Gargoyles, Ravenors and Shrikes oh my

[akiranid]

As anybody tried running a shrike brood with ravenors on tow with a gargoyle meat shield before?

Perhaps with a venomthrope bringing up the rear

I was thinking if this would be a good idea especially if moving them through cover to get to a juicy target

I don't have my codex to hand so can't give accurate wargear upgrades at the moment for the units

[GuardDog78]

Biggest issue I see with the venomthrope idea is it can't keep up...and if you keep the others with it you're losing out on the biggest benefit of those units...speed.

The only other issue I would personally have is using up all the FA slots...I still run at least 1 crone in almost all my lists...and the dima-thingy is looking rather promising in one of those slots too...

[gigasnail]

Malanthropes.

[terrorfromthedeep]

What benefit do ravenors have over shrikes? They are the same points filling the same role... But worse?

[Yautja]

1 extra attack and initiative but no hooks or Synapse.

[gigasnail]

No access to grenades. No access to useful bio morphs needed for CC units.

[terrorfromthedeep]

Are they even fearless?

They should be 20 points each or have a 3+ save for their current cost

[coredump]

Sept 30, 2014 16:11:40 GMT Yautja said:

1 extra attack and initiative but no hooks or Synapse.

Same number of attacks

Ravs:
1 more init
no DangTerr tests when ending in diff terrain
Ld 6
IB Feed

Shrikes:
Ld 10
synapse
access to upgrades
access to LW/BS

Venom/malan can usually keep up for a turn (6" move, d6" run, 6" range) So the shrikes can move/run 13-18" and still possibly be shrouded.

As for the OP, I am leery of anything requiring 4 units to work together, and assuming when that totals to about 550pts... it better be able to deliver.

[gigasnail]

This is my issue with CC nids and this combo in particular. Too many fragile moving parts. Too expensive. Kill the Malanthropes and you're very exposed.

[coredump]

Malanthropes (in cover) aren't that easy to kill... and you only need it for 1-2 turns.

My problem is 'what if it works?' What are you going after with ravs and shrikes?

In general I could save 2-300pts and just use shrikes and keep them in cover on the way. Maybe buy 1-2 extra shrikes for fodder....
Much cheaper, much fewer moving parts, same result if you get into combat.

[gigasnail]

You kill Malanthropes the same way you kill any other multi wound 2+ save model: you shoot it until it fails enough saves. Once your opponents understand what it does, they will focus it down.

[akiranid]

Thank you for all the replies and interesting feedback

Most people think the ravenors are a bit of a waste here so if they were to be dropped and keep it with the shrikes would that work better

The main target could be units that hide in cover but it could also work well with the misdirection tactic

[javaman21011]

It also depends a lot on your opponent. If he's faced Shrikes before he will focus fire them down first, and they seem to be the glass cannon these days. So guard them well.

[mattblowers]

Raveners do have +1 attack base, 2 set of close combat weapons, and devourers on top. That being said, 3 units of IB are gonna be a pain to keep from fleeing although I think they work pretty well in conjunction with a Flyrant. I still like our FMCs too much. I know they have fallen out of favor of the hive, but I still try to run at least 2 crones in every list so I seldom have more than 1 slot open.

[macdaddyt]

Raveners are not worth their points. They "should" be cheaper than shrikes because of the most glaring weakness of IB. They can't act independently and require other units to keep them effective. It's a shame as I love the ravener model but can't justify using them in competitive lists. I normally run my ravener models as shrikes with RC and AG to keep e'm cheep and still effective. Usually run two broods of 3-4 with a flock of Gargs to provide cover, screening. If I feel like getting adventurous I'll try e'm with BS/LW or just BS but otherwise I like keeping e'm bare minimum.

Also take giggas advice with the Malanthrope. Venom is too slow and will not be able to help out the group, If I'm correct Malanthrope has a bigger shrouded bubble and is tougher.

I still use raveners in just for fun games but otherwise you really should just run two broods of shrikes. If you equip them right you get similar points for better effectiveness.

OTOH you would be saving points technically by replacing one brood of ravenors with shrikes. (Unless you don't put AG on shrikes which is not a must take but furious charge and fleet are nice) If ravenors could take AG and TS then they would be semi viable.