Hey all, I am currently working on a humanoid dessert/arabic faction that I want to have some special pets. Specifically, I am looking to use giant scorpions as mounts/monsters, and giant snakes as warbeasts. However, I have trouble finding ways to slap insect/reptilia traits on warbeasts/warmounts, so I would like some help. For the giant scorpions I wouldnt mind using a monster class, but for the snakes I woul prefer to use the war animal ability
Secondary question: Can the First Aid skill be used on mounts and warbeasts?
I actually just did something like this for my room mate (Halflings riding terror birds/velociraptors). War Animals and Warbeasts can't take traits (not that I can find), they are treated as equipment when taking them in your army but you could always fluff each warbeast as a big snake. According to first aid it works on "A model within their threat range" so I don't see why not? As for the scorpions you have 3 ways to do this. 1st is Forbidden Knowledge trait at 20pts which gives you access to Forbidden Lore. The other two will use either the Hybrid Monster or Monstrous Beast. I'd actually recommend using Monstrous Beast instead of Hybrid Monster because then you get monster stats instead of boring people stats. After you take Monstrous beast you have to increase its size (so Large Monster works) because you need to be 1 size larger to be a mount. Then you add in Heavy War Monster which gives you the ability Mount and Trample. Finally you can add Insekt Hybrid which will give you the option for two insekt traits. I like to add in Impressive Physical Characteristics as well, yea its 18 more points but it adds a lot for what you get. So: Monstrous Beast 20pts, 4 monster traits -Large Monster 6pts -Heavy War monster 12pts -Insekt Hybrid 8pts+insekt traits -Impressive Characteristics18pts That puts your Scorpion at a starting point total of 44+insekt traits points. 44+pts is the point total you multiply as if its a new faction base total (that does include the insekt traits to multiply as well) then add on Monstrous Beast beast cost (so 44x2=88+20). A cheaper way to add mount to your scorpion/monster mount is if you have a way to give a second trait or spend progression points to increase its current traits, you can instead take Cavalry or Light Cavalry under Animal Domestication for 2pts instead of 12 but you lose Trample 1. I do find it funny that any unit that takes Cavalry or Light Cavalry gain the Mount ability so you could, if you increase or decreased model sizes, have your units ride on each other.