Swarmlord in 6th edition

[scorpio]

I think this guy is going to get a lot more lookings with this new edition. With the bonus to pyschic choices he can be anything from an all out buffer to a close combat machine (not that he wasn't already). Using warp speed on him could give him up to 8 insta gib attacks on the charge. He is going to be the challenge king now and all enemy heros will think twice before going anywhere near him.

What's your opinion of him now? Have you had any games with him this edition? Please share your thoughts.

[Inquisitor Stingray]

I never used the Swarmlord, as I usually despise the idea of Tyranid Special Characters. I kind of hoped that they would just forget about him as time went by, but seeing as he got a new kit (which admittedly looks cool) this may not be the case. Seeing as he is our most potent Psyker, I may have to give him a shot.

[Bot]

He's still pretty expensive though... and with the Genestealer nerf... Well, let us just say that he's still a character that fits best into 2k+ games.

[scorpio]

I agree on the fact that he's expensive but the versatility he can bring to who can outflank is a good bonus, gene stealers don't have to, a tervigon is now an even scarier sight with the smash upgrade. It is great for capturing objectives and once it's there you ain't moving it. Cos the babies will protect momma.

[Bot]

But remember that you are not able to spawn Termagants the turn that you outflank and the Tervigon cannot charge the turn it arrives neither... Ah well... But yeah, The Swarmlord has changed to the better in some ways and in others, it has changed for the worse. I can't really say much about him currently. Haven't used him in a 6th edition game yet. Though I'm sure that I soon will, especially with all the 40k getting played the following weeks.

The part with outflanking Tervigons does seem a lot more appealing that it did before. Especially, if is able to use Warp speed the following turn.

[Inquisitor Stingray]

Still, if I remember, you'd need a Hive Tyrant with Hive Commander on top of the Swarmlord to have the Tervigon outflank in the first place. And losing out on the ability to spawn Termagants isen't exactly beneficial in most circumstances.

[Bot]

Yeah that's true. It's the Tyrants job to take care of the outflanking. Which is just better... because they are cheaper in general.

[gloomfang]

That and the Swarmlord can't give outflanking. He has had some nice buffs, using TK as much as I have I will always give him TK over biomancy.

The TK dome gives him and his brood a 5+ shooting invuln. Use that with a coversave from screens or venoms and he takes a LOT of firepower to stop.
Gate fixes his biggest problem, speed. I have him assault turn 2 every game I have gotten it.
OM is a wonderful flyer killer and great vs. most AV 14.
Crush is a great assain tool. Removes lascanons or commisars.
Void scares me and I haven't used it yet. And shockwave is good but not great.

Smash is not good for him as it takes away to many attacks.

Still I think I will use him a lot in 6th.

[liquid405]

Jul 9, 2012 0:33:06 GMT gloomfang said:

Gate fixes his biggest problem, speed. I have him assault turn 2 every game I have gotten it.

I never even considered this. Nice find!

[ferro]

Deep Striking units may not charge. p36.

[gloomfang]

Jul 9, 2012 2:46:04 GMT ferro said:

Deep Striking units may not charge. p36.

And that is why I gate him in turn 1.

Or did you think I would hold off a turn before moving him in?

[ferro]

My bad, misunderstood. Carry on!

[Deathnid]

lol, i used a GoI librarian to teleport my sternguard veteren squad... all with combi-flamers/ meltas :3
and thats why MeQ armies dont like Deathnid.

[scorpio]

Inquisitor Stingray oh yeah my bad I thought it was the swarmlord that let a free unit outflank. Oh well, he still helps out trygons/mawlocs and the like to come in and wreck havoc. Also the gate power definitely let's him get up close and personal before the enemy can do much about it.
Thanks, also has anyone got any stories of great fights your swarmlord has been in? Any enemy characters he is killed in a challenge after a long hard fight? Please post if you do.

[gloomfang]

Jul 9, 2012 7:57:02 GMT scorpio said:

Thanks, also has anyone got any stories of great fights your swarmlord has been in? Any enemy characters he is killed in a challenge after a long hard fight? Please post if you do.

I will say there are no long hard challenges with SL (I have yet to fight someone with EW though). Ignores armour, reroll invuln and it is dead with one wound?
Splat...
Want to try him vs. Abbadon, he is supposed to be one of the 2 master duelers now. The other one is Loki from SW. Even if he loses he wins.