Okay, to those that will say I didn't face a SG army or the people I play against suck, please stop reading now. My experiences will have no relevance to you.

I won our Uprising Marquee on Friday night. I did not pull a Shield Golem and defeated two armies using Shield Golems along the way. In fact, the player giving me the tightest game didn't have a Shield Golem either. My army was:

*Goblin Runner
***Orc Fuser
**Orc Fuser
***Quarterstaff Warrior
*Vampiric Thrall

I was extremely lucky once, rolling a 10 with the Quarterstaff Warrior to hit a figure in base with a SG. Shockwave does wonders, ignoring the Defend if the SG is in range. My point is, I was really worried about the SG in sealed, especially when no one pulled a Unique. I had one figure with an 11 attack and two with a 10 attack, not good odds against a 20 defense. But good terrain placement, use of venom and a lot of luck allowed me to win. So after playing against one in a 300 point constructed and two in sealed, I still don't see the SG as any kind of uber-figure. Sure it's a concern and can be difficult to hit, but not unbeatable.

On a related note, I had a much harder time with an Ancient IRHG in Conquest yesterday post-ML rules changes. My Ancient GFD missed twice needing an 8 and both HOSTs missed twice each needing a 9 to hit. I wasn't playing any Ram so no way to damage it.

I was just looking at the June 2003 Inquest magazine, and found it funny that the Shield Golem did not even make it into the top ten list that was in this issue.

I think I just found a new friend for my goblin volunteers. Try and get through a mess of 5 pt beasties with 20 defense.

Yeah, the same person who somehow beleived that the shyft piper is better and actually deserved a spot on the top 10. :rolleyes:

It was funny when i told this to my gsaming buds. They thought that either the guy was smoking something or he just either a) didn't know what he was talking about, b) never really looked at the shield golem, or c)is just anti-AG. I said he was all 3, IMHO. :D

I wont be the first nor the last to say this but I will say that SG is a beast to deal with. Sure he has no damage and is slow in comparison to other pieces of his point value. But, never "EVER" look at a piece as an individual if you ever expect to do well in this game.

I heard the suggestion that you should use venom against a shield golem. Unless you're playing a pyre spirit I find this a foolhardy idea. Think of the shield golems purpose. It is to defend. And what does it defend? Your opponents attackers. Even a dumb opponent will surround their golem with a vairety of nasty things to keep you off balance. Even though I just got mine today I think the most nasty or at least annoying combinations is to put them with submerisble golems in shallow water. A 24 defense against range is beyond evil. choke on that corphy.

Venom is definitely the best way to deal with the SG. Unless your timing is completely off, the opponent wont have the opportunity to just completely shift his total attention to your Venom-figure.
The Venom-player will not need to spend actions to deal damage and can open up on the rest of the army.

Not many units qualify for this purpose, though. Only the Wyvern has the appropriate speed and capability of getting back out alive.
The Pyre Spirit is an army in itself, it doesnt qualify as a SG harasser. Maybe the Rancid Bloodsucker? Or, if they can make it into base contact unharmed: Thorn Maidens. Not even chargers can harm them!
Carlana is good at taking SGs down too, by the way.

As long as you avoid leaving your Venomer hanging in the wind, this is the best tactic. And if its static range youre going up against, like the mentioned gunners, stalkers etc., then such a Venom units ensures you almost certain victory. His whole concepts gets thrown off, actions have to be spent, the Golem fails his break-away, arcs have to be adjusted etc. All hell breaks loose just because of a small Bloodsucker. :)

My thoughts on the shield golem is that it is so easy to be and way overpriced. i dont know why people use it. If you use ram or venom on it his defence goes down every click almost. If u ram or venom once or twice and then hit him its useless.

The easiest way is obviously with a Wyvern or Pyre Spirit. The Spirit protects itself rom being hit by any chargers, but takes a BIG chunk of your points. Personally, I see the Emerald Glade Mystery as a MUCH better figure. Sure it costs more, but it bounds, heals, and breaks easily. The only reason to use the Shield Golem is a +1 defend bonus, or non unique status. But how many good armies in 200 points can use 2? I agree though, it could be evil in 300 point games.

Just my opinion,
John

Wyvern dies when basing the SG..

IF he can base him.
ever heard of the Battle Queen ?
charge,FL,10 range and thanks to the SG 22 defence vs. range.

the only venom fig having a chance vs. SG is the Pyre Spirit though a splash of toughness can fix that.