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So I'm soon going to start my own Hive fleet, and I have written up these two variations of the same lists, these are the models I am looking at primarily getting. Nothing has been purchased yet so the list are completely flexible. The only restrictions I would say, even though I know they are 'nerfed' in 6th Genestealers stay, one way or another, they are what originally drew me into Nids, so they will stay. Also I don't play tournaments, and I am more of a casual player, so it doesn't have to be optimised, for example I know everyone now swears by Biovores and Hive guard, but the Biovores are the most pig ugly models I have ever seen.

Anyway I am always open to any suggestions, and won't take offence to any criticisms made. Thanks for taking the time to read and review.

List 1

Hive Tyrant - Wings, Lash Whip, Bone sword, TL Devourers 245

Swarmlord - 280
Tyrant Guard Lash Whip Bone Sword 80

Doom of Malantai - 90
(mysetic spore) - 40
YMGARl's x 6 138

Termagant Brood x 11 - 55
Termagant Brood x 11 - 55
Termagant Brood x 11 - 55
Tervigon Catalyst, onslaught, Toxin sacs, Scything Talons 205
Tervigon Catalyst, onslaught, Toxin sacs, Scything Talons 205
Genestealer Brood x 10 toxin,adrenal 200

2 x Carnifex TL Devourers - 350
1998

List 2

Hive Tyrant - Wings, Lash Whip, Bone sword, TL Devourers 245

Swarmlord - 280
Tyrant Guard Lash Whip Bone Sword 80

2 x Zoans 120
YMGARl's x 6 138

Termagant Brood x 14 - 70
Termagant Brood x 15 - 75
Tervigon Catalyst, onslaught, Toxin sacs, Scything Talons 205
Tervigon Catalyst, onslaught, Toxin sacs, Scything Talons 205
Genestealer Brood x 9 toxin,adrenal 180
Broodlord Adrenal, Toxin 52

2 x Carnifex TL Devourers - 350

2000

Hey! I'd say both lists are pretty good. A few changes you might want to consider:

1. Tyrant Guard can't actually take both a Lash Whip and a Bonesword. You have to pick one. I would always take the Lash Whip. The Swarmlord is good enough to take on nearly anything. Plus, you save 10 points by going with the whip.

2. I would drop the adrenal glands from the genestealers. Their real damage comes from rending, plus you're already re-rolling to wound with toxin sacs. You're spending an extra 27-30 points to deal an extra 2 wounds...with fewer chances to rend.

3. Just a general comment...list 1 is much stronger, imo. The best use for Zoanthropes right now is for good psychic powers...which you don't need. You already have crazy psychic ability from the Swarmlord, 2 Tervigons, and a Hive Tyrant. The Doom of Malan'Tai is cheaper than the Zoanthropes and gives you more damage output.
Don't forget he comes in on a 2+ thanks to the Swarmlord.

4. I know a lot of people (including me) use Pyrovores instead of Biovores. I really think they look better, and most non-Tyranid players can't even tell the difference.

Here's my crack at your List 1:

All of that comes to 1908 points, leaving you 92 points for more genestealers or ymgarls or 2 Biovores or a Tyranid Prime to go with your Carnifex brood (double force org).

1. Tyrant Guard can't actually take both a Lash Whip and a Bonesword. You have to pick one. I would always take the Lash Whip. The Swarmlord is good enough to take on nearly anything. Plus, you save 10 points by going with the whip.

O yes so you can, I agree on the Lash whip as well, I only went with single so I can use The Swarmlords majority values, and also by sticking the Tyrant Guard in front of Swarmie, everything that gets charged will be getting lash whipped, sound tactic?

2. I would drop the adrenal glands from the genestealers. Their real damage comes from rending, plus you're already re-rolling to wound with toxin sacs. You're spending an extra 27-30 points to deal an extra 2 wounds...with fewer chances to rend.

That's sound logic.

3. Just a general comment...list 1 is much stronger, imo. The best use for Zoanthropes right now is for good psychic powers...which you don't need. You already have crazy psychic ability from the Swarmlord, 2 Tervigons, and a Hive Tyrant. The Doom of Malan'Tai is cheaper than the Zoanthropes and gives you more damage output.
Don't forget he comes in on a 2+ thanks to the Swarmlord.

I do prefer the Doom option, especially as most of my opponents that I play are either Tau, or heavy cultist chaos, so with the low leadership values, I'll be eating wounds for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Is it ever worth taking Zoan's over the Doom, lower points levels maybe?

4. I know a lot of people (including me) use Pyrovores instead of Biovores. I really think they look better, and most non-Tyranid players can't even tell the difference.

I take it you mean proxy them as Biovores, it's not a bad option may have to consider it when expanding my force.

Here's my crack at your List 1:

Spoiler:

Hive Tyrant with all your upgrades: 245
The Swarmlord + Tyrant Guard with Lash Whip: 345

Doom of Malan'Tai in a Pod 130
6 Ymgarls 138

10 Termagants 50
10 Termagants 50
Tervigon with Toxin Sacs, Catalyst, Onslaught 200
Tervigon with Toxin Sacs, Catalyst, Onslaught 200
10 Genestealers with Toxin Sacs 170

2 Carnifex with TL Devourers 380 (unfortunately, they're 190 each)

All of that comes to 1908 points, leaving you 92 points for more genestealers or ymgarls or 2 Biovores or a Tyranid Prime to go with your Carnifex brood (double force org).

I like that list quite alot, would it be worth it putting a Broodlord into the Genestealers, are Broodlords even worth the points? Or prehaps a third or just increase the sizes of the Termagant squads?

O yes so you can, I agree on the Lash whip as well, I only went with single so I can use The Swarmlords majority values, and also by sticking the Tyrant Guard in front of Swarmie, everything that gets charged will be getting lash whipped, sound tactic?

Yeah, I would definitely stick with 1 guard. A good roll on Iron Arm = Toughness 9 for the whole unit. And yes, keeping the Guard in front is a good idea.

I do prefer the Doom option, especially as most of my opponents that I play are either Tau, or heavy cultist chaos, so with the low leadership values, I'll be eating wounds for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Is it ever worth taking Zoan's over the Doom, lower points levels maybe?

The Zoanthropes aren't really a bad decision; I just think the Doom is better. At lower points, I would probably avoid Zoanthropes altogether. They really depend on getting good rolls, unless you keep the book powers (warp lance is still pretty good) or go for psychic shriek. If you want psychic support, I think the Tervigon is always better. Once again, in a more casual game (or with a little luck), Zoanthropes can be very powerful.

I take it you mean proxy them as Biovores, it's not a bad option may have to consider it when expanding my force.

Yeah, sorry I wasn't clear. Pyrovores look very similar to Biovores and can make good proxies. They're also slightly cheaper. Also, considering how bad Pyrovores are, GW will probably buff the out of them when Tyranids are updated

I like that list quite alot, would it be worth it putting a Broodlord into the Genestealers, are Broodlords even worth the points? Or prehaps a third or just increase the sizes of the Termagant squads?

Broodlords usually aren't really worth their points, but they're a lot of fun. Every time I take Genestealers, I take a Broodlord and roll on Biomancy. They'll wreck almost any other character...and an extra Endurance or Enfeeble never hurts
If you want to spend the extra points, I would either add 2 Biovores (best option) or take a few more Ymgarl Genestealers and give the Tervigons more upgrades. If you give them Adrenal Glands, your Termagants can glance most vehicles to death (strength 4 on the charge). If you give them Crushing Claws, you can make a Tervigon a killing machine (with warp speed, a tervigon can get 9 strength 10 smash attacks on the charge).
I wouldn't add more Termagants. They're only good for scoring objectives, and you have plenty of scoring units.

I think I might just go ahead and buy a Broodlord and the Pyrovores that way I have a bit of flexibilty, especially as the most common army I play against is Chaos, and they have to challenge now Is there any other units I am overlooking that are worth a look at?

If you're 1) playing casual games and 2) playing against Chaos (not exactly the most powerful army), I'd go with the rule of cool. If you like a model or a unit, take it.

As for making a stronger list, I've had excellent success with Trygons, Hive Guard, Gargoyles, and Hormagaunts. All of those units can be competitive (especially the first two).

I assume you take the carnifex for anti tank? You should consider dropping one and adding 3 Hive Guard. The fulfill the AA role better, and cost less. The rest of the list looks balanced and fun to play with/against.

I don't really like the hive guard models, which when it comes to a toss up between units, that's got to be the decisive factor. I am looking at the mawloc as another heavy support option though.

Siphen makes some very good suggestions and I agree with everything he's said. His list is also an improvement. Here are my comments:

1. The best load-out for your flyrant would be 2x TL-devourers. Nothing spells death more than 12x S6 twin-linked shots. And the best thing is that you can stay in the air in swoop mode and don't have to risk your flyrant on the ground getting shot. However, I can understand it if you are taking the BS+LW because you like the looks.

2. I'm liking the Doom over the zoans because he is such a disruptive unit (just like those ymgarls) and really forces your opponent to dedicate a lot of his "resources" against it. You know, guns like meltas, lascannons and missiles that would otherwise tear apart your monstrous creatures.

3. Tyrant guards should only be with lash whips. That's all the upgrades they will ever need.

4. I'd rather split up my carnifexes. This way, you can target 2 different units as opposed to just one. Really, 24 TL-S6 shots is overkill against a 5-man squad (which is a common configuration for many armies). The only exception is if you need your 2 other Heavy slots free for other units.

5. Ymgarls are good. The sweet spot for them is probably 7-8 guys.

6. I think Broodlords have actually gotten better in 6th thanks to their psychic powers. While I don't normally run BL's, I think they are worth serious consideration now. Also, the only upgrades you will ever need for those stealers are toxin sacs, but if you are going for the BL, I probably wouldn't even take the those as well.


Good luck and have fun with the bugs!

Thanks for giving the lists a look over, I like your suggestions about the Carnifex's didn;t even think about having two single units rather than two units of one. The only thing that worries me about playing Tyranids, is synapse. Do I have enough synapse creatures, and is it really a massive problem if your units get out of synapse range or fail their tests?

And I've just realised the benefit of the second TL Devourer, just been looking through the BRB to familiarise myself with FMC's and they don't have Skyfire! So I can see why the extra 6 shots comes in useful