Just got a stegadon for x mas, my first time I have had one! Do people suggest I have it with the engine, the giant bow or two giant blow pipes? What do you guys use? Also does the stegadon have the stomp or thunder stomp rule? Thanks in advance and hope a great Christmas was had by all!
I'd start with the engine; it gives you alot of benefits. Also if your opponent is willing, you can proxy it for the other two types as well. Also, it looks sweet.
I don't think the engine is really as effective in 8th ed... You need to mostly shape your army around it, it will weaken your magic, and it only takes a couple of warmachines to destroy it even if you use the gungan bubble. Better to go for an ancient steg with giant blowpipes in my opinion. It somewhat depends on what style of list you want to play though.
I agree with Strewart, an Ancient Stegadon is the easiest to slot into a standard list. As they are Monsters all Stegadons have the Thunderstomp special rule.
I'd go with the bow myself, by the time you're within shooting range of blowpipes you'd probably want to consider charging anyway. Not that you'll ever get to hit with the bow more than once in a blue moon, but I'd rather have that and spend more points on Salamanders in rare. :3
If most of your line is out of charge range (I often find opponents like to move up but out of range so they can get the charge or force you to sit back) as you advance closer and possibly move the steg into a position to flank charge, the blowpipes are very good for weakening a rank or taking a few wounds off a monster/chariot. I also find that once you break through whatever you are charging, on your next turn you cannot charge again since you are facing the wrong way so as you move back into a position to charge, unleash blowpipes! On the other hand, I would never expect the bow to even hit on the 1-2 turns in a game you might shoot. But essentially you are buying the steg for their combat ability not long range, so either weapon won't really provide a big advantage or disadvantage. The ancient costs more, bit hits with higher strength (impact hits and thunderstomp higher strength) and it takes a rare slot rather than a special. I don't find there is too much competition for rare points; couple salamanders is about it. Lots of special choices though. So yeah, thats the ups and downs of both. Try making a rough list of what you would like to take in an army and see which steg will fit best with what you want.