AoS Starting New 1K Army - New Seraphon Player

[Ntr0py]

Hi guys, I'm new to Seraphon and Lustria Online - Hello world! With the release of the updated battletome I'm finally going to start an army of my own!

I have read sections of the book already but with all the abilities and buffs they have now it can be a little overwhelming when I have had no actual experience with Seraphon in the past.

I was hoping to get some advice on what list/faction/abilities etc people could recommend for me to build my first 1k points list.

I have purchased the Skinks Start Collecting (only viable way to get a bastilodon it seems), but I have held off buying other models until I decide on an actual list build.

Essentially I'm hoping to field a coalesced army with a saurus general for the synergy, but to also field either a slaan or Lord Kroak for fancy spell stuff. I also really want to field the bastilodon I am getting as well.

So far I was thinking something like a Saurus Sun Blood, Lord Kroak/Slaan, some Saurus Guard for a wizard screen, Saurus Warriors and the Bastilodon. However, I am uncertain of the synergies or lack-there-of that the list may have.

I am not married to any specific requirements for my list - except running my bastilodon really - so any concepts or list ideas you guys can help me with would be super appreciated!

TL : DR;
New player looking to build a 1k list, only sticking point is I want to run a bastilodon but other than that its free reign over what you guys think would work best competitively at that points level. Thank you!

 

[Lizerd]

Hello and welcome to Lustria! Our foremost and best general on the forum is @LizardWizard who can make just about anything competitive. You should probably go through his lists for the seraphon battletome 2.0 as they are all well thought out. The start collecting skinks is a great way to start, as the starpriest is an excellent model to use, and skinks have become pretty viable right now. I’m guessing you might want something like this list as it utilizes big monsters


Allegiance: Seraphon
Coalesced: Thunder Lizard

Leaders
Stegadon with Skink Chief (270)
- General
- command trait: prime warbeast
- artifact: fusil of conflagration

Skink Starpriest (120)
- hand of glory

Battleline
20 x Skinks (120)
- Boltspitters Celestite Daggers & Star Bucklers
20 x Skinks (120)
- Boltspitters Celestite Daggers & Star Bucklers

Units
3 x Terradon Riders (90)
- Sunleech Bolas

Behemoths
Bastiladon (220)
- Weapon: Solar Engine

Endless Spells / Terrain / CPs
Balewind Vortex (40)

Total: 980 / 1000
Extra Command Points: 0
Allies: 0 / 200
Wounds: 73

The idea of this list is to have blocks of skinks deal out some mortal wounds while being supported by bastiladon shooting, especially as you will have a few command points to burn so you can get some good shooting from the bastiladon. You’d probably want another Stegadon and another box of skinks. However just to be sure, we should double check with @LizardWizard because he knows what he is doing.

 

[Ntr0py]

Thank you very much for the suggestions, they have been very helpful!

I like the idea of getting a Stegadon but they are just perpetually sold out here (I am Australian haha) and I may have to wait months to even a year to actually get my hands on one.

In regards to the skinks and skink starpriest combo, am I correct in that the Serpent Staff ability only affects 1 attack out of the sequence per phase and not each unmodified 6 wound roll made by the entire unit. My understanding that the only benefit this grants is one possible MW in both shooting and combat phase for the affected unit. Please correct me if I am wrong, however.

Would you have any suggestions for substituting the stegadon for this list? Would a slaan or kroak be suitable? Or another hero unit? I will also check out the lists by the user you suggested, thank you for the recommendation!

 

[Shocksem]

Thank you very much for the suggestions, they have been very helpful!

I like the idea of getting a Stegadon but they are just perpetually sold out here (I am Australian haha) and I may have to wait months to even a year to actually get my hands on one.

In regards to the skinks and skink starpriest combo, am I correct in that the Serpent Staff ability only affects 1 attack out of the sequence per phase and not each unmodified 6 wound roll made by the entire unit. My understanding that the only benefit this grants is one possible MW in both shooting and combat phase for the affected unit. Please correct me if I am wrong, however.

Would you have any suggestions for substituting the stegadon for this list? Would a slaan or kroak be suitable? Or another hero unit? I will also check out the lists by the user you suggested, thank you for the recommendation!

It will work on each unmodified roll of 6 to wound. This includes shooting and combat. I would definitely think about including a Slann, Kroak if you can afford it. The skink heroes buff up your units with their free abilities and command points while your Slann generate a ton of CP and give you some very powerful magic options.

 

[Ntr0py]

It will work on each unmodified roll of 6 to wound. This includes shooting and combat. I would definitely think about including a Slann, Kroak if you can afford it. The skink heroes buff up your units with their free abilities and command points while your Slann generate a ton of CP and give you some very powerful magic options.

The bit that confuses me is that the entry states: "A unit cannot benefit from this ability more than once per phase."

I understand that the entry just before that says it occurs when an unmodified wound roll is a 6, but it only happening once per phase still makes me think it can only affect one attack in the shooting and/or combat phase in the even that it comes up.

Again, if I am wrong by all means correct me, I definitely wanna inflict as many MW's as possible with the skinks haha

 

[LizardWizard]

The bit that confuses me is that the entry states: "A unit cannot benefit from this ability more than once per phase."

I understand that the entry just before that says it occurs when an unmodified wound roll is a 6, but it only happening once per phase still makes me think it can only affect one attack in the shooting and/or combat phase in the even that it comes up.

Again, if I am wrong by all means correct me, I definitely wanna inflict as many MW's as possible with the skinks haha

It means if you had multiple Starpriest you couldn't have each of them apply the Serpent's staff effect to the same unit. If the didn't have this phrasing then I would bring 3 or them and put the buff on my Skinks 3 times so each unmod 6 to wound would deal 3 MWs.

 

[Ntr0py]

It means if you had multiple Starpriest you couldn't have each of them apply the Serpent's staff effect to the same unit. If the didn't have this phrasing then I would bring 3 or them and put the buff on my Skinks 3 times so each unmod 6 to wound would deal 3 MWs.

Ah ok, thank you for the clarification. I have put together two skink oriented lists from all the suggestions so far and would love some feedback on how viable they would be, I haven't decided on artifacts, factions, etc yet but would be very open to suggestions. Here are the two list concepts (very similar, just that one trades Kroak for a Slaan and more skinks).

List 1:

Leaders
Lord Kroak (320)
- General
- command trait: ?
- artifact: ?

Skink Starpriest (120)
- ?

Battleline
30 x Skinks (180)
- Boltspitters Celestite Daggers & Star Bucklers
5 x Saurus Guard (100)

Behemoths
Bastiladon (220)
- Weapon: Solar Engine

Endless Spells / Terrain / CPs
Realmshaper Engine
Balewind Vortex (40)

Total: 980 / 1000
Extra Command Points: 0
Allies: 0 / 200
Wounds: 62

List 2:

Leaders
Slaan Starnaster (260)
- General
- command trait: ?
- artifact: ?

Skink Starpriest (120)
- ?

Battleline
40 x Skinks (240)
- Boltspitters Celestite Daggers & Star Bucklers
5 x Saurus Guard (100)

Behemoths
Bastiladon (220)
- Weapon: Solar Engine

Endless Spells / Terrain / CPs
Realmshaper Engine
Balewind Vortex (40)

Total: 980 / 1000
Extra Command Points: 0
Allies: 0 / 200
Wounds: 72

---

What do you think of these list ideas? And how do you think they could be geared up/chosen faction for competitive play? Thank you so much for the help so far everyone!

 

[LizardWizard]

I think both list are suited to grow into 2k collections

 

[Ntr0py]

I think both list are suited to grow into 2k collections

Awesome, I think it would be good as long as I can keep the units away from melee combat, against fyreslayers or khorne it may melt.

Would you have any recommendations on a more Saurus-based army for 1k? I love the idea of painting saurus haha. I cant find a way to make a bastilodon work in a saurus list, or a slaan, especially if I try to take both. I just hit the point ceiling way too fast.

 

[Shocksem]

Ah ok, thank you for the clarification. I have put together two skink oriented lists from all the suggestions so far and would love some feedback on how viable they would be, I haven't decided on artifacts, factions, etc yet but would be very open to suggestions. Here are the two list concepts (very similar, just that one trades Kroak for a Slaan and more skinks).

List 1:

Leaders
Lord Kroak (320)
- General
- command trait: ?
- artifact: ?

Skink Starpriest (120)
- ?

Battleline
30 x Skinks (180)
- Boltspitters Celestite Daggers & Star Bucklers
5 x Saurus Guard (100)

Behemoths
Bastiladon (220)
- Weapon: Solar Engine

Endless Spells / Terrain / CPs
Realmshaper Engine
Balewind Vortex (40)

Total: 980 / 1000
Extra Command Points: 0
Allies: 0 / 200
Wounds: 62

List 2:

Leaders
Slaan Starnaster (260)
- General
- command trait: ?
- artifact: ?

Skink Starpriest (120)
- ?

Battleline
40 x Skinks (240)
- Boltspitters Celestite Daggers & Star Bucklers
5 x Saurus Guard (100)

Behemoths
Bastiladon (220)
- Weapon: Solar Engine

Endless Spells / Terrain / CPs
Realmshaper Engine
Balewind Vortex (40)

Total: 980 / 1000
Extra Command Points: 0
Allies: 0 / 200
Wounds: 72

---

What do you think of these list ideas? And how do you think they could be geared up/chosen faction for competitive play? Thank you so much for the help so far everyone!

I’m liking them. You are running them as Fangs of Sotek? Also don’t make Kroak your general, he can’t take command traits or artifacts.

 

[Tav]

Perhaps oldblood on carnosaur would work well instead of Stegadon chief, in thunder lizard he does a lot of work as a unit on his own.

saurus based list

leaders:
Scar vet on carnosaur
Saurus sunblood (130)

battleline:
Saurus warriors x10 (90)
Saurus warriors x10 (90)
Saurus warriors x10 (90)

behemoths:
Bastiladon (220)

Battalion:

sunclaw starhost (160)
Including the bastiladon means you won’t have magic but the saurus are powerful.
-2 rend on their clubs because of the battalion and you get to give both your scar vet and sunblood an artefact.

fangs of sotek wouldn’t be bad, your scar vet can then generate an extra command point a turn and you can give him or the sunblood the serpent god dagger

 

[Ntr0py]

Perhaps oldblood on carnosaur would work well instead of Stegadon chief, in thunder lizard he does a lot of work as a unit on his own.

saurus based list

leaders:
Scar vet on carnosaur
Saurus sunblood (130)

battleline:
Saurus warriors x10 (90)
Saurus warriors x10 (90)
Saurus warriors x10 (90)

behemoths:
Bastiladon (220)

Battalion:

sunclaw starhost (160)
Including the bastiladon means you won’t have magic but the saurus are powerful.
-2 rend on their clubs because of the battalion and you get to give both your scar vet and sunblood an artefact.

fangs of sotek wouldn’t be bad, your scar vet can then generate an extra command point a turn and you can give him or the sunblood the serpent god dagger

Ok, I really like this and I think I found a way to bring it into coalesced and also add some more versatility, though as usual, I am completely open to any input. My saurus based list, inspired by the one you suggested goes as follows:

_________________________
Allegiance: Seraphon
Coalesced: Thunder Lizard

Leaders:
Saurus OldBlood on Carnosaur (250)
- General
- Command Trait: Prime War Beast
- Artifact: Fusil of Conflagration

Battleline:
20 x Saurus Warriors (180)
- Celestite Clubs
20 x Saurus Warriors (180)
- Celestite Clubs

Units:
Salamander Hunting Pack (80)
Salamander Hunting Pack (80)

Behemoths:
Bastilodon (220)
- Solar Engine

Total: 990 / 1000
Extra Command Points: 0
Allies: 0 / 200
Wounds: 78
_________________________
My intent for this army would be to use the carno + warrior blocks to engage/acquire objectives, while the bastilodon keeps behind the carno laying cover fire and staying within the Thunder Lizard CA to utilise the double attacks. The salamanders would stay roughly halfway between the carno/bastilodon on the board, acting as a particularly fiery equivalent to a couple skink blocks and also taking advantage of the extra jaw attacks in the event of melee combat. I feel that while this list will not get many overlapping buffs like a skink/slaan army, it will dish out a fairly hefty number of wounds while being able to withstand some decent punishment and despite being fairly saurus-oriented, will pose a fairly strong threat in the shooting phases also to liquefy battlelines or take out key characters on the board prior to being stomped in melee.

I feel that this list would work well in 1k, though as I mentioned at the start of this board, I am completely new to Seraphon and don't actually know how well this will translate from theory to reality in an actual engagement. However, I would like to thank everyone for their input on this thread, it has been extremely helpful and heartening to receive so much support. I will continue to eagerly await people's thoughts on this list!

 

[Tav]

Looks good,

yeah the saurus should be able to hold down anything, having been softened up by the salamanders and bastiladon, oldblood can be left to roam and hunt really as in a 1000pt list there likely isn’t much to challenge him without costing a lot of points for your opponent.
The salamanders can be lethal, just got to watch for battleshock so maybe have them move with the oldblood so you can auto pass if you need.

oldblood as the general of thunder lizard, can buff himself to have the carnosaur do 5 jaw attacks 3+ and 3+, 5 damage each

It would be key to challenge any shooting or magic threats first to give your saurus time to position, chasing those with the salamanders and oldblood ideally

 

[Ntr0py]

Looks good,

yeah the saurus should be able to hold down anything, having been softened up by the salamanders and bastiladon, oldblood can be left to roam and hunt really as in a 1000pt list there likely isn’t much to challenge him without costing a lot of points for your opponent.
The salamanders can be lethal, just got to watch for battleshock so maybe have them move with the oldblood so you can auto pass if you need.

oldblood as the general of thunder lizard, can buff himself to have the carnosaur do 5 jaw attacks 3+ and 3+, 5 damage each

It would be key to challenge any shooting or magic threats first to give your saurus time to position, chasing those with the salamanders and oldblood ideally

All very good points, I think you would be right keeping the salamanders close to the oldblood for the battleshock tests and also targeting magic users and ranged units where possible first. Realistically if I get first turn priority with this army I may be able to eliminate a good portion of the opposing forces just by the end of the first shooting phase.

 

[Alladin the Paladin]

I think if you want a Bastiladon you HAVE to do Thunder Lizard to get your points worth.

I tend to look at listing building as filling different buckets:

1) Magic Offence/Defence
2) Shooting
3) Melee
4) Objective holding

Some units fill multiple buckets.

The bastiladon goes to shooting, so you can either put more eggs into the same bucket (Salamanders or Razordons, since Stegs are off the table).

Alternately you can add some melee, like a Carnasaur. A Slann/Kroak will give you magic offence/defense.

So for 1K:

Slann 260
Carnasaur 250
Bastiladon 220
—
730 pts, leaving you 270 for battleline and/or extras

For your objectives holders, you can now decide if you want to invest in sturdier stock (20 Saurus, 10 saurus would fill the remaining points), or extras (2x10 skinks for 120 and then, say a salamander and a skink priest), or something in between.