Geeking Out Over Bugs

Posted by Ranillon on 8. December 2009 20:19

(...which I suspect is more interesting than bugging out over geeks)

Games Workshop has come out with a bunch of new Tyranids -- including the new codex -- up on advanced order.  That makes for a great opportunity to talk about the models and generally what the posted pictures and material tell us about the new book (I am intentionally avoiding rumors in this case and going only with what GW has released).

First thing to notice is that GW has placed the new models in their catalog according to their type within the new codex -- and moved old units to match as well.  The end result gives us an updated list of what Tyranid unit goes where (new stuff is in italics):

HQ:  Hive Tyrants, Tyrant Guard
Elites: Pyrovore, Hive Guard, Lictor, Death Leaper, Venomthrope, Zoanthrope
Troops: Warriors, Genestealers, Termagants, Hormaguants, Broodlord, Rippers
Fast Attack: Raveners, Gargolyes, Red Terror
Heavy Support:  Trygon/Mawloc, Carnifex, Old One Eye, Biovore

Clearly GW is continuing their post-Dark Angels (sigh) policy of making sure new books come with cool new toys.  More interesting is this new list -- I like all the troop options (multi-wound Warriors as troops!), but don't like so many elite choices, especially when fast attack and heavy support are compartively meager. 

I assume that the returning old "character" models (Leaper, Red Terror, and One Eye) are unique examples of their core bug type.  No matter -- it's good to see them (now I have a reason to paint my Red Terror figure!). I guess everyone is going to have to bring a Hive Tyrant now whether they want to or not.  Thankfully, I already have two.  Finally, I feel sorry for the poor Zoanthropes -- unless they have been improved becoming elites will mean we we'll see even fewer of them now. 

Let's take a closer look at the new models or sculpts for old units (these are taken from the GW website -- click to biggen):

The Trygon/Mawloc:  This model makes me glad for the new book all by itself!  It looks great and is huge.  It's even plastic!  Guaranteed to be a centerpiece of most any bug army. 

The New Ravener -- Now in Plastic:  I like the figure, but mostly because it is so much like the old one which I also liked.  Still, moving to plastic is a virtue as the old metal ones were frustratingly top-heavy.

New Gargoyles -- Also in Plastic:  So much for my conversion project for flying bugs on the cheap, but it is hard to not like having gargoyles available in plastic.  The old metals ones were top-heavy and way too pricey for such a mediocre unit.  I hope the new rules justify taking some.  It would be even more cool if there turns out to be a way to take them as troops (say, with a winged tyrant).

Pyrovore:  Another great looking new model, but I am confused -- it sure looks like a big walking gun (biovores on alien steroids?) but it is listed as an elite.  Bwah?  That makes no sense unless the unit isn't just a big gun, but if that's true why make it look like just a big gun?

Hive Guard:  Yet another great new model...and yet another elite choice.  When I first saw these I thought they were alternative Tyrant Guard (as a second option, not replacement) and it might turn out to be best if they were.  I assume the gun must be fairly nifty as otherwise these units are a waste of time.  If it is effective I may have to rethink my general policy that shooty bug armies don't work.

Venomthrope:  Yes, it is another great new model.  My one worry is that it is apparently all metal.  That's going to make for an unbalanced model with a lot of bits that will inevitably snap off with use.  Be prepared to bring extra glue if you use one.  The Venomthrope is also yet another elite choice -- Good grief!  Come on, we couldn't have either the Venomthrope or Pyrovore as a heavy support choice instead?

Criticisms aside this stuff makes me eager to see the new codex and see the actual stats.  Gotta come up with some justification for buying the new models, after all.