Carnifex loadout.

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**Sidguard**

I've recently acquired a Tyranid force, including three unbuilt Carnifex. How should I run them and with what weapons? Dakkafex or just barebone smack them in the mouth style?

**PrinceRaven**

Modelling-wise you should definitely magnetise them. Tactically the best ways to run them are either with 2 sets of devourers or just Scything Talons with Adrenal Glands.

**tankboy145**

PrinceRaven wrote:
Modelling-wise you should definitely magnetise them. Tactically the best ways to run them are either with 2 sets of devourers or just Scything Talons with Adrenal Glands.

Yup this is all I think I really have every seen carnifexs loaded out to be, and you should deffinetly magnetize them as said.

**SBG**

If you use a shootier list like me, definitely magnetize, but I heartily recommend stranglethorn cannons and devourers.

**Tarnag**

PrinceRaven wrote:
Modelling-wise you should definitely magnetise them. Tactically the best ways to run them are either with 2 sets of devourers or just Scything Talons with Adrenal Glands.

Magentizing anything bigger than a Gaunt or Genestealer is definitely the way to go with Tyranids, all the options they have plus the way they change between editions means that no one build is going to be the best for too long.

That said, Devilfexes (2x Twin-Linked Devourers with Brainleech Worms) are the best unit in the codex in my opinion. Can shoot at just about anything but AV14 and put the hurt on it.

**Sidguard**

So, don't even bother with stranglethorn or heavy venom?

**tag8833**

Sidguard wrote:
So, don't even bother with stranglethorn or heavy venom?

JY2 gave very good advice about this in the Tyranids tactics thread:

This is how I see the two. When you take 2x TL-D's for your fexes, you move/run 1 turn and then you will most likely be in range to shoot on T2. Now you have higher output because you put out 12 shots per fex.

With the HVC/stranglethorn, you move up slowly and then you shoot. You do have the potential to kill a vehicle on T1, but overall, your damage output would generally be lower on T2 and onwards.

However, here's the difference. Let's say you go up against Tau. With the HVC/Strangler loadout, you fire on T1, say, 3 pie plates. Your opponent then ignores your fexes for a turn because they are so slow and fire at the rest of your army. You then move up again and fire. Now your opponent gets 2 turns to fire at your army. Basically what happens is that you end up attacking in waves (unless you have Onslaught in your army). Because the fexes are moving only 6" per tun, Tau can ignore them for 2 or even 3 turns to focus down on your other threats. The Tau loves armies that attack in waves as it gives them more time to shoot down the enemy. The damage output of 3 pie plates is nothing against them, at least not compared to how much firepower they can throw down your way.

However, with the dakkafexes, you run on T1 and on T2, you could potentially move forwards 18". Not only is your firepower much greater once you get into range, but now you are an assault threat that your Tau opponent just cannot ignore. Now they've got to deal with your flyrants, dakkafexes and whatever else fast threats are at their doorsteps. This type of build works better IMO because now you are able to overload your opponent with almost your entire army all at once. So you sacrifice 1st turn firepower for better positioning with the dakkafexes and also better long-term shooting as well.

After playtesting with the Cannons, I agree with him 100%.

**Tarnag**

Sidguard wrote:
So, don't even bother with stranglethorn or heavy venom?

In my experience, no. They may take one more turn to get into range, but the amount of damage you do when you are there is catastrophic. The Stranglethorn and Heavy Venom Cannon both are good options, but rely on unreliable scattering to be most effective. The HVC does have the edge on damaging vehicles above AV12 though, but that's what charging and smash attacks are for (Or Zoanthropes).

If your meta sees a lot of heavy tanks, then the Heavy Venom Cannon might be a good bet, but at least in my area, outside of the occasional Land Raider the Devourers make scrap out of any metal boxes.

**DarkStarSabre**

Sidguard wrote:
So, don't even bother with stranglethorn or heavy venom?

In all fairness, what has been said has been said. Twin-Devourers are such a dominant and prevalent force due to sheer weight of fire at a respectable strength, with enough range to make even fliers hesitate at stopping too close. The change to vehicles - hull points and glancing - makes the S6 Twin-Devourers well worth it. You get a large number of shots and can just strip off hull points like no one's business and much like Orks you damage armoured units by sheer weight of fire.

Of course, if you want the Stranglethorn or the HVC then I'd say magnetise.

Unless you're crazy like me and have enough Carnifexes to not care about magnetising.

5 x Twin Scytals
3 x Twin Devourers
3 x Scytals and Crushing Claws
2 x HVC and Crushing Claws
2 x Scytals and Stranglethorn

Pretty sure I have another Twin Scytal to put together at some point as well.

But from the current book? Cheaper is better with 'nids. As tempting as it is to put all the shiny things on them...you really don't want to. At most for Carnifexes you want Adrenal Glands OR Twin-Devourers, to cheap them cheap and plentiful. They got a huge point discount from the last book and we really need to play to that.

**barnowl**

The HVC can be nice in a full brood, but as a solo gun is very underwhelming thanks to the AP4. But in a brood of 3 the HVC fexes can be a good ranged can opener unit.