Introduction
What else is slithering in Lustria? I found myself asking this question while playing the amazing "Lost Calm: Jurassic Normal" mod.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3079850881
The units of the mod are absolutely incredible. The mod gives us an insane number of 37 new ones. You are not able to recruit these units right away. You are collecting them from different sites. This idea is so phenomenal, as it actually is what the Lizardmen do in the lore. We know from "Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria" that Lizardmen may develop skills such as Animal Care, Animal Training and Charm Animal. They go out, collect eggs, and tame wild, cold-blooded animals. The Lizardmen also need an additional campaign mechanic in Warhammer III, and here we have it.
However, most of the units in "Lost Calm: Jurassic Normal" are not lore friendly. Is a lore-friendly version of the mod possible as a future game mechanic? I created the following list of creatures from Lustria in order to find out! Much of the information was extracted from the recent release of "Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria".
I found a total of 21 unique creatures slithering in the depths of the lustrian jungle. I categorized them into tiers based on the information we have on them. It's a rough first estimate, mostly to increase the readability of the guide (use the overview on the right!). Further, I added the missing units and lords to create a full list of "Missing Lizardmen Units - a Lustria Bestiary". Let's dive into the jungle!
---- Units ----
Tier I
Blot Toad
The Blot Toad is a large predatory Amphibian native to Lustria. Even the smallest predator on this list may grow to human size. It may attack with its crocodile like teeth or emit a noxious adour. Would Nurgles Plague Toads be a good challenge to the jumping jungle predator?
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
CulchanCulchans, swift creatures native to the southern region of Lustria, inhabit the renowned Culchan Plains. This enigmatic locale is rarely explored by adventurers. They can be trained to provide mounts. The basic Culchan form is even faster than the mounted, tier II variant below.
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
Hunitipede The jungle of Lustria teems with numerous aggressive reptiles and swarms of insects. Among them, the notorious Huntipede stands out as one of the biggest and most perilous creatures. This carnivorous armored nightmare moves swiftly across the jungle terrain, armed with lethal poisonous fangs that pose a threat even to larger predators.
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
TiguanaThese gecko-like reptiles are able to climb over the largest obstacles with ease. While typically found in trees, they can also be domesticated by Lizardmen as both pets and protectors of properties.
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
Piranha LizardThe Pizanha Lizard, residing in the remote depths of Lustria, resembles a crocodile with a distinctive paddle-shaped tail. What sets this species apart is its remarkable tendency to hunt in groups, showcasing their exceptional social dynamics.
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
Tier II
Culchan RidersDomesticating the swift Culchans (see Tier I) creates a low-cost cavalry unit. The Skinks increase their effectiveness against armor with their spears. The picture above is from the amazing Lost Calm Mod (see the introduction), which has already implemented them. Make sure to check it out!
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
Matuzek CrocodileThe strength of this medium-sized crocodile is its stealth. It is native to the deep rivers in the jungle of Lustria.
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
HyenadonRecently discovered in "Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria", this carnivorous terristrial lizard has two rows of scaly spikes running down its back. It specializes in inflicting fatal bleeding wounds with its large fangs in its lower jaw.
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
Feral Horned OnesThe existence of this subspecies of Cold One is already known. However, a feral variant is missing in Warhammer III. A miniature exists (right) as the mount of Inxi-Huinzi. The picture above is of the Warhammer III version without its helmet. It looks great already!
Tier III
Korubo CrocodileAdventurers are always surprised when they see a crocodile in the Mountains of Lustria. This Korubo Crocodile is a quick predator, adapted to a terristrial lifestyle. The pictures shown are from the Goliath Sumpkroc of Warhammer 40k.
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
Yucatec CrocodileAccording to Master Stefan Ellendan (Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Sea of Claws) of the University of Salzenmund, the Bone Hydras of the Galleons Graveyard are made of the bones of giant lustrian crocodiles. He was most probably referring to the Yucatec Crocodile, which is the largest of the known corcodiles native to the brackish swamps of Lustria. From "Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria" we know that the creatures are not to be confused with the Pliodon, which is an even mightier subaquatic creature (see below). Think of it as a giant single entity unit that can be extracted from the jungle rather early in the game. It is surprisingly fast in aquatic environments, and its armored scales grant good durability.
Unfortunately, there is no image of the Yucatec Crocodile available. The pictures show the Crotalid of Warhammer 40k.
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Sea of Claws
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
Scalemane ReptilionThis large, aggressive lizard has a spiky frill around his neck. They flourish the frill if anglered. It is an extremely dangerous ambush predator with a venomous bite. Unfortunately, it is known for eating its poisoned prey alive. It could work as a quick mid-tier single entity unit with poisonous attacks.
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
Tier IV
Amaxon Swamp PyhtonThe giant Amaxon Swamp Python grows to more than 100 ft (30,5 m) in length. According to Warhammer fantasy Roleplay, juvenile Pythons still have enemies in the jungle, while the largest ones growing to full size fear no predator. It's an alpha predator in its (Amaxon) river environment. The picture above shows a huge specimen, with its three horns on the head, easily dwarfing all but the largest dinosaurs in the jungle of Lustria.
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
Dragon TurtleDragon Turtles could be implemented as both low-tier and high-tier units. Usually not larger than 15 ft (4,5 m), some grow much larger. The Tier IV unit would obviously be an ancient Dragon Turtle. It could look like the conversion/kitbash model above. Being actively used as a Lizardmen navy unit, we could see it as a battle platform carrying skins with blow pipes or even artillery pieces. The minature to the right is an official GW Dragon Turtle, just a much older piece.
Feral Arcanadon The Arcanadon is an extremely rare sight in the jungles of Lustria. According to "Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria" it is a rare, omnivorous quadrupedal beast. Therefore, we could think of it as a sauropod dinosaur. It was the original carrier of the Engine of Gods. However, a feral variant is also possible. In the picture, we see the original kitbash model of Neil Langdown. I just removed the Engine of Gods for its purpose here. More information is below on the variant with the Engine of Gods.
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
PliodonThink of the Pliodon as a crossbreed between a Mosasaurus and a Crocodile. It is surely the ultimate crocodilian predator of Lustria's rivers, at least until an even larger scaled behemoth is found in the blackness of the waters. The picture shows the predator fighting off some zombie warriors, showing them how to die a second time. Interestingly, the skinks use the Pliodon as a transport vehicle. The Pliodon could therefore also serve as a mount, or we could see a variant with skinks on top of it.
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
Tier V
Great WyrmWe know of this gigantic winged predator from Warhammer Cronicles. Surprisingly, it would fill a niche in the Lizardmen endgame military perfectly well. While hard to find in the jungle, it's a quick and great threat to even armored units with its sharp horns and claws. Its winges grant it the ability to relocate quickly, making it a huge danger to even the largest artillery pieces. Original artwork by Sandra Duchiewcz for Warhammer II's Wyvern.
-Warhammer Chronicles - Lost Valley of the Carnosaurs
Arcanadon (Ancient Engine of Gods)The Arcanadon is both a terror-causing close combat fighter and a long range artillery unit. It's especially suited to fight infantry with its long armored neck and a bone-crushing tail with lightning speed.
I called its Engine of Gods "Ancient", as this piece worked differently back then. It's more like conventional artillery. Interestingly, this is exactly a niche in the Lizardmen roster. A high-tier, long-range artillery with collosal damage.
The picture above is from the 6th edition's kitbash by Neil Langdown. The picture to the right is from David Gallagher, posted by Celestial Sentinel on Twitter (X). It's probably the original Arcanadon concept art. It's very interesting, as it shows an armored and armed long neck, underscoring its anti-infantry role on the battlefield.
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
ColossadonThe Colossadon is sometimes mentioned in the lore. In "Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria" it is referred to as a gigantic monster, suggesting that it is not a carnivore (which are listed separately). However, we do not know anything about its appearance. Nevertheless, this list would not be complete without mentioning the Colossadon!
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
Sotek's Colossal Serpent AvatarNow we come to the really rare and obviously super-powerful units. Sotek is the dominant god in the more modern Lizardmen era. Sacrifice is an essential part of worshipping this deity. From "Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria" we know that these blood scarifices are sometimes rewared, with Sotek sending a Colossal Serpent Avatar to "devour the enemies of the Lizardmen."
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
There is one mod which implemented this monstrosity in Warhammer II (see below). Saidly, no Warhammer III port exists to my knowledge.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2179592004
Thunder LizardLet's end the unit list with the one and only, the biggest of them all: the Thunder Lizard. Unfortunately, no canonical artwork of the creature exists. Most of it we know from "Warhammer Cronicles (2004)." It is sometimes described as having a mace-like tail. Its name is similar to "Brontosaurus," which is Greek for thunder lizard. The Thunder Lizard is most likely a sauropod dinosaur, just like the Brontosaurus.
-Warhammer Cronicles (2004)
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
I was thinking a long time about putting it in its own tier, as it is basically one or two tiers above the other units in tier V. The big question is how it would or should work in game. An even larger front-line dinosaur like the Dread Saurian seems unnecessary. Maybe a single hero-like unit with a platform with skinks and/or artillery could work. Such was attempted by the amazing Lost Calm mod, which can be seen in the picture to the right. The link to the mod is down below.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3079850881
---- Characters ----
Some of the characters below are based on the research of the team at Seth. Seth and two others prepared a great guide regarding all the missing units in Total War: Warhammer III. I want to give them credit and encourage you to check it out:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2755960032
(Legendary) Lords
Ulha'Up the Voyager Slann
-OE - 5th
Zlatgar of Tlaqua
-SP - Nemesis Crown
Ten-zlati
-WD #306
Quatl
-WD #204
Skink High Priest
-WD #404
(Legendary) Heroes
Chakax, the Eternal Warden
Tetto'eko, Astronomer of the Constellations
Lotl-Botl
-OE - 5th
Itzi-Bitzi
-OE - 5th
Inxi-Huinzi
The picture above regarding the Feral Cold One also shows him.
-OE - 5th
Saurus Totem WarriorNo picture is available to my knowledge.
-TC #11
Anomoq, Sink Priest of Sotek
A Skink that has magic and always a serpent swarm with him.
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
Crotaz'l, Saurus of Sotek
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
Tlat'l the EnigmaA coatl of immense size. His wings are at least 30 ft (>9.1 m) from tip to tip. If his body is about three times that size, he has a body length of 90 ft (> 27.4 m) or more. Basically, he is a flying, gigantic Amaxon Swamp Python. However, Tlat'l is also highly intelligent and capable of four different lores of magic: Death, Heavens, Life and Light. An epic, legendary hero!
-Warhammer Fantasy Role Play - Lustria
---- Other Things ---
Some more ideas regarding the other things also come from Seth's great guide. Make sure to check it out!
Variants Of Existing Units
Great Crested skinks on Cold ones -OE - 5th
Lesser Swarms
-SP - Lustria
Skink Bowmen
-OE - 5th
Mounts
Ripperdactyl (for Skink Chief)Dragon TurtlePliodon
---- Thank You ----
Finally, I would like to thank you for reading. Also, I would like to thank Creative Assembly and Games Workshop for creating this amazing game that let me dive into the Warhammer Fantasy World.
I accidentally even bought a Lizardmen/Seraphon Army worth about 7,000 points last year. Its time to return to the Old World and bring as many Lizards as possible onto the table and into Total War: Warhammer III. Did I forget something? Let me know your thoughts!
Source: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3237058559
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