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Just wondering if anyone has seen Archmages riding dragons, or found them to be useful in their own armies. Was sitting making some mock-up lists for a battle Im having with a friend soon and thought about it as an alternative selection.
Is placing an archmage on a dragon feasable? And for that matter which type of dragon would be most suitable? The added mobility/breath weapon/terror would be extremely handy, but is it overkill for a mage?

an archmage on dragon at what level? I have seen friend use this in battle and I've already seen the problem, this is alot of points for a small army like High Elves. He had like what another 5 units in a 2000 point army and was even out numbered by a WoC army. Even with a basic sun dragon the Archmage is expensive on his own then you add magic equipment and an extra level. My friend just plonked him on a star Dragon and then that was it.

In all honesty you could go with it but I wouldn't recommend it, if it were an Orc Warboss on Wyvern then by all means but an archmage on Dragon is expensive so expect a small army

Sounds like too many points to me. You should take one of those Fire Wizards.

Combat monster + weak 1 attack lord
=no good
He can be singled in close combat, doesn't get armour save from Dragon (although randomising against shooting attacks does give somewhat protection).
I say a sharp no-no for Archmage on Dragon.
Great Eagle, however....

ah the hero option for the High Elves the Dragon Mage. sitting on a sun dragon and can only use the lore of fire. this is still expensive but you can get abit more in the army

The dragon mage is much better.

Cheaper.

With the ring (of flames of phoenix casting) and the extra spell item (?silver wand) Sorry at work and no army book with me. You get:
3 spells to cast almost all being range attacks
+1 dice to each spell so I'd use 2 dice per spell (2 spells per turn) then add the third dice to cast to make dispels harder.
A bound item (also magic missile)

The place for an elf archmage is hidden in a unit.

I think you mean Ring of Fury which contains Fury of Khaine, as there is no ring which would contain Flames of Phoenix bound spell.
But yes, lvl 2 Dragon Mage with Silver Wand IS soooo much fun.

Prety much all that needs said is said. Wizard lords and big monsters are mutually exclusive, excepting only those wizard lords who arte also combat characters. Then expect to pay a lot of points for the privilege.

The Dragon Mage works simply because it requires no lord slots and still yields dragon. its cheap enough that if(when?) the dragon loses its rider it cn carry on regardless. Sun dragons have high enough leadership unlike many big flying monsters and can do quite nicely on thier own. even beter in fact as the Sun Dragon no longer has to worry about combat resolution losses from wounds due to a T3 elf bleeding on its back.

Orlanth wrote:Prety much all that needs said is said. Wizard lords and big monsters are mutually exclusive, excepting only those wizard lords who arte also combat characters. Then expect to pay a lot of points for the privilege.

The Dragon Mage works simply because it requires no lord slots and still yields dragon. its cheap enough that if(when?) the dragon loses its rider it cn carry on regardless. Sun dragons have high enough leadership unlike many big flying monsters and can do quite nicely on thier own. even beter in fact as the Sun Dragon no longer has to worry about combat resolution losses from wounds due to a T3 elf bleeding on its back.

That was funny. Those Fire Wizards are cool. Never even thought of that giving them an extra spell, that is a real battery. Fly around, cause Terror, breath on gak and cast spells. What's not to love?

GentlemanGuy wrote: My friend just plonked him on a star Dragon and then that was it.

Arch Mage Cant ride a star dragon.

Also, never run dragon mages in a large game. 2000+.. they are just too many points that die just FAR too easily. 20 archers should statistically kill the mage, nevermind the million other things MORE powerful than that at range.... Which leaves the most pitiful excuse for a dragon trying to test on his LD 7 and even then doing anything but wreaking havoc with his 4 str 5 attacks. Fail....