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Hi all,

I was just wondering about the viability of an all skink army, i've spoken to a few people and as i've found it seems to be: use cameleons for anti warmachine, steadfast skink blocks in banner range and stegadons for the heavy lifting.

Being quite new to fantasy alot of people have told me not to learn with this army, but i like a challenge

Looking for an army of roughly 1k to begin with in friendly games

What do you guys think? Viable? or not?

Any advice on anything really is appreciated

it will be a very very long up hill battle for you this army could probably work for an experienced player who know the in and outs of the game but it will strategically challenging and unless you take the engine of the gods a few armies will beat you during the magic phase

Skink formations tend to distintegrate rather quickly. Thanks to the fact they are T2 with a shield. They also cost a lot compare to say Goblins.
Might want to add some Kroxigors so they can do some damage, they also make you immune to stomps AFAIK.
Another problem is if you expend the army Skinks have a limited selection of characters.

So everyone says

Engine of the gods does seem like an extremely useful addition to the force giving them a much needed 5+ ward, just worried about it chewing through points in lower point games i could take it in 1500 point games however

Also what are your thoughts on blowpipes or javelins? blow pipes seem useful for the chameleons having the higher BS whereas i'm leaning towards javelins on the blocks and skirmishers, not sure if they count as hand weapons for the 6+ ward also?

If it helps the fantasy armies in my area are HE and empire players mainly with a WE player here and there

Skink formations tend to distintegrate rather quickly. Thanks to the fact they are T2 with a shield. They also cost a lot compare to say Goblins.
Might want to add some Kroxigors so they can do some damage, they also make you immune to stomps AFAIK.
Another problem is if you expend the army Skinks have a limited selection of characters.

Would this make skirmishers a better choice? since they won't get chewed up in the shooting phase as easily
As far as positioning i was going to try set it up so the skink blocks hit the enemies rank and file troops and hopefully throw out enough wounds with their higher initiative before they strike back, with stegadons tying up their special and rare choices

And i'm hoping the amount of small pestering blow pipes and javelins can wittle them down en route

Hey,

I'm keeping me busy with the same thing: a skink army. I have never played a game yet (I had some problems with finding players at my flgs) but from what I read at forums the salamander hunting packs are pretty much worth their cost in gold. Their flames can take care of one of your biggest enemies: big steadfast blocks (or they make them at least a little less steadfast ^^).
What are you going to use big blocks of skink infantry for? In my (unexperienced) eyes they are not really combat suited.

- Pim

Given this is 8th you are gonna need some kind of infantry block.
Typically skink blocks hang out with Krox in their midst. Skinks themselves arent great line infantry material. Thats more of a Saurus thing.
Though if you like skinks dont let me stop you anyhow! Your plan can work, it's just not an easy one.

As for Blowpipe vs Javelins, Chameleons can only get Blowpipes, line inf Skinks only have Jav, as for Skirmishers I'd rather not pay the extra point for Jav.
And yes, you do get a 6+ ward in melee for having HW/Shield.

Yeah i'll definately need some infantry blocks, i'm thinking 30 skinks with 3 kroxigor each and i'll take 2 i think, since i take dead skinks from the back the kroxs should be pretty safe until the block starts getting smashed up, i'm imagining the kroxs blocks can take the charge + hold, while a steg or skirmishers hit the flanks.
Kudos to the skirmishers with javelins, i thought that they'd be better off with the blowpipes

Can't believe i didn't mention salamanders!!! Def wanna use a few in higher point limits.

As for heroes i was going for a lvl2 priest, gotta check what wargear, as i think cube may be the wrong way to go
And probably just another lvl1 priest for channeling
when i've my codex on hand i'll write out a list.
Something along the lines of:

For 1k
Heroes: 250 points - 85 Points for wargear
Skink priest lvl2 100
Skink priest lvl1 65

Core: 315
Skinksx30 w/h 3 Kroxigor

Special:355
Stegadon w/h giant bow 235
Skink Cameleonsx10 Or 2x5

Rare: 80
Salamander w/h 4xhandlers

Hopefully my figures are correct, from the top of my head this come out to 1k
Let me know what you think

the points on the 1k list are correct.

Looks pretty okay, but I'm a bit concerned about any panic test you must take. Even with cold blood, a leadership of 6 isn't that inspiring, so you might wanna get a skink chief as general or bsb? You can switch the level 1 priest for a plaque of tepok so you still have 3 spells available (although your putting all your magic eggs in one basket that way) and save 50 points. I don't know the best size for chameleons, but I think a unit of 5 is pretty decent and gives you a good chance to kill war machines in 2 turns. I don't know about the stegadon, his 2d6 str 5 on the charge is pretty tempting, but 235 points is a lot.

It's the best to just try out what fits your style ^^

- Pim

I really think you'll get more out of another salamander than another skink priest. Also I'd definitely run two smaller groups of camo skinks.

I wouldnt go with 2 wizards in 1k, a BSB would be vital for your skinks.
2 groups for 5 works well for chameleons.

Thanks for all the advice! It is muchly appreciated
Here's a newer version of the list


For 1k
Heroes: 250 points
Skink priest lvl2 150 w/h Plauge of Tepok
Skink Chief BSB, Light Armour, Enchanted Shield? <----No idea on points cost, and feel free to help out with the wargear load out

Core: 315
Skinksx30 w/h 3 Kroxigor

Special:355
Stegadon w/h giant bow 235
2x Skink Chameleons x5

Rare: 80
Salamander w/h 4xhandlers

I could drop the stegadon for 2 more salmader packs, but then i'm dropping a multiple wound giant bow and some combat punch, although i'm sure 3 salamanders would more than make up for it? Or would that be overkill?

You can put the chief on that stegadon, then give him a Stegadon Warspear or some such item. He'd naturally get a 3+ armor (2+ if you give him an ancient) and his banner range would be bigger because of the Stegadon's base size.
I'd say keep the Stegadon one way or the other, your skinks can use all the helps they can get in CC. Add more Salamanders later on if you expend.

I think war spear skink chief it will be, i had a game with a slightly different list and the stegadon really munches through infantry
I've also decided to go with the feather cloak for the priest as it keeps him out of harms way

Got the final list down and ready to go, thanks for everyones help