9th Age Rate the O.9.1 Updates of the Book

[The Sauric Ace]

Topic and pool says it all.

How do the current beta book fare? Does it live up to your expectation of how a "lizardmen" army book should be?

Feel free to comment on why you rated the way you did.

 

[NIGHTBRINGER]

I voted 9. I am extremely pleased with what I am seeing so far.

There a couple of tiny things that I'm not too fond of (the sorry state of the Kroxigor hero and a few little things in the main rules), but 9th Age has exceeded my expectations so far. I just hope that it can slowly carve out a larger and larger player base.

The current army books are a vast improvement over their TAC counterparts. There were many things I didn't like in the TAC... a couple of which were complete deal breakers in my book. I was really happy to see that those things were taken care of.

As far as the Saurian Ancients go, I'm extremely satisfied. They did a great job with the Slann and gave the Kroxigors a much needed boost; both of which are awesome. It looks like we have a lot more balance within our book now. But please do something about that pathetic Kroxigor hero! hahaha

All that remains to be seen is how well the army books can be balanced against each other. With what I have seen so far, I'm pretty confident that a good job will be done in that regard.

 

[Pinktaco]

One of the RT members actually came up with an interesting proposal:
I4 on the Croxisaurus Ancient and share this with other Croxisaurus.

This would make Croxisaurus with halbards a very interesting unit with I4.

The option to allow BSB option, tweak the no armour restriction and grant fear is also being considered. The RT is split on allowing "look out sir" in skrox units with 3 Croxisaurus. A3 seem to be okay with the RT.

I'd actually be quite happy with the above solutions with the armour issue being that that the scaly skin is reduced to 4+ (for a maximum armour save of 2+) and allowing LoS with 3 Croxies

We'll see though..

 

[skink chief]

8 for me.
Let me start by saying I would rate our 8th edition book 6. So definatly a big improvement. Mainly thx to
1. Slann Disciplines.
2. Cheaper Slan if you want it
3. Skink priests lvl 3 (4) with extended paths of magic. (This alone is a +1 on 10 for me).
4. More banner options (saurus magic banner in particular).
5. Croxisaurus option of T5 for same price they were in 8th book.
6. A more usefull Troglodon.

Things that can def. Improve:
Rippers, Handlers, spawnings (more please), a skink cav... some I can't think of right now.

Overall very happy .

 

[Pinktaco]

8 for me.


Things that can def. Improve:

1. Rippers
2. Handlers
3. Spawnings (more please),
4. Skink cav.
5. Some I can't think of right now.

Overall very happy .

1. Rippers received some decent buffs. Same price and amount of attacks, but received +1I and even just 1 unit if rippers can deploy 2 frogs. They also have the option to gain a 3+ save. I'd say they're fine for now, but not the easiest unit which IMO is fine.
2. Handlers is getting some attention by the community members (mostly L-O). There are other more pressing issues, but I'll see what I can do.
3. We won't receive more spawnings
4. Skink Cav is currently a no-go. We might, however, see a Southland Appendix List down the line
5. I'm not a Wizard

Thanks for your feedback

 

[skink chief]

Ah so they updated the Rippers? Didn't see that one sry.
Spawnings: hey we got more then what we had before.. being none so I'm okay with it .
Ofcourse the skink cav isn't going to be in yet, I've read your posts, but hoping by the end of it all, we can field m

 

[Haemoglobin]

Gave it an 8/10

Overall a good book, happy that Monster Mash lists got buffed and are less of a gimmick now. Also very glad that the 6+ Innate save of the Totem Warriors was a typo

Things that could improve for me:

Mace-O-Saurus with Sun Engine: I love the idea but the point cost is getting a bit too high. Right now we are paying 130 points for a 4W T5 monster that is slow combined with a short buff range, has a pretty meh bound spell and lost its flank denying rules. It was an autoinclude for me in 8th because it was one of the best flank guards out there for its price. The price isn't too bad (still cheaper than in 8th) but it is getting hard to justify spending 130 points on what basically is a +1 WS boost for 1-2 units.
Propositions: leave the price as it is and give it a small buff. +1 M or +1S would be something very valuable. M5 would make positioning the buff easier, S5 would give it more of a Monster feel. Perhaps increase the buff range slightly (8" perhaps) but I know that would be quite strong and possibly OP (and would definitely justify another price increase). Maybe increase the S on the bound spell to 5 or just use a similar bound spell to the one in 8th edition.

Skink Hunters: Shame about the price increases. They are still pretty good at what they do, but 90 points for a unit that used to be 70 points is a tad much. Keep in mind that these are units that are used for redirecting and they tend not to last long in my lists. 90 points for 10 wounds T2 with 5+ AS is a bit meh and I am tempted to take off the shields on my skirmishers (physically remove from the model) to save points.
Propositions: Make shields free as in 8th edition but bump the unit to 80 - 85 points for 10.

Skink Braves + Croxisaurus: add an option for Croxisaurus in Skink Braves to purchase +1T for 10 points would be nice.

So that is basically it for me. I really love the effort you guys are putting into these books and it definitely shows. I think that 9th edition will become a great edition of the game if this kind of effort and feedback continues. Thanks for doing a great job!

 

[Pinktaco]

Croxisaurus are already quite defensive in skrox units. They can only be hit on 5+ so they effectively remove 2/3 of all incoming close combat attacks

 

[Haemoglobin]

Yea good point about them being defensive and all Keep up the good work!

 

[NIGHTBRINGER]

spawnings (more please)

We won't receive more spawnings

Skink Cav is currently a no-go. We might, however, see a Southland Appendix List down the line

That sounds intriguing. I have a feeling that Skink cav will come around eventually. I think it is wiser to focus on balance at the moment (which I think is being done very well).

'm not a Wizard

Well that's a disappointment

Croxisaurus are already quite defensive in skrox units. They can only be hit on 5+ so they effectively remove 2/3 of all incoming close combat attacks

I completely agree. The upgrade is awesome for solo units of Croxisaurus, but would probably way too much in skrox units (especially seeing as they are core).

 

[Haemoglobin]

So not entirely sure if this is the thread suited for this or not but still.

How would you guys run your core options now? We've got access to some awesome stuff but I am curious to what the community thinks would be the "better" core option.

New and improved Saurus Warriors? Or would people still go for the usual Skink Core. Some Skrox units perhaps?

Personally I am leaning towards Saurus Warriors, but I'm pretty tempted to see what 2 small-ish units (+-20Skinks, 2 Croxi) can do in core. Opinions?

If needed I can just make a new thread about this.

 

[RipperDerek]

I've been gone for a while, having quit the game after Age of Sigmar dropped. But I have to say, the 9th Age saurian book is fantastic. Great job Pinktaco and the 9th Age team.

 

[Pinktaco]

Are you still here? Haven't seen you in forever

 

[GCPD]

On a first read through, I'm going to somewhat break ranks and say that I think Skink Hunters at 80 points naked/90 points with shields is about right. We all know how efficient the Skink Skirmisher package was at only 70 points. For someone who usually only runs two units, having to pay an extra 40 points for them does make me pause and question whether the Shields are necessary - or even the unit itself (for instance, taking two units of Snake Swarms with Scout and using the points saved for Chameleons instead). That it is making me question the role that I want such a unit to perform, instead of being an auto-include, is good internal balance. However, if I do want to take both still the price increase isn't that significant, but it does deter Skink cloud lists due to the extra 40-80 points required. Bearing in mind also the context that the game works on W/L/D instead of 20-0, so giving up 180 points instead of 140 to secure a big win isn't going to hamper things significantly.

There's also the point that Shields are way, way better in 9th - giving +1 As, 6++ Parry, AND -1 to hit. That's got to be at least +1 ppm.

 

[Hasael]

6++ is gone, -1 to hit IS parry.

 

[GCPD]

Aha, missed that ^^