Card filtering is good, good card to work with Tau.

Can feed Isha combo too.

Can I complain that the ability seems unfluffy though? I can kind of see it in a vs opponent's deck way, with the doctrine of aggressive defence, but it makes less sense when self-filtering, which is the optimal play.

I'd rather have seen some ability to return to HQ as a combat action, or jus mobility.

It's an good card, can feed cards but don't think it's anything insane. 3/5.

Good body and command for the cost, but I expected a little more. Tested in DE/E choke, it paid back when in mutiple copies only. Maybe will see more play when Urien's location will released.

3/5

Latest thought on this is that I don't greatly rate it, just because 2 for 1/1/3 really is very poor value in the current meta.

However, a mad thought occurs that self-milling is just half of this - the other part is cutting through the deck. If we play a Dome of Crystal Seers deck at some stage (not yet, we don't have the tools yet) then this will be an excellent addition for toolboxing purposes: dig till you get the card you want, and move the cards you bottom stacked up by a place as well.

Thats not to say its a strong card now - just something I'm musing with for the future.

Not only that, filtering through the opponents deck can win games. If you are fearsome of your opponent drawing a certain card that will destroy you, the Spiders can help you make sure (not 100% sure, though, there's more card drawing in game) that player never draws it.

I see they could, somehow, fit in a choke deck. Making sure the opponent doesn't draw any key cards.

It would be optimal if the Spiders could attack 2 times (2 units or 2 combat rounds), to check both decks.

How's this card working out for those using it? In Kith? Urien? Observed my first "milled game" yesterday (Urien) where a player could not draw 2 cards on the last planet and lost. Biel-Tan Spiders were not in the deck. Made me wonder what experiences others have had with the BTS.

How's this card working out for those using it? In Kith? Urien? Observed my first "milled game" yesterday (Urien) where a player could not draw 2 cards on the last planet and lost. Biel-Tan Spiders were not in the deck. Made me wonder what experiences others have had with the BTS.

A mill result, really? Good to hear. Personally I think these guys are pretty rubbish but would love to see a mill strategy work in Conquest.

I have these in my Urien deck.  Unfortunately, the deck is terrible, but I think the theory is somewhat sound and just needs a little more support.  The idea is more to selectively filter what they draw so they don't have enough units to take early planets, with mill as kind of a side-light.  It's hurt by, among other things, the crappiness of Slake the Thirst.  It's not a good card, but the effect is somewhat worth it if mill is a possibility.  Urien gets shafted by it not being a torture card, but I still have 2 (I think) in the deck, to be tossed as a shield if needed or to finish off a mill if it presents itself.

Again, the deck is not good, but Crucible of Malediction and Biel-Tan Warp Spiders could potentially make it hard for them to draw any units.

Edit: Also, Slake the Thirst can make them draw the cards you've left on top of the deck with the Crucible or Spiders so that you can filter the next few cards down.  But it's just a slap in the face that for a middling effect you have to exhaust your warlord AND pay 1.

After switching to Chaos allies for the fanatics, I came back to Eldar allies with Urien.  IMO Eldar offers better options for high HP command units.  With Urien, it is critical that the command units stick otherwise there is too much investment turn after turn being put into refreshing command units in order to maintain or attempt to establish that critical control.  The warpspiders do offer that beefier command unit with the added benefit of giving you another opportunity to get your hands into your opponent's deck if they try to snipe it.  

How's this card working out for those using it? In Kith? Urien? Observed my first "milled game" yesterday (Urien) where a player could not draw 2 cards on the last planet and lost. Biel-Tan Spiders were not in the deck. Made me wonder what experiences others have had with the BTS.

I don't think he meant command phase.  I just think he meant it was down to the last planet and going into that last turn the player couldn't draw the two cards they are required to draw

After switching to Chaos allies for the fanatics, I came back to Eldar allies with Urien.  IMO Eldar offers better options for high HP command units.  With Urien, it is critical that the command units stick otherwise there is too much investment turn after turn being put into refreshing command units in order to maintain or attempt to establish that critical control.  The warpspiders do offer that beefier command unit with the added benefit of giving you another opportunity to get your hands into your opponent's deck if they try to snipe it.  

I've found this to be the case as well. Sure chaos gives you Fanatics (and potentially Umbral Preachers if you really want extra command), but, on a purely hp perspective, Warlock Destructors along with these guys just help a lot more, especially when so many DE units are low on hp. Plus, this card's effect adds onto the synergy of the Crucible of Malediction's milling effect, meaning that you can thin out the opponent's deck of specific troublesome cards.

There is some synergy here with the Hypex Injector, however I struggle to find the space for it. I have used it previously to great effect, but unless you're also taking ranged units it isn't massively helpful (although I tested it before the days of infested Harpys ....)

3.5/5 for Urien

2.5/5 for all others (its biggest use is being a high hp capper)

has anyone started playing it, except for Urien? 

I play 3x warp spiders in Shadowsun, along with 3x prophetic farseer and 2x subdual.  I think it works well as part of a 'package' like this, without other cards that have a similar perk, the individual effect is weak.

soon urien mill

I think there's a strong case for the warp spiders and the Prophetic Farseer in Talyesin (Along with Subdual for the targeted discard). A 2/3 for 2 that mills in Talyesin is a much better deal. That said, using the Swordwind Farseer is also a strong option as it becomes a 3/3 potentially that draws you a card whenever you play it (including Gift of Isha!).

Intriguing, and I'm inclined to agree, save that in Talyesin I'd be inclined to target my own deck to affect draw control. The discard is optional, after all.

You may .... I never noticed ...

Latest thought on this is that I don't greatly rate it, just because 2 for 1/1/3 really is very poor value in the current meta.

 

However, a mad thought occurs that self-milling is just half of this - the other part is cutting through the deck. If we play a Dome of Crystal Seers deck at some stage (not yet, we don't have the tools yet) then this will be an excellent addition for toolboxing purposes: dig till you get the card you want, and move the cards you bottom stacked up by a place as well.

 

Thats not to say its a strong card now - just something I'm musing with for the future.

Only issue being that the Dome only affects when you search your deck, rather than when you look at it. However given that the comment was from over a year ago I'm sure that you realise that now

Intriguing, and I'm inclined to agree, save that in Talyesin I'd be inclined to target my own deck to affect draw control. The discard is optional, after all.

I see using it on yourself as the scientist's approach, especially since you can't reorder them. "I'll look at my own deck .... in the pursuit of knowledge!"

Sure, one day there might a stupid combo where this card is part of the chain. Until that day, this is one for the binder.

1/5