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Hey everyone, I've just started playing nids for a local escalation league, and while reading my codex, listening to podcasts, and searching around here, and everyone seems to agree that the Pyrovore is just rubbish. So, while I'm not a professional in 40k by any means, but when I read the fluff for the Pyrovore, I get more of this idea that it more similar to the Hellhound from the IG codex. So my suggested change would be this:

Pyrovore Unit: 1-3 (75 points per model). Same statline as the normal Pyrovore

Flamespurt (I like the name)

Range: Template*
Strength: 5
AP: 4
Assault: 1

* The template follows the rules of the Inferno Cannon from the Imperial Guard Codex (page 50).

Please comment, critique. I make no claim to be a rules writer, but a quote I saw here on dakka dakka is that the rules for the Pyrovore should not have been written by a 14 year old... I'm 22

Keep the points value the same way it is, make the flamestorm AP3, and auto-glance open-topped vehicles on a 4+. Oh, and a pyrovore ALWAYS explodes regardless of whether it was Instant Deathed or not.

Yeah, giving it the Inferno Cannon sounds good, possibly a AP3 Biomorph for a decent amount of points?

Currently, yes, the Pyrovore is rubbish.

Compare it to a Platoon Command Squad with a heavy flame thrower instead.

For only 25 more pts you get
BS4 Hvy FT
4 BS4 S3 shots
Frag Grenades
7 Wounds with 3 of them 5++

7 CC attacks
@ I3
3 @ WS4

Sure they are tied to a platoon, and the Tyranid have "synergy-bleh", but it still horribly over costed.

The whole idea of having the pyrovore simply act as a biovore with a flammer seems kinda lame....
I know the fluff describes it as being a sac of acid with legs...but its another case of the fluff not matching the models. The pyrovore's model is muscular and aggressive looking. I think the pyrovore should be more of a CC threat. The flamer softens them up and then the pyrovore comes in to eat the stragglers. Plus it has acid maw which cuts through armor in CC....but why bother if its absolutely useless in CC?

I would start by increasing its I and A to at least 2....that way it can at least do something versus any unit that has initiative 1 (either TH term or via 'synergy' with whip lashes). Heck while we are it, increase its str to 5 (its a big enough model and muscular). And yea give it the inferno cannon. It would still be vulnerable to S8+ weapons. Even with all that it would still be questionable if its worth it...especially with the HG in the same slot.

Recap new stats
WS 3
BS 3
S 5
T 4
W 2
I 2
A 2
Ld 6
Sv 4+
Plus Flamespurt is inferno cannon

I mean if these changes were actually made. I would take a brood of them. A mycetic spore could get them within the range they need quickly. Going off of the suggestions above, including the statline that Tongue posted, and I would say an upgrade of 15-20 points to make the flamespurt use the more corrosive acid that seethes through the Pyrovore's mouth (see its Acid Maw rule, all close combat attacks ignore armor saves). My reasoning for making it just AP 3 instead of AP 2 is because similar to how a Komodo Dragon works, the majority of the reaction from the Pyro's bite would be due to acid that has yet to interact with the air (thus why it ignores armor saves). Using that same acid to spit corrosive fire would seem like it would be too powerful to ignore all armor saves at the distance that it can reach (if still using the Inferno Cannon's rules). I could easily see paying 80 points per model and if I could play test it that way I might be inclined to take it.l idk... its late here and I'm probably rambling.

Recap:

Pyrovore Brood: 45 points per model (changing it from what I had it to be)

Stats: WS: 3 BS: 3 S: 5 T: 4 W:2 I: 2 A:2 Ld:6 Sv: 4+

Firestorm acts exactly like the Inferno Cannon from the IG Codex (page 50)

Each Pyrovore in the brood may take the Hydroflouric (still looking for a better name) Bladder upgrade for 15 points per model.

Everything else in the brood is the same.


With these changes I would have no probably hiding him in cover in or out of synapse range, or even dropping him near the enemy with a Mycetic Spore. I thought about increasing the base price to 55 or 60 points. C&C are welcome. I think he might be a little over powered... And as I was skimming through the codex trying to see if the Spores gave some level of synapse (which they don't, and Idk why they would) I passed the Tyrannofex which has the Acid Spray weapon as part of its normal gear, which is exactly like the Inferno Cannon... hrm... perhaps just a simple retooling idk... I kinda like the idea of str 5 ap 4 templates shooting 12 inches out instead of str 6 ap 4... but then again I... I lost to Necrons tonight... yay landraider dying before it even moved...

I was reading the Pyrovore fluff earlier and they place a strong emphasis on its tendency to eat everything on the battlefield. This got me thinking that maybe for every unit killed in close combat with the Pyrovore, its flamer gains +1S to a maximum of 8. Makes it risky to buff the creature, cuz they're kinda weak in close quarters, but if it worked then the payoff could be insane.

Andilus Greatsword wrote:I was reading the Pyrovore fluff earlier and they place a strong emphasis on its tendency to eat everything on the battlefield. This got me thinking that maybe for every unit killed in close combat with the Pyrovore, its flamer gains +1S to a maximum of 8. Makes it risky to buff the creature, cuz they're kinda weak in close quarters, but if it worked then the payoff could be insane.

They're only weak because they strike at init 1 and only have 1 attack... But other than that... they go through armor like its a crunchy exterior to the nougaty center that is a space marine. Really at this point, we could give them a top hat and a stage dance and it would improve the Pyrovore.