Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Random question.

Let's say you were taking a standard 1500/1750/2000pt Nidzilla/Choirzilla.

ie; Winged Tyrant, Walking Tyrand with Guards, 3 Dakkafex, 3x Sniperfex (or alternately with Zoans).

What would be the optimal troop selection for this style army now days?

Massed Spinegaunts and a few Stealer units? (3x8 Stealers, 3x20 Spinegaunts etc?)

Stealers (w/ outflank)...they bring a lot more damage onto the table. Dont even worry about the gaunts.

One brood of spinegaunts without number (I prefer two). Minimum size, no other mods, just to guarantee troops on an objective.

Shrug

There's some factors to consider.

1) Synapse and what has it. Synapse is not exactly a commodity in a nidzilla list and that is a major reason to just focus on stealers.

Also, often times what little synapse there is will be used aggressively. If all you have for synapse is 2 tyrants, and neither is setup to babysit gaunts, then don't take em at all IMHO. Assault and close shooty Tyrants don't want to be near gaunts if it can be helped (see below). If you have some solid synapse to keep atleast one gaunt unit in check, then a WoN unit or 2 is a superb addition. In fact it could be argued that it is better to setup the list that way to begin with.

2) No retreat. Gaunts suck in close combat due to 5ed resolution and can no longer swamp units well like they could in 4ed. Plus getting MCs stuck in a combat where gaunts are involved is dangerous as hell. The T6 is meaningless when you are losing combat by 5 wounds due to gaunt casaulties. You can certainly avoid such situations but it will always be a danger if gaunts are supporting the MCs.

I think this point is the main reason gaunts are no longer the stronger troop choice for nidzilla IMHO.

3) Choir. With 3 zoanthorpes, you have more synapse then a standard nidzilla list and choir synergizes more with shooting then it does with an assault unit like stealers. In a choir some termagants are a nice addition IMHO.

HTH

Yeah, listen to Winterman. Very thorough post, with all the right answers.