In a bid for greater tactical efficiency, the Hive Mind has developed synaptic abilities for its most critical bioforms. With
War Zone Octarius – Book 1: Rising Tide on the way, we’ve got vital intel on some of the Tyranids’ new capabilities.
Synaptic Links allow larger Tyranid bioforms to extend a portion of their innate strengths to nearby units. Each synapse creature has its own unique ability, so stealthy
Broodlords can guide swarms of chittering beasties through the shadows making your squishier units much more resistant to gunfire as they creep within clawing range of the enemy.
Meanwhile, sinister Neurothropes can project an aura of psychic dread through fast-moving units, like flocks of
Gargoyles, ensuring a weakened enemy unit is liable to flee from the field no matter where they are.
You can choose any unit within the Synaptic Link Range as the target,* normally 12” around the unit with the ability. Better still, because the Hive Mind can flow freely through the brains of its many bioforms, other Synapse units boost the range of the ability merely by being within 12”, even if they don’t have that specific buff themselves.
With enough synapse creatures in the right place, a single Synaptic Link can reach right across the battlefield. It’s a great tool to keep your opponent guessing, as they’ll never know where the next surge will come from.
What does this mean for your Hive Fleet? You have more reasons than ever to keep your lesser bioforms under synapse control, and there are dramatic boons ready to be granted every turn so long as the Hive Mind can keep track of its creatures.
Be careful of putting your big lads in danger, though, as one broken link in the chain can prevent critical buffs from reaching those who need them most.