Tyranid Unit: Heavy Support Units 1 and 2

Here are my current two Heavy Support choices for the Tyranids. Two Carnifexes, one designed as a mobile gun platform and the other as a close-combat monster.

Note that these were originally designed before the current edition Codex was released, which ended up making them less effective than they were previously. I just couldn't be bothered pulling them apart to remodel them. In time I may replace them with newer versions but that will require time and money.

Tau Units: Heavy Support Choice 1

Here's the photos of the first usable heavy support unit for my Tau army.

A 298 point, XV88 Broadside Battlesuit Team, with Shield Drones.

With all 3 suits sporting twin-linked sets of the longest-ranged, most powerful weapon in the game, the 72", S10 AP1 Rail Cannon which is ideal for tanks and large creatures, together with 2 Smart Missile systems which allow for a total of 8 shots that ignore line-of-sight and can take down light vehicles and infantry with ease and the Team Leaders' twin-linked Plasma Rifles for some shorter ranged defensive power they can, on paper, at least "bring the rain".

They are able to move slowly and still bring the guns to bear on targets, and have the ability to split fire between 2 enemy units and the Team Leader can target a different enemy unit to the rest of the squad.

With a heavy 2+ armour save, backed up by 2 Shield Drones with 2+/4+ Invulnerable saves, and 2 Wounds each they should be able to weather a decent amount of fire-power before going down.

These guys should bring some heavy hitting which has been sorely missing in my last few games with the Tau.

More pics when they're fully painted, however for now here they are in all their glory:

Whole team

Team Leader and Drones

Nova Storm Units: Heavy Support Choices 2

Here is the second of two 5-man Space Marine Devastator Squads currently in the army.

They have all the ususal rules for Space Marines; And They Shall Know No Fear, Combat Squads, and Combat Tactics - allowing them to choose to fail a Morale check (Combat Tactics) and fall back voluntarily, automatically regroup after falling back regardless of most normal restrictions (ATSKNF), and split into 2 5-man squads (Combat Squads - but not really relevant to this squad as it's only 5-men strong anyway)

They are painted up as the 7th Squad in the same Company as the other Devastator Squad - hence the same Blue shoulder pad trim and cuffs.

The squad is mainly an anti-infantry squad featuring a two Heavy Bolters for 6 shots that ignore any armour save of 4+ or less, a Plasma Cannon which lays down a blast template hitting everything under it with S7 AP2 (as long as it doesn't blow up) and a Missile Launchers that can switch between anti-infantry Frag missiles, or anti-vehicle Krak missiles.

The Sergeant has a Bolt Pistol and Power Fist, and can can help guide the squad's shooting with the backpack mounted Signum if he doesn't shoot with his own weapon.

This particular Squad has a Razorback transport vehicle equipped with a single-shot Hunter-Killer missile that has unlimited range and a turret mounted twin-linked Lascannon which gives a bit more anti-vehicle punch in the form of a 48" S9 AP2 shot which can be re-rolled if missed. This can penetrate AV14 vehicles on a D6 roll of 6 (9+6=15), and cause them a Glancing hit on a 5. Lighter armoured vehicles can be penetrated easier.

Nova Storm Units: Heavy Support Choices 1

Here is the first of two 5-man Space Marine Devastator Squads currently in the army.


They have all the ususal rules for Space Marines; And They Shall Know No Fear, Combat Squads, and Combat Tactics - allowing them to choose to fail a Morale check (Combat Tactics) and fall back voluntarily, automatically regroup after falling back regardless of most normal restrictions (ATSKNF), and split into 2 5-man squads (Combat Squads - but not really relevant to this squad as it's only 5-men strong anyway)


They were originally designed to be an Infiltrating squad until the Space Marine codex was re-released and that ability was taken away. The Heavy Bolter (far right, kneeling) was put together using the Heavy Bolter from the Scouts kit to represent a lightweight version used by infiltrators rather than the standard backpack-fed version in the other Devastator squad.


They are painted up as the 8th Squad in the same Company as the Tactical Squads - hence the same Blue shoulder pad trim and cuffs. I have also modelled some extensive battle damage into their armour.


The squad is a multi-function anti-infantry/anti-vehicle squad featuring a Heavy Bolter for 3 pure anti-infantry shots that ignore any armour save of 4+ or less, a Multi-melta for pure anti-vehicle shooting and two Missile Launchers that can switch between anti-infantry Frag missiles, or anti-vehicle Krak missiles.

The Sergeant has a Storm Bolter and Power Sword enabling him to shoot twice at the enemy if the squad should move (as the rest of the heavy weapons will be unable to fire), and to give the squad an edge in an assault with the power weapon attacks that ignore armour.


He should also have a backpack mounted Signum allowing him to forego his own shooting to improve someone else's chance of hitting, but this kit was put together before the release of the plastic Devastator Squad kit that has the correct Signum back-pack in - therefore this will be added at a later date when I get my hands on a spare part.