8th Ed. Ripperdactyl Salamander Advice

[archangel]

I'm in the middle of collecting and painting my new Lizardmen army. I like to build my force on paper first, but I can't resist tinkering with my so-called "final draft." This isn't helped by reading all the tactical advice, army lists and battle reports that crop up on here!

Currently my potential army has one unit of 3 ripperdactyls. I now have the option to increase this to two units of 4 rippers with two salamanders OR two units of 3 rippers with 3 salamanders. The rest of the army are twin carnosaurs, stegadon, skink skirmishers, priests and skrox. This is a fast army, slowest movement is 6". Which of my two options do you think are most viable and why?

Thanks in advance for any and all feedback.

 

[Thatguyoverthere11]

I think before 3000 points you can only have two of the same rare choice... so 2 salamanders is alright for starters.

I really like rippers and I did well with 1 unit of 4 at 1500. If you're going for 2 units of 4 you're buying 3 boxes already so you have the option to switch back and forth to 3 units of 3.

Rippers are neat. Salamanders are death to hordes. Both of those are good choices.

 

[archangel]

Thanks for that TGOT. I must admit that I found the "pack" rules for sallies and razors a little unclear. Can you not have a unit\pack of two sallies and a unit\pack of one? I did think that you were only allowed two units of rares, but I was considering the 2\1 combo from above.

The sallies are for thinning out hordes, the big dinos that make up the rest of my force area little vulnerable to being swamped by large hordes.

I think the Rippers and their toads will be seen as a major threat, and with 4 in a unit can absorb a little damage while distracting from my big beasties. They seem a bit unpredictable as well which is always worth throwing into the mix!

Thanks for your input.

 

[hdctambien]

Thanks for that TGOT. I must admit that I found the "pack" rules for sallies and razors a little unclear. Can you not have a unit\pack of two sallies and a unit\pack of one? I did think that you were only allowed two units of rares, but I was considering the 2\1 combo from above.

You are correct. You can only have 2 units of rares, but each unit can contain any number of Salamanders. So your 2/1 combo is perfectly legal!

 

[Lizardmatt]

In your list, it's the salamanders that are slow.
You can only move 6" and fire, everything else is going to be moving 12"+.
While normally I love my salamanders, I find them out of place in my monsterish lists.
I tend to be in combat before I could line up a great shot.

 

[archangel]

That is a very good point about the sallies speed when they are firing. My whole aim is to get my dinos into combat as soon as possible, so this could be a problem. However I haven't got that many dinos and given that I want to focus them on crushing a limited number of targets, it means that the sallies could be quite useful in stalling and influencing the rest of the opposition's force.

Say that I accept that they are not going to fit this force and given that I want units that will complement my fast moving dinos; what do you suggest I should use? If I stick with 2 units of 3 rippers, I will have the points for 3 sallies available to spend on an alternative. Should it be razors, or a unit of krox? Let me know what you think.

 

[cyberhawk94]

With that many dinosaurs, you are going to be open season for empire or dwarfs (cannons) I would 110% recommend getting some terradons or chameleon skinks in there, or even a cheif on a terradon. Against any army with 2 or more cannons, your looking at a dead monster a turn

 

[Scalenex]

I find my Salamanders tend to march on turn one, burn things on turn two and three, and charge something on turn four. Sometimes they burn things on turn four and charge on turn five.

 

[hdctambien]

I find my Salamanders tend to march on turn one, burn things on turn two and three, and charge something on turn four. Sometimes they burn things on turn four and charge on turn five.

If you're running High Magic, a unit of Salamanders is a juicy target for a Turn 1 Walk Between Worlds!

 

[archangel]

I'll initially reply to your comments:

I haven't any High magic as this is a dual carno list with a couple of priests, but no Slann.

I agree with march, burn, burn, eat as the way to go for the Sallies.

I know I am going to suffer versus cannons, but they can't fire when I'm in combat, and surely 2 units of rippers will help deal with this?

Here's a thought; rather than 3 sallies, what about another Ancient Steggie instead? I find the idea of another steggie is more attractive and probably better in combat than a few Krox, but I am still drawn to the 3 sallie option which I feel has a lot of mileage. Skellies, zombies, skaven slaves, goblins, even normal men & elves will all suffer from their flaming templates.

Great to read all your comments.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Scalenex]

Dual Carnos? I'd recommend going light on Salamanders and heavy on Rippers. It seems to work for ZaGreekie, our Carnosaur Expert

 

[archangel]

I know what you mean, ZaGreekie was part of the inspiration to hold my nerve and go with the dual carno approach.

I am going to run two units of rippers, but their target priority is going to be warmachines and then bunkered wizards. I see the 3 sallies as potentially templating those big horde units that could tarpit my bigger dinos. That's my theory anyway! Please let me know if you can spot any gaping holes in my knowledge!

 

[Moniker]

Your monsters are safest in combat, so it's not necessarily a bad thing for them to get stuck in there for a round or two.

 

[archangel]

I agree, they need to be in combat as soon as possible. However I am always going to be outnumbered and my priority targets for the dinos will be monstrous infantry and cav. The hordes need to be kept off their back for as long as possible and to be honest, I don't really expect my two units of Skrox to do much. The sallies will definitely give them something to think about; I hope!