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.

So, with the exception of the Carnifax plasma squad, the Tyranids have no Apocalyptic templates or weapons. To remedy this, here's an idea for the Heirophant:
May replace boty his guns at no additional cost for any of the following:
A pair of Acidmaw Cannons
A pair of Megavenom Cannons (stand-in names)
A set of Tyrannic Claws

Acidmaw Cannon:
Range: Hellstorm S10 AP3 Assault 1

Megavenom Cannon:
Range: 96" S10 AP3 Assault 1 Apocalyptic Blast

Tyrannic Claws: When the Heirophant makes a smash attack while equipped with a set of Tyrannic Claws, his hits count as Destroyer.


So, anything too strong? Too weak? Should I charge extra points for them?

It's Apocalypse. OP units for everyone!

 ThouShallNotHeal wrote:
It's Apocalypse. OP units for everyone!

But that's the problem, the Heirophant is underpowered for now. Easily killed by D weapons, with a ranged damage output of about 6 MEQs per turn. Less if they have a cover save. Its anti-tank capacity is decent against non-super heavies, but it's still not fantastic and for 1000 points you expect it to be really good at something.
So is it balanced without being OP or not?

In that case, I would call it balanced. But I'm still new-ish to 40k so I may not be the best one too ask.

Compared to the Warhound, which can have two Heavy 2 Destroyer weapons at 750 points (same as a Warhound with two vulcan megabolters), that all looks fine to me.

Besides the fact that superheavies aren't usually the deciding factor in Apoc, as plenty of smaller things can knock them down

Honestly I think the hierophant wouldn't be too unbalanced if it had AP2 or even 1.

 Kain wrote:
Honestly I think the hierophant wouldn't be too unbalanced if it had AP2 or even 1.

Especially when there are hundreds or even thousands of models in games of Apoc.

I agree, but I didn't want to change it too much. Frankly all of the Tyranid bio-titans are overcosted, too fragile, and not deadly enough. The fact that a Warhound can reasonably kill 2 of them in 1 turn is jusy horribly discouraging.

Perhaps give them a rule where if they die they spray acid in XD6 Inches using the Apoc Blast template?

 ThouShallNotHeal wrote:
Perhaps give them a rule where if they die they spray acid in XD6 Inches using the Apoc Blast template?

Then you kill them turn one and they kill everyone nearby.
Let me rundown some issues...
No ap2.
Heirodules only have 3+ armor.
Destroyer weapons kill them easily.
Can be tarpitted with very little effort.
Too expensive.

Then perhaps a new super heavy? Like a floating pod but "Links" with bio titans powering them up when they're within X Inches of them, Also providing debuffs to Psykers?

Oh, I almost forgot. They aren't synapse OR shadow in the warp!

Who says you can't invent rules for it, It is apocalypse after all

Here, some potential rules for a much better Heirophant:
Keep the same stats.
Weapon adjustments already mentioned.
18" Shadow in the Warp
24" Synapse range
6+ invuln works against wounds caused by Destroyer hits.

Sounds better!

 ThouShallNotHeal wrote:
Besides the fact that superheavies aren't usually the deciding factor in Apoc, as plenty of smaller things can knock them down

In apoc, nothing matters but str D weapons.

And many many super heavies.

Played a ten thousand point game on Vassal the other day. Moral of the story? A Warlord, two Reavers and four Warhounds will have little trouble with ten thousand points of gargantuan creatures, even if those gargantuans are homebrews designed to melee warhounds.

That's without using only the Strength D options on the titans, although admittedly the blastguns and inferno guns didn;t do much, and the vulcan megabolter was only really useful for shooting down aircraft.

So lots of crashing and burning?

 ImotekhTheStormlord wrote:

 ThouShallNotHeal wrote:
Besides the fact that superheavies aren't usually the deciding factor in Apoc, as plenty of smaller things can knock them down

In apoc, nothing matters but str D weapons.

It breaks down to a flowchart.
A: Does one side have more strength D weapons? If not continue to B
B: Does one side have more super-heavies? If not continue to C.
C: Who gets first turn?

D. Bring a real war hammer.

gargantuan critters aren't very good any more are they...

perhaps a homebrew giant trygon which had a SD template when it arrived, then starts spitting death and wreaking havoc? or a massive tervigon which pumps out smaller gargantuans?