8th Ed. Scar-Veterans, Skink Priests or both?

[Hasnat]

I am preparing for an upcoming tournament. The points limit is 800, the army must follow the normal selection rules but no army may spend more than 200 points on Lords and Heroes in total (as opposed to 200 points on each).

My army is based around a large amount of Saurus (40 at least) which are supported by a unit of skinks and a Salamander. However, I am receiving conflicting advice on which Hero choice(s) I should field.

Up until now, I have fielded a Level 2 Skink Priest with the Ruby Ring of Ruin and the Diadem of Power. This works reasonably well because it provides both magical offense and defence. However, if I drop the RRoR and the Level 2 upgrade, I’ll be able to fit in a Scar-Veteran with a Shield, the Ironcurse Icon and the Gold Sigil Sword – he’d go with a 40-man Saurus horde. Alternatively, I could have two units of 24 Saurus Warriors with Standard Bearers instead of two units of 20 Saurus Warriors with Full Command.

I am completely unsure. Is it worth it fielding a combat character in low-point competitive games? Is the increased magical firepower and/or support provided by a Level 2 Priest with RRoR and DoP in comparison to a Level 1 Priest with a DoP only worth the extra 60 points?

Please advise.

Thank you.

 

[newscales]

The extra two spells would make better use of more magic dice, but I think winning combat is going to be your friend. Enemy won't be steadfast since you have ranks on them, chase em down and chop em up.

 

[Hasnat]

Saurus Scar-Veteran (*), Shield, Gold Sigil Sword (Initiative 10 in CC), Ironcurse Icon (him and unit gain 6+ Ward Save vs. warmachines)
Skink Priest, Diadem of Power
....................198 pts
40 Saurus Warriors (*), Standard Bearer
10 Skink skirmishers
....................522 pts
1 Salamander, extra handler
....................80 pts
Total = 800.

Alternatively, I could drop the Scar Veteran and upgrade the Skink Priest to a Level 2 wizard and give him the Ruby Ring of Ruin.

What do you think?

 

[Stonecutter]

Another option might be to simply give the scar vet the ruby ring of ruin and spend the points on another unit of skinks or a 2nd sally. While magic defence is somewhat reduced, an extra unit of skink skirmishers or sally could do a lot at the 800 point level.

 

[Hasnat]

Another option might be to simply give the scar vet the ruby ring of ruin and spend the points on another unit of skinks or a 2nd sally. While magic defence is somewhat reduced, an extra unit of skink skirmishers or sally could do a lot at the 800 point level.

Good point. However, I'd then lose a whole phase (mostly, given that I can't exactly chuck insane numbers of dice on a Power Level 3 Fireball and I only had the RRoR to counter ethereals).

How about a list which has 2 24-man Saurus blocks, 11 skinks, priest with DoP and a sally?

 

[newscales]

Magic at a low point game isn't much to worry about. The worst I think you could encounter is a level 2 wizard with a +1 spell known item and maybe the ruby ring. that's going to be topping out 150 points for magic.

army can still dispel and the +2 bonus for his wizard isn't that big of a gap on your army dispel at +0. you will be able to counter at least 1 spell, if not 2 for sure. If he max dices and blows up trying to get it off, he's obliterated his points for likely not much return.

I'd focus on shooting and close combat. 2 salamanders w/ extra handlers makes for 160 points. they will be pure gold in the smaller point game. I'd take 2 units of skink skirms w/ javes, then round with saurus warriors and a SV if it works out point wise. no space for bsb, since he would have to be the general.

heck, 5 camo skinks are only 60 points. might be able to fit them in and pepper his flank.

 

[Hasnat]

Magic at a low point game isn't much to worry about. The worst I think you could encounter is a level 2 wizard with a +1 spell known item and maybe the ruby ring. that's going to be topping out 150 points for magic.

Vampire Counts players have a habit of using Mannfred in 800 points; admittedly, he cannot cause that much damage to my Saurus unit and once in combat with his horde, I will win and he'll die from the Unstable special rule... in theory.

army can still dispel and the +2 bonus for his wizard isn't that big of a gap on your army dispel at +0. you will be able to counter at least 1 spell, if not 2 for sure. If he max dices and blows up trying to get it off, he's obliterated his points for likely not much return.

Unless of course, that spell is Pit of Shades or Purple Sun... I'm sure you catch my drift.

I'd focus on shooting and close combat. 2 salamanders w/ extra handlers makes for 160 points. they will be pure gold in the smaller point game. I'd take 2 units of skink skirms w/ javes, then round with saurus warriors and a SV if it works out point wise. no space for bsb, since he would have to be the general.

I do not have a second Salamander, and eBay is not going to get me one in a week. I may just paint some of the Skinks I have a green-ish colour and use them as Chamo skinks.

heck, 5 camo skinks are only 60 points. might be able to fit them in and pepper his flank.

Evidently, several people online seem to favour the idea of a 40-man Saurus horde at this points level... I'll playtest and see what happens. Can you see any problems with the list, aside from Pit of Shades and Purple Sun and MoT Chosen (and such like)?