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Getting back into the swing of 40k after a long stretch into Dark Elves! I haven't played with the 5th ed Tyranid codex yet so here's a shot at jumping back into things!

HQ:
Hive Tyrant - Lash Whip & Bone Sword, Heavy Venom Cannon, Hive Commander, Leech Essence, Paroxysm - 220

Elite:
2x Zoanthrope - Mycetic Spore - 160
2x Hive Guard - 100

Troops:
7x Genestealers - Toxin Sacs - 119
7x Genestealers - Toxin Sacs - 119
10x Termagants - Fleshborers - 50
Tervigon - Adrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs, Onslaught - 195

Fast:
10x Gargoyles - 60
3x Shrikes - Dual Bonesword, Scything Talons, Toxin Sacs - 150

Heavy:
Trygon Prime - 240
Mawloc - 170
Tyrannofex - Rupture Cannon, Thorax Larvae, Cluster Spines - 265

Total: 1848

I really wish I could find extra points for things like another set of Termagants, Adrenal Glands for the Trygon, a fourth Shrike, etc. I'm a little hesitant on the Tyrannofex due to being a massive amount of points, but combined with Onslaught from the Tervigon he can move quick enough when need be while laying down a fair amount of firepower.

I'll probably outflank the stealers when appropriate, toss the Zoeys at what is hopefully 160pts worth of vehicle, let the Shrikes hide behind terrain and Gargoyles while finding something juicy to eat, and just wreck havoc where possible! What do you think?

Seems decent, I don't like Venom Cannons at all though and don't have enough termagant models for my Tervigon (probably gonna make it into a Tyrannofex), havn't tried a Tyrannofex yet but the rupture cannon looks like it could pop armor easily.

I like taking units of Genestealers in 10s, maybe get rid of the gargoyles since they don't look like they're going to do much except be a screen for the Shrikes. You could probably just jump your shrikes behind cover on the way up to the enemy.

HiveFleetGoliath wrote:Seems decent, I don't like Venom Cannons at all though.

What's not to like? S9 Blast seems rather nice to me. Yes it can roll elsewhere and the Tyrant's innate BS3 isn't a huge stop to the rolling, but it hits often enough and with only -1 to the damage table as opposed to always-glances as in the 4th ed book, it seems like the HVC is a rather nice gun. I'd really prefer it be Assault 2, but I don't get much say in that part.

HiveFleetGoliath wrote:I like taking units of Genestealers in 10s, maybe get rid of the gargoyles since they don't look like they're going to do much except be a screen for the Shrikes. You could probably just jump your shrikes behind cover on the way up to the enemy.

I'll definitely consider this one since I've been wanting slight bigger Stealer broods (9-10) and you're right, I could probably get by with hiding behind terrain and other units. The Shrikes are there as anti-MC, anti-Nob, etc.

I've also been considering swapping out the Tyrant for a Swarmlord for the outflankers and deep-strikers. I can easily find 40 more points if I really felt this were a good idea, but I have a feeling that as soon as someone sees the Swarmlord on the table without tyrant guard he'll eat more than his fair share of missile launchers and lascannons. Tyrant guard are just crazily expensive and don't seem to fit well into a sub-2000 list.

Is there reason why your T-Fex has only 2 weapons? Also the list seems pretty light on anti tank. At least add another unit of HG or Zoans. I would leave the Mawloc out as I don't find it useful.

Aetherse wrote:Is there reason why your T-Fex has only 2 weapons?

I thought the Cluster Spines or whatever they're called (don't have my codex on me at the moment) came with him stock? I only listed upgrades or alternate choices. Once I confirm the weapon's name I'll put it up there to avoid confusion.

Aetherse wrote:Also the list seems pretty light on anti tank. At least add another unit of HG or Zoans..

The list is light on anti-tank? I'm aware I'm not bringing as many anti-tank options as physically possible, but the list doesn't strike me as 'light' really. Do you typically play nothing but full-mech armies? I know the internet meta is mech-heavy but we have a little more variety at local stores than Rhino/Chimera/Raider spam. I'll definitely take your suggestion into consideration, though. If I find I run into mech spam more often than I'd like I'll definitely be tossing in more of our dedicated armor-busters.

Aetherse wrote:I would leave the Mawloc out as I don't find it useful.

You don't find it useful? S6 AP2 large template anywhere on the board seems rather nice. Long Fangs, Dev Squads, Lootas, etc. all come to mind as nice targets for this shot. It may not always make up its points, but this looks like a great distraction unit and makes my opponent spread out or eat a nasty blast hit. If there are a few vehicles all within range, a S6 shot on back armor doesn't seem bad if you can clip three vehicles with it.

Regarding vehicles, am I correct in reading it as if I clip a vehicle and don't destroy it, it is pushed directly away from the center of the blast since that's the shortest distance possible to move? Further, if it cannot be placed where it is pushed due to impassable terrain, friendly or enemy models, or table edge that the vehicle/unit is destroyed outright? This seems nice for Orks who like to clump up or the wall of vehicles some mech armies bring.

i think the list had a nice blend of everything in it. i would play a few games and then look at what to add/take away based on your play style. should play well if your not silly about it.

i would only recommend adding adrenal glands to the trygon the I-5 helps de-bunk dreads and marines and saves wounds as such plus s-7 really helps with tanks (i know it sounds silly trust me it helps).

and change the tervigon psy power to catalyst. (onslaught is good but you would enjoy feel no pain alot more)


hope it helps.


(i agree mawloc=win does not always get points back but is a great scare tool and can contest late game really easy)

I keep forgetting this but, Mawlocs have Hit and Run. If I remembered that in most of my games I would have been able to do much more with him.

-btw, the anti-tank is good in the list already, 2 Zoanthropes, 2 Hive Guard, Hive Tyrant, Trygon Prime, Tyrannofex, even the Mawloc. And Genestealers have the ability to pop light armor.

I like this list way more than mine, I may have to borrow some ideas! I'm still up in the air on if I want a Mawloc in my army or not.

So the Mawloc seems to be hit-and-miss. If it pops up and slaughters something juicy, great! If it doesn't, well then it just gets shot and dies. How about this list without the Mawloc and dropping the Tyrannofex for another Trygon Prime?

HQ:
Hive Tyrant - Lash Whip & Bone Sword, Heavy Venom Cannon, Hive Commander, Leech Essence, Paroxysm - 220

Elite:
2x Zoanthrope - Mycetic Spore - 160
2x Zoanthrope - Mycetic Spore - 160
2x Hive Guard - 100

Troops:
8x Genestealers - Toxin Sacs - 136
8x Genestealers - Toxin Sacs - 136
10x Termagants - Fleshborers - 50
Tervigon - Adrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs, Catalyst - 195

Fast:
10x Gargoyles - 60
3x Shrikes - Dual Bonesword, Scything Talons, Toxin Sacs - 150

Heavy:
Trygon Prime - 240
Trygon Prime - 240

Total: 1847

I feel like I'm severely lacking ranged weaponry and the Tyrannofex really isn't much more expensive than the Trygon Prime. I think two units of podded Zoanthrope is a nasty surprise for people wanting their Land Raiders to survive long enough to drop off heavy cargo. Against a light-mech army, though, it's really overkill.

I'm also thinking about giving the Shrikes Adrenal Glands in addition to Toxin Sacs. I know they'll still wound Marines and such on rerollable 4+, but now they'd get to go first and get re-rollable wounds against T5. Sad day for Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka in that case. Sure they wouldn't insta-gib him, but that's a lot of power attacks with rerollable wounds heading his way.

Have you thought about running a few Tyrant guards?

tony_nids_10 wrote:Have you thought about running a few Tyrant guards?

At 60pts a pop, no. Not really. Maybe in a 2000pt game where I'd bring out Mr. Swarmlord with two guard, but at 1850 I feel like I'm very tight on points for too many goodies.

I completely understand. I'm currently trying to make a 1750 list and wishing I had the extra 250 to play with...

In all honesty I might just try to run the Swarmlord in this list since I think he'd be very useful and I actually have some nice-looking boneswords for a Swarmlord model, but 280 points is just so very hurtful. Maybe if I lowered the Trygons to normal ones, no Prime...

That might help lessen the blow of the Swarmlord's cost.

I just realized that I need a 1500 point list not a 1750... crap.

I would keep the trygons as primes and remind your opponant every chance you get that they are.
If your taking the swarmlord you will need to throw a meat shield infront of him, otherwise he does attract a ton of fire from every unit possible.

1st game i used him he got shot to pieces on turn 3.

After that ive been running him with 2 guard and keeping a trygon or harpy near by to draw fire, and since ive done that, he has yet to fail on earning back his points.



Ive also found mawlocs to be pretty basic, against an elite army such as marine, it will do well provided he comes up when and where needed.
But against horde armies like orks your killing a few boyz a turn, or possibly some lootas.
It will then get torn apart in combat.




Also, i know it sounds strange, but the list does need more anti-tank.
You only have combat beasts for it that are S6 (useless against a monolith), which against AV14 isnt the best.
Hive guard will glance it at best.
Thropes are the best bet by miles, i'd try and max out both of your elite choices.


If you need to free up points, drop the shrikes.
They are great on paper, and converting them is great, but they still have a poor save and get shot to pieces pretty quick, and for 150 points, there are better options.

۞ Jack ۞ wrote:I would keep the trygons as primes and remind your opponant every chance you get that they are.
If your taking the swarmlord you will need to throw a meat shield infront of him, otherwise he does attract a ton of fire from every unit possible.

1st game i used him he got shot to pieces on turn 3.

After that ive been running him with 2 guard and keeping a trygon or harpy near by to draw fire, and since ive done that, he has yet to fail on earning back his points.

I can certainly believe that adding guards and keeping other big guys nearby helps, but it seems like a 400pt combat unit without Fleet will just get walked around the table for the entire game. Nobody wants any part of that fight and anyone that does can handle it, just like walking combat tyrants in the 4th ed book. How have you been making your points back? People willingly run expensive things into him? Do you also run him at 1850 or keep him only for 2k+ like I imagine?

۞ Jack ۞ wrote:If you need to free up points, drop the shrikes.
They are great on paper, and converting them is great, but they still have a poor save and get shot to pieces pretty quick, and for 150 points, there are better options.

You're probably right, but I am converting up a trio with FW wings and some boneswords I found on ebay. I really like how they look and I think they'll at least get their points back in most games. I see them as very useful for picking off small groups of Marines, Nobs, tactical Termies, MCs, etc. I'd really love a fourth one in there as a wound soak, to be honest, but I can't find another 50-55 points I'd be willing to part with to do it and the wings and boneswords come in packs of three. Even if they are sub-optimal, I like them enough to deal with it.

The Mawloc, on the other hand, I'm willing to let go in favor of other options.

I use him in games of 1,500+
And nope, dont have to let them charge him.
Once you have a trygon or 2 moving up a flank they have to go near one or the other, if they dont they then get pinned in the corner.
Thats why i like to use a harpy from time to time.
Keeps an army from moving back too much and can be used to pin a unit in combat when needed.

also, dont have to kill things with him to earn his points back.
If he makes a threat zone on the board that noone will go near, i then have an off limit section i can make use of.



Fair enough, its more of a model like thing.
Hence why i refuse to drop a few things from armies from time to time, simply because i love the model (LOC being my most recent one)

I'd say that more anti-tank would be a good replacement for the mawloc.
Either bolster both units of elites up to 3 in a unit, or grab another unit of thropes.
They really are the best tank busters in 40k for nids.