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I'm strongly tempted to get into Fantasy when 8th edition hits.

I'm tempted High elves because, well, I'm just that much of an Elf fanboy... Also - I gather they have powerful magic and an army can be made with comparatively few models (which indicates it may be a hair cheaper moneycost?).

That said, they look rather dull to paint, and I also hear the leaning curve is steep.


I fancy Lizardmen too - they look bags of fun to paint, and what little I know of the fluff is cool (Aztec style, fight Chaos, erm, that's about it).

What is the Lizardman playstyle?, and is it horde or elite, or somewhere between.

And, if possible, is there any news on whether either of these armies will be in the 8th edition starter box?

Or, failing that, are their respective battleforces any good?

Word is that High Elves will be in the 8th starter box, so that may sway you. Personally, I quite like elements of each range, but both have models that I don't care for at all and turn me off. For example, if High Elves get some decent looking core infantry in the new starter set, they'll become quite tempting for me...

Currently the power builds for Lizardmen usually use a slann, often in Temple guard, with terradons, stegadons (especially engines of the gods) and some clouds of skinks to redirect and poison things. Throw in some scar veterans to zip around and beat up little things.

High Elves I'm less certain on, though I understand they tend to go with a prince on star-dragon or heavy magic builds. Dragon princes frequently feature in both, with the rest to taste.

RZ

High Elves can play pretty different games depending on your play-style, but tournament builds tend to focus on Prince on Star Dragon or Irrestible-Force-reliant Magic builds.

Typically, you take the min number of archers to fulfill Core requirements and you'll use Dragon Princes as your principle "fast" unit.

Having said that, their army is going to get really shaken up if the 8th Edition rule changes that are rumored come true.

The tactics and units you mention mean little to me, but the more I mull things over, the more I lean toward the Lizardmen, which surprises me. But having looked through GWs website, most the the High Elf units just seem dull.

What would be a sound 500 point list for Lizardmen? (I won't know what anything is, but I can look it up if you tell me. And see how much it may cost...)

Lizardman sample 500 point army 1 (Price - £44)
Scar Veteran - 85 points
20 Saurus with spears and full command - 270 points
24 Skinks with full command - 144 points
Total - 497 Points

Lizardman sample 500 point army 2 (Price - £43)
Skink Priest level 2 - 100 points
12 Skink skirmishers with brave - 90 points
11 Skink skirmishers with brave - 83 points
5 Cold One Cavalry with command - 225 points
Total - 498 Points

Those are the two basic sample armies I'd suggest, my own Lizardmen army has some of those.

If it's any help I'll post it here:
Scar Veteran with light armor and enchanted shield - 105 points
Skink priest level 2 - 100 points
20 Saurus warriors - 220 points
17 Skinks - 85 points
16 Skink Skirmishers with brave - 118 points
Stegadon - 235 points
Stegadon - 235 points
Total: 1098 points

Skinks don't get full command, they get a musician and that's it.

Make them skirmishers, and two units of ten, each w/ musicians, or nothing.

Give the scar veteran a weapon of some sort, I don't know lizardmen, but I'm sure he can take a great weapon or something.

--------

Drop the brave from the skirmishers, he does nothing.

My mate is planning to start High Elves when the starter set comes out for 8th edition (any rumours about what the second army in the starter kit will be?)

I was thinking of starting with the Lizardman battalion:

20 Saurus Warriors
12 Skinks
10 Temple Guard
8 Saurus Cavalry

And an Ancient Stegadon w/ Engine of the Gods because I just love the model so much!

Around £60 all in, from giftsforgeeks.org.uk

It looks to me as though the Temple Guard could be converted into Saurus Warriors?

What sort of points value would that come into, if I could turn the Temple Guard into Saurus Warriors? And what kind of Lord would you recomend?

How is it likely to fair against High Elves?

20 saurus - 220 as basic.
12 skinks - 60 as basic, 84 as skirmishers.
10 temple guard - 160 as basic.
8 saurus cav - 280 as basic.


You may be able to turn the guard into basic saurus, but you would need spare saurus heads to do it.
Would also need spare weapon arms.

My advice would be to hold out until there is some solid news on whether or not HE are going to be in the box for the 8th ed. If they are they might get a number of new models, which you might like.

However, if you can't wait, just go with whatever army you like the look of the most, surely thats the point?

I've never collected an army because of how it plays in game, I've collected based on the background and how much the miniatures appeal to me...