Re: [Epic] [E40k] Tyranid strategy rating

From: W. Gregory Klett <cyclops_at_...>
Date: Sat, 10 May 1997 23:43:55 -0500

>Well, I could just say it is just for :
>i. game balance
>ii. a game, don't bother to go into it too much :P
>but I don't think you'll buy it. So read on !
>
>I think in the fluff it was mentioned that the Tyranids do not have a
>consciousness and individuality as is common with most of 40k races. While
>some individual Tyranids have the ability to function independently (fairly)
>of Hive Minds, most of the Tyranids behaves on instincts (remember the Epic
>2nd edition, Rampage, Nest, Assault (? IIRC).
>
>Instead of individual consciousness, Tyranids has a form of collective
>consciousness (whatever that is supposed to mean :P). As such individuality
>is a not just a foreign concept to these guys, it does not exist to them !
>
>One analogy I can think of is that our body is made up of trillions of
>cells. Now, let's say I have just eaten a rather unsavory piece of meat -
>filled with bacterium, viruses etc. Now my stomach and intestine will try to
>digest it. Using acid (blah, blah, blah). Now it encounters these bacterium
>(let's call them bugs for now), most of the time these bugs are digested
>with no significant ill effect. All this happen without me ever knowing that
>an epic struggle of new microscopic scale (ahem) has taken place in me body.
>Likewise for the Tyranid Hive Mind, it has got other things to worry about.
>
>However if these bugs are present in significant numbers, chances are some
>will be able to survive and cause a reaction in myr stomach and intestines.
>I will then experience stomach upset, diarrhea. Now if it is not too severe,
>I probably wait for it to clear up by itself. And most of the time, it will.
>Otherwise, I will probably take some medicine already at home - this whole
>episode is just mere inconvenience so far, I am not gonna go for intensive
>care at this time. I have got better things to do: date women, go to work,
>read E40K list, play my Playstation etc. Ditto for the Hive mind; it
>probably is busy arguing theology with Emperor, arm wrestling with Khorne,
>engaging in playing patty-cake with Slaanesh, discussing the merits of
>collective consciousness with Tzeentch etc.
>
>However, if my antibodies are not able to take it, it will then scream uncle
>and I will feel really shitty. When that happens, I will then go to a
>doctor, then specialist, get hospitalised, get my stomach flushed, get
>pumped up with antibiotics etc. Sure I am now giving my undivided attention
>to combating the bugs in my system - but I cannot do anything else.
>Similarly for Tyranids, when it concentrates its attention on a battlefield,
>I do not want to be there ! Emperor's wrath be damned.
>
>But this is damned unlikely though, because then other Tyranids - those not
>involved in the battlefield - will suffer significantly as the Hive Mind
>moves a significant portion of its consciousness, attention and power into
>just a particular battlefield.
>
>It was mentioned in the fluff that the Hive Mind did allocate a little bit
>more attention to larger battlefields, giving more power - more Hive Mind
>cards in the Epic2nd edition. But even so, its' strategy rating is still
>pretty pathetic. This is also analogous to me, in intensive care - the
>doctor pumped me up with drugs etc - more antibodies now get allies
>(antibiotics etc) but my antibodies still fight the bugs with the same stats
>and initiative :)
>
>Phew, I hope rant is not off the mark entirely. As for the digestive and the
>antibodies operation, it was what I could recall from my Bio class in grade
>10 and I was no A student for that subject :( So be kind !
>
>Regards
>Oki
>
>p.s. If all else fails, remember the words of Magus Booo Shit when he was
>asked why the Genestealers also get consumed alongside hoomies, pansies and
>orks when the Tyranids invaded. This despite the fact that Genestealers are
>Tyranids scouts. He replied "The Hive Mind works in a mysterious way...Ours
>is not to question the why and the wherefores; ours is to do and to die...:P"


 Now this is just too great of an example for words!!
 After I quit laughing and worked the cramps out of my cheeks I read it
again and laughed again! :) :) :)

 Ah yes, the entire Tyranid Hive Fleet invasion as an upset stomach,
sheeeeit! The things you've done to we poor Bug players egos. :)

 ...sigh... I may never be able to play the Bugs with a straight face
again!!!

  Greg Klett


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| W. Gregory Klett | Those that can, do! |
| cyclops_at_... | Those that could and won't, dream. |
| | Those that can't, pretend and brag about it! |
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Received on Sun May 11 1997 - 04:43:55 UTC