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And I've already bought a few things.

The goal is that I will probably continue buying if I can manage to
put paint onto the models, and the models I have are things that
I really want to paint.

Aptimus Zaal
Immortals
Ancestral Guardian
Cetrati

That leaves me about 260-270 points to purchase a unit and a
warbeast (1 heavy or two lights).

I was thinking I'd have to try to fit a second Ancestral Guardian
while I was at it. Any suggestions?

Optimus who?

I say go all out with the theme and max out on Ancestral Guardians.

For Warbeasts, can't go wrong with a Titan. Maybe a pair of Kreas. I don't know what the Rhinodon does, but he's super cool lookin'.

Zaal really comes into his own with 2 Ancestral Guardians.
The only thing you really need is souls. Perhaps some Karax instead of the Cetrati? And, while I don't know if you like the praetorians they're certainly an option (they make wonderful cannon fodder). If you need cheaper soul-fuel, I seem to recall pain-givers being the cheapest troop that Skorn has. (don't have my book with me).

As for beasts, the Basilisk Krea is almost an auto include, and I'd not overlook the use of a pair of Cyclops Brute & Savage. (as Zaal is a bit squishy).

Zaal is all about making the enemy kill your troops, then making him regret (on your feat turn) killing your troops (and not the AG / Immortals / Zaal).

so I'd lean towards a block of praetorians behind some karax(are they out yet?).

Karax aren't out until May, so that's do-able. It's just that I
currently have Cetrati.

Which unit would you make Hollow? You wouldn't get souls
from them, so you'd be making them Hollow for them to
gain Tough and become fearless.

I think Hollow is Intended for Ferox. (IIRC the Tough "knockdown" on success is moot with Ferox (who can't be knocked down). But I abhor the Ferox models... Hollowing Cetrati or Actuari might be an alternative... of the two I'd lean towards Actuari (more killy, less durable) but Hollowed Cetrati might be tougher than Troll Champs.

something like this (from :http://www.privateerpressforums.com/index.php?showtopic=138920)

Faction: Skorne
Army Points: 497/500
Victory Points: 17

Supreme Aptimus Zaal
Kovaas
Basilisk Krea
Basilisk Krea
Ancestral Guardian
Ancestral Guardian
Immortals (6)
Praetorian Karax (10)
Praetorian Swordsmen (9)

Might be right up your alley. (or at least is what I'm going for).

My first thought is Krea + Cannoner.

I don't know what would work with Zaal specifically.

Regarding the hollow issue, losing souls is a biggie, I'd put it on something I wanted fearless, so say the Ferox.

I don't think I would put it on pretorian infantry, too many souls going to waste.

Tacobake wrote:Regarding the hollow issue, losing souls is a biggie, I'd put it on something I wanted fearless, so say the Ferox.

I don't think I would put it on pretorian infantry, too many souls going to waste.

Right Taco... I'd not be casting Hollow in the above list.

Hollow is an awesome spell (when coupled with a suitably killy, low count unit like Ferox), but it's not his only tool.

To me, Zaal looks like he's got 3 main routes to victory... Build up a heap of Soul-tokens , and :
1 > launch a fully fueled Ancestral Guardian at the other guy's caster,
a> and/or using the AG's charge bonus, launch some immortals at whatever's screening the caster
2> Pile fury on a beast and use him as a missile (for which something like a savage's animus with re-rolls should be ideal).
3> Cast / Nuke the opponents caster to death. (only skorne lock who can do this).

#1> Is countered easily if you kill the AG's (or Zaal)
#2> Is countered if you Kill the beast (or Zaal)
#3> can be countered by not allowing LOS.

All can be countered by bypassing the army and going right for Zaal... which is why Everblight (or any other caster killers) would be a hard matchup, especially if they bypass your army on the way.

I think The tricky bit about zaal is trying to setup the situation where the opponent must kill your troops.

Are Cetrati already fearless? I can't remember.

Can't wait until I can start building for 750 pts then...

Unless I can't get this basic army painted. Then it's
just another vaporlist.

Actually.... I seem to think Zaal can see through things... so the LOS-denial thing might not work.

Man... I've got to go re-read Evolution.

He can see through some things. I'm not sure if it's LOS all
the time or if it's just through friendly units.

malfred wrote:He can see through some things. I'm not sure if it's LOS all
the time or if it's just through friendly units.

So... the level of mis-information in this thread is stunning. and I'm ashamed to say that I'm at least to blame for most of it. (Getting older sucks you forget things, I recommend against it).

first off: Zaal.
Hollow - Undead (No souls & fearless ) + tough. AND Zaal gets fury each model killed.
Ghost Sight: Zaal ignores just about everything when determining LOS or attacking.

Cetrati are fearless.

So some more food for thought.

Zaal
AG
AG
Immortals (6)
Cetrati (4)
Krea
Savage

Gives us 390, and enough fury to fill Zaal up (which may be a bit light, I don't know how hot you like to run)
With The remaining 110 points (shooting for 500 Right?)

You need : Souls

Praetorians (2 min units) gets you 10 souls, and leaves you under 500.
Or:
Praetorians (Min + 3) gets you 8 bodies and leaves room for an Agonizer.

So if you hollow the Cetrati they're tough, if you don't they're fuel. Either way you've got a nice brick to advance behind.
No shooting (apart from Zaal) and frightfully slow 4" if you want to keep everything together.
Krea + Agonizer for Denial
Savage for fury and beat-down.
Praetorians for fuel.
AGx2 (for Kovass)
Immortals for choppy (on an AG charge)...

Not invincible... Certainly not Easy (to win with)...

opinon?

I have found when I play Skorne that Krea + Agonizer is just a little bit too much defence. Or maybe my opponent wasn't using the agonizer properly. I know he made a mistake when he should have been using the -d6 warbeast damage power.

The krea is nice because even if it isn't the best offense beast you can still transfer to it/ generate fury, on top of its other abilities.

I guess I would say I would use the Krea + Agonizer but you have to use the little guy properly.