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So, with the advent of the way to read Tyranid rules (since Tyranid weapons don't count as weapons, rather than upgrades), and the way the Tyranid codex is written, it makes me take a second look at my beloved Striking Scorpions.

Scorpion Chainsword: This is a one-handed weapon that adds +1 Str to the model's attacks.

So, if my Exarch (or Karandras) has both a Scorpion Chainsword and a Scorpion's Claw, are their attacks resolved at Str 6 +1?

The Codex says nothing of using the sword. It merely states that the weapon adds +1 Str to model's attacks, a broad characteristic.

The Scorpion Chainsword is a Special Close Combat Weapon (probably... the rules never define exactly what makes a weapon a SCCW. The most common opinion is that it is having any additional rules that affect how it works in close combat), as is the Claw... so you would have to choose one or the other. You don't get the benefits of both.

Unless you don't class the sword as a SCCW.

insaniak wrote:The Scorpion Chainsword is a Special Close Combat Weapon (probably... the rules never define exactly what makes a weapon a SCCW. The most common opinion is that it is having any additional rules that affect how it works in close combat), as is the Claw... so you would have to choose one or the other. You don't get the benefits of both.

Unless you don't class the sword as a SCCW.

But merely having the sword gives you +1 Str to the "model's" attacks. Just like "having" rending claws gives the "model" rending. It says nothing of using it. It is a weapon that adds +1 Str to the attacks of the model.

Other SCCW's are worded in a similar way. It doesn't matter.

Power Weapons, for example, state in their entry that models 'armed with a power weapon' get the armour-negating bonus.

They're still affected by the rules for SCCW's, which force you to choose the effects of one or the other if you have two different weapons.

insaniak wrote:Other SCCW's are worded in a similar way. It doesn't matter.

Power Weapons, for example, state in their entry that models 'armed with a power weapon' get the armour-negating bonus.

They're still affected by the rules for SCCW's, which force you to choose the effects of one or the other if you have two different weapons.

I suppose it's the "Tyranids don't use close combat weapons as such" that is the one major caveat to the whole argument.

puma713 wrote:

insaniak wrote:Other SCCW's are worded in a similar way. It doesn't matter.

Power Weapons, for example, state in their entry that models 'armed with a power weapon' get the armour-negating bonus.

They're still affected by the rules for SCCW's, which force you to choose the effects of one or the other if you have two different weapons.

I suppose it's the "Tyranids don't use close combat weapons as such" that is the one major caveat to the whole argument.

This. The Eldar codex doesn't have a big indicator that they never use CCWs. Besides, regardless of whether or not you're counting the Scorpion Chainsword as a CCW while using the fist, it's still a special CCW due to the fact that under normal circumstances you could get +1 attack by combining it with a shuriken pistol. The Scorpion Chainsword is a CCW that provides special bonuses to its wielder. The Tyranid close combat biomorphs are wargear that provide special bonuses to their bearers. Just because you're not USING it doesn't make it NOT a weapon, that's just silly.

puma713 wrote:I suppose it's the "Tyranids don't use close combat weapons as such" that is the one major caveat to the whole argument.

Yes, it is.