Per discussions in this thread, consensus opinion is that the free reorganization of swarms during play is not necessary, is rarely used, and is generally confusing.

Opinions are divided on whether that should be replaced with a simple "merge-only" mechanic to allow uncontrolled swarms to be picked up by a Synapse Creature, or removed entirely, having the Swarms work like normal formations. Please vote your preference.

As always, this is for opinion purposes only. Final decision will be for the army champion(s) and as some of these polls my interact such decision may not match majority opinion in the polls. For example, both this and the "uncontrolled swarms" poll touch on the repercussions for killing synapse creatures and have to be considered together for total overall effect.

I'll leave the poll open for one week.

If synapse-less swarms are allowed, merging is less necessary. I have played Nids extensively and rarely use the option. Removing gaunts from swarms with blast markers to other swarms always feel a bit 'gamey' to me. Spawning generates enough tactical options in my opinion.

/Fredmans

Neal I think this poll needs some additional clarity. Are we voting on whether synapse swarms can toss brood creatures between them whenever they like (as in 9.2.1)? Or are we voting on whether synapse swarms can absorb a leaderless brood creatures (as in Onachus)?

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The latter - absorb only, as in Onachus. Clarified in the poll question.


To be clear, the exact mechanics of merging aren't necessarily a factor in the vote. As it stands, the only "merge only" rule is a full merge, taking all the BMs as well as units, and counting the original swarm as destroyed, so I would not expect this to be an issue.

The Onachus type.

I voted no, for my usual reason with Tyranids: The list is too complicated for elegant, quickly understandable gameplay.

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Another No, although assuming its coupled with Initiative penalty for synapseless swarms.

I say: Try it. If ot doesn't work, is to fiddly or isn't worth using then drop it.

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Everyone agrees. This question is in the context of an across-the-board simplification process that has pretty much unanimous support. The purpose of the poll is to find support on how to simplify, not that it needs simplified. You don't need to vote every proposal down to reinforce that decision.

Neal: I think it's more of a case of how much to simplify.

For the record, I didn't. :-)

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Sorry if I was grumpy.

I like the absorb idea, as it does nicely represent synapsless brood creatures instinctively falling back to their closest synapse.

Voted on this and all the rest.

No opinions as I would rather just have a list to play rather than prolong development.

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merge only is fine, as long as it is a full merge. remnants of a swarm without synapse absorbed in the next wave ? Yes sir.

So long as the merge is a simple one (get the units, the BMs, etc), I think it's fine. Given the strong penalty for synapse-less swarm, such a simple mechanism would give them some use still.