Questions about Arachnids

[Dr.Ravingburger]

Okay, so I just got the Arachnid Army Book and am going to start an army. First off:
Are Kamikazi Ripplers good? I am considering taking several small units of 3 Kamikazi Ripplers to distract my opponent and take out large targets. Is this a good idea or a bad one?
Secondly: How many Warrior Bugs do you think should be in a 1500-2000 point list? How many tunnel assets?
For Control Bugs using models from a previous game, do Skinnie units use the rules from the rulebook or armybook?
Lastly, do you think I should get the Invasion Force or buy on what I think will be most helpful?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Adastra]

Welcome to the game! Taking your questions in order:

1. When you say "take out large targets", if you're referring to something on the ground, then it's a bad idea. The enhanced close combat value (2 x D10+4) can only be used against AIR targets. Against ground targets, they're no better than a regular Rippler. The Kamikaze is good for providing air cover against TAC fighters, UAV's and other flyers. For ground targets, go with the Acid Ripplers instead. They cost 50% more, but Piercing/2 helps ensure that what they do hit will die.

2. It depends on what style of play suits you best. I find about 30 Warriors works well at that point level, leaving you with enough points to buy good support assets. I like to use at least 4 tunnel entrances, 3 on the board spaced widely enough to allow good tunnel movement in all directions, with 1 entrance in reserve so you can exit where you please. I try to put all my Warriors either underground or in reserve, to minimize the available targets for the MI. And use the Carrion Bug option - the ability to re-roll failed saves gives the Warriors a whole new lease on life.

3. Not sure what you mean concerning the Control Bugs. If you start them inhabiting a Skinny Militia or Raider, they come equipped with the standard weapon for those troop types, per the Skinny army book - a Constrictor rifle.

4. It really is hard to go wrong with an Invasion Force set. With a Tanker, Warriors, Ripplers and Blister/Blasters, you get a sampling of all major bug types short of a Brain. Add a Brain Bug, a Warrior Mega-Swarm or the Warriors from the Basic game, some tunnel assets, and you pretty much have 1500 points right there. Then you can start looking at what to add to your force depending on what your opponent(s) like to field.

Hope this helps you out in putting together your MI-killing machine!

 

[5.56 Surgeon]

The Kamikaze is good for providing air cover against TAC fighters, UAV's and other flyers. For ground targets, go with the Acid Ripplers instead. They cost 50% more, but Piercing/2 helps ensure that what they do hit will die.

Yeah Acid Ripplers are great. It took a tanker bug to fry one out of command trooper that the Ripplers couldn't. They rock!

 

[Adastra]

What are you crowing about? You used 4 nukes in that same battle....and lost.

There's no accounting for the occasional oddities of die rolls. If you'll remember, in our previous battle those same Acid Ripplers wiped out your entire right flank in one turn.