AoS Beginner tactics

[Putzfrau]

Hello LO friends!

I’ve been out of the game for a very long time (only played a few games of AOS pre points) but I’ve decided to dust off the collection and give it another go. Unfortunately I really know nothing about the game, so I have a couple quick questions.

1) what size are people liking for their Saurus and Skinks? How many battle line units is too many?

2) Is summoning a big part of seraphon lists? I'm not seeing it in a lot of lists i'm looking at, but i wasn't really sure why.

3) Most of my stuff is still on squares, is that still generally accepted?

 

[Aginor]

1)
For both Saurus and Skinks: either chaff units of 10 or units of 40 to really do something. Everything in between isn't worth it IMO.

2) Not really. You can summon a few things but the general consensus seems to be not to summon anything vital. There are exceptions of course. For example if you want to keep your drop number low but then have 80 points left. Then you can just summon two Razordons or so.

3) tournaments will enforce round bases. In friendly games you can probably use squares just fine. Just remember that for some units the sizes also changed, so try not to take advantage of that. (Saurus Warriors were on 25mm squares IIRC, which would mean that their third row can hit in melee if they carry spears. Now they are on 32mm round bases so they definitely cannot do that. Only the second row can hit).

 

[Joshua Horchler]

Hey Putzfrau!

For any new beginner, I would encourage you to use the AOS army builder and play around with lists you like. From there you can fine tune what units you like best and use the info on this site to figue out how to optimize them. To me, the biggest new Seraphon tactic is our ability to teleport! Check out the new Slann and Allegiance Abilities!

Also the size of battleline units sort of depends on what type of army you are playing and the size of the game. Some people play more glass cannon armies/high power armies with Basties and run smaller skink units strictly as objective grabbers. I've seen lists with only 40 ( 20, 10 and 10) skinks at 2k points. Others like to use larger Skink numbers (60+) to use as chaff to screen for their more important units and to have more staying power on objectives. If you were to run warriors I think the best and preferred number is the full 40, due to the buffs they receive from unit size.

PSA: The power of Skinks is not in their ability to kill things. Their movement, and ability to break the rules of combat, will win you games.

 

[Putzfrau]

Hey Putzfrau!

For any new beginner, I would encourage you to use the AOS army builder and play around with lists you like. From there you can fine tune what units you like best and use the info on this site to figue out how to optimize them. To me, the biggest new Seraphon tactic is our ability to teleport! Check out the new Slann and Allegiance Abilities!

Also the size of battleline units sort of depends on what type of army you are playing and the size of the game. Some people play more glass cannon armies/high power armies with Basties and run smaller skink units strictly as objective grabbers. I've seen lists with only 40 ( 20, 10 and 10) skinks at 2k points. Others like to use larger Skink numbers (60+) to use as chaff to screen for their more important units and to have more staying power on objectives. If you were to run warriors I think the best and preferred number is the full 40, due to the buffs they receive from unit size.

PSA: The power of Skinks is not in their ability to kill things. Their movement, and ability to break the rules of combat, will win you games.

Thanks for the advice! Is there any benefit to bringing more than the necessarily battleline units?

I was thinking about running 2 larger blocks of saurus and 2 or 3 small skink squads for objective holding.

 

[Putzfrau]

1)
For both Saurus and Skinks: either chaff units of 10 or units of 40 to really do something. Everything in between isn't worth it IMO.

2) Not really. You can summon a few things but the general consensus seems to be not to summon anything vital. There are exceptions of course. For example if you want to keep your drop number low but then have 80 points left. Then you can just summon two Razordons or so.

3) tournaments will enforce round bases. In friendly games you can probably use squares just fine. Just remember that for some units the sizes also changed, so try not to take advantage of that. (Saurus Warriors were on 25mm squares IIRC, which would mean that their third row can hit in melee if they carry spears. Now they are on 32mm round bases so they definitely cannot do that. Only the second row can hit).

Wow saurus are on 32's? Yikes, thanks for letting me know! I'll definitely need to invest in some round bases then...

 

[Joshua Horchler]

Thanks for the advice! Is there any benefit to bringing more than the necessarily battleline units?

I was thinking about running 2 larger blocks of saurus and 2 or 3 small skink squads for objective holding.

In general most people run 3 units of batteline. But it depends on the size of the units. Again, it's about balancing your list. If you are going minimal batteline, I would use skinks. Fast and cheap. If you go Warriors, IMO, they are not worth brining unless you build around them with larger groups, buffs, battalions. I don't like 10 man Warrior squads. Knights are sort of in a weird spot. They are fairly cheap and fast, but lack punching power and are harder to buff.

Don't go over board with your troops. If you play 2 big blocks of warriors, one cheap skink unit should be enough, but again it's preference. You do, however, need to make sure you leave enough points for your heavy hitters/heroes/ranged support.

 

[Putzfrau]

In general most people run 3 units of batteline. But it depends on the size of the units. Again, it's about balancing your list. If you are going minimal batteline, I would use skinks. Fast and cheap. If you go Warriors, IMO, they are not worth brining unless you build around them with larger groups, buffs, battalions. I don't like 10 man Warrior squads. Knights are sort of in a weird spot. They are fairly cheap and fast, but lack punching power and are harder to buff.

Don't go over board with your troops. If you play 2 big blocks of warriors, one cheap skink unit should be enough, but again it's preference. You do, however, need to make sure you leave enough points for your heavy hitters/heroes/ranged support.

Gotcha. I was looking at the Bloodclaw Starhost to kind of build my list around, adding in a bastilodon and a stegadon for some ranged punch, and a slann for a little magic love.

I'll take another look at the battalions and see if any other are jumping out at me. It seems like finding a battalion you like is an easy way to start building a list.

 

[ILKAIN]

1)
For both Saurus and Skinks: either chaff units of 10 or units of 40 to really do something. Everything in between isn't worth it IMO.

2) Not really. You can summon a few things but the general consensus seems to be not to summon anything vital. There are exceptions of course. For example if you want to keep your drop number low but then have 80 points left. Then you can just summon two Razordons or so.

3) tournaments will enforce round bases. In friendly games you can probably use squares just fine. Just remember that for some units the sizes also changed, so try not to take advantage of that. (Saurus Warriors were on 25mm squares IIRC, which would mean that their third row can hit in melee if they carry spears. Now they are on 32mm round bases so they definitely cannot do that. Only the second row can hit).

Wow saurus are on 32's? Yikes, thanks for letting me know! I'll definitely need to invest in some round bases then...

Saurus warriors are on 25mm, Guard are on 32mm. I Know the description on the GW website says 32 for both, but I literally just finished putting together my warriors and started my unit of guard. the guard are on 32's... the warriors came with 25's.

unless my box came with the wrong ones?

 

[Aginor]

Saurus warriors are on 25mm, Guard are on 32mm. I Know the description on the GW website says 32 for both, but I literally just finished putting together my warriors and started my unit of guard. the guard are on 32's... the warriors came with 25's.

unless my box came with the wrong ones?

I assume we are talking about round bases for Age of Sigmar. Then it is 32mm for both Warriors and Guard.
I built only a few of them (24 Warriors from two Start Collecting boxes and 15 Guard) but they definitely have larger bases than Skinks. Skinks are on 25mm round bases.
Old editions had Saurus on 25mm squares I think, but not Age of Sigmar.

 

[ILKAIN]

I think my box had the wrong bases lol
and yes we are talking round for AoS, my warriors are from the SC box

 

[Canas]

In general most people run 3 units of batteline. But it depends on the size of the units. Again, it's about balancing your list. If you are going minimal batteline, I would use skinks. Fast and cheap. If you go Warriors, IMO, they are not worth brining unless you build around them with larger groups, buffs, battalions. I don't like 10 man Warrior squads. Knights are sort of in a weird spot. They are fairly cheap and fast, but lack punching power and are harder to buff.

Don't go over board with your troops. If you play 2 big blocks of warriors, one cheap skink unit should be enough, but again it's preference. You do, however, need to make sure you leave enough points for your heavy hitters/heroes/ranged support.

A bloodclaw starhost works relativly well with 10 man groups. It's not going to annihlate anything, but the extra attack and rend does mean they actually have decent enough stats to actually function now so it's something I guess. Plus, if ignored that rend especially is going to hurt eventually.

 

[Ecozh]

I think my box had the wrong bases lol
and yes we are talking round for AoS, my warriors are from the SC box

Go back to the GW store, this mistake had happened more, they can give you some new bases.

 

[ILKAIN]

Go back to the GW store, this mistake had happened more, they can give you some new bases.

I talked to my LGS owner, hes a buddy of mine, and traded them in, my warriors are on the appropriate bases now lol.

 

[Aginor]

I talked to my LGS owner, hes a buddy of mine, and traded them in, my warriors are on the appropriate bases now lol.

Very good.

 

[GingerGiant]

Gotcha. I was looking at the Bloodclaw Starhost to kind of build my list around, adding in a bastilodon and a stegadon for some ranged punch, and a slann for a little magic love.

I'll take another look at the battalions and see if any other are jumping out at me. It seems like finding a battalion you like is an easy way to start building a list.

Hallo again! Bloodclaw Starhost is expensive! I like the idea of having multiple command abilities going off, but with the new edition looks like it will promote the use of multiple command abilities without having to bring a special battalion,

I like my Saurus in big blocks of 40. Go big, or bring Skinks. Or Knights for a little bit more punch.

I think people tend to avoid summoning in Seraphon (as it currently stands; we can expect some sort of change with 2e), because it's unreliable, and most things we can summon are mobile enough by themselves, pick up special deployment with battalion, or can teleport with Lords of Time and Space. Occasionally, you see an Astrolith Bearer summoned, since it allows it to "move" before planting its banner, and it's one of the more fragile components of the infamous "Kroaknado" combo. Summoning it keeps it safe until it's needed (assuming you succeed on the roll).

 

[Putzfrau]

Hallo again! Bloodclaw Starhost is expensive! I like the idea of having multiple command abilities going off, but with the new edition looks like it will promote the use of multiple command abilities without having to bring a special battalion,

I like my Saurus in big blocks of 40. Go big, or bring Skinks. Or Knights for a little bit more punch.

I think people tend to avoid summoning in Seraphon (as it currently stands; we can expect some sort of change with 2e), because it's unreliable, and most things we can summon are mobile enough by themselves, pick up special deployment with battalion, or can teleport with Lords of Time and Space. Occasionally, you see an Astrolith Bearer summoned, since it allows it to "move" before planting its banner, and it's one of the more fragile components of the infamous "Kroaknado" combo. Summoning it keeps it safe until it's needed (assuming you succeed on the roll).

Very interesting, I like the idea of using summoning almost as a "deep strike" for some units. I'm excited to see what 2e brings!

 

[Canas]

Very interesting, I like the idea of using summoning almost as a "deep strike" for some units. I'm excited to see what 2e brings!

summoning currently is a glorified deepstrike. 2e is going to make summoning "free", as in it costs no reinforcement points. In exchange you now pay with resources you gain during the game. E.g. nurgle has its corruption points, slaanesh gets points for torturing people, khorne for stuff dying etc. Which makes it actual summoning so that'l be fun. There's nothing else known yet with respect to us though apart from the fact that the Slann EoTG & Astrolith bearer are apparently involved in it.