AoS Two 2,000 pt Thunder Lizard lists for consideration

[Doc_Octorok]

Greetings friends,

I am trying to finalize a Seraphon list for a Warhammer weekend with friends. I know that the general consensus after the release of the new battletome seems to be that Thunder Lizard lists are nowhere near as strong as they used to, and I have toyed around with Starborne lists (especially for 1,000 pt lists), but to be honest, having massive dinos was one of the draws of the army in the first place. Plus, I really only play with friends and so having a super-competitive list is not a major priority, though I *would* like to put on a good show. Winning is not as important as filling my friends with the fear of dinos. So I am once again focusing on Thunder Lizards.

In any case, I have only played 3 games (two victories vs Lumineth, one loss vs Idoneth), both of which were under the old battletome, so I do not have a good feel for how Seraphon plays right now. In the upcoming weekend, I will be playing against Lumineth, Idoneth, Khorne, and Daughters of Khaine, using the current Andtor season rules.

I have two 2,000 pt lists below for your consideration. The only major difference is that the first one has TWO units of Saurus + Emerald Lifeswarm, whereas the second drops one of the Saurus units and the EmLife spell for a unit of Skinks and a unit of Saurus Guard. I'd really welcome any tips on which force you think I should go with.

I am limited by the models I own, but other possible units I could add include:
--Raptadon Chargers (and/or Hunters)
--Hunters of Huanchi
--Ripperdactyls
--Terradons
-----------------------
OPTION 1
- Army Faction: Seraphon
- Army Type: Coalesced
- Subfaction: Thunder Lizard
- Grand Strategy: Continuous Expansion
- Triumph: Bloodthirsty
LEADERS
Skink Oracle on Troglodon (270)
- Spells: Tide of Serpents
Saurus Oldblood on Carnosaur (260)*
- Artefacts of Power: Blade of Realities
Saurus Astrolith Bearer (140)**
- Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome
Skink Starpriest (130)**
- Spells: Hoarfrost
Slann Starmaster (290)**
- General
- Command Traits: Custodian of Divine Technology
- Artefacts of Power: Coatl Familiar, Itxi Grubs
- Spells: Telepathic Summons
BATTLELINE
Saurus Warriors (180)*
- Icon Bearer
- Saurus Warrior Alpha
- War-drummer
- Celestite Club
Saurus Warriors (180)*
- Saurus Warrior Alpha
- Icon Bearer
- War-drummer
- Celestite Spear
Stegadon (260)**
- Skystreak Bow
BEHEMOTH
Bastiladon with Ark of Sotek (180)*
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS
1 x Chronomantic Cogs (50)
1 x Emerald Lifeswarm (60)
TERRAIN
1 x Coalesced Realmshaper Engine (0)
CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment
**Warlord
TOTAL POINTS: 2000/2000
----------------------------
OPTION 2
- Army Faction: Seraphon
- Army Type: Coalesced
- Subfaction: Thunder Lizard
- Grand Strategy: Continuous Expansion
- Triumph: Bloodthirsty
LEADERS
Skink Starpriest (130)*
- Spells: Heavenly Frenzy
Skink Oracle on Troglodon (270)*
- Spells: Tide of Serpents
Slann Starmaster (290)*
- General
- Command Traits: Custodian of Divine Technology
- Artefacts of Power: Coatl Familiar, Itxi Grubs
- Spells: Telepathic Summons
Saurus Astrolith Bearer (140)*
- Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome
Saurus Oldblood on Carnosaur (260)**
- Artefacts of Power: Blade of Realities
BATTLELINE
Saurus Guard (140)*
- Icon Bearer
- War-drummer
- Saurus Guard Alpha
Saurus Warriors (180)**
- Icon Bearer
- War-drummer
- Celestite Spear
Stegadon (260)**
- Skystreak Bow
Skinks (90)**
- Skink Alpha
- Boltspitter, Celestite Dagger and Star-buckler
BEHEMOTH
Bastiladon with Ark of Sotek (180)**
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS
1 x Chronomantic Cogs (50)
TERRAIN
1 x Coalesced Realmshaper Engine (0)
CORE BATTALIONS
*Warlord
- Magnificent

**Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: 1990/2000
-----------------------

Thanks!

Cheers,

 

[Just A Skink]

Hi @Doc_Octorok. Here are a few of my thoughts.

• With the Slann as your general, I would seriously consider the Command Trait: Shaman of the Chilled Lands. That way the Slann knows all of the Andtor spells (specifically Hoarfrost & Merciless Blizzard) if addition to his own spells.
• Again, with the Slann as your general, you could try the Battle Tactic: Spellcasting Savant, IF you think you can keep your Slann alive. I would almost definitely go for the 2nd list, with Guard, if you go that route.
• I'm not sure if the Arcane Tome is as big a benefit here. Instead, I would consider an additional spell for all wizards as the enhancement from the Warlord/Command Entourage battalion. That opens up more casting versatility; Empowered Celestite/Light of Chotec/Hoarfrost/Merciless Blizzard. You can do that and keep the Custodian Command Trait, if you prefer.
• To the point of casting, a Starseer would be a nice option over the Starpriest, if you have the model or can proxy.
• I'm kind of so-so on Cogs and Lifeswarm this season. Lifeswarm might help with your monsters/units, but you could get another unit for the price of those two spells; Skinks or Hunters of Huanchi w/Bolas (for teleport shenanigans).
• I'm a big fan of big dinos. I would love to see more in this list provided you have the models. What about something like this?

Army Faction: Seraphon
- Army Type: Coalesced
- Army Subfaction: Thunder Lizard
- Grand Strategy: Spellcasting Savant
- Triumphs: Inspired

LEADER
1 x Slann Starmaster (290)*
- General
- Command Traits: Shaman of the Chilled Lands
- Artefacts: Itxi Grubs
- Spells: Itzl’s Invigoration, Telepathic Summons

1 x Skink Oracle on Troglodon (270)*
- Spells: Light of Chotec, Tide of Serpents

1 x Saurus Astrolith Bearer (140)*

1 x Saurus Oldblood on Carnosaur (260)**

BATTLELINE
1 x Stegadon (260)**
- Skystreak Bow

1 x Stegadon (260)**
- Skystreak Bow

5 x Saurus Guard (140)**
- Saurus Guard Alpha
- Icon Bearer
- War-drummer

BEHEMOTH
1 x Bastiladon with Ark of Sotek (180)

1 x Bastiladon with Ark of Sotek (180)**

TERRAIN
1 x Coalesced Realmshaper Engine (0)

CORE BATTALIONS:
*Command Entourage
- Magnificent (Spell)

**Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: (1980/2000)

 

[Just A Skink]

To the question from your OP: I like option 1 best because I like the two units of Warriors. However, I would consider dropping the endless spells for either a unit of Skinks or Hunters of Huanchi (bolas). And I would consider dropping the Arcane Tome for extra spells.