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I was curious if any players running bugs were using the feeder tendrils(preferred enemy rule) on their genestealers. I run 2 units of genestealers together, keeping them within 2" of each other. One with acid maw and the other with feeder tendrils. In the first round of combat the acid maw 'stealers not only gain a reroll to wound for their acid maw, but gain a reroll to hit for being within 2 " of a unit with feeder tendrils. Of course running them all behind a screen of gaunts. Talk about munching up some units!

in 5th Ed it's become a popular option - the only downside is that it stops you taking other useful options like flesh hooks.

If you can get your stealer unit within 2" of a Feeder Tendril equipped model (e.g. a Broodlord or lictor, or another stealer squad as you mention above), then the unit counts as having Tendrils for free anyway, and saves some points. But a lot of players find it more flexible to simply give tendrils to all stealers, as you don't need to worry about coordinating multiple units

Even better is the genestealers giving the rerolls to the Hive Tyrands and Carnifexes that are screening them.

So Feeder Tendrils should be the standard kit on 'stealers then, with Acid maw only for units that you _know_ will be accompanying a second 'Stealer unit?

And re-rolls for Carnifexes sure would be nice.

"Even better is the genestealers giving the rerolls to the Hive Tyrands and Carnifexes that are screening them."

Actually only broods can recieve the preferred enemy bonus if within 2". Unfortunately not Tyrants and 'fexes. Still it's awesome to have a unit of 12 stealers (48 attacks) rerolling to hit and wound and rending on the assault. For those mathhammer players out there, what's the numbers on this tactic. Mathhammer is still confusing to me.

Feedertendrils are essential and what else is popular is to give acidmaw to the broodlord unit and give the broodlord feedertendrils.

Hand of Dume wrote:"Even better is the genestealers giving the rerolls to the Hive Tyrands and Carnifexes that are screening them."

Actually only broods can recieve the preferred enemy bonus if within 2". Unfortunately not Tyrants and 'fexes. Still it's awesome to have a unit of 12 stealers (48 attacks) rerolling to hit and wound and rending on the assault. For those mathhammer players out there, what's the numbers on this tactic. Mathhammer is still confusing to me.

I can understand a Tyrant not recieving the benefit of feeder tendrils but the Carnifex has the "Brood" listing in the tyranid codex. wy wouldn't they benefit from being withing 2'inches of feeder tendrils?

Feeder tendrils are ridiculous silly good, for +1 pt per model. I ran a 50-stealer stealer shock in Ard Boyz 1st round, and it was just ridiculous what they did in assault.

10 stealers charging, 30 attacks, 26 hits against almost everything.

I'm theorizing right now (haven't tested it yet), that the +1 Str is almost as valuable to 5th ed stealers.

Correct me if I an wrong but the one major drawback to feeder tendrils is you cannot take extended carapace. The games in 5e I have played against stealers they just die too easy to rapid fire. They are not a great choice for holding objectives since they are a close combat unit and if they go to ground then that is one turn they are doing nothing for you.

G

why cant they take extended carapace? If you take leaping or winged on warriors or tyrants then THEY cant take it...but I know nothing about feeder tendrils.

It's in their options under the entry in the codex. There are restrictions.

G

Green Blow Fly wrote:It's in their options under the entry in the codex. There are restrictions.

G

You can't take acid maw or flesh hooks if you give them feeder tendrils. Extended Carapace is fine.

Okay thanks. I wasn't sure and do not have the codex closeby. I have noticed a lot of Nids players just take the tendrils and no carapace.

G

if you think you can run and charge into combat from cover without getting shot to bits, then you don't need carapace. Personally i don't trust gaming tables to conveniently always have cover in the right places, so would always take some carapace units

why would you ever not take them? They make the squad insane. Same thing with lichtors, stick them in a squad of gaunts and even they hit hard.

as for no carapace, you should be able to screen them with gaunts, unless there are blast or ranged template weapons which often ignore a 4+ anyway.