Hey Bug fans,
So i'm torn between Zoanthropes and Venomthropes. Currently i own 4 Zoanthropes and 0 Venomthropes so i have no experience in running the toxic ghoulies. The more i look at them tho, to more i like them. So i have made a Pro Con list of each of the units
Zoanthropes
Pros
Synapse Creature
More Durable
Anti-tank/Heavy Infantry Warp Blast
Another Psychic power
I have some
Con
Slightly more expensive
Psychic Brotherhood lameness
Venomthropes
Pros
Venom Cover Cloud
Ok Combat skill
Cheaper
Con
No Synapse
Less Durable
I don't own any of them
Now usually Synapse isn't a problem, as i usually run two hive tyrants, and two to three blobs of warriors with deathspitters. Usually the would send the warriors on there own and give the Zoanthropes escort duties for the support elements (usually Carnifexs and Tyrannofexs). Now the idea is to replace the Zoanthropes with Venomthropes and give the warriors a cover save and more durability.
Its a hard choice, can anyone help me make a decision? I can provide lists if needed.
Never underestimate a 6" Shrouded bubble. Venomthropes can really put a shooting army out by handing out 5+ minimum saves to cheap fodder. For an army like Tau, that means spending Markerlights to remove cover on targets in the open, when you really need those Markerlights to make every shot count.
Zoeys have almost always been a bit underwhelming, though, in my experience.
That's not to mention anything in cover, which can get a 2+/3+. On something like an Exocrine hiding in Area Terrain, that's nasty.
If you have Synapse well-covered, ask a player for a friendly game and proxy the Venoms with Zoeys before you throw cash down on them. The best way to find out if you want a unit, is to play it. :)
I have heard nothing but good reports about Venomthropes.
For their price they are excellent, the Shroud can make it incredibly tough to turn your little gribblies as they advance, or just stick one in some ruins with a pack of Biovores and laugh as you rain death on the enemy....
Zoans on the other hand I have also heard to underwhelming... They have a neon 'shoot me' sign above their head and don't have the survivability for their value...
I'm currently rocking a mob of 60 'gants, 2 tervi's and 2 venoms in a pack, the shrouds grant cover along with anything incurred from terrain or the gants, whilst using the synapse of the tervi's... its been very sucessful so far!
Out of interest, why do you see Psychic Brotherhood as a negative? I haven't played in a while, but as far as I'm aware the only difference with that is they now only need 1 psychic test and roll to hit. That means 1/3 the chance of a Perils, and it does specify that the Warp Blast/Lance is Assault X where X = number of Zoans in the brood. Is there something in the Brotherhood rule I'm unaware of?
As for which to use, the lists you're using would be helpful as we can see more clearly what's needed. However if possible I would suggest running 1 unit of each and deciding which you prefer/works better for you.
I'm not 100% sure, so don't quote me on it, but I think that if you fail the perils, you must remove a whole model, not just a wound... where as if they were singular, it would just be a wound....
Like I say, I could be wrong.
And don't forget that now, a single DTW annuls the entire group's power instead of just 1 shot.
Waaaghpower has it right, One Deny the Witch is all that is needed.
I have made lists to field both thropes, then make adjustments as needed.
Venomthropes are a massive boost to any list that isn't playing against Tau or Eldar. Id never leave home without a few, mainly to give a great cover save to your big beasties.
Markerlights spent removing Cover aren't boosting Ballistic Skill. Venomthropes force Tau to burn extra Markerlights, and that can be nasty.