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So, I've been thinking about joining the ranks of WHFB players, while I wait on 40k to release the Tomb Kings in Space.
That being said, I know absolutely nothing about this game whatsoever. Can someone give me the rundown on the major differences/similarities between the two?
If I do end up playing, I know for a fact that I'll be starting with Lizardmen, simply because I love nearly everything about them, from the things I've gathered. They were one of the first models I ever saw, displayed prominently in a glass case in the first GW I ever stepped into. However, I'm slightly worried on their cost, and if they'd be a good faction to learn game basics from.

Tl;dr, 40k player is thinking of starting Lizardmen as first army. What do I need to know?

Major differences:
Ranks. Whilst 40k models only have to stay within 2" of each other, Fantasy models have to stay in rigid formations. There are various elements involved in this, including bonuses to combat resolution if you charge units in the side or back, rank bonuses, the fact that if your unit is wide enough three ranks get to attack, etc...
Charging and marching. All movement is done in the movement phase- the combat-based phase is purely for combat, not moving.
Magic. Unlike 40k, we have a whole extra phase for psychic powers. It's a bit complicated.

Lizardmen are a good intro army. They have better than average Core infantry. The Slann has the possibility of being the most powerful (or one of the most powerful) Wizards in the game. Stegadons don't tend to be used as much, but theres a huge difference in min/maxing an army for tournaments & casual play. Calvary are pretty expensive and not used as much.

I think GW went pretty far to make WHFB a slightly more tactical and balanced game than 40K. I enjoy reading both books, but last time I picked up some 40K books a few weeks ago, after many months away, I recall laughing at how over-the-top some of the abilities were when used in conjunction with each other.

There's a few ways of doing that in WHFB. Like in your Lizardman army, a fully-kitted Life Mage Slaan with Throne of Vines. But there's still (many) counters to it and it also is a tremendous number of points and thus a whole lot of your eggs in one basket. There is literally a handful of scenarios out of all the army books that I consider cheese, and/or unsportsmanlike.

As for Lizardmen, they are very interesting in fluff. They are the oldest race in the game other than like dragons and dragon ogres (which aren't a faction). They are a solidly "good" race but evil in the sense that they purge all not in line with the Great Plan.

As for $ cost, you can kind of cheat it by making a super duper upgraded Slann and blow like 250-600pts, with no model purchases other than the original. Maybe kit out a another hero. I think they are user-friendly because you can take the same starting units and keep scaling them up in terms of strategy.

Lizardmen are definitly a good introductory faction as they have stuff to compete in every phase of the game and they are a solid army book too.

for starters, I would reccomend buying a Slann(you won't need more then one unless you start playing competitive 3k+ games and even then it isn't mandatory), 2 boxes of Temple Guard, 2 boxes of Saurus Warriors, and a box of Skinks.

this will give you your General and Battle Standard bearer(Slann is both), 20 bodyguards for him to hide in, 2 solid combat blocks, and some skirmishers.


If you arn't planning on being super competitive I would say get the Battalion box. the Saurus cavelry arn't a great unit from a competitive stand point, but they are cool as can be(Yo dawg, I heard you like Dinosaurs...) so if you really like them I would say get a Battalion, Slann, and 1 box each of Saurus and Temple Guard instead of the above.

Grey Templar wrote:Lizardmen are definitly a good introductory faction as they have stuff to compete in every phase of the game and they are a solid army book too.

for starters, I would reccomend buying a Slann(you won't need more then one unless you start playing competitive 3k+ games and even then it isn't mandatory), 2 boxes of Temple Guard, 2 boxes of Saurus Warriors, and a box of Skinks.

this will give you your General and Battle Standard bearer(Slann is both), 20 bodyguards for him to hide in, 2 solid combat blocks, and some skirmishers.


If you arn't planning on being super competitive I would say get the Battalion box. the Saurus cavelry arn't a great unit from a competitive stand point, but they are cool as can be(Yo dawg, I heard you like Dinosaurs...) so if you really like them I would say get a Battalion, Slann, and 1 box each of Saurus and Temple Guard instead of the above.

I would actually say the battallion is a competitive gamer who happens to like converting's wet dream. The reason I say this is thsoe silly CoK. Cold ones need legs bowed out and big ears to be salamanders, and better looking ones than those GW look alikes. 1 battalion can nett you two groups of 2, and 2 gets you a bunch more. The TG and saurus are great, and the skinks can be used for camo skinks/handlers. Also its relitivly simple to convert saurus heroes from standard RnF saurus. Put both hands on the halberd, add more basic hand weapons around it, tada! GW!

Though if you buy everything for what it is...yeah battalion isn't the most competitive choice.

@Kura: I haven't seen anyone use the CoKs for sallies....I think that's a fantastic idea.

@OP: salamanders are great, so the Battalion box probably is a great investment if you are comfortable converting those. As far as lizardmen in general go, I don't play them, but the general consensus I have seen is that they are a great starter army.