Tyranid Shrikes in 6th: 2 Arguments In Favor of Viability

The role of Shrikes is less clear than the Gargoyle's.

One of the reasons I enjoy Tyranids is their fluff. A swarm of little flesh eating creatures, hulking monstrosities, and fast moving terrors all capture my imagination. One unit that that I have always loved the idea of, both in the fluff and due to its potential on the table, is the Tyranid Shrike. Unfortunately being only T4 without eternal warrior always served to limit their use. I feel though that the Tyranid Shrike could become a surprise player in 6^th edition.

What makes the shrike have killer potential? First start with its tyranid warrior base stats; WS5, S4, T4, W3, I4, A3, Ld10. That set up is not a chassis to scoff at. Then add in its synapse, meaning all units within 12” are fearless. Not only that, they also prevent instinctive behavior tests (meaning I can keep my shooting units shooting). Also ever important is their roll as psychic defense, forcing tests taken within 12” of them to be rolled on three dice. The shrikes also have wings making them jump infantry which in 6^th has some added bonuses besides extra movement; if their wings were not used in the movement phase they can reroll their charge lengths and get hammer of wrath attacks.

I like to arm shrikes similar to how I like my tyranid primes; lashwhip, bonesword, scything talons, toxin sacs, and adrenal glands. With these upgrades they are expensive, 60 points a model, but between cover and readily available FNP boosts thanks to tervigons (or biomancy) they essentially can be given a 5+/5++ all the time. They also have the added defense of being surrounded by monstrous creatures, forcing your opponent to deal with the jump infantry or the scary MC’s. Also, if initial opinions on the internet are accurate (which they may or may not be) the increase in plasma compared to melta and other S8 weapons means there is less that can cause instant death to the unit. While still slightly fragile, they hit like a ton of bricks. Charging most everything they hit on a ‘3’, plus they get to reroll all of the ones. Don’t forget anyone in base contact with their 40mm base must strike at initiative ‘1’. Against T4 they wound on a rerollable ‘3’ and against T3 they wound on a rerollable ‘2’. All of those wounds come from weapons against which “no armour saves may be taken” meaning they can pop guys in 2+ armor. On top of that multiwound models who have taken a wound from a bonesword must pass a leadership test or suffer instant death. These fools are a nasty package in close combat. So how has 6^th edition given them a boost?

Uploaded by Lars of DakkaDakka

First, the changes in wound allocation such as the closest model taking wounds make them worlds more survivable. The key is attaching a Tyranid Prime and putting him at the front of the unit. Now they have a T5 character sitting in the front. This means any S8 shots that choose to harass them rather than the MC’s won’t cause instant death on one of the Shrikes. If the opponent tries to use torrent of fire you can use the 2+ Look Out Sir roll to spread the wounds between the shrikes so that none of the models die. It is worth noting that LoS must be rolled before any saving throws due to different saves in the unit). This little rule change eliminates the biggest issue that shrikes had last edition, being doubled out by S8 with no protection.

The second new advantage comes from Purgatus over at Best Overall. He calls the tactic “Sick Em Boy!” in reference to fenrisian wolves attached to a lone wolf. The basis of the tactic is that in 6^th models in a unit can each move their full movement as long as they remain in coherency, meaning that infantry moving six could be surrounded by faster models moving 12. Once in charge range the fast unit charges forward ahead of the shower unit gaining approximately 4” in how far up the table the unit is. While units such as jump infantry can not reroll their charge, the 4” jump forward should more often improve the unit’s overall distance greater than the reroll would. Even though the attached infantry model is several inches behind, their 3” pile in move at their initiative step will bring them within 2” of a model in combat if not into base contact. Not only that, even if he was not within 2”, I see nothing in the rulebook which would limit the attached model, from issuing a challenge.

What this means is that the shrikes will be able to have the prime soak up S8 shots for them, won’t lose much mobility on the charge, and will always have a character to challenge squads, taking away much of the risk that hidden power klaws and power fists posed to shrike units.

Overall I would say that at 285 points, three decked out shrikes and a well endowed tyranid prime could be a surprisingly useful force on the table top. Interestingly enough 285 points is also the cost of a fully kitted out flyrant, meaning swapping between the units in lists will be easy. Unfortunately I did not bring my shrike models with me to California, so true play testing of this will have to wait until late August. Until then, what are your thoughts on the viability of shrikes based on what you have seen of 6^th edition thus far?