Why Harpies Don't Suck

I vaguely mentioned in Danny Interests FAQ review how Harpies provide reliable fire. Sure it isn't going to win any gun fights but that really isn't what 'Nid anti-tank weapons are for. You want them to open up as many light vehicles as possible. Or as Fritz put it...

Big bugs to demech, small bugs to eat the guys inside

- Fritz in Fexes Are Back

Enough about my thoughts and onto Stelek's...

...What it does do that you say it doesn't:

It does, however, when used intelligently, give excellent flank shots on annoying things like Chimeras, Predators, and even Russes--something all the other Tyranid units do not do. When all you want to do is fire suppress, firing S9 blasts on a BS3 platform at front armor is not going to go over well. Firing at AV10 vs 12, AV11 vs 13, and AV13 vs 14--you stand a much better chance then. Of course the Harpies are weak, and all the MC cost as much as a Leman Russ--so what if Tau can crush your face in with relative impunity? That's one army out of how many that get an insta-gib? Since when are Tau awesome, doesn't the community think Tau suck? lol Which is it? They are awesome or they suck? Is it only awesome in this vacuum everyone is theoryhammering in? Well, great. Let's say against Tau built properly, Harpies have serious survivability issues and need to be conserved (meaning, put in freaking reserve) until the Railguns are (at least temporarily) dealt with. When you arrive to CC said units, you can kill them then--what, you seriously think any vehicle army can survive against Tyranids that get into CC? You've got to be joking. Being able to move away and kill the Tyranids is the only thing that can save Mech forces--and you are pooh pooh'ing a unit you literally cannot get away from?

What are the two armies that do not have S10 but DO have fast skimmers. Oh yes, Eldar and DE. (For you numb nuts, I'm aware the Wraithlord has a S10 CC fist, and good luck ever getting to swing that sucker.)

They HATE Harpies. Especially Harpies sitting behind Tyrant Guard or Hive Guard, getting their ducking save while you don't get any. Yeah, you can run around all day--but you can't hide. Why does Mechdar hate Harpies? Their tanks are ducking huge! You can put that S9 blast down on Falcons and you get an extra inch of deviation space. That's like +1 BS. What's not to like? Tau hate it even more. Both have counters (Disruption Pods, Energy Fields) but being unable to shoot their tanks hurts both armies terribly.

How about Guard? Got some Gunships? Duck, how do I miss?! Chimeras are big freaking boats too, and I can autoglance them? Why yes, I'll take an autoglance on their side armor with a 2+ to pen; instead of a 1-2 ignore, 3 glance, and 4-6 pen.

Seriously, Harpies have weaknesses--but they add something to Tyranids, the ability to run some Flyrants forward (with Mawlocs coming up on turn 2) and stun ish, and when your other 4 MC show up in their face...they aren't going to be liking it. Oh, you're shooting my Harpy in the back? Thank you, tool. I will be finished this game earlier than expected!

Tyranids have options for anti-tank, however good or bad they are, and anti-infantry en masse, in HQ, Elite, Fast, and Heavy. With Warriors and Tervigons, they get lighter versions of both.

Yet, so many people say:

A) I don't know what the duck I'm talking about. You twits can't see all the large blasts Tyranids have? Pull your head out!

B) The Tervigon is the only good new unit. Duck me, everything is GOOD.

C) Tyranid MC is dead. Ish, really? I better stop playing mine then.

Duck me, really? When you play at Ard Boyz, and there are 12 MC and 100-200 Gaunts on the table--hey, .... my ...., ok? ...... ........

- Stelek in Editorial: Why Harpies Don't Suck

Click on the link to get the whole article. And yes I did go through and edit out the naughty words :)