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Right. Them melta lads are going to be meta-defining. What’s our play against T5, W3, 3+, occasional 6+++ Chapter trait, 24”, 5+D6”?

Each one that dies is two shots stopped.

Biovores could potentially slow them down. Outflanking a counter unit might be the key. Acidfex is too short ranged and only kills one. Use Symbiotic Devastation and the Exocrine takes two down. Add Pathogenic slime and it deletes the unit. It’d have to have to bring or rendezvous with a screen, and beware the Auspex stratagem. But once it’s in position, it can just turret for the rest of the game, and anyone who actually reaches it has to kill it or get shotgunned. That’s all for, what, 5CP? If another unit can take out one of them, you can save the 2CP on pathogenic slime. All this depends upon them actually being within reach - potentially tricky in a 3K game, given that we’re back to 2ed’s 8ft tables in that case. But when that’s the case, it does actually buffalo them on range - it too can double tap after advancing, and it marginally outpaces them. If it’s Kraken, it can pretty easily run them down (in fact, it might not even need to outflank, especially if the enemy doesn’t have a long ranged anti-tank trump card).

 Niiai wrote:
Wow there horsy! From the faq.

*Page 88 – Old One Eye, Alpha Leader
Add the following to the end of this ability:
‘In addition, while any other friendly <Hive Fleet> Carnifex
units are within 3” of this model, enemy models cannot target
this model with ranged attacks.’

Now, that is interesting. If OOE is standing in front of a bunch of fexen, can you compel your opponent to activate his WLT with a smite, then deny shooting at him? Probably an oversight to be clarified...

Why did GW nerf Lictors??? Losing their -1 to hit just makes them die faster. I smell Cruddace's all over that one.

Also, Tyrranofex I think is the only thing to keep its move & fire heavy weapons ability. GW really doesn't like nids do they...

A little off target, but I was looking at the FAQ for our Brood Brothers, and it makes it pretty dang clear that the whole AM list is available, And they Do get orders, they only lose Regimental mods. So they could be a useful add to an early invastion tendril of the Hive Mind> Page 108 I believe...


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Also grabbing the middle seems to be a major part of new missions, so Sporocyste might be a supprise MVP on some missions.


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StarHunter25 wrote:
Why did GW nerf Lictors??? Losing their -1 to hit just makes them die faster. I smell Cruddace's all over that one.

Also, Tyrranofex I think is the only thing to keep its move & fire heavy weapons ability. GW really doesn't like nids do they...

I'm not sure they lost much, because you can't mod more than One, so they get -1 (possibly) from cover, And +1 armor save....?

StarHunter25 wrote:
Why did GW nerf Lictors??? Losing their -1 to hit just makes them die faster. I smell Cruddace's all over that one.

Also, Tyrranofex I think is the only thing to keep its move & fire heavy weapons ability. GW really doesn't like nids do they...

I'm not sure they lost much, because you can't mod more than One, so they get -1 (possibly) from cover, And +1 armor save....?

That sucks and is probably an oversight on the FAQ, but they weren't really taken for that.

Also, they now are one of our best units. For 2 CP they can deepstrike 30 hormagaunts or stuff like that.

It is likely an oversight, but the Deathleaper still has its -2 to hit.

What do we reckon the deal is with the Dimachaeron this edition? New rules make it behave any better?

People were making a drop pod Exocrine work in 8th. Outflanking seems a much less costly way of doing the same thing, and allows you to keep Dermic Symbiosis for monsters starting on the board. Triple Exocrine anyone? Or is that overdoing it? Haha. I’ll definitely be prioritising one outflanking Exocrine at the very least, to help deal with at least one squad of Eradicators. I really think they are kinda universally useful though, three might not be too bad especially since they can gun their way out of combat in a worst case situation.

With less space on the board, we definitely need to screen them as was said. Kraken Gargs or even just Gants can quickly rush up the field in rows of two and block off the middle of the board turn 1 to stop things without fly from coming past. Sporocysts barely went up as well, and as someone else mentioned, they have a nice big footprint and spawn more movement blockers every turn that they aren’t dealt with. They will kinda get melted by Eradicators, but whatever even one turn of them not firing at Exocrines or whatever might make all the difference.

Hive Guard are also a shoe-in. LoS free shooting is by all accounts, much stronger now. They didn’t go up drastically and were already probably the best one offensively, limited only by 36” range - a limit that means much less now we have an emphasis on scoring and smaller boards.

A CC counterpunch might be nice and I still can’t think of anything better than Old One Eye, even with the nerfed character rule he shouldn’t be too hard to keep safe, and he can shift anything but a GEQ blob from out of our backline. As for dealing with GEQ in too deep, I don’t know if Genestealers are justifiable at the new price especially with a Kraken detachment being much less desirable, the only other attractive thing available to me is some Warrior units.

GSC allies now that they can take AM in the same detachment, might be interesting. A Wyvern or two could be really helpful for flattening out the board a little vs any sort of blobs. A Patriarch always helps slice and dice, and an Acolyte bomb held till turn 3 may be a good security blanket that also helps out offensively once the board is a bit thinner. (Hell even Purestrains aren’t out of the question now that they are just two pts more expensive than Genestealers and harder to dig out in the end turns than acolytes?).

And of course I’d just fill all the rest of the pts out with Gants.

Just some thoughts

6 outflanking Zoanthropes double smiting for 8+ mortal wounds could be useful.

 Tyran wrote:
It is likely an oversight, but the Deathleaper still has its -2 to hit.

They've mentioned that a few models kept -2, but all it does is force the enemy to get two +1 modifers to cancel out the -1, since you you do the add/subtract before capping things at +1/-1

babelfish wrote:
6 outflanking Zoanthropes double smiting for 8+ mortal wounds could be useful.

We already know that the double smite is getting fixed, I wouldn't bank on that.

Spoletta wrote:
That sucks and is probably an oversight on the FAQ, but they weren't really taken for that.

Also, they now are one of our best units. For 2 CP they can deepstrike 30 hormagaunts or stuff like that.

Also the current FAQ alows dropping the Lictor, and scent trailing in the other unit in the same turn. That could be a very useful tool.


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I plan to take a hard look at MSU Warriors, and MSU Stealers, both look promising....on paper.


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 lindsay40k wrote:
What do we reckon the deal is with the Dimachaeron this edition? New rules make it behave any better?

Hard to say. I suspect it'll get a new statline sometime down the line. You might have to test it out some to see. But most metas seem to have massive AT firepower as the norm.

Spoletta wrote:

babelfish wrote:
6 outflanking Zoanthropes double smiting for 8+ mortal wounds could be useful.

We already know that the double smite is getting fixed, I wouldn't bank on that.

What is your source of this information?

 Niiai wrote:

Spoletta wrote:

babelfish wrote:
6 outflanking Zoanthropes double smiting for 8+ mortal wounds could be useful.

We already know that the double smite is getting fixed, I wouldn't bank on that.

What is your source of this information?

Apparently some of the playtesters said that it was going to be changed/FAQ'd.

pinecone77 wrote:

I plan to take a hard look at MSU Warriors, and MSU Stealers, both look promising....on paper.

Ha. I actually think MSU stealers look great now. Planning on running a couple of them in Kronos, dug into terrain pieces to push off anything that makes it into the gunline.

I never thought I'd say this but... I think Raveners are better than genestealers to push enemies of objectives.

For broods of 5, it's 75 for stealers or 110 for raveners.
5 t4 wounds vs 15
15 rending claws vs 25 ScyTals
(8+d6)"+charge vs 12"+charge

Raveners are also a decent candidate for Enhanced Resistance. I tend to run Gorgon, so 25 attacks rerolling 1's to hit & wound, with potential AP-1 from Gorgon's psychic power. I'm desperate to find something we can do this edition. It might be time to give our fast attack section a second look.

StarHunter25 wrote:
I never thought I'd say this but... I think Raveners are better than genestealers to push enemies of objectives.

For broods of 5, it's 75 for stealers or 110 for raveners.
5 t4 wounds vs 15
15 rending claws vs 25 ScyTals
(8+d6)"+charge vs 12"+charge

Raveners are also a decent candidate for Enhanced Resistance. I tend to run Gorgon, so 25 attacks rerolling 1's to hit & wound, with potential AP-1 from Gorgon's psychic power. I'm desperate to find something we can do this edition. It might be time to give our fast attack section a second look.

Except Raveners are not ObSec like Genestealers are whom also fill a troop slot.

StarHunter25 wrote:
I never thought I'd say this but... I think Raveners are better than genestealers to push enemies of objectives.

For broods of 5, it's 75 for stealers or 110 for raveners.
5 t4 wounds vs 15
15 rending claws vs 25 ScyTals
(8+d6)"+charge vs 12"+charge

Raveners are also a decent candidate for Enhanced Resistance. I tend to run Gorgon, so 25 attacks rerolling 1's to hit & wound, with potential AP-1 from Gorgon's psychic power. I'm desperate to find something we can do this edition. It might be time to give our fast attack section a second look.

At that point difference it’s 3 for the price of two. So similar amount of attacks. The difference being made up by Stealers getting Rending Claws. Stealers also hit on 2+ around Broodlord. And they are obsec, helping immensely for chopping other obsec units down then having more on there. Still, does look decent for Raveners tho

Don't forget raveners either have 5 attacks with double s ScyTals or 4 with rending claws. Furthermore, 5 genestealers with a broodlord is 200 points now. 5 raveners with red terror are 165. Is the synapse + smite really worth the extra 35 points to us?

Plus, if rending claws are that important, 175 for 20 rending claws hitting on 2+, plus 5 s5 ScyTals vs 200 for 15 rending claws hitting on 2+, plus 6 monstrous rending. Is the broodlord better then Red Terror? Yes absolutely. But he's also over 2x the price, and taking up a valuable HQ spot. I should be getting a game in this weekend. I'll happen to have 5 raveners, I'll just need to figure out Red Terror.

StarHunter25 wrote:
I never thought I'd say this but... I think Raveners are better than genestealers to push enemies of objectives.

For broods of 5, it's 75 for stealers or 110 for raveners.
5 t4 wounds vs 15
15 rending claws vs 25 ScyTals
(8+d6)"+charge vs 12"+charge

Raveners are also a decent candidate for Enhanced Resistance. I tend to run Gorgon, so 25 attacks rerolling 1's to hit & wound, with potential AP-1 from Gorgon's psychic power. I'm desperate to find something we can do this edition. It might be time to give our fast attack section a second look.

Well I think Counter charges will be an important tactic thic game so you can do that. I think most play will be 1) Shoot foe off VP point, 2) Run something durable onto it,3) Counter-charge what the foe charges with, repeat till turn 5. If you have buff CC units then chaging onto a VP will be a thing. So Cults might do that, then use Flamers to overwatch. Time will tell...


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StarHunter25 wrote:
Don't forget raveners either have 5 attacks with double s ScyTals or 4 with rending claws. Furthermore, 5 genestealers with a broodlord is 200 points now. 5 raveners with red terror are 165. Is the synapse + smite really worth the extra 35 points to us?

Plus, if rending claws are that important, 175 for 20 rending claws hitting on 2+, plus 5 s5 ScyTals vs 200 for 15 rending claws hitting on 2+, plus 6 monstrous rending. Is the broodlord better then Red Terror? Yes absolutely. But he's also over 2x the price, and taking up a valuable HQ spot. I should be getting a game in this weekend. I'll happen to have 5 raveners, I'll just need to figure out Red Terror.

I hear if you paint one Ravener Red, it'll go Fasta!

pinecone77 wrote:
A little off target, but I was looking at the FAQ for our Brood Brothers, and it makes it pretty dang clear that the whole AM list is available, And they Do get orders, they only lose Regimental mods. So they could be a useful add to an early invastion tendril of the Hive Mind> Page 108 I believe...

The rule blurp in the GSC faction focus is the same as in the 8th edition codex.

The preceding italic fluff bit makes it seem different but the rules haven't changed.

StarHunter25 wrote:
Don't forget raveners either have 5 attacks with double s ScyTals or 4 with rending claws. Furthermore, 5 genestealers with a broodlord is 200 points now. 5 raveners with red terror are 165. Is the synapse + smite really worth the extra 35 points to us?

Plus, if rending claws are that important, 175 for 20 rending claws hitting on 2+, plus 5 s5 ScyTals vs 200 for 15 rending claws hitting on 2+, plus 6 monstrous rending. Is the broodlord better then Red Terror? Yes absolutely. But he's also over 2x the price, and taking up a valuable HQ spot. I should be getting a game in this weekend. I'll happen to have 5 raveners, I'll just need to figure out Red Terror.

Then it’s 45 Stealer attacks with Rending Claws vs 50 Scytal attacks or 40 Rending Claw attacks. I think this is actually in genestealer favor. Also this is completely ignoring the free Acid Maws which are obviously better than both.

As for the Broodlord, he’s an excellent inclusion in his own right. Especially the first one that can be given Resonance Barb. He’s basically a speedy Neurothrope that can slice and dice in combat, and buffing the Genestealers is just a free bonus. I don’t think it’s fair to attribute his cost to the Stealers, many people run Broodlords even without them, and the points changes were extremely gentle with him with only 8% points increase which is basically a buff at this point. The Stealers being liable to benefit from his aura is just an advantage they have that Raveners don’t that merits mention. Didn’t say Raveners are bad or anything.

How do we feel about the "summon unit" abilities the Tyranids get?

For instance, imagine building your list to 1500 points and having 500 reserve points.

You could effectively have a sideboard to your army.

Sporefield and call the brood (3CP each) summon units that aren't on your roster.

Endless swarm brings units back within ANY board edge (2CP) and can bring back ANY Hydra infantry (Hive Guard, Warlords, Death Leaper).

Pheromone trail can allow reserved units to deploy around any lictor.

Imagine the damage pyrovores could do dropping in and nuking units, dying, and doing it again? With blast weapon changes and the ability to double shoot and deep strike within flamer range... it's tasty.

They also have 4 wounds each.

Sporefield could buy massive early game real estate in combination with sporocysts.

There are some new frontiers in 9th that we should explore.

I'm interested in the timing of reserve units coming onto the table and our ability to put them anywhere in some cases.

++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Tyranids) [111 PL, -1CP, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Hive Fleet: Kronos

+ Stratagems +

Progeny of the Hive [-1CP]

+ HQ +

Broodlord [8 PL, 125pts]: Monstrous Rending Claws, Power: Psychic Scream, Resonance Barb, Warlord

Neurothrope [4 PL, 95pts]: Claws and Teeth, Power: Symbiostorm

Old One Eye [10 PL, 220pts]: Monstrous Crushing Claws, Monstrous Scything Talons, Thresher Scythe

+ Troops +

Genestealers [8 PL, 120pts]: 2x Acid Maw
. 8x Genestealer: 8x Rending Claws

Genestealers [8 PL, 120pts]: 2x Acid Maw
. 8x Genestealer: 8x Rending Claws

Termagants [9 PL, 150pts]
. 30x Termagant (Fleshborer): 30x Fleshborer

Termagants [3 PL, 50pts]
. 10x Termagant (Fleshborer): 10x Fleshborer

Termagants [3 PL, 50pts]
. 10x Termagant (Fleshborer): 10x Fleshborer

Termagants [3 PL, 50pts]
. 10x Termagant (Fleshborer): 10x Fleshborer

+ Elites +

Hive Guard [13 PL, 300pts]
. 6x Hive Guard (Impaler): 6x Impaler Cannon

+ Fast Attack +

Gargoyles [3 PL, 70pts]
. 10x Gargoyle: 10x Blinding Venom, 10x Fleshborer

Gargoyles [3 PL, 70pts]
. 10x Gargoyle: 10x Blinding Venom, 10x Fleshborer

Gargoyles [3 PL, 70pts]
. 10x Gargoyle: 10x Blinding Venom, 10x Fleshborer

+ Heavy Support +

Exocrine [11 PL, 170pts]: Bio-plasmic Cannon, Powerful Limbs
. Adaptive Physiology: Dermic Symbiosis

Exocrine [11 PL, 170pts]: Bio-plasmic Cannon, Powerful Limbs
. Adaptive Physiology: Dermic Symbiosis

Exocrine [11 PL, 170pts]: Bio-plasmic Cannon, Powerful Limbs

++ Total: [111 PL, -1CP, 2,000pts] ++

Two Dermic Exocrines and Hive Guard on table, third Exocrine in outflank

90 defensive / scoring bodies

Plus a couple of Stealer units, Broodlord and Old One Eye fit either into terrain pieces to defend the gun line, or outflanking to get past TFC gak, or just applying offensive pressure or pushing things off objectives depending on MU





Not sure how good the static Exocrines will be on denser boards but I suspect/hope it may actually be to their favor and allow them to carve out lanes that Primaris boys have to come at piecemeal, rather than them getting lit up by the entire hostile deployment at once. Hive Guard are gonna be annoying as hell to deal with though and if need be I'll just drop the two non-outflanking Exocrine for a second full Hive Guard squad lol

Presumably the 'Stealer units are 8 to get that second Acid Maw?

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
Presumably the 'Stealer units are 8 to get that second Acid Maw?

Exactly, also fitting a couple extra bodies in there won't hurt them from being able to hide, and means they can be relied on a little more than 5 man gangs

Why Terms instead of Rippers?
At least in place of the smaller units.

Easier to hide, comparable wounds, cheaper?

 Carnikang wrote:
Why Terms instead of Rippers?
At least in place of the smaller units.

Easier to hide, comparable wounds, cheaper?

I'm running Kronos with 3 Exocrines and 6 Hive Guard. Rippers are nice but I really need to dedicate a lot of my army to supporting that investment. 90 bodies is right where I'll like to be on that one. I really want to blank out and control as much of the board as possible. This isn't Nidzilla with Dakkafex and Tyrannofex who can push their own way through enemy infantry problems. If I feel like I need less after playtesting though, I'll definitely swap a unit of Termagants for Rippers.


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Especially with everything being able to outflank, covering the back and middle of the board is gonna be important

I was thinking about outflankimg Exocrines and it occured to me that with with Lurking Maws having no max ramge you fould use a backfield Neurothrope to give an outflanking Jormungandr Exocrine rerolls to hit the turn he lands.

I don't think it is worth building a list around, but if you are already running Jormungandr for something like 2+ Warriors or 'fexes it's a nice perk.


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It occurs to me that you can do the same with Shock Guard. 6d3 average is 12 shots, 9 hits, reroll for 2 more hits. 11 hits is 5.5 mortals plus whatver the S7 AP-1 d3 gun does. Double tapping that expects to kill most non-Knight armor in the game, at the cost of 3 CP and being Jormungandr.

 Nitro Zeus wrote:

 Carnikang wrote:
Why Terms instead of Rippers?
At least in place of the smaller units.

Easier to hide, comparable wounds, cheaper?

I'm running Kronos with 3 Exocrines and 6 Hive Guard. Rippers are nice but I really need to dedicate a lot of my army to supporting that investment. 90 bodies is right where I'll like to be on that one. I really want to blank out and control as much of the board as possible. This isn't Nidzilla with Dakkafex and Tyrannofex who can push their own way through enemy infantry problems. If I feel like I need less after playtesting though, I'll definitely swap a unit of Termagants for Rippers.


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Especially with everything being able to outflank, covering the back and middle of the board is gonna be important

With the new 'units with 6+ models need to be in coherency with 2 models'- rule, I think I'am gonna pick rippers instead of gaunts. The footprint is almost the same and at least the rippers can deepstrike.

@Nitro: What do you think about the Scythed Hierodule now? I think it's got a lot more potential in 9th. It could even outflank the second turn to make sure it got al the bonuses (Catalyst etc..).