- Gaunts (all types) have the "Without number" rule from the Tyranid Seeding Swarm list, meaning that they keep coming back after death. The full rules for Without Number can be found in the Seeding Swarm article either in a White Dwarf, or Chapter Approved book.
- Warriors can no longer be instant-killed, meaning that they are finally able to survive a bit of firepower rather than being gunned down in the first turn.
- Zoanthropes also benefit from the above, meaning that they also can no longer be instant-killed. This means that they will not be slaughtered in one shot by a lascannon or lucky missile shot.
- Phil Kelly also mentions a possible 8 Monstrous Creatures in one Tyranid army, meaning that the new codex has in no way killed off the "big bugs" lists that have been so successful in tournaments, regardless of how many people shout "cheese!" at them.
Friend of mine has seen the kit. It is indeed the size of a Rhino/Predator (the whole big as a Land Raider thing was perhaps a bit exaggerated lol), and it comes with 3 different backs. Not sure about the other two, but apparently one featured a back-mounted Spore Mine launcher, like the Biovore.
He took a gander at the beta rules for them as well. Stats are pretty much the same, but with more options now. I heard some folks mentioning the "tail" options for the big guy. This is apparently accurate. He (and the Tyrant I believe) have access to two different tail options - the Spike tail and the Mace tail. The Spike tail gives the tmc an extra 1d6 Strength 5 attacks per round. The Mace tail delivers a single Strength 8 whallop per round.
Apparently any shooting attack done by Tyranids will use a rule called "living ammunition". Tyranid ammo is really caustic, and in many cases, their "bullets" are actually living creatures - beetles and such - that continue to bore into you, even after it hits. Because of this, all Bug shooting attacks will be able to re-roll failed Wound rolls.
So all you Bug players who have like a zillion Termagaunts will actually be able to USE them now in an actual offensive capacity
Tyranid rumours for the new codex are a little scattered at the moment so I've done a little summary, if anybody feels I've missed anything please let me know.
The codex is due out around June/July 2005 with an armybox slightly earlier.
Hive Tyrant – New metal model (Winged Tyrants may become 0-1).
Tyrant Guard – New metal model (Said to look a little like massive biovores but very heavily set) No more shield or lash whips (weapon fit is unknown)
Quote:
The Tyrant Guard is probably the largest departure from the current model i saw. It is very bizzare. Take a carnifex (yes it is that big), and cross it with a Biovore, remove the shark-thingy on its back, and make its head tiny, and give it scything talons, and you have got your Tyrant guard.
Lictors – New metal model. A rough description can be found here.
Another description
Quote:
The Lictor, to put to rest any fears, is absoloutely cool. It combines the best features of both the old and the new. Its body is very similar to the current one, with a larger carapace (all the new bugs have bigger carapaces, extending over their heads, kinda like the old tyrant) but its scything talons are thinner versions of the old lictor claws. This new one has a long prehensile tail too!
Warriors – Remain as current in plastic (Rumours on amended sprues incorporating enough weapon options to fit out the models i.e. more rending claws etc).
Genestealers – New Multipart plastics (will resemble the models from the Battle for Macragge box, each sprue is said to have sixty pieces to create 4 stealers plus various options). Revised rules may include some form of “feel no pain” rule but this is TBC. 4 different heads and poses including the old style ymargl tentacle head
Gaunts – Remain in plastic as current (rumours about split boxes).
Rippers - Pincer mouthed version new model (Unknown if separate or revised on sprue).
Raveners – New models probably metal but plastic has been suggested. Said to resemble a giant Ripper. May gain deepstriking as a option.
Gargoyles – No information currently.
Carnifex – New multipart plastic model. May gain a form of revised rengerate as a upgrade. Said to be as tall as a dreadnought, as long as a rhino, and looking very very angry. New heads for the ‘fex can be seen here.
Quote:
Friend of mine has seen the kit. It is indeed the size of a Rhino/Predator (the whole big as a Land Raider thing was perhaps a bit exaggerated lol), and it comes with 3 different backs. Not sure about the other two, but apparently one featured a back-mounted Spore Mine launcher, like the Biovore.
He took a gander at the beta rules for them as well. Stats are pretty much the same, but with more options now. I heard some folks mentioning the "tail" options for the big guy. This is apparently accurate. He (and the Tyrant I believe) have access to two different tail options - the Spike tail and the Mace tail. The Spike tail gives the tmc an extra 1d6 Strength 5 attacks per round. The Mace tail delivers a single Strength 8 whallop per round.
Zoanthrope – New metal model
Quote:
The new Zoanthroape is very awesome. It is larger, and its head is MASSIVE, but flattened out a little, with alot more texture. Its brain is very detailed with all kinds of pulsating goodness. The coolest new feature has to be these weird back spines projecting from its carapace. its body is bulkier but more compact, and its long tail is gone. It has a stubby little one and floats over a sculpted peice of tyranid terrain!
Biovore – No information currently.
New unit – Brood Lord.
Quote:
And finally, I have no Idea what or when or why, but they had a genestealer Patriarch model. Basically a massive genestealer, about the size of the current Tyrant guard, rearing up. It had a set of Rending claws like the new stealers and a set of scything talons. lets hope it is a unit upgrade!
Said to come with a brood of Genestealer bodyguard.
New Rules and codex information
Create your own hivefleet section removed and the various upgrades incorporated into the main army list.
Synapse will become even more vital to the viablility of a Tyranid army including the probable elimination of hive nodes
Synapse will be immune to instant kill weapons. (If it’s just synapse creatures or including ones under synapse control is TBC).
Lesser creatures will suffer less from psychology and be harder to kill (possible revision of instinctive behavior chart).
Apparently any shooting attack done by Tyranids will use a rule called "living ammunition". Tyranid ammo is really caustic, and in many cases, their "bullets" are actually living creatures - beetles and such - that continue to bore into you, even after it hits. Because of this, all Bug shooting attacks will be able to re-roll failed Wound rolls. N.B. Brimstones note - Don't expect this to apply to all Nids it will either be a bio-wargear upgrade or apply to certain weapons/creatures only.
There have been other rumours but these were from playtest codicies and subject to much revision so will not be posted here.
