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I've got 3 Carnifexes, and I can't decide what to do with them.

My main goal I suppose is I want to utilize the high Strength on these guys for anti-armor, as I face alot of AV14.

Also, I know 2 x Devourers is good, however (not trying to insult anyone here) I think it makes the models look a bit dinky.

What I'm thinking is 1 w/ Heavy Venom Cannon, 1 with Stranglethorn Cannon (these two would take the lead), and 1 in the rear with Crushing Claws and 1 x Devourers. All 3 with Bone Maces.

Would this be a good unit? (brutal honesty accepted)

I don't see why you would put the Crushing Claws one at the back, seeing as he's the one you want...crushing stuff.

You really can't go wrong with TL Devourers, you could easily convert them, such as adding Dev barrels to the end of a Venom Cannon, and so on, but if you need to take out AV14, you could try one with Crushing Claws, Devourers and Bone Mace in a Tyrannocyte: Deep Strike, 6 TL S6 shots to rear armour (which in 9/10 of AV14 vehicles is no higher than 11-12) and then assault with S9+2D6 penetration.

Even if he diverts firepower towards your Carnifex, that's a lot of firepower he won't be putting towards your other units.

I figured the Crushing Claws in the back in case the front 2 got smoked, I'd still have my Armorbane.

To be more specific, I play against Land Raiders frequently, Imperial Knights, and Lords of War (they seem to usually have 12 Rear Armor).

In all honesty, I won't be picking up a Tyranocite, because I don't like the models (the opnly new model I really like the looks of is the Maleceptor, but I don't like the rules ). Maybe one day I can convert a Niddy drop pod of my own.

Keep in mind, the main reason the 2x Devourer build is popular is because it makes the Carnifex a Generalist (i.e., a unit that can handle just about any target type) while the other options make the Carnifex more specialized at one particular role. Since you have a specific problem, I'd just go ahead and equip all of them with Crushing Claws/Talons (best to keep them cheap, since they will draw a lot of fire).

Also, I'd leave off the two bio-cannons from the damage soak Carnifexes and just give them Crushing Claws too or run them stock. I strongly prefer Harpies for the bio-cannons, since they cost the same as a Carnifex with either cannon and are both comparatively more resilient (5 wounds and hard to hit) and more accurate thanks to the weapons being twin-linked. The Harpy's sonic screech also incidentally synergizes nicely with the Carnifexes too (a Knight swinging at I1 is much more manageable than one swinging at I4).


@Valkyrie: Crushing Claws also add +1 Strength, so they give Carni's permanent S10 while equipped.

 Strat_N8 wrote:
Keep in mind, the main reason the 2x Devourer build is popular is because it makes the Carnifex a Generalist (i.e., a unit that can handle just about any target type) while the other options make the Carnifex more specialized at one particular role. Since you have a specific problem, I'd just go ahead and equip all of them with Crushing Claws, since the Devourers are wasted against Av13+.

Also, I'd leave off the two bio-cannons from the damage soak Carnifexes and just give them Crushing Claws too or run them stock. I strongly prefer Harpies for the bio-cannons, since it costs the same as a Carnifex with either cannon and is both comparatively more resilient (5 wounds and hard to hit) and more accurate thanks to the weapons being twin-linked. The Harpy's sonic screech also incidentally synergizes nicely with the Carnifexes too (a Knight swinging at I1 is much more manageable than one swinging at I4).

How bout the Bone Maces...worth the points?

 jasper76 wrote:

How bout the Bone Maces...worth the points?

I haven't had an opportunity to use the tail maces personally, but in this case I don't think they will really add much since your primary targets are going to be things that S8 will need 5's or 6's to hurt. Might not hurt if you have one kitted out as a dakka unit since it would make up for the lost attack in their profile.

You'd definitely want the Crush Claw one at the back. You want the damage on the the ranged ones so when you get in close your heavy assault fex will be clean and sparkly before you cover it in your enemies blood/oil.
My only question is why the stranglethorn cannon, I mean its good and all but it won't do anything agaisnt high armour, and the thing is they all have to shoot at the same target, and i doubt what the strangle thorn wants to hit will be the same thing the VenomC will want to hit, Unless you want your fex squad to be a jack of all trades kinda deal

The bone mace its very much like icing, sometimes you won't notice it, sometimes it will piss you off, and sometimes you'll be glad you have it. Because they are one shot attacks they often go unoticed but it is another strong attack and imo they are worth taking

 Strat_N8 wrote:

 jasper76 wrote:

How bout the Bone Maces...worth the points?

I haven't had an opportunity to use the tail maces personally, but in this case I don't think they will really add much since your primary targets are going to be things that S8 will need 5's or 6's to hurt. Might not hurt if you have one kitted out as a dakka unit since it would make up for the lost attack in their profile.

I'm with you,...on reflection, I agree that one more S8 attack doesn't add a whole whole lot. What do you mean by "lost attack". Is there some penalty I'm unaware of?


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SaJeel wrote:
My only question is why the stranglethorn cannon, I mean its good and all but it won't do anything agaisnt high armour, and the thing is they all have to shoot at the same target, and i doubt what the strangle thorn wants to hit will be the same thing the VenomC will want to hit, Unless you want your fex squad to be a jack of all trades kinda deal

I was thinking along the lines of "jack of all trades" until they reach the high AV target...and also just model variety...in case I was playing a lower points game, and wanted to take the Fexes 1 model/unit, I'd have some more options.

 jasper76 wrote:

I'm with you, until you said "lost attack". Is there some penalty I'm unaware of?

A Carnifex with two sets of melee weapons (the stock Carnifex or a Carnifex with Scything Talons + Crushing Claws) gets an extra attack for fighting with two melee weapons, bringing them up to 4 attacks base. A Carnifex with a ranged weapon looses that bonus attack and is stuck with just the base 3 in their profile. Hence, if you give it the bone mace it goes up to 3 S9 attacks with an extra S8 attack from the mace (compared to 4 S9 or S10 attacks from the melee fex).

 jasper76 wrote:

I was thinking along the lines of "jack of all trades" until they reach the high AV target...and also just model variety.

For model variety, you could mix up which arm sockets the Crushing Claws are in (have one with Crushing Claws as the fore-limbs and talons/guns in the second socket, one with the claws in the second socket and talon fore-limbs) and mix up the Crushing Claws themselves. The ones from the Tervigon box are much larger and make a great set for the first arm socket and the ones from the Exocrine/Haruspex box are visually different (look like the claws of a Whip Scorpion rather than a crab).

Oh OK, I understand

Alright just so long as you're aware that it wont really help you with armour cracking ^^, and having jack of all units is often very useful, as what happens when you kill the Landraider or your oppoenent deploys it on the other side of the table.

Also never forget hammer of wrath, oh the havoc i have wrought with hammer of wrath and fexes

Thanks very much for the feedback.

With units that come with this many options, its nice to talk it over, and you all have given me alot to think about!


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SaJeel wrote:
Alright just so long as you're aware that it wont really help you with armour cracking ^^, and having jack of all units is often very useful, as what happens when you kill the Landraider or your oppoenent deploys it on the other side of the table.

Also never forget hammer of wrath, oh the havoc i have wrought with hammer of wrath and fexes

Yeah. D3 S9 HoW/model is no joke!

For my Carnifex('s?) I magnetized the lot, it gives you any weapon you want and they can still look quite cool though for the heavier arms more magnets are needed to keep em where you want them and it makes shipping them to battles easy.

Magnetize/proxy it and try it out. Best experience is from actual play-testing and seeing what works and doesn't work.

2x Devourers with BLW is always a good loadout, as others have said, it makes them multi-purpose (can still D3 S9 Hammer of Wrath and then normal attacks against vehicles with Devs).

 ChaosxVoid wrote:
For my Carnifex('s?) I magnetized the lot, it gives you any weapon you want and they can still look quite cool though for the heavier arms more magnets are needed to keep em where you want them and it makes shipping them to battles easy.

I've considered this, but it seems I would have to drill the arm holes bigger to hide the magnets, which is somthing I'm nervous about doing.

I guess the magnets I have may be a a little big They are .250" diameter by .100" thick


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 Frozocrone wrote:
2x Devourers with BLW is always a good loadout, as others have said, it makes them multi-purpose (can still D3 S9 Hammer of Wrath and then normal attacks against vehicles with Devs).

I just don't like the way it makes the models look. IMO, it turns a big mean nasty space beast with nasty claws and talons into a an overgrown kid-bug with little "pew-pew" weapons. But as suggested earlier, I'll give some thought to conversions that would beef the weapons up a bit.

 jasper76 wrote:

 ChaosxVoid wrote:
For my Carnifex('s?) I magnetized the lot, it gives you any weapon you want and they can still look quite cool though for the heavier arms more magnets are needed to keep em where you want them and it makes shipping them to battles easy.

I've considered this, but it seems I would have to drill the arm holes bigger to hide the magnets, which is somthing I'm nervous about doing.

I guess the magnets I have may be a a little big They are .250" diameter by .100" thick


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 Frozocrone wrote:
2x Devourers with BLW is always a good loadout, as others have said, it makes them multi-purpose (can still D3 S9 Hammer of Wrath and then normal attacks against vehicles with Devs).

I just don't like the way it makes the models look. IMO, it turns a big mean nasty space beast with nasty claws and talons into a an overgrown kid-bug with little "pew-pew" weapons. But as suggested earlier, I'll give some thought to conversions that would beef the weapons up a bit.

Each to their own - I quite like the look of it. I'm also contemplating making my next one use the TL Devs from Forge World and having Scything Talons modelled on for aesthetic purposes

I, and many others since I borrowed the idea, have used tyrannofex fleshborer weapons to represent the brain leech worms. They are much more size appropriate, and especially on the hive tyrants give them a praying mantis appearance.

 Frozocrone wrote:

Each to their own - I quite like the look of it. I'm also contemplating making my next one use the TL Devs from Forge World and having Scything Talons modelled on for aesthetic purposes

That's what I've done. The scythtalons make them still look awesome.

The only alternate I can suggest is Adrenal Glands on a Screamer-Killer...Fleet is extra important for a CC bug, and D3 HOW+ 5 ST 10 on the charge should put the hurt on just about anything. And the Bio-plasma can scrub away any bubblewrap. The cost is not too bad...155 per... (I think... ) But I advocate for magnets, just in case it ends up not being what you want..

 seapheonix wrote:
I, and many others since I borrowed the idea, have used tyrannofex fleshborer weapons to represent the brain leech worms. They are much more size appropriate, and especially on the hive tyrants give them a praying mantis appearance.

I did this for my Tyrant, and do have an extra pair of these laying around...but alas, they're probably going on the second Hive Tyrant I recently picked up.




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 Frozocrone wrote:

Each to their own - I quite like the look of it. I'm also contemplating making my next one use the TL Devs from Forge World and having Scything Talons modelled on for aesthetic purposes

I do think the forgeworld Devourers are better....but it would end up costing me more than I'm willing to pay for them here in the US.


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pinecone77 wrote:
The only alternate I can suggest is Adrenal Glands on a Screamer-Killer...Fleet is extra important for a CC bug, and D3 HOW+ 5 ST 10 on the charge should put the hurt on just about anything. And the Bio-plasma can scrub away any bubblewrap. The cost is not too bad...155 per... (I think... ) But I advocate for magnets, just in case it ends up not being what you want..

Can you decode for me what "Screamer-Killer" means? Would that be the fex with Crushing Claws?

A screamer killer is dual scytals and bioplasma - cheap and cheerful.

For tl-devourers check out the tutorial in my signature, I've got a step by step on how to do up a much beefier looking weapon.

I typically run tldevs x2, in broods of 2, or stranglethorn cannons. But I'm not really particularly competitive.

 jasper76 wrote:

 seapheonix wrote:
I, and many others since I borrowed the idea, have used tyrannofex fleshborer weapons to represent the brain leech worms. They are much more size appropriate, and especially on the hive tyrants give them a praying mantis appearance.

I did this for my Tyrant, and do have an extra pair of these laying around...but alas, they're probably going on the second Hive Tyrant I recently picked up.




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 Frozocrone wrote:

Each to their own - I quite like the look of it. I'm also contemplating making my next one use the TL Devs from Forge World and having Scything Talons modelled on for aesthetic purposes

I do think the forgeworld Devourers are better....but it would end up costing me more than I'm willing to pay for them here in the US.


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pinecone77 wrote:
The only alternate I can suggest is Adrenal Glands on a Screamer-Killer...Fleet is extra important for a CC bug, and D3 HOW+ 5 ST 10 on the charge should put the hurt on just about anything. And the Bio-plasma can scrub away any bubblewrap. The cost is not too bad...155 per... (I think... ) But I advocate for magnets, just in case it ends up not being what you want..

Can you decode for me what "Screamer-Killer" means? Would that be the fex with Crushing Claws?

A Screamer -killer is vanilla Carnifex (two sets of Scything) and Bio-plasma, I think that runs 140...it is a very "old school" build...way back in the mists of time, this was "the" build for Carnifexen. I'd then toss Adrenals on top for 155.

Also check out the Forgeworld TL-Devourers. They have much more bulk to them. If you want the best fex option for knight crushing it is probably going to be running a Wrecker Node, it boosts the HoW to d3+1. 3 Wrecker fexs hitting a knight have a good chances of killing it with just HoWs, and then dieing in the boom. Still it is a pretty decent point trade.


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Oh and the S-K build is still surprisingly brutal. Going to test 3 in a Wrecker node, and along side 3 dakkafex in a bioblast for a tournment.

pinecone77 wrote:

A Screamer -killer is vanilla Carnifex (two sets of Scything) and Bio-plasma, I think that runs 140...it is a very "old school" build...way back in the mists of time, this was "the" build for Carnifexen. I'd then toss Adrenals on top for 155.

OK, yeah my buddies (small) Nid army I've been playing with so far has one Carnifex kitted out as such (although I never played it with Bio-Plasma). He goes back to 2nd edition. The thing is a beast when it hits, but I've always wished it had some shooties to disperse along the way, which is why in my OP I had the bio-cannons listed.


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barnowl wrote:
Going to test 3 in a Wrecker node, and along side 3 dakkafex in a bioblast for a tournment.

Do let me know how this works out for you. Those detachments are attractive, but I'm just curious if the Warrior tax is worth the bonuses.

Have you considered the Stonecrushers from Forgeworld? You could run 2x wrecker claw fexes and the third as wrecking ball in case you get tied up with a blob. D3 Str 10 Ap2 HoW per fex can be brutal, plus their normal Str10 armorbane attacks.

I should note the Adrenal Glands won't boost the HoW on a normal fex. It is always Str 9 Ap-.

Hive crones? S8 vector strike on side armour, ignores cover auto hits. Haywire for the AV14. In addition to the carnifexen ofc

Hivecrone/Harpy kit is next on my wish list.

Unfortunately, I sorta blew my hobby budget (and then some) on a Wrath of the Hive Mind box, and if I don't force myself to stay on budget, the plastic crack gets the best of me, so I won't be making any purchases for a while.

 jasper76 wrote:
Hivecrone/Harpy kit is next on my wish list.

Unfortunately, I sorta blew my hobby budget (and then some) on a Wrath of the Hive Mind box, and if I don't force myself to stay on budget, the plastic crack gets the best of me, so I won't be making any purchases for a while.

It's a good box. When you recover, take a look at ebay for things like Carnifexen, I always seem to see a few at very reasonable prices.

 Sinful Hero wrote:
Have you considered the Stonecrushers from Forgeworld? You could run 2x wrecker claw fexes and the third as wrecking ball in case you get tied up with a blob. D3 Str 10 Ap2 HoW per fex can be brutal, plus their normal Str10 armorbane attacks.

I should note the Adrenal Glands won't boost the HoW on a normal fex. It is always Str 9 Ap-.

Stonecrushers are interesting. Unless you face large buildings I would recommend the Bio-flail option though, as the Stonecrusher has just 2 attacks on its profile and the Bio-flail is an easy way of upgrading this significantly (unless you face a vehicle... but your D3 HoW at S10/AP2 handles that). The Bio-flail Stonecrusher, while slow, is probably the best "melee" Carnifex you can get (plus it looks awesome), and Krak Missiles wound on a 3+ rather than a 2+.

Wrecker Node Carnifexes with Scything Talons/Crushing Claws are also an interesting one. With Adrenal Glands for Fleet they weigh in at 150 each (same as the Stone Crusher), but some with Armourbane and Fleet (you do have to take some Warriors to supervise them as well though). However, they just don't seem as effective in any role as the Stonecrusher can be.

If you want cheap and cheerful (always a reasonable choice with Tyranids) then you can always just run them with double Scything Talons (maybe Adrenal Glands too?). At 120 (135) points each these are your cheapest option and are still fairly good (group several together with Shrouded and Catalyst for FNP and you have quite the damage sponge, and they are very imposing too).

 Iechine wrote:

 Frozocrone wrote:

Each to their own - I quite like the look of it. I'm also contemplating making my next one use the TL Devs from Forge World and having Scything Talons modelled on for aesthetic purposes

That's what I've done. The scythtalons make them still look awesome.

mine are all magnetized, but for modeling purposes this is how i run mine too. looks awesome.