I finally got my first game in with the new codex. Due to time constraints we only tested it at 500 pts, which is frustrating and not really conclusive of anything, but here you go:
Game 1 - 500 pts versus TauTyranidsDeath Leaper
8 genestealers + broodlord
8 genestealers + broodlord
TauCadre Fireblade
(3) 6-man firewarrior teams
(1) 5-man pathfinder team
(1) Piranha
(1) 3-man stealthsuit team
MissionPurge the Alien
DeploymentDawn of War
Basically, Deathleaper (without any synapse) failed his IB tests 4/5 turns and eventually fled off the board, but not before he killed the piranha. In hindsight, I should have gone to ground each time I failed the IB roll.
The genestealers infiltrated into cover on the left flank opposite pathfinders. I was fortunate enough to roll Iron wood on the mysterious terrain table getting a 3++ save in cover. I used the broodlords to cast Horror on the pathfinders and nearby (supporting fire) fire warriors. He denied the witch 2 times (which was annoying) but I assaulted the pathfinders on turn 3, eventually working my way down the fire line. I challenged Fireblade with the broodlord and killed him outright. My opponent never quite finished off either genestealer squad (ended with a squad of 1 and a squad of 2) so only got 2 points for slay the warlord and a VP for killing Deathleaper (even though Deathleaper ran off the board voluntarily). Tyranids won 8-2.
Game 2 - 500 pts versus NecronTyranids2 Tervigons
13 Termegaunts
14 Termegaunts
Necron5 warriors, 1 lord in a ghost arc
5 warriors
Annihilation Barge with Overlord
MissionEmperor's Will
DeploymentHammer and Anvil
1 tervigon (warlord) took domion and rolled FnP 5+ warlord trait
other tervigon rolled Catalyst (FnP 6+)
I abandoned my objective early on, attempting to flood his zone with gaunts. The tervigons both spawned twice before gumming up, but they spawned a lackluster total of 34 gaunts. I sent the last spawned squad back to hold my objective. As soon as they reached it (in a razerwing forest) they went to ground so my tervigon could support the front line.
He sent the annihilation barge out to strafe over my gaunt lines. I was able to Smash him with 2 tervigons. They both missed the first time. Then they killed him, but he stood back up. Finally on turn 4, they killed him, and smashed the barge to pieces taking a few gaunts out in the explosion. He thinned the ranks of gaunts quite a bit, but eventually the tervigons assaulted the ghost arc and smashed it to pieces. Finally the game ended with 2 tervigons (with only 2 wounds on one), and a handful of gaunts from 4 different squads closing in on his objective. I had first blood, slay the warlord and line breaker, and we each had an objective. Tyranids won 6-3.
Discussion- I really don't think the genestealers should have won. You can't rely on iron wood 3++ saves to show up and had it not been for them, they would have been shot to pieces long before they assaulted.
- I just can't believe Deathleaper (a named HQ) needs synapse. That blows my mind. Next time I will run a Tryanid Prime in a warrior squad. and maybe some shrikes.
- The Tervigon list was a much better list for 500 pts. Even with lackluster termegaunt-spawning, there were enough that he couldn't shoot them all. The FnP rolls were essential (along with using cover). Had he not assaulted me with the barge, things might have gone differently. I'd say this list suffers from lack of mobility.
Comments? Anyone else have a good 500 pt list?