One of the major difficulties for the bio-magi trying to reveal the secrets of the Xenos threat, is that threat is evolving and mutating on a daily basis. When new bio-constructs appear, getting samples, eye-witness accounts and observing their function is only the first challenge because the Hive Mind is constantly using these constructs as foundations for different purposes forcing each hypothesis to be re-evaluated. These Mycetic Spore Pods are a prime example of the bio-diversity the Tyranid threat can bring to bear. The new spore pods had originally been seen delivering a variety of troops to the battlefield, disgorging monstrous beasts and chittering hordes as well as potent psychic terrors like the Doom of Ferron Proxima.
Most often they were discovered in areas close to the main Tyranid Hives, their designation identified through xenos bio-data sheets as the orbital transportation pods but on closer inspection some were found to be semi sentient weapons batteries. Producing fierce explosive rounds or a torrent of smaller scatter shots that whittled the eye-witnesses down to a man. These new discoveries are forcing the bio-magi to re-write their findings and reassess all their discoveries to date. What other bio-forms are being mutated into other entities to bring about the further subjugation of Ferron Proxima?
Alongside this new development there were rumours again that these pods may form some kind of Synaptic link for the Hive - extending it's range of influence as the smaller more feeble minded xenos spread out to forage for bio-matter and increase the Hive's territory. No evidence has been found to support this hypothesis but the bio-magi will not discount any possibility at this stage given the proven mutable factor of Hive Fleet Gorgon.
What has been proven though is the real change these pods are having to the surrounding landscape - they are changing the environment and polluting it with the foul alien DNA of the Xenos. These pods are effectively terra-forming the Ferron landscape to make it more suitable for the alien interlopers. Even the very aspect of the pods is against the nature of good clean Imperial design that is built on the crushed bones of the fallen, ferrocrete, steel, brass and adamantium. Alien flesh and chitin suffused with rank toxic ichor, fluids and tiny symbiotic builder organism constantly repairing the structures, it's obscene blasphemy and an affront to the Emperor's architectural tenets. These pods may yet be the most dangerous element in the alien assault, purge the alien, destroy on sight!
Though these are no longer used in actual gameplay (unless you create custom rules locally), I still think they made utterly fantastic objective markers and/or could work as part of a nid fortification.
ReplyDeleteYour nid color scheme is quite well done. It's great to see all the pieces of the army come together.
Thanks Gregg, I finally used them as Vengeance Weapons Batteries in a game the other week. They were literally 'hit and miss' using the Punisher weapon. I think next time I need to try the twin-linked Icarus and the Battle Cannon, they were very durable though and having a 5pt barricade [one of my Skyshield walls] placed in front at least made them slightly more difficult to assault.
DeleteAnyway, given all this 'unbound' nonsense for 7th where Jervis stated he wanted people to field models in their collection, to recreate the stories and fluff and do what we want I think Myceptic Spores may perhaps return to the fray.
Regardless, they do indeed make nice LoS blocking terrain pieces and go well with my Capillary Towers.
Dave,
DeleteHow tall are they? It's hard to see a sense of scale in the photos. I figured they were roughly the same size as the dooms.
I've yet to use any of the new fortifications. I think given the fact nids can't get twin linking as a power, your best bet is going to be a fortification with that as a default. BS3 without twin linking just doesn't cut it. (unless you play orks, then you think its the greatest thing ever!)
They're based on the Plasma Hatcher toys, which we were all amazed to discover is nearly the same dimensions as a Space Marine Drop Pod, it will obscure a Carnifex or an infantry Hive Tyrant. They're in use in this battle report: http://40kaddict.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/1500pt-battle-report-nids-vs-necrons.html
DeleteTwin-linked is a G.O.D.send but the punisher cannon dishes out 20 strength 5 shots. A weapons battery is BS2, but in Stronghold Assault rules you can upgrade to BS3.
Even at BS2 it was equivalent to a Mycetic Spore which for fluff reasons I'm quite comfortable with [like the deluded Ork player you mention], even if it misses a lot. Of course as Stronghold Assault gets rolled into 7th Edition it means their BS upgrade is normal rules so it means less 'liberties taken' by using SA rules, like adding the 5pt barricade could be.
They're actually a little bit bigger than the Doom's pod. His was smaller because it was just his ride!
DeleteWow those are giant sized! Deluded ork player? GREEN IS DA BEST! Just wait for the boyz to get their update!
ReplyDeleteOops, I honestly didn't click about who the Ork player was. When I say deluded I mean that in the best possible way ;) I wouldn't have put it if I'd known but in hindsight if one isn't being deluded when playing Orks I don't think folk are playing them right - surely that's the appeal! Ha, ha, we're all deluded for getting involved with this hobby anyways.
DeleteThey're indeed a healthy size but about right for fitting 20 Termagants, or 9 Warriors or a Carnifex inside.
You know you're playing orks right when you end up killing half your own army by accident.
DeleteI really hope the rumors of stormboyz being able to "assault" fliers is true. That's gotta be the most orky thing ever.
(oh and no harm or anything, I was just playing along for fun)