Ragnaroks thoughts on improvings nids in 6th

[ragnarok]

Well I am back with the swarm with a vengeance.

I had forgotten how fun my beloved nids were to play and I am throwing myself into repainting them (part of the reason I got burnt out) and playing with them.

Only one game in 6th but I had a blast.

Now onto my thoughts

Tyrants, primes, tervigons, broodlords Lictors and our unique should all count as characters. I see this from a fluff point of view, warriors of ultramar had a Lictor know that an inquisitor was a leader-beast of the defenders and tried to slay it.

For me this shows the hive-mind assumes/thinks that prey worlds are similar to itself and will hunt down the “synapse” creatures, thus character (challenge, precision shot and precision strike) fit lictors. The others have an increase link to the hive-mind and its knowledge, so would be guided to strike down specific leader-beast (precision shot and precision strike). They are also large imposing foe, worthy of killing and roar really loud attracting the attention of enemy characters (accepting and issuing challenges).

AAAB (Anti Air Arial Broods). I don’t think we should get skyfire, except maybe a variant of the Harpy Genus. Rather we should go back to finding interesting uses for gargoyles.

My ideas is:
Gargoyles within 6” of an enemy flyer may attempt to bird strike them in the shooting phase. Declare how many of the brood will attempt to bird strike.

For each model bird striking roll an I tests. If passed the gargoyle strikes the enemy flyer and suffers a S9 AP3 hit. For every gargoyle that passes the I test roll a D6. On a Roll of a 6 the flyer loses a hull point.

Note Gargoyle broods can only bird strike if they are within synapse range

It will still be hard to down aircraft and will cost us lots of gargoyles, but it will be fluffy


Overall I am enjoying 6th ed and can’t wait to deploy me swarm next week.

[fragile]

Id be real curious about having a gargoyle do a Death or Glory style attack on a flyer.. Into the engines or cockpit suicide run. Would definitely be flavor.

[gloomfang]

Jul 15, 2012 17:16:28 GMT ragnarok said:

Tyrants, primes, tervigons, broodlords Lictors and our unique should all count as characters. I see this from a fluff point of view, warriors of ultramar had a Lictor know that an inquisitor was a leader-beast of the defenders and tried to slay it.

Everything in that list but the Lictor is a character. Not sure how you missed that in the back of the book. The uniques are covered on pg. 110 and 64.

[Tempests Wrath]

Jul 15, 2012 17:16:28 GMT ragnarok said:

*snip*

Tyrants, primes, tervigons, broodlords Lictors and our unique should all count as characters. I see this from a fluff point of view, warriors of ultramar had a Lictor know that an inquisitor was a leader-beast of the defenders and tried to slay it.
*snip*

I think everything you mentioned but the standard Lictors are.

Jul 15, 2012 17:16:28 GMT ragnarok said:

AAAB (Anti Air Arial Broods). I don’t think we should get skyfire, except maybe a variant of the Harpy Genus. Rather we should go back to finding interesting uses for gargoyles.

My ideas is:
Gargoyles within 6” of an enemy flyer may attempt to bird strike them in the shooting phase. Declare how many of the brood will attempt to bird strike.

For each model bird striking roll an I tests. If passed the gargoyle strikes the enemy flyer and suffers a S9 AP3 hit. For every gargoyle that passes the I test roll a D6. On a Roll of a 6 the flyer loses a hull point.

Note Gargoyle broods can only bird strike if they are within synapse range

It will still be hard to down aircraft and will cost us lots of gargoyles, but it will be fluffy

I do appreciate the fluff aspect of just: "Init test, then start rolling 6's to clog up your vehicles with our bodies." Rules wise Im not sure how well it would work. Im not qualified to judge such things, but with how many gargoyles we can field for "meh" points, it might be too strong.

[ragnarok]

I know some of what I feel is right is already available. I am just putting my support behind it and adding my ideas to expand the range.

I believe that challenges are not two brave warriors duelling each other, rather a hero/boss proving his worth.

So a marine captain would challenge a tyrant to defend the honour of his chapter.
An ork nob would because the tyrant is bigger than him and needs sortin’ out.
An elder Autarch would focus his attention on the nexus of the synapse web
And so on

From a nid point of view, they all display traits of leader beasts and slaying them will benefit the swarm

[eeknight]

I love the gargoyle "birdstrike" idea.

My dream changes for 6th include:

I'd like to see Genestealers exempted from the "no charges out of reserve or first turn infiltration." That or some kind of offensive grenade effect option helping initiative in terrain.

A special Tyranid-only list of random psychic powers and default choices.

Hormagaunts "bounding leap" ability modified to allow them to strike at regular initiative when charging through terrain.

The Rupture Cannon modified so that if both shots hit, it either auto pens or a successful pen strikes as AP1.

Hive Guard have skyfire. It's a guided missile, for heaven's sake.

Mawloc's Terror from the Deep modified to make it more like a stomp attack.

Units can charge on the turn they arrive out of a tunnel created by a Trygon.

Venom Cannons and Heavy Venom Cannons no longer blast weapons (and maybe Harpy getting skyfire as well).

Lictors can charge the turn they appear. Seems to me camouflaged ninja assassins should be able to do that. Making them more of a mantis with a surprise attack is "cinematic," right?

[webebuggin]

That is actually a real cool idea with the rupture both shots hit equals and auto pen, I like it. Or it becomes a Str10 blast if both hit. That way it matches fluff

[N.I.B.]

Jesus, 6th ed has just landed and people have only just started to sort things out. Can we have a few months before the house rule threads please.

[Deathnid]

As soon as i heard about challenges I instantly thought of that scene from meet the spartans where they have the breakdancing yo' mumma off.
"yo' mummas so fat it took an entire forgeworld just to build her ass"