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 cuda1179 wrote:
Another niche that there is is mobility. Can you reposition your army easily?

A while back when Dreamforge was trying to get its Iron Core game launched the was an interesting idea for a faction based on futuristic soviet troops. Have a couple large tanks (think smaller superheavies) forming slow moving HQ's / mobile rally points while troops deploy from them into quick deploy mini bunkers.

Another idea is an army that totally ignores all normal objectives (and can't claim them) for a large list of their own objectives.

How about a faction that actively gets stronger with each turn? Perhaps there is a chance they literally evolve, or maybe they just take over enemy units.

Don't you mean enslave enemy troops?

LoL, I see what you did there. I wasn't even thinking of enslavers.

They'd have the benefit of existing already, although they'd need to be re-imagined with a faux Latin name involving brains and/or tentacles. They could take the spot of Tau as an assembly of (enslaved) alien races since Tau don't do that aspect much anymore. They get a warp affiliation which other established races lack, they could be paired up (at least before the retcon) against Necrons for a campaign (box) - really, I see no downside to making an Enslaver Empire.

I'm a little hazy on this but didnt the enslaver plague come about with the advnet of more psychers? Would make sense with all of the big warp storms for them to be back. That being said I would prefer a xenos alliance with Tarellian dog soldiers, k'nid, ambul etc or maybe just hrud with their time altering weaponry.

I have my fingers crossed that those old rumours of plastic sisters vs unknown xenos were true, I am very keen for some plastic battle sistes. now they have made the sisters of silence I can't see a good reason for it not to come about.

 Eldarain wrote:
A period of consolidation and updating with balance updates to move under powered kits would be preferable in my mind. Whether it would be more profitable than "Ooo shiny new models no-one can buy second hand" I can't say.

I swear this is the response every time there is a rumor for new things. "No new stuff until they fix allllllllllll the old stuff." The old stuff will never be fixed to everyon's satisfaction. Your demands can never be met. If GW listened to your arguments, we would never have seen Admech, Genestealer cults, Ynnari, or anything from AOS, good or bad.


There has got to be some sort of fan-written codex out there that will give you what you need with the minis you already own.

It's beyond my artistic abilities to do so but has anyone tried drawing a mock-up of what the skull would look like based on what we know so far about just it's appearance? As an insect and as a non-insect?

The more I look at the skull the more I am convinced it is not an insect like creature.

The skeletal protrusions on the side of the jawline look a lot like those that run down along the spine of dinosaurs. I would assume they have something to do with the blades located where it's mouth would be, mandibles like we see in the Predator movies.

Hrud have been the name that won't go away over the last few years, and perhaps open up some potential visual and mechanical options that don't already exist.

There's no point in thinking about things like Ambulls and Grox, IMO, as they're not races so much as species, so it's kind of like hoping for Codex: Weasels.

 Azreal13 wrote:
Hrud have been the name that won't go away over the last few years, and perhaps open up some potential visual and mechanical options that don't already exist.

There's no point in thinking about things like Ambulls and Grox, IMO, as they're not races so much as species, so it's kind of like hoping for Codex: Weasels.

Never under estimate the power of a weasel let loose in your power armor.

 ProtoClone wrote:
It's beyond my artistic abilities to do so but has anyone tried drawing a mock-up of what the skull would look like based on what we know so far about just it's appearance? As an insect and as a non-insect?

The more I look at the skull the more I am convinced it is not an insect like creature.

The skeletal protrusions on the side of the jawline look a lot like those that run down along the spine of dinosaurs. I would assume they have something to do with the blades located where it's mouth would be, mandibles like we see in the Predator movies.

Found this Jess Goodwin sketch

SnotlingPimpWagon wrote:

 ProtoClone wrote:
It's beyond my artistic abilities to do so but has anyone tried drawing a mock-up of what the skull would look like based on what we know so far about just it's appearance? As an insect and as a non-insect?

The more I look at the skull the more I am convinced it is not an insect like creature.

The skeletal protrusions on the side of the jawline look a lot like those that run down along the spine of dinosaurs. I would assume they have something to do with the blades located where it's mouth would be, mandibles like we see in the Predator movies.

Found this Jess Goodwin sketch

I would get back into the game if that was really what we were getting! A cross between Patrick Starfish and Vespids = OP!

 ProtoClone wrote:

SnotlingPimpWagon wrote:

 ProtoClone wrote:
It's beyond my artistic abilities to do so but has anyone tried drawing a mock-up of what the skull would look like based on what we know so far about just it's appearance? As an insect and as a non-insect?

The more I look at the skull the more I am convinced it is not an insect like creature.

The skeletal protrusions on the side of the jawline look a lot like those that run down along the spine of dinosaurs. I would assume they have something to do with the blades located where it's mouth would be, mandibles like we see in the Predator movies.

Found this Jess Goodwin sketch

I would get back into the game if that was really what we were getting! A cross between Patrick Starfish and Vespids = OP!

AND a T-Rex (look at those arms!)

 Azreal13 wrote:
Hrud have been the name that won't go away over the last few years, and perhaps open up some potential visual and mechanical options that don't already exist.

There's no point in thinking about things like Ambulls and Grox, IMO, as they're not races so much as species, so it's kind of like hoping for Codex: Weasels.

I've been waiting for Codex: Weasels since 5e please don't try to downplay my suffering over this

 ProtoClone wrote:

 Azreal13 wrote:
Hrud have been the name that won't go away over the last few years, and perhaps open up some potential visual and mechanical options that don't already exist.

There's no point in thinking about things like Ambulls and Grox, IMO, as they're not races so much as species, so it's kind of like hoping for Codex: Weasels.

Never under estimate the power of a weasel let loose in your power armor.

...the spasmodic perils of the M'ink...

SnotlingPimpWagon wrote:

 ProtoClone wrote:
It's beyond my artistic abilities to do so but has anyone tried drawing a mock-up of what the skull would look like based on what we know so far about just it's appearance? As an insect and as a non-insect?

The more I look at the skull the more I am convinced it is not an insect like creature.

The skeletal protrusions on the side of the jawline look a lot like those that run down along the spine of dinosaurs. I would assume they have something to do with the blades located where it's mouth would be, mandibles like we see in the Predator movies.

Found this Jess Goodwin sketch

It's beautiful!

Ragnar69 wrote:
Whatever it will be, I bet it was already mentioned in Rogue Trader.

It wouldn't surprise me, what with the increasinge RT kick GW has been on the last couple of years. Personally I'll vote for sharkmen. You could even double down on the RT references by giving them S4 t3 and a 4+ save.

 Lance845 wrote:
space lizardmen riding cyber dinos.

it's all i want in this world.

Or space elves riding dinosaurs? That skull might belong to some kind of creature of theirs?

Eldar Exodites confirmed!

Uggg! I hate the eldar aesthetic. No more elves. Bring on lizardmen.

Honestly my biggest hope going off of this is that at some point we see a type of "Alien Confederation of Worlds" or something to that effect. A bunch of species marching under a single banner in the name of common security and profit.



I'm imagining a trader/smuggler/mercenary type of force made up of well-armed, privately funded troops of multiple shapes and sizes. (Think Kharadron Overlords but with Aliens)

Need close combat units? How about alien A with his mean power fist and bullet proof skin?

Need a sniper/assassin/infiltrator? Alien B has you covered, slithering in the shadows and taking pot shots at the enemy.

How about some mobile troops of the line? No problem, Aliens C and D move/levitate into position quickly and pepper the enemy with volleys of fire.

You want a leader for this rabble? Alien E is from a cold-calculating species of alien bankers who run the whole operation, provide buffs and rally the troops.

Jump troops you ask? How about a species of vampiric jumpers (Alien F) to strike at the heart of the enemy.

You get eh idea... A man can dream.

 Hive City Dweller wrote:
Honestly my biggest hope going off of this is that at some point we see a type of "Alien Confederation of Worlds" or something to that effect. A bunch of species marching under a single banner in the name of common security and profit.



I'm imagining a trader/smuggler/mercenary type of force made up of well-armed, privately funded troops of multiple shapes and sizes. (Think Kharadron Overlords but with Aliens)

Need close combat units? How about alien A with his mean power fist and bullet proof skin?

Need a sniper/assassin/infiltrator? Alien B has you covered, slithering in the shadows and taking pot shots at the enemy.

How about some mobile troops of the line? No problem, Aliens C and D move/levitate into position quickly and pepper the enemy with volleys of fire.

You want a leader for this rabble? Alien E is from a cold-calculating species of alien bankers who run the whole operation, provide buffs and rally the troops.

Jump troops you ask? How about a species of vampiric jumpers (Alien F) to strike at the heart of the enemy.

You get eh idea... A man can dream.

If that's all you want, then all they need do is expand the Tau since that's their schtick.

 agnosto wrote:

If that's all you want, then all they need do is expand the Tau since that's their schtick.

Not quite. Tau are a rising galactic empire who naturalize and employ other raes to fight for them. They are auxillaries at best, but at the end of the day they're conforming to the Tau way and those who don't get BLAMMED in accordance.

What I'm talking about is more of a trade federation, Mos Esiley Cantina criminal sort of rabble that's independent of Tau influence.

I agree with Hive City Dweller and like his idea

That would be really cool...

Tau have a clear leader race with the majority of the army being Fish/cow-esque (battle suits, fish tanks, fire caste), but this "trader army" could have a VERY diverse set of aliens, and their main goal is to profit of major forces(trading with imperium, tau, orks, maybe even eldar), rather than be one.

Plus alien c can smell of gone off milk...

 Hive City Dweller wrote:

 agnosto wrote:

If that's all you want, then all they need do is expand the Tau since that's their schtick.

Not quite. Tau are a rising galactic empire who naturalize and employ other raes to fight for them. They are auxillaries at best, but at the end of the day they're conforming to the Tau way and those who don't get BLAMMED in accordance.

What I'm talking about is more of a trade federation, Mos Esiley Cantina criminal sort of rabble that's independent of Tau influence.

Actually alot of them don't actually conform to the Tau way. Kroot definitely don't, the Vespid do but they are odd.

 BobtheInquisitor wrote:

 Eldarain wrote:
A period of consolidation and updating with balance updates to move under powered kits would be preferable in my mind. Whether it would be more profitable than "Ooo shiny new models no-one can buy second hand" I can't say.

I swear this is the response every time there is a rumor for new things. "No new stuff until they fix allllllllllll the old stuff." The old stuff will never be fixed to everyon's satisfaction. Your demands can never be met. If GW listened to your arguments, we would never have seen Admech, Genestealer cults, Ynnari, or anything from AOS, good or bad.


There has got to be some sort of fan-written codex out there that will give you what you need with the minis you already own.

You realize it's not just rules right? Things like all the aspect warriors being in Finecast, missing kits from a range that has the unit available in a box set, units missing models entirely from Code/index (but not rules), And LETS NOT FORGET SISTERS WHO HAVE METAL MODELS STILL.

If there's no economic case for GW to make those things now, not making new models won't change it.

I put my bets on a ancient-high-tech Predator-esque faction. You know, with Bow-like weapons, spears and such. But still high-tech. A little mayan or aztec themed maybe.

Because:

- We already got the Alien theme covered

- Kroot? No, they dont fit. What you can do with them is fairly limited considering the Kroot are somewhat primitive. Not enough range possibilities for a whole army imo. Especially regarding vehicles. Kroot vehicles wouldn't look much apart from ork vehicles. Kroot riding on a giant winged dinosaur as Flyer unit would also look stupid.

- Vespids? I also cannot imagine Vespid vehicles. If you give them "a krisis-sized queen" as was written earlier they'd be too close to tyranids

- Enslavers? Too 90s. No real possibility to create a new range of models. They'd just enslave the current range. Boring.

- "Alien Confederation"? Don't think so. An army like this would ask for a really big model range to not look stupid. I mean, if they mix&mash Aliens they'd need to include vehicles but they could not look all the same because of the multiple races. An "Alien confederation" army wouldn't look good on the table and they'd be too much sculpting work.

- Anything low-tech or non-tech would not fit. Army of "Energy-Beings"? Who would buy that? How would you expand that model range? "Grey goo"? I can make blobs of green stuff on bases, paint them gray and have an army? no.

Maybe the new army will be kind of lizard-like but i kinda doubt that.

 Gamgee wrote:
Oo there you go crystals.

Also for some reason we don't have Predator (from the Predator movie) ripoff Xenos. Why! GW loves ripping off everything fom the 80's and I can't start a cool faction of super power aliens who hunt stuff. I even proposed multiple times how "Dark Kroot" would fit the bill perfectly if beefed up a bit. Just have it represent the part of their species who didn't want to go primtive.

Look up Yajuta folks. Super cool inspiration.

Their niche would be stolen technology and relics. For example their ancient Kroot lord could take one relic form any other faction to represent one of his famous hunts. Troops would have Tau plasma weaponry on their shoulders and all troops have some sort of basic cloak. They would be the xenos equivalent of the Deathwatch. Super small groups but extremely powerful and customisation.

Striking scorpions got the Predator treatment, though the models have moved away from the asthetic slightly. Honestly, if they still have access to camo cloaks/holo-fields, there's your predators right there.

 Hive City Dweller wrote:
Honestly my biggest hope going off of this is that at some point we see a type of "Alien Confederation of Worlds" or something to that effect.

That was meant to be Tau, but then GW started making bigger and bigger and bigger robots.

 Gamgee wrote:


I would also like to see a Xenos faction bring the Khradron Overlords speargun mechanics into the game. If you hit with their spear gun they can move the enemy unit around a little.
.

Or they could just reintroduce Squats.

I'd like to see Squats back for purely nostalgia reasons and to see if they can bring them in without losing the feel of the little guys although I think the sunnies and leather jackets and trikes might be a goner!

Bhagesi aliens would be awesome but I feel from what little fluff we have they are more akin to nids and are just a hyper aggressive alien entity who may struggle to fill a force out in the game, unless they are in fact humanoid and are literally just hyper aggressive bipedal aliens?

my bet is on either more mercenary factions for Tau including new Vespid and the Hrud.