Fortifications for Imperial Players Only? (or a Tyranid Aegis Defense Line?)

[Eldartank]

Here's a question: Are the Fortifications (p. 114-119 in the 6th Edition Rulebook) available only to Imperial armies (Space Marines, Imperial Guard, Battle Sisters, etc.), or can they be used by any other army? It would seem unfair if only Imperial players could have access to the Icarus Lascannon and Quad-gun that are so good at defending against flyers. However, it would also be really cheesy if my Tyranid force had an Aegis Defense Line with Quad-gun, or a Fortress of Redemtion with an Icarus Lascannon.

If fortifications can actually be taken by players of any army, would it be acceptable to model a set of converted/kitbashed Tyranid-looking walls with some kind of mounted biocannon and count it as an Aegis Defense Line with Quad-gun? I already have several Tyranid bits from various kits, and several Tyranid Spore Chimneys and other Tyranid stuff from Forgeworld that I haven't done anything with yet. I could easily model a Tyranid version of an Aegis Defense Line with Quad-gun.

I would never even try to use any Imperial Fortifications with my Tyranids - It's just too cheesy and totally outside of any realistic storyline/fluff. However, if possible, I think some kind of Tyranid bio-construct wall with a mounted bio-cannon capable of shooting down flyers might be feasible from a storyline/fluff perspective (if those Fortifications really are available to all armies).

What are your thoughts on this?

[AngelofSorrow]

They can be used by any and all. Have fun!


Ready for eternal war!

[Cthell]

They are available for all armies, but I'm afraid this is another area where the Tyranids get screwed over - Tyranids are unable to operate weapon emplacements. You could still build the bio-walls though.

Interestingly, if you converted a bio-bastion analogue, all of the weapons would operate automatically if you garrison a unit inside (plus the unit would get to shoot out)

[Dangersaurus]

Yep. Everyone. Made myself a KFF/Tellyporta pad over the last couple days for a counts-as Skyshield.

[Konovalev]

It might seem odd to you that a tyranid is using an imperial fortification but think of it this way:

To the tyranid itself, what difference is there in taking cover behind a rock, some tyranno formed object, and an imperial fortification? It probably doesn't think twice about it. Cover is cover.

As for using the gun emplacements. Maybe the hivemind, in its all experiencing, ever adapting nature, knows how imperial weapons function and in this way a tyranid adjacent to a gun emplacement also finds itself capable of operating it. I was always under the impression that tyranids don't see the world like we do, they see it as an abstraction through the filter of the hivemind. They don't see a quad cannon, they just see <weapon> and move to make use of it.

[Cthell]

It might seem odd to you that a tyranid is using an imperial fortification but think of it this way:

To the tyranid itself, what difference is there in taking cover behind a rock, some tyranno formed object, and an imperial fortification? It probably doesn't think twice about it. Cover is cover.

As for using the gun emplacements. Maybe the hivemind, in its all experiencing, ever adapting nature, knows how imperial weapons function and in this way a tyranid adjacent to a gun emplacement also finds itself capable of operating it.

FAQ says tyranids can't operate weapons emplacement

[Shamana]

FAQ says tyranids can't operate weapons emplacement

Weapon symbiont: opposable thumbs.

Coming in the next Tyrannid 'dex, yo :P .

[Eldartank]

Sounds like I would have to make some kind of Tyranid bio-construct that counts as an Imperial Bastion for rules purposes. I could also probably do something similar for the Fortress of Redemtion. But apparently a bio-version of the Aegis Defense Line is out because it doesn't have automated weapons. Time for me to get to work on some Tyranid building conversions...

[Eldartank]

It might seem odd to you that a tyranid is using an imperial fortification but think of it this way:

To the tyranid itself, what difference is there in taking cover behind a rock, some tyranno formed object, and an imperial fortification? It probably doesn't think twice about it. Cover is cover.

As for using the gun emplacements. Maybe the hivemind, in its all experiencing, ever adapting nature, knows how imperial weapons function and in this way a tyranid adjacent to a gun emplacement also finds itself capable of operating it. I was always under the impression that tyranids don't see the world like we do, they see it as an abstraction through the filter of the hivemind. They don't see a quad cannon, they just see <weapon> and move to make use of it.

I was thinking more on the lines of a completely Tyranid bio-construct that simply counted as one of those things rules-wise. Since a couple others pointed out that Tyranids can't operate gun emplacements, but the buildings with automated guns can still fire if a unit is inside, looks like I might end up building a Tyranid bio-construct that counts as something like an Imperial Bastion.

[Eldartank]

Yep. Everyone. Made myself a KFF/Tellyporta pad over the last couple days for a counts-as Skyshield.

I'm starting an Ork army, and I definitely plan on making a couple Orky conversions for some of those Fortifications.

[Spiney Norman]

FAQ says tyranids can't operate weapons emplacement

Seriously? Wow they've tried really hard to make Nids über-crap, so no weapon emplacements, no units with skyfire and no allies, so Tyranids have no way of dealing with flyers at all??? That's just cruel, as if the nid codex didn't have enough problems already...

[Dangersaurus]

FAQ says tyranids can't operate weapons emplacement

Seriously? Wow they've tried really hard to make Nids über-crap, so no weapon emplacements, no units with skyfire and no allies, so Tyranids have no way of dealing with flyers at all??? That's just cruel, as if the nid codex didn't have enough problems already...

Calm down until the next nerfbat hits - emplaced weapons and gun emplacements are two different things with slightly different rules. Tyranids can still use gun emplacements. By RAW they couldn't use the Icarus in a Fortress of Redemption, but they could use one in a Bastion or Aegis Line. It doesn't make sense, but hey... making lemonade.

[Cthell]

Calm down until the next nerfbat hits - emplaced weapons and gun emplacements are two different things with slightly different rules. Tyranids can still use gun emplacements. By RAW they couldn't use the Icarus in a Fortress of Redemption, but they could use one in a Bastion or Aegis Line. It doesn't make sense, but hey... making lemonade.

Not quite - they could use the Icarus in a Fortress or a Bastion, but not an Aegis Line

[Dangersaurus]

Not quite - they could use the Icarus in a Fortress or a Bastion, but not an Aegis Line

Nah, I've got it right. You're going to need to sit down and read it for yourself. Quad Gun gun emplacements come with the Aegis and Bastion. The heavy bolters on Bastions are emplaced weapons. The Icarus, heavy bolters, and missile silos on the FoR are emplaced weapons.

Gun emplacements can be targeted and have rules similar to artillery. Emplaced weapons can only be damaged on the building damage chart.

Edit: They mix the terminology on the "Battlefield Terrain" spread on p.88-89. So either a mix-up on that page, or this is another "special form of Tank Shock" that we can all argue about for a year or so.

[Cthell]

Fair enough, I stand corrected (although your original post has them the wrong way round; you put FoR - no fire, Bastion & Aegis - yes fire)

Interestingly, that means you can shoot the Quadgun off the top of a bastion...

[Kloud13]

Could probably use the Comms relay. Tyranid Pod lists are nasty.

[Kakapo42]

I'd be all for a scratch-built Tyranid defence line, it's always good to see some impressive and unusual terrain.

While on the subject of non-Imperial fortifications, I am saddened to see the lack of them. It seems to me that Forgeworld could make a tidy profit by releasing a line of xenos-themed fortifications...

[Kloud13]

There will be more Fortifications coming. GW has figured out that we are more likely to pay for their monthly catalog if it is the only place to get rules for the next piece of plastic we must also buy.

It says right in BRB, "Watch White Dwarf for more....."

[NealRC]

I'd be all for a scratch-built Tyranid defence line, it's always good to see some impressive and unusual terrain.

While on the subject of non-Imperial fortifications, I am saddened to see the lack of them. It seems to me that Forgeworld could make a tidy profit by releasing a line of xenos-themed fortifications...

Do you really thing that's fair? I mean, the imperial players have been so under-catered for of late. Let them have their moment in the sun and we can talk xenos later. Shame on you.

[Dangersaurus]

There will be more Fortifications coming. GW has figured out that we are more likely to pay for their monthly catalog if it is the only place to get rules for the next piece of plastic we must also buy.

It says right in BRB, "Watch White Dwarf for more....."

...or to put it with less snark: we're more likely to buy White Dwarf if it has more gaming content in it.