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apocalypse and the nid list
ragnarok
 Post subject: apocalypse and the nid list
PostPosted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 6:33 pm 
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I was wondering if any changes will be made to the nid list in light of unit abilities defined in apocalypse?

Looking though the datafaxi I don't see that many changes that need to be done.  though I shall go though them and say what I think is different (though not necessarily what I think need changing).

1) Hierophant bio-titan.

This wee-beastie is pegged at about the Reaver level of ability and cost.  Its' independently targeting bio cannons will shred any unit or tank they shoot.  It has a basic assault range 0f 18? with an extra D6 per bio cannon that it doesn?t shoot.

It?s survivability is what you would expect from a big spider.  Las-cannons and other small weapons bounce of it without any notice, heavier weapons (like pulsars) shred it.

Overall the epic rules represent this beast quite well.  Normal AT fire will have a hard time bringing it down but MW and TK weapons will kill it.  The only area in which it?s stats don?t match are its bio cannons.  8 S10 AP3 shots each is enough to shred any squad or vehicle.  AP3+/AT4+ doesn?t truly reflect this ability.  I think that 2+ for both is justifiable or even 2+AP/2+AT MW.  The bio-titan can also fire all around, representing that the cannons are independent symbiotes and can see their own prey.

2) Barbed Heirodule.

Anything said about the ability of the titan is also true of this beast and basically the same suggestion applies here as well up the ability of the bio cannons.

It could also be argued that the hierodule could do with a speed boost (since it is the same speed as the titan) or a reduction in speed and infiltrate, since it can tank shock enemy units out of the way.

3) Subterranean swarm and mycetic assault swarm.

These both represent secialised forms of troop insertion that don?t work with the rules mechanics of epic (since you can?t teleport in part of a unit) and the fact our swarms need synapse to lead them and these swarms don?t have synapse creatures (though a deep striking hierodule does sound fun).

4) Hive mind brood.

A hive tyrant and a gaggle of ?thropes.  They don?t add anything that wouldn?t be an extra special rule.  So shouldn?t be included.  Though looking at it made me think that since ?thropes are considered synapse in most cases in 40K, that they might do with being a special case uncommon brood creature.

Don?t allow them to be spawned back but allow them to

Either
add to the spawning in the swarm they are in
And/or
Give them a synapse control range.

This way their ability to help control large swarms is shown, but they still aren?t dedicated synapse creatures (more like second line back up creatures)

5) Endless swarm

Our ability to spawn cheap cannon fodder gaunts represents the endless swarm quite well.

So in concluding I think they only parts where epic isn't gelling with 40K are the weapon stats of the bio-cannons and possible the speed of the heiodule.

Not bad considering they seem to of rewritten the fluff on Necrons from xenology.

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Evil and Chaos
 Post subject: apocalypse and the nid list
PostPosted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 6:51 pm 
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Not bad considering they seem to of rewritten the fluff on Necrons from xenology.


The studio are currently working on a new Necron army book.

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Chroma
 Post subject: apocalypse and the nid list
PostPosted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:36 pm 
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(ragnarok @ Oct. 18 2007,18:33)
QUOTE
I was wondering if any changes will be made to the nid list in light of unit abilities defined in apocalypse?

I'm considering what, if anything, needs to be changed.

1) Hierophant bio-titan.

The problem with upping the guns on this thing (and anything else with Bio-Cannons) is that people start complaining that the Tyranids are getting "too shooty", even though the bio-guns they're shown having are incredibly deadly.

I've actually always been under the impression that Hiero/Hydraphants should have inspiring to reflect their spore clouds and horrifying nature as well... perhaps we'll need to start a debate! ?*laugh*

3) Subterranean swarm and mycetic assault swarm.
The Mycetic Assault Swarm can be easily created in the Phase III "Attack" list, and probably won't be making it into the Phase IV list.

With the Subterranean Swarm, I've been considering something else. ?You may, or may not, have noticed that I've taken to calling Synapse-lead swarms "Synapse Swarms", because I'd like to have the possibility of "Brood Swarms", which would be, essentially, one-shot swarms, unless Synapse got to them at the end of the turn.

So, as an example, a "Subterranean Swarm" consisting of 1-2 Trygons, plus 4-12 Raveners, and granted the tunnelling ability might be a good Brood Swarm. ?They'd be instinctive when they show up, but would have a good chance of assaulting and rampaging around. ?If they lack Synapse, well, they "go to ground" and into the "spawning pool", if a Synapse Group can get them, well, then they'll stick around.

4) Hive mind brood.
Will have to really think about changing up Zoanthropes like that... even though it's cool...

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ragnarok
 Post subject: apocalypse and the nid list
PostPosted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:11 pm 
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We could always say that synapseless broods can only march, double or engage and can't retain.

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Evil and Chaos
 Post subject: apocalypse and the nid list
PostPosted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:14 pm 
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Or we could get rid of the 'go to ground' clause, and apply a hefty initiative penalty if a Swarm has no Synapse creatures instead, whilst stripping away the 'may engage on a hold action' special rule?

Which would make the 'nids a lot more understandable, and cut away a decent chunk of special rules...




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Soren
 Post subject: apocalypse and the nid list
PostPosted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:53 pm 
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Especially the "Go to Ground" rule shows how `nids are functioning. If the Hive Mind is present, they are relentless, unstoppable killers, if the Hive Mind vanished, they are no more than any other predator seeking for the next meal (or even each other). This rule defines a weakness of the ?nids and should be present in the next list updates.

my 0,002 cent

Soren

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