So what should we expect from the biomass?

[scrotatohead]

Lots of great threads about how 6th edition is making 'Nids better and/or worse. New and changed abilities are being discussed. Rules interpretations are being debated. Strategies are being explored. Lists are being built.

What I'm curious to hear is what you think the enemy is going to now bring to the table against us? What units should we expect to see that have been collecting dust through 5th edition? What new tactics will be deployed against the hive? How will our opponents make the most of the new rules to try and defeat the collective Hive?

For example, I can see the following from Space Marines, my most common opponent:

* More Terminators. I expect to see Dark Angel allies with Balial leading the contingent to provide objective taking/contesting Troops choice Termies.
* More Jump Infantry to take advantage of HoW.
* Cheesy Sergeant challenges, especially if it means excess wounds caused by our Tyrants don't apply to the rest of the squad.

Pretty obvious, I know. So what do you think? What models/builds/tactics do we need to start preparing to face?

[Inquisitor Stingray]

Hmm, I can definetely see a lot of people using more Terminators, now that the average Powerweapon is only AP3. Also, we should probably expect some people investing in Flyers, taking advantage of the lack of Anti-Air weaponry. People will probably also want to try out their new Psychic Powers.

[coredump]

I think transports will still be useful, but as transports, not as mobile bunkers.

Probably more terminators

A few broken flyer lists

more infantry, and thus more anti-infantry guns.

Maybe more landraiders

[gloomfang]

I think we will be seeing:

Larger unit sizes.
More flamers and less melta.
More deepstriking.
More assault cannons and less lascannons.
Missle launchers will be the same until codexes start giving out flak missles.
More jump troops.
Fewer power weapons in general.
Much fewer powerfists.
More snipers.
Fewer dreads.

[scrotatohead]

Jul 6, 2012 21:48:34 GMT gloomfang said:

I think we will be seeing:

Larger unit sizes.
More flamers and less melta.
More deepstriking.
More assault cannons and less lascannons.
Missle launchers will be the same until codexes start giving out flak missles.
More jump troops.
Fewer power weapons in general.
Much fewer powerfists.
More snipers.
Fewer dreads.

Fewer dreads? Interesting. Why's that?

What about bone fide tanks? We know transports got softer, what about the weapons platforms? Same old same old? Same numbers, different weapons? Different numbers but same weapons?

[gloomfang]

Jul 6, 2012 21:53:56 GMT scrotatohead said:

Fewer dreads? Interesting. Why's that?

AV 11/10 and 3HP makes them to easy to glance to death for thier price point. Rhinos are cheap and people are still debating if they die to quick. How much does a dread cost and it is just as vunerable?

[DarkGuard]

Erm, Dreads are AV 12,12,10, and those are the normal ones. Things like Ironclads etc have higher armour all round or to the front etc.

To be honest, I think we might see more Dreads. With things going hybrid having a Dread to escort your foot slogging Tactical squad could be quite handy. Also, they provide a valuable source of AP2.

As stated above, Terminators will likely see more use, and I think MCs will as well, with the changes to how cover works for them (25%, area terrain etc). Less vehicles at first because everyone is going nuts about Hull Points (overreaction), but then there will be some more.

But because most things can be glanced to death we'll see less melta and more plasma as people rush to combat 2+ armour saves, and with plasma and the like also getting a bonus on the vehicle damage table it's quite likely that we'll see plasma spam.

[coredump]

Stealers would almost never take out a dread, now.... glances can kill. Plus being "venerable" is next to useless, and once immobolized, you get hit on rear armor.

Doesnt make them junk. But definitely nerfed some. We won't see as many I dont' think.

[liquid405]

Ironclads were always the way to go. Especially with hunter killer missiles. AV 13 13 10 is beastly in close combat.

[gloomfang]

Jul 6, 2012 22:43:55 GMT DarkGuard said:

Erm, Dreads are AV 12,12,10, and those are the normal ones. Things like Ironclads etc have higher armour all round or to the front etc.

I had brain fry. I should know what the AV on a dred is by now.

Still I have been talking to a lot of SM players who don't think they are worth their points anymore.

Venerable and ironclad might be different.

[coredump]

Not venerable. Rerolls don't matter much when hull points kill you.

[t⊗theark]

Jul 6, 2012 21:40:56 GMT coredump said:

I think transports will still be useful, but as transports, not as mobile bunkers.

Probably more terminators

A few broken flyer lists

more infantry, and thus more anti-infantry guns.

Maybe more landraiders

I think we might see the less hiveguard, more zoanthropes and monstrous creatures in response.

[Davor]

I think, the power gamers at least will be using lots of fliers, and Bastions, to either block LoS or even block other peoples fliers. It will be a way to prevent, the Zoom rules I think they are called where they have to go in straigh lines for so many inches.

Also, if people will be using lots of Terminators, I see more Mass horde armies so "eventually they will be rolling 1's" to come into effect.