News: No news is good news...

Login  |  Register

Author Topic: Harpies  (Read 1639 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Locarno

  • Ork Boy
  • Lazerous Penguin
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6488
  • Country: 00
  • Could I interest you in a small bribe?
Harpies
« on: July 23, 2012, 03:07:07 PM »
So.... sell me on the harpy, if you have any good experience with it.

I've seen (not entirely convincing) rumours about the harpy model, which has got me wondering if it's worth the effort to field.

I can see that the flying monstrous creatures rules help the winged tyrant - like bloodthirsters and winged princes, anything which allows them to close the range quickly and begin dispensing smackdowns has to be good - but how does the tyranid list's bomber/gunship thing now fair?
Stories to read....
Songs of Earth
The Will to Survive Series

Tervigon Army List:
Games Played: 35
Termagants expended for the Hive Mind: ~2685

Offline mrspungebob

  • Lazerous Penguin
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2062
Re: Harpies
« Reply #1 on: July 26, 2012, 10:04:31 AM »
I have had some experience with them, in two games vs Necrons. First game was 1000p. I ran two heavy venom Harpies along with Warriors and a Prime and 2 single Biovores. I kind of screwed this game up, but the Harpies were remarkably hard to kill even when they were flying in the middle of the enemy's army. The second game was 1500p where I ran the same Harpy pair and a Flyrant with devourers. Those three flying MC's along with Biovores are awesome! He ran a quite Necron Warrior heavy list, so he had to spread out quite a lot to reduce the Biovore damage. Then those three MC's with their mobility, firepower and CC abilities of the Flyrant wreaked total havoc on one his flanks. When they were done, the Harpies flew straight into the middle of his army firing venom and Cluster spines at his Monolith, taking a hull point and a few nearby warriors and smash attacking it afterwards. Although I didn't manage to kill it, it showed the tank hunting abilities of the Harpies and he didn't manage to shoot them down afterwards. Next turn they flew onwards, both dropping their mines on the same nearby warrior unit, killing almost everyone (although 1/3 got back up again). Next, they shot away his warriors from his objective before he started to manage to hit them. Those S9 hits you take when you hit the ground hurt quite a bit... I won that game, and I have to say that it was a lot thanks to my flying wing.

All in all I think they are great, as long as they are used right. A single flying MC can be shot down, but when you have them in pairs or three, you might start to quickly saturate your opponents anti-air fire. And now with the hull points, the venom cannon can be really powerful, especially when combined with other things like their S10 smash attacks. I think two Harpies and a Flyrant plus Biovores to force spreading out troops is a keeper for my 1500p+ lists.
« Last Edit: July 26, 2012, 10:06:02 AM by mrspungebob »
"Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups"

"You know, the most amazing thing happened to me tonight. I was coming here, on the way to the lecture, and i came through the parking lot. And you wont believe what happened! I saw a car with the license plate ARW 357! Can you imagine? Of all the license plates in the state, what was the chance that i would see that particular one tonight? Amazing!" - Quote from Richard Feynman (physicist)

Offline Travellar

  • Lieutenant
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 618
  • Country: 00
  • Hey Farley, call headquarters.
Re: Harpies
« Reply #2 on: July 26, 2012, 11:18:26 AM »
was discussing them with a friend last night, and we reached the same conclusion about saturation of air defence.  As tank hunters they should be fair with a twin linked HVC.  As infantry hunters they ought to get out of hand between the Stranglethorn, vector strikes, spore cysts, and cluster spines.

Keep in mind that a FMC can fire in any direction, easily sidestepping the problems Flyers have with lining up multiple target firing passes.

I'm of the opinion that unlike a Winged Tyrant, Harpies should be kept in the air.  Tyrants need to be on foot to really devastate the enemy, but Harpies have so much firepower that close combat is their enemy.  Also, it makes it easier for the Harpies to draw fire for the Tyrants.
"he's either the most brilliant troll ever, or he's crazy." -Bloodhawk

Offline Locarno

  • Ork Boy
  • Lazerous Penguin
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6488
  • Country: 00
  • Could I interest you in a small bribe?
Re: Harpies
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2012, 04:48:18 AM »
Quote
I'm of the opinion that unlike a Winged Tyrant, Harpies should be kept in the air.  Tyrants need to be on foot to really devastate the enemy, but Harpies have so much firepower that close combat is their enemy.  Also, it makes it easier for the Harpies to draw fire for the Tyrants.

I'd concur on that one. They really aren't that much tougher than a tyranid warrior!

The 'crowd control' ability looks awesome, but I must admit that I keep looking at the heavy venom cannon. With tervigons and termagaunts a-go-go in my army, overwhelming mobs of infantry isn't really that high on the priority list, and something that can blow apart chimeras, etc before I reach them sounds nice. I don't know if the quantity of heavy venom fire required to glance most tanks to death would be a problem, though.

On the plus side, you've got the ability to vector strike lighter vehicles as well. As mrspungebob said, I'd guess the tank hunting role is fly in, firing venom shots, then dive and smash, dropping 2 S10 attacks. I think you're right that tag-teaming anything with 2 harpies is a must.

The thing is, they are way, way better as crowd control gunships. strangle/cluster volleys alone stand a fair chance of obliterating a light infantry unit per shooting phase...

The winged tyrant is also tempting, if only as a 'flight leader' - can't decide between double dakka or some talons. Plus, failing synapse with harpies could be annoying. Firstly you can't move - so no swoop, so no jink and no hard to hit - secondly you're likely to shoot at something totally inappropriate for your armament and thirdly if you have no target you'll celebrate by throwing yourself into dangerous terrain!

Stories to read....
Songs of Earth
The Will to Survive Series

Tervigon Army List:
Games Played: 35
Termagants expended for the Hive Mind: ~2685

 


Powered by EzPortal