DOW2: There is Only War BETA - Tyranid Impressions

[Haraio [MALAL]]

I've played around a bit with the new BETA for the new Dawn of War 2 patch, particularly with the Tyranids, and I'm left with lots of new impressions, mostly good, but some bad too.

First things first; There is Only War is a patch or rather an update for Dawn of War 2, where they are putting to use all the information they have gathered since the game was released, and made some editions to the game itself.

One of the major ones is a Map Creator. Unlike the original Dawn of War, the map creator is a separate program, and though I haven't tried it yet, the prospect of creating my own maps to beef out the rather small amount of original map is one which I can't do anything but approve of.

Speaking of maps, they have added about ten or so new ones, ranging from 1v1 maps all the way up to 3v3. This is great, and the new maps are as fun and hectic to play as the old ones. Especially the Refinery Maps (1v1, 2v2 and 3v3 version) are a blast.

Now, on to the Tyranids. The first thing you will notice when trying the Tyranids, is that they have seen the most changes in units when it comes to what tier you can build them in. Raveners have been moved to tier 1, down from tier 3, and rippers have been removed (although the CC-Carnifex can spawn them). Also, Hormagaunts and Termagaunts are now more expensive, but for good reason.

I really like what they have done with the gaunts. Firstly, gaunts can now level. This may not seem like a huge deal, but seeing as they are more expensive (Hormagaunts cost 300 and Termagaunts cost 270, both up from 240), you will want to keep them alive, and they get stronger with every level. Also, they both now have an upgrade.

Hormagaunts get Adrenal Glands, which gives them more damage, health, speed and also allows them to leap over cover. Termagaunts have lost the knockback ability they used to have while in Synapse, but instead they can now have toxin sacs, which allows them to poison an enemy unit, reducing their move speed to 25 percent!

Also, there are now two new Tier 2 units. The first one is the Venom Brood; THREE Warriors with venom cannons. Say good bye to all armour, this brood is really nasty against all vehicles, provided they get to fire unhindered for a little bit. And yes, this is a separate Warrior unit (the standard Warriors are still tier 1, but are now cheaper).

The second new Tier 2 unit is the Carnifex, at least the close combat variant. It can be upgraded with Thornback, which gives it the charge ability which most of you will remember, and the Pheromone trail ability, which spawns free rippers (they still take up population cap). Rippers can't be pinned and are great for attacking pinning weapons such as heavy bolters.

There is also a new Carnifex, called the Screamer-Killer, in Tier 3. This is the ranged Carnifex, with Bioplasma and either Barbed Strangler or Venom Cannon. I haven't tried it yet, but it should be fun. Also, Lictors are now Tier 3 (also possibly strengthened a bit?)

I like the way they made the gaunts much more useful, but I'm not sure if I like the two different Carnifex builds. I liked the way they did it with the Warriors, but... not so sure about the Carnifex.

If you have tried the There is Only War BETA, please post your opinions here ;D

[Fayt]

I agree with you totally. Those gaunts are even better than they used to be (Hormas CC damage is 17 or 18, Yay!). And three VC.. Whoa! that hurts alot!
The only downside in this ''There is Only War''-patch is that it ruined my early-game swarm tactic totally.. At tier one i used to have one hive tyrant, two broods of hormas and one or two broods of rippers.
With rippers i could easily rip apart a devastator squad without losses.. But now they are gone, and i have to evolve a new, better tactic(I already have a few ideas).

[squidy]

Well I seeing as the patch came out, I guess I'll just give my opinion on Tyranids with the patch:

I'd like to first start off with the hero I use: the Hive Tyrant. He's a beast. With the venom cannon, he snipers off vehicles. The only down side is that its bad against swarm infantry. But then again, it doesn't dumb down his CC ability. As for defensive upgrades, I go with Bonded Exoskeleton for survivability. This make him invonurable which helps with falling back or if he's engaged with a walker (crushing claws for the win!). Bioplasma does less damage, but helps with suppressive fire. However, hormagaunts nurf his ability to level. Before, all the experience the Hormgaunts gained, went straight to him. This allowed him to reach level 10 quite easily. Now, hormagaunts get the XP and the HT actually has to work for it. Synapse is also buffed on the HT with as good as synapse as warriors.

Now hormagaunts are buffed. I run all hormagaunts for starting units. Termagaunts are to fragile for me, so I go all hormagaunt. Sure, hormagaunts are slower, but simply give them the adrenal upgrade to make them faster and stronger. As mention earlier they can level. This also means they kill steel my HT (crafty little buggers ).

Rippers are almost never seen and can't cap anymore. They were kind of OP so I guess its a good thing. I never used them much anyways.

BSs on warrior.... OH YEAH. Suppression has never been better. Although, it can't hit falling back units (not that shooting does anything to falling back units anyways). Adrenal Glands on warriors is hard to get and almost not worth it. As for the vennom brood, I think it fails. I used it on vehicles, but if there is infantry anywhere they don't do so good unless supported.

Ravs are great if used right, but I usually go with warriors so I don't get Ravs... like ever. Although they are easier to spam now. ;D

Carnifexes in tier 2 is a thumbs up. Too bad it can't catch the faster ones (thats why I give my HT VC anyways). The screamer kill is OK. The only real benefit is range, but its expensive to get. Also, fexes are effected by synapse. ;D

Lictor I don't use. If you have enough for a lictor, you had mine as well get a fex. I'll never be able to spam them like I did in that one game....

So thats about all I have to say.

[xenofox]

I have yet to use the map editor myself... cuase i cant find the damn thing Any help would be appreciated .

Edit: Found it

[halos]

Where did you find it? I've just got the game recently and I've been looking for the map editor...

[susan123]

hi guys,..
i am new in this forum,..
i found that it is very helpful for me because it contains very informative posts and sharing s,..thanks