Raveners, do my fellow nid players feel they are worth it?

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**ghazwaagh34**

I am undecided as to whether it's worth the notorious expense of buying any more ravener broods, I currently own twelve, and usually field a full squad of nine so as to take advantage of their high attack profile. However they definitely do have their weak points, so I'm wondering how useful they have been to other nid players in 5th edition.

**Hulksmash**

I used them last weekend for the first time in 5th. I love them. 2-3 squads of 5 is pretty sweet.

**MechaEmperor7000**

Rending Claws are a must. With the high amount of attacks but lacking Bonesword options, you wont get very far against anything beyond guard or orks (both of which will tear you up in close combat due to your save being less than spectacular).

Give them a gun. If I remember, because of their high attack profile, one of the guns gives you a tremendous amount of attacks.

**Maelstrom808**

Very nice little units, my only complaint is they compete with gargs for FA slots. As I usually run winged lists, I've got 2 units of gargs and a unit of shrikes on the field. If I'm doing a footslogging list and have the points however, they are definately in. You do need to either screen them very well and/or make sure that your opponent has something more enticing to expend his S8+ weapons on.

**ghazwaagh34**

I completely agree with rending, that's the only way they hope to scratch units like plauge marimnes, and even then you have to get a lot off attacks. I believe the attack Me 7000 is referring are the spine fists which give you attacks equal to the models unmodified at. characteristic. And 36 attacks for a full squad isn't bad, but they are olnly str 3 ap5, So I figure youn still have to pick your targets carefully. Most folks tell me to run them behind a Trygon prime if deep-striking or just to give someone a more enticing target for those str 8. hits you mentioned.

**MechaEmperor7000**

The Spinefists makes them deadly against horde armies like Orks, Guard and other Nids, where the low strength isnt that much of a problem, and the AP is strong enough to ignore their armor. Plus the Rav's can go in and devour what's left.

For the amount of points though, Genestealers are much better. Outflank a full squad of 20 with a Broodlord and watch as your opponent get a facefull of alien wingwong and die a horrible death.

**ghazwaagh34**

I like your attitude.

**-Loki-**

I like Raveners, but like someone earlier, I like winged fast attack more. So I prefer Shrikes - they have the option for Lashwhip and Bonesword, and synergize better with Gargoyles providing them with synapse, and in turn are provided a cover save by said Gargoyles.

That said, I really want to give Raveners a go. They seem like a beastly unit. But then again, I've couldn't really be accused to be a competitive player.

**DrownedRat117**

They are brilliant. Use either 2 broods of 3 or 1 big brood! Always with rending claws, and spinefsts-So fun to jump them out the ground and tear s**t up!

**Nungunz**

They compete too much with gargoyles and harpies for my tastes. I haven't run them yet, but I like the models and am curious to try so I might try a single brood of 5 or so. They just seem way too squishy to me.

**MechaEmperor7000**

Same problem with other less-used units in the nid codex: there are simply better choices.