Thursday, November 2, 2017
Tyranid Codex Preview: Stratagems
Next up is a look at the stratagems for the new 8th edition Tyranid Codex.
via Warhammer Community
https://www.warhammer-community.com/2017/11/02/codex-tyranids-preview-stratagems/
The Tyranids are often thought of as a mindless swarm but, unfortunately for the galaxy, nothing could be further from the truth. Each Hive Tyrant is a genius commander, imbued with millennia of experience, and the Hive Mind commands the swarm with absolute discipline and control. Indeed, during the Battle of Macragge, the Swarmlord was able to outmanoeuvre Marneus Calgar, one of the Imperium’s greatest commanders.
On the tabletop, this tactical mastery is finally represented thanks to a series of deadly new Stratagems.
One of the most grisly (and useful!) Stratagems from the new codex is Feeder Tendrils. For the cost of a Command Point, you’ll be able to recycle a dead enemy character into more precious Command Points for yourself! Suddenly, every enemy character becomes a potential liability.
Psychic Barrage allows Zoanthropes to pool their powers and unleash a devastating psychic bombardment, punishing foes who group multiple small units together.
Pathogenic Slime is a brutal ability that’ll make your ranged monsters even deadlier. A Carnifex with four devourers with brainleech worms using this ability will be pumping out 24 Strength 6 shots, each dealing 2 damage – perfect for overwhelming Terminators, Primaris Space Marines and other tough targets.
Hyper-toxicity is a hive fleet-specific Stratagem that works fantastically with Genestealers or Hormagaunts, allowing them to stack up damage on even the toughest of targets.
The Deepest Shadow is a particularly insidious Stratagem for Hive Fleet Kronos. With it, you’ll be able to disrupt enemy Psychic tests at a key moment. Combine this with the Soul Hunger Warlord Trait (previewed yesterday) and The Shadow in the Warp (previewed Monday) and psykers will think twice about trying to Smite you!
Finally, Caustic Blood is a great way to give a swarm of Termagants a devastating send-off, making a 40-strong block of these lesser bio-organisms an even less appealing prospect to fight.
There are many, many more Stratagems in the book, and thanks to efficient options in every slot, you’ll have no trouble at all filling Brigade and Battalion detachments out to give you the Command Points to use them; indeed, taking only the most low-cost units in every slot, you can get a battalion in your army for only 699 points.