7th Ed. Temple Guard

[Chahlie]

I'm considering a unit of temple guard in my army, but I need to know: Can fight well without a Slann, or are the mostly a spiky meat shield? If they are good outside of Slann-guarding, what are some suggestions on how to use them?

 

[Chamen]

I wouldn't use a special slot for em myself, since they are just slightly better than the cheaper saurus who are core units. I'd rather use my special slots and points for something else.

 

[Xlcontiqu]

I just run my Slann solo. I find the Temple Guard too limiting to my style of play, so I always get something else. Having that many points in one unit also makes me not as happy, because of the eggs-in-one-basket style of gaming.

 

[strewart]

Its going to be interesting in 8th.. On one hand, the second rank boosts them, on the other they literally do the same job as saurus but better and when you need to spend more points in core it may well be better to take saurus instead and use the special % on other things.

Anyway, on to right now, most people see them as too expensive for what they do. Which is a shame since they have very sexy models. Best use I have found for them is a 10-man support unit. Not strictly a flanker since they are way too slow, but if they move up with a 'parent' saurus unit they can work a little like a detachment and also protect your flank. They are very tough and can hit quite hard.

 

[the-graven]

Haven't used them without Slann, with Slann they are worth it.
They cost 4 pts more, they have LA and Halberds instead of Spears, 1 WS extra, point wise I don't know without slann I wouldn't use them, with Slann I would(I do use them as Slann guard)

 

[venom_x51]

I think in 7th Edition, they use up a valuable Special slot, and I personally wouldn't take them over a unit of Saurus Warriors.

8th edition tho... With up to 50% Special units, and that extra s5 attack from the second rank, small units of 2x6 TG will be nice little detachments to have.

As I mainly fight Orcs n Goblins, the extra Init. (over Saurus) puts them on equal Init. with all flavours of Orcs and Goblins, which will be a huge step up when deciding striking order , and the extra WS means they'll be hitting Orcs on a 3+, and making it harder for Black Orcs to hit them (hitting on 4's rather than 3's)

So yeah, I'm certainly going to be taking a small detachment or two in addition to my normal Slann body guard unit come 8th...

 

[spacelizard]

Thing is, you've got a unit that cost 1/3 more than saurus and, as others will tell you, "does the same job, but better." I've fielded them in 1500pts list before, and I didn't feel like I was wasting points taking them. Even without a slann, they're a rock solid unit, and they have the stats and equipment to make a respectable sledgehammer. If you're planning on taking a Slann, then I'd definitly get them, and then just try them in smaller games without the Slann. They might not be the BEST option, but they ARE good.

 

[Scarecrow]

I never field them when I'm not fielding a slann, they're not worth the points seeing as saurus are more cost effective. But my slann is never seen on the table without them. They're +1 strength (w/ halberd), WS, and Init make them wonderful at protecting the slann, as does they're high tough and AS. But what really make's 'em shine is stubborn LD 9 (with the slann). And if your slann is also the Standard Bearer for the army then thats stubborn LD 9 w/ rerolls. I've had them flanked and out numbered and after a few turns still won out. They wont die easily and with the slann, they wont run either.

 

[LeapingLizard76]

I still them as a bodyguard unit for the slann.

They've done right by me, so I'll be using them until something convincing me not to comes for me ... for my blood or maybe my first born ...

lol

Seriously, though, I think it has do to more with the fluff than anything. I can't complain on their service record for me, but maybe I'll try just saurus warriors next time.

 

[wolfspirit]

I will agree with LeapingLizard76
After all, you do not want to lose the best wizard in the game for the sake of a couple of hundred points
I have used them before (in representation) and they are great even if it is just for a meat shield.

However if you are looking to use up a special slot I would recommend cold one cavalry

 

[Guardian of Hexoatl]

Eh, They're unnecessary luxuries when it comes to cost and you can definitely use the points better. I like to run em with a Slaan though just because they're amazing looking models

 

[The Lybithian]

If I run a nice guy Slann I bring Temple Guard. If I bring a decked out cheesy Slann I bring no temple Guard and save my points.

Personally never bring Temple Guard unless you plan to put the Slann in there, the points can be used better elsewhere.

 

[Kuro Ryu]

I like my temple guard, especially since they tore apart the better part of an empire army by themselves in the last game i played. They make really good shock troopers and anything left behind can be mopped up by the saurus. Bear in mind however this game was played with 8th ed rules and so they got the extra rank of attacks.

 

[Dreadgrass]

Thinking with 8th in mind, I'm looking at trying 10-lizard support units for my saurus blocks. With the potential for 10-wide deployments, I'm thinking a 20 strong 5 x 4 block of saurus with a 10 strong 5 x 2 Temple guard block will be able to fit in the front and combines the rank bonus of the Saurus with the hard-hitting yet still tough-as-nails Templeguard 15 Strength 5 attacks and decent survivability for 160 points ain't too shabby!

Question though, its apparently the case(I haven't read it myself but I've heard from someone who's read the new book) that you cannot choose to go Handweapon and shield if you have another weapon (case in point halberd) So until we get errata'd/ redone for the new rules, the Temple guard shields are purely for show?

 

[strewart]

Don't forget you can use the armour save from the shield at long range so its still useful against shooting attacks. But besides that, yes it is a bit of a loss of flexibility.. I don't really think it will get errata'ed, otherwise what was the point in making the rule? Just one of those wait for a new book things...

 

[Caneghem]

Don't forget you can use the armour save from the shield at long range so its still useful against shooting attacks. But besides that, yes it is a bit of a loss of flexibility.. I don't really think it will get errata'ed, otherwise what was the point in making the rule? Just one of those wait for a new book things...

Maybe they'll say TG can one-hand their halberds, since that's how the model looks. Yeah, I wish..

 

[strewart]

I would seriously start respecting their IP and stop helping people acquire text if they did that. Wait.... What?


AFAIK from the thread on the LM FAQ on warseer, there is nothing mentioning the TG so no luck there.

 

[Gyro00]

I rather suck at this game but rather eager to learn. I ran a fifteen man TG squad alone against the new BOC and the 2+ As when using sword an shield really helped it took three minoturs an a doom bull three turns to kill them all plenty of time for a counter charge that won the game. Maybe I'm jus lubcky but these guys always seem to do well on there own and make there points back +

 

[jormi_boced]

You cant use HW and shield anymore with TG.

 

[Sebulba]

Another guy started a lifestar thread which brings up a good tactic. Talking a horde (3x10) of temple guards could be interesting. At first I was against it but if you were using all the buffs on the temple guard (and others when they need it more) then you'll probably make them nigh unstoppable. They alreadly have stubborn but the low initiative hurts a lot...