Tyranid Datasheets from Leviathan

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Alright!  We get to my 'Nids now!  It's still not the Index, but they should start sprinkling those out over the next two weeks or so.  As before, we've seen a lot of these datasheets, or at least parts of them, already.  But it feels like they've played the new Tyranid models a little closer to the chest than they did for Space Marines.

Let's see what's new!

RIPPER SWARMS

The first thing that immediately jumps out at me is that these are OC 0.  So Ripper Swarms will never be able to claim or steal objectives.  You'll probably want to use them to tie up and harass units.  Hopefully they'll be cheap enough to do that.  Although they hit on 5s at S2, they have SUSTAINED HITS 1.  So they can be a little swingy in combat.  They can also still take spinemaws, though you usually didn't.

They are still Deepstrike, meaning you can use them to harass opponents that leave their backfield open, such as tying up weapon teams or INDIRECT FIRE units.  And while they can't steel objectives themselves, their new Chitenous Horrors (Aura) ability makes it easier for your other units to take them.

SCREAMER-KILLER

The big boy!  We've already seen this, and unfortunately this Carnifex variant might struggle with hardened targets.  But it will absolutely shred any infantry it comes across, and probably many characters too.

PSYCHOPHAGE

Finally we get a full datasheet for this new monster.  At T9 and W10 with a 3+ Sv, its as tough as a Rhino.  But that's before its 5+ FNP!  Its weapons are aimed at a light infantry focus, though it will still be extremely effective against enemy Psykers.  A new bit of kit that probably isn't part of Combat Patrol is the ability to hand out 6+ FNP to nearby models.  So if you're leading an anti-infantry assault with some gaunts, this bug can get you there.

BARBGAUNTS

We now get the statline behind the weapon and ability.  At T4, W2, and a Sv4+, this model is an evolution somewhere between the Gaunt and the Warrior.  The tougher profile will hopefully make up for the low range on their weapons.  They also come in units of 5-10, so if you're worried about them being blasted off the board too quickly you can try and buff up the brood size.

TERMAGANTS

We now get the back of the Datacard and two pieces of disappointing news.  The first is that we're sticking with whole broods of any given weapon.  You still can't mix and match your guants like you did in prior editions.  The second piece of bad news is that they're now limited to 20 gaunt units.  Though we'll probably be able to take 6 units if we want to make up for this and keep our gaunt carpets.

NEUROTYRANT

I do wish this profile were a little tougher, considering how high priority this will be as a target.  Still, it's Leader, so it can hide among other units.  We get our new version of Psychic Scream, now as 2D6 shot TORRENT out to 18".  It's only S5 and AP-1, but D2.  So it can kill Space Marine Equivalents . . . but not easily.  But you're taking it for the special abilities.  It has two Psychic abilities, the first being a +1 to Hit for its Bodyguard Unit, and +1 to Wound against Battle-shocked targets.  The second was the one already previewed, making Shadow in the Warp more potent.  It also has that Synaptic Relays rule we saw before to keep two units in Synapse.

While I was expecting this unit might be able to join Zoanthropes, it can only lead Neurogaunts and Tyrant Guard.  I'm still not sure about Neurogaunts, so we'll have to see how they pan out.

VON RYAN'S LEAPERS

We've been waiting eagerly for this one two.  Their profile is squarely in the Tyranid Warrior range, but they move fast at 10".  They have three amazing rules with Fights First, Infiltrators, Stealth, and a 6+ Invuln, meaning these are going to be an immediate combat threat your opponent will have to plan around.  That combat is pretty intense too.  While their AP isn't the best, they get 6 attacks each on 3s.  And if that wasn't enough, they can use Heroic Intervention for free!

NEUROGAUNTS

We've already seen their meager profile, making them little more than ablative wounds and extra inches of synapse for bigger monsters.  Though they will be a little more threatening when lead by that Neurotyrant.

The unit can have up to 22 models in it and has Endless Multitude, allowing you to field a pretty decent swarm of them.  It's interesting, the unit allows for 1-2 Neurogaunt Nodebeasts, but other than being additional models these don't seem to do anything.

WINGED TYRANID PRIME

Finally we get the full reveal of the big man himself!  Well . . . middle man . . .

The Prime Talons continue the Tyranid tradition of low AP, though they at least hit at S6 and D2.  Other than that, it has the Prime profile we know and love, with the normal lost pip of armour for wings.  The Wings grant it Deep Strike, and it can extend the Shadow if necessary.  It grants SUSTAINED HITS 1 to the unit it Leads, and it has a 4+ Fight on Death.

However, it can only currently lead Gargoyles and Tyranid Warriors.  No reveal of Shrikes today.

FINAL CONCLUSIONS

I can't wait to get my hands on all my new bugs!  The stars of the show today were definitely those Von Ryan's Leapers.  Depending on how they're costed, they could be absolutely brutal!  I'm still the least sure about the Neurogaunts.  Their value will 100% be based on their point cost.  If they're cheap enough to take in big swarms, they could be good.  Otherwise, you'll want to stick to Tyrant Guard and Warriors.