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I'm looking to get into Apocalypse by picking up some Tyranids on FW. I'm not really sure what I want, so I'd appreciate if you guys could answer some question I have.
1. Is the Malanthrope really as good as people say it is? I really like using my Venomthropes and Zoanthropes in regular 40k.
2. Would it be better to get a single Heirophant or multiple Heirodules? Being biotitans, they fill a similar role, right?
3. Is the Dimachaeron worth buying? I've heard a lot of good things and a lot of bad things, I just think the model is awesome.
4. Would the Stone Crusher Carnifex make a good distraction unit?
not really interested in the Harridan, unless it's got some awesome rules

Yes x4

The Hierophant is a looooooooot of points for a single model.

It's tough, shooty and fighty, but it must kill a small army by itself to make back its points.

Heirodules (barbed) seem better, as they get the same firepower for less points.

I think it might be fun to field a single model worth 1000 points, however silly that is. Not really worth the money for such a one-trick-pony though

The problem is that it can't fight in its own category.

It's decent against lesser armies that can't handle ten T9 2+ wounds, sure, but Titans are in the same size category as the Heirophant (one smaller, one bigger) and both will make a horrific mess out the 'phant with their D-weapons.

So, i guess my next question is: Do the Tyranids actually have anything that can compete with titans?

Nope.

Only super-heavy vehicles have access to D melee, and D ranged for GCs pretty much doesn't exist.

Which is odd.

But as long as SHVs have D weapons where GCs don't, and SHVs still have so many more hull points, GCs will always be behind. Heirodule and Heirophant both die horribly to D.

Oddly, the Harridan actually does fine but that is for one simple reason; it flies. Almost all D weapons are blast or larger, so they can't target it. This makes it extremely hardy.

Maybe Apocalypse just isn't for me, as a Tyranids player...
If I can't hope to engage enemy titans and super heavies, I'm pretty much stomped 9 times out of 10, aren't I...

In Apocalypse games, the scale is so massive so everything dies in vast swathes right from the onset. The armies deploy very close and carnage is unleashed.

Tyranids can do fine in Apocalypse, but then, so can Dark Angels. At that level of play it's much less tactics and more just meat grinder anyway.

 Ashiraya wrote:
In Apocalypse games, the scale is so massive so everything dies in vast swathes right from the onset. The armies deploy very close and carnage is unleashed.

Tyranids can do fine in Apocalypse, but then, so can Dark Angels. At that level of play it's much less tactics and more just meat grinder anyway.

So, should I just take the models that I like, with less regard to how they perform? I'm thinking that's the route I'm going to take.

 Squidmanlolz wrote:

 Ashiraya wrote:
In Apocalypse games, the scale is so massive so everything dies in vast swathes right from the onset. The armies deploy very close and carnage is unleashed.

Tyranids can do fine in Apocalypse, but then, so can Dark Angels. At that level of play it's much less tactics and more just meat grinder anyway.

So, should I just take the models that I like, with less regard to how they perform? I'm thinking that's the route I'm going to take.

Yeah do it, en masse!

 Squidmanlolz wrote:

 Ashiraya wrote:
In Apocalypse games, the scale is so massive so everything dies in vast swathes right from the onset. The armies deploy very close and carnage is unleashed.

Tyranids can do fine in Apocalypse, but then, so can Dark Angels. At that level of play it's much less tactics and more just meat grinder anyway.

So, should I just take the models that I like, with less regard to how they perform? I'm thinking that's the route I'm going to take.

Honestly?

Yes.

In general, you're going to be happier that way. Cheese comes and goes, but great models remain.

Heirophant spam here I come!

Plus, who knows, Heirophants may be the new Wave Serpents in 8th edition!

 Ashiraya wrote:
Plus, who knows, Heirophants may be the new Wave Serpents in 8th edition!

I'm going to go ahead and doubt that'll be the case, but who knows with GW's writing

 Squidmanlolz wrote:
Maybe Apocalypse just isn't for me, as a Tyranids player...
If I can't hope to engage enemy titans and super heavies, I'm pretty much stomped 9 times out of 10, aren't I...

Take a look at Formations some of those look fun.

pinecone77 wrote:

 Squidmanlolz wrote:
Maybe Apocalypse just isn't for me, as a Tyranids player...
If I can't hope to engage enemy titans and super heavies, I'm pretty much stomped 9 times out of 10, aren't I...

Take a look at Formations some of those look fun.

This. When you put down the screamer-killer formation that lets you drop a S7+ AP2 hellstorm template, marine players will be pretty scared.

 Squidmanlolz wrote:
I just think the model is awesome.

Therein lies the answer to all of your questions; if you like the model, get it!

1) Malenthrope's an awesome model and can be used in normal games too! Since I got mine, I've really dropped using Venomthropes.
2) Heirophant looks cool, but I'm not a big fan of it. Barbed Heirodules are the Heirodule option, IMO.
3) Again, model looks cool and I've heard of it working for some players. It's never really payed off for me so I wouldn't recommend it.
4) I've never used the SCC, so can't really say.

I would also note that the Harridan is AWESOME. I bring mine every Apoc game and he basically rules the field.