Can the Ripper Horde make a comeback?

[blindmage]

I just saw the new Parasite!

Sadly, I had to sell mine from way back, Which was alot like the new one.

[infornography]

Sadly rumors are pointing toward Rippers moving to fast attack which means they lose a ton of their current utility. I hope they will serve a new role in fast attack though. Would be nice if they had sufficient combat utility to expect to kill... anything.

I love that Parasite is making a comeback though. If rippers are also good then maybe...

[blindmage]

I don't even know how to respond to that.

So they're basically screwing end stage armies?

[infornography]

The only rumors we have regarding rippers are regarding them moving to Fast Attack and the new Parasite spawns them. The Parasite has been proven, the move to fast attack has not but seems credible.

They could be getting better in a dozen different ways we don't know about yet, but losing the troops slot would definitely sting.

[gman25639]

Hopefully Parasite returning with a new model also means a new Ripper Swarms box? Currently they only appear as extras in a couple other kits, wish I could just buy a box of 10 or 12 like Gaunts. Always thought running a ton of Rippers would be fun but never had enough to do much with them.

[gigasnail]

doubtful. the new combat patrol box has the standard termagant box with the old rippers on them. really doubtful they'd add a new ripper box with the old ones still in circulation.

[mattblowers]

I have 100ish ripper bases. I have never seen the opportunity to use more than 9-12. If they move to fast attack they will be relegated to the "used to" category of my collection.

[blindmage]

Mar 11, 2022 15:37:45 GMT mattblowers said:

I have 100ish ripper bases. I have never seen the opportunity to use more than 9-12. If they move to fast attack they will be relegated to the "used to" category of my collection.

A hive mind we can understand!
We tend to do Open Play games. "How many rounds can you survive", or "can this band of Kroot take out this Monolith before is starts portalling in Warriors", etc.
That means our Rippers will always have use.

[blindmage]

*reads the big leak*

Well, there goes my entire army.
They didn't even make the Parasite an HQ choice.
They've really screwed with the army in terms of Troops.

[infornography]

Yeah, RIP Rippers.

I won't say they don't serve ANY purpose, but man, not being able to fill required FOC slots, not getting Obsec, Parasite not being an HQ for them, spinemaws being only S2 AP- D1, only 3 Strength, 15 ppm...

They really don't have much going for them. I can't imagine what GW was thinking with these guys.

[windwalkerranger]

It appears you can get three parasite of mortrex.

If I recall correctly there's also a relic? to spawn 1d3+1 (not sure about the number) rippers.

I think it might be possible to work on a list that overpopulates the board with rippers AND spore mines. While it's much easier to move through spore mines now, you still can't end your move within 1", and when you end within 3" they explode. But most importantly there are numerous ways to generate relatively high number of spore mines through biovore and harpy actions and stuff. Combined with the ripper spawning mechanics, I think it can generate a high volume of low threats and movement shennanigans.

Regarding the low base stats, str in particular in spinemaws, I think gorgon might be the best hive fleet to work with rippers. How we overcome the horrible 5+ to hit I'm not sure. But considering the high volume of attacks, it might also be possible to skew gorgon and try to get some juicy 6's to hit auto wound things going on with rippers.

If only I had more time I want to playtest like mad...

[blindmage]

Even though I find the picture of the army in my head weird, I've been looking at mixing in mines, maybe sporocysts, to fill in.

Malanthrope
3 parasites, 3 full, max upgrade Rippers

Malanthrope
3x max spore mines
3x max muculoid mines

3x Sporocysts