9th Edition Tyranids Codex Speculation

[Xenith]

So based on the rumours for Genestealer cults, some weapons are being changed:

 

Rending claws go to +1S, 6 to wound is D2

Monstrous rending claws is +2S, D3/4, and lose the reroll to wound.

 

Genestealers go to 4A base, instead of flurry of claws.

 

With these changes, we can maybe guess that the unit size locked bonus rules might also be disappearing. If the claws keep the -1ap then they might turn into reasonable marine killers. On the other hand, this is basically the same as the current toxin sacs rules (+1D on a 6 to wound), so can we assume that ToxSacs are getting a rework also?

 

Are there any other scraps of info out there?

[Azekai]

Rending claws sort of have to work that way, otherwise they don’t kill marines. What is the point of rending armor if you bounce off 2w infantry and die on the backswing?

 

I know some people like ‘stealers, but they are borderline nonfunctional with how they work now. A fragile unit that lacks punch. Glad to see them getting some help.

[Arson Fire]

I found those rumors a bit questionable. They first appeared in a reddit post made a couple of months ago, and look suspiciously like they were just someone wishlisting.

There's already holes starting to appear in them, like they said the new custodes character was going to have a mechanic like litanies, which doesn't seem to be the case.

 

I've seen some people are getting them mixed up with the release schedule leaks from a little while earlier, which have proven themselves to be accurate, and are thinking these rumors must be accurate too. But they're from a different source.

 

 

I think a much more interesting scrap of info is the warlord trait from the new octarius supplement which mentions it applies to INFANTRY, SWARM, and BEAST units. Tyranids don't currently have any units with the BEAST keyword, so it's a hint of something that will appear in the next codex. As presumably this leviathan supplement is designed to work alongside it.

 

In past editions, Raveners were beasts. Also hormagaunts were at one point (4th ed), although I'd be a little surprised if hormagaunts changed from infantry.

Edited November 5, 2021 by Arson Fire

[WarriorFish]

The unit size rules aren't good so I won't be sorry to see them go (daemons too!). As for the rumours, who can say? They seem like they could be plausible but then doesn't every good rumour? :P Plus it doesn't take a genius to see these units/weapons need some improvements  :lol:

 

I think there's a lot of scope for what could be changed - as there is a lot that needs it - but wouldn't know where to start on speculating how. I'd like to see AT get some improvement, fexes struggle a bit with their claws and I'm assuming the plight of the gribbly horde needs no introduction...

[Brother Nathan]

Tbh I think between what we've seen in this Oct book and what we see in the next genestealer cult book we should have a pretty good idea of what's comming in our codex(bariing what new mini)

Fully expecting upgrade sprue for warriors to make shrikes as even forgeworld arnt doing them. Will the doom and parasite make a return though? When I last played the doom was in play and I was wrecking house with him and my home made pods.

I was reading a few threads elsewhere and rumours had started because of a screenshot about nids release that had came from 2 codex ago...

[Xenith]

So purestrain Genestealers in the GSC book have gone to:

 

WS2+, 4A (base), 4++ invuln, then 'Cult claws and talons' are straight AP-3. They come in at 3PL for 5, and 7PL for 10, suggesting ~65pts per 5, or 13 points each. 

 

This is a huuuge upgrade, in particular the 4++, but also a straight 4A at WS2+ and AP-3. 

[WarriorFish]

Great news! I was planning on getting more Genestealers painted up as I'm finishing up a Broodlord but this would be catapulting them up the queue I've only had one game with my nids so far but I still remember my stealers all but bouncing off some Marines and their 2W... this will go far helping out an iconic unit that needs it and bodes well for the eventual new codex

[Kraken]

So purestrain Genestealers in the GSC book have gone to:

 

WS2+, 4A (base), 4++ invuln, then 'Cult claws and talons' are straight AP-3. They come in at 3PL for 5, and 7PL for 10, suggesting ~65pts per 5, or 13 points each. 

 

This is a huuuge upgrade, in particular the 4++, but also a straight 4A at WS2+ and AP-3. 

GSC Genestealers are 14ppm now, used to be 15ppm in GSC 8th whereas Tyranids Genestealers are 13ppm in 8th.

 

Another important point is that unit size is maxed at 10 models now down from 20.

[Xenith]

 

 

GSC Genestealers are 14ppm now, used to be 15ppm in GSC 8th whereas Tyranids Genestealers are 13ppm in 8th.

 

Another important point is that unit size is maxed at 10 models now down from 20.

 

 

Great info, thanks! I've only seen the PL from the datasheet. 10 models is fine - I think the only reason to take more than 10 was to get the flurry of claws rules for the 4A? That could also be a GSC limitation to stop them layering CULT rules on top of them to make some horrible combos! 

[Kraken]

 

 

 

GSC Genestealers are 14ppm now, used to be 15ppm in GSC 8th whereas Tyranids Genestealers are 13ppm in 8th.

 

Another important point is that unit size is maxed at 10 models now down from 20.

 

 

Great info, thanks! I've only seen the PL from the datasheet. 10 models is fine - I think the only reason to take more than 10 was to get the flurry of claws rules for the 4A? That could also be a GSC limitation to stop them layering CULT rules on top of them to make some horrible combos! 

 

The issue is that 10 is a bit small to have a significant impact.

Sure you can bring multiple squads but then only one can benefit from stratagems or abilities like Swarmlord's Hive Commander.

And with v9 being strongly geared towards using buffs and stratagems as force multipliers, Genestealers are getting hurt badly by this limitation.

I really hope this is a GSC particularity and that Tyranids Genestealers will be able to have at least 15 models per unit.

 

Also I just noticed another quirkiness of the new profile: Now the Broodlord Synaptic Link abilities is mostly useless on Genestealers since their 4+ Invulnerable make improving their armour save irrelevant.