Board Thread:Warhammer 40k General Discussion/@comment-6589306-20130228113457/@comment-6078851-20130408145623

smart gun ammunition is relatively similar to bolt rounds. it's isn't self propelled or colossul calibre but it does explode after penetration, and should be capable of puncturing both carapace and power armour as shall be explained.

in a 'barehanded' conflict, as in no projectile weaponry, the battlefield itself would play an important role. outdoors the tyranid warriors would have the advantage, but if it was indoor, tight and cramped conditions then tyranid warriors can only attack from the ground while aliens can attack from every surface, so this scenario advantage xeno's.

as for fighting in their 'natural' state of mind tyranid warriors, when separated from the hive mind, have at least a rudimentary intelligence: they have the mental flexibility to wield many different weapons whereas aliens, when separated from a queens controlling intellect, can only muster the intelligence of dogs. advantage tyranids.

regarding the toughness of power armour. basic shotguns in 40k, which are prety much the same as shotguns are now, can penetrate power armour: granted lucky rolling is needed but they still have the capacity to puncture power armour. shotguns, in the aliens' universe, which are at least on a par with 40k's 'basic' shotguns are completely incapable of penetrating xeno exoskeleton - from the outside that is, as we all know if a shotgun goes off in a xeno's mouth terminal damage will occur, but this only works inside-out and not outside-in. so this means xeno's have a tougher exterior than tyranids and space marines - advantage xeno's.

strength: i would have thought that tyranid warriors are stronger than space marines but in the rules their strength is actually the same. now this is up for debate but i fully believe that aliens have incomparable strength - they can peel through starship hulls and while i can envisage tyranid warriors being able to do so, rending claws would definitely help, i know that astartes can't without pretty heavy-duty equipment. advantage xeno's.

the problem facing the aliens though is that one single drone being aquired by the tyranids gives the fleet access to every single advantage the xeno's have - game, set and match to tyranids.