rippers/slashers vs scarabs

[ZombiePrimarch]

so what are the thoughts on this?

[Sybrite]

not a likely confrontation
for nids, rippers are a non-scoring troop choice, so they are not a common pick for lists.
sky slashers are a fast choice, but again not popular - I think mostly for the cost involved in making the conversion or even buying the FW models, our other fast choices are much better even though sky lashers have the better cost/wound ratio (gargoyles can shoot, wound any non-vehicle model as well provide a cover screen to tyrants/carnifexes since their wings obsure a good amount and they're not unit type "Swarm"

in cost an in usefulness, necron scarabs are better than either of the nid swarm bases in my opinion since they can de-armor vehicles and multi-wound models and do this with reasonable reliability since scarabs are classed as beasts so they have a upto a 24" assault threat range

[mephiston_2k]

People actually use scarabs... not much in the way of thoughts on it. I have tyranids and wouldnt use rippers.

[ZombiePrimarch]

oh wow had no idea they were not scoring, i guess i see why this isn't a good face off now

[Sybrite]

oh wow had no idea they were not scoring, i guess i see why this isn't a good face off now

yep, second bullet point on page 90 of the main rule book

[ZombiePrimarch]

dang, so used to swarms of conscripts still counting as scoring in ig

[Sybrite]

yea, gotta watch out for generalized labels of swarm/horde vs models that actually have the "swarm" special rule

[mephiston_2k]

They are probably useful if you can get a whole load of them and use them to tie up enemy troops but I cant see them being worth the points over adding more gaunts to a brood.

[c1940n]

I wouldn't ever spend points on Rippers, but having Ripper bases handy can be cool if you have a Parasite of Mortrex spawning them, but only because they'll tie up opponents units. Scarabs have a distinction, since they can readily break down a shiny tank. One on one, Scarabs should win, since Entropic effect can remove whatever pathetic save Rippers have.

[Forest]

I still find rippers and Slashers useful but it takes some hard consideration to make them valuable. Use rippers with spine fists, and DS via tunnel and you got a fist full of shots in somones face. Slashers are good if they run infront of a PoM that's with a gargoyle brood. They make a nice softener just before a main assault with PoM(who creates more rippers) and just advance towards the next fleshy in site. Just becarful of their IB.

As for rippers VS scarabs. Head to head rippers probably have a very very slim advantage, but in usefulness scarabs