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So I had an idea for a Tyranid Splinter Fleet that, after one of its members consumed the corpse of an Obliterator and basically "caught" the Obliterator virus (assuming that it is a virus), had it spread throughout the fleet, causing them to "fuse" with any technology that they come across. Whilst the fleet effectively "uses" this ability, the other fleets instinctively sense their abnormality and pretty much refuse to go anywhere near them. In case you were wondering, the reason that they don't completely overwhelm everybody is that they generate meltaguns sticking into their chins as often as they do attatched to their backs.
tl;dr obliterator virus technonids is this fluffily viable y/n

I think the idea of the nids interacting with a virus in unusual ways is viable fluff direction to take them in, and certainly opens up some interesting conversion options. I believe navarro did a conversion of a genestealer that had mixed with the obliterator virus- looked something like this: http://album.warpshadow.com/v/album50/Genestealers/tecnovirus.jpg.html

Now, on the rule of cool, if you made an army that looked like this, not many people would say no to playing against it, or indeed going along with the fluff behind it. Given their super adaptable biology, its debatable as to how viruses and the like would affect nids long term, but for a short term change it would be interesting to see the results. In times past I contemplated what would happen if the nids came across one of the zombie viruses that are going around, resulting in...well, zombie nids, but it was more of a stretch than the technovirus. I say go for it.

Actually, that is pretty cool, and opens up a lot of fun modding opportunities. As long as you don't try and write special rules for them. It is always annoying when someone tries to write rules for their new, super more powerful than anybody, army.

And leave off the bit about "the only reason they don't overwhelm everybody is because they sprout meltas from their backs as often as from their arms". There are plenty of good weaknesses they can, and should have, to avoid being mary sues. I really think you are going to get a better reception if instead of being 'the next evolution of the tyranids, tyranid 2.0!" they were a splinter group, likely doomed in the long run, but seeking a way to survive and flourish. That gives you some fun motivation for your battles as they attempt to secure their future.

Instead of other nids avoiding them they could be hunting them, attacking them on sight as they see them as a threat. Even the 'sometimes the transformation goes bad' angle is good, but instead of silliness like "butt meltas" gor more for horrific, life threatening mutations as the tech interferes with their vital organs, or gets in the way of vital processes (hard to eat with a gun in your mouth). Make them horrific instead of silly. Perhaps only 1 in 10, hatchlings survive, so they are constantly hunt for new strains of the virus, or new technologies that will allow them to stabalize, or even control the mutations.

I really think this is a killer idea, just change the direction from 'super awesome killly and silly" to "driven, desperate, horrific, and dangerous".

First caveat: If the models look good then ignore me and do whatever you want.

I love this idea, but I don't think the fluff would work for an fleet. Looking at the treatment and background for the Yarml genesteelers the hive would recognize the mutants and simply leave them behind, never reabsorbing them.

That said, the Tyranid fleet risky enough to assault a demon world may just be asking for this. Say something like a Malenthrope (The forgeworld guy from IA 4) gets mutated - that could do it. A large enough force that manages to take over a choas planet and birth a new hive ship could be warped enough.

If you do actually do this, I want to see a Carifex with real honest BioPlasma.

riplikash wrote:Actually, that is pretty cool, and opens up a lot of fun modding opportunities. As long as you don't try and write special rules for them. It is always annoying when someone tries to write rules for their new, super more powerful than anybody, army.

And leave off the bit about "the only reason they don't overwhelm everybody is because they sprout meltas from their backs as often as from their arms". There are plenty of good weaknesses they can, and should have, to avoid being mary sues. I really think you are going to get a better reception if instead of being 'the next evolution of the tyranids, tyranid 2.0!" they were a splinter group, likely doomed in the long run, but seeking a way to survive and flourish. That gives you some fun motivation for your battles as they attempt to secure their future.

Instead of other nids avoiding them they could be hunting them, attacking them on sight as they see them as a threat. Even the 'sometimes the transformation goes bad' angle is good, but instead of silliness like "butt meltas" gor more for horrific, life threatening mutations as the tech interferes with their vital organs, or gets in the way of vital processes (hard to eat with a gun in your mouth). Make them horrific instead of silly. Perhaps only 1 in 10, hatchlings survive, so they are constantly hunt for new strains of the virus, or new technologies that will allow them to stabalize, or even control the mutations.

Sorry, you appear to have misinterpreted. What I meant by "meltaguns sticking into their chins" was that if they try to use them, they'll blow their heads off; i.e. the tech they take on disadvantages them as much/often as it provides benefits. I didn't plan on silliness; in fact, what I wanted was very much like you describe.

In Storm of Iron the forces of Chaos have an enslaved and corrupted Hive Ship. I don't see why the roles couldn't be reversed.

Sounds pretty good.

Original and innovative. Love the idea, plus the modeling options are unlimited. Maybe you could include a portion on how they not only search for new biomaterial to fuel the growth of the hive fleet, but they also look for new technology that can be integrated as well.

For example, maybe instead of overrunning a guard garrison or a hive city, they instead target a military research facility that was testing some weapon or new tech that would benefit the hive.

There is no reason why this couldn't happen. The splinter fleet would be rejected/attacked by other Tyranid fleets and would be cut off from the Hive Mind.

Ymgarls are a must.

I swear i have seen this before recently...
Oh this is gonna bug me...