Tyranid Question

[hudhouse]

All the Special Characters like the doom of malantaia(Zonathrope), the Parasite of Mortex(Gargoil), the Swarmlord (Hive Tyrant) etc, i was told DONT keep their specail abilites, but i think they do because of one of the answers in the FAQ, But i want a little, assitance with this. (I was unable to get the Answer, computer glitch XD)

Q: Tyranid Special Characters. Are Tyranid Special Characters
considered to be special versions of the standard creatures of their type
for the purposes of using psychic powers, biomorphs and special rules?
For example, is the Swarmlord considered to be a Hive Tyrant for the
purposes of using Hive Tyrant psychic powers? Similarly, is
Deathleaper considered to be a Lictor for the purposes of Chameleonic
Skin and Pheromone Trail, is the Doom of Malan’tai considered to be a
Zoanthrope for the purposes of Warp Field, is Old One Eye considered
to be Carnifex for the purposes of Living Battering Ram and are
Ymgarl Genestealers considered to be Genestealers for the purposes of
Brood Telepathy? (p56-61)

[Benjamin]

A. Yes in all cases.

[Bill]

This is confusing to me because the FAQ is very clear but then the GW psyker app says doom only has one power. Wouldn't this FAQ mean he can take 3, the one in his entry and the two powers that normal zoanthropes get?

[JWebs]

Well isn't this just for the abilities they have listed? The Doom says it has Warp field therefor it has the Zoanthrope version. It doesn't say that he has Warp Lance or Blast so he can't trade it in.

[Bill]

Not really that is just an example, not an all encompassing rule. The rule says all abilities and psychic powers.

[hudhouse]

So the Doom of Malan'tia has everything on a zonathrope sheet + His sheet, the Same with a tyranid shriek + the PArasite of mortex... Right?

[Sir_Prometheus]

I thought the doom only had one psychic power, and all the rest were "special abilties"  That was my understanding. 

[Bill]

The doom does have one power but the FAQ is saying that they get to use all special rules and psychic powers of the standard archetype they are following. This would give the doom his large blast power, and the two powers that come with a standard zoey. I don't think this is the case but the FAQ, unless I am reading something wrong implies otherwise.

[Sir_Prometheus]

Well, warp field is the 3++ save, which is cinematically a psychic power, but as a rules effect, right?

The way I read it, it's sounds like they're talking about as far as targets go....it's that "type".  But then the warp field example kinda messes with that. 

I dunno, my general experience is that GW writes awful rules, and while FAQs sometimes clarify, they are even written even worse.  (like the most recent shooting FAQ). 

I'm pretty sure the doom only get the one proper psychic power.  Not sure what the rules logic behind that is. 

[keithb]

Well, warp field is the 3++ save, which is cinematically a psychic power, but as a rules effect, right?

The way I read it, it's sounds like they're talking about as far as targets go....it's that "type".  But then the warp field example kinda messes with that. 

I dunno, my general experience is that GW writes awful rules, and while FAQs sometimes clarify, they are even written even worse.  (like the most recent shooting FAQ). 

I'm pretty sure the doom only get the one proper psychic power.  Not sure what the rules logic behind that is.

How is warp field any different than "living battering ram"?

Q:Are Tyranid Special Characters
considered to be special versions of the standard creatures of their type
for the purposes of using psychic powers...

 

Zoanthropes come with specific power on their profile, this is not optional.  If the special characters inherit abilities/rules from their base "choice", why would that not extend to compulsory psychic powers?

[Sir_Prometheus]

I figured it out.  No, the doom doesn't get all the zoanthrope powers. 

See, warp field, on pg 44 of tyranid codex, says "zoanthropes get a 3++ save"

Likewise, quite a few of the Hivetyrant powers on Pg 62, say the "hive Tyrant blah blah..."

So a WAAC rules lawyer type could argue that the warpfield doesn't do anything for the Doom, and likewise the Hive Tyrant powers do nothing when used by the swarmlord, even though that's stupid.  I imgaine there was a similar problem with old one eye and Living Battering Ram. 

Q: Tyranid Special Characters. Are Tyranid Special Characters
considered to be special versions of the standard creatures of their type
for the purposes of using psychic powers, biomorphs and special rules?
For example, is the Swarmlord considered to be a Hive Tyrant for the
purposes of using Hive Tyrant psychic powers? Similarly, is
Deathleaper considered to be a Lictor for the purposes of Chameleonic
Skin and Pheromone Trail, is the Doom of Malan’tai considered to be a
Zoanthrope for the purposes of Warp Field, is Old One Eye considered
to be Carnifex for the purposes of Living Battering Ram and are
Ymgarl Genestealers considered to be Genestealers for the purposes of
Brood Telepathy? (p56-61)
A. Yes in all cases.

So all they're saying is that yes, all these special variants can actually use the special rules they are given, even though they reference the base type.  Brrod telepathy references genestealers, not "ymgarl Genestealers" and some jerk was trying to argue that they don't get the benefit, then.  That's why it says "use".  It still counts when used on or by them.

It does NOT give extra powers to the Doom or anyone else.  The unit entry lists quite clearly what psychic powers the doom gets (exactly one, btw) and swarmlord does as well (four). 

[Bill]

Regardless of any of it. I am only taking one power either way. It is how I have been playing it and I am happy enough with being about to now move 6" out of the pod and being to able to decided whether I do reserve rolls or psychic powers first.

[Benjamin]

Regardless of any of it. I am only taking one power either way.

You're not trying hard enough.

[Sir_Prometheus]

No one ever says, "gee, that sounds like it's probably right" on an internet forum, huh? 

[Mannahnin]

Untrue.  I agree with your read completely.