Saurus Spears (Shields)

Saurus Spears (Shields) is a Lizardmen melee infantry unit in Total War: Warhammer II. Watch as the foe throws itself upon these warriors' spears. Those who survive must then face shield and claw.

Description
When the Lizardmen march to battle, it is the Saurus who make up the hardened core of the fighting forces. This is no surprise, for the Saurus were created solely for the purpose of war and protection. The Old Ones cultivated this race of reptilian warriors, although whether they created them entirely, or raised them up from some primordial life form of the jungles, is not clear. What is assured, however, is their role and function. In the prehistory of the world, a time before the coming of Elves or Dwarfs, it was the Saurus who pacified the lands, fighting great battles and exterminating entire species in accordance with the Old Ones' plans. Although unable to master more complicated devices, Saurus use simple weapons to devastating effect - wielding obsidian-tipped spears and heavy clubs spiked with jagged stones. Using their great strength, Saurus can leave the roads and hack through the dense jungles of Lustria using brute force alone.

Strategy
Although they still perform the same function of line infantry and cavalry counter, Saurus Spears with shields are better protected against missile fire than their shieldless variant. They also enjoy a slightly higher melee defense, which combined with the negligible increase in upkeep means you should always take them as soon as they become available over regular Saurus Spears.