7th Ed. Engine of the Gods

[Itzi-Bitzi]

Hi I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips using an Engine of the Gods in my games.

I have tried to use it a few times but it never pays back it's points and the priest always gets taken out. My skink Priest always gets challenged and being on a monsterous mount I can't refuse the challenge and always get cut down. (Although once he lasted three rounds of combat against a unit of grave gaurd and vampire who all targetted him with their attacks.... I know amazing!)
I just feel that for that many points on a combat monster that can't go near combat sucks big time. Although everyone here seems to say how great they are. I know the abilities of the Engine are cool but you have to get pretty close to combat to use the blast. So I was wonderiing if anyone could help me out with some tactics and tips on using them in battle.
My most regular opponents are Vampire Counts, orcs and Goblins and dwarves if that helps in any way.

 

[kroxigor01]

It is important to make sure that an EoTG is never in a prolonged combat. If it couldn't break the unit in the first turn, it probably won't do it in subsequent turns without the advantage of going first and impact hits. So just don't charge any unit you won't break in one turn!

Its far better to move forward threatening a charge and a burning alignement while your other killy stuff gets in position then to rush it, charge and bounce.

 

[Caneghem]

War Drum of Xahutec and Plaque of Tepok. I know it seems strange, but you have to think of the EotG steg as a non-combat unit for the most part. In a pinch it can charge something that won't dish out much pain, but you are going to be better off just marching into key positions and blasting away with burning alignment (and causing terror). Charge into combat one too many times and you lose the awesome powers of the engine and you have a dead priest. With the effectively lvl 3 priest (if you give him the plaque), you have a decent shot at rolling something pretty damaging spell wise as well like the comet or uranon's. Just march to a good spot for burning alignment, then pivot to the appropriate direction for the spells needing line of sight.

Once you've marched into a good spot, you might then want to rear charge a unit you are pretty sure you can break with that charge, but weigh the risk to your priest always. I'm not a huge fan of it because of its point cost and the fact that it is so extremely fragile being a large target with a weak character on top. In fact, the main reason to get it into a combat is to protect it from shooting, but then you can be hit in combat instead! I probably won't take one unless I'm doing an Oldblood army.

 

[strewart]

Have a look at this whopper of a thread on the same topic.

If you are charging the engine head on into units, you are using it wrong. I'm not quite sure I see the value in them challenging you though, they can direct all attacks against the priest anyway so could have had both the unit champ and vampire attacking rather than just 1. Point is, combat is a dangerous place for a t2 model, even if he happens to have a 2+ armour save.

A common tactic to stop engines actually is to charge with a fast cavalry unit or a flier and direct all attacks onto the priest, so you need to protect his flanks from that as well. This guy is your ultimate glass hammer.

Now I know you have a massive monster with US 10, high strength impact hits, and extra attacks after so you want him in combat at least some of the time, you paid good points for all that. I personally think he should be pimped with items to boost his magic, but the more I look at it the better the wardrums look. As your main line engages (which he should have been right behind) head through to the other side. You can start throwing flaming death out at them, position yourself behind a unit or two so if they flee your frontal charge they are auto destroyed, and point yourself menacingly at flanks or rears. Especially unengaged enemy units. They now have the choice of turning to face you and exposing themselves to the rest of your army (in which case, you use the drums to dance back to their flank) or ignoring you and risking a rear charge. If you have somehing engaged at the front, it should be safe to flank or rear charge. That is the only time you want him in combat though.

 

[Itzi-Bitzi]

Thanks everyone... I think that has helped a lot... I have never thought of the combination with the wardrums what a great idea. I also love the idea of the Plaque of Tepok thanks Caneghem
I will check out the other thread too thanks strewart.
I have two Stegadon models and have been using the magnetise idea to change setup for various battles. I've found this great but every time I have taken the engine I have found it useful with magic side but sometimes not worth the points...
I will try these ideas next time I use it and see what difference this makes. I used to use it between two units of saurus or a saurus unit and TG threatening the charge but evry time so far it has been cut down (well I should say the priest has the stegadon does ok) But your advise has helped give me some great ideas of how to use it now against my enemy especially with the wardrums...

 

[strewart]

I've found this great but every time I have taken the engine I have found it useful with magic side but sometimes not worth the points...

Yeah that pretty much sums up huge and expensive creatures/models. Sometimes your opponent will have the ability to deal with you easily, or get lucky, or avoid you and you will feel the big expensive model was basically worthless. Other times, it will win the game for you all on its own. Expect this kind of up and down result with the engine, no matter how well you play it there is always the lucky shot that gets through and kills the priest in 1 or two turns and leaves you with a big expensive ancient stegadon.

 

[Systmfalur]

I use my Engine in pairs with another unit such as saurus warriors, carnosaur, or another steg. Nothing beats double charging with an engine, double burning alignment, and double impact hits. Whatever is charged will either be at a quarter strength or broken and dead. I double charged a 30 man unit of ghouls and wiped them out. I suggest always using them with support, and never EVER let them charge in alone.

 

[Dreadgrass]

I normally consider the model as a whole rather than a spell caster with a combat monster, so when I weigh up the combat potential with the magic potential I try to avoid combat wherever possible with him and consider the combat ability of the steg as a deterrent to mage hunters, though when the priest does get sniped the Steg normally goes Kamikaze-support for my mainline!

 

[Itzi-Bitzi]

Wow Two engines seem even more points... 800 or so points wow... although I can see how they would do well just is it as effective as what you could have instead of two. I will have to give that one a try too. I do like the idea of a normal stegadon beside it though in support.... will try that too.

 

[kroxigor01]

Wow Two engines seem even more points... 800 or so points wow... although I can see how they would do well just is it as effective as what you could have instead of two. I will have to give that one a try too. I do like the idea of a normal stegadon beside it though in support.... will try that too.

Heck, if my friends wouldn't kill me for it I'd bring 4 EoTGs!