40K: Imperial Armour Xenos Preview

Forge World is teasing units from the upcoming Imperial Armour Index: Xenos!

When Forge World announced they were going to have 8th Edition support, lots of Xenos folks were a tad concerned that their chosen forces were notably missing from launch day. They were quick to point out that the other factions (Xenos & Astra Militarum) were going to get some love by the end of June. Well now they are showing off a few units for the Xenos to give folks an idea of what they can expect:

via Warhammer Community

TYRANID MALANTHROPE

The Malanthrope came into favor last edition. It was a bigger, badder, tougher version of the Venomthrope. Its continuing that role in 8th and it looks to be even harder to kill thanks to the fact that it’s a Character with less than 9 wounds. That means picking this model out to shoot is going to be even tricker than firing at regular old Venomthropes – interesting, no?

ORK MEKA DREAD 

The Meka-Dread makes the case for running an all Walker Ork army even stronger. It’s got some Orky (see: Random) weapons on it, but I like the idea of just running it stock with two Rippa Klaws. The extra attack is nice and each one that hits is doing D6 damage. This thing has the potential to tear through most things in the game in a round. Backed by some more Orky mechanical mischief the Meka-Dread could be pretty effective on the tabletop!

XV109 Y’VAHRA BATTLESUIT

Wow – where to start with this one. The XV 109 certainly packs a lot of fire power and has some good options for keeping it up and running longer. (Shield Drones are going to be come the MVP of the T’au in 8th – just wait.) This Battlesuit is quick but it needs to be so it can unload it’s deadly payload. But with an 18″ move and Fly, even if you manage to charge it, the XV 109 won’t stay locked in combat for long. It’s a mean anti-vehicle suit and can do a number on horde units, too.

Forge World’s Imperial Armor: Forces of Xenos is due out by the end of June – just in time for the Global Campaign in July. Are you planning on picking up any of these units? What do you think about them?

Author: Adam Harrison

Writer, Editor, Texas Native, and now Tex-Pat, Adam covers all things Tabletop Gaming. Which includes Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, D&D, Board Games and everything else that involves dice, boards, cards and a table. A hobbyist, player, and collector of miniatures and games, Adam's current obsession are his Death and Chaos Armies for Age of Sigmar, his Blood Angels and Tyranids for 40k, an expanding collection of Marvel: Crisis Protocol minis, and his ever growing Arkham Horror: The Card Game Collection.