reliable (even worse without a Slann) so if you don't need it for some bataillon a regular Stegadon might be better in some cases. Its melee stats are better and you can a free 1d6 move for one nearby unit with the Skink keyword. Also it can have a long-ranged, rending attack to snipe heroes. The flame throwers are good against hordes.

2. Which weapons are better than others? Ive seen posts talking about arming the unit all with *insert specific weapon.* Is it better to have an entire unit of all spearmen or better to be mixed?

You cannot mix weapons in units except when explicitly stated (like on some Ironjawz warscrolls). For Saurus Warriors spears are better as soon as you play more than 20 (which you should for the horde bonuses) because then your second row can hit the enemy.
I tend to prefer weapons that have good range, or weapons with rend, even if they hit slightly worse, because you can buff hit rolls more easily.

3. Whats the general rule of thumb when it comes to aesthetic conversions vs using the appropriate models in gameplay? Do they need to be roughly the same size? Example: Im not a fan of the look of the salamanders. I want to replace them with Flesh Hounds of Khorne and do some conversions. But they are different sizes...is that frowned upon or is it fine? Same thing goes for using the Dread Saurian. Im thinking about using the Dracodile from Hordes as a replacer...but I have no idea if thats ok to do!!

If you want to play in a GW shop or in an official tournament the general rule is: Use GW models. conversions are usually ok as long as they are mostly GW parts and the base sizes fit.

 

[Nightclaw]

Thanks for the responses to the questions! I appreciate the information! Its incredibly helpful.

AOS, conversions are fine as long as the base is the right size however, proxy models are ok among friends but tournaments etc probably would not allow them, GW won't let you play in store with any other brand of model for example (depending on the store manager)

Good to know that GW models are the only really allowed in GW matches. So how do they use Dread Saurian's without a model for it? Is it a Forgeworld specific allowance?

Both have their uses though, and the good thing is you don't have to choose. Just don't glue it onto the bars and you can build both. They don't share parts. I can switch between the two versions on both of my Bastiladons.

Thats excellent to know! I may try that now!

The flame throwers are good against hordes.

So would a unit of the Terradons be good then, as they have those firey slings?


As for build...Im still looking into things. Ive got a few things I really WANT to use...mostly because conversions and painting are super fun to do, but Im not sure if its completely viable as an army. My wishlist is as follows:

Chameleons <-these guys are ones I REALLY want to make as conversions from skinks)
Terradons (or rippers if they are better)
Which would give me a Shadowstrike

and then also:
Salamanders

Ive got all the items from my starter kit.
Would it better to aim for a Firelance by getting more knights and making it a Scar-Veteran on my Carno?
Or try to do both those and a Sunclaw with my warriors and a Sunblood
Or I could aim for a Bloodclaw? 1 unit of warriors, 1 of knights with a scar vet, 1 of temple guard with an eternity warden
Any recommendations?

Side question: Is a Starbeast Constellation even able to be made?! It looks like theres SO much that youd need like a 4k army!

I know synergies are super important so Im hoping to aim for something when buying models before just getting a bunch of everything and working it out later on!...Then again buying everything means I can do anything...Who needs to pay rent and bills, right?!

get a painting blog started we want to see your skills in action.

Ill set one up but they wont be MY army...but models I made for someone else for now.

Thank you guys for the responses!!

 

[Aginor]

So would a unit of the Terradons be good then, as they have those firey slings?

I like them.
Most people seem to prefer Rippers because of their mathematically higher damage, but I like them for harassment and because people seem to fear those bombs and move carefully.

Chameleon conversion is pretty easy, I did that as well (somewhere in my painting blog).

As for the rest if your questions: sorry I can maybe answer them later, I am not at home at the moment.

 

[HeirofCarnage]

Welcome to forum! Glad to have another member here!


Also, If you make it right, you will get these miniatures from the starter kit (you will need an extra carno base, and a skink priest base)
1 Oldblood/Scar-Vet on carno
1 Troglodon
1 Astrolith banner bearer
1 Scar-vet/Oldblood/SUNBLOOD on foot
1 skink priest/star priest
3 Scar-Vets on Cold Ones
5 Saurus Knights
10 Saurus warriors

This is obviously a lot better then the original pack advertises. It just takes a little conversion work.

If you want the particulars on how to make any of the models I listed, feel free to ask.

 

[Crowsfoot]

Thanks for the responses to the questions! I appreciate the information! Its incredibly helpful.


Good to know that GW models are the only really allowed in GW matches. So how do they use Dread Saurian's without a model for it? Is it a Forgeworld specific allowance?


Thats excellent to know! I may try that now!


So would a unit of the Terradons be good then, as they have those firey slings?


As for build...Im still looking into things. Ive got a few things I really WANT to use...mostly because conversions and painting are super fun to do, but Im not sure if its completely viable as an army. My wishlist is as follows:

Chameleons <-these guys are ones I REALLY want to make as conversions from skinks)
Terradons (or rippers if they are better)
Which would give me a Shadowstrike

and then also:
Salamanders

Ive got all the items from my starter kit.
Would it better to aim for a Firelance by getting more knights and making it a Scar-Veteran on my Carno?
Or try to do both those and a Sunclaw with my warriors and a Sunblood
Or I could aim for a Bloodclaw? 1 unit of warriors, 1 of knights with a scar vet, 1 of temple guard with an eternity warden
Any recommendations?

Side question: Is a Starbeast Constellation even able to be made?! It looks like theres SO much that youd need like a 4k army!

I know synergies are super important so Im hoping to aim for something when buying models before just getting a bunch of everything and working it out later on!...Then again buying everything means I can do anything...Who needs to pay rent and bills, right?!


Ill set one up but they wont be MY army...but models I made for someone else for now.

Thank you guys for the responses!!

Regarding the starbeast constellation, I think I have enough models with spares to field it (I’m not far off 2)

 

[Nightclaw]

Regarding the starbeast constellation, I think I have enough models with spares to field it (I’m not far off 2)

Yeah...but how many points does that actually end up costing? It cant possibly fit in a 2k point army!

 

[Crowsfoot]

Yeah...but how many points does that actually end up costing? It cant possibly fit in a 2k point army!

Way more, I’m going to count it now aren’t I

 

[Nightclaw]

Also heres my painting blog!

http://www.lustria-online.com/threads/nightclaws-painting-and-conversions.20895/

 

[Aginor]

I think Starbeast is around 3600 points if you have the minimum of everything.

I lack only a Starseer and 10 Warriors to play it I think.

 

[Nightclaw]

Does anyone know what the general rule of thumb is for adding things not listed on the warscrolls...example: Im converting some skinks into chameleons...can I add shields to them and USE those shields? Or if I add them just for aesthetic purposes, is that ok?

 

[HeirofCarnage]

Does anyone know what the general rule of thumb is for adding things not listed on the warscrolls...example: Im converting some skinks into chameleons...can I add shields to them and USE those shields? Or if I add them just for aesthetic purposes, is that ok?

You can't use the shields if you are using the models as cham skinks. If you use a model as a substitute for another model, use the other model's war scroll. If chamo skinks don't have shields, then don't use them.