I had a very exciting game yesterday afternoon fielding my Tyranids versus Tau featuring triple Riptides. The Tau player is a veteran so this was an excellent test match for the new Tyranids.
- ARMY LISTS -
Tyranids
Hive Tyrant:
Wings, Adrenal Glands, Twin Linked Devourers w. Brainleech Ammo
Hive Commander
Alpha Warrior: /Warlord
Maw Claws, Adrenal Glands, Flesh Hooks, Toxin Sacs
Deathleaper
3x Warrior:
Adrenal Glands, Flesh Hooks, Rending Claws
2x Deathspitter, Barbed Strangler
13x Genestealer & Broodlord: (attached to Alpha Warrior)
Toxin Sacs
13x Genestealer & Broodlord:
Toxin Sacs
20x Devilgant
Trygon Prime:
Toxin Sacs
Tyrannofex:
Regeneration
Rupture Cannon
Warlord Trait - Night Vision
Psychic Powers:
Flyrant - Catalyst & Warp Blast
Zoanthrope - Catalyst & Warp Blast
It's After Me! - Deathleaper reduces the Ethereal's leadership to 7.
Tau (To the best of my recollection)
Ethereal /Warlord
Commander:
Iridium Suit, Multi-Spectrum System, Control Node, Multi-Tracker
Missile Pod, Fusion Gun
8x Marker Drone (attached to Commander)
12x Fire Warrior
12x Fire Warrior
12x Kroot:
Kroot Hound
12x Kroot:
Kroot Hound
Riptide:
Stim Injector, Early Warning Override
Ion Accelerator, Missile Pods
Riptide:
Stim Injector, Early Warning Override
Ion Accelerator, Missile Pods
Riptide:
Stim Injector, Early Warning Override
Ion Accelerator, Missile Pods
3x Broadside:
2x Railgun, High Yield Missiles, Missile Pods, Velocity Trackers
Hammerhead:
Commander Longstrike
Railgun, Submunition Rounds
Aegis Defense Line:
Quad Gun
Warlord Trait - Night Fight
MISSION—Emperor's Will
DEPLOYMENT—Hammer and Anvil
I won both the roll to choose my deployment zone and to go first, opting to go second.
Tau
My opponent deployed with Ethereal, Fire Warriors and Hammerhead back in his left corner behind the defense line. Riptides and Broadsides deployed to his left with the suits holing up in a small multi level building. Commander and marker drones deployed centrally.
Infiltrators and Reserves
- One squad of Kroot would infiltrate and the other would outflank.
Tyranids
I deployed the Flyrant, devilgants and Zoanthrope behind a huge line of sight (LoS) building in the right corner along my short table edge. I deployed the Tyrannofex behind a short wall within range of synapse to the Hive Tyrant.
Infiltrators and Reserves
- One genestealer brood would infiltrate and the other brood with Alpha Warrior would outflank.
- Warriors outflank.
- Trygon Prime and Deathleaper both deep strike.
Infiltration
I won the roll and opted for my opponent to deploy first. The Kroot infiltrated 18" away from my Tyrranofex (on the edge of the big hill in the middle of the battlefield). I then infiltrated my genestealers 12" away from the Kroot beside the Tyrranofex and behind the wall (out of LoS).
Objective Marker Placement
Tau - Inside the Aegis Defense Line
Tyranids - Behind the huge hill in the middle of the battlefield
I attempted to seize the initiative but failed.
Pre Game Analysis
This game was an excellent opportunity to use Tyranid adaptive tactics in the form of disruption units. The Trygon Prime, outflanking genestealers with the Alpha Warrior and Warriors come in denying as much line of sight as possible, forcing the Tau to use a significant portion of their shooting via Interceptor on the three Riptides. I expect to suffer some losses but if the majority of the broods arrive simultaneously there should be enough left to strike back. These broods will either go after the Fire Warriors or Riptides|Broadsides depending which side of the table they arrive. Tying up and eliminating the Riptides and Broadsides is a big key to winning. The Trygon Prime will go solo hunting the Fire Warriors... It's risky but could be a real game winner of the monster can pull it off.
The rest of my army must defend my objective marker and act as a deterrent to any Tau units making a play for Line Breaker.
No Night Fight
1st Turn - Tau
The Kroot move up a bit to target the Tyrannofex. The Commander with his marker drones move up to light up the beast but are out of range. Every gun in the Tau army that has range targets the Tyrannofex... When the smoke clears the beast is left standing with three wounds.
1st Turn - Tyranids
The Zoanthrope attempts to cast Catalyst but fails. The Flyrant successfully casts Catalyst on itself and the genestealers.
The Flyrants zooms over behind the wall with the Tyrannofex and genestealers. Genestealers pour out from behind the wall heading straight towards the Kroot.
The Tyrannofex targets the Hammerhead, scoring a pen and a glance. My opponent fails both cover saves and the Hammerhead explodes for First Blood killing a couple Fire Warriors in the ensuing blast.
Genestealers assault the Kroot and wipe out the unit.
2nd Turn - Tau
The outflanking Kroot arrive and come in right beside my devilgants and Zoanthrope. The Commander and his marker drones move forward to light up my genestealers. The Riptides shuffle around to better target the genestealers.
Shooting then commences - the Kroot target the Zoanthrope and drop him. Only the Broodlord manages to survive the rest of the shooting and passes his break check.
2nd Turn - Tyranids
The devilgants are in a precarious situation with no nearby synapse but I roll a 6 for the instinctive behavior (IB) test so they are okay.
In from reserves comes the second brood of genestealer along with the Alpha Warrior, Warriors and the Trygon Prime. The Trygon Primes makes a risky play deep striking into the middle of the Fire Warriors and does not scatter. The two broods both come in right beside two of the Riptides and Broadsides.
My Flyrant successfully casts Catalyst giving himself and the Tyrannofex Feel No Pain. The lone Broodlord successfully casts The Horror on the Broadsides and they fail their pinning check (w00t).
THe Flyrant then glides back over beside the termagants. The genestealers and Warriors come in spread formation to deny enemy LoS using as much cover as possible. Devilgants line up to shoot the Kroot.
The three Riptides use Interceptor dropping roughly one third of the genestealers and one Warrior... Not bad, plus they can't shoot their next turn... But there is a huge gap (over 6") in the genestealer line which will make it hard to multi assault two Riptides and the Broadsides my next turn. The quad gun then intercepts the Trygon Prime and drops one wound.
The Tyrannofex targets the Broadsides and manages to pop one and they barely pass their morale check. Devilgants obliterate the Kroot. Genestealers then run to close the gap but only manage a couple inches. Finally the Trygon Prime let's loose his electrostatic shock attack and drops three Fire Warriors but unfortunately it's not enough for a break check.
3rd Turn - Tau
The pressure is on now... Tyranids are up in their grill and they can't shoot most of their guns. The Riptides shuffle back running from the incoming horde... Most of the Tau don't have LoS or range to my units. The Broadsides snap fire and totally fluff it... However the Fire Warriors manage to drop the Trygon Prime with some markerlight assistance.
3rd Turn - Tyranids
The Deathleaper fails to show.
The Flyrant holds his ground for now while the termagants shuffle back a bit. The lone Broodlord drops back behind the huge hill holding my objective marker. Genestealers move forward back into coherency along with the Warriors, both broods ready to assault. The Tyranid Prime detaches from the genestealers and joins the two remaining Warriors.
The Tyrannofex regenerates a wound then pops two shots into a Riptide dropping one wound from the giant hovering robot.
Big Money Time - I can only assault two Riptides. Genestealers charge the wounded Riptide and the Warriors charge another. Overwatch drops a couple genestealers. Genestealers bring their prey down to one wound... The giant robot lands two wounds in return though and passes its break test. The Tyranid Prime and his two Warriors inflict three unsaved wounds but again the Riptide lands two wounds, splattering both Warriors.
So one engaged Riptide is down to one wound and the other is down to two. Not bad overall but I sure wish I could have multi assaulted those Broadsides. Riptides are very tough.
Mid Game Analysis
I'm currently in a good position... Two Riptides are locked down in melee and the rest of the Tau don't have range or LoS to my unengaged broods. I'm ahead on First Blood and the lone Broodlord holding my objective marker is safely tucked away behind the big hill for now. The Tyrant is going to have to come out and join the fight... It hurt losing the lone Zoanthrope early on as that was my primary synapse bubble for my backfield. Only a Riptide or the Tau Commander have a chance at taking Line Breaker, so I need to keep an eye on them.
4th Turn - Tau
The Commander and his marker drones flank over to my left and the unengaged Riptide moves forward trying to gain better LoS into my backfield. Tau shooting is uneventful.
I am unable to bring down either Riptide in close combat. One Riptide wounds the Alpha Warrior and the other splats a couple more genestealers. I do manage to bring the other Riptide down to a single wound as well. It would have probably the game right there if I could have killed either one.
4th Turn - Tyranids
Deathleaper comes in automatically from reserve. I make a mistake and place him in the building with the Broadsides... Really dumb move as you'll see.
The Tyrant zooms out from behind the building landing in terrain and draws a bead on the unengaged Riptide. The Tfex comes forward a bit as well to maintain synapse with the Tyrant... So do the devilgants.
Deathleaper fires his fleshooks into the Broadsides for no wounds. Tfex targets the unengaged Riptide with his Rupture Cannon and also fails to inflict any wounds. The Tyrant first casts Warp Blast, scoring a wound on the unengaged Riptide... He then unloads one Devourer scoring yet another wound.
The remaining genestealers and their Broodlord manage to drag down one Riptide while the Alpha Warrior fails to strike the killing blow and is pulped to death by the angry Riptide—my opponent now has Slay the Warlord. The genestealers consolidate onto the big hill while the victorious Riptide moves forward a bit.
The game is now tied - we both hold our objectives, I have First Blood and my opponent has Slay the Warlord.
5th Turn - Tau
This will be a pivotal turn and lots of things are up for grabs... The game could go either way and the Tau appear to finally have the upper hand.
The Commander and his marker drones get a little aggressive moving deeper into my right flank towards the lone Broodlord (holding my objective). The Riptide with four wounds remaining drops back and the other Riptide (single wound left) moves forward.
Broadside paste the Deathleaper with missileside (no cover and twin linked can do that even when only snap firing). One Riptide focuses on the genestealers but their Broodlord survives intact with full wounds. The other Riptide targets the Tyrant (zooming) and manages to drop two wounds... Tyrant passes his grounding test like a boss. The Commander then fires both his missile pod and fusion blaster at the other Broodlord (holding my objective) but fails to bring him down.
5th Turn - Tyranids
The Tyrant successfully casts Catalyst granting itself FNP along with Tfex.
The Tyrant then abandons the Tfex and devilgants, dropping down into glide mode towards the single wound Riptide. Devilgants go into spread formation moving straight ahead. The intact Broodlord drops back behind the big hill to hold the objective while the single wound Broodlord and Tfex both move straight towards the Commander|marker drones.
The Tfex regenerates another wound then drops a couple marker drones with his big boom stick. The Tyrant elects not to shoot the single wound Riptide and gets ready to charge the giant robot.
First the Tfex attempts to charge the Commander—I roll snake eyes for his charge distance... Overwatch does nothing. The Broodlord then attempts an assault and also fails to reach them... wow. The Tyrant then charges the Riptide, tearing into bits and pieces—he then consolidates into cover.
It's still anybody's game. We roll for a sixth turn and it's on like Donkey Kong !
6th Turn - Tau
The lone Riptide backs up to make sure it's outside the Tyrant's charge range while the Commander and his drones skirt back as well.
Both the last Riptide and Broadsides hit the Tyrant with everything they've got and the beast manages to survive with only it's last wound left. Again the Commander is unable to take down the rapidly pursuing Broodlord ! They use their jetpacks for the assault move but roll poorly.
6th Turn - Tyranids
The Tyrant attempts to cast Catalyst and up pops box cars... Dead.
The Tfex passes it's IB test but the devilgants fail and break.
Both the Tfex and Broodlord chase after the Commander and his drones.
Again the Tfex regenerates back a wound (up to six again) and drops another marker drone with the Rupture Cannon.
The Tfex makes the charge this time but the Broodlord fails yet again. Two drones are smashed to death, the Tau fail to wound the behemoth but pass their break check.
We roll for a seventh final turn and the game ends. We both hold our objectives, I've got First Blood... The Tau have both Slay the Warlord and Line Breaker (Commander and drones), so they win by a single point.
Post Game Analysis
I made a few mistakes this game and that is partly due to playing a new codex. The two big mistakes were where I placed the Deathleaper and casting a psychic power with only one wound left on the Tyrant. It was very close at the end and could have gone either way. Even though I lost I felt like my army performed well.
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