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Just a new model I'm planning on testing with my friend in an upcoming apoc game. In a regular 40k game one would fill one heavy support slot. The writing is a bit rough, I just wanted to get the idea out. The weapon profiles match the regular quad gun ones exactly, then I just meshed it with the mycetic spore and a few other nids bits. Thoughts?


Tyranid Anti-Aircraft Spore -65 pts

With the increased amount of aircraft, the Tyranid Hive Mind has adapted a new strategy to counteract the vehicles and to lessen the loss of biomass. Adapting the mycetic spores used for transport of Tyranid organisms, the Hive Mind has replaced the empty interior with a powerful bioweapon. Once the spore lands, the outer shell falls away to reveal the bioweapon, giving defenders only a split second before the destruction begins. While the biomorph is mindless, it often controlled by synapse creatures such as warriors that aim the weapon at more valuable targets. Nor is the weapon helpless, as it contains additional close combat biomorphs that allow it to defend itself from enemies that get too close

WS BS S T W I A Ld Sv
2 4 4 6 3 2 2 4 3+

Weapons and Biomorphs
-Bonded exoskeleton
-Heavy Impaler Cannon
Range 48” S7 AP4 Heavy 4, Interceptor, Twin-Linked, Skyfire
-Ripper Tentacles

Composition
-Anti-Aircraft Spore

Unit Type
-Monstrous Creature

Special Rules
-Deep Strike
-Fearless
-Immobile Pod
-Limited Sentience
-Hive Mind Control-When deployed, the spore will fire at the nearest target, regardless of value. However synapse creatures within synapse range of the spore may control the weapon, using it to take out high value targets. The spore may benefit from the synapse creatures weapon and ballistic skill. When using the spore the synapse creature is granted a 4+ cover save.

Options
-Heavy Stranglehorn Cannon-20 points
Range 96” S9 AP 2 Heavy 1, Interceptor, Skyfire
(replaces Heavy Impaler Cannon)
-Lash Whips-10 points
(replaces Ripper Tentacles)
-Cluster Spines-10 points

I like it, it looks pretty reasonable, the only change I would make would probably make it only have to be within synapse in order to use the creatures abilities?

Not entirely sure what you're referring to...

 Hive Fleet Lazarus wrote:
However synapse creature in base contact with the spore may control the weapon, using it to take out high value targets. The spore may benefit from the synapse creatures weapon and ballistic skill, however the creature may not engage enemies if controlling the weapon until it moves out of base contact with the spore. When using the spore the synapse creature is granted a 4+ cover save.

That bit. I would just make it that the weapon can be controlled by any Synapse creature it is in Synapse range of. Since synapse is a psychic connection and not a physical one, it makes more sense fluff wise. you could even give it a Instinctive behaviour - Lurk, so if it is out of Synapse range, it automatically targets the nearest target if it fails it Ld test? If it passes you can choose the target it targets, but it uses its own stat line to fire?

Ah, that makes a bit more sense fluff wise. Thanks. Agin i just threw this together so I wasn't thinking entirely straight. Added limited sentience instead of lurk. its similar but just eans it targets the nearest unit unless engaged in close combat, same as the mycetic spore. I also renamed the synapse rule, much better idea, thanks

No worries, play test it, write down what it did in the game, where it was balanced, where it was in balanced etc. then review your rules. Then rinse and repeat until you have a good, fun, and balanced unit to play with. The other thing I have just noticed as well is the Heavy Strangle thorn cannon, is way undercosted, 15 points for a 96" range Str 9 AP 2 weapon is very powerful. Basically you have got a lascannon, with double the range for 10 points cheaper than a lascannon. I would consider making to between 25-30 points.

True, it could use a bit more but looking at the gun emplacements in the brb the lascannon emplacement is only 35 pts and the quad gun is 50

the difference is that you pay for a neutral gun that you then have to man, and it can be wrestled from your units and used against you
and you have to pay for the Aegis / Bastion even if you only want the AA capacity

Don't give it Interceptor. For 45 pts its too cheap for a Interceptor Skyfire TL-autocannon.

fixed the base point cost. It was too cheap, I forgot to consider the fact that you're already paying for defense line, then adding the gun emplacments

I like it as a custom ruleset, but just don't think t fits the Nid way. Nids wouldn't need a AA spore, because they would use Harpy or Harridan or Flyrant to attack it. I think the Harpy should be the focus of Nid AA tactics.

Or an anti-aircraft Pyrovore variant, sort of like the bugs' ground defenses on Klendathu in the Starship Troopers movie?

I know it doesn't exactly fit the nid theme but I'm just going to be testing out the idea. Plus it gives me a chance to experiment with different mycetic spores
I'm also going to be messing around with harpies in the game but I want to test them vanilla before experimenting. I think they could be an excellent unit if just a bit tougher
Using the pyrovore is a great idea (finally something useful to do with it) But I think a new unit may work better.
I've seen a lot of comments about the pyrovore soon become AA and while the idea would work, I just don't see it working in terms of fluff with the gout of fire but I may be wrong

Just give an AA spore to biovores.
+15 points per model, R48" S8 AP4 Heavy 2, Sky Fire

As an alternative, you do realise FMC's get Skyfire, right?

 Deadshot wrote:
I like it as a custom ruleset, but just don't think t fits the Nid way. Nids wouldn't need a AA spore, because they would use Harpy or Harridan or Flyrant to attack it. I think the Harpy should be the focus of Nid AA tactics.

Just a few issues:

Harpy: Has Blast weapons that cannot affect Flyers, and low Strength is useless for Vector Strike against most Flyers.
Flyrant: Strength is slightly better for Vector Strike (not much), and is really only worthwhile if you take double Devourers.
Harridan: Apocalypse only.

Nids really need some sort of AA support, as in casual games the only two options, don't cut it.

Whats wrong with ignoring the Flyers as a strategy?

Focus on the objectives and ignore the Flyers. Flood the objectives with Gants and eat the rest of his army.

Leave his Airsupport high and dry in the sky as they uselessly strafe your horde while they eat the rest of the army.

I'd agree, its called a 'Bugnet', take 3 units of 30 gargoyles , heaps of gents/gaunts and rush them up the field from half way, the flyers will soon run out of room to zoom, no room means boom!...

Or at force them to Hover if they can, in which case you can assault them.

 Happyjew wrote:

 Deadshot wrote:
I like it as a custom ruleset, but just don't think t fits the Nid way. Nids wouldn't need a AA spore, because they would use Harpy or Harridan or Flyrant to attack it. I think the Harpy should be the focus of Nid AA tactics.

Just a few issues:

Harpy: Has Blast weapons that cannot affect Flyers, and low Strength is useless for Vector Strike against most Flyers.
Flyrant: Strength is slightly better for Vector Strike (not much), and is really only worthwhile if you take double Devourers.
Harridan: Apocalypse only.

Nids really need some sort of AA support, as in casual games the only two options, don't cut it.

I meant, change the Harpy so it is more effective. Or skyfire allows Blasts to target Flyers but cannot hit anything below Flyer level (similar to firing blasts at ruins)