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.

With the release of PA3 - The Blood Angels (and guests) - I was rereading all my old Tyranid codexs and it occurred to me, Shadow in the Warp is a suffocating presence and makes using psychic powers risky, but strong psykers have been shown in the past to be able to somehow overcome the effects and still manifest powers.

How do you think a psyker capable of snapping Warlord level Titans in half with his hind, or mind possessing a whole level of a hive city would be effected? I think the strain would either cause severe bodily shock and shutdown, or intense (more so than usual) Mania. But the possibility does remain maybe the shadow in the warp won't stop the psyker immediately but grind him down and suffocate his powers over him?

Thoughts Dakka?

Claims of a psyker snapping a Warlord titan in half are clearly propaganda.

Disclaimer: It should be clear from page 24 of section X of the reformed Psychic Combat rules (Tactical Training Exorcises, v. 205.4), that in order for the unstoppable force to overcome the immovable object, the character must roll a 10 or better on their "Emperor's Inspiration" check (or equivalent for faction). This, naturally, also covers situations where the immovable object is resistance to using abilities.

Any author who claims otherwise is a heretic playing by outdated rules.

Disclaimer Disclaimer: Disclaimer not true until 43rd millennium.

Mephiston and Tigurius have shown an ability to handle the preassure of the shadow in the warp without much difficulty while other librarians struggle immensely.
So more power seems to make it easier to handle. But its just a guess.

You mean more plot makes it easier to handle.

Eldar seers struggle immensely in the SitW BECAUSE they're so powerful.

pm713 wrote:


Eldar seers struggle immensely in the SitW BECAUSE they're so powerful.

Where are you getting this from? Do you have a quote?

The seers in "Valedor" didn't seem to struggle comapred to your "run of the mill" librarian in other stories.

Also, take a look at this line from the 5th edition tyranids codex under "shaow in the warp":

"Should the psyker attempt to use his otherworldly abilities, the cerebral cacophony worsens even further, pitching all but the strongest into insanity.."

Some of the seers in Valedor literally die because the Hive Mind yells at them and IIRC the 8th ed Nid codex mentions that the Hive Mind can do that with lesser effect on general Eldar warriors.

pm713 wrote:
Some of the seers in Valedor literally die because the Hive Mind yells at them

I dont recall that, but I will have a look.

and IIRC the 8th ed Nid codex mentions that the Hive Mind can do that with lesser effect on general Eldar warriors.

You may be thinking of the continent spanning tyranid structure in the tiamet System (eldar rangers going into convulsions when it fired)?

No what I'm thinking of was definitely not tied to any constructs, it was a general tactic. Although I also can't remember the source so there is a chance I made it up then forgot I did that....

I do remember reading back in 5th ed codex I think most psykers were rendered comatose/ effectively dead via brain damage for trying to manifest most powers within.

There seems to be a trend though of sufficiently powerful psykers breaking through regardless via mental fortitude so its likely a alpha level psyker can, although also likely his physical form (baseline human) may not survive for long doing so.

Interesting food for thought, although I do imagine the hive mind would notice and want that psyker biomass ASAP for a mega Zoanthrope!