40K Rules Conundrum: Genestealer Cult Bonus Attacks?
The Genestealer Cult is coming to a tabletop near you – I hope you’re all caught-up on your Tyranid Rules…
A question came up when I first started talking with my friend about how good the Genestealer Cult is for the points.
via Fxeni, Dakkadakka 2-28-2016
For more pics check out the BoLS Lounge
He said, “For Basically 7 points a model you get 4 Rending attacks on the charge!”
“4 attacks? I thought it was only 3 attacks – 2 base plus the charge bonus,” I replied.
“But they have Close Combat Weapons and Autopistols – that’s an extra +1, right?” He countered.
“Yes – but then you’re not using Rending Claws – which are a Tyranid Melee Weapon – and those have special rules.” I answered.
Tyranid Melee Weapon “Designer’s Note” From Codex: Tyranids
“Tyranid Models must fight with two pairs of any Tyranid Melee Weapons to gain a bonus Attack in close combat for fighting with two weapons.”
It was right there, plain as day – But the more I thought about it, the less sure I was. Looking back at the entry for Rending Claws in the Tyranid codex, it was slightly different:
Tyranid Melee Weapons From Codex: Tyranids
Notice the Tyranid entry is different, but in the description “…skin and bone, shredding the hapless victim to bloody ribbons.” So are these not the same Rending Claws? If they aren’t the same does that mean they don’t adhere to the same “Designer’s Note” restriction? Are Genestealer Cult Rending Claws not Tyranid Melee Weapons?
What about the Brothers Abberant? Do they get a bonus? (At least two of them don’t because their other weapon is Two-Handed (but they have 3 hands!) and it’s a Specialist Weapon (ok, you got me there)). AND if you look at their description it’s the same from the Tyranid Codex!
And don’t get me started on the whole Faction/Sub-Faction thing. Do they even count as Tyranid Models?!
So, simple question for you: How many attacks do they get on the charge? Let us know in the comments below!
Oh and yes they are still a great choice for 7 points a piece. I’ll take 7 point troop models with 2 base rending attacks and an autopistol over gaunts all day long!
