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cus i promised to keep my 1750 list at 1750 and cheapish...


So far its going well...
But your tempting me to throw in an extra Tervigon as a HQ ¬¬

Dark_Gear wrote:It's a great discussion to have right here since it is about Nids after all no?

Fair enough, thanks. Lets move the discussion across after this message though, i wouldn't want to incur the wrath of the mods plus i've already opened the thread now and it would be a waste not to use it. Not to mention it took multiple pages to write my BA list.

Dark_Gear wrote:Didn't really gamble that much when in Vegas. Only went to the Blackjack tables twice, 5$ a hand. Each time I practically doubled my money within 3 hands and cashed out. Ended up being up by 37.50 in the end.

Good stuff!

Dark_Gear wrote:Some modeling pics. Remember that Cities of Death box? Well, it's 90% assembled and I'm quite happy with the results.

Love what you've done with those buildings. That's some very flexible terrain, i'm sure your friend will be very happy with the outcome. Will they be painted by you or your friend? Ergo, will we finally get to see a model painted by your good self? I'm sure that Carnifex is getting lonely.

Dark_Gear wrote:Had I known you were looking for a list rather than a 500pt addition to an existing force, my suggestions would have been different. I should have asked for more info before launching into advice mode but at least it gave us a starting point.

My bad, i'm not always very clear. I ramble when i type and a mumble when i talk.

Dark_Gear wrote:What are the FOC requirements for that point cost? Is it 1 HQ and 2 troops or 1HQ and and 1 troop.

As far as i am aware it is always 1HQ 2Troops, unless of coarse you are playing unusual rules for a tournament or such. I am not so just the usual 1 and 2 for me.

Good news though, i'm considering a force of 500, 750 or 1000pts.

Dark_Gear wrote:Contrary to popular belief, Nids are not a CC army, they're are a shootie army that uses CC units to keep assaulters at bay until things can get in range to shoot them. Or at least that's how I play them. This is why I never field fleshborer gaunts. Devilgaunts, at double the price, are about 4 times as effective due to a) the volume of shots, b) the increased range. Therefore, taking 11 of them is the same as buying 33 fleshborer gaunts. Thanks to the Tervigon they'll be getting counter-attack which makes them a pain to assault as well.

I have to agree with you here, Tyranids function best using this strategy. I am looking at a force which combines Mycetic Spores dropping in, Raveners and Trygons/Mawlocs bursting form the ground with Lictors an Genestealers awaking in infiltrated positions. I want units to arrive in a hail of shooting before the ensuing combat. I am really trying to capture the essence of a Tyranid assault on a planet while still turning out a quite competitive list. Tough challenge at this points level, i really don't make it easy for myself.

Dark_Gear wrote:The Tervigon...
Hive Guard...
And finally Biovores...

I can see how powerful these beasts are, you've convinced me. I'll try and figure out a way of justifying there presence and incorporating them into my narrative. Main problem is that i can't deep strike or infiltrate them.

Dark_Gear wrote:At 500 points, I'd stay away from CC only units such as Stealers or Hormogaunts. Remember what I said earlier about nids being shooty. Time spent running after your meal is time spent not killing your opponent. This isn't to say that we don't have any stellar CC units but I prefer the ones that can tenderize opposing units as they get closer. Dev/Whip warriors or Spitter Raveners epitomise this approach. A second list that would use these units to great effect might run like so:
Tyranid Prime | Twin Boneswords, AG, TS | 110 points
Warriors x3 | AG, TS, LW/BS | 165 points
Raveners x5 | Rending, Deathspitter | 225 points

There are some very obvious similarities here to the list i posted on the other thread. It's good to know i was going down the right lines. Do you think i can re-consider Genestealers now i'm aiming for higher points? They fit my narrative much better.

Dark_Gear wrote:I feel Zooeys or Doom in a pod at this point range is a waste of 40points (for the pod). As you pointed out it's an unreliable delivery method, especially without a Commander Tyrant.

So what do you think now the points are higher and you've heard my fluff? Oh and Deathleaper has the same rule as Hive Commander and it comes free with his base cost!

Dark_Gear wrote:That's a good question about burrowing when out of synapse. Mind you, it's also why I prefer the Trigon Prime. He shoots very well the turn he arrives, is a synapse creature and is much more effective in CC as well.

I agree, now i'm not looking at a 500points list, the extra 30points for a Trygon is cheap for what you get. These bad boys could sort out my anti tank problems...

Dark_Gear wrote:The all floaty concept would be very cool, especially if you find a way to make floating variations of all the units that typically wouldn't be, such as gaunts and such. For example a floating Tervigon could be based off the Starcraft Overseer. Food for thought.

Yeh it would have to be the entire force. I'll work on my fleet's genetic build once iv got my list.

Dark_Gear wrote:Hope this helps as it's time for me to stop this wall of text. Let me know what you think of the new list options and we'll see what else we can come up with to refine your list. BTW, is this diminutive list for an escalation type campaign?

Thanks very much for all of this, and nope its just a stand alone list for average games. Lets move to the other thread now and make room for pictures of big angry gribblies!

@ Casey: Thanks very much for all of this, and nope its just a stand alone list for average games. Lets move to the other thread now and make room for pictures of big angry gribblies!

You're welcome for the feedback and sounds good... but uhh ... what is the other the other thread?

@ Bloodhorror: cus i promised to keep my 1750 list at 1750 and cheapish...

I fully understand about the cheapish part. FYI, did you can buy just the arachnorok torso off ebay for 9-15$*. You're more than likely to be able to buy the carnifex bits for cheap too **. IOW, for less than the cost of a Carnifex kit, at least in canadian dollars, and your own bitz bin you could make yourself a custom, awe-inspiring Tervigon for about 30$.

* http://cgi.ebay.com/WARHAMMER-BITS-ORC-ARACHNAROK-SPIDER-HUGE-SPIDER-BODY-/320734431266?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aad430822
** http://cgi.ebay.com/Tyranid-CARNIFEX-BODY-BACK-THORNS-Warhammer-40k-bits-/330593182579?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf8e3a373

As for the points, unless you're going to tournaments or playing with a group of friends who like to play that points level, 1750 is kinda low for 'Nids. I know it sounds wierd but I kid you not, 2k to 3k is our sweet spot, with an emphasis more on 2.5 to 3k thanks to the points increase to our Monstrous Creatures. I realise I may be biased because I have 5.5k of Nids but I've actually never played an Apoc game. I just try different lists every game and keep both my opponents and myself on my toes. So in the spirit of sharing advice, please enlighten us about why you've set yourself a 1750 ceiling, what kind of list you run and what you like (or dislike) about it.

Tomorrow being a holiday, I'm hoping to get some modeling time.

Until then, cheers all and keep posting.

Cheers all,

Looking forward to seeing some more 'Nids from you, Dark_Gear! And i'm looking forward to seeing your list Bloodhorror! I might steal some of your ideas, haha!

Here is the 'other' thread.

P.S. Do you think grey_death would get angry if i started calling you d_g?

Dark_Gear wrote:Seeing as how I really don't care to use GS too much on my projects when just precisely melting the plastic with Tamiya Extra Thin Cement
will typically do just as well if not better, the interior space of the jaws was filled with a fragment from the space set of teeth that came with the kit.
I'll post some details of the technique in a further post.

Good evening Dark.

I really enjoyed reading about all of your great conversions of all of your Tyranids, have you had a chance to finish painting and modifying the remainder of your army ?

I was also wondering would you mind explaining your technique of melting plastic with Tamiya Extra Thin Cement. that you mentioned above, i hope im not doubling up on this request.

Thanks for your time.

Mordhel

Hey Mordhel, check out my thread, 'The Toolbox.' Dark_Gear did a write up for me there. It's near the end. You might find some other useful info there too. Link's in my signature, enjoy!

/jaw agape

I'm utterly, utterly blown away by your work.
/kneels and bows - I'm not worthy!

I love your work, its flippin sweet, subscribed.
If you need someone to do resin casts for you let me know, I have been casting in resin and white metal your years now.

Check out my blog in my signature. I have some examples of pressmold castings using Instamold (Oyumaru) and ProCreate (a Greenstuff alternative). as well my own Tervigon conversions.

@theunicorn. Thank you! Your blog just solved the problems i was having with my oyumaru. I feel stupid for not doing it that way to start with. If you don't mind, could you post up a tutorial on my thread 'The Toolbox'?

My blog shows actual GW bitz being recast, and as such would get mod deleted/banned very quickly, unfortunately I do not have photos of the tervi legs being cast.
You may want to put Procreate in the toolbox though, it is a very good product along the lines of GS .

Oh yeh so they are. The list needs a huge update, post any ideas on the the thread and i'll add them in when i make the master edit soon.

Phenomenal work. Can't wait to see what pops up next!

Well done for blasting your way past 10,000 views big man! Lots of happy customers i'm sure.

Thanks Casey!

[Uncorks the bubbly (beer)]

I never really thought I'd get here but what a trip it's been. A lot of great comments and even more hobby time. Small milestones like these really make me feel like all this hobby was, in fact, time well spent because of the effect it has had and continues to have on fellow players.

That being said, I'm sad to say the hobby time flew out the window because, as summer would have it, it was glorious outside and filing models seemed much less enticing than tossing a frisbee on the beach before having a pint on a sunny patio.

So much to do modeling wise... Hopefully we'll have crap weather this week so I can start clawing that to-do list heheh

I just wanted to say that you've given me some great ideas for conversions for my 'nid army which has been sitting on a back burner for the last year or so. Hopefully they stick in my head until I get around to them again (I've got a heavy gear army to deal with first).

Well, if you two ladies are done with being soppy and sentimental...

Haha, seriously though, amazing stuff so far and i foresee continued prosperity. Enjoy summer while it lasts, just fit in some modeling in between!

While working in dinner I figured it was time to catch up on some overdue responses.

@TragicNut: Glad to have helped with the inspiration. Do you have a P&M blog for your Heavy Gear army yet? If so, please post it so I can check.

@ darkPrince: Thank you and love the name btw.

@ theunicorn: thanks for the sub but most of all, really glad your blog helped out Casey with some Oyumaru questions. Helping each other out is what blogs are all about no? Nice write up about the Chapterhouse Pods as I was looking them over following my first use of pods this past Sunday. His sculpts are definitely at the top of my list for scale, design and detail. My favourite quote of yours from your blog definitely has to be "Don't look. Tervigons have mommy parts". So very appropriate for your conversion.

finnan wrote:/jaw agape

I'm utterly, utterly blown away by your work.
/kneels and bows - I'm not worthy!

Such praise is much appreciated as I've been watching your blog for a while and it's really awe inspiring. I mean really, your Avatar... and the red hot metal where he grips the spear... Brilliant! (To those of you haven't seen this, go to page 16 of Finnan's Plog) Your work on the Scourges in particular is making my head swim with ideas for when I eventually get to painting the whole winged set in my collection of 'Nids, name the 30 gargoyles, 6 shrikes, harpy and flyrant.

@ Mordhel. As Casey pointed out (and reminded me), I posted an example of my technique for using the Tamiya extra thin cement in the toolbox thread. Check it out and let me know if you have any further questions. I'll be happy to help clear things up.

@ Casey. I'd be honoured if he were ok with the d_g but damn, I'm nowhere near Grey_death's level yet. At least not until I start painting...

Nuff said for now but keep on checking in. What with yesterday's game I'm starting to think that I might just have to start working on my own pods sooner than later.

(runs off to figure out some 2250 point pod lists.)

Looks really good right now. I can't wait until it is finally painted.

Dark_Gear wrote:While working in dinner I figured it was time to catch up on some overdue responses.

@TragicNut: Glad to have helped with the inspiration. Do you have a P&M blog for your Heavy Gear army yet? If so, please post it so I can check.

I can't say that I do. Maybe I should start one...

Dark_Gear wrote:@ Casey. I'd be honoured if he were ok with the d_g but damn, I'm nowhere near Grey_death's level yet. At least not until I start painting...

Well get them painted and let us decide!

Dark_Gear wrote:(runs off to figure out some 2250 point pod lists.)

Had an interesting thought... Playing around with the +1 for reserves rules might get your pods in very early. Main problem is Lictors cant start on the board and i'm not sure if the Swarmlord stacks with the Hive Tyrant. The Lictors and don't stack with each other but maybe Deathleaper would. I don't think Tyrants stack with each other either. Anyway i haven't really looked into it as i don't have enough points to spend. Maybe something worth reading up on for you though...

TragicNut wrote:I can't say that I do. Maybe I should start one...

You should!

LostSoulCasey'sLaw wrote:

TragicNut wrote:I can't say that I do. Maybe I should start one...

You should!

And so I have. http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/387401.page

TragicNut wrote:And so I have. http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/387401.page

Dark_Gear wrote:@ Mordhel. As Casey pointed out (and reminded me), I posted an example of my technique for using the Tamiya extra thin cement in the toolbox thread. Check it out and let me know if you have any further questions. I'll be happy to help clear things up.

Thanks for the heads up much appreciated.

Was a great read, but one small question, why use the extra thin cement, would the normal cement give you the same result ?

Also where do you get all of your random bits and peace's for all of your bases, e.g. light-poles broken archways etc ?

Thanks for your time.

@ Mordhel: The lamp poles and broken archways I use for basing come from the GW building kits that were released for Cities of Death. The kits come will all sorts of great bits.

As for the cement technique, I've tried it with 3 types of cement; thick, regular and extra thin, and the best results come from using the extra thin. The main reason is that the extra thin "paints on" really well and doesn't leave any brush strokes when it cures. Its consistency also make it perfect for creating the plastic paste with filings, as demonstrated in the Toolbox post, because as soon the cement comes in contact with another surface it spreads itself super thin right away, thereby penetrating into every nook and cranny of a complex model. The thick cement, on the other hand, has to be painted in more precisely. While this isn't a bad feature per say, when trying to make conversions as I do, such as by making plastic putty with the cement and some filings, the extra thin is the only cement that actually goes where you it to in thin and controlled layers.

Glad this is helping you out.

@ TragicNut: Good job on starting blog of your own. Will check it out soon.

@ Casey: Oh don't get me wrong, I totally want to start painting the fleet one of these days, but that's not going to happen until I get a carrying case for the minis. Seeing as how I play pretty much every weekend, the amount of chipping I'd have to deal with is just not cool. I'm hoping I can swing the purchase by September. The challenge with my Nids is that the only i'll make a case fit all my stuff is if I get it custom-cut foam too so I'm looking at about 350$ for one of the larger battlefoam packs. Expensive but so worth it considering it would fit the whole 5k of Nids in one box.

I actually used 1/8 inch magnets for the Gargoyles. While originally too big to fit in the hole (that's what she said...) I simply drilled out the hole first, applied CA glue to the back of the magnet and slotted them in there. 2nd step was to glue the washers to the base as I figured it was going to be more helpful to have the heavier while everything else was drying, which it was. As for the poles, I clipped the peg off, filed the tip down flat and glued the magnet there. All told it took about 2-3 hours to get 30 gargoyles done because I created a 4th pole length to be able to stand them all together.

I have yet to magnetise my Necron Destroyer wing (now that I know it's totally worth it) so when I do I'll take clear some step-by-step pictures. It should clear up any other questions you might have.

Going to throw us a tantalising morsel of hobby goodness anytime soon? It's been so long and we are ever so faithful! Haha!

Very cool Nids, this thread is chocked full of inspiration

Yes you have been faithful. Not only that you've all been a good source of motivation.There's something big in the works.

Following your army list questions here, where you trying to figure out a good null-deployment list, well, let's just you inspired me to try out a third play style for our beloved bugs. So inspired in fact that I started a quick thread here to try and wrap around my mind around how to build a 2250 point spore list for a game that happened last Saturday.

So that the big thing in the works... Pods... Dark_Gear style...

Looking forward to seeing a competitive Pod list from you. As we know my list concentrates more on the fluffy side of things.