LoB VLoZD options

[eatU4myT]

I fancy picking up a VLoZD as part of increasing my 1000pts LoB force towards 2000pts. How shall I kit him out?

Foetid Miasma seems obviously the stronger mount trait, and the Deathlance seems the stronger weapon choice, so that's those sorted.

I figure he's there to kill things, so Martial focus seems sensible, though I can see how Arcane could be situationally useful?

Spell choice seems minor, as he is likely to want to cast Arcane Bolt or Mystic Shield anyway, but I guess Amethyst Pinions is probably the one that gives him most options?

In terms of command traits and artefacts, it seems as though there is probably an offensive/defensive choice to make. I'm leaning towards Soulbound Garments and Walking Death, but not totally convinced. Anyone have any input? I think I like Walking Death better than Premeditated Violence, though I've not "done the maths" on it! Another possibility is Manticore Venom and Aura of Dark Majesty. I think probably one defensive and one offensive makes sense?

Thanks

 

[Oppenheimer]

Welcome! I recommend checking out this thread it has tons of tactics for all the Soulblight Gravelords book including the vampire lord on zombie dragon.

AoS - 3rd - Handbook: Soublight Gravelords | Tactics, Army Lists & Battle Reports | Carpe Noctem

OBSOLETE Handbook: Soulblight Gravelords by The Sun King Introduction This handbook is a subjective assessment of the Soulblight Gravelords faction, meant to help newcomers to the game. As we become more familiar with Age of Sigmar 3.0 the handbook will change accordingly. The ratings are...

www.vampirecounts.net

 

[eatU4myT]

Welcome! I recommend checking out this thread it has tons of tactics for all the Soulblight Gravelords book including the vampire lord on zombie dragon.

AoS - 3rd - Handbook: Soublight Gravelords | Tactics, Army Lists & Battle Reports | Carpe Noctem

OBSOLETE Handbook: Soulblight Gravelords by The Sun King Introduction This handbook is a subjective assessment of the Soulblight Gravelords faction, meant to help newcomers to the game. As we become more familiar with Age of Sigmar 3.0 the handbook will change accordingly. The ratings are...

www.vampirecounts.net

Thanks, that's a useful thread with a lot of info!
So, it looks as though the consensus is that a defensive VLoZD with Soulbound Garments and Aura of Dark Majesty is the preferred approach. Good to know!
I'd not considered Flaming Weapon for a spell. I know artefacts only affect the rider, and abilities mostly affect rider and mount, but I'm not sure about spells? If it only affects the rider then Arcane Bolt is likely to still be comparable or better, and leaves me free to select something else as well.
Thanks

 

[Unas the slayer]

I fancy picking up a VLoZD as part of increasing my 1000pts LoB force towards 2000pts. How shall I kit him out?

Foetid Miasma seems obviously the stronger mount trait, and the Deathlance seems the stronger weapon choice, so that's those sorted.

I figure he's there to kill things, so Martial focus seems sensible, though I can see how Arcane could be situationally useful?

Spell choice seems minor, as he is likely to want to cast Arcane Bolt or Mystic Shield anyway, but I guess Amethyst Pinions is probably the one that gives him most options?

In terms of command traits and artefacts, it seems as though there is probably an offensive/defensive choice to make. I'm leaning towards Soulbound Garments and Walking Death, but not totally convinced. Anyone have any input? I think I like Walking Death better than Premeditated Violence, though I've not "done the maths" on it! Another possibility is Manticore Venom and Aura of Dark Majesty. I think probably one defensive and one offensive makes sense?

Thanks

Hi!
regarding spells, personally i favor pinions... the additional move is too good to pass, and usually in the first round it will be targeted by mystic shield by someone else. And later there's finest hour and all out defense to increase its armor (yeah, rend -2 or -3 is annoying, but with that speed you can choose your fights)

 

[The Sun King]

Good considerations eatU4myT and good that you found something useful in the handbook.

I play LoB with the VLoZD as my main army, so here are what I've found useful: The combination of Martial + Deathlance is too good to pass up on. Leave Arcane for your footslogging vamps.

The VLoZD is expensive so I kit mine out for durabilty: Soulbound Garments + Aura of Dark Majesty.

For the spell I prefer Pinions (as Unas the slayer suggested) because there is a vicious circle when the dragon starts taking wounds: your movement gets reduced which in turn means that it cannot escape whatever is hurting it. Pinions can help the VLoZD get out of trouble when it starts getting hurt.

If you have access to an additional spell then I would pick Flaming Weapon (good on the Lance) or Blades of Shyish (good with the big base).

Cheers,
Sunny

 

[eatU4myT]

When you say this, as far as I know the only way to get that is by selecting the additional enhancement from a Warlord battalion that gives a wizard an extra spell. Is that right? I've never seen how that would be more useful than another artefact?
Rhanks

 

[eatU4myT]

If you have access to an additional spell

 

[The Sun King]

Yes, by choosing it with an additional enhancement. It is kind of my "secret list tech" - not that I keep it secret . The thing is, yes another artefact is often better, but in some lists another spell is really good. Say, if you play Legion of Blood with multiple vampires with Arcane Expertise it can be quite good. Same for a Vyrkos list.