Resonance Barb

[dc0315]

If i put this on a Neurothrope does this allow you to choose an additional psychic power? If not, what makes it so great?

[zimko]

It does not. I don't think it's a good pick for a Neurothrope since they can already cast both their powers.

IMO, it goes best on a Broodlord or Hive Tyrant. A Broodlord benefits from the character keyword, and he will often be close enough to use smite. He also can be given a key power such as Catalyst and reliably cast it with the +1 from the relic on a unit that needs it since he'll be up in the fray with such units.

A Hive Tyrant, while more vulnerable, will benefit the most from +1 to cast since they have 2 powers.

But for 1 CP, your Neurothrope or Broodlord or whatever can know the same powers as all other Tyranid HIVE FLEET psychers on the board for a turn.

[dc0315]

Jan 2, 2020 15:45:43 GMT zimko said:

It does not. I don't think it's a good pick for a Neurothrope since they can already cast both their powers.

IMO, it goes best on a Broodlord or Hive Tyrant. A Broodlord benefits from the character keyword, and he will often be close enough to use smite. He also can be given a key power such as Catalyst and reliably cast it with the +1 from the relic on a unit that needs it since he'll be up in the fray with such units.

A Hive Tyrant, while more vulnerable, will benefit the most from +1 to cast since they have 2 powers.

But for 1 CP, your Neurothrope or Broodlord or whatever can know the same powers as all other Tyranid HIVE FLEET psychers on the board for a turn.

isnt the part about knowing all the spells on the board a stratagem not the resonance barb?

[mattblowers]

Jan 2, 2020 15:45:43 GMT zimko said:

It does not. I don't think it's a good pick for a Neurothrope since they can already cast both their powers.

IMO, it goes best on a Broodlord or Hive Tyrant. A Broodlord benefits from the character keyword, and he will often be close enough to use smite. He also can be given a key power such as Catalyst and reliably cast it with the +1 from the relic on a unit that needs it since he'll be up in the fray with such units.

A Hive Tyrant, while more vulnerable, will benefit the most from +1 to cast since they have 2 powers.

But for 1 CP, your Neurothrope or Broodlord or whatever can know the same powers as all other Tyranid HIVE FLEET psychers on the board for a turn.

Good analysis. I found it really doesn't do anything on a neurothrope as I'm playing them as a baby sitter and they are often too far out of range to smite so the extra power casting is pointless. I like it on flyrants though (but the extra 8" range is better).

[xtztxtxz]

Jan 2, 2020 15:53:40 GMT dc0315 said:

isnt the part about knowing all the spells on the board a stratagem not the resonance barb?

The stratagem to know all powers on the board doesn't allow the psyker to cast any extra powers, so Resonance Barb does help with that.

Jan 2, 2020 15:45:43 GMT zimko said:

IMO, it goes best on a Broodlord or Hive Tyrant. A Broodlord benefits from the character keyword, and he will often be close enough to use smite. He also can be given a key power such as Catalyst and reliably cast it with the +1 from the relic on a unit that needs it since he'll be up in the fray with such units.

It also works with a Tervigon I guess. Makes their casting more reliable (for when you really want to make sure Catalyst is successful) and lets them use Smite at the same time. Plus unlike a Flyrant they're not exactly a major threat, so you keep the relic around longer.

[zimko]

Jan 2, 2020 15:53:40 GMT dc0315 said:

Jan 2, 2020 15:45:43 GMT zimko said:

It does not. I don't think it's a good pick for a Neurothrope since they can already cast both their powers.

IMO, it goes best on a Broodlord or Hive Tyrant. A Broodlord benefits from the character keyword, and he will often be close enough to use smite. He also can be given a key power such as Catalyst and reliably cast it with the +1 from the relic on a unit that needs it since he'll be up in the fray with such units.

A Hive Tyrant, while more vulnerable, will benefit the most from +1 to cast since they have 2 powers.

But for 1 CP, your Neurothrope or Broodlord or whatever can know the same powers as all other Tyranid HIVE FLEET psychers on the board for a turn.

isnt the part about knowing all the spells on the board a stratagem not the resonance barb?

Yes it is a stratagem. I am suggesting that this stratagem combos well with the resonance barb, since the stratagem gives them access to more powers while the barb allows them to cast an additional power (and +1 to cast).

I don't like to rely on using stratagems though, so I don't like giving the barb to a Neurothrope since he NEEDS the stratagem to take advantage of casting an extra power. While all our other psykers can at least use the extra cast from a Barb to cast smite.

[hivefleetkerrigan]

Another option is to plop resonance barb on a maleceptor. You can get a solid +2 to cast. It would allow you to super smite over 25% of the time. Additionally, if you're running a caster heavy army, +2 on a late cast smite could be really helpful.

[Hive Bahamut]

Not a character, so no luck on Mal.

[alx51]

Barb + neuro = almost automatic cast

I also was reluctant to lose a part of what the barb is giving you BUT if your strategy relies on a specific power (onslaught?) it can be worth considering.

[hivefleetkerrigan]

Jan 2, 2020 16:56:44 GMT Hive Bahamut said:

Not a character, so no luck on Mal.

Thanks for the correction.

[kazetanade]

Personally feel the Barb is a dud - best used on a Fly/Walkrant, which already has a big bullseye on their heads. Neurothropes can take it, but like mentioned it's basically pointless on them unless you use the strategem, which is uneccessary expenditure since you usually want that for positional matters (2 psykers, 1 in the back 1 in the front, the front casts the back's spells too), and Neuros are terrible positional. You can give it to a BL, but that depends on how aggressive your army is playing and is your BL moving double time across the map too (half the time, they're not).

If I can be honest though I am struggling to find a relic given to us which is an auto-take; the Arachnyte Gland has potential in a DS orientated list, particularly mine triple Flyrant one. The +8" range is... okay, again only usable on a Flyrant which is a bit of a target. I dont really remember any worthwhiles outside these 3.

[zimko]

Scythes of Tyran/Chameleonic Mutation (depending on your melee fleet) and Venomthorn Parasite on a Heavy Venom Cannon Flyrant are worthwhile IMO.

[timcz]

Jan 2, 2020 17:35:53 GMT alx51 said:

Barb + neuro = almost automatic cast

I also was reluctant to lose a part of what the barb is giving you BUT if your strategy relies on a specific power (onslaught?) it can be worth considering.

This is why I have put it in the list currently playing mostly to get the Kronos power off on my hive guard with the best chance.

[sneggy]

I've been putting it on my Broodlord purely due to a lack of any other relic to take that's decent and having a free relic slot in my tyranids detachment. Its basically a free smite so why not I guess?
Tyranid relics continue to be fairly underwhelming. If I could have a Tyranid warlord and GSC free relic I definitely would.

[N.I.B.]

Barb + Neuro for safe casting Symbiostorm is my pick. Not ideal though.