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So trying to get the most out of the leaked formations and rather than going shooty (I've lots of ideas of that though largely similar to before but using the Spore Field). So the idea is lots of interference units with infiltrate backed up fast assault units. I'm not convinced a T3 Hive Tyrant is a good idea but I'm giving combat Tyrants a try so here goes:

SKY TYRANT SWARM1
Flyrant: L&BS, Devourers, Electroshock 245
15 Gargoyles 90
15 Gargoyles 90

SKY TYRANT SWARM1
Flyrant: L&BS, Devourers, Electroshock 245
15 Gargoyles 90
15 Gargoyles 90

SPORE FIELD1
3 x 1 Mucolid 45
2 x 3 Spore Mines 30
4 Spore Mines 20

SPORE FIELD2
3 x 1 Mucolid 45
3 x 3 Spore Mines 45

CAD
Dakka Flyrant: electroshock 240

5 Genestealers: Broodlord 130
5 Genestealers: Broodlord 130

4 Shrikes: Rending, fleshhooks 156
4 Shrikes: Rending, fleshhooks 156

I know Shrikes are generally bad but could work here due to threat overload allowing them to actually get into combat. 3 Flyrants 2 geared purely for combat with 30 ablative wounds each. I'm wondering if dropping Devourers from them to get an extra attack whilst giving up shooting so they run everyturn, getting Adrenal Glands into the bargain. Though that leaves me with issues of how to deal transports. Genestealers throw out The Horror and offer interference whilst the Spores just offer target saturation for turn 1 & 2 that the enemy has to deal with.

What do you think?

I love seeing the attempt at some stabby nids. I feel the sky swarms are a great way to get a tyrant across the board and into melee where he is no joke. I would take the devourers off the tyrant and go with two melee weapons for the +1 attack. These two tyrants are going to be one of the few units that can reliable get across the board and into combat because of all the ablative wounds, but you do not want him getting stuck in the same combat all game because he doesn't have enough attacks to wipe a squad. That extra ap2 attack can be a huge difference maker against any unit with a decent save.
Overall I like the list. You have some choices that are admittedly not so stellar (looking at you, Shrikes), but I feel that they compliment the list in a way that may see them perform better than we are used to. Its a themed, fun looking list that I think may be able to overwhelm small, elite-style armies.

Is 1 attack really worth 6 S6 shots (5.4444 S6 hits on average)? Plus the ability to kill transports as I make my way across the field?

Yeah Shrikes are sub par but I think they are viable in this list as you say. Target Saturation from elsewhere should enable them to make combat.

 FlingitNow wrote:
So trying to get the most out of the leaked formations and rather than going shooty (I've lots of ideas of that though largely similar to before but using the Spore Field). So the idea is lots of interference units with infiltrate backed up fast assault units. I'm not convinced a T3 Hive Tyrant is a good idea but I'm giving combat Tyrants a try so here goes:

SKY TYRANT SWARM1
Flyrant: L&BS, Devourers, Electroshock 245
15 Gargoyles 90
15 Gargoyles 90

SKY TYRANT SWARM1
Flyrant: L&BS, Devourers, Electroshock 245
15 Gargoyles 90
15 Gargoyles 90

SPORE FIELD1
3 x 1 Mucolid 45
2 x 3 Spore Mines 30
4 Spore Mines 20

SPORE FIELD2
3 x 1 Mucolid 45
3 x 3 Spore Mines 45

CAD
Dakka Flyrant: electroshock 240

5 Genestealers: Broodlord 130
5 Genestealers: Broodlord 130

4 Shrikes: Rending, fleshhooks 156
4 Shrikes: Rending, fleshhooks 156

I know Shrikes are generally bad but could work here due to threat overload allowing them to actually get into combat. 3 Flyrants 2 geared purely for combat with 30 ablative wounds each. I'm wondering if dropping Devourers from them to get an extra attack whilst giving up shooting so they run everyturn, getting Adrenal Glands into the bargain. Though that leaves me with issues of how to deal transports. Genestealers throw out The Horror and offer interference whilst the Spores just offer target saturation for turn 1 & 2 that the enemy has to deal with.

What do you think?

Looks like a fun list! I think I would drop one Shrike, and buy some Glands for the Tyrants. You still have Electro for the AV targets, and Vecter Strikes as an option. Even with the nurf, I'd consider Toxic, so I could kill Wraith Knights easier (I do kinda hate them, how did you know? ) I don't know that adding an extra CC attack justifies losing 6 ST 6 shots though....

One question, I seem to be a little "rusty"...can a "Sky Tyrant" DS? How about the whole swarm? I can't see any reason I could not reserve the Tyrant, and the Gargoyles, then DS them in...

I think its worth dropping the devourers for the extra attack... but I also like my stabby tyrant to not have any fiddly little devourers, so that is likely skewing my judgment. The devourers do make him more useful through all phases of the turn than would the two melee weapons obviously. So the devourers are statistically more valuable, but the melee weapons are more in line with your theme.

Dual role (dakka/CC) shrikes have always been good for me. I keep them cheap with RC and Devourers. Decent shooting a brood of 5 and 15(20) on the charge rending attacks give a lot of targets. The most amusing being ripping through an IG parking lot on a multi charge.

I only have units of 4 Shrikes meaning I can't afford to duel purpose them. They have the 20 attacks on the charge now as is I don't feel I can drop below that and retain combat efficiency. Plus the last thing I want to do is shoot myself out of charge range.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
As for Deepstriking the Hive Tyrant there is a debate on it. However I don't see why I'd want to. The unit is aim more at combat than short ranged shooting and doing so completely destroys the target saturation I have making the Spores a little pointless and the Shrikes worthless.

I would recomment the TS on the Shrikes, its one of the few well pointed upgrades that Nids have (3pts for poisoned, thats the same price hormagaunts pay) gives them possibility for re-rolling which helps the rending hits

pinecone77 wrote:


One question, I seem to be a little "rusty"...can a "Sky Tyrant" DS? How about the whole swarm? I can't see any reason I could not reserve the Tyrant, and the Gargoyles, then DS them in...

Yes, it can Deep Strike. The Formation is treated as 1 unit, and as long as each model of the unit has the Deep Strike USR the unit can enter Deep Strike reserves.

For those wondering because of 6th Ed, The Jump entry now states that anything that "moves like" a Jump model has all of the Jump Special Rules. Thus, FMCs now have Deep Strike.

I'm not sure how it would help though, they're fast enough that you should be able to attack on turn 2 instead of turn 3.

AlmostMercury wrote:

pinecone77 wrote:


One question, I seem to be a little "rusty"...can a "Sky Tyrant" DS? How about the whole swarm? I can't see any reason I could not reserve the Tyrant, and the Gargoyles, then DS them in...

Yes, it can Deep Strike. The Formation is treated as 1 unit, and as long as each model of the unit has the Deep Strike USR the unit can enter Deep Strike reserves.

For those wondering because of 6th Ed, The Jump entry now states that anything that "moves like" a Jump model has all of the Jump Special Rules. Thus, FMCs now have Deep Strike.

I'm not sure how it would help though, they're fast enough that you should be able to attack on turn 2 instead of turn 3.

You should look in on the YMdC thread on this, but there is conflict between FMC Deepstrike (Arrives swooping) and Master of the Flock (must only use Glide mode).

barnowl wrote:

AlmostMercury wrote:

pinecone77 wrote:


One question, I seem to be a little "rusty"...can a "Sky Tyrant" DS? How about the whole swarm? I can't see any reason I could not reserve the Tyrant, and the Gargoyles, then DS them in...

Yes, it can Deep Strike. The Formation is treated as 1 unit, and as long as each model of the unit has the Deep Strike USR the unit can enter Deep Strike reserves.

For those wondering because of 6th Ed, The Jump entry now states that anything that "moves like" a Jump model has all of the Jump Special Rules. Thus, FMCs now have Deep Strike.

I'm not sure how it would help though, they're fast enough that you should be able to attack on turn 2 instead of turn 3.

You should look in on the YMdC thread on this, but there is conflict between FMC Deepstrike (Arrives swooping) and Master of the Flock (must only use Glide mode).

Thanx, I guess I'll wait a while for an answer...

The reason to Deepstrike is the same as taking Mawloc, the psychological pressure changes how the foe sets up, and plays...I am pretty sure that if I can deepstrike in a SkyTyrant+ her rowdy friends, Drop pod armys will need more antacids... Suddenly parking lots need bubble wrap... etc....

I had not thought about the arrival vs "We Glide!" it does look fairly convincing...

 fartherthanfar wrote:
I would recomment the TS on the Shrikes, its one of the few well pointed upgrades that Nids have (3pts for poisoned, thats the same price hormagaunts pay) gives them possibility for re-rolling which helps the rending hits

I only get rerolls vs T3 and I generally don't need rending vs T3. I largely want to keep them cheap so they are not seen as a priority threat but still hit the same time as everything else.

As for people talking about DSing the SkyTyrant Swarm(s). That is a terrible idea in this list. The list relies on target saturation to put pressure on the opponent. DSing a Tyrant means the opponent doesn't need bubble wrap anymore than them walking as they have no melta and they aren't a massive threat the turn they arrive. However having 850 points hiding in reserve makes target priority turn 1 easy, means I might have to fight 2 or even 3 turns with just 1k,and risk losing 425 to DS as the footprint of a MC and 30 Gargoyles is huge so I can't DS in an aggressive way anyway.

As pointed out it is not legal but even if it was it would be a horrid idea for this list.

As for the devourers on the tyrants... I am on the fence. The extra attack is nice, especially when kitting a tyrant for pure CC, but the flexibility of the devourer shots is nice too. But does that mean you arent running when you should be? Do the devourers make you apprehensive towards CC? if locked in combat the devourers afford you nothing, so maybe it is better without them?

These in my eyes are all viable questions, to which I don't have an answer yet. I am leaning more towards no devourers only because I want the rant there as fast as possible, with as much melee murderness as possible.

Currently I run my solo skytyrant like this: Hive tyrant, wings, maw claws, electroshock grubs, adrenal glands, toxin sacs