Tyranids and Fortifications.

[Biotitan]

So I was building myself an Aegis defence line to get a quad gun for some skyfire weapons in my Tyranid army when I came across the FAQ's ruling on nids being unable to fire emplaced weapons.

So I resigned my self to only having BS2 anti-air guns that have to shoot closest target.

But then on a further read through I noticed we are only forbidden from manually firing emplaced weapons in buildings specifically.
No such mention is made of Gun Emplacements (like the aegis defence lines quad gun) which have their own distinct rules.

So am I correct in that nids CAN manually fire Gun Emplacements (which are free standing) but NOT Emplaced Weapons (guns in buildings)?

[infornography]

Yes. RAW we are definitely allowed to use gun emplacements. In fact, gun emplacements have no auto fire capabilities at all. They HAVE to be manually fired.

If you have a venomthrope they can man the gun at almost no cost to other shooting since they aren't particularly good in melee or range and are only handy for their area buffs. Though they aren't as good as they used to be.

[gloomfang]

You are correct on the Gun Emplacements vs. Emplaced Weapons. Note however that Gun Emplacements only have manual fire.

As for gunners I like Biovores better. They are cheaper. They have BS4. They are Lurk and not Feed so you can still fire the gun if they fail a check. If there is nothing for the gun to shoot at they can just lob off a spore mine. And HS is usually not as crowded as Elites.

[infornography]

To be honest, I wouldn't take a 40+ point model just to man a gun emplacement at one higher ballistic skill. The venomthrope is only a good recommendation if you have one kicking around the back lines already. If not, then just have a termagant aim the thing. BS3 is good enough when twin linked.

And I'd rather have my biovores shooting their spore launchers anyway, those things are nice.

[gloomfang]

Jul 23, 2012 16:59:41 GMT infornography said:

To be honest, I wouldn't take a 40+ point model just to man a gun emplacement at one higher ballistic skill. The venomthrope is only a good recommendation if you have one kicking around the back lines already. If not, then just have a termagant aim the thing. BS3 is good enough when twin linked.

And I'd rather have my biovores shooting their spore launchers anyway, those things are nice.

Sad thing is Hormagunts are just as good at shooting as Tryanid warriors. They are BS3. No idea why. And I tend to think in terms of the Icurus LC, with much fewer shots I would rather hit an a 3+ and not a 4+.

[infornography]

The icarus is kinda expensive for just a single shot non twin linked st 9 ap 2 anti air shot per turn.

The quad gun is 4 twin linked St 7 shots. VERY few flyers have more than AV12.

While the lascannon has better range, the quad gun still can cover most of the battlefield if placed near the front middle of your deployment area.

[Biotitan]

My thoughts inforgraphy. If we could take multiples then maybe it the Icarus would be worth it. But being only able to take one I'll be sticking with the more reliable quadgun.

Also just thought I'd share my first prototype wall section.
Took measurements off another gamers one so its the same size and shape as the Imperial kit.

[arsonfire]

You might want to take another look at the Biovore entry gloomfang, they are only BS3.

[hiveelysium]

gloom was saying warriors were bs 4 not biovores

[gloomfang]

No I got it wrong. I was looking at the wrong entry. BS3 for biovores. Venomethtopes make better gunners then our artillary. Might have to change my plans to a venomthrope giving cover to a biovore brood and Hive guard brood behind an aegis line. Stick a Prime in with him for an extra BS4 gunner and to provide synapse.

[nurglitch]

Gun emplacements have equivalent rules to manual fire; it seems odd to allow Tyranids to manually fire gun emplacements, but not emplaced weapons.

[infornography]

I agree. Though I find it odd to restrict Tyranids from using emplaced weapons at all. I can see maybe restricting certain ones. Raveners, rippers, and hormagaunts for instance. But termagants have hands that should work just fine, Warriors definitely do, As do Tyrants.

Venomthropes can probably use their tentacles just fine for the purpose.

[infornography]

Jul 24, 2012 9:55:56 GMT Biotitan said:

My thoughts inforgraphy. If we could take multiples then maybe it the Icarus would be worth it. But being only able to take one I'll be sticking with the more reliable quadgun.

Also just thought I'd share my first prototype wall section.
Took measurements off another gamers one so its the same size and shape as the Imperial kit.

That looks pretty neat. From where it is in that picture it could go Eldar or Tyranid really. Depends on the touch up and such.

[Lanesend]

Nice, man.
Your Nids can hide in the Sydney Opera House.