40K: Which Tyranid Units Are “Really” Broken?
Today I will ask the fundamental question…are the “useless” Tyranid units really broken or just not being given a chance?
I enjoy seeing comments on the Interweb regarding certain Tyranid models which are “broken.” Pyrovores, Mawlocs, Stealers, Lictors, Hive Guard, Warriors; I am sure you can add to the list. However, I will ask the fundamental question…are they really broken or just not being given a chance?
Pyrovores
Let’s start with most players’ whipping boy; Pyrovores. Basically a multi-wound creature with a Heavy Flamer. It costs about the same amount as a Terminator with a Heavy Flamer. Only it doesn’t have a 2+/5++ save. And it doesn’t have a Power Fist. And people actually use Terminators. So are Pyrovores really a bad unit? Like units in any army, I believe that they are not bad, just highly specialized. You may ask, Dan, how do you use Pyrovores? Well, I use them when I am playing someone I know will castle behind an Aegis Defense Line (hello Gaurd and Tau!) waiting to shoot the crap out of me. Ever tried putting 3 Pyrovores in a Spore and dropping them right next to that firing line of Fire Warriors? How about two Pods? 3-6 flamer templates that ignore cover, dropped right into the heart of an enemy army that will get no saves? The few times I have done this, it was not pretty for my opponent. That being said, it is the only circumstance when I have used them.
Mawlocs
How about those Mawlocs? These are, IMO, one trick ponies that are potentially useful, but…are highly risky. Rolling on that scatter die, with a 50/50 chance to come up where you want them to, is a very risky way to spend almost 200 points. Moreover, these guys need your opponent to conveniently group his models in nice tight clumps. So, Dan, are you saying these guys are not worth the trouble? Yes…and no. Yes, when I can use them in a special formation that prevents them from scattering. Yes, when my opponents are ones who tend to group their models together during deployment. The value of my Mawlocs was demonstrated when one of them took out seven chaos terminators during an Apoc game! I have also had them take out a couple of Hydras and Basilisks. No, when I play them in a regular game and my opponent is savvy enough to disperse his units.
Genestealers
Stealers? Again, very specialized in the current meta. They are meat popsicles and die easily, despite the Broodlord having Horror; this power is rarely effective. I use my Stealers when I can take them with the Dataslate that allows them to enter the board in ruins/buildings. I recently took out four Basilisks in a single turn this way! However, because they will take at least one turn of regular shooting and another turn of Overwatch before getting to their targets, their survivability is questionable at best. I did not mention their expense in the context of this discussion, although it is certainly another significant consideration.
Lictors
Lictors…sorry cool minis, but you just won’t work for me. We are not talking Deathleaper here. We are talking elite choice Lictors. First, there are other choices (Zoeys, VThropes, Hive Guard) in the elite section that are much more effective for the points. Lictors, Zoeys, VThropes and Hive Guard are all about the same points. Would you actually want to spend points on Lictors when you have those other choices? Lictors can’t charge when they arrive from Deep Strike (although they don’t scatter) and will, like Stealers, take more than enough fire to put them down. They are only T4 and have a terrible saving throw. Except in a specialized, themed game, I see no reason to use them.
Hive Guard
Hive Guard. I know, that BS3 really nerfed these guys. I get that. Just like Pyrovores, however, they have their place in very specific situations. Like Pyrovores, I can drop a brood of Hive Guard (or two) next to some troublesome vehicles, and depending on my opponents, build, I can use them effectively. If he has Land Raiders I need to kill, how about some shockcannon love? I basically only need to hit, and then I have a 84% of taking off a hull point for each one. Taking two broods in a couple of Spores will cost a pretty penny, but it is one way to take out a Land Raider, and other armoured pests with an army that has a dearth of tank killing power. Remember as well, they can’t be Instant Killed with shooting, so they are certainly durable. Drop a few gribblies in front of them, and they have the potential to make people pay attention. If your opponent has support vehicles, like Chimeras, Rhinos, Wyverns, e.g., leave the shockcannons at home and unleash that S8 goodness! For those who might argue that Zoeys are much better at killing vehicles, hang on a minute. In terms of their weapons, that is true. Remember, however, that your Zoeys need to pass Psychic tests and your opponent has the chance to counter them. Not to say I don’t use Zoeys; that 3++ save and Lance shot are damn fine pieces of gear. Just that Hive Guard have a place.
Warriors
Finally, how about those Warriors? The major drawback, in many players minds, is that pesky T4. Yep, these guys can be Instant Killed with the appropriate shooting. It has caused, over the last couple of rules iterations, for the Warriors to become less viable in many Nid players minds. However, what I have seen is that most of my opponents don’t target these guys. I give them plenty else to shoot at, including tons of gribblies and a nice variety of MCs. I regularly use my Warriors for additional synapse depth and fire support with a couple of Barbed Stranglers (two broods with one apiece to clarify). I definitely believe that Warriors have a place in our Tyranids lists.
Verdict: broken/unusable units…not many. Broken rules, that is a whole other discussion!!!
What are your thoughts on these specific Nid units? Do you have any to add to the list?
