Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hi all, first time poster and short time browser!

So, I recently got back into the hobby and I decided to start with 40k despite having played WHFB for a while prior to my hiatus. Now AoS is around, I've been intrigued once again by Fantasy with it's new simpler, more accessible, and sometimes odd, rules as I personally found some rules WHFB to be a touch finicky for my tastes (bare in mind I last played during 5th ed).

Either way, to the point. I'm not sure which of my two armies should take up the mantle of being my flagship in AoS; the armies of choice are Lizardmen (which I shall continue to call them!) and Skaven. My thought processes towards both are such:

[u]Skaven

1) The Skaven force that I own is somewhat sizeable, though mostly Clanrats, Stormvermin and the odd weapon team here and there.
2) As such, and having read through the Warscroll, there doesn't seem to be much place for Clanrats and Skavenslaves outside of the Verminus formation, and even then it's questionable. That being said, weapon teams seem pretty good on paper.
3) I have fallen in love with the Stormfiend models; while techno-rats seem (in part) to detract from the filthy feel of my Skaven, they'll make brilliant proxy Grotesques in 40k
4) I don't play games for the purposes of winning per se, rather for the conversation across the table. Skaven seem really fun to play, with jazzy rules such as cranking your weapon teams into over-drive at risk of burning themselves (or their "friends") alive in true ratman fashion. But "they look fun/cool" is what I said when I started playing Dark Eldar in 40k - the learning curve is steep and victories are seldom, and I'd rather not get my behind handed to me every single time. I'm not sure if Skaven are any good.

[u]Lizardmen

1) My Lizardmen force is of a decent size; couple of Saurus units, Temple Guard, a Slann, you know how Lizardmen armies are. It is smaller than my Skaven army however.
2) The Lizardmen seem pretty strong all round; Saurus are solid, Temple Guard more so. Slann do tha twhole summoning thing and even the Skinks have some strong rules too.
3) As with the above point, this seems to be the more "competitive" option in that I'll probably win more with these guys.
4) However, they just seem...stale? Nothing in their rules really grabs me outside of the Chameleon Skink's ability to disappear and reappear at will. As said, I play for the fun of the game, but Lizardmen just feel a little TOO stoic and stalwart.

In short, I'm at a crossroads. To my left are Skaven; fun, silly, and numerous, but I'm uncertain of their reliability and competence (probably with good reason, knowing Skaven) and to my right are the ferocious, stable, and potentially dull Lizardmen.

If you guys and gals could weigh in with your opinions, I'd greatly appreciate it. Though I'd also understand if you didn't read it at all
Thanks!

TL;DR:
Skaven or Lizardmen, can't choose between them. I'd really like some outside opinions.

It is impossible to answer this for two reasons. Firstly, it is unclear whether the seraphons will be supported by GW in the future. Secondly, we don't know what armies will be like when they have all been updated. The current warscrolls are temporary until they work their way through the factions updating them. I would go with the army look/feel you like the best. Do you want to command a large number of rats or dinosaurs.

Both armies are sticking around as they have both been included heavily in the new fluff book that's due to come out. I would say Skaven are a safer bet than Lizardmen however just because Skaven have already recieved new models in the End Times that were not much different visually to the WHFB range.

As Lizardmen get updated to Seraphon they might get a big visual update.

If you have nothing, I'd advise that you wait out this launch period to get a better idea of what might be/won't be changing in regards to races.

I have Daemons from 40k to use. Ideally , I'd love Skaven but am waiting to see what diection they head.

Also, there are now four factions. My guess is the intention is you play within the faction rather than a single race.

Thanks everyone!

I had no idea that these Warscrolls are temporary nor was I aware that some armies might be being smushed together/phased out entirely! In such case, I'll probably lean towards Skaven for the time being but I'll refrain from buying anything until I have some more concrete details That is, if they are likely to stick around as you say.

As for factions...I do have a small daemon army from 40k, and have always liked the Beastmen hmmm

There's no official word that they are temporary. They'll be there. But our assumption is that the 'surviving' models move forward they'll get new warscrolls to match the new environment.

You already own both armies, why not actually play some games using the free compendiums GW have so far to test the waters?
Despite the fact that these will no doubt be updated when they do proper releases for each Alliance/Race/Faction this may still give you a good idea of the flavour of each army.