'nids part 126 - PROJECT Y Scratchbuilt Tyranid Skyshield Landing Pad pt8.

Whilst I was taking some pictures of the Skyshield I thought I might as well let the new owners have a bounce on the trampoline.* Here we have 30 Termagants, a Quad Gun [which may reside here thanks to a nearby Aegis] and their Tervigon Brood mother. Plenty more room for more gaunts, just ripe for an apocalyptic barrage ;)

One thing to note is without walls I can overhang some of the bases should I wish to be shady, although I suppose a normal Skyshield can also hold more, when it unfurls it's walls.

PeteB had an interesting matchup against someone running a Skyshield with his nids. He also had a Venomthrope in there and was taking a 2+ cover save. I was adamant this wasn't possible as the Skyshield offers a 4+ invulnerable and that wouldn't stack with the Venomthopes Shrouded rule.

However, in the discussion I kind of realised that with the shields up you probably are entitled to a cover save. Now you'd probably have it as 4+, because it's pretty much like an Aegis but technically Fortifications offer a 3+ cover save [BRB pg18] so you could claim a 1+ [although it would essentially be a 2+ given you always fail on a 1] cover save. So, having been convinced he'd been swindled I kind of reversed my way of thinking, what do others think?

   

Another interesting note is that Stronghold Assault suggests that when buying Fortifications as Network the rules for deploying the components that must be in touch with each other is expanded to inlcude other parts of the Network. therefore I could position half my Aegis Defence line on one side of the Skyshield, touching one of the Capillary Towers and then continue the line the other side of the landing pad. Why you would choose to do such a thing - leaving a big gap to access underneath the pad is deebatable but it's an interesting option for deployment depending on the terrain already on the board.

Other interesting aspects of the Skyshield is that unlike a Bastion there is no Armour Value for this structure so you cannot target, or destroy it. Additionally anything underneath the pad cannot be targeted by Barrage weapons. The weapon will hit the upper surface alone, therefore should you face someone with an Apocalyptic Barrage weapon there is a safe place to hide. Seriously, we're reduced to skulking again!?

There are a lot of other unique and interesting things to learn about with Skyshields and I think Apocalyptic Productions really has the most comprehensive overview of their strengths and weaknesses. Obviously there are extra bits to consider given the Stronghold Assault addends but I thoroughly recommend checking it out.

   

As a Tyranid player who believes in Fortifications I'm convinced the Skyshield is going to be something worth considering in our arsenal. A lot of Tyranid lists are beginning to feature Bastions, something that was very much dismissed prior to the new Codex. I'm not saying their emergence is a mistake, there is LoS blocking potential that a Skyshield cannot provide. But, they are more vulnerable, when destroyed your opponent can gain a VP. They can now be targeted without being occupied - when you purchase them they're classed as claimed so can be targeted, although you do get Automated Fire without requiring it to be occupied. Additionally gun emplacements on the battlements become Emplaced Weapons, therefore also get auto fire and there are more options to upgrade - increase BS to 3, add Void Shield Generators and the escape hatch for last minute dashes for objectives...

A Skyshield is not subject to a number of these negatives and although it doesn not have access to the upgrade that Invulnerable Save is highly valuable in a game that is introducing as many Ignores Cover weapons as it can think of.

With Throne of Skulls under 2 months away I'm really excited I'll get the opportunity to field as much of my scratchbuilt Tyranid Fortifications as I can. Currently I'll be spending around 250pts but I may try and fit more in to have the escape hatch and perhaps a VSG on the Bastion.

   

Ultimately these are all about keeping my soft and squishies alive long enough to reach turn 5 at least.

So, there we have it. I'll try and get the walls done but we'll have to see how the other bits [more Termagants :( ] go first.

Tyranid Capillary Towers | part 1. | part 2. | part 3. | part 4. | part 5. | part 6. | part 7. | part 8. | part 9. |

part 10. | part 11. | 

Tyranid Skyshield Landing Pad | part 1. | part 2. | part 3. | part 4. | part 5. | part 6. | part 7. | part 8. |

 
Trampoline* Back when I was uber obsessed with Google maps I noticed so many trampolines in folks back gardens. Occasionally I'd get the compulsion just to start plotting them on a map. I know, it's weird but once you start it becomes quite addictive, when do you stop. Anyway, feel free to try it out and add some trampolines, the map is open to anyone to amend. Team GB actually has some successful trampolinists but from this evidence we should rule the world!

'nids part 125 - PROJECT Y Scratchbuilt Tyranid Skyshield Landing Pad pt7. TO DONE!

The Tyranid Skyshield Landing Pad is pretty much done. Aside from the walls its complete in all it's gory glory.

It's very much what I originally planned, there are some compromises but I think it's all ended up fairly well. I know there are some alternatives I could have pursued - using clear perspex for the pad and adding the Capillary support strands as Milliput on top and underneath so it was transparent. It certainly wouldn't have warped, but in truth that's something I could still do, or anyone wishing to follow in my footsteps.

I was a little worried when it came to glossing and adding the blood effect. My combination matt varnish made up of Army Painter Anti-shine and DoCraft Matt Varnish had created a complete flat matt finish which was wonderful to behold. I was using the Gloss Varnish from my Best Painted win at the Scythe and Teacup to coat it afterwards, a bit of an unknown paint from Miniature Paints. Luckily none of the bits where it pooled ended up opaque, I tried very hard to dab away any excess. 

I actually got through pretty much my entire bottle of Tamiya Clear Red X-27. I was upset recently to learn ModelZone, the local model shop in Manchester where I got it from, has since gone bust so I'll have to source it online.

But the end result is worth it and adds yet another dimension to the colours and the end result.

I tried to apply it deliberately so I didn't remove all the hard work in putting highlights on the model. I've no idea if that edge works as a bunch of muscular fibre strands, it's really just an inconsequential texture, I thought about adding a Bonewhite edge similar to the Sphincter ring but I think it works better as flesh.

Still surprising myself ;)

When you look back at the process of making this you'll see I was very particular about ensuring the correct tower went on the correct slot. Suffice to say when I started painting I thought I was being careful to preserve that. However, I'd somehow numbered the anchor points anti-clockwise instead of clockwise. So, when I first came to add the towers I had to force them on, scuffing the paintwork on the edges and with quite large gaps on the join. When I realised my mistake the towers went on so much better, as they'd been designed to do.

Still, some of the joins are a bit wide. Obviously something went a little haywire here, it's not too bad and when the walls go on their tolerances are much tighter and will most probably hide any of these gaps altogether.

The same gap, nevermind. It's the bigger gaps between the fibre bundle support strands and the towers that are more annoying, so much for being careful.

Although this join is so much better. There's still a bit of a gap to the support strand. I'd hoped to sculpt these so the tower butted up perfectly to the strand but these were always guestimates as the added Milliput, clay and warping would change the shape greatly.

Here's my big blue tick, for getting it done! Come back tomorrow for some bonus pictures of it with troops onboard ;)

Tyranid Capillary Towers | part 1. | part 2. | part 3. | part 4. | part 5. | part 6. | part 7. | part 8. | part 9. |

part 10. | part 11. | 

Tyranid Skyshield Landing Pad | part 1. | part 2. | part 3. | part 4. | part 5. | part 6. | part 7. | part 8. |

1500pt battle report - nids vs Orks - Escalation!

Bother, I went and lost my sheet with my Psychic Powers on, so much for a fully featured Battle Report. Still, I'll try and make do. I think it was Kill Points with Vanguard Strike as the setup. I got and Escalation Warlord Trait to Deep Strike on target within 6" of the Stompa.

Ben had a Stompa [and I had nothing to harm it! ;) ] and Ghazkull in a trukk with a bunch of Nobz.

I had both Flyrants Deep Striking and in reading the rules there no longer seems to be a caveat that for Hive Commander to work the unit must be on the table. It just states "for each Hive Tyrant with this upgrade, choose a single troops selection from the same detachment [what other detachment would we have...? We have no allies GW!]. All models in the selected unit gain the Outflank special rule'. So by my understanding as soon as you add the upgrade you can then apply it to a unit, as if you were specifying they were arriving from reserve either by Deep Strike or walking on, you have to specify and then follow through with that decision. Anyway, 30 Termagants and the CC Tervigon were coming on from Outflank thanks to this and the Flyrants were going to Deep Strike behind the Stompa and hopefully 24 Devourer shots would glance it bad...  

OK, what?! That Stompa can move 12"! Good lord, it's like Usain Bolt! Thankfully I've got my Bastion between it and my frail little gribblies.

Well, except my Quad Gun, which was out in the open where it would have decent field of fire when I got to it. And thuse was pretty much the only thing that could be shot, so it was, and it was destroyed. A couple of other gaunts were targeted, with blast weapons, that conveniently deviated, clipping the bastion and I think removed 2 Armour Points and destroyed the right Heavy Bolter. The Tervigon that was also clipped saved thanks to the 3+ cover save from the Fortification.

   

In retaliation I took down the Trukk, taking a couple of Nobz with it. 

Ghazkull just jumped out of the wreckage eager for a scrap.

I decided to bog down the Stompa with my Termagants, managing to assault it! Insane little critters, that's the Hive Mind for you. I also spawned some Termagants - 5 and spawned out, that's 'over-powered' Tervigons for you, something should do something about them ;)

Ha, ha, David's and Goliath!

S, that didn't go down to well, 6 or 7 dead.

   

And then the Nobz come in and chop them to pieces.

The only thing saving me now is that Bastion, stopping the Stompa from getting to my Tervigon, Hive Guard and Biovores. Luckily he can't attack it because it's unoccupied [although the Ben was particularly pleased to discover that Stronghold does in fact now allow non-occupied buildings to be targeted, since as you purchase it it is considered 'claimed' and all 'claimed' buildings can be shot or assaulted. Of course, Aegis Defence Lines and Skyshield Landing Pads do not have Armour Values so can't be targeted, it's a full on weapons race this!]. So we're reduced to skulking and hope the Flyrants can break the deadlock.

The Tervigon arrives, on the wrong flank!

Warlord comes in on target, thanks to Warlord Trait, second Tyrant also arrives. Spore Mines also arrived and I think I totally misinterpreted the rules and thought they could blow up on arrival, but I don't think the four mines even glanced the back of the Stompa but did kill an Ork or two.

Tervigon spawned, not sure how many, looks about 8 and I think the Biovores may have got lucky against the Big Shootas in the wrecked Aquila Lander.

Whereas the Flyrants were appalling against the Stompa, I think only managing one glance on it's rear armour with around 20 hits [ I think one of the Tyrants managed 11 of his 12 shots!].

And the Grots turned up!

I repositioned my back field, managed to get some Biovore shots on the Grots but they stubbornly stayed on the board.

Both Flyrants were shot out of the sky and just riddled with bullets, killing one.

The Tervigon was wounded and it's spawn reduced to two.

The Stompa continued blasting away and killed the Warlord too :(

But the scuttling horde mindlessly continued with the 30 remaining Terrmagants arriving from the right flank

I think this was a saving throw, I think those two ones are probably not good for me!

Looks like somebody is leaving in a mangled mess, I think it's the plain Tervigon

I somehow managed to get my Tervigon into combat with the Stompa. Let's see how these super-charged Armour-Baned Crushing Claws do against it...

Yeah... no damage.

And that's what I get for going toe-to-toe with a 'Lord of War'. looks like my Termagants were thinned out a bit too.

That looks like another poor save.

And the Biovore's fate looks sealed too.

I was roundly slaughtered. Apologies, for some of the vagaries, I really should have written this up sooner and having the army list with the result on would have helped. I'm pretty sure I was able to put 3-4 glances on the Stompa gaining me a VP. I'm not sure if I was on 3 or 5 by the end, but Ben was on a stupid amount. With hindsight I should have just ignored the Stompa but when it comes lumbering towards you and you've got four S8 Impaler Cannon shots you feel obliged to have a go given they're pretty much the only thing I have that can damage it. I'd have been better off taking the Boyz down.

Once again I can't categorically state that the new Codex was the reason for my loss, I think the Stompa pretty much took care of that. Ben didn't struggle too much against my 'horde' though but I certainly found the most annoying thing was my Bastion - a massive obstacle to steam rolling my back field. I'm sure his intense scrutiny of the Stronghold Assault rules and discovery he'll be able to target it in the future is evidence of why it was my MVP, practically the only thing that kept my nids alive.

Another learning experience though, we'll add it all to the Hive Mind. Incidentally Otty played him the next day, a couple of Tyrranofex taking the Stompa down with some lucky penetration rolls that did multiple Hull Point damage. So Ben is still going to give the Stompa a new lick of paint but if it continues to be a liability he may well drop it, especially as he's just picked up a KillBlasta tank off ebay for around half price!