Editing Zoanthrope (section)

==On the tabletop==
Zoanthropes are used best against either vehicles, tough armoured models, or big monsters where they can simply ignore toughness and armour saves with impunity. In 8th edition they have access to three powers: the tank-wrecking Warp Blas-er, 'Smite', and one power that you can choose/roll for from the Tyranid powers table. The downside to this is that they can only attempt to manifest one power each turn, unless the unit numbers four or more models. However, their Smite does get a step up from that of other lesser psykers since - if the unit contains four or more models - it does 2D3 mortal wounds rather than D3. Once again, the larger the unit the better - it's almost like Games Workshop wants to push us to buy more models...

Because of the short range of their powers they have to come dangerously close to their target. This is why you should always provide enough [[DISTRACTION CARNIFEX|distractions]] so they are not shot to death in one turn. As they are Synapse Creatures, they will keep your Gaunts controllable, which is always nice but again remember the range on their weapons and that they are not as fast as [[Hormagaunt]]s. And while a single shot is likely to deal great damage to a single target, it is not guaranteed it will be destroyed: as such it is smart to take several of these in a single brood.

They also have a good invulnerable save and a lot of wounds, which makes them a good bodyguard for characters. The Neurothrope itself makes a better-than-average warlord, too, for the same reason. Just don't expect it to kill anyone in melee.

Tyranid players rejoice!
With the new update, they can deep-strike again using the Tyrannocyte, which makes them even more awesome. Buy a nice bug-balloon, stuff it with Zopes, and drop it behind [[Hammerhead Gunship|whatever scares you]] for instant gratification.

Some things of note come up with these unique psychic smile-inverters. First, now that we're in 8th edition, despite having a 3+ invulnerable they do still benefit from their brother-from-another-mother Venomthropes thanks to the rewritten Shrouding Spores rule, so it may be worth buddying the floating snake 'nids up if you want your Zoanthropes to have that extra bit of protection. Second, their 'Warp Blast' (okay, so it's really Smite, but I've been calling it Warp Blast for five editions damnit and I'm not going to stop now!) power is a Warp Charge 5 attack. This means that they have a majority chance of success, but it's also much easier to deny nowadays due to the 8th edition Deny The Witch. Keep them away from enemy psykers and they should be good to go. Third, at least as of release, the Neurothrope upgrade is free now. Given that this beastie lets the unit regain wounds after Smiting someone, it's a no-brainer.