Sheniddligans - 2k

1 - This is probably my default as well - a 6th Hive Guard will mean 6d3 shots, at S7 dmg d3, with extra mortal wounds on a 4+. And they benefit from the CP ability to shoot twice, which is gravy. Trygon is meant to be anti-tank duty as well (requiring CP to reliably wound), while hordes of S6 dev shots fill in gaps. At least, that's the idea. I may simply need to add in some HVC's for more ranged capability.

2 - It's something I'm wanting to try out. For one, I have 2 2nd ed Zoey models, so it gives me a good reason to pull them out. The Neuro has the same casting potential as a brood of 4 Zoanthropes (and doesn't go down by losing one model), and it's still a <Zoanthrope> so it gets all its own buffs (self healing smite machines!). Granted I don't think it gets the Warp Blast ability for super-charged smite, but frankly the extra range doesn't interest me that much as you have to target the nearest model anyway (which is what makes me care less about Zoanthropes, generally speaking).

3 - A valid point, and may be worth swapping out the Acid Maw... however I think Acid Maw allows a dakkafex to be deadly in combat (ap -5 dmg d3 attacks), and with its buff on the charge, and Kraken's ability to keep charging, it turns this guy into an all-round hard hitter. I'm hoping the dual-threat, particularly with Kraken's trait, will be worth the few missed shots... but only time will tell!

Fair points - I am definitely dabbling in a little bit of everything - although I think in part that's because I'm still in the 'single-digit' era of 8th ed games, and am trying to figure out not just what works, but what I like.

Speaking of anti-tank, how many vehicles are people seeing on the regular these days? As expensive as they became, you'd think there'd be a general reduction. Maybe less so, though.

So the Trygon in this list was originally an HVC Harpy, but I wanted to back up the Lictors/Stealers with more 'DS in your face' units. Currently this gives me 6, with a mix of distraction (Lictors), chaff-clearers (gaunts), anti-tank (trygon), and "yes" (genestealers).

If I decide to pull away from this (or maybe the Lictors/Stealers are effective on their own), the Trygon could morph back into the gun-toting Harpy, or one of the other gun-beasts using some of the spare points - my only issue there is that as is the army is fully mobile - I'd have to dedicate a babysitter, and likely a blob of charge-protection as well (a small-ish squad can tie up the Exo/T-fex in combat long enough to be a pain). Doable, but would probably have to redo more of the list to make some of those changes (probably a malanthrope in place of one of the Neuro's, for instance).

That's another reason for the Acid Maw, actually (although again, this will be one of the first things to be looked at carefully in terms of swapping). Most armies are going to have something that can charge through an 18" bubble - either through charging after DS, just being fast, whatever. Units like the dakkafex are *perfect* targets for that. It's something you want to kill, but even if you don't you can shut down it's shooting (aka only purpose). Throwing AP -5 means its attacks are going to translate into kills for when that happens, and d3 Dmg means tanks (which care a lot less about those devourer shots) are starting to see some real threat from this thing that can charge in and finish them off.

Hopefully that makes sense - it's less about "I want a fex that is decent in combat too" (single-purpose means better at that purpose, afterall), and more about protecting its ability to shoot, while shoring up a valid weakness of not just the unit, but the army as a whole.

Yeah, mostly need to play it and see how quickly it all falls apart xD


As far as the extra points go, I think a 6th Hive Guard is a gimme (plus, a great unit to fire twice with a couple times), which still leaves me with another 30 or so... could do a 4th Venomthrope (which would leave me needing 2 of those models -_-), or add a 6th Warrior just for kicks?  Maybe try to squeeze in another ripper brood to grab far-off objectives (or techinically pop strats to lower Ld, I guess xD)?

I'm loving the exocrine, haven't used a tyrannofex in years but the new changes do have me intrigued. I still think the exocrine is going to be a better all around artillery beast - able to deal with squads of elites, light vehicles, and big vehicles with relative ease while the tyrannofex will work better vs T8+ but about the same vs light vehicles and worse vs squads of elite infantry due to lack of shots.

Yeah, Exocrine is still a great beast. Rupture cannon may still be iffy for the cost. Other weapons do offer some interesting options though. Also its only fair to point out that on the move, the Tyrannofex has a big advantage in BS (although obviously both of these you want to squat & shawt(tm)).

I really may have to try a forward-facing Acid Spray. I'm just really feeling mobility right now, plus having a built-in assault-deterrent... will take some games & tweaking to find the right balance, I'm sure.

Well, Mr T is still bs4 walking.. but auto hits are even better. I think the spray is considerably cheaper as well.

Hmmm do i really need that trygon?

Yes, but he has the "doesn't take the penalty from moving" rule. So while he doesn't get to fire twice, he's still BS4 on the move (which is why mobile T-Fex is so much better than mobile Exocrine).

Again, you want him standing still to shoot twice, but for the two shorter-ranged guns it allows you to take a turn or two to move into mid-field position, and just dare anyone to come close.

Goodness, if that flamer was Assault, a Kraken SprayFex would be DIRTY. Advance best-of-3d6 and auto-hit from 18" turn 1, and then you'd basically be in a solid position to hold tight for most of the rest. Alas, yon heavy weapons are heavy.