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Hello Dakka!
I'm starting a 'Nids list and I want to center it around the Swarmlord!
I'd like to be around 2k, with the ability to expand to 2.5k pretty easily.

I'm not 100% sure what I should all have. I spent a lot of time looking at the codex, and Doom seems like a pretty good choice as well as 2 Zoanthropes to go with him. Hive Guard seem to be good as well. I know genestealers are awesome(I've had them used against me several times...) I would like to try to focus around mostly melee, but as I've stated, Hive Guard are cool, so i do like shooting. I have made several lists, and would like to see how close I am to other peoples lists.

So 'Nid players of Dakka(and other knowledgeable peeps)...please help me build a list! Thanks in advance!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Forgot to mention that I also already have a Trygon and Tervigon that I'd like to use!

Hi Mate, my 2 cents:

ArcSoll wrote:I'm starting a 'Nids list and I want to center it around the Swarmlord!
I'd like to be around 2k, with the ability to expand to 2.5k pretty easily.

The Swarmlord is of course a good choice but remember that it is realy pricey, above all if we consider the compulsory Tyrant Guards to take with (at least 2).
This means pay him around 400 points.
In 2000+ points games it will be ok but consider an alternative choice for little games.

ArcSoll wrote:I'm not 100% sure what I should all have. I spent a lot of time looking at the codex, and Doom seems like a pretty good choice as well as 2 Zoanthropes to go with him. Hive Guard seem to be good as well. I know genestealers are awesome(I've had them used against me several times...) I would like to try to focus around mostly melee, but as I've stated, Hive Guard are cool, so i do like shooting. I have made several lists, and would like to see how close I am to other peoples lists.

As you mentioned the better Elite choises are of course a mix of Hive Guards and Zoanthropes (remember that you can't join the Doom of Malan'Tai in a Zoans unit), I advice you the 2x 3x Hive Guards + 3x Zoans in Spod. The very standard vs all adversaries.
The Doom is a good and interesting option, potentially devastating but in any case a suicide unit. I used it many times and I still consider him interesting but now I'm more often on the standard config I gived you.

ArcSoll wrote:I would like to try to focus around mostly melee, but as I've stated, Hive Guard are cool, so i do like shooting. I have made several lists, and would like to see how close I am to other peoples lists.

Talking about Troops and Heavy choices, if you want to concentrate your army on a melee config consider Stealers (that works really good with the Swarmlord's bonuses) and of course Tervigons. Trygons are the way nowadays, one of them if possible Prime. Remember in anycase to alwais take MC in couples at least, for the Trygons even 3 of them.

Here an example list:

HQ - Swarmlord - 2x Tyrant Guards all with lash whips. 410
HQ - Tyranid Prime - no option. 80
EL - 3x Hive Guards. 150
EL - 3x Hive Guards. 150
EL - 3x Zoanthropes - Spod. 220
TR - 10x Termagants. 50
TR - 10x Termagants. 50
TR - Tervigon - Adrenal Glands - Toxin Sacs - Catalyst - Onslaught. 210
TR - Tervigon - Adrenal Glands - Toxin Sacs - Catalyst - Onslaught. 210
TR - 10x Stealers - Toxin Sacs. 170
TR - 4x Warriors - 1x Barbed Strangler. 130
HV - Trygon Prime - Adrenal Glands. 250
HV - Trygon - Adrenal Glands. 210
HV - Trygon - Adrenal Glands. 210
Tot. 2500

I usually camp the Tyranid Prime with the Warrior brood and 1 Termagants sq. on my home objective, depending on how many other obj. are to claim I can sit down also a Tervigon otherwise the 2 should follow the avance of the other MC.
I don't DS Trygons, with Onslaught I have the chance to be in Assault range in 2 turns with the 2 Normal Trygons, the Prime will follow just after when the Swarmlord will try to take a side, running running running.
The Stealers can outflank rerolling the entry-side, assaulting fire support units (Devastator ecc ecc) or even just to contest an objective late in the game.
Obviously the 2 broods of Hive Guards should follow the 2 Tervigons in the advance and the Zoans should immediately concentrate all attack on the bigger heavyest armoured target (ie Lan Raiders, Monoliths etc..).

Enjoy

For 2000 points or less the Swarmlord should be substituted wit a cheaper Hive Tyrant.

Thanks a lot for the reply! For a 2k List what would you give the Hive Tyrant?

I never ended up taking Warriors in the lists I made, are they really worthwhile? Why not give the Tyranid Prime Dual Boneswords or something? Thanks!

You can also make gunline list. Kitted tervigons and lot's of termagaunts. Combine with T-Fexes and Hive Guards for anti-tank and use Tyrants as supporting assault units (or give them hvc and blast away.

I really like the more assaulty lists that Nids make. I have an Eldar Army and that already does a lot of shooting =).

Any other input would be greatly appreciated.

I'm going to bump Toban on this one. he knows the codex and his advice is still sound in this case. i give less credit to the hive guards then he does but thats just IMO. but, in reality they are good at what they do. (i just like other E choices)

Thank you very much!

Anything else I should know?