Thorny Tanker

[Paladin]

I've not yet played with this unit, but we discussed its usefulness a bit at last night's game and it's been in the back of my mind today.

How well has this unit played out in your games?

Any suggestions for implementing it?

About the most effective use I can see for it is to destroy enemy structures/outposts. It seems a little slow to hunt down many of the mobile marauders.

 

[Gauntlet-]

multi-hit and it has reactions...

Marauders be gone if you have tunnel assets.

a Superior choice to a regular tanker for most instances IMO

 

[Galatea]

The Thorny is very powerfull against Marauders and Structures (if you play cityfight like we do you gonna love it).
Generally it does not perform more or less effective than a normal Tanker just "other way".
I like it because it's reactions can really put pressure on the enemy and it batters through Marauders and CHAS as if they were paper.

The Thorny needs more support from other units as he isn't that walking 17" death zone the standard tanker is, but if you have managed to surround the enemy (not that hard with bugs) it's the perfect line-breaker.

 

[Paladin]

We all missed the lack of the Lumbering trait on the Thorny. The ability to get reactions greatly changes the nature of the beast. Definitely makes it a nastier bug.

 

[Gauntlet-]

quite- if you use tunnels I see little reason to take a regular tanker, if you don't use tunneling with it, then the regular tanker is more effective most of the time.

 

[Mage]

Have to say i never liked the model but nice unit.

 

[Galatea]

The standard tanker can still be much more effective if you use tunnels. The Thorny isn't that good in stomping infantry - the Tanker is.
I have seen a regular tanker frying 10 LAMI with one shot. Even more nasty when combined with Ego War. Also the tanker is the better choice against Exos (you will never get in their range with a Thorny).

 

[Gauntlet-]

Tunneling Thorny Tankers can get Exos if your clever, but your right they are definately not optimal.


But against Marauders, or Cap Troopers I find the Thorny to be brilliant... again with tunneling. Frankly the unit is practically dead meat without tunneling, whereas I consider taking regular Tankers over ground.