Maybe somebody could enlighten why would one take barbed hierodule over scythed? Scythed has extra CC attack and the 2 extra attacks are TK over MW and it also has extra FF attack. Also boosted CC rating.

What does barbed have? 45cm range 2xAP3/AT4+ gun and that's it. Is that really such a benefit that one would take them over scythed? Seems tad expensive shooty unit and it's not THAT hot shooting either.

Maybe barbed should have FF extra attack or FF4+. Or am I missing something badly?

Not that I don't intend to have models for both(planning to convert box of tyranid warriors to 2 hierodules + vituperator) but seems like barbed would be used only when I use 2 hierodules.

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As a quick point many people use gaunts as opposed to Warriors for heirodule conversions. I can't speak for preference on either as i've kept my nid army 'pure' Epic40k era models only.
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I've always felt the barbed is the much better choice in the context of the list. The nids don't lack CC power, they do lack decent shooting, and getting scythed ones into CC is pretty difficult against a wily opponent.

Personally I'd only ever take the barbed ones. TK(1) is little different from MW in most cases, should you actually manage to get it into CC, and the shooting attack is hugely useful.

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Epic: Hive Development Thread

The 2xAP3/AT4+ isn't that hot though. Especially as formations will be doubling and marching a lot to get into engage range anyway.

And it's not so much TK though it helps but extra attack + extra attack in firefight. Scythed is also handier to have around when it comes to firefights oddly enough.

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Shrug.

Personally I've just seen them really struggle to make it to CC with only a 20cm move.

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Epic: Hive Development Thread

Aye, agree with zombocom, Barbed is the better option IMO.

Some extra close combat attacks is meaningless in a Tyranid army, a 45cm not half-bad ranged weapon is near priceless due to scarcity in the list.

And then you find the Barbed isn't half-bad in close combat either, shrug.

That ranged weapon allows you to put BM on the enemy, a possible +2 to you in the ensuing engagements.

Hell that ranged weapon allows you to Double move, and still have a decent chance of getting a kill, that's a big deal for the Tyranids!

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The Barbed is a perfect compliment to the Dominatrix. It can double and fire where needed at a good range and allow others to attack the unit that now has blast markers.

Regardless of what people think, triple moving Nids up and forgoing shooting does not always work. Making a balanced force will mean that you will take the Barbed over the Scythed most times.

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